bogeydog Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 (edited) I know that this iron is sold out and most probably not available on the 1st hand market. Despite this I feel compelled to write this review. Many ill be skeptical and some may be sad they didn't find a set of these sooner. History The stock set comes with DG S200 shafts. I hated the fell of these shafts. To me they felt dead, literally lifeless. After much research and a little experimentation, I settled on the new KB Tour shafts by FST. These were designed by Kim Braly who I understand designed the Rifle shafts. I have never played the Rifle shafts so I can offer no comparison. I do understand that Kim wanted to design a shaft with the performance of the Rifle shafts with a better feel. My swing speed is about 90mph with a 6 iron. I have an average tempo but do attack the ball. I play to a 6.9 index and feel teh strength of my game is driving. My iron play yields about 9 GIR per round. Previously I have played numerous irons and shafts yet the last two sets have been Epon AF-301 with Black Golf stiff soft stepped 1x and Mizuno JPX with Roddio I-10 graphite shafts. I also had the Epon Type S with Nippon 950s stiff. Yamaha Looks As written in my previous reviews, the irons has very very little offset. That was appealing to me. They has a moderate top line and their size is on the smaller size. The profile is boxy with more of a square toe area. The sole has what appears as 3 grinds. The leading edge is sharp with a small grind. Overall, the size is similar to the AF-301, but I think the Yamaha is slightly taller in the toe. Setup is perfect and it appears more blade like than cavity back. Perfect to me. Feel The feel is very positive and firm, yet soft. The AF-301 feels softer, but the Yamaha feels more solid. Not that the Epon is mushy, but the Yamaha has a small click and feels super solid and soft together. Performance Although Yamaha describes these as having a center of gravity higher than their no-tour model, I think the result is superb. The ball flight is spectacular. This may be due to the shafts as described below, but the end result is excellence. Perfect high flight, no ballooning. Carry is superb. Forgiveness is really good also. My typical miss is towards the toe. Distance loss is minimal. I also can work the ball easily and at will. Conclusion on head I am happy to say and sad to say that I will not be buying any other irons for...well who know. If Yamaha comes out with a new version of these, I will jump on them quickly. I would hate to have something happen to these. I would be very sad. The combo of setup, feel and performance leave nothing for me to desire. I am past the honeymoon period and can't find a reason to let me mind wander. KB Tour Shafts There isn't much info about these shafts. Data is minimal. I researched these as much as I could. I spoke to FST and gathered what I could. I then bought a few shafts of different flexes and experimented with them. Ultimately, I choose the 5.5 flex installed in the proper dedicated iron. I play 1/2" short so weight was added to head to get a D1 swing weight in the 4-8. I then had the 9 and PW setup at D2 and so on. Therefore these probably play slight softer than 5.5. The 5.5 shafts weight 120g. I also had installed the Nowon grips. I must say that these are the best shafts I have ever played, period. The feel is great. Reflecting on the Black Golds, the BGs seemed sloppy. I know they are tip soft as I expect the KBs are also. But the KB just feel more controlled and positive. Now onto what counts - Accuracy. All I can say is that these are deadly accurate. Never before have I been able to drop darts like this. They are so consistent and predictable. Flight is perfect. High yet penetrating flight with low-moderate spin, no ballooning. Easy to turn over and work. Pure sex here guys. This combo is perfect for me. In comparison to others sets I have owned this is a 10/10. I considered the AF-301s with BG shafts a 8/10. For me, the Epons are excellent and this review should not degrade the 301s. But for me, the minimal offset, the superb setup, ball flight and solid feel combined with the excellent performance of the KB Tour demands my attention. I can imagine that the AF-301s with the KB Tours would be incredible also. The following pics are of the 6I. One of the last pics shows the offset of the PW and a 4I. Edited March 7, 2008 by bogeydog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 Awesome Review Bogey, I have not had time with these irons yet but can't wait to get back to give them a rip after the re shaft, compared to the AF301 these look a bit better with their thinner top line and less offset. I am especially happy with the amount of offset in the 8,9, and PW. What are the weights of your KB shafts? I am still thinking of Graphite in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeydog Posted March 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 (edited) Awesome Review Bogey,I have not had time with these irons yet but can't wait to get back to give them a rip after the re shaft, compared to the AF301 these look a bit better with their thinner top line and less offset. I am especially happy with the amount of offset in the 8,9, and PW. What are the weights of your KB shafts? I am still thinking of Graphite in them. Raw weight of 5.5s are 120. The 4.5s 110 and the 6.5s 130. The balance point makes these feel lighter than they spec. I was concerned they would be heavy, but they feel considerably lighter than the Black Golds. I also felt the BGs were too heavy for me and was concerned with the KB weight. When I installed the test shaft, I was sold. You will see them later this month! Bring the graphites and we can compare. Edited March 7, 2008 by bogeydog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blader-X Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 Great review. These looked very solid to me and have been on my mind since I first saw them. I was