EPON AF TOUR BLADE

[Duffy19]

Don't you know the loft of each iron when you buy the set? You don't need to be reminded everytime you use an iron do you? I certainly know my Epon 501 is 1* stronger than the 301 and 2* stronger than the new blade but 1* weaker than the 701.

[Jack aMMo]

Don't you know the loft of each iron when you buy the set? You don't need to be reminded everytime you use an iron do you? I certainly know my Epon 501 is 1* stronger than the 301 and 2* stronger than the new blade but 1* weaker than the 701.

 

OT

 

I would love to see pics of those Matsumoto irons, please?

[shuttle1]

Don't you know the loft of each iron when you buy the set? You don't need to be reminded everytime you use an iron do you? I certainly know my Epon 501 is 1* stronger than the 301 and 2* stronger than the new blade but 1* weaker than the 701.

 

?????

 

That's not just a little bit confusing? I'd bet money if you sat on the 1st Tee Box, any town, any Golf course, any day, and asked the folks teeing off what the loft of their 7 iron was, at least 50%,

or more, wouldn't know. They'd take a guess....

 

The 7 iron of the 701 is 31* loft. My AFTour 7 iron loft is 36*

 

How many Golfers would know that? How many wonder why they can't hit their 7 iron as far as their buddy hits his 7 iron??

 

You mean their not all the same????????

 

The people on this Forum do not even come close to representing the average Golfer. The knowledge of the folks on here FAR EXCEEDS the average and even above average Golfer.

[Duffy19]

Don't you know the loft of each iron when you buy the set? You don't need to be reminded everytime you use an iron do you? I certainly know my Epon 501 is 1* stronger than the 301 and 2* stronger than the new blade but 1* weaker than the 701.

 

OT

 

I would love to see pics of those Matsumoto irons, please?

 

 

Here is my Matsu and I am looking at the new 09 Yamaha V-Forged.

 

 

[jacksonlui]

you forget that the people that actually care about the loft of their 7 iron already know the loft.

the average golfer wouldn't care if it was stamped 7 or 31, it still wouldn't mean much to them.

you're at a different point in your game when you start worrying about loft and spin. at that time, you should already know your equipment.

[shuttle1]

I received my AFTours...

 

They look fantastic. I would prefer a Satin finish but the Chrome actually looks quite impressive.

 

I think what stood out the most as I checked them out was the Quality/Craftsmanship. The wait for Epon to come out with

a Blade was well worth it.

[xxio]

?????

 

That's not just a little bit confusing? I'd bet money if you sat on the 1st Tee Box, any town, any Golf course, any day, and asked the folks teeing off what the loft of their 7 iron was, at least 50%,

or more, wouldn't know. They'd take a guess....

 

The 7 iron of the 701 is 31* loft. My AFTour 7 iron loft is 36*

 

How many Golfers would know that? How many wonder why they can't hit their 7 iron as far as their buddy hits his 7 iron??

 

You mean their not all the same????????

 

The people on this Forum do not even come close to representing the average Golfer. The knowledge of the folks on here FAR EXCEEDS the average and even above average Golfer.

 

 

If you know that it is different, then it shouldn't matter to you unless you feel bad that everyone hits their 7i a different distance from you. All it takes is a little explanation from equipment experts like you to your group. I'm sure you've explained to them how the stiff of a NV is different from the stiff of an NVS anyway. Your being there is the help that they need.

 

Some head designs allow for changes in lofts and the manufacturers take advantage of this. Having a COG low and back will launch higher, to make up for that they can make the lofts stronger. It is a technological advantage. If OEMs made a TM CGB Max 7i the same loft as the Nike TW blades people would be complaining that the TM7i hits about 20 feet higher than the TW blades as well. People will complain, it is just a case of being informed.

[Natee]

My "one club shorter" statement was actually of informational purpose. I did not mean it to be a knock on such a beautiful set of irons. At the same loft, a modern CB with very low center of mass can generate more backspin, and thus less side spins, than its blade counterparts. Therefore, club designers can reduce the loft a few degrees or the ball could really ballon up. Likewise, to make a blade with its high COG easier to get the ball up with the optimal backspin and the desired trajectory, it is sometimes necessary to increase the loft. As we all know, backspin does promote straighter shot at the cost of distance; therefore, you would have to try it for yourself if the AF Tour loft specification fit your swing and you do not lose any distance. Still, if you do lose some distance, you can always 1. Bend the lofts stronger, 2. Make the shafts longer, or 3. Play one club stronger (if that does not hurt your ego.) For me, I would personally choose the third option as it would not change the original intended design of the club. Also, since Epon offers customized options, we could even ask them to stamp an "8" instead of "7" on its original 7 iron! :rolleyes:

 

I just hit the AF Tour into the net, so I could not say much. Just want to share what I heard.

