Equipment
Callaway Epic Forged irons: Premium speed in a forged body
With the release of the original Epic irons, Callaway did something they had never done before—build an iron that oozed ball speed and hid a lot of tech in a mid-sized package. Now imagine all that technology and greater speed in a more refined shape with a forged body…that is the all-new Epic Forged.
Built with the idea of offering speed and shotmaking in one package, the Epic Forged achieves all of that thanks to tech that is being used for the first time in a forged iron. The most notable being the Suspended Tungsten Core—which is comprised of the densest form of this heavy element. The issue with using this almost pure form of Tungsten is that it’s extremely hard to work with when using conventional construction methods. But Callaway defies convention and is using the patented Urethane Microspheres in the Suspended Tungsten core of the Epic Forged to precisely position mass creating the ideal center of gravity. This promotes controlled launch and spin, while allowing the face to flex as needed to create maximum ball speeds.
So what good is all this speed if you can’t control it?
Variable Face Thickness: Sure this tech isn’t new, it dates back to the above Hawkeye VFT driver (that was a great driver in its day), but if the Epic Flash driver has taught us anything, it’s that by looking beyond convention you can find new ways to utilize known technology. Built into the 360 Cup Face, the newly designed VFT pattern helps players achieve even more consistent ball speed and spin rates club to club. The reason this is so important: Callaway knows even average golfers want a club they can hit controlled shots with. A 7-iron isn’t any good if you’re not confident in the hitting the shot you want to.
Don’t think that we’re done talking about what these have under the hood just yet…
Since the Epic Forged irons go all the way into a sand wedge, there were some design decisions to be made to on how to make sure the scoring and recovery clubs still offer forgiveness but with even greater consistency and feel, Starting at the approach wedge and going to the sand wedge (the set goes PW, AW, GW, SW), instead of using the 17-4 SS cup face, Callaway engineers are using a forged faceplate to compliment the forged body. Inside of these still-hollow wedges, they are using a resistance welding technique to precisely locate a MIM (metal injection molded) Tungsten weight to achieve superior trajectory control.
The last piece to the puzzle.
A club will always be the sum of its parts and Callaway is pulling out all the stops with the Epic Star Forged set and the components that will accompany this technology package. The stock options will include Aerotech Steelfiber FC (flight control) and Mitsubishi Chemical’s Tensei AV Silver shaft to optimize feel and control. The other upgrade is the Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align Silver Grips (Align grips offer a textured raised rib on the bottom of the grip to help the golfer place their hands in the same position over and over again). All of these pieces come together to create a premium iron from Callaway.
The Epic Forged will be available at retail starting August 2nd. 4-SW. Retail price of $300 per iron.
This week, we have our Tour Photographer, Greg Moore, on the ground at the OccuNet Classic at Tascosa Golf Club in Amarillo, Texas, for the 14th event of the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season. With that, we see some great things in the Lead Tape Report as we roll into Amarillo.
Joel Thelen
Monday Qualifier, Joel Thelen is in the field this week. He has played on the Korn Ferry Tour for a full season in 2023, and he is back in action this week. A couple of clubs caught my eye this week in his bag.
First off: His trusted Titleist 816 H2 hybrid. This club came out in October of 2015, and it still remains strong in the bag. Also, take a look at this Odyssey White Hot OG 7, putting a capital S in the 7S model. This custom neck has some impressive lean for an arm-lock-style putter. The bottom of the putter is covered in tape for optimal weighting.
Mitchell Meissner
Taking a look at Mitchell Meissner’s bag this week, we have some great lead tape coverage. Top to bottom working from fairway metals, irons, and wedges. We can see on the short irons and wedges that there is tape at the base of the grip, adding a little counterbalance. Along with that, some tape on the short irons and wedges as well. Moving to his putter, he rolls the Odyssey 7 Bird putter. Meissner putts left-handed and strikes the ball right-handed.
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.
Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: Titleist GTS3 (15 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 70 TX
7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 80 TX
Irons: Titleist U505 (3), Titleist 620 MB (4-9)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 8 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F), WedgeWorks (60-K*)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putters: Scotty Cameron Tour Prototype, Scotty Cameron GOLO 6.3 Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
In our forums, one user has offered up a prompt for the true sickos, inviting fellow forum members to share every set of irons they’ve ever owned. As to be expected, this is a lengthy forum topic.
@Lamosteve began:
Can you name every set of irons you’ve owned? Here’s mine
Spalding Dots
Spalding Eclipse
Ram Lazer FX
Lynx Parallax
Mizuno EZ Comp
Ben Hogans
Cleveland CG Red
Taylor Made R9s
PING i20
PING iE1
Taylor Made M6
Our members in the forum have been offering up their own collections. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- macedan: “Started with a hand-me-down Golden Bear set from my brother when I was in high school, never really played more than once a year or got into the game until about summer of 2017. First purchased a set of Cleveland CG4’s (I actually really miss this set sometimes, soft & not terribly large for a GI iron), moved into Nike Vapor Fly’s by the end of the year. Those lasted until spring of 18 when I decided I wanted new, so I traded them in for TM Rbladez. Honestly, although I liked the Rbladez, poor decision on my part, I think this was really about the only time so far that after a week or two I was kicking myself for not staying with what I had. Rbladez stayed with me until late last summer when I switched to P790’s and (knock on wood) I am hoping this will be my longest lasting set.”
- JimmyC59: “MacGregor Jack Nicklaus Triple Crown. Palmer The Standard. Still play these.”
