Epon AF 302 - AF 502

[Chicchino]

Hi.

Actually I’m playing a Mizuno MP 57 iron set.

Mentioned set is good but I’ve read on this site that exists better irons forged in Japan like Epon, Miura, Tourstage and so on.

I’m looking for a set that has a good compromise in feel – forgivness.

In my opinion Epon’s iron looks great so I was thinking about AF 302 or 502.

AF 502 looks and should be easier but lofts are too close.

In your opinion changing the loft to the AF 502 model letting them became as the AF 302 make sense?

Any suggestion?

Please consider that I play twice a week and my hcp is 5.

Thanks for your help.

[appilags]

I play off the same h'cap as you and I moved from Mizuno MP-32's to Epon AF-501's about 6 months ago.

I'm assuming that the 302 and 502 loft progressions are the same as the 301 and 502 ( i couldn't find them on-line to check before posting).

I too was a little concerned about the stronger lofts in the 501's, but after hitting them during the fitting process, I decided to leave the lofts alone. I just had my wedges adjusted to get my distances gaps right.

I've been really pleased with the results.

Hope this helps.

[Spoon]

i am gaming the 502s, they are much softer and solid feeling than the 501 due to the elim of the undercut. Sound at impact is also less clickier.

I do find this to be a big improvement over the 501 in every aspect: feel, forgiveness and looks. I too was a bit concerned about the very close lofts most especially in the longer irons, was contemplating on tweaking them but decided to leave them alone and play them as spec. So far w the 3 rounds i have under my belt they are fine. What i really enjoy is how forgiving they are. Il have more updates soon

[Chicchino]

First of all thanks for your help.

AF 502 loft is 1° closer on iron 7 - 8 - 9 - PW.

Are AF 302 very difficult?

I know that I can't have the same feel with AF 302 and AF 502 but there is a huge difference in feel between the two models?

FOR APPILAGS

What about the difference in feel between Mizuno MP 32's and AF 501?

Edited November 12, 2009 by Chicchino

[+TourSpecGolfer]

First of all thanks for your help.

AF 502 loft is 1° closer on iron 7 - 8 - 9 - PW.

Are AF 302 very difficult?

I know that I can't have the same feel with AF 302 and AF 502 but there is a huge difference in feel between the two models?

FOR APPILAGS

What about the difference in feel between Mizuno MP 32's and AF 501?

Yes the feeling is very different between the 502 & 302, the 502 has the hollow body making it more tinky.

[Spoon]

Yes the feeling is very different between the 502 & 302, the 502 has the hollow body making it more tinky.

Tinky?

i rather think the 502s are solid feeling and sound is a lot more muted compared to the 501s

[appilags]

First of all thanks for your help.

AF 502 loft is 1° closer on iron 7 - 8 - 9 - PW.

Are AF 302 very difficult?

I know that I can't have the same feel with AF 302 and AF 502 but there is a huge difference in feel between the two models?

FOR APPILAGS

What about the difference in feel between Mizuno MP 32's and AF 501?

I love the feel of the 501s. Certainly different from the 32's and difficult to make any direct comparison as I also changed from DGS300 shafts in the Mizunos to KBS5.5s in the Epons. However, taking feel, looks, forgiveness and overall results into accout, I would have a very hard time changing to any other iron from the 501s..........Except maybe the 502s!!!!!!.

[gocchin]

The 502 does have a hollow body but that body is not technically hollow because it has a new alpha gel Epon developed particularly to create a softer feel and absorb vibrations. The gel is injected into the hollow cavity and that helps produce feel and a more muted sound at impact. This also overrides the so called undercut cavity which does not look like an undercut ala previous 501 model. So there is much less click with a softer feel.

