Equipment
Photos of TaylorMade irons from the last 35 years
TaylorMade has been making irons for more than 35 years, and depending on how long you’ve been playing golf, there’s a decent chance you’ve used one or more of the iron sets below.
Our slideshows cover each decade of TaylorMade irons, and we’ve captioned certain photos to help put the company’s iron launches in historical context. For more on the past, present and future of the iron-design process, make sure to read our deep dive on the topic: How TaylorMade designs its next set of irons.
What’s your favorite set of TaylorMade irons from the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s and ’10s? What did you like about them? Which sets did you buy, and which ones would you still use today? Let us know in the comments section at the end of this article. And remember, you can click the photos to enlarge them and read the full captions.
1980-1989
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- TaylorMade’s first iron was released in 1980. It was a design inspired by PGA Tour player Ken Venturi, thus the name KVD.
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- The PR1 irons were also released in 1980.
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- The EL1 irons were released in 1982.
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- The Tour Preferred F irons were released in 1985.
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- The Iron Cleeks hit shelves in 1986.
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- Released in 1987, the Tour Preferred TD were players irons with a hollow cavity in the 1-4 irons
1990-1999
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- 1991: The ICW-5 irons were designed for better players, while the ICW-11 were for average golfers. Both had progressive offset.
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- The ICW Mid Tour irons were released in 1992.
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- Released in 1993, the Burner Midsize irons had a foam-filled club heads to increase perimeter weighting.
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- The Burner Bubble Tour irons (1996) won two major championships and were the first TaylorMade irons to gain a big following on the PGA Tour.
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- 1996: Burner Bubble Oversized
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- The Burner Bubble LCG irons were released in 1997.
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- Released in 1997, the Ti Bubble 2 irons used tungsten and copper weights to lower CG for a higher launch angle.
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- The FireSole Forged irons were released in 1999.
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- 1999: The FireSole long irons were titanium and the mid irons were steel. Both used tungsten weights to lower CG. The short irons were made of nickel to improve feel.
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- The FireSole Tour irons were released in 1999.
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- The SuperSteel irons were released in 1999.
2000-2009
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- 2000: The 300’s were forged, and the smallest of the 300-Series irons.
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- 2000: The 320’s were slightly larger, and offered a higher launch angle and more forgiveness.
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- 2002: The RAC LT irons used an energy vibration system to improve sound and feel.
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- 2002: The RAC OS irons were larger, and had a lightweight cartridge that allowed engineers to reposition 32 grams of weight in the club head.
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- 2002: The RAC HT irons used larger club heads with wider soles to launch shots higher and farther.
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- 2006: At $1,300, the RAC CGB irons were expensive, but they were easily the longest, most forgiving irons in company history when they were released.
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- 2006: The RAC MB TP irons were one of the most beloved TaylorMade muscleback sets of all time.
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- 2006: The R7 irons introduced Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) to deliver more ball speed and better distance control.
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- 2007: The R7 TP irons were smaller irons, and used on the PGA Tour.
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- The Burner Plus irons were released in 2008.
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- The Burner XD irons were released in 2008.
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- The Tour Burner irons were released in 2008.
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- The Burner ’09 irons are considered by many to be golf’s first “distance iron.” They sold exceptionally well for TaylorMade.
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- RAC MB TP Smoke: Everyone’s favorite TaylorMade muscleback iron, released in 2008 with a “smoke” finish.
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- The R9 irons were released in 2009.
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- The R9 TP irons were released in 2009, and were popular with PGA Tour players.
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- So were TaylorMade’s Tour Preferred TP irons, which were also released in 2009.
2010-2016
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- 2010: The Burner 2.0 irons had a thinner face and more precise weighting than their predecessors.
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- 2011: TaylorMade Staffer Daniel Berger still uses TaylorMade’s Tour Preferred MC irons.
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- The R11 irons were released in 2011.
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- The RBZ irons were released in 2012.
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- The RBZ Max irons were released in 2012.
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- 2013: RocketBladez used a slot in the sole to deliver more distance and consistency. Smash hit for TaylorMade.
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- The RocketBladez Max irons were larger, longer and more forgiving, and also released in 2013.
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- 2013: The Tour Preferred CB irons were the follow-up to TaylorMade’s RocketBladez Tour irons.
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- 2013: Dustin Johnson and Justin Rose still use TaylorMade’s Tour Preferred MB irons.
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- 2014: The follow-up to RocketBladez. SpeedBlade flew higher with improved consistency.
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- 2014: The SLDR irons were a very expensive set of irons to produce. They were intended for golfers deciding between a distance iron and a players iron.
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- 2015: TaylorMade puts Face Slots on the RSi 1 irons, which replaced SpeedBlade.
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- 2015: The RSi 2 irons used a complex, multi-material construction and a progressive design to appeal to a wide range of golfers.
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- 2015: TaylorMade focused on looks and feel with the PSi, shrinking the heads when compared to RSi 2 and adding Hybrar for a softer sound at impact.
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- 2015: The PSi Tour irons are popular on the PGA Tour, and are forged from 1025 carbon steel. They have milled Speed Pockets and Face Slots.
