Tourstage Z101 - Comparable to???

[bmenx2]

What are Z101's comparable too in American shops?

Hi all. I was hoping I could get some feedback on what the Tourstage Z101's are comparable too?

I've heard everything from Mizuno MX 300's and Mp 52's to Bridgestone J36 Pocket Cavity's as well as Callaway X Tour's and X Forged.

I was hoping to hear from the people who own the Z101's and can give me some opinions, etc.

Thanks!

[rnd007]

The Tourstage z101's are just a fantastic iron in every respect. Out of all the irons I've tried and demoed, which is quite a few, nothing really compares to them. Nice soft feel, reasonably forgiving and they set-up fantastic. Build quality is top notch also.

When I first bought my z101's I was surprised at how compact the head was. Coming from retail Taylormade 300 forged irons they looked especially small to me at first. I have a set of Titleist 690.cb in my backup set and I find the z101's more comparable to those clubs compact-wise. The Titleist 690.cb are terrific clubs in they're own right. But owning the z101's they're are many differences that set them apart like the razor-thin topline, minimal offset and the tungsten inserts in the long irons...which work incredibly well. The major difference for me is feel. The z101's, put simply, are just pure. I've briefly played Mizuno mp60 , Callaway x-forged, Taylormade TP CB over different periods of time and nothing yet has matched the feel of the z101's. They've developed a "cult like" following and it's well deserved. I think it's hard to compare this set of irons to others but I thought I'd share my experiences. Hope this helps.

[bmenx2]

Thanks for the response - greatly appreciated!

[marrigo]

They look an awful lot Like Srixon i710 Tours to me.

[dosaile]

I haven't found a replacement for my Z101's yet & mine's getting pretty worn, had them for about 5 years now (approx 400 rounds). I've got a set of J36 Cavity Backs coming, I'm hoping they'll play & feel similar.

[rileyj]

I have been playing my z's for a few years now and have tried to replace them a couple times just to change it up. I tried to MP 52s but the z's heads are shorter from heel to toe and the slot in the long irons of the 52s yield a more hollow feel than the z's. I also tried the 07 X forged but the topline on the x forged's was too thick for my liking. In terms of just looks, the Cobra Pro CBs look are very similar in for appearance at address and head size. As for feel, the closest I've found are Taylormade Smoke MBs but the long irons in the z's are just so easy to hit with the tungsten insterts.

I've stopped looking to replace my z's. They have been the clubs that I used on my journey from a 9 handicap to a 3 and they are more than capable of supporting my game as I try to close in on scratch. I satisfied my club hoing urge by purchasing a backup set of same damn thing.

As an aside, the S300 SL shafts are sweet in these clubs if you have a smoother tempo. I don't hit it far with them ( 7iron: 150 yds) but the height and dispersion are sooooo consistent.

[bmenx2]

Thanks everyone for all of the info. and comments. I picked up a set with TT Black Gold Reg flex shafts that were already set up to the specs I needed - couldn't pass them up!

I should be able to get out and hit them soon - in Northern NJ - snow this AM, more snow on Saturday - sucks!!!

Thanks again for all of the info!

[M-Stamp]

One of the few CBs in my book that produced more penetrating trajectory than blades. One of the two CBs that matches the feel of top notch blades (the other is Epon 301). I only wish that the Z had better finish and graphics.

Strictly speaking, the Z's were not JDM as they were never sold in Japan. It was a US-only model.

[mcputter]

These are a great iron- picked up a used set almost two years ago (primarily based on feedback from this forum) and once I put in my favorite shaft (PING Z-Z65) and strengthened the lofts a smidge on the short irons- they've been great.
I'm hoping they show up as '2010 conforming' on the USGA database as I hope to play in the US Senior Open later this year (just turned 50). I kind of doubt they're conforming since most of the Tourstage irons are not, so I'll probably be looking for a replacement iron too. I'm thinking maybe Titleist 695CB, Mizuno MP something, or the rumored new Adams cavity-back irons coming in April.

[canegolfer]

I have three sets of Z101s. Tourstage model Z101 & MR-23 are the softest clubs I have ever played. I currently play Epon 501s and Epon 302s. The only iron I have ever hit that is softer than the Tourstage Z101 is the Tourstage MR-23 US version. I like the Epons ( 302s amazing clubs) because they are more solid feeling. But for pure feel. Z101s and Mr-23s are the softest. Bothe the Z101s, Mr-23s and the Epon are all forged at Endo--the world's best.