[Spoon]

The 502 does have a hollow body but that body is not technically hollow because it has a new alpha gel Epon developed particularly to create a softer feel and absorb vibrations. The gel is injected into the hollow cavity and that helps produce feel and a more muted sound at impact. This also overrides the so called undercut cavity which does not look like an undercut ala previous 501 model. So there is much less click with a softer feel.

that gel is amazing. it really does help absorb unwanted vibrations. on mis**ts i swear that it should have felt worst. just wondering is there are any other manufacturers that employ this gel? will play another round with the sticks tom and will have more updates

[philgolf]

The 502 does have a hollow body but that body is not technically hollow because it has a new alpha gel Epon developed particularly to create a softer feel and absorb vibrations. The gel is injected into the hollow cavity and that helps produce feel and a more muted sound at impact. This also overrides the so called undercut cavity which does not look like an undercut ala previous 501 model. So there is much less click with a softer feel.

A dealer in Hong Kong told me that Epon Irons are forged by Endo in Thailand, How true is this? Im under the impression that its forged in Japan by Endo same with the Yamaha Irons. How true is this?

[+TourSpecGolfer]

The 502 does have a hollow body but that body is not technically hollow because it has a new alpha gel Epon developed particularly to create a softer feel and absorb vibrations. The gel is injected into the hollow cavity and that helps produce feel and a more muted sound at impact. This also overrides the so called undercut cavity which does not look like an undercut ala previous 501 model. So there is much less click with a softer feel.

I've had the demo's for a while and IMO dont think they are as muted like the 302's. Tinky may not be the right word, the only other i can think of is Tink/Thwack. It is a better feel than the AF701 & AF501 for sure but not the 302. IMO the 302 feels a bit better than the 301 and I actually enjoy it more than the AF-Tour.

Another issue may be that I have KB's installed in the 302's and NSPRO 1050 in the 502 demo.

A dealer in Hong Kong told me that Epon Irons are forged by Endo in Thailand, How true is this? Im under the impression that its forged in Japan by Endo same with the Yamaha Irons. How true is this?

The Epon product we distribute to stores accross america arrives to us shipped from Japan and inspected by staff located in Niigata Japan.

[marty]

Not sure about the other Epon irons,.. but the blades and woods, for sure are forged in Japan, here is an email I received in regards to a question I had regarding country of origin, and forging of the Epon AF tour blades,. and the AF 101 & 201 woods for duties payable:

Thank you very much for your e-mail to us and I am glad to know

that you like our products and your kind words as well.

These are all forged in Japan, sorry for you have to pay duty.

I hope your golf will be more enjoyable with our clubs. Again thank you very much for your contact.

Best Regards,

Yoko Ando

Sales Manager / Epon Golf

[BigEasy]

Not sure about the other Epon irons,.. but the blades and woods, for sure are forged in Japan, here is an email I received in regards to a question I had regarding country of origin, and forging of the Epon AF tour blades,. and the AF 101 & 201 woods for duties payable:

Thank you very much for your e-mail to us and I am glad to know

that you like our products and your kind words as well.

These are all forged in Japan, sorry for you have to pay duty.

I hope your golf will be more enjoyable with our clubs. Again thank you very much for your contact.

Best Regards,

Yoko Ando

Sales Manager / Epon Golf

As far as I know all the Epon heads are shipped from Taipei, Taiwan. I have the exact address of the shipper, too.

[+TourSpecGolfer]

As far as I know all the Epon heads are shipped from Taipei, Taiwan. I have the exact address of the shipper, too.

Their top agent is located in Taiwan, He is from Japan and there is a good amount of inventory at his warehouse.

I can confirm that the Epon product is all Forged in Japan.

[gocchin]

Well that's why they are called Epon Japan Forged right? (^_^)

Honestly why is it that people always ask where Epon is forged?

They have a humongous Epon Factory and Forging plant sitting in Niigata Japan... it's not there just for show. (^_^)

Even though their international Agent is in Taiwan I'm pretty sure most if not all of our orders ship to customers from Niigata.

I know mine always have. (^_^)

[Goodsie]

Well that's why they are called Epon Japan Forged right? (^_^)

Honestly why is it that people always ask where Epon is forged?

They have a humongous Epon Factory and Forging plant sitting in Niigata Japan... it's not there just for show. (^_^)

Even though their international Agent is in Taiwan I'm pretty sure most if not all of our orders ship to customers from Niigata.