amazed that they sold out so quickly. Since I will most likely never get the chance to hit them or put them in play, thanks for all the pics. You've got a solid setup with those there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeydog Posted March 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 Great review. These looked very solid to me and have been on my mind since I first saw them. I was amazed that they sold out so quickly. Since I will most likely never get the chance to hit them or put them in play, thanks for all the pics. You've got a solid setup with those there. Blader-X, You know how it goes here. Someone will sell a set sooner or later. Probably not me anytime soon, but there will be someone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goshinboku Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 I got a rather dumb question, why are these sets only 4-PW, no 3 iron available? If these are the tour model, 99.9% of all pro's are still playing 3 irons arent they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K2_2 Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 Wonderful review of a fantastic set of irons! Chris, I'll look forward to the review with a set of graphite shafts as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkjscout Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 Bogey, Great review and after hitting the Yamaha Tourmodel with KB shaft, you provide a very good assessment. When the regular XVs with the Tour ADs are finished, we’ll see how they stack up to the Tourmodel. DKJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted March 8, 2008 Report Share Posted March 8, 2008 I got a rather dumb question, why are these sets only 4-PW, no 3 iron available? If these are the tour model, 99.9% of all pro's are still playing 3 irons arent they? The tour model is available 3-PW, the standard V Forged is 4-PW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBone Posted May 17, 2008 Report Share Posted May 17, 2008 Bogeydog, Any additional comments after 2 months of play since the initial review? Still in the "bag"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeydog Posted May 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2008 Bogeydog,Any additional comments after 2 months of play since the initial review? Still in the "bag"? Yes I am still playing them. I haven't thought about switching. I don't have much more to say than they are still here and are not going any where. I am watching for Yamaha to bring out an even better version one day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikeONEplatinum Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 (edited) I wanted to put in KB 5.5, i'm a little confused tho. From what i've read they sound tricky to install with that soft softstepping and all. I'm leaning towards the 5.5 but not sure if they will still be too light for my clubhead, i'm looking for a d1-d2ish swingweight. i would greatly appreciate your advice, thanks. Nice ball striking and irons. Edited August 24, 2008 by NikeONEplatinum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeydog Posted August 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 If your Pings have reasonably standard head weights, then you should have no problem at all acheiving your goal swing weight. What length are you playing the clubs? If you have a 5 iron length of at least 37.75 inches than all the easier. I have installed them in anew set of the GS-MB which the heads are lighter. I also play a 5I that is 37.5 inches. SW is tricky in this set and I am about a D1. You should have no issue. Whats up bogey, i have a ping 5-PW s57 set and wanted to put in KB 5.5, i'm a little confused tho. From what i've read they sound tricky to install with that soft softstepping and all. I'm leaning towards the 5.5 but not sure if they will still be too light for my clubhead, i'm looking for a d1-d2ish swingweight. i would greatly appreciate your advice, thanks. Nice ball striking and irons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikeONEplatinum Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 (edited) If your Pings have reasonably standard head weights, then you should have no problem at all acheiving your goal swing weight. What length are you playing the clubs? If you have a 5 iron length of at least 37.75 inches than all the easier. I have installed them in anew set of the GS-MB which the heads are lighter. I also play a 5I that is 37.5 inches. SW is tricky in this set and I am about a D1. You should have no issue. I'm gonna put KB's in. I'll review on them after a few range sessions. Thanks for the quick reply. Edited August 24, 2008 by NikeONEplatinum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikeONEplatinum Posted August 29, 2008 Report Share Posted August 29, 2008 (edited) KBS ok, better than True Temper, Project X #1 Edited August 29, 2008 by NikeONEplatinum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
addicted2golf Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 Nice review bogey!! Makes me wanna get some Yamaha but i just got some Miura 5003!! I like the no1 grip, whats the size on that blk/yellow. i am -1/64 from standard but real close to standard actually. would your series of colors fit?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeydog Posted September 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 The Nowon grips are available in 50 and 48 weights. My guess is that the 48 is a thinner grip. Each series feature they own colors. I play standard, but maybe the 50 could fit you depending on the install method. Iomic also makes thinner grips however I much prefer the Nowon. Nice review bogey!! Makes me wanna get some Yamaha but i just got some Miura 5003!! I like the no1 grip, whats the size on that blk/yellow. i am -1/64 from standard but real close to standard actually. would your series of colors fit?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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