Japan is known to get some of the best forged irons in the world, especially Japanese domestic models (JDM) that nobody else in the world gets. Being an online retailer, we rarely stock test or demo irons on hand but I still frequently get a lot of inquires about comparing a certain iron to another. Being able to test a lot of these irons one at a time as they are released, I can give advice and my opinion on certain models but I thought why not do a shoot out like the way the magazines do it and actually test a whole bunch of irons side by side? This seems like what everyone wants to see after all.
So I sent out some emails about getting some of the newest forged Japanese models together for a photo shoot and test session. None of the models I requested are small compact irons aimed at the athlete/pro golfer and most are probably mid sized or between mid and small size thus appealing to a large range of golfers. I did this intentionally as pro spec irons are only playable by a very small handful of golfers while mid level cavity backs can be played by single digit golfers wanting forgiveness all the way up to improving average golfers who want a challenge. Some of the irons began arriving at my house today including Ping’s Anser Forged Iron, Sri Sports’ XXIO Forged and Tourstage’s X-Blade 703 Forged. Next week we should see Taylormade’s R9 Forged as well as Burner Forged, Nike’s Machspeed Forged, Yamaha’s Inpres X V Forged and whoever else can send me a demo… (^_^) Here is a teaser pic of the first thee participants of TSG’s first ever Forged iron shootout!
Awesome, can’t wait to see the results and all the beautiful forged irons. You’re the Greatest
Wow! And I was just hoping for an R9 Forged v Burner Forged comparison. If possible can you include actual yardage numbers? Seeing that these are nearly Game Improvement Forged Irons, many of us Mid Handicaps and Higher want the forged feel but need distance whenever possible.
Besides the two TM Irons it will be interesting to see Ping Anser and the rest. Even though it has been out for awhile, wouldn’t it be appropriate to include in the test the Callaway Legacy?
Can’t wait!
Oh, and I forgot, maybe include the Epon 502 and/or 701? It would seem like one or both of these would fit this category. I will shut up now.
I’ve requested that an aF-502 join the test but I am waiting still for Epon’s reply. I thought of the Legacy Forged, but its on the verge of being replaced. I’ll try with yardage numbers.
Your Message@gocchin:
I would like to know if this comparison test ever took place. I’m really interested in a set of the Tourstage X-Blade 703 Irons, and would like to know ehre they stand…
It’s not actually a one time test that takes place in one shot, due to time limitations and different schedules of manufacturers it was really an ongoing test spread out over a few weeks. I’ve pretty much done all the testing and taken all the pictures… just figuring out how to present and post about it all as its a lot of info!
Can Iget a preview of how the X-Blade 703 Irons rated??