Gold's Factory Flat Back vs Miura MB-5003 vs Epon AF Tour

[t0fudelivery]

So I am looking to get a new set of blades. I am currently playing the old Nike forged blades from years ago (before the VR). And now im seriously considering a new set, preferrably a JDM set. So I've narrowed down my choices to four irons right now.

Miura MB-5003

Gold's Factory flat back

Epon AF-Tour

Mizuno MP-68 (i know theyre not necessarily JDM, but still a choice for me)

Now I know how the MP-68's feel, but I have no idea how the other three (GF, Miura, Epon) feel or even look in person. Ive looked at the photos but they only do so much. So my questions are this:

1) Are there any of these irons that I have listed that I shouldnt consider at all? Considering im only an 8 handicap, I'd prefer the more forgiving blade but without sacrificing a thin topline.

Below are some facts about my game

- Swing speed w/ 6 iron: 85mph

- Handicap: 8

- Common Mis**ts: toe

- Style: Sweeper/slider

2) How would you compare the looks of the Mizuno MP-68 vs the other three irons? (top line, overall size, etc.)

3) If you have hit the MP-68s, how do the other three compare? (feel, weight, etc.)

4) Another important factor is the finish available on the irons and how durable it is. I know the Epon come in copper and chrome; the Miura's in black satin, chrome, and flat black; and the Mizuno's come in Black Nickel and chrome; but what about the Gold's Factory? I saw there's a set of the prototypes available in the BST section, and if I pick them up, I was wondering if I can send them to TSGCustomWorks and possibly get some custom work done to them?

Here's a little fitting questionaire I filled out so you guys kind of know what my game is about.

1. Do you have a dynamic fitting before? lie angle?

- No; fitted for standard length/lie angle

2. What is the existing set up specs and shaft, etc? Detail please!

- Model: Nike Forged Blades (3-PW) (RH)

- Shaft: DGS300

3. Have you ever been on a launch monitor session? what are the numbers (detail)? what brand of machine?

- Not with irons

4. How do you hit them so far?

- 8 out of 10 shots consistent with a 5 yard fade but solid contact (fade only from 6i through 3i)

5. What do you want to see it change/what is the problem?

- I am purchasing Mizuno MP-68 irons soon, but I cant decide which shaft to go with (PX Rifle/DG)

6. What do you like to see on your ball flight?

- Mid Trajectory, high spin

7. What is your ball flight tendency on your good golfing day?

- High Trajectory, medium spin

8. Which side is your mistake tendency? left or right side? any problem catching the sweet spot? where?

- Fade 5-10 yards to the right. 2 out of 10 shots are mis-hits (toe mostly)

9. Do you consider yourself a High ball hitter or low ball hitter?

- High ball hitter

10. How far you hit a 5 iron on a good no wind day? 5 iron swing speed ( carry distance )?

- Carry - 175 yards

- Speed - 83mph

11. What is you measurement on Knuckle to floor with shoes on? LH for RH player vice versa on LH players

- 31"

12. What is your measurement on wrist to floor with shoes on? LH for RH player vice versa on LH players

- 35.5"

13. What is your glove size? need size estimate even if you don't use glove.

- Men's Medium

14. How tall are you?

- 5'8"

15. Are you a deep/medium or shallow divot taker?

- Medium

16. Who do you think your swing look like compare to PGA Tour players?

- Ernie Els

17. What is your handicap index? From?

- 8, My local course records

18. Smooth , medium or quick tempo swing style? How good is your shaft load factor on your down swing?

- Medium to Quick

Please provide any shaft recommendations for each iron if you know whats good in your opinion. Thanks guys!

Edited March 28, 2010 by t0fudelivery

[idrive]

Are you sure you want a blade?

IMO there are a lot of players cavity back irons with the "look" you're looking for. They will be more forgiving on your toey shots. Generally blades are not the best irons for people that mis toward the toe.

As far as the irons you've listed, all are great irons and without hitting them all side by side there is no way of knowing which look best, feel best to you.

What shafts have you hit and what did you like?

[Spoon]

Are you sure you want a blade?

IMO there are a lot of players cavity back irons with the "look" you're looking for. They will be more forgiving on your toey shots. Generally blades are not the best irons for people that mis toward the toe.

i would have saved a lot of money and effort if i had listened to mr j! lessons learned.

Idrive has tried them all and his advise is spot on!

[t0fudelivery]

I am positive I want blades, lol. As I mentioned earlier, Ive been playing blades for over 3 years now and I have a set of 690CBs as a backup for when im just out to have fun with my buddies.

Ive played alot of shafts, I work at Golfsmith and we have the Mizuno fitting station so Ive tried the MP-68 with:

Rifle 5.0, 5.5

Project X 5.5, 6.0 (flighted as well)

NS950 R, S

DG S300

DGSL S300

DG95 S300

Between all of those shafts, Ive found the Rifles and the NS950s to have the best feel for my swing in terms of the load and feel.

In regards to my toey mis**ts, lol, they come about maybe 1 out of 10 shots at the range. So averages are at 90% consistent ball striking.

[EPONfreak]

16. Who do you think your swing look like compare to PGA Tour players?

- Ernie Els

Gold, absolute Gold.......... (no offence) :)

and yes, if your miss is on the toe, and Epon 302 would be better. I have actually been mucking around with both the 502 and 302 and at least for me the 302 gives me 95% of the advantages of the blade but 20% more forgiving.

[t0fudelivery]

If you guys can, tell me which of these go in order from most to least favored:

- Thinnest topline -

- Most forgiving -

- Smallest clubhead -

I am probably most interested in either the Gold's Factory irons or the Miura MB-5003 just because I cant order the heads only from Epon. If I go with the Gold's Factory, I was thinking of buying the proto set in the BST forums and sending them to TSG Custom Works to get some custom engraving done and maybe finished in black since I dont like the look of the finished product thats in the Pro Shop. And I definitely like that black finish that's available on the Miuras.

Like I said, the look of the club on address is the most important factor, then comes the feel.

[ant]

i recently posted a question on Miura blades here and frogeye posted some real nice up close shots of MB-5003. i reckon they give a much better real life impression so have a look perhaps it would help you. there are also some first hand comments on MB-5003 that could be useful to you as well. http://forum.tourspecgolf.com/t29524.html

on top of that Mjr. Diarrhea offered to sell a single MB-5003 #6 iron head to try.

So I am looking to get a new set of blades. I am currently playing the old Nike forged blades from years ago (before the VR). And now im seriously considering a new set, preferrably a JDM set. So I've narrowed down my choices to four irons right now.

Miura MB-5003

Gold's Factory flat back

Epon AF-Tour

Mizuno MP-68 (i know theyre not necessarily JDM, but still a choice for me)

Now I know how the MP-68's feel, but I have no idea how the other three (GF, Miura, Epon) feel or even look in person. Ive looked at the photos but they only do so much.

[Mjr. D]

I have the MB-5003s. I have a set of Mizuno MP37s and a set of Epon AF 301/Technica tour specs. Never hit the golds.

Epon - most spongey feeling (in a great way)

Miura - Most solid feeling and forgiving of the bunch.

Mizuno - Right in between the two - Combination of the two.

You can't go wrong with any of them. Honestly, just go with your gut. You're not going to be disappointed.

[t0fudelivery]

Epon - most spongey feeling (in a great way)

Miura - Most solid feeling and forgiving of the bunch.

Mizuno - Right in between the two - Combination of the two.

I guess its just going to come down to ordering a single iron of the sets and trying them out for myself because Ive been reading and hearing so many different things on the feedback from the irons (ie Miuras are more forgiving than the Epons; vice versa).