Irons for the average golfer Test

[gocchin]

So the largest group of golfers in Japan is called the Average Golfer (as opposed to the Athlete Golfer). The average golfer is the player looking for forgiveness, plays more for fun and is... pretty much average. (^_^) This is not to say an average golfer cannot become an athlete golfer, because of couse they can with practice and even with the influence of good equipment.

The other day my laptop, which is the only computer I brought with me to Japan (the rest of my computer gear are following in the coming months) suddenly died on me with its Bios chip grtting burnt out. Luckily for me Toshiba Japan honored the warranty from Canada. Unlucky for me is that it will take 2 weeks to repair. So unable to do my usual chores. I decided to do some equipment testing instead and report back here by typing on my in-law's P3 Windows 95 machine which I might also add is in Japanese and slower than a snail.

Because of this I have no real pictures of my own but only stock pics from around the web for your reference. I tested all clubs using 7 irons shafted with stock R flex graphite at 37" (standard). R Flex happens to be the most common flex among average golfers and happen to match my swing. Also I tested graphite shafts not only because I like graphite but because one thing that really stands out between different JDM brands is their stock graphite offering. If its plain jane reliable steel all the models would have NS Pro 950GH.

All irons were hit off very nice mats in a very nice indoor testing center. I wore a Mizuno 22cm Biolock glove for testing and used Tourstage V10 balls (the most popular choice of average golfers).

All four models are cast models designed with lots of technology including Titanium faces (except the ONOFF which is maraging) to help the average golfer perform and improve. Because I was indoors, judging performance is hard. So things I looked out for was feel of the ball off the face. Sound of the ball off the face. Feel of the shaft. General forgiveness on off center hits (judged by feel mostly). Even without being able to judge performance and trajectory I believe that these points are important. I am very much a feel player, and the feel of the club is a very very important characteristic for me. As important as distance. If a club goes far but feels like crap, I just cannot play it.

First up was the Mizuno JPX A25 iron. This is clearly the largest iron of the bunch and the closest thing to a Game Improvement iron based on its shovel appearance. (^_^) The R flex shaft had some flex to it.

(I am one that believes that there is nothing wrong with a lot of flex. It does not mean a shaft is too soft or not good. If a players swing type matches the flex profile of a softer shaft it can truly perform for them. Of course there is such thing as too soft but a softer flex can be adapted to and controlled which is one of the reasons why Japanese companies design oem stock shafts this way, because they work for the general consumer base in Japan. Soft as long as accurate can provide great feel and lots of kick)

I do not like the rubber grip that Mizuno uses on their new JPX line, it is hard and cheap looking and the reason they use it is because of its light weight. At setup the JPX A25 is huge. I have not tried something this large since the Callaway X-20's a couple of years back, and these are bigger. They are very chunky and scream confidence for those who might need it. Wide sole and thick topline plus an oversized face.

The A25's have a Titanium face but felt pretty solid unlike my previous Bridgestone Beam Ti Irons which felt very metallic on impact these felt solid. I had to make some adjustment to the large amount of offset which I was not used to but once I did get accustomed to it I can say that the A25's are without a doubt for the player looking for Game Improvement. The high handicapper average golfer or simply someone who needs a big and forgiving iron. Feel is averaqe, it feels like a cast iron (not even titanium). The shaft is reasonably smooth and felt under control in my hands but again nothing spectacular. An undercut cavity like the Epon AF-701's to promote forgiveness and its large face area meant a very forgiving face as long as you don't hit it directly off the toe and heel. Beginner golfers, this could be the set for you.

XXIO from Sri Sports and Tourstage's ViQ line have long been the two dominant names in the Average Golfer world in Japan. They are simply great clubs for the improving player. When the new 2008 ViQ and XXIO iron were released, I found them to look very similar. They are not overly large, the don't have too much offset and both are reasonably good looking. Both models are good enough to be played by JLPGA pros which is always reflective of whats popular in the mid handicapper market in Japan.

