Torn between AF 302 and AF 502

[Jarri]

Hi everone,

Just joined the forum (landed here trying to google differences between the 2 models)

Small introduction...

My name is Yasir and I live in Netherlands (yup... living the dream!!!). Started playing 3 years ago and have brought my handicap down to 2.3 now. (used to play cricket before so had the range of motions already developed).

My iron jouney...

1. Started with an IKEA set (3 months)... ploughed through the mini-golf course... they are growing wheat there now :)

2. Mizuno MX23 (2 months)... didn't know anything about equipment so was playing them 1.5 " longer... obviously didn't get impressed)

3. Mizuno MP 60 (3 months)... still didn't know about fitting so was playing them 1/2" longer... but loved the softness and feel at impact.

4. Mizuno MP 67s (3 months)... learnt better players play blades, so off I went... played 6-P nicely 3/4/5 a bit difficult to hit...

5. Mizuno MP 68s (2 months)... read these were a bit more forgiving than 67s so went there... surprise surprise, they weren't.

6. Nike Classic blades (1 month)... saw a set on ebay and loved the look... found I lost a full club distance with them so they went back to whence they came.

7. Back to MP 68s black-ni (2 months).... learnt can't hit the longer irons, so started looking for forgiveness

8. AP2 - 710 (3 months)... handicap still around 15... so time for forgiveness, hcp went down to 9... but hated that these didn't talk much...

9. Mizuno MP 59s (3 months... hcp 8-9)... what was all the raving about??? was looking for forgiveness with feel, found neither.

10. Hakusa X Blades... (2 months... hcp 6)... crazy easy to hit...amazing to look at... got them built with C-tapers.. but against popular belief the ball flight went through the sky... Schiphol airport nearby complained about balls hitting their landing airplanes...

11. Miura Babyblades (9 months and counting... hcp 2.3)... MY GOD..... if only I could hit the 2-5 irons as well as I can hit the 6-P... there is nothing that compares to how these feel. Meanwhile have been shifting back and forth between MP60s, 68s, AP2s etc when the swing is not on.

Now, I have an amazing deal on Epon AF 302 or AF 502... very very good deal... can't get a combo.. it's an either / or...

I love my Miura babyblades 6-P... can hit them in my sleep with whatever trajectory asked.

4-5.. easily off the tee with great control... not so easy off the turf when the swing is not on...

2-3... off the tee great... but hitting off the turf, say a prayer before I do.

Live in Netherlands, so no option to try out the epons... My concern is

- If I buy AF 502... I might end up hating the GI iron looks (thought they don't look that GI in pics)... the worst I could look down at address and not puke was AP2s... anything clunkier than that and my bowls start to stir...

- If I buy AF 302... I might end up owning another set (and an expensive one at that) that I cannot confidently hit 3/4 irons of.

Given my hcp (if that's any indication) and my ability to hit Miura babyblades 6-P very very very very easily... and 4/5 very very very easily off a tee... do you guys think I can manage the longer irons in AF 302 easily or should I go AF 502 route?

As an indication... if AF 302 play like MP 60s, I am 100% sure I'll handle the long irons very easily.

Thanks a lot in advance for help.

PS: Hate hybrids.. they are a hook machine...

Edited November 12, 2012 by Jarri

[corky3]

With that hadicap..... go with the 302, if you bought the 502 you would forever be thinking about the 302.

[swisstrader]

Let the religious wars begin! I'm a 502 fanboy, but many here love their 302's. no real wrong answers here. Your concern about the 502's looking clunky is unfounded. I look down at mine and just see a rather fine top line but lots of confidence with knowing I've got a bit of game improvement in the club.

Two sidebar questions: a) how are you able to get both sets so cheaply? Just be careful of counterfeits, and b) down to a 2.3 in 3 years??...not questioning it, but close to unheard of even with an athletic background. Actually, according to your timescale and math above, you actually achieved a 2.3 in 33 months which is about 2 1/2 years, with the first 3 months at a mini golf course. Greg Norman supposedly became scratch after a year and also an ex cricketer, but that's why he's Greg Norman!

