EPON AF-301 Iron Review — Exceptionally easy to set up at address with outstanding feel. Recommended for players who prefer high workability.
Today, I tested this golf club.
Test club: EPON AF-301 iron, 7-iron.
The shaft is Dynamic Gold.
Loft: 34°, club length: 36.5 inches, shaft flex: S200, balance: D2, kick point: high kick (butt-biased profile).
It’s been a while since I last picked up an EPON iron.
At first sight today, I was overwhelmed by its sheer beauty. “This is what it means to be transfixed,” I thought. It’s a very simple design, yet it carries a special aura.
A closer look at the head shape shows a balanced topline, toe, and sole that inspire control.
The hosel length and sole width look appropriately proportioned.
It’s the kind of appearance that signals “easy to handle.”
The