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Epon Japan Forged AF-701 Initial Review |
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Written by gocchin
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Friday, 05 October 2007 |
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 Well I've picked up my new Epon Japan Forged AF-701 irons shafted with Graphite Design's very smooth Tour AD AD-65 Graphite shafts and very very sticky Nowon No1 48 Series grips. The AF-701 are classified by Epon as for the golfer looking for a forgiving iron providing maximum distance, the AF-701 provides game improvement like ease and performance in a mid sized cavity back.
Still possessing a relatively thin topline and small offset, the AF-701 is precision forged from soft S20C steel with a high strength AsRoll Stainless steel face featuring COR over 0.8. The thin face produces high ball speeds and allows weight to be distributed to the toe and heel to provide a wider sweet spot and lower center of gravity. The center of gravity is further helped by two tungsten weights placed in the sole towards the toe and heel. The forgiving undercut design and stronger lofts will help golfers of all levels reach longer distances even on off center hits
Initial range impressions:
Well spent the last two days at the range hitting the AF-701's and they are more different from the Type X than just looks. They obviously have been redesigned with a new shape and undercut, with tungsten weights forged into the sole. The design is more modern looking and size wise is a tad smaller than the Type X. Mid sized but not chunky at all. Very nice view at address. the sole is not wide, but it's leading edge is pretty forgiving a I'm a steep swinger and had no problems with it unlike some sharper leading edges like Srixon's i506. The tungsten and meaty undercut in the long irons do indeed help get the ball up.
The AF-701's have a different feel from the Epon Type X, due in part to the new AsRoll face material they are using. While the Type X gave a click kind of sound at impact, the AF-701 is almost a subtle tink like hitting titanium. Very subtle and I didn't really notice it until I purposely listened for it.
The AsRoll face performance wise is a winner, more forgiving than the Type X. My bad iron shot is usually toward the toe as I can tense up and pull the club towards me... I hit a few close to the toe and I had to check to see if I did because they went almost just as far as hitting the sweet spot which apparently is huge. Distance wise the 701 is slightly longer, the face, while no softer than the Type X seems hotter. And AsRoll seems durable, after two range sessions, I wiped the irons clean and they look like new, the face doesn't mark, they look like they have never hit a ball.
With the strong lofts and design for high trajectory, they pair well with the mid kicking Graphite Design Tour AD shafts. Very smooth and great feel.
So far the irons look awesome and seem to perform great. I think players of any level can play this iron. Forgiving enough for the still improving player and at the same time offering enough feel and balance between forgiveness and playability for the more seasoned mid-low handicapper.
More when I get out on the course and still need to take side by sides with Epon Type X and Tourstage ViQ Forged.
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