Hi guys,

I am an 11 handicapper. Now playing the old TM 300 series with kbs shaft.

I have a decent iron play. Weakness> Driver and reading the green.

Right now I am thinking of switching.

Need your inputs/advise on these, especially from experts that have hands-on experience.

1. Distance

2. Forgiveness

3. Feel

So which should I get?

Or they are only for single digit hdc and therefore I should go with the epon 502 or R9 max.

Thanks

Edited May 18, 201014 yr by aperture

I wouldnt suggest the R9 Max, it's a bit large.

at 11hcp with decent ball striking there are several I can suggest:

AF-302, AF-502

Fourteen TC-910 & TC-550 new version

Taylormade R9 Forged & R9 Forged TP

Ping Anser Forged Irons

Taylormade Burner TP

Yamaha Inpres X Forged

Taylormade Burner Forged

The hard part is I can't tell if you prefer a players CB or semi players CB. There are a lot of guys out there who play to an 11 who use blades or compact players CB's and they can handle it, some can't and there is a group that hit's smaller more compact clubs better than larger more forgiving ones. It all depends where you stand.

there is a group that hit's smaller more compact clubs better than larger more forgiving ones.

So true

Well I hit the 302 this weekend (thank you Jeff - idrive). That's a great feeling golf club, maybe the best feeling iron that I've hit since I retired my old Wilson Staff Tour Blades (circa '79). The trouble for me is that the weak part of my game is my iron play. I'm going for the 701's. My index is a 2.9. As posted earlier, what works for one may not work for the other. I was going back and forth between the 502, 701, and the TM Burner Forged. I'm ordering the 701's tonight!

Well I hit the 302 this weekend (thank you Jeff - idrive). That's a great feeling golf club, maybe the best feeling iron that I've hit since I retired my old Wilson Staff Tour Blades (circa '79). The trouble for me is that the weak part of my game is my iron play. I'm going for the 701's. My index is a 2.9. As posted earlier, what works for one may not work for the other. I was going back and forth between the 502, 701, and the TM Burner Forged. I'm ordering the 701's tonight!

finally! good choice bro. cant go wrong with the 701s. have you decided on what shafts you will be using?

Thanks for the replies guys,

But honestly which is more forgiving, (i know if i want forgiveness i should go with the 502 or 701) but to satisfy my curiousity, between the 302 and TP burner considering they have the same shaft (say nippon 950 GH). Which will be more forgiving?

Your answer are greatly appreciated.

Especially from TSG experts who has tried on the field and not on the driving range carpet.

Edited May 19, 201014 yr by aperture

finally! good choice bro. cant go wrong with the 701s. have you decided on what shafts you will be using?

Nippon NS Pro 950GH, x-flex, soft stepped.

Thanks for the replies guys,

But honestly which is more forgiving, (i know if i want forgiveness i should go with the 502 or 701) but to satisfy my curiousity, between the 302 and TP burner considering they have the same shaft (say nippon 950 GH). Which will be more forgiving?

Your answer are greatly appreciated.

Especially from TSG experts who has tried on the field and not on the driving range carpet.

Based on the perimeter weighting, I'd think that the Burner TP is a little more forgiving. The 302 head is very small. I know that don't think of it as a blade, but it's as close to a blade iron as you can get without being a blade, IMO... The demo club had the NS Pro SuperPeened Blue shaft in X or S, making really heavy for a guy whose been playing the NS850 GH shafts for 3 years. Definitely had to swing with it smooth with that shaft...

Edited May 20, 201014 yr by nvgolfdude

Based on the perimeter weighting, I'd think that the Burner TP is a little more forgiving. The 302 head is very small. I know that don't think of it as a blade, but it's as close to a blade iron as you can get without being a blade, IMO... The demo club had the NS Pro SuperPeened shaft in it, making really heavy for a guy whose been playing the NS850 GH shafts for 3 years. Definitely had to swing with it smooth with that shaft...

I would have to say too close to call on that. I'm leaning toward the AF-302 being more forgiving. It's very close man.

Also go with the 502 over the 701 IMO, newer model, better feel, pretty much the same tech in a better designed package.

Based on the perimeter weighting, I'd think that the Burner TP is a little more forgiving. The 302 head is very small. I know that don't think of it as a blade, but it's as close to a blade iron as you can get without being a blade, IMO... The demo club had the NS Pro SuperPeened shaft in it, making really heavy for a guy whose been playing the NS850 GH shafts for 3 years. Definitely had to swing with it smooth with that shaft...

I believe the 302 has more perimeter weighting than the burner tp.

The burner tp, I would consider as a mixed set. 8-PW is as a blade as there is no cavity. The cavity gets progressively noticeable as one goes to the longer irons. It also has a head size comparable to the 302, and it has very little offset and a narrow sole.

I have not hit the 302 but I did hit the 301. Different in feel for sure, but it's hard to say one is more forgiving than another. For me, a mis**t is a mis**t when you're not hitting the sweet spot. A mis**t is always a bad shot. More forgiving clubs for me are ones that gets the ball up in the air easier with the same ball strike.

I would have to say too close to call on that. I'm leaning toward the AF-302 being more forgiving. It's very close man.

