Proto-Concept
C05
Our Review:
WHAT IT DOES: By selectively thinning the face in certain areas, this iron is able to deliver the feel of a single-piece forged cavity-back iron and help to mitigate the loss of ball speed on poor strikes. The thickness of the SAE8655 steel face in the center is 2.7 millimeters—somewhat thick for this category—but that extra heft produces a powerful feel on center strikes. In the heel and toe areas, the face is thinned to 2.4 millimeters to add a jump in ball speed to partially offset the distance loss from a mis-hit. The weight savings are used to lower the center of gravity to optimize trajectory.
WHY WE LIKE IT: In a category where pretty much everyone is chasing as much speed as possible, it’s reassuring to find a club willing to sacrifice a yard or two in the name of sound, feel and consistency. The craftsmanship in these irons is evident, and the nickel-chrome plating offers a familiar, comfortable look at address. This set is available in only 5-iron through pitching wedge, but the hollow-body C01.5 utility irons will flow seamlessly into these irons for a combo set and come in 19.5 and 22.5 degrees if you feel the need to add a 3- and/or 4-iron to the bag.
Ratings
* Percentage of total score
Player Comments
Low-Handicapper
"Felt like I couldn't make a bad swing. It's a simple, unassumming look but the compression and turf interaction was nothing short of exceptional."
Mid-Handicapper
“New brands tend to go gimmicky, but these look simple, awesome and hand-crafted. You can tell from the sound coming off the face that these are quality.”
High-Handicapper
"Distance was easy to come by. Misses were tight to the line. Couldn't tell where on the face you missed. Balls hit on the toe and toward the heel went about the same distance. Big sweet spot."
Club Specs
Lofts
7-iron: 32 degrees; PW: 45 degrees
Surviving the Hot List Presented by Rapsodo
For the first time in the 19-year history of the Hot List, we invited a documentary-film crew to the 2022 testing summit to document the process, the people and the drama behind the most coveted assignment in golf.