If you really want to get confused, try the Personals. More blade like than 302 or 502 and great feeling irons, although something tells me you will not get them on the cheap!

Edited November 12, 2012 by swisstrader

[Miuramaniac]

I still think you ought consider just getting a Miura 202 2-5 iron. Will feel and play much more like a baby blade with the forgiveness of the MP60. Also looks a lot better than the Epons at address if you like the BB's, less offset and squarer toe. Surely you could get 3 or 4 clubs from Miura for less than these deals on the Epons?

[gocchin]

While the "large" and size is subjective, if you can hit Miura Baby Blades in your sleep then definitely the AF302 as compared to the Miura the AF502 while not large by any means will seem large and they are a tad larger than the AP2 blade length wise.

Have you considered an AF302 and AFTour combo... thats a popular choice...

The AF302 in the long irons are very forgiving and easy to launch...

If you need Epon in the Netherlands we can ship there with no problem....

[Jarri]

Let the religious wars begin! I'm a 502 fanboy, but many here love their 302's. no real wrong answers here. Your concern about the 502's looking clunky is unfounded. I look down at mine and just see a rather fine top line but lots of confidence with knowing I've got a bit of game improvement in the club.

Two sidebar questions: a) how are you able to get both sets so cheaply? Just be careful of counterfeits, and b) down to a 2.3 in 3 years??...not questioning it, but close to unheard of even with an athletic background. Actually, according to your timescale and math above, you actually achieved a 2.3 in 33 months which is about 2 1/2 years, with the first 3 months at a mini golf course. Greg Norman supposedly became scratch after a year and also an ex cricketer, but that's why he's Greg Norman!

If you really want to get confused, try the Personals. More blade like than 302 or 502 and great feeling irons, although something tells me you will not get them on the cheap!

Well noticed about the 33 months... thought about it when posting whether or not to include Dec/Jan snow period when all you do is swing the club in your living room and destroy the carpet. :)

I guess my getting down to 2ish in 3 years (in fact it's 3 years 2 months as I took my first mighty swing and completely missed the ball in Sep 2009) is a simple advice I got from the local club champion while playing a round with him.

- twice as much time chipping/putting than all other parts of the game combined..

- twice as much time PW/9 approach shots than all other irons/woods combined...

Personals are not in the offer... only choices are 302 or 502...

About the 502, maybe I used the wrong word "concern"... I haven't seen either in person, only internet pics.. but from reading different forums I sensed that these are more gi than player's cavity and hence the worry.

Edited November 12, 2012 by Jarri

[Jarri]

With that hadicap..... go with the 302, if you bought the 502 you would forever be thinking about the 302.

I couldn't agree with you more if I were playing the local competitions only.. in fact if I would be happy with my Miuras hoping to improve further to be able to hit the long irons as well.

But since March next year, I am starting to play some serious competitions (amateur mini national tour in netherlands) and you can make quite a gateway to next level if you can do well there...

I am sure I'd be competing with many + hcps there... so can use as much forgiveness as I can afford... + as we'd be playing from championship tees, I am sure on many holes I'd have to hit longer irons into green as well (my current driving distance is around 275)

From the replies so far seems to me 302 are aesthetically more pleasing, but AF 502 are not bad looking as well...

If it helps, if I cannot make a decision, I'd enter the competitions with AP2s (that's the level of bulkiness (for the lack of a better word) that I can live with if it helps me hit some long iron shots better)...

I want something for those long par 4s and shortish par 5s... where I can hit a 3 iron from 210/220 knowing the worst would be a missed green and not an OOB.

[Jarri]

While the "large" and size is subjective, if you can hit Miura Baby Blades in your sleep then definitely the AF302 as compared to the Miura the AF502 while not large by any means will seem large and they are a tad larger than the AP2 blade length wise.

Have you considered an AF302 and AFTour combo... thats a popular choice...

The AF302 in the long irons are very forgiving and easy to launch...

If you need Epon in the Netherlands we can ship there with no problem....

Thanks a lot for the kind offer... the Dutch are not so kind on importing... 16% import duties + 21% VAT will kill any good offer :)

The offer I have from a builder in France (built me my Miura babyblades as well so trust him) is €725 for 3/P with Project X PXi 6.0... while this might not be the best deal one ever got, but quite good.

