+TourSpecGolfer Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 Ako-san has been extremely busy with his new company A-Grind and the results are paying off with the winner of the Volvo China open playing an A-Grind UT 20.5* club so big congrats to A-Grind and Ako-san on that one. Today I'm going to highlight something we have been waiting for since the Japan Golf Show back in Feb where we caught glimpse of a prototype R1 CB iron which I must admit looks stunning. Forged in Himeji Japan & Made in Kobe the A-GRIND R1 is the new design cavity back made of mild S25C, it's designed for the low capper to pro with a very thin top line and compact appearance, it's toe and face shape are unique to cavity back irons and its neck transition is very quick yet subtle and small to provide a more blade like appearance at address. Toe design still curved at the very top but extending very high and I must admit it looks gorgeious, Ako-san spends most of his time on the JPGA tour service and this shape is inspired by the professional players preference. What stands out to me most is the neck transition it's virtually invisible which is not a common thing on CB's but very common on blades this CB is designed for workability and soft feel. Sole design has a nice size in addition to some rounded curves making it more forgiving than a muscle back in softer conditions, bunkers, and rough. The Cavity is shallow but it extends a long way which is not only good for a softer feeling but also in keeping the CG location in a good spot. The above image you can see it, in the below it appears very blade like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLL33 Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 Beautiful looking club! Look forward to playing reviews of this one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hutch Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 +1, they look superb, high toe nice and simple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supo Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 ooooooooooooooooooh yea..... THIS has my full attention! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yamaha2014 Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 sensational Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiromikey Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 ooooooooooooooooooh yea..... THIS has my full attention!Hmmm...I wonder why?!! ;)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supo Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 hahahaha. yea, thought u might see the similarities there.., i like the look of the a-grind more tho, few more angles, bit squarer. i hit the non r1 nad it was fine ,so this ,( if it is made in japan ) shud be even better. i think ill be gettign a set soon. think id get thee over the blades actually.., Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
needmoregolf Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 looking better and better every time I open this thread. love how the cavity smooths out in the back. waiting for your unabashed review stew! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpbachman Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Very nice looking irons. Have a more simplified mp-64 look to them. Stunning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supo Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 love that extra thick muscle, makes me think i really want to give it a giddy up. cant wait to try these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
604_skyline Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 I dont know why but I keep seeing the tourstage mr-23 us spec cb's everytime I look at these R1's. I as well think I may pick-up a set Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
needmoregolf Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 (edited) I dont know why but I keep seeing the tourstage mr-23 us spec cb's everytime I look at these R1's. I as well think I may pick-up a setI see the resemblance and wondering if they will perform the same. I find the mr23 cb's to be pretty user friendly with a blade-like look at address, razor thin topline and close to no offset. They aren't the longest but definitely not punishing either when struck a little off.The lines on these R1's are so much more refined and the muscle looks so much better. Looking forward to some user reviews in the near future. Edited May 19, 2015 by needmoregolf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr.haha Posted May 20, 2015 Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 wow these irons actually appeal to me. the only issue i have is how thick the sole is. i never got along with the af302s because the sole was just too thick. these appear to be smaller but i cant really tell. the top down view is also appealing. looks like relatively minimal offset Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpbachman Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 Anyone get these yet???? Feedback on distance (lofts seem a tad stronger than some other CBs), feel (soft - epon soft, mizzy soft, etc), forgiveness (MP-64 forgiveness, etc or 302)???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLL33 Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 Took the words right out of my mouth, M. Was just looking at them this morning... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petethepilot Posted June 10, 2015 Report Share Posted June 10, 2015 Don't mean to be picky, but it would look better (IMHO) without the less than subtle "A GRIND" stamping on the back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supo Posted June 10, 2015 Report Share Posted June 10, 2015 thats looks o, its that stupid r1 that needs to go,. i tried acetoning it out but its stuborn! wont go away, tha a-grind looks pretty good in hand actually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1dirtypanda Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 thats looks o, its that stupid r1 that needs to go,. i tried acetoning it out but its stuborn! wont go away, tha a-grind looks pretty good in hand actually agree the R1 font doesn't match. it looks like someone randomly stamped it on like people do with their initials. "A Grind" font is grafitti street so i like it. and the A logo is cool too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hutch Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Was thinking the same thing pete last time I looked at these. Stew, if you heat the R1 up with heat gun and then use thinners or acetone whilst hot, it should be ok and easy out, have done in the past to simplify busy stamping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supo Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 too technical for me. over to my builder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hutch Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Review Stew....or still heads till your builder is done??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petethepilot Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Which school did u put your builders kids through Stew! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supo Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 Pete, a good one!!!!! no, it been built and ranged , ive got a monacco in it not going to say much till i get it on grass. i ranged it extesnsively last week. initial impressions are very good. but its all moot till i hit 10 balls on the 168 yard par 3 , 4th tomorrow against my idbl, tr500, and tmtp r9 . then ill do a review. kind think it wil more than hold its own tho. shape is certianly appealing just a little concered about its feel, but again, range rocks kill any decent feel. think it will be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtrader88 Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 Stew The R1 CB looks really good. looking forward to your review! If possible, a comparison with AF302 will be great ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supo Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 cant do 302, not had them in yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeears Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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