I've been pretty happy with my Mizunos but I'm looking to buy a second set of irons and new to the JDM world.

Any suggestions or what to look at that will be of a similar forgiveness but softer feel? I'd like a fairly thin top line and a pretty versatile sole as it's going to be pretty dry this summer. The PP-3003 are on my list but any other suggestions are appreciated. I'd like to stay under $2K.

My iron game is my weakest link but I'm working on it.

Thanks

Edited April 25, 201410 yr by Bunches

Welcome. From what I've read and seen a 'Tour' Cavity back is going to be in line with irons like the JPX pro and Ping i25. Some to consider Yamaha RMX CB Tour, Maruman ProX CB. There is a lot of good information in this forum. Especially this thread. http://forum.tourspecgolf.com/topic/36532-tsg-2014-jdm-cavity-back-poll/

Thanks, I'll check it out.

I was able to hit an Epon 702 today at the store and couldn't believe the feel, even with the practice balls, but the sole felt a little large. I'm going to put the 502's on my list.

epon overpriced in my view...many other endo top forgings that are more reasonably priced

Thanks, I'll check it out.

I was able to hit an Epon 702 today at the store and couldn't believe the feel, even with the practice balls, but the sole felt a little large. I'm going to put the 502's on my list.

What store in Monterey carries Epon? My ears just perked up

What store in Monterey carries Epon? My ears just perked up

It wasn't Monterey. It was over the hill in Sunnyvale. Golf Tech carries Miura, Epon and KZG.

I ended up picking up a barely used set of PP-9003 SN. However, I think I should've gone for the Epon 302 or Miura 501. I don't need too forgiving as my misses come from not clearing my hips and my contact is pretty good. Thy were used so the price hit on reselling shouldn't be too bad. It's a process...

Good thing about buying used is if you decide to sell them you can usually get most of your money back. At least that's my experience with watches.

Epon irons for me!!! I started with Mizuno's way back. Few years ago, when I started again, I bought another pair of Mizuno (MP-53)but was on a search for something better and tried every club I got my hands on, 98% U.S. unfortunately because none of them feel like the world these guys introduced me to. After researching and finding TSG and listening to the wealth of great information it brought me to a world of golf and the technology of it that I never thought of. Great people giving great info. Find a fitter with JDM gear so you can match a shaft to your swing. No US iron has come close to feeling like the epon's FOR ME. Still searching for a driver that gives me the same feeling.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

I was able to hit an Epon 702 today at the store and couldn't believe the feel, even with the practice balls, but the sole felt a little large. I'm going to put the 502's on my list.

Take the 502s off, weakest model ever from epon but add the 503. It's special (same softness bit the face is electric). You should be able to handle the 302. I think it's softer and more forgiving than the pp...

Well... here's a little update. I got a line onto a barely used set of PP-9003 Straight Necks for a good price and bought them without trying them. I looked at the standard PP-9003, but didn't bother to hit them because of too much offset. I wondered if this was too much of a lateral move and made an offer on a set of AF-302 heads, and it was accepted. So now I have a decision to make.

I'm getting a shaft fitting this week. I play the TT GS95 R now and really like them, so on paper, the TT XP 95 or KBS Tour 90 should be close, but getting the swing weight down is going to be an issue. I have a deliberate tempo with a driver SS around 90 and my current shafts give a high flight which I like. I figure I'll them shaft each 6 iron and take them out on the course and really see what I like, then sell off the other set. I'm more of a sweeper than a digger. Accuracy, forgiving and distance are what I'm judging.

I have some concern that the 302 might be a little beyond me, but I've heard that they're fairly forgiving, so I'll see how it goes. I've been reading about how Mizuno and other companies send out clubs and heads with such loose specs, that I'm sold on the higher quality Japanese forgings. Plus since getting my Miura wedges, the forge feeling is addictive (not that my JPX Pros are bad as cast).

I made a post last night asking about the head weights of the 302 heads (Epon's site only lists the total weight with two shafts), but it must've been deleted. Anyway, the fitter should have a scale to suss it out if I can't get the numbers.

Edited May 26, 201410 yr by Bunches

Actually your other thread got relocated to the Club Makers subforum...

http://forum.tourspecgolf.com/topic/36800-epon-302-head-weight-spec/

But since you've already got the 302's, your fitter will be able to sort it out.

Edited May 26, 201410 yr by draven

I went to a fitter who got me into a bad shaft for me, the old TT M80. Big mistake as I told him I was happy with the GS95. Anyway, I shafted the 6i of the 9003 SN and the 302. I think the 302 are more forgiving. The head is a little smaller than my JPX 825 Pros and the PP's, but I think I hit it more precisely because of that. Turf interaction was better with the 302. Anyway, it should've been between the 302 and Miura 501.

Edited June 11, 201410 yr by Bunches

If its between the Miura 501 and the Epon AF-302s, I would jump for the 302s today, tomorrow and everyday that ends in "y". The 302s feel better, are more forgiving, have better turf interaction, distance, etc. Great choice :)

Edited June 12, 201410 yr by mpbachman

This may be off topic, but how do the 302 compare to the SUS316? I'm going to look for another set and am thinking about Baby Blades to work on my ball striking, but I'm drinking Epon Kool-Aid at the moment.

I have had both the 316s and 302s (and I am sure Spoon can chime in too). The 302s are softer and more forgiving than the 316s. The 316s seem to have a slimmer profile (thinner topline and sole) and are more "player-esqe" type CBs than the 302s. I have found both a pleasure to hit and play. The 316s might give slightly (just slightly) more feedback than the 302s. Both have spectacular feel to them, the 316s a tad more firm than the 302s but I would put the 316s maybe in between say the 302s and the MP-64s in terms of softness.

That said, I have also owned Baby Blades (the USDM? "1957" version). Those are so amazing when you hit the ball clean and center it is like something out of this world. Hitting the ball clean on those blades also takes a considerable amount of work and obviously, the looks and feel are there but the forgiveness is definitely not ;)