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.