Miura's new CB-301 adds forgiveness and distance to its classic forged cavity-back shape

The new CB-301 irons from Miura Golf, the cult favorite maker of classic forged blades, shows the brand has its softer side, too. The redesigned cavity backs show Miura’s forged workmanship in a more forgiving, higher launching form.

The work of lead designer Shinei Miura, who consulted with legendary father Katsuhiro and son Yoshitaka on the project, the new CB-301 is an update of the company’s forged cavity back first introduced more than a decade ago. Forged from 1025 carbon steel in Miura’s Himeji, Japan factory, the CB-301 is the first fully forged cavity back made by Miura since its PP9003 eight years ago.

The new CB-301 features stronger lofts brought on by new internal weight redistribution, sole design and overall shaping that helps shots launch naturally higher. With more mass pushed to a larger perimeter section in the bottom half of the iron along with a wider (but not “wide”) sole than traditional blades, there’s a lower center of gravity to fuel higher launch.

That’s not to say the lofts are unusually strong. The pitching wedge is 44 degrees, which is somewhat strong for a forged iron but not for many game-improvement cast irons. All that said, the company says the new CB-301 is the longest iron in its history.

The CB-301 comes plated in nickel chrome with a satin finish. It is now available through authorized Miura club fitters and online. It is offered in lofts ranging from the 4-iron (22 degrees) to gap wedge (48 degrees) at a starting price of $280 per club.