Yonex CB-301 - An undiscovered unicorn?

[Golfingfanatic]

Since there is so little information out there (especially in English) on these clubs, I figured it would be worthwile to tell you a little bit about them and how I like them in the upcoming season(s). I bought this set about a week and a half ago on Yahoo Auction. They arrived now and I wanted to give my initial impressions:

But first a little bit about me and some other clubs I've used in the last few years: I am a 3 hcp with a driver ss of about 107-110 mph. Launch in the 3,4 iron can be a bit of an issue for me. In the past I've mostly used blades (MP4, 680s, Baby Blades), but I also tried a cavity every now and again (mainly CB57s). I guess what I was always looking for was an optimal blend of the two. Blade-like looks with some help - And I think I might have just found the perfect set.

But now to the important bit - the irons:

First a quick rundown of the specs. The lofts go from a 23° 4 iron to a 46° PW. Pretty standard stuff for this day and age. What's not quite standard is the offset - or the lack thereoff. Yonex uses face progression instead of offset, but the values are 5.2 for the 4 iron and 5.4 for the rest of the set. These are not quite RF Proto level, but these are pretty damn close to zero offset. The "best" retail set I've seen in the past few years in that regard. Another point worth mentioning is the graphite composite insert in the back of the irons. This should help with launch and reduce vibration a bit according to Yonex.

Visually these are glorious. Other than National Custom Works these are the best looking CBs I've ever seen. They are incredibly close to perfection. They are smaller than the CB57s and have less offset. The topline is nice and thin.

Now some pictures:

1) Club from the back with the graphite insert visible.

2) 8 iron at address

3) 4 iron at address

PS: I will update this thread throughout the year. My first real chance of playing them will probably be abuot a month from now on a trip to Morocco.

[Golfingfanatic]

So I've just come back from my first range session with these babies and they are marvellous. Very consistent, easy to flight down, but a little easier to launch in the long irons. Also crazy forgiving on thin strikes.

[fabs17]

Thanks for the feedback mate! They look phenomenal. I almost got them last year but chickened out last minute as I had never seen them in person. Ended up going with the Honma 747v irons instead. Highly regret my choice...please send us more pics and keep updating this page. I'm looking to purchase a set soon...