Introduction
After playing with the same set of irons for over two decades, the Titleist 762, it takes something truly special to even consider a change. I am a golf journalist with a 1.5 handicap, and my clubs are an extension of my arms.
Recently, I got the opportunity to test the Takomo Iron Set 301, a unique combo set that features muscle back (MB) short irons from Pitching Wedge to 8-iron and cavity back (CB) long irons from 7-iron to 4-iron. Here is my detailed analysis of the Takomo 301 set and whether it could replace my trusted Titleist 762.
I took the Takomos for a trip of 31 days around Finlands most prestigious courses to test what these irons and all that fuzz are about! Now the round trip is over and it is time to sit down to see what is up with these Irons.
Finnish Heritage
Takomo Golf, hailing from Turku, Finland, is a brand that brings a fresh Nordic approach to golf club design. With a commitment to delivering premium quality at an accessible price point, their Finnish heritage is a hallmark of trust, innovation, and meticulous attention to detail. Even though the irons themselves are not produced in Finland, one can definitely see the nordic touch through design and quality.
To my own use, I used the HCP chart for selecting on Takomo website as Takomos are only sold online at the moment and I did not have a friend that could let me test some of the clubs. I found the char super helpful and as I want more precision on the short irons and a lot forgiveness in the longer ones, I went with the combo set of 301 MB/CB – which I feel was the right call for me.
Quality vs. Price Point
The quality of the Takomo 301 set is undeniable. The irons are precision-forged from premium materials, promoting a powerful performance with a touch of forgiveness. The combination of muscle back short irons and cavity back long irons in a single set is a thoughtful approach to balance feel, performance, and forgiveness.
While it is understandable that the more forgiving long irons may sacrifice a bit of distance, this trade-off is well worth it for the average golfer looking for more consistency in their game. The short irons, on the other hand, provide excellent feedback on contact, letting you know whether you’ve hit the sweet spot or missed it.
The price point of the Takomo 301 set is quite reasonable given the quality and performance it offers. The direct-to-consumer model allows Takomo to cut out the middleman and pass the savings on to the consumer.
Personal Experience
As someone who has been loyal to the Titleist 762 irons for over 20 years, I approached the Takomo 301 set with a healthy dose of skepticism. However, after playing with them for a while, I have been pleasantly surprised.
The combo set indeed provides a good balance of forgiveness for the longer irons and touch for the short irons. The cavity back long irons offer a level of forgiveness that is particularly helpful for those challenging long shots, while the muscle back short irons provide the level of control and feel that low handicappers like myself appreciate.
The feedback from the short irons is especially good. It’s easy to tell whether you’ve made solid contact or not, which is crucial for making adjustments during a round.
Also compared to my titleist I gained two crucial factors that I had been looking for: Spin and a bit higher shots. My shot is naturally aggressive as my angle to the ball is really negative. This many times delofts the club so Takomos slightly higher loft helps me here a bit.
Cons
While there is a lot to love about the Takomo 301 set, it is not without its drawbacks. Personally, I am not a fan of the Lamkin grips that come standard with the set. I prefer the feel of Golf Pride grips, so I will be making a switch for the next season. However, grip preference is highly subjective, so this may not be an issue for everyone.
Additionally, the slightly sacrificed distance in the long irons may be a concern for some golfers, although I find it to be a reasonable trade-off for the increased forgiveness. Also this might be due to loft angles that are a bit higher that in my previous Titleist irons.
Final Thoughts
The Takomo 301 Iron Set offers a compelling combination of performance, feel, and forgiveness. The decision to combine muscle back short irons with cavity back long irons in a single set is a smart one, catering to the needs of low handicappers seeking control without compromising on forgiveness for those longer shots.
While the grips may not be to everyone’s liking, and there is a slight trade-off in distance for the long irons, the overall package is quite impressive.
So, would I replace my trusted Titleist 762 irons with the Takomo 301 set? Probably, yes. While it remains to be seen how I score with these irons over the mid-term, the initial impressions are promising enough to warrant a change. The Takomo 301 set offers a very good combo of performance, feel, and forgiveness, making it a worthy contender for a spot in my bag and I’m also convinced that players that want to get performance irons set to their own level but still keep the look and feel as “PGA tour professional” as possible – Takomo might be the one for you to go!