Also go with the 502 over the 701 IMO, newer model, better feel, pretty much the same tech in a better designed package.

Shizzle! What do you think of a mixed set between the 502 and 701. I'm really a piss poor iron striker. tsg_smiley_crazy:

Edited May 20, 201014 yr by nvgolfdude

Shizzle! What do you think of a mixed set between the 502 and 701. I'm really a piss poor iron striker. tsg_smiley_crazy:

i am using a mixed set, my 4iron is 701 and 5-pw is 502s. the 502s are not much less forgiving than the 701s. they are pretty easy to hit so i had no problem with 5 iron up. i had an old 4i 701 head laying around so i decided to use it. no complains.

Also go with the 502 over the 701 IMO, newer model, better feel, pretty much the same tech in a better designed package.

Hey Tourspecgolfer,

Does the 502 / 701 compare with each other on distance? WHich is better if the swing speed is slow 85-90 mph Driver?

Thanks

If you are a good ball striker and using the 300s now, there is not a single club I would recommend than the Epon 301/302. I have been playing the 301 since introduction and I can tell you there is NOTHING that compares. The real key for me is the sole design (width, bounce, etc...). I tried supposedly more forgiving heads, but after 1 or 2 swings I just cannot hit anything else that close.

Please don't be scared when people refer to lack of forgiveness, we are not talking about Tiger's blades here. The 301/302 are extremely forgiving for the relative skill level of the player using them.

For the same loft and shaft as previous clubs, my distance has increased by at least 1 club since I switched to the Epon. And, what can I say about the feel! that's a whole different topic.

Hi guys,

I am an 11 handicapper. Now playing the old TM 300 series with kbs shaft.

I have a decent iron play. Weakness> Driver and reading the green.

Right now I am thinking of switching.

Need your inputs/advise on these, especially from experts that have hands-on experience.

1. Distance

2. Forgiveness

3. Feel

So which should I get?

Or they are only for single digit hdc and therefore I should go with the epon 502 or R9 max.

Thanks

I'm a 10 handicap and am currently playing the Burner TP irons (4-PW) with the Nippon 950 stiff shafts. They are just a really cool set of irons. I've had a mixed set of the Epon 302 and blades this year and while they are beautiful the TM's fit my eye better. I like the smoke finish and thin top line plus minimal offset. The longer irons (4-7) have just enough size to them to instill a bit more confidence, and the scoring irons are perfect. I've used the Nippon 950 shaft in many, many sets of J-spec irons and they just work well for me.

I played both the Epon 302 and TM burner TP. Mostly it is personal preference. One thing I did notice that the Epons felt much softer than the TM Buner TPs on contact.

Try af tour, if you go for 301/302. Better looking, not much less forgiveness. And forget about distance. Stronger loft = longer. But irons are not for distance, right? I get 185-190 with 502 7, if hit right. I do not care if I need a 5 with af tour with same distance. And I prefer narrower distance gaps among shorter clubs, to get more control under 160.

Hey Tourspecgolfer,

Does the 502 / 701 compare with each other on distance? WHich is better if the swing speed is slow 85-90 mph Driver?

Thanks

In my experience with both the 502/701 the 701 is longer and a bit easier to hit.

I still say go with the AF302. Feel and forgiveness is in perfect balance. Burner TP's are amazing though, more forgiving than you would expect. Either way you are in good hands. The edge goes to the 302 in feel and feedback.

I vote for Epon AF-301 or 302 anyday!!

I have owned both sets, now currently own AF Tour irons , 5 to P, they truly are unbelievably easy to hit though they are blades, very forgiving.

I am a die-hard golf equipment junkie, I have bought and used many different brands and different models of irons, the Epons are now # 1 on my preference list, the downside is that Epons are very expensive!

The Burner TPs are relatively more forgiving, I dont think the two can be compared as the two are of different materials......impact-feel wise, Epon tops the list, besides that , the AF 301 and 302s are not as difficult to use as one might think.

Not close. Epon 302's are the best iron i've ever hit. And i've tried my fair share of irons.

Not close. Epon 302's are the best iron i've ever hit. And i've tried my fair share of irons.

I'm in total agreement here, the 302's are something special!! I've demo'ed the TM's and they are a good iron but the 302's are in a class by themselves. If you are a decent ballstriker do yourself a favor and get the Epons.

It seems that if you want the better set of irons to go with the epon 302. But, if you want a club for the brand name that other people fancies for go with the Taylormade (esp. these japan only clubs).

But, it all comes down to who the clubs are for....YOU or EVERYONE ELSE??

I'm currently experimenting with the 302 at the top end of my bag and whilst I haven't had enough course time to offer comment on the combo set concept, I have hit enough shots with the 302's to know they are very special clubs.

Frankly I would be perfectly happy to play a full set of them, but I am a high ball hitter and my strike is suited to a muscle back. For interests sake, I estimate the 302 is 20% more forgiving than AF-tour and about 80% as 'workable'.

This is why I thought about the combo set, with my 4&5 irons from 180-200 meters, I'm really only looking to hit a 'shape' into the green and nothing too fancy as far as flag hunting therefore at least In theory, a bit of extra forgiveness seems like a good idea.

Edited September 19, 201014 yr by EPONfreak