Sub 70 Irons Full Review - Combo Set

[golfdaydreamer]

This would be my first full review on the forum.  I have made a couple post here and there.  However, I thought I would give my try at writing a full review.  Recently I bought a new set of Sub70 Irons.  Here are my previous comments in the official SUB70 thread:

 

Quote

I commented on another post earlier, but since this seems to be the OFFICIAL Sub70 thread I'll comment here too.  

 

I ordered my Sub70 clubs two weeks ago.  My current gamers are Cobra Forge TEC black with AMT s300 shafts.  Very nice clubs, but I was looking for something new to try.  Looking for a blade to be honest.  My issue with the Cobra was roll out distance.  When buying an iron I feel that I need ball to hit a spot.  NOT ROLL OUT 10 yards.  My current gamers were rocket launchers.  Furthermore, I hated chunky PW & 9i.  Seemed hard to chip with.  

 

I have a membership at local PGA superstore, so I am fortunate to have the ability to test a vast amount of different clubs.  One club I gravitated towards was the Srixon zForged.  I've messed around with blades in the past but truthfully I've only been playing golf for 3 years, so thought of buying blades was intimidating.  Over the last year my ball striking has gotten better.  So I thought I'd try the zForged... I was surprisingly hitting them very well.  Even a blady 4i.  

 

What led me to SUB70 was the look.  I saw the MB on a few reviews.  They look amazing.  What convinced me to give them a try is the price point.  $600 is a fantastic deal on a full set of 4-pw NEW IRONS.  I buy and sell frequently on eBay and you won't find a new set of blades for that price.... good luck finding a used set for $600 too.  

 

Two weeks ago I reached out to Jason.  I was completely shocked I had his personal cell phone number and he answered the phone.  Does the CEO of any other major golf company do that?  Probably not... so having the connection with CEO is major selling point.  Jason listened to my request, took notes.  He highly suggested I go into PGA superstore and test out many different shafts.  So I did... I tried out probably 15 different shafts & head combinations.  I tried them all: Mizuno MB, HMB, MMC, Taylormade 790s, 770s, srixon z785, zforged... then I tried so many different shafts.  I went in to the PGA store everyday for about a week to try all the different combos I could just to get a feel.  

 

My winning shaft was the KBS Tour 120 Stiff.  It was a slight edge over the C-taper lite.  I also went with a 1/2" in length.  The set jason is building is quite a blend:

4i 699PRO

5 & 6 639 CB

7 - PW MB

 

Unfortunately I am in the waiting game.... my models are stuck in customs and now need to get here.  Nothing Jason can do there.  My plan is write a complete review of these clubs once they come in.  I am excited to try them out.  Great part is my club championship is over and now I have a full year to get better with them.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now for the full review.  

 

As with much excitement I received my SUB70 irons in a very neat and clean box.  My personal opinion  is that I really like the simple color scheme of the Sub70 box - Black and White.  Normally these orders take about 5 - 7 days once you order.  Mine took 14 days from the moment I spoke with Jason.  The reason why is he was out of stock on the Satin 639 Combo sets.  This is something that is completely out of Sub70 hands so I don't fault them for this.  

 

Super Clean Box

 

Once opening the box I knew that they sent extra goodies because I've read about it on the other Sub70 forum page:

 

Tees

 

Ball marker

 

Jason's business card

 

NOT PICTURED:  A hat & personally hand written note.  

 

In my opinion things like this completely make Sub70 stand apart from other club builders.  What other company does things like: 1) Hand written notes 2) Give you a lot free extra gear like hat, tees, & ball makers.  Mind you my full order of these 7 irons was $599 -- including shipping. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discussion of aesthetic:

 

Opening the box first time.

 

Pictured in order: 4i 699Pro  --  5/6i 639cb  --  7-PW 639mb

 

Different view

 

My initial thoughts on the clubs before playing them is -- WOW these are immensely attractive clubs!  My favorite looking club is the 639MB 7i.  I love the deign of the MB.  I can't really explain why, but something about that "Stepping Pattern" on the back side look great.  I will say I am not a huge fan on the CB design.  I don't like the cut out on the bottom of the club.  The 699Pro looks like the 2020 cobra forged tec -- which I don't mind that look.  Its a very clean and simple look.  

 

 

 

639MB

 

I really like the look of the MB.  With this closer look you can see the really nice, clean patterns on the back side.  If you look closely, you will see small spiraling milling pattern.  I do like the location of the 70 logo in the corner of the club.  In my opinion this club is one of the most beautiful clubs out on the market -- including the big box stores.  It is a primary reason why I really looked further into Sub70.  These MBs are just beautiful.  

 

 

 

639CB

 

I am not in love with this looking club. I do not like the overall design of the CBs.  Something about the perimeter metal doesn't fit my eye.  Again if you look closely you'll the same spiraling pattern that is on the MBs.  

 

 

699Pro

 

When I look at this club I think CLEAN.  Its a simple design, which isn't a bad thing.  Sometimes clubs have WAY TOO MUCH design going on them.  Simple is something that I enjoy when I look at my clubs.  

 

 

 

Discuss the playability:

 

I'll be honest I have only played about 6 rounds of golf with these irons.  So its not a complete season with them so I can't give a full seasons assessment.  I live in Midwest, we know Spring Golf, Summer Golf, Fall Golf are slightly different playing conditions.  So I have only been able to play them in Late summer / early fall conditions.  The course I have played them on are public.  These course have been pretty well taken care of, meaning greens were nice, fairways were watered, rough was rough.  

 

Before I took them out the course here were my data carry distance points calculated by G quad on indoor hitting bay:

• 4 - 203
• 5 - 187
• 6 - 175
• 7 - 165
• 8 - 154
• 9 - 143
• PW - 122 (YES there is a big gap between PW and 9 -- I plan on getting them bent and then recalibrating the data points)

I had these club built to the Sub70 specs off their website.  The only adjustment was 1 degree flat on all clubs.  

 

My only fear was how was I going to his the MBs.  I knew I could play the 699 and CB because I was currently gaming the 2018 Cobra Forged Tec Black.  I think every golfer who is trying to make that transition into a blade club has that fear "Can I actually do this?  Can I play blades?"  In the past I have tried blades 1) Cobra MB/CB combos 2) Mizuno MMC & MB18.  I got rid of my MB18 because my mishits short would be really short.  It was quite punishing when you count on your MP18 9i to go 140 and you slightly mishit it -- then it goes 119.  OUCH.  

 

My first impression on the club at the indoor hitting bays were not disappointed.  I really enjoyed hitting these clubs.  The MBs were not as punishing on the mishits.  The data points listed above were calculated after hitting roughly 40 - 60 balls per club.  typically my short mishits went 12 to 4 yards short.  I will say that I didn't have as many mishits as I thought I would.  Out of say 50 hits I maybe had 7 mishits.  This is coming from a guy whos about a 6-9 handicap. 

 

Mind you, I also had NEVER HIT THESE CLUBS BEFORE.  This was my first experience with them. 

1. They are different shaft - 120KBS TOUR. 
2. 1/2+ longer   

I do think these two changes from my previously played club could have skewed the original data points too.  

 

 

 

Playing on the course

 

 

Out on the course they did play just as expected.  Over the past couple of rounds of golf I can say I did make a couple adjustments since playing with them on the course.  

• I had every MB bent one degree stronger
• I had every club bent to 2 degrees flat -- they were 1 degree flat.  

 

I felt the MBs were missing just a tad short from what I was expecting.  The playing conditions were not windy so I don't think that effected the distances of "on course" VS indoor data.  I do think that when getting data points on the indoor sim it can be misleading.  Mainly because indoor mats VS taking grass divots, they are different so the distances indoors are slightly skewed on the shorter clubs.  

 

I will add that I was not satisfied with the CB or the 699pro.  Here is why.  I feel that the sole width of the 6/5/4i is negatively impacting my ability with turf interaction.  I can't explain this concept well.  So I'll The boys at TXG do the talking for me about SOLE WIDTH. 

 

What I have done sent back the CB & 699Pro to Sub70 golf.  I got to be honest, as a buyer of Direct to Consumer this really worried me.  Whenever I buy from Pga SuperStore I can just walk in with the club I don't like, they take it there immediately and they get a new one right then and there.  With DTC you need to ship the item back to the them.  I am very impatient person.  I hate waiting for return.  However, I must say that Sub70 has been FANTATIC as this return process.  They offer a 60 day 100% guarantee, don't believe me read the website.  The only thing I had to do was pay for the return shipping.  Which was $35 UPS ground.  What I did exchange was the 6/5/4 MBs.  Once I get these items back I will have a full set of blades -- Not going to lie I am a bit worried about having a full set of blades.  Again I think it goes back to every golfers initial fears "Can I really play blades?". 

I will say this I did quite a bit of testing before doing this exchange.  I hit many different types of blades at the PGA SuperStore before doing this -- MB20, MMC, Ping Blue Prints, Srixon Zforged.  Especially the 699pro. The 699pro is a heavy headed club.  Something about the weight difference between 699pro VS smaller lighter head on a blade.  All these blades in longer clubs I did hit more crisp than CB or 699Pro.

 

 

Final thoughts

 

The great thing about Sub70 is that they are willing to work with you to make sure you are happy.  As you read above I have had quite an experience with Sub70.  I have had the opportunity to try all the various irons they offer.  I did all this without demoing the club.  Most of the time we try clubs before we buy them.  I did not do that.  I bought these clubs on a leap of faith.  A major reason I did was because of the direst phone conversation I had with Jason.  He is the CEO of the company and he took the time of the day to speak with me about his clubs.  I didn't speak to sales rep -- I spoke the owner of the company.  Who else does that?

 

At end of the day I have zero regrets on buying these clubs.  They can't be beat on pricing compared to other caliber clubs.  I would dare say that I'd put these Sub70 irons up against any other blade on the market.  In fact I have already done it with my trials at the PGA Superstore.  I have the unique opportunity to try out all the latest and greatest clubs.  I choose to play these.  I am NOT A PAID SPOKES PERSON.  I had to pay for these clubs they were not given to me.  So I am giving you an honest consumers feedback. 

 

I'd be happy to answer any question yall might have.  Just post them below -- Lets Discuss!

 

Make it a GREAT DAY!

 

 

 

 

 

[jackdanger]

fantastic write-up. thanks mate! been thinking about trying out those MBs for a while now

[Springsteennut]

Great write up. I had a similar experience with them last summer when I was buying irons. Jason was fantastic to work with. He even called me when I ordered my demo clubs to make sure I ordered the right iron to fit my game. I agree you can put their clubs against anyone one. I actually took one of the demos to the PGGSS to try against some other irons sets I was considered. Numbers were very similar so I bought from Sub 70 and haven’t been disappointed.

[ode]

Weight of the 699 pro (4-gw)

 

249 257 263 270 277 285 293 300

 

Weight of the mb (3-pw)-

 

242 249 256 263 270 277 284 292

 

FYI: the only difference is the 5i, 9i and PW is 1g lighter on the MB; 4i is exact same weight; size of iron head does not dictate it's weight.  Of course there are tolerances, typically +/- 3g, so the 4i could have been off spec, but ??

[bbfifas]

Great review thanks for sharing.  Really detailed.  Those blades do look super nice, I have no confidence in playing blades so I commend you for going full blade set up!  Also, one nit pick I think you had the 699 Pro U (Utility) not the regular 699 Pro iron.  But headweight appears to be the same between those 2 models so maybe just a blade length difference? 

[golfdaydreamer]

1 hour ago, bbfifas said:

Great review thanks for sharing.  Really detailed.  Those blades do look super nice, I have no confidence in playing blades so I commend you for going full blade set up!  Also, one nit pick I think you had the 699 Pro U (Utility) not the regular 699 Pro iron.  But headweight appears to be the same between those 2 models so maybe just a blade length difference? 

you are correct it was utility club.  Thanks for nit pic.  Internet is green for fact checking.  
 

I am not sure if differences between utility vs regular 699pro.  Maybe guys at @Sub70Golf could inform us.  I’d be curious to know.  

[golfdaydreamer]

15 hours ago, ode said:

Weight of the 699 pro (4-gw)

 

249 257 263 270 277 285 293 300

 

Weight of the mb (3-pw)-

 

242 249 256 263 270 277 284 292

 

FYI: the only difference is the 5i, 9i and PW is 1g lighter on the MB; 4i is exact same weight; size of iron head does not dictate it's weight.  Of course there are tolerances, typically +/- 3g, so the 4i could have been off spec, but ??

Good to know.  
 

You must have tried both MB and 699pro 4i, right?

[ode]

On 10/23/2020 at 10:02 AM, golfdaydreamer said:

Good to know.  
 

You must have tried both MB and 699pro 4i, right?

No, have not.  I have a 5i that is a  similar style to the 699 pro and looks massive compared to the rest of my irons, but the weight spec is in line.  

 

The only way to know for sure is to pull the shaft and weigh the head.  Or measure SW and/or total weight to see if it's not in line with the rest of the set.

Edited October 25, 2020 by ode

[larryd3]

Great comments. I just ordered a set of the CBs last Tuesday and UPS shows them for delivery this coming Tuesday.  So 8 calendar days from ordering to receipt. 😄.  I’ve hit the 6 iron CB a bunch and my buddies MBs. I really like how the CB looks and performs and the MBs look and feel great also. Just wasn’t sure I’m good enough as a 7 index to play MBs so went with CBs. I’ll update after I get the new irons and have played several rounds with them.    EDIT:  the new irons showed up this morning so 7 calendar days from ordering to receipt in Tampa Bay area.  Just crazy fast.  Irons look great.  

Edited October 26, 2020 by larryd3

[J13]

Sub70 is a nice little brand and I've been checking out their stuff for a little while.  Thanks for taking the time to post a review.

[larryd3]

Oh and their hybrids are really good!  

[Orange Hog]

First off, Jason and his crew are top shelf when it comes to customer service.  I gamed a set of the 699 Pros for half of this year and while I loved the feel and performance I was really struggling with drawing the ball too much.  I naturally hit a straight/draw type of shot but I could not get these to stay on line for the life of me.  Maybe it was the shaft, maybe it was lie angle (although I had that checked) but I couldn't solve the puzzle and decided to move back to my Srixon 785's.  Please take that as the indian and not the arrow, as Sub70 makes a darn good product.

[lyons107]

Great Read thanks for the info

 

[larryd3]

I just took my new set of Sub70 CBs out today for the first time.  Awesome turf interaction, they frame the ball really well and plenty forgiving.  I'm really impressed.  My usual set are T200s and the CBs have better feel and turf interaction than the Titleists especially out of the rough, but that's for me, your mileage may vary.  Overall really pleased for the first round.  

[Jsk0307]

Great read and review.   Thank you for sharing!