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- 2016: TaylorMade’s longest-flying iron in history. An ultra-low CG drives their performance.
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- 2016: A smaller version of the M2 irons.
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- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
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 Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
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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rex235
May 6, 2016 at 12:22 am
The 1987 TM TD Tour Preferred Iron was one of the best irons ever, and a LH model was available.
Some of these newer models like the TM TP Forged from 2005 were a nod to the MacGregor MT Wingbacks from 50 years earlier. Coin Forged? Smoke? RH only to be sure, and Miura made?
Taylor Made golf made a LH Forged 300 set for Mike Weir and he won the Masters, then promptly said they would NOT make this model available to other LH golfers. DID NOT CARE.
The current TM Tour Preferred blade iron is also RH only, and is a nod to the first Ben Hogan Precision model from 1954-55.
TM’s first Pittsburgh Persimmon Models were game changers, but for the most part their iron models remain Right Hand only.
RB
May 2, 2016 at 1:51 pm
Interesting – had kind of forgotten how popular TM irons were in the past decades, and how well regarded they used to be.
All those clubs listed, and it doesn’t include the only TM irons i ever played – Rocketbladez Tour. Completely different club than the std. Rocketbladez
Brando
Apr 30, 2016 at 3:59 am
I hit a friends 1993 or so Taylor Made original Burner Driver last week 10 degree. Hit it great on a tight hole 260 yards right down the middle or so at 43.5 inches long. My sldr I probably hit 280-288 yards avg. The old Taylor hit it nice and low very boring flight. I am about a 7 handicap and had it to two under yesterday after 14 holes great for me. The home stretch the holes were all dead into a 20mph wind and I fell apart sprayed a few drives and finished 3 over par. I think if I had that original burner driver on those last few holes things may have been different. When hit on the screws the clubs from the 1990’s still preform very well. I hit a original burner 5 wood 1993 model all through high school golf and I really don’t find that club much different than today’s hybrid clubs in head shape trajectory or ease of hitting the sweet spot. Sure on down wind drives the new stuff will really crush the small headed drivers but I am thinking to pick up one of those original Taylor Made Burners for tight tracks and windy days is good to have.
Ballz
May 1, 2016 at 1:56 am
It’s the ball. Pick the right ball, the one that has lower trajectory. So much technology is in the balls now.
Adam Scott
Apr 29, 2016 at 10:00 pm
Too many products!
gdb99
Apr 29, 2016 at 9:59 pm
What happened to the ferrules?
emb
Apr 30, 2016 at 12:44 pm
these are just heads, no shaft. A loose shaft was just put in so show the address position better, hence no ferrule
Chuck D
Apr 29, 2016 at 6:59 pm
@ The Man! Fantastic list!! The ICW 11’s!! Oh, those bring back memories. I did some serious damage to courses with those sticks!
Nath
Apr 29, 2016 at 4:48 pm
Its great that GOLFWRX has put up these photos of TAYLORMADE irons over the last 35 years.
What is not so good is that taylormade removed the whole history of their irons from their website some 3-4 years ago, completely removed it! Dumb move taylormade.
skip
May 6, 2016 at 5:07 pm
Can’t agree more.
jrp
Apr 29, 2016 at 4:40 pm
They didn’t show the X-300 FCI limited edition forged in Japan by Miura for the Us market. Those were soft & sweet!
Mark
Apr 30, 2016 at 10:36 am
Oh yeah. Those had a good design. Figures… Miura.
Regis
Apr 29, 2016 at 4:31 pm
I played Mizuno then Miura forged but as my swing speed and ball striking declined with age, I started looking for a GI alternative with graphite shafts. The RACs were good, as were the R7 CGB Max irons ( I turned a friend on to them and he’s an avid golfer and he has no interest in upgrading) but my favorites are the SLDR irons which I re-shafted with Matrix Kujoh shafts. For me they’re the best heads ever made by TMAG
golfbum
Apr 29, 2016 at 3:52 pm
TPF irons are probably the finest iron design ever. In fact still made today by a number of japan forging houses: vega irons Kyoei. The funny story here is that LOU ORTIZ of Orlimar designed them; chose to go in on the tooling with Taylormade. Have the whole story from Jesse Ortiz. Fine iron design and still playable today. LOVE looking at quality clubs of yesteryear!
Mark
Apr 29, 2016 at 3:37 pm
No ICW5s? They were gorgeous. I understand the tour heads were cast softer to improve feel.
The man
Apr 29, 2016 at 3:07 pm
According the the PGA below (not in release order) is the full list of every TM iron set.
