Equipment
WRX Spotlight: Epon AF-305 irons
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.”
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.
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.
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.
- LIKE97
- LEGIT14
- WOW7
- LOL2
- IDHT0
- FLOP4
- OB2
- SHANK7
Whats in the Bag
Team McIlowry (Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry) winning WITBs: 2024 Zurich Classic
Rory McIlroy WITB
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @8.25) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X (45 inches)
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X
5-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (18 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9 X
Irons: TaylorMade Proto (4), TaylorMade Rors Proto (5-9) Buy here.
Shaft: Project X 7.0 (4-9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (46-09SB, 50-09SB, 54-11SB) Buy here, Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks (58-K @59) Buy here.
Shafts: Project X 6.5 (46-54), Project X 6.5 Wedge (60)
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour X3 Buy here.
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol Tour
Ball: 2024 TaylorMade TP5x Buy here.
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s WITB in the forums.
View this post on Instagram
Shane Lowry WITB
- Shane Lowry what’s in the bag accurate as of the Cognizant Classic.
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II (8.5 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ White 70 TX
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Buy here.
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 X
Irons: Srixon ZX Utility (3, 20 degrees) Buy here, Srixon ZX5 Mk II (4, 5) Buy here, Srixon ZX7 Mk II (6-PW) Buy here.
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X (3), KBS Tour 130 X (4-PW)
Wedges: Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Tour Rack (50-10 MID, 54-10 MID) Buy here, Cleveland RTX Full Face (58-8) Buy here.
Shafts: KBS Tour Wedge X Black
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour Z Buy here.
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol 1.0
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Srixon Z-Star XV Buy here.
The winning WITB is presented by 2nd Swing Golf. 2nd Swing has more than 100,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
- LIKE10
- LEGIT1
- WOW1
- LOL1
- IDHT1
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Whats in the Bag
Steve Stricker WITB 2024 (April)
- Steve Stricker WITB accurate as of the Zurich Classic. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, C4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 7.2 X
3-wood: Titleist 915F (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist 816 H1 (17 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 9.2 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (3, 4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 (46-10F @55), Titleist Vokey SM10 (54-10S @53), Titleist Vokey SM4 (60 @59)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 w/Sensicore
Putter: Odyssey White Hot No. 2
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grip Rite
Check out more in-hand photos of Steve Stricker’s clubs here.
- LIKE30
- LEGIT2
- WOW0
- LOL1
- IDHT1
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
Whats in the Bag
Alex Fitzpatrick WITB 2024 (April)
- Alex Fitzpatrick what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7 X
Hybrid: Ping G430 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10 TX
Irons: Ping iCrossover (2), Titleist T100 (4-PW)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 9 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50-12F, 56-12D, 60-08M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X
Putter: Bettinardi SS16 Dass
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Alex Fitzpatrick’s clubs here.
- LIKE16
- LEGIT0
- WOW1
- LOL1
- IDHT1
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole7 days ago
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
-
19th Hole7 days ago
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Brandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
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.
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.
BO BO
Aug 30, 2019 at 5:18 pm
I agree. Very bland looking club.