- jgrzask: “Tommy Armour 845u
Mizuno MP-32
Mizuno MP-33 (2 sets)
Bridgestone J33cb – still own
Srixon i-302 (2 sets) – still own
Tourstage X-Blades – still own
Mizuno Hot Metal – still own
Nike Forged Blades – still own
Titleist 714 AP1 – still own
Cobra Forged SS – still own”
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Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament. Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
Hannah Green WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Titleist GTS3 (10 degrees, D4 SureFit setting) Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana RB 53 S 3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees,...
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Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 S 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (16.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
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Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (9 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 3-wood: Callaway Elyte Titanium (15 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 5-wood:...
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Reese
Oct 1, 2019 at 7:26 pm
All I know is that I hit a demo seven iron this week. Awesome feel and I hit it easily 150 yards,which, since I am seventy years old and a 20 handicap, the equivalent to my five iron. It is expensive but at my age why hold back any longer ????
John Doe Argie
Jul 30, 2019 at 11:38 am
PW at 41 degrees? Give me a break! From a set a sticks I just expect consistency and performance, not a placebo for my ego. For that I have my therapist already….
Martin
Jul 26, 2019 at 6:52 am
Nice looking irons, but $300 each ouch.
Dave r
Jul 17, 2019 at 6:55 pm
Ya right $300.0 a club . There is no way one club is worth that much. R&D has not gone up 700% in the last 5 years who are you people kidding. No wonder the game is dying
Travisty
Jul 17, 2019 at 6:04 am
$300 per iron?! What is happening to golf equipment lately?!? These insane price hikes across the board just make me sad. And that’s coming from someone who can afford these if I wanted to. OEM’s are actively not growing the game by releasing $2-3K iron sets, $600 drivers, $200 wedges, $500 putters. It’s getting absolutely ridiculous.
jgpl001
Jul 17, 2019 at 3:46 am
A little bit further up the web page you had the new MP20, now you have this ugly ducking?
Truly awful
Callaway make some good stuff, but it time to stop this nonsense, nobody will buy this stuff
Brandon
Jul 17, 2019 at 12:47 am
I don’t understand the need to rename the clubs. Why not just call the 18 degree a 2 or 3 iron and go from there???
Bobbyg
Jul 16, 2019 at 11:48 pm
Give me blades or give me death.
Midwest Golfer
Jul 16, 2019 at 8:38 pm
Yes $300 an iron is too much. and expected of these PXG WANNABES. 41 degree PW is too strong and there would be 11 degrees difference between it and my 52 gap wedge.
Johnny Penso
Jul 17, 2019 at 10:14 am
Yes, you couldn’t possibly find a wedge to bridge that gap.
cajunone1983
Jul 19, 2019 at 12:58 am
People get caught up on the certain clubs loft. Forget that the pw is 41° and just go with the aw as your pw and go from there. Look at the lofts and not the club. If you play a hybrid than your set would stop at a 5 iron instead of a 4 iron. I have the first Apex Irons from 2014 and I have a 5 iron and a u85 3 utility bent from 20° to 21° to make the gapping correct. Worry about putting your set together by lofts and not which club it is. The aw is the pw
jim
Jul 16, 2019 at 7:41 pm
yall are upset at 300$ a club but not upset at a 41 pitching wedge…gonna need 3 gap wedges in this set.
JP
Jul 16, 2019 at 9:54 pm
It’s getting plain stupid. Soon enough they’ll market iron sets by the distance the Pw flies. 190? 200? Haha
Gibson888
Jul 17, 2019 at 9:38 am
They’re essentially forcing you to buy a 9 club set to attempt to keep the gapping consistent. Sneaky sneaky.
Books Kepka
Jul 16, 2019 at 3:11 pm
3 clams per iron?!! So uhhh….really?! Callaway iron, $300 per? Does the club swing itself? Callaway? Come on game ‘o golf, you’re better ‘n that!
2putttom
Jul 16, 2019 at 2:02 pm
300 a club ! that makes em’ a target for theft.
Thomas A
Jul 16, 2019 at 10:48 am
Jacked lofts. That’s it, nothing more.
gunmetal
Jul 16, 2019 at 10:52 am
Amen
dat
Jul 16, 2019 at 9:20 am
Insane price for insane people.
Big mike
Jul 16, 2019 at 9:00 am
Have any of the Callaway “Premium Offerings” ever been a hit? I’m thinking Epic and Epic Pro Irons which can be found now for about a third of their original price. I guess this is Callaway attempt to go after the ultra premium PXG consumer and I can’t fault them for that any more than I could PXG for chiming out with their cast,0211 irons
Patrick J Floyd
Jul 16, 2019 at 8:55 am
$300 per iron, I sell golf equipment and I can tell you this will be a tough sell. The ultra high end iron is falling away-
JP
Jul 16, 2019 at 8:24 am
“Suspended Tungsten Core—which is comprised of the densest form of this heavy element”
Really? How many different densities does one element come in? What kind of marketing babble is this?
Optimum COG? That changes player to player. So these will not be suited to everyone.
A. Commoner
Jul 16, 2019 at 12:22 pm
Great post!
gdb99
Jul 16, 2019 at 4:40 pm
I’ve heard many reports that some OEM’s use a lighter tungsten. It’s mixed with other metals, not pure tungsten.
Gunmetal
Jul 16, 2019 at 6:19 pm
Then it’s not tungsten.
JP
Jul 16, 2019 at 9:48 pm
Bingo.
PG
Jul 18, 2019 at 9:48 pm
That’s like saying Ti alloy isn’t Ti…