 

About the Tour Concept shafts, from a person who have played DGS300 for 6 years, I would say that it is not any smoother than DG at all. At the same flex (R300 VS R3 or S300 VS S3), Tour Concept short irons (7-PW) are noticeably harder to load. I tested it with the frequency machine, the short irons went 15 cpm higher! Jacksonlui, you would have to try it side by side with the same head to know what I mean! According to Gocchin from TSG, most clubmakers in Japan touted the smoother feeling shafts like NS Pro 1150 as the better combination for MB-5003. As for the DG as the best combination for blades in general, there certainly must be many exceptions. However, on the PGA or Champion tour where a large percentage of players use blades, the number one shaft is still Dynamic Gold. There must be a good reason for that, don't you think? As for my MB-5003, I put a DG in and it feels so much better! I also switched TC to Epon AF301, and it perfomed so well that I have decided to switch the whole set.

[jacksonlui]

thanks

i have a set of TCs and DGS300 sitting around.

maybe i'll give the DG's another shot. from my experience, the TC spun quite a bit but had a nice smooth kick.

[Natee]

Jacksonlui, I totally agree with you that TC spins more with a nice stable kick, but that is with 3, 4, 5 irons. From 7-PW, TC spins less and is more difficult to load than DG. Anyway, you are right that it depends on the head and the swing too. I decided that MB-5003, even with a different shaft, is still too demanding for me, so I sold it (heads), but keep the TC shafts for my Epon combo set. The proceed will either go to AF Tour or TS-901. I still have not decided on the AF Tour, just bought AF501 (4-5), and AF301 (6-PW). The combo is a high performance set, very accurate, very forgiving. How is it going with the TS-901? Have you changed the shafts?

[jacksonlui]

the 901 is great!

sold my miura blades.

i haven't changed shafts and will probably keep them stock, don't want to mess with them in case i decide to sell them.

things don't stay long i my bag, i like to try different things till the next interesting thing comes up.

that's what ho'ing is all about. the 950 stiffs actually work really well in these heads.

[shuttle1]

Spoon is right. For a blade these are quite forgiving. Very solid and extremely smooth. As the reviews start to come in I think these are going to be rated as the best over all blade for '09.

[MizzyMan]

Spoon is right. For a blade these are quite forgiving. Very solid and extremely smooth. As the reviews start to come in I think these are going to be rated as the best over all blade for '09.

 

+1 Very forgiving on my normal miss, 1/2-3/4" towards the toe. First blade I've ever hit to help with a slight toe-hit. The visual appeal of this iron is unbelievable. Was gonna mix these with some 301's, but might just see how I get on with the 4-5-6 iron in these first.

 

The two degree loft difference between the Tours and 301's is countered by the higher COG in the Tours. I didn't notice more than 2-3 yards max difference hitting these side-by-side, same shafts. And I'm extremely accurate, distance-wise, with my irons. But the Tours are MUCH prettier.

[Spoon]

i have about 5 rounds full rounds with these sticks and the more i use them the more i am impressed. i have gotten used to the kbtours and am forming a positive opinion about them. my gripe with them in the beginning was the height of my ballflight once i have grown accustomed to them i was acually getting better results. provided you are really familiar with the distances per iron which i have i am able to hit more accurate shots with very nice soft landings. shaft and head combo are awesome.

 

with the amount of time i played with them i have accepted the limitations of the club and my own swing deficiencies, im dealing with them and the tours are helping me out although i have dispatched my 4 and 5 and am saving them for better days, 6-pw is great and a real treat to use. toe hits are forgivable, heel hits feel like a bloody damn rock and on the dime is better than safe sex:)

 

one thing i have an issue with is the chrome finish and its so darn bright on sunny days. i wish i could de bling it by satinizing the chrome. or better yet i wish epon brings out finish options.

[cbm]

Just giving you guys a heads up on these.I emailed Epon-international(Mr. Hirotaka Niimi) and Epon now offers the AF tour in satin finish! No extra charge too!

 

Just placed my order

 

 

 

 

[jamiejamster]

Just ordered a set with satin finish 3-pw with black kb tour shafts with coloured ferrules (dont know what colour to get and coloured iomic grips) hopefully get them next friday will post pictures then.

[shuttle1]

Just ordered a set with satin finish 3-pw with black kb tour shafts with coloured ferrules (dont know what colour to get and coloured iomic grips) hopefully get them next friday will post pictures then.

 

If they are the Epon Ferrules you're talking about, get the graphite (grayish silver weave) ones. They would go perfect with the shafts.

 

White Iomics would look way (to me)

 

Congrats on your new Irons!!

[jacksonlui]

guys

any updates on the performance and playability of these blades?

[cbm]

Jack- Guys,

Just spoke with Brandon @ the mobilegolflab my clubs 4-PW kbs tours are on there way tomorrow, so should have a review shortly! Also found out that Epon is now charging for the satin finish (some where in the $10/head range) sorry for the mis- info but Epon I guess changed their stance on that. Lucky for me I had already purchased my irons before the change.