Product: Epon AF-Tour MC irons

Pitch: From Epon: “A first from ENDO manufacturing. This fully hollow-body forged design utilizing stronger lofts screams maximum ball speeds and distance! A super low and deep CG combined with a super wide sole makes this the most forgiving iron in the EPON line up. A progressive body design lends itself to more traditional looking short irons. This particular model is a Limited Edition for 2019 (2000 sets worldwide).”

Our take on Epon AF-Tour MC irons

When you think of Epon you think of premium forged blades, players irons, and wedges. I don’t think many people think of super game improvement irons, but Epon might be changing a few minds with the new AF-Tour MC. The AF-Tour MC is a limited-edition model that is aimed for the higher handicap player who demands great feel and very high end-craftsmanship.

These irons provide tons of forgiveness and ball speed while still offering a soft forged feel. Now the look and loft of the irons are not going to appeal to the low handicap player or purist, but that is not who they are aimed at. These are meant to launch it high, straight, and very long!

Right out of the box, you notice the large sole and long, heel-to-toe shape of the AF-Tour MC. You can only see the sole from address on the long irons. The lofts are so strong (39-degree pitching wedge) that the set is 6-AW.

With those lofts, and the really hot faces, these irons scream distance. I am always nervous about the sound and feel of these hollow body irons, but the AF-Tour MC really have a solid feel and sound that I didn’t expect. If you didn’t know they were hollow body, the sound and feel would fool you.

The AF-Tour MC give a great sounding thud when you make contact that you rarely get from super game improvement irons. The height and distance of these irons is really where they shine. The ball just flies off the face and goes high and straight. Working the ball right and left isn’t easy to do, but again that isn’t what this set of irons is made for.

Shots hit off center still carry a ton of ball speed and the distance loss is very minimal. I think the only miss that didn’t come out how I expected was contact low on the face. Thin shots just didn’t get up as high and carry as far as I expected, seeing how well the other misses go. The extra-wide sole helps keep the club from digging on shots hit fat, allowing it to flow more freely through the turf. The bevel on the sole’s leading edge also offers steeper swings less digging in softer conditions.

Overall, the Epon AF-Tour MC is a really great set of irons. Players who require forgiveness and distance now can have that soft Japanese forged feel that was only for players irons. The AF-Tour MC should be on your list of irons to try if you need longer, higher, and straighter iron shots!

• More photos of/discussion about Epon AF-Tour MC irons in the forums.