Epon v Sonartec Wedges

[smigin]

evaluation of each of their merits

Has anyone tried both the Epon 208 wedges (specifically 52*12bounce and 58*11bounce) and the Sonartec T45 equivalents and rated them against each other?

I have the Sonartec 54* and 60* (not sure of the bounces but the former is D5 the latter D2-3 (it has a truetemper shaft with the dampner in) but am probably going to change them.

thoughts appreciared?

thanks

[xxio]

I had the Epon 56 in copper and had the older TB35 in 56/60 of the Sonartecs. If that is good enough for you let me know and I will post my thoughts on those.

[smigin]

xxio, any thoughts would be appreciated - new area for me in this type of wedges as I'm just discovering the joys of jp kit

thanks

[xxio]

The Epon wedge was a wide sole with a bit of bounce.

It had tones of spin but was just harder to hit low for some reason. It didn't respond well to being hooded and played back in the stance as well. It seemed to be best playable for soft urf conditions and not much else. I had the 58 with the K's Shimada as a demo and it was the same. Feel was typical forged, not overyly soft.

Sonartec TB35s had the C grind and was more versatile in most turf and bunker conditions. The bounce was on the low side and the leading edge was a tad sharp. I believe those were the design elements "addressed" with the TB45s.

Spin was a lot on both. If hitting it different trajectories is important I would go with the Sonartec. The Epons may have been a bit more forgiving on full/straightforward shots.

[smigin]

thank you xxio, your feedback is appreciated and usefull.

trajectory is not critical to me but I have the 54 and 60* Sonartec TB45s and find the former easy to use (it's swing weight at D5 as opposed to the latters D2.5 [due to the shaft having the dampener in] likely to be a major factor).

it's interesting to know about your view on the conditions that the Epon seems suited to as my course in the UK has a lot of lush fringes but also quite a few bearish lies but those I tend to use a 9 to bump n run.

thanks again for your help

[Spoon]

I agree with xxio on the 208s being rather a snag to hit when hooded or opened. this was one of the determining factors for me to dump the 208s from my bag. i game mostly epon items except for my wedges. the 208s for all the merit and technology were not so user friendly in my book. just recently got the 210s and they are a significant improvement and the easy of use is very apparent. the only downside are the conforming grooves. i would say less spin but not by much. now if they made these in non-conforming i would certainly have looked into those

[smigin]

Spoon, thanks for the input, this is making me think i'm investing in a low/scratch handicapper's wedge.
I rarely open or hood my wedges as i've always been schooled not to and have always had a problem with spin - achieving any!

still nothing ventured nothing gained

[Ugo DeRosa]

I have never tried Sonartec but I own the Epon 208 in black finish. I really like the 208. I agree with others- this wedge is best suited for lush conditions. Where I live, conditions vary throughout the year. When it has been wet, I use the 208, when it has been dry and the turf is getting harder, I play my other wedges. I don't think the 208 is necessarily a low handicapper wedge. It is as easy to hit as any other wedge on straight forward shots.

Agree with the others that it might not be the best sole design if you want to open the face up, but I don't have issues hooding it. If conditions are right, it is my favorite wedge over my other wedges- Scratch JLM, Chikara Production, Yururi Raw Gekku and Ping Tour-W.

[smigin]

Thanks Guys - appreciate all the input

I'll be getting them before the w/e and so hope to try them very soon. I'll give feedback of them compared to retail versions of C14s, Vokeys and the Sonartec T45s

cheers

[smigin]

Hi all,

Here is my review of the two Epon 208KGX wedges 52* and 58*; I'm not a professional (either in my golfing prowess or narratives) but here goes;

The course I've used them onto date is in Yorkshire UK and is one of the highest in Leeds so its season is late (end June to end September is prime time) and hence the course has a complete range of surfaces at the moment. This varies from a bare earthen lie to thick lush 6" rough (not uncommon for me to find) and all types in between.

The swing weight at D5 is my preference and if anything appearance wise all I would change is the colour which looks like the Ping Beryllium having been left in Cola!

I initially tried them on the practice ground which has a grass length of somewhere between the fairway and the first cut and the first thing I noticed was how easy they were to swing in fact the less effort you used the better the shot, coming off the face cleanly and most enjoyably accurately whether I opened up the blade or closed the face. As a 17 handicapper distance control is of growing importance and the superb build and consequent confidence that this gives you meant that I was a great deal more consistent in length and dispertion. I would say that I found that if I did force the distance or height and I mean really push it then they did go rather wild! Or my swing did

I then used them on the course in full medal jacket battle where they definitely cost you shots if you don't play them as they should be. I was told they are easier to hit of lush lies rather than bald and that is definitely the case; their wide sole does mean that the nearer the earth you are the more precise you have to be and this cost me a few shots. Out of the first cut or on a good patch of fairway this wasn't an issue and indeed the 52* did give me my first pitch-in to the 3[sup]rd[/sup]

The 52* is easier to use, it therefore gives you confidence; it is ideal from about 80 yards for me.

The 58* is tougher and needs a lot of care, though the result warrants this time as its flight and consistent length (50 yards and under) makes a great deal of difference. I do have to say that my 60* Sonartec is better out of bunkers but then I've been using it longer.

I've never achieved back-spin by design (occasionally by accident and usually when I least need it!) but the halfway house of stopping dead after the second or third bounce by either club is a welcome outcome and one which I spend some considerably time working upon.

All in all they need time to work with but the feel and confidence giving properties mean that's I feel they are a good investment both financially and time-wise.

I know this isn't technical but I hope it's of some benefit to a reader...