[Jarri]

I still think you ought consider just getting a Miura 202 2-5 iron. Will feel and play much more like a baby blade with the forgiveness of the MP60. Also looks a lot better than the Epons at address if you like the BB's, less offset and squarer toe. Surely you could get 3 or 4 clubs from Miura for less than these deals on the Epons?

I fully agree with you... but just the thought of a 'combo' set... i don't know... there is something about seeing the same iron throughout the bag that appeals to me more.

[swisstrader]

OK, let's change it all up...why, as a 2 handicap and a guy who's looking to get into competitive golf would you not get custom fitted and go with a set of irons that you can actually hit vs a guessing game over the Internet?

As you know, it's all about feel and we've all had that not so great experience when you've bought a driver or set of irons sight unseen only to quickly put it back up for sale days or weeks later.

[gocchin]

Thanks a lot for the kind offer... the Dutch are not so kind on importing... 16% import duties + 21% VAT will kill any good offer :)

The offer I have from a builder in France (built me my Miura babyblades as well so trust him) is €725 for 3/P with Project X PXi 6.0... while this might not be the best deal one ever got, but quite good.

If I am not mistaken that is 920.00 USD? For 3-PW with PXI shafts?

I don't think that is possible as 5-PW with standard steel shafts like DGS200 retail for 1500.00 over. With PXi and 3-PW, well over 2000.00 USD or 1573 Euros...

[Jarri]

Seem genuine to me... but then again... i know almost nothing when it comes to epons.

Edited November 12, 2012 by Jarri

[Jarri]

OK, let's change it all up...why, as a 2 handicap and a guy who's looking to get into competitive golf would you not get custom fitted and go with a set of irons that you can actually hit vs a guessing game over the Internet?

As you know, it's all about feel and we've all had that not so great experience when you've bought a driver or set of irons sight unseen only to quickly put it back up for sale days or weeks later.

Getting fitted in Netherlands is like trying to figure out your wedding dress in a yard-sale.

The nearest guy I have who does Epon is 700kms from me... not going to spend a plane ticket on those.

I am not planning on turning a pro or something... happy with the money I make as a Finance Director in British American Tobacco... I want to do well on this amateur tour (it's a weekend tour, so Saturday/Sunday 2 round competitions) for my own satisfaction. (my god my posts are turning into a passive-brag very quickly)....

Also, if I hated the irons... I can always sell them back.. for perhaps almost as much as I will get them for.

I fully agree with your point on the not-so-great-experience... I started my first post with a list of such experiences. but to be honest, this can teach you a lot about different heads / shafts and their combinations :)...

In a way, that's the best fitting available in Netherlands.

Edited November 12, 2012 by Jarri

[Jarri]

If I am not mistaken that is 920.00 USD? For 3-PW with PXI shafts?

I don't think that is possible as 5-PW with standard steel shafts like DGS200 retail for 1500.00 over. With PXi and 3-PW, well over 2000.00 USD or 1573 Euros...

Honestly speaking, I would not have started this thread if those were not coming my way so cheap and be happy to play with Miuras or AP2s or MP60s depending on how I feel my swing is that day (they are all in the trunk of my car).

This guy built me my Miura bb's, the hakusa blades that I sold over ... those were/are 100% genuine... i got a separate certificate of authenticity directly from Miura Japan so can't doubt much there.

So guessing either the guy thinks now is the time to 'make some money' or 'I have really gotten very lucky and buying this set'.

Maybe I should buy both, play one round with each and sell the one I didn't like that much. with the kind of prices these go on ebay, I'd end up making some money as well.

[swisstrader]

At that price I would buy both...can't go wrong.

[Jarri]

At that price I would buy both...can't go wrong.

Just thinking about how to justify this to my wife... when I bought miura I told her that my ho'ing days are over... they are not... they are just in JDM now...

[Jarri]

But these irons look genuine, right?

[gocchin]

Honestly speaking, I would not have started this thread if those were not coming my way so cheap and be happy to play with Miuras or AP2s or MP60s depending on how I feel my swing is that day (they are all in the trunk of my car).

