Callaway Epic Forged Irons: Premium performance, looks, and feel
Our “road test” of Callaway’s new premium category irons couldn’t have gone better. We played two distinctly different courses in the same day, less than 45 minutes of each other.
Starting at San Francisco’s Olympic Club’s “Cliffs Course” in a dense fog, the Epic Forged came out of the wrappers and proceeded to show off as approach-shot assassins. We weren’t looking for irons that go farther on off-center hits, or maybe run out more on fat shots. Our team of testers was hoping for some serious distance, workability, and feel, plus controlled flight throughout the set.
A tall order to be sure. But the Epic Forged lived up to the test. Check out the video below, or read on to learn more.
The set we tested came standard with Aerotech Steelfiber FC shafts. The elder of our testers, I’m a senior player who loves the idea of graphite or multi material shafts in my irons. But I’ve never found a set attached to irons I liked the look of, and when I did the shafts felt clunky against the smaller forged heads. So I’ve stayed away from them.
The Aerotech Steelfiber FC shaft - no vibration, no clunkiness
In the Epic Forged irons, they seem designed right in - on contact I felt the head, no vibration or clunkiness at all.
We really got to put them to test off of tight, firm lies when we moved over to the Australian Sandbelt-style layout at the new Corica Park South Course in Alameda (a must play, trust us). It almost reminded me of the feedback I got from “Sensicore” shafts (remember they were lined with a vibration dampening material?). The sole of the Epic Forged irons works for the digger or the picker -- our testers represent each of those categories and both hit some amazing shots into the gorgeous greens complexes at Corica Park South.
And on top of that, taking the weight of the shaft down to 90 grams is good for players looking for more swing speed; the irons are also available with Mitsubishi Tensei AV Silver graphite shafts.
There is a lot going on behind the surface of an iron set that is among the more stunning I’ve had the pleasure of unboxing lately. The Platinum Chrome finish and precise shaping of each iron is the result of Callaway looking at every surface and detail and bringing them together in a set that flows really well from long to short iron. Clearly, these aren’t blades. But they certainly don’t ring out “game improvement” either. It’s a blurring of lines that will allow you to focus on the shots you produce, and hopefully smile at the results like we did.
For those of you that like all the tech talk, here are some of the technologies packed into Epic Forged irons.
EPIC FORGED PRODUCT DETAILS
• Controlled Launch and Distance From the Suspended Tungsten Core
For the first time ever in a forged iron, Callaway has implemented a Suspended Tungsten Core. It suspends the custom tungsten weight using Urethane Microspheres, allowing their design engineers to precisely position the Center of Gravity. The revolutionary design promotes controlled launch and long, consistent distance.
• 360 Face Cup For Industry-Leading Ball Speeds
Callaway’s renowned 360 Face Cup employs a shallow, flexible rim around the perimeter of the face that flexes and releases at impact to promote fast ball speed for long, consistent distance on center hits and off-center hits. (But take it from our test team, it’s the on center or near on center strikes that really exploit everything built into Epic Forged irons.)
• Spin Control VFT For Consistent Distance
To provide spin and control in the mid and long irons, Epic Forged employs a new VFT pattern which promotes consistent ball speed and spin rates.
• Ultra-Premium Components
To complete the performance package, Epic Forged is available in stock Aerotech Steelfiber FC and Mitsubishi Tensei AV Silver Shaft options, and Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grips.
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
Retail Pricing: $300 per club
Product At Retail Date: 8/2/19