I’m happy to report that Epon has agreed on letting the AF-502 take part in our forged cavity back shootout in June. I’m looking forward to see how it stacks up especially against the Ping Anser Forged which has a similar size and design with a cavity that absorbs vibrations and creates feel. Should be a great shootout as I await the arrival of the other contenders!
Can’t wait for the shoot out. thanks for doing this
Besides the Ping and Epon, what others are joining the shootout?
A few posts down on the blog (^_^)
http://www.tourspecgolf.com/blog/2010/05/japan-forged-irons-comparison-preview/
Are you going to shaft them all with your favourite/usual iron shaft?
It would be a shame to confuse the issue with all different and possibly unsuitable/disliked shafts – picking/finding your correct iron shaft seems underrated but can make a huge difference…. more than the difference between any similair cavity back design.
From my point of view or the way I approach reviews, the correct iron shaft is not underrated at all, If you read all my reviews for any club, I always stress that the right shaft or different shafts will not only change the way a club performs but also how it feels. It is a very important factor indeed. Unfortunately going with my favorite shaft is not an option as that would not only be very costly as I use graphite usually but also the work/cost to shaft these clubs that I have to return to the manufacturer (they are only on loan). That said I did request that everyone send me 950GH shafted irons and so far they have obliged.
Ah i should correct myself.. except Ping which sent me their AWT shaft which is standard… it’s a little heavier than the 950gh and less torque so we’ll see how it compares, though I will of course take it into consideration.
When do you estimate doing the test? Again, please see if there is a way to compare actual distance and spin rates on these. I don’t know if you have access to a Trackman, etc. Being that these are somewhat Forged Game Improvement Irons, many of us users are always looking for a little distance, or at least not a reduction in distance as with Players Irons.
For me my next irons are between the TM Burner Forged, TM R9 Forged, Callaway Legacy, Ping Anser, and Epon AF502. Just a few to consider.
Thanks for doing this.
I don’t know if I can get myself a personal trackman for testing (^_^) I will test in play though and give as much feedback as I can on feel and workability and design/dimensions as well as distance and trajectory.
Interestingly you refer to some of these irons as game improvement. Not a single magazine or manufacturer deems any of these models game improvement. Even the R9 Forged is dubbed by magazines and pro testers as for the better golfer. Models like the X-Blade 703 are actually in play by Tourstage Men Pros on tour. In Japan game improvement irons are considered ViQ, XXIO, Standard Burner, R9 Max etc… those big sized irons. (^_^) I guess it all depends on what we consider the definition of game improvement… (^_^)
Looking forward to the shootout! Thanks for doing this!