I bought a custom set of Epon AF-301 irons with my TSG screen name engraved on the sole. I thought these would be the last irons I'd buy, at least for awhile. Well after high anxiety, usual waiting period they arrive. Guess what? I hated the way they felt. Personally, I was expecting something similar to the X-Forged feel, if not better. Didn't happen.

So I've been tinkering with the 5i with my favorite shafts, trying to find the one that's going to "feel" and play the way I like. I went DGS200 (120g) originally, and played my favorite Wishon Series 5 (110g) steel for a couple of rounds. My clubbuilder suggested going ultralight because he found his other customer's with Japan-spec equipment all got better results from ultralights mated to the heads they played. He suggested trying Nippon, but I was already familiar with that option, and knew I could come back to it. He also suggested True Temper's GS75 (sub-80g) steel shafts.

Well, I tried the True Temper GS75 S200, hardstepped once, and it's a really nice, stable shaft. Surprisely better than I expected, especially on stability. It's seems alot like Ping ZZ65 shaft to me, slightly softer. Most important to me, the shaft completely changed the feel of the Epon head. Just lovely!! (IMG:http://www.tourspecgolf.com/forum/style_emoticons/TSG_Smileys/tsg_smilie_love.gif)

I haven't changed the other shafts yet, but will do so within the next few weeks. I found it interesting that a post on GolfWRX from poster, True Temper, who is employed by TT, read as follows about the GS75: "GS 75 was originally designed for TM Japan...Tip and butt flexible it is a great alternative to graphite irons." My clubbuilder, at one time, suggested that I could use graphite due to my tempo. Maybe this is the reason these feel great.

Has anyone on TSG demoed or played these shafts for an extended period of time? How do these play in shorter irons?

Thanks for your feedback.

Brian

This post has been edited by bjp1: Oct 31 2007, 10:31 AM

Its interesting how it plays out but shafts really do make a difference in feel, Find a shaft that you have tried in a soft iron feel you enjoy and insert that into the Epon to see if anything changes. The better a shaft fits you or your swing profile the better it should feel. That said not all shafts that you hit well will have a better feel. If it don't work out then you may want to try a different set of clubs.

It has been my experience that the TT 200 - 300 shafts do not provide any club with a great feel. For me the S200's - 300's are okay but that's about it.

However, the TT Black Golds, to me, feel great. I like that I seem to get great consistancy out of them as well. I have not played the GS shaft so I cannot comment on them, but I would suggest giving the Black Gold Shafts a try for comparison unless you just plain ol prefer a light weight shaft.

Good Luck. I still believe your Epons matched with the right shaft for you will provide you the feel and performance you are expecting.

Brian I think you are on to something here... I love the lightweight shafts and everyone knows that... I use 65-75g graphite iron shafts and I let tons of people hit my epons and they are all shocked at how wonderful the feel is... a high quality lightweight shaft with feel matched with Epon's forged head. I tell them too, I'm 100% certain it's the shaft and head combo complimenting each other.

My fitter put Project X 6.0's in his AF-301, also found them harsher than what he expected... switched to Nippon 1050's and a world of difference... the feel returned and he's happy once again. The shaft makes a major impact.

Sometimes it's really a lot of experimenting which, yes is not cheap, I had Axiv graphite in my ViQ's earlier this year... great match... put them into my g-Field CCB-1's... ugh... lost the feel.

I'm really encouraged by the 301/GS75 combination. It's very playable and stable. I don't feel like I'm giving up anything over a heavier weight, because I'm still able to take my normal swing without the feeling of overswinging. I'm not sure where the swingweight ended up, but its good as is.

I'm going to reshaft a short-iron next to work on getting the right balance and swingweight. As you stated, the experimenting isn't cheap, particularly because I don't do my own work. The GS75 isn't cheap steel either!

I like where this is going!

Brian

i agree with idrive. i have a multitude of epon irons all shafted with all sort of shafts: nspro 950, 1050, 1150, tc r3 even project x 6.0 but my favorite is the black golds. it is not harsh at all and imho mates well with the epon heads. the shafts are so lively. do give them a try if you get the chance

I have had the black golds installed in the 301s now for about 1.5 months. I like them better every day. They are very stable. Feel is very good. I am playing great golf with these.

If i recall right, the first shaft he had was the Black golds.....

IMO, the nippon 1150 is a great shaft....another is the tour concept ...Blackgolds for me were so so...

B,

any new developments with your af301 shaft problem?

I'm having the entire set reshafted with GS75 steel. I won't put them in play until next Thursday.

bp

Just a quick update to say that the AF301's are firmly seated in the bag. Getting the right head/shaft combination took a bit of work, so these never really saw any play since being purchased. I've come somewhat full circle in that I ordered these with DGS200 and didn't like them at all. Several reshafts later, they are now shafted with DGSL300 and I love them! (IMG:style_emoticons/TSG_Smileys/ntsg_smilie_afro.gif)

The difference is a better feel. Swing and clubweight that is better balanced and easier to control. Distances are consistent. This is what I had anticipated. A few sets later, including custom Mizzy's, Scratch AR-1's, and RC Blades, and I'm back to where the high-end hoing started...Epon. They are worth getting right.

Brian

Good to know that you found a shaft that feels better in the head. Don;t mean to put a damper on but the shaft profile (bend point etc) to me is more important for what fits your swing. If you liked the S200 and heavier shafts that tend to to have a lower trajectory and spin etc than light weight shafts, I hope the actual playing profile of the GS 75 will fit your swing as well as it feels.