This guy built me my Miura bb's, the hakusa blades that I sold over ... those were/are 100% genuine... i got a separate certificate of authenticity directly from Miura Japan so can't doubt much there.

So guessing either the guy thinks now is the time to 'make some money' or 'I have really gotten very lucky and buying this set'.

Maybe I should buy both, play one round with each and sell the one I didn't like that much. with the kind of prices these go on ebay, I'd end up making some money as well.

At those prices, I guarantee you the dealer will LOSE money. That's why I would make sure that is the price he is actually quoting you.

Also a certificate from Miura Japan is not possible for the BB's... the BB's are not a Miura Japan model.

If those truly are the price of the Epon's you certainly are getting one hell of a deal and I would not hesitate to grab them as they are great irons I think you would be very happy with. Definitely lucky at that price!! (^_^)

[Jarri]

At those prices, I guarantee you the dealer will LOSE money. That's why I would make sure that is the price he is actually quoting you.

Also a certificate from Miura Japan is not possible for the BB's... the BB's are not a Miura Japan model.

If those truly are the price of the Epon's you certainly are getting one hell of a deal and I would not hesitate to grab them as they are great irons I think you would be very happy with. Definitely lucky at that price!! (^_^)

Thanks... it might not be from Japan, it was just a letter of authenticity that arrived in my mailbox with Miura letterpad....

Thanks a lot everyone for your comments...

guess I am going for AF 502 then (from what I gather from all the comments so far, they are quite close to player's cavities like AP2s / MP60s and that's the amount of forgiveness I am looking for).

Will post pictures when I get them :)... and if I liked them, Miura bb's / AP2s and MP60s will be coming up for sale :)

[Jarri]

Just one last question guys... thanks a lot for the help....

I have seen in many other posts where you guys have identified fake epons where I could have 15 pairs of eyes and not be any wiser...

Can you please comment also on whether the below look real or fake... the price is just too good so I am thinking may be my club builder (not knowingly) bought fake from somewhere as well.

[swisstrader]

Honestly speaking, they look fake to me, but the real experts on fakes are spoon, supo and a couple others. Might be a lousy lighting photo as well that's giving if some weird effect, but the red paint fill doesn't look like the right color red, the back of the iron looks "textured", which it should not be and a few other tells, but again, might be poor lighting.

Are these new or used? I'm with gocchin, at this price it's a bit suspect but you say you know and trust the builder. If that's the new price, and they're authentic, the guy must be in a charitable organization....even used, he's giving it away which would make me question the authenticity. If you trust your builder, then why are you asking us if real?

Edited November 12, 2012 by swisstrader

[potuna]

If it sounds too good to be true it is.

[Jarri]

Honestly speaking, they look fake to me, but the real experts on fakes are spoon, supo and a couple others. Might be a lousy lighting photo as well that's giving if some weird effect, but the red paint fill doesn't look like the right color red, the back of the iron looks "textured", which it should not be and a few other tells, but again, might be poor lighting.

Are these new or used? I'm with gocchin, at this price it's a bit suspect but you say you know and trust the builder. If that's the new price, and they're authentic, the guy must be in a charitable organization....even used, he's giving it away which would make me question the authenticity. If you trust your builder, then why are you asking us if real?

I have bought from this guy twice once Miura and once Hakusa blades, and they turned out to be great...

But I don't know the guy personally and seriously speaking it's the 3/p with PXI for only 725 that makes me wonder if NOW is the right time for him to strike.

Also, maybe my builder doesn't know they are fake and maybe he was taken in for a ride himself...

you guys perhaps have more knowledge about Epon than perhaps my builder and 10 like them combined on JDM products.

Edited November 12, 2012 by Jarri

[jaygolf]

I still haven't gotten over the 2.3 in 3 years... I've been playing for 28 years and the lowest I reached is 1.4! And I went from 5.5 over the summer to a 7! And I played cricket at a pretty good level. Darn.

[Ian-500]

I can't believe a Finance Director won't buy a plane ticket! Admittedly I don't know your circumstances.