200 Steel
300
320
360
360 XD
Aeroburner
Burner 1.0
Burner 2.0
Burner 2009
Burner HT
Burner LCG
Burner Midsize
Burner Oversize
Burner Plus
Burner SuperFast 3.0
Burner Superlaunch
Burner Superlaunch Rescue
Burner Tour
Burner XD
EL-1
F81
Firesole
Firesole Tour
ICW 11
ICW 5
Iron Cleek
Kalea
KVD
LCG
M2
M2 Tour
Miscela
Miscela 2006
PR 1
PSi
PSi Tour
R11
r5 XL
r7
r7 cgb MAX
r7 cgb MAX 2008
r7 Draw
r7 Draw Rescue Hybrid
r7 TP
r7 XD
R9
R9 TP
RAC CGB
RAC Forged CB TP
RAC HT
RAC LT
RAC LT 2005
RAC MB
RAC MB TP
RAC MB TP Smoke
RAC OS
RAC OS 2005
RAC TP 2005
RAC TP Combo
RBZ Pro
RBZ Pro Combo
RocketBallz
RocketBallz HP
RocketBallz Max
RocketBladez
RocketBladez HL
RocketBladez HP
RocketBladez Max
RocketBladez Tour
RSi 1
RSi 2
RSi TP
SLDR
Speedblade
Speedblade HL
SuperSteel
Titanium Bubble 2
Tour Burner
Tour Preferred
Tour Preferred 2009
Tour Preferred CB
Tour Preferred CB 2014
Tour Preferred MB
Tour Preferred MB 2014
Tour Preferred MC
Tour Preferred MC 2014
X-300 FCI
Nath
Apr 30, 2016 at 9:44 pm
Now why cant we get this info from TM site?
Dan
Apr 29, 2016 at 3:01 pm
What about the Tour Prefered MCs? Great sticks.
http://www.fairwaygolfusa.com/taylormade-tour-preferred-mc-irons-p-67936.html?language=en&gclid=Cj0KEQjwjIy5BRClh8m_9Zu64d8BEiQAtZsQf8vGnM6TRxqtYdDqaZxtCNrT7evbnBn2zRDnqissV60aAvW48P8HAQ
Hawk
Apr 29, 2016 at 2:51 pm
I’m sure it’s not just me, but following the time line it appears that TM’s production line used to be 2-3 years until 2007 where it went to a year, and now it is like 6 months….WTF Taylormade…
Al Cleaver
Apr 29, 2016 at 2:37 pm
Blindfold me, take off the logos, let me hit 10 different brands of similar irons and I still end up with Taylormade.
Owned Firesole Titanium Tungsten, RAC LT, now Rocket Bladz. All have been satisfying to play with. Each suited my skills at the time.
B Clizzle
Apr 29, 2016 at 5:55 pm
You must like that plastic feel at impact
Steve C
Apr 29, 2016 at 2:32 pm
Of course we all have our personal favorites on the trip down memory lane. For me, the tour preferred TDs of 1987 were my club of choice. I played them for years eventually finding the two iron 2 iron to add to add to the set. Those long irons were soooo easy to hit. (Of course I never broke a 4 hdcp., so what do I know?)
simon Burrows
Apr 29, 2016 at 1:26 pm
The TM300s are still in the bag. Yet to find anything better.
B Clizzle
Apr 29, 2016 at 4:55 pm
Must not be looking since it’s like every iron ever
Dlygrisse
Apr 29, 2016 at 12:29 pm
I can sum up TM irons with one general statement over the years….meh….
MT
Apr 29, 2016 at 12:52 pm
http://taylormadegolf.jp/PreviousModel_Irons_2009.html
All the Forged version have been awesome in Japan.
Pandhandle Loki
Apr 29, 2016 at 12:25 pm
Wonder who will comment 50 million times on this article
adan
Apr 29, 2016 at 12:04 pm
My first set in golf was the TM RAC OS. I only care about their drivers anymore.
B Clizzle
Apr 29, 2016 at 4:56 pm
What irons are you playing now?
Miquel Angel
Apr 29, 2016 at 11:52 am
Thanks for the sentimental journey. I shot in the 70’s for the first time usign the icw5 – and those RAC MP TP Smokes…wowza…
CCTxGolf
Apr 29, 2016 at 11:41 am
This was cool. It would be interesting to see for all of the top brands.
Hawk
Apr 29, 2016 at 2:57 pm
I heard they thought about it, but the other brands didn’t have half the total number of irons during the same time period so they thought it would be less interesting….
B Clizzle
Apr 29, 2016 at 4:58 pm
Still for the club ho….
We’d like to see it but want someone else to do the work for us
Matty
Apr 29, 2016 at 11:41 am
To be honest, does anyone think that the look of the M2 and M2 Tour irons would be better if they took out those 2 bars at the back of the iron?
MT
Apr 29, 2016 at 12:46 pm
No.
lol
Poi
Apr 29, 2016 at 11:34 am
Awesome stuff.
cody
Apr 29, 2016 at 11:08 am
missed a few sets but pretty cool to see.
Matt
Apr 29, 2016 at 10:18 am
The 300 Forged irons were some of the best irons ever made. Could easily still be gamed today.
dapadre
Apr 29, 2016 at 11:18 am
You beat me to it…….yes indeed the 300s were simple but efficient.
Johnny
Apr 29, 2016 at 11:34 am
Indeed, the 300 forged was the best they have made. Still see them in bags at the club sometimes.
cgasucks
Apr 29, 2016 at 2:57 pm
My heart still flutters every time I see those irons…they as beautiful as they perform…