Epon AF501 VS CALLAWAY X-TOUR forged

khgolf · November 12, 2008

I just have been looking for a new set of irons and i ran across some brands that i never have heard of. With the EPON, PRGR, and the FourTeen, how do they compare to like Mizuno MP52, Callaway X-TOUR forged and so on. Do they have better feel? distance,forgiveness. What if anything makes them special?

Callaway ft5 tour imix

Callaway ft 15

Callaway ft 2h

Callaway X-tour 05

Titleiest 52/58 SM

Scotty Cameron Newport

b81smith · November 12, 2008

hope someone posts soon cuz I really want to know the answer to this....I hear they're better quality - thats it, no specifics to justify two times as much money for everything, LOL.... it's hard to believe something could be twice as good as mizuno...

:golfer:

MizzyMan · November 12, 2008

OK, I'll jump in. I've been a fan of Mizuno irons for 20 years (hence the name MizzyMan, get it?). But with this damn computer/confuser, you learn all about stuff you didn't even know existed. Anyhoo, I stumbled into a local shop that carries Miura, Epon, and a bunch of other Japanese brands. From all the research I've garnered (and no, not just from the owner of the shop), some of these brands made in Japan have alot higher quality control.

I ended up with some Epon 301 irons, and they feel incredible. And I've played Miz mp-14, 29, 33, 60, and 62. And the Epon heads came in at EXACTLY the weight of the spec. Try that with Mizuno. They are notorious for having to add weight in the hosels to get them to weight.

It's not that I really play better with them. Just the pride in ownership, looks, feel. They are all forged in the Endo factory in Japan to extremely high standards. One of the most respected forging houses in the world. And they're not really THAT much more, cost-wise. About $150/club, vs. about 100 for Miz.

Duffy19 · November 12, 2008

Yes, there is actually another world out there besides Mizuno although I still own two sets of T-Zoid Pro. I have played Epon (301 and 501), Miura and am now seriously looking at the latest Yamaha V forged. J spec clubs are expensive no doubt but not 2 times with the exception of some brands such as Beres and Matsumoto. You can expect to pay at least 50% more for the quality but make sure you do your research.

BTW, sold the 301 but kept the Epon 501 as they are very easy to hit.

khgolf · November 12, 2008

Thanks for all your help. I love the look of the Epon 501's.Now if i can figure out which shaft fits me i will be set. I have the s300 in my current clubs and it is just to stiff. anybody tried the nippon shafts? any thoughts?

b81smith · November 12, 2008

Well, for 5-P Epon on Tourspec their around $950 or pay 330 more for 3 and 4 plus a huge shipping fee - 70 bucks VS 3-P Mizuno free shipping for $700 from golfsmith........ Not exactly double - amazing looking quality but not that much better. That was my point

Falang_Golfer · November 12, 2008

Oh man, you've stepped off the deep end by looking at those. In my opinion the Japanese clubs are all about feel and quality, perceived or actual. You also have to remember that the market there allows higher prices and guess what, things are more expensive. I don't think those clubs play better than the regular American brands but I must admit I think they feel better. I have Ap2s which are fairly good feeling forged clubs but compared to the Epon 301, no comparison. The Epon is like butter. Do I play better with it? Not really. But it makes me feel better I guess.

And for the Japan spec stuff I have found that most of them work better with Nippons. The Nippons are very smooth compared to the S300 (I've had both). Epon 501 with Nippon 1050 would be nice. Just be prepared to pay a nice premium for them. They do pop up on ebay once in a while. You may want to try them first next to the other clubs if possible.

Duffy19 · November 12, 2008

Thanks for all your help. I love the look of the Epon 501's.Now if i can figure out which shaft fits me i will be set. I have the s300 in my current clubs and it is just to stiff. anybody tried the nippon shafts? any thoughts?

The Epon 501 is really a good compromise between the less forgiving 301 and the strong loft 701. I have the nspro 850 R on my 501 as I am a senior golfer and driver SS of just 90 mph. The good thing about ordering from a Tourspec or authorized dealers is a choice of shaft as long as you know what you want or need.

It is not always just a question of value but J spec is just something that you want. One of my Mizuno T Zoid Pro is a limited edition with upgraded graphite and a special badge in gold (color). Do I need that model? NO but I wanted it and I still have it after 10 years. My other R300 T Zoid has now been reshafted with Shimada K'3001 which is only 89 g constant weight.

SwingMan · January 3, 2009

My son was looking for new shafts -- and the guy handed him one club with Nippon 1050 and one with KBS Tour -- the ball speed numbers jumped 3-4 mph with the KBS.

He was also handed an Epon 501 and 301 -- he said both were great heads -- the 501 numbers were slightly greater and more consistent.

bsc1872 · January 3, 2009

hope someone posts soon cuz I really want to know the answer to this....I hear they're better quality - thats it, no specifics to justify two times as much money for everything, LOL.... it's hard to believe something could be twice as good as mizuno...
:golfer:

simple look at metal used- Mizuno,Titleist,Callaway they all use metal that is a cheapier grade than EPON, VEGA, SCRATCH, MIURA. Alot of the designer of these companies have designed and grinded sets with other companies stamps on them!! Don't be fooled by OEM its all about profit margin, not quality

SwingMan · January 3, 2009

About the pricing --

Let's face it, consistent ballstrikers get the most out of fitting technology. Of course, if you want to spend, it's your money.

If you have a consistent swing and need refinement, then does it make sense to purchase Mizunos off the racks for $800, then find out the build is not quite there for your better game? -- so you spend another $450-500, depending on shafts, getting a set blueprinted that still may have some weaknesses due to inconsistent or light or even heavy headweights. You end up spending $1,300 on a remodel.

Or you can get dynamically fitted -- compare similar quality Japanese heads like Epon, Miura, etc., that have consistent headweights, or weights that fit you, with a shaft that fits you ideally, and spend $1400 on a set that is really made for you.

It all depends on how you look at the situation, who are you, or aren't, as a golfer, what you want, and what you can get.

landshark · January 4, 2009

duffy:

regarding the epon 501: i realize they will be easier to hit than the 301, but do they feel as good as the 301 or miura?

Duffy19 · January 4, 2009

duffy:
regarding the epon 501: i realize they will be easier to hit than the 301, but do they feel as good as the 301 or miura?

Personally I think the 501 feels as good as the 301 but completely different feel to my Miura cb201. The Miura, also on nsp850 has a denser feel (but not hard) to it and softness (whatever that means to you) is comparable to Epon yet different.