I know mine always have. (^_^)

Impressive Factory to say the least. Its hoped that Epon can keep the folks inside that Factory busy all year, especially when you consider the recent changes they made to their Distribution Policies on their Golf Equipment.

[bcass]

Impressive Factory to say the least. Its hoped that Epon can keep the folks inside that Factory busy all year, especially when you consider the recent changes they made to their Distribution Policies on their Golf Equipment.

Can anyone post some photos of the 502's? I am currently playing the 701's and would like to compare.

Thanks,

Brad

[idrive]

Go to

http://www.eponforged.com/

[Spoon]

jeff, nice avatar! old skool

[sarintr]

Hi.

Actually I’m playing a Mizuno MP 57 iron set.

Mentioned set is good but I’ve read on this site that exists better irons forged in Japan like Epon, Miura, Tourstage and so on.

I’m looking for a set that has a good compromise in feel – forgivness.

In my opinion Epon’s iron looks great so I was thinking about AF 302 or 502.

AF 502 looks and should be easier but lofts are too close.

In your opinion changing the loft to the AF 502 model letting them became as the AF 302 make sense?

Any suggestion?

Please consider that I play twice a week and my hcp is 5.

Thanks for your help.

I think it not good for change loft 3* weaker to be same 302's loft. The problem is chrome's finish dent and bounce angle increase. YOur hcp is good amature golfer, I would like to suggest in AF302 . They will bring you more hit feeling like muscle back and more confident in term of accurancy.

[+TourSpecGolfer]

302 is pretty awesome man, I think its a noticeable improvement over the 301. Same great feel but more forgiving

[BigEasy]

Well that's why they are called Epon Japan Forged right? (^_^)

Honestly why is it that people always ask where Epon is forged?

They have a humongous Epon Factory and Forging plant sitting in Niigata Japan... it's not there just for show. (^_^)

Even though their international Agent is in Taiwan I'm pretty sure most if not all of our orders ship to customers from Niigata.

I know mine always have. (^_^)

Well, I got to talk to one of the distributors in US and happened to see one of his order forms, which shows the address of the shipper. That address was in Taiwan. Is Terry Wang in Taiwan Epon's international distributor, then? I wonder why they ship to US from Taiwan, though. Do they ship from Japan to the international distributor in Taiwan, and the distributor in Taiwan ship to US, then? I'm confused.

[+TourSpecGolfer]

Well, I got to talk to one of the distributors in US and happened to see one of his order forms, which shows the address of the shipper. That address was in Taiwan. Is Terry Wang in Taiwan Epon's international distributor, then? I wonder why they ship to US from Taiwan, though. Do they ship from Japan to the international distributor in Taiwan, and the distributor in Taiwan ship to US, then? I'm confused.

No sir terry is an employee of the international agent. Epon ships from Japan to the USA, very little inventory or soft goods will come from Taiwan when Japan is out of stock but whatever the case none of the golf clubs are made in Taiwan.

If it's made in Japan, and thats confirmed by Epon & TSG, there is no reason to be so interested in Taiwan.

[18th Legion]

Well that's why they are called Epon Japan Forged right? (^_^)

Honestly why is it that people always ask where Epon is forged?

They have a humongous Epon Factory and Forging plant sitting in Niigata Japan... it's not there just for show. (^_^)

Even though their international Agent is in Taiwan I'm pretty sure most if not all of our orders ship to customers from Niigata.

I know mine always have. (^_^)

Well . . . right or wrong, many of those in the States equate products made in Japan or even Taiwan as higher quality as opposed to products made in China or Southeast Asia. Further there is a backlash towards products from China and SE Asia, as many workers in the U.S. feel that the companies have an unfair advantage when it comes to the cost of goods produced and the wage and safety of employees.

Japan and Taiwan have safer working conditions, health care, and so on. Therefore their products compete on a more level playing field.

Maybe some of these assumptions are true, maybe they are over stated, however that is the perception and therefore why the subject of exactly where product is made is so important to many. As you are in the midst of the market, any light that you could share on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

Edited December 10, 2009 by 18th Legion