The XXIO iron has ｌｏｎg been the number one played iron on the JLPGA. the newest 5th generation is the most advanced ever. XXIO completely redesigned the undercut cavity by actually removing it in the center of the cavity but still having the undercut behind the toe and heel area. What this does is promote a more solid and pure feel on flush strikes without the clicky feel often associated with undercuts but still the forgiveness on toe and heel mis-hits. The new XXIO is also slightly smaller than the previous generation though that may be just a trick on my eyes due to the more streamlined design. The new 60g tunsten sole is definitely not as wide. All in all it is just as forgiving as the previous generation best seller.

I think much of the success XXIO has had can also be attributed to their MP line of shafts. Now at MP500, the 5th generation, these shafts simply work for the player providing feel and kick. This is a very good iron that would satisfy even the mid handicapper looking for something easy to hit with good looks, feel and distance. The titanium face is feels hotter than the Mizuno and definitely feels better.

The Tourstage ViQ 2008 has a similar look to the XXIO except this time around Tourstage decided to remove the undercut. They still have tungsten weight embedded in the sole (2 x 15g) like the previous generation ViQ but this time the tungsten has been moved towards the back of the sole even past the cavity. The grind of the sole is also very forgiving unlike the more rounded sole of the previous generation featuring heel and toe relief. The feel of this ViQ was more solid than the previous gen but the titanium face was still responsive. The Vi-50 shafts were the stoutest feeling of the four irons I tested which in turn did not provide as much feel but most likely the tighetst dispersion.

The 2008 ViQ would also appeal to midcappers and high cappers looking to grow their game. Versatile of any lie and with solid shafts that lead to accurate shots.

Finally I tried the 2008 ONOFF Red irons. The ONOFF also features the tungsten sole like the XXIO and is an advanced multi piece iron like the others. The ONOFF also features an L cup face which is a face that wraps under the sole of the iron making it forgiving on even shots that are hit low on the face or thin. Instead of the common SUS630 that we find in most cast irons they use MS225 Stainless matched with a High Maraging face. This equals a very good feel off the face. Softest among the irons tested here. The ONOFF is also not overly large, a good mid sized CB with paired with the softest shaft of the bunch. When I first picked up the ONOFF and tried to flex the shaft, I immediately knew it was the softest shaft of the bunch. But after hitting the iron and feeling how nice impact actually felt I could see how the face materials and iron design coupled with this softer shaft was creating really good feel. The ONOFF iron with MP508i graphite has very good kick to it I could feel it unload on the ball which gave me the feeling that this was probably the longest iron of the bunch. Soft or not this shaft worked probably thanks to the fact its made by Daiwa, makers of high end world graphite fishing rods and Roddio golf shafts.

I spent about 40 mintues rotating between the four irons and at the end of the test I felt like these irons could satisfy most mid to higher handicapper average golfers looking for performance and forgiveness but in the end I felt like taking the ONOFF home to really give them a thorough test on the course. I must admit I was pleasantly surprised.

I spied a whole bunch of new drivers I'd like to test out next. Any requests, please let me know. Testing is fun. (^_^)

[HungryPillow]

Thanks for the thorough review T. Have to say that ONOFF iron really looks the best out of the 4 models you tested. Awesome.

[Randy]

Great review.

Thanks

Randy

[al808]

Great reviews as always. The OnOff definitely looks better then the rest. When will you do a review on the 2008 Tourstage black GR's irons?

Thanks

[777]

Great review! Thanks~

[siteseer2]

did i read the specs right... 38.5 inch 5 iron.... thats 1/2 to 3/4 inch over standard

[gocchin]

did i read the specs right... 38.5 inch 5 iron.... thats 1/2 to 3/4 inch over standard

Did I write 38.5" somewhere? I can only see 37" 7 iron. (^_^)

I'll test in the next round the GR Black and the new Srixon irons.