Takomo, Caley, Haywood, Ram - All the Same Irons?

[FewerThan14]

Always looking around at irons. Tempted to go with a hollow game improvement blade-looking option. Similar to the P790s, but cheaper. I've really been interested in the Takomo 101 irons, and I've noticed something while doing my research. Are all of these the same irons with different logo markings? All of these sets have the same set makeup (4-PW), same lofts, same lies, same black plug in the toe. I'm thinking they're the same. Might have to go with the Rams(!) just to be a little different. It would be hilarious to roll up with a bag of Ram irons. I'm sure there are other DTC brands that use these molds. If you know of any, drop them in. 

 

https://takomogolf.com/iron-101/

 

https://caleygolf.com/products/caley-4-pw-iron-set

 

https://www.haywoodgolf.com/products/signature-irons

 

https://www.golfdivision.com/ram-golf-fx77-stainless-steel-players-distance-iron-set-4-pw-mens-right-hand

 

 

[third-times-a-charm]

Pretty much. There's a limited amount of places to make these iron heads and even more limited places to get blanks from.

 

So, they choose from 1 of the 5 blanks available, go with 1 of the 3 places overseas with experience in milling/finishing heads, and then specify their level of tolerances/details/etc and voila - you have a DTC iron head.

[pholway]

I know this is a way old thread but since I am comparing these myself at the moment at DTC irons seems popular I thought I would see if any others have since picked any of these up. I won a set of $tapers so I thought I might get some inexpensive iron heads and see what happens. That led me to these DTC rabbit holes. 

My 2 cents based purely on YouTube reviews and other sites: 

 

TLDR - I’m leaning towards the Heywood and yes they all seem very similar. 

 

**note I am discussing the hollow body GI heads only. All have typical strong lofts playing off a 44 degree PW 

 

Takomo: has the most reviews and they all seem really good. A bunch of yt reviews that are positive and the launch numbers are in line with P790s for example. Overall good choice. Great looking irons. Drawback is the annoying instagram golfer guy with the hair and the beard pushes them hard. A plus in these are even being played on Tour. I guess that’s a plus.  
 

Caley: not nearly as many reviews , the few there are are very positive for the 01 hollow body , similar numbers and almost identical looks to the Takomo. 1 negative would be off center hits in the long irons were punished in the 1 caley youtube review on a launch Monitor. This is bad for me as most of my strikes are off center. 🙂  Also Rick Shiels noted the grooves seemed very shallow in the Caleys. Couldn’t tell if they are any different from Takomo. 

 

Ram: these are great looking maybe better than Takomo or Caley. Though I wish it just had the ram logo only on the iron.  That said we all know the reputation RAM has for being clubs in a box sold at big box stores. Really good reviews as well. As with the others , the yt reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Most reviews implied mis hits were not punished substantially more than any other club. 
 

Heywood: these seem to be the best of the bunch - I think they are the best looking - I mean they all look very very similar so it’s purely a matter of taste but I like the understated simple script on the iron head. Numbers were dead on with the P790s. They have a black version of the head that is pretty sexy. Heywood seems like the most established of the DTC only brands. 
 

im leaning towards the Heywood despite it being the most expensive of the bunch but I am seriously considering the RAM - I don’t care how much my buddies make fun of me for it. I mean Tom Watson was a RAM guy. 🙂 

 

all the companies offer heads only and all offer decent shaft options and good grips if you want them built. 
 

that’s what I got on the subject. Anybody have on course experience with any of these they want to share ??

 

enjoy your Sunday boys. 
 

Edited November 26, 2023 by pholway

[Binson]

Has anyone compared them with the 0211 lineup from PXG?

[pholway]

6 hours ago, Binson said:

Has anyone compared them with the 0211 lineup from PXG?

 

@TheAverageGolfer on YT did and then this guy ripped his content off and posted it has his LOL

 

[skraly]

On 5/26/2022 at 8:24 AM, FewerThan14 said:

Always looking around at irons. Tempted to go with a hollow game improvement blade-looking option. Similar to the P790s, but cheaper. I've really been interested in the Takomo 101 irons, and I've noticed something while doing my research. Are all of these the same irons with different logo markings? All of these sets have the same set makeup (4-PW), same lofts, same lies, same black plug in the toe. I'm thinking they're the same. Might have to go with the Rams(!) just to be a little different. It would be hilarious to roll up with a bag of Ram irons. I'm sure there are other DTC brands that use these molds. If you know of any, drop them in. 

 

https://takomogolf.com/iron-101/

 

https://caleygolf.com/products/caley-4-pw-iron-set

 

https://www.haywoodgolf.com/products/signature-irons

 

https://www.golfdivision.com/ram-golf-fx77-stainless-steel-players-distance-iron-set-4-pw-mens-right-hand

 

 

These DTC club companies almost all use open source club heads made in China.  If you buy enough heads they’ll put whatever stamping you want and make any slight tweaks you need.  It doesn’t mean they aren’t good clubs.  It’s just that they aren’t in any way unique.  Just go with the one that has the best price and can give you a shaft that fits your needs.

[Gysse]

I have two sets of Tacomo irons. 101T's which are in my bag - and a set of 101's which I bought used and at a very good price. 101's are in a closet in my club and are used as a spare set.

 

The 101's are a little larger and are a little offset - I have no problem with offset clubs, but some people do. There are a little more help in 101's due to a larger sweet spot, and I think they may fly longer, for a lot of players. There is a very good feeling in the 101's

 

The 101T's are beautiful and very consistent in length and with a very good feel. I primarily play with 101T's because the smaller sweetspot forces me to concentrate a little bit more on every shot. ( it's a mental thing, I know 🙂 )

 

I have played the 101T's for almost 4 months now  and I am very satisfied with them. There are no marks, rust or anything else, that shows any wear and tear.

 

I am 61 years old and play from hcp 9,7

 

[tobybear]

A quick Google search will send you to Deson Golf and from there you will find a LOT of club head designs used by smaller companies that are using open source models that have been rebranded 

 

[Nessism]

Why is some dude, Haywood, who has no known reputation in the golf business, or anywhere for that matter, selling clubs with his signature on the back?  Gotta take a pass on that.  

[pholway]

4 hours ago, Nessism said:

Why is some dude, Haywood, who has no known reputation in the golf business, or anywhere for that matter, selling clubs with his signature on the back?  Gotta take a pass on that.  

I mean I get it but there has been a decent amount fo press, even on this site https://www.golfwrx.com/588428/an-introduction-to-haywood-golf/ 

[Chunkitgood]

4 hours ago, Nessism said:

Why is some dude, Haywood, who has no known reputation in the golf business, or anywhere for that matter, selling clubs with his signature on the back?  Gotta take a pass on that.  

And who is this Taylor guy anyway?  Why should I care if he made my clubs?

[Nessism]

6 hours ago, pholway said:

I mean I get it but there has been a decent amount fo press, even on this site https://www.golfwrx.com/588428/an-introduction-to-haywood-golf/ 

 

When someone puts their name, and especially their signature on something, that suggests that the person has "earned the right", and respect of others, and that their personal endorsement carries value.  Someone like Palmer, Hogan, Watson, Nicklaus, (hope you get the idea.)  Haywood?  I don't think so.  

[st1800e]

The ball can’t read what name is on the club. 

[Nessism]

3 hours ago, st1800e said:

The ball can’t read what name is on the club. 

 

So true.  

 

Haywood reminds me of Billy Beer.  The stomach doesn't read the labels either!

[pholway]

10 hours ago, Nessism said:

 

When someone puts their name, and especially their signature on something, that suggests that the person has "earned the right", and respect of others, and that their personal endorsement carries value.  Someone like Palmer, Hogan, Watson, Nicklaus, (hope you get the idea.)  Haywood?  I don't think so.  

I agree with you man I just don’t know if it indicative of a bad product or just a narcissistic founder. Maybe a little of both. 🙂 

 

may just wind up with a set of used P790s and skip the whole DTC thing 🙂 

 

[Bobb3rdown]

Don't forget Maltby. Probably the best looking heads of the bunch.

[pholway]

5 minutes ago, Bobb3rdown said:

Don't forget Maltby. Probably the best looking heads of the bunch.

Forged as well right ? They look pretty sexy. 

[pholway]

8 minutes ago, pholway said:

Forged as well right ? They look pretty sexy. 

These look pretty sick , website doesnt do them justice. hmm might be the move

[Nessism]

9 minutes ago, pholway said:

These look pretty sick , website doesnt do them justice. hmm might be the move

 

 

That seems like a no-brainer.  Low offset, forged, MS300 face, chrome plated, classy logos.  $420 for a set of 7 heads.  Not dirt cheap, but not bad either.

[Poor Mans Ty Webb]

While we're at it, there's a new MacGregor iron...

 

https://www.macgregorgolf.com/mt86-irons/macgregor-mt-86-os-irons/

 

 

And Ben Hogan is selling irons (including heads only!) DTC again...

 

https://www.benhogangolf.com/ptx-pro-irons/

 

 

 

 

 

[Chunkitgood]

3 hours ago, Poor Mans Ty Webb said:

While we're at it, there's a new MacGregor iron...

 

https://www.macgregorgolf.com/mt86-irons/macgregor-mt-86-os-irons/

 

 

And Ben Hogan is selling irons (including heads only!) DTC again...

 

https://www.benhogangolf.com/ptx-pro-irons/

 

 

 

 

 

What tournaments did that MacGregor guy ever win?  Him and that Haywood guy have a lot of nerve.

[pholway]

The Macgregors

On 11/28/2023 at 12:22 PM, Poor Mans Ty Webb said:

While we're at it, there's a new MacGregor iron...

 

https://www.macgregorgolf.com/mt86-irons/macgregor-mt-86-os-irons/

 

 

And Ben Hogan is selling irons (including heads only!) DTC again...

 

https://www.benhogangolf.com/ptx-pro-irons/

 

 

The Macgregors are nice. I think the Maltby, Macgregors and Rams are the best Quality (maybe) Caley and Takomo 2nd despite the Caley's being foam filled im told. Right now leaning Maltby , Heywood and Takomo off my list.

 

 

 

[Kyfra]

On 11/27/2023 at 8:57 PM, Nessism said:

 

When someone puts their name, and especially their signature on something, that suggests that the person has "earned the right", and respect of others, and that their personal endorsement carries value.  Someone like Palmer, Hogan, Watson, Nicklaus, (hope you get the idea.)  Haywood?  I don't think so.  

He was going to sign his last name, Jablowme, but decided it was too hard to pronounce.

[vdrive60]

If you are a specs junkie Haywood offers more options for shafts and grips, as well as length and lie customization.  Tokamo seems to be cornering the market with endorsements and review, but from what I get from friends in the know, you are getting the same club, no matter where you buy from on the DTC market.  They all use the same club manufacturers in China and they put their brand on it.  

The choice is yours.