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WRX Spotlight: Epon AF-305 irons

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Product: Epon AF-305 irons

Pitch: From Epon: “New for 2019 is the much anticipated AF-305 which adds playability characteristics while visually pleasing to the more accomplished player. From the top line there is noticeably less offset than its predecessor appealing to the ball striker. However, strategic weight distribution throughout the heads shape and the use of tungsten metal delivers the highest MOI and CG depth providing for ample forgiveness in a player’s iron.”

EPON-AF-305-irons-2

Our take on Epon AF-305 irons

If you don’t know the name Epon Golf, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Epon is the personal brand of ENDO forging, and premier forging company in Japan. ENDO was founded in 1950 as a producer of small machine components, and by the end of the 1960s, it was creating high-end golf equipment. ENDO currently does a lot of forging for many golf companies out there. Epon is the brand where ENDO can show off its ultra-premium products and latest forging technology. Forged irons are coveted for their soft, responsive feel and to Epon that is their highest priority when creating new designs. Epon creates its club heads as one piece, instead of the body and hosel welded together, to ensure that soft, buttery feel.

The Epon AF-305 is a new iron in the lineup for 2019. AF-305 irons offer high playability in a shape that has reduced offset and a thinner top line to appeal to better players. When pulling the AF-305 out of the box you immediately notice the large cavity and amount of perimeter weighting, but when you set them down they look good to the eye. If I had to compare the look, I would say these remind me of the Srixon Z565 irons. The AF-305 looks great with its light satin finish that reduces glare but also has a richness to it that other satin irons don’t have. The other thing that stands out is the sole design to help with turf interaction for both sweepers and diggers. As a digger, I love seeing the beveled leading edge to help the club glide through the turf. The sole of the club is wider to accommodate tungsten metal in order to increase MOI lower the CG. If I had to think of a negative on these irons I would say the look of the wider sole, but that is a very minor thing that really helps the playability of the iron.

EPON-AF-305-irons-2

Out on the course, the AF-305 really shines. People love Japanese irons and wedges for their soft feel, and the feel is of course just as you expect, very soft and solid. These aren’t so soft where you would consider them mushy or unresponsive, but they defiantly aren’t clicky. Shots hit closer to the heel keep that same soft and solid feel, while shots off the toe offered just a little more of a crisp sound.

EPON AF 305

While playing the 305, I was really impressed with the sole and turf interaction. I am more of a digger and tend to have a steep angle of attack. With the soft conditions here the 305 never dug into the ground and thanks to the tapered leading edge. The clubs really glided freely through the ground. The sole has trailing edge relief that helps the club play like a smaller players club and get through rough easier than a wider soled iron.

The 305 has a wider flange/sole and you would think that amount of weight low on the head would launch the ball to the moon. Out on the course, the 305 did get the ball in the air quickly, but offered a more penetrating ball flight than I expected. I would classify the 305 in the mid/high launch category and spin is low, but enough where you don’t have to worry about the ball holding the green. I had no problems getting the ball to stop and with the short irons even had a few pull back on the green.

If you are looking for an iron that offers players looks, soft feel, and a healthy dose of forgiveness then you need to add the 305 to your list of irons to try. Epon has crafted a really versatile iron that will fit players in a wide range of handicaps while offering them the feel and precision they probably haven’t had in an iron that offers this much forgiveness. Overall I really like the Epon AF-305 and think it could be one of the most underrated irons out right now.

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5 Comments

5 Comments

  1. roxenford

    Aug 30, 2019 at 6:24 pm

    “… what has been will be again, what has been done will be done again …”

    well, sort of …

    WILSON ROBERT MENDRALLA SIGNATURE IRON

    http://www.igolfvalueguide.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/r/irnwi103.jpg

    • Sun Tzu

      Aug 31, 2019 at 3:48 pm

      Not even close to a match. Besides both being golf clubs with the appearance of a cavity stye back they have ZERO in common.

    • steve

      Sep 1, 2019 at 12:25 am

      When I first saw the image on my small phone, I too thought it was some sort of Wilson product. Upon further inspection, not so much. But I do get your point.

  2. Brandon

    Aug 29, 2019 at 11:33 pm

    I want to like Epon irons, and I’m sure they feel amazing, but they look like some no name brand you can grab at Big 5.

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Equipment

Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head

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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head

From the seller: (@lasallen): “For sale is a BRNR mini 11.5 deg head only in brand new condition.  $325 shipped.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head 

This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules

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Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made

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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made.

From the seller: (@DLong72): “Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made. ?: $1150. ?? 100% milled collectors item from the limited releases commemorating when Ping putters won every major in 1988 (88 putters made). This was the model Seve Ballesteros used to win the 1988 Open Championship. Condition is brand new, never gamed, everything is in the original packaging as it came. Putter features the iconic sound slot.

Specs/ Additional Details

-100% Milled, Aluminum/Bronze Alloy (310g)

-Original Anser Design

-PING PP58 Grip

-Putter is built to standard specs.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made

This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules

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Inside Collin Morikawa’s recent golf ball, driver, 3-wood, and “Proto” iron changes

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As you probably know by now, Collin Morikawa switched putters after the first round of The Masters, and he ultimately went on to finish T3.

The putter was far from the only change he made last week, however, and his bag is continuing to change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage.

On the range of The Masters, Morikawa worked closely with Adrian Reitveld, TaylorMade’s Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, to find the perfect driver and 3-wood setups.

Morikawa started off 2024 by switching into TaylorMade’s Qi10 Max driver, but since went back to his faithful TaylorMade SIM – yes, the original SIM from 2020. Somehow, some way, it seems Morikawa always ends up back in that driver, which he used to win the 2020 PGA Championship, and the 2021 Open Championship.

At The Masters, however, Rietveld said the duo found the driver head that allowed “zero compromise” on Morikawa’s preferred fade flight and spin. To match his preferences, they landed on a TaylorMade Qi10 LS 9-degree head, and the lie angle is a touch flatter than his former SIM.

“It’s faster than his gamer, and I think what we found is it fits his desired shot shape, with zero compromise” Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the RBC Heritage.

Then, to replace his former SIM rocket 3-wood, Morikawa decided to switch into the TaylorMade Qi10 core model 13.5-degree rocket head, with an adjustable hosel.

“He likes the spin characteristics of that head,” Rietveld said. “Now he’s interesting because with Collin, you can turn up at a tournament, and you look at his 3-wood, and he’s changed the setting. One day there’s more loft on it, one day there’s less loft on it. He’s that type of guy. He’s not scared to use the adjustability of the club.

“And I think he felt our titanium head didn’t spin as low as his original SIM. So we did some work with the other head, just because he liked the feel of it. It was a little high launching, so we fit him into something with less loft. It’s a naughty little piece of equipment.” 

In addition to the driver and fairway wood changes, Morikawa also debuted his new “MySymbol” jersey No. 5 TP5x golf ball at The Masters. Morikawa’s choice of symbols is likely tied to his love of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.

Not enough changes for you? There’s one more.

On Wednesday at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Morikawa was spotted with a new TaylorMade “Proto” 4-iron in the bag. If you recall, it’s the same model that Rory McIlroy debuted at the 2024 Valero Texas Open.

According to Morikawa, the new Proto 4-iron will replace his old P-770 hollow-bodied 4-iron.

“I used to hit my P-770 on a string, but sometimes the distance would be a little unpredictable,” Morikawa told GolfWRX.com. “This one launches a touch higher, and I feel I can predict the distance better. I know Rory replaced his P-760 with it. I’m liking it so far.” 

See Morikawa’s full WITB from the 2024 RBC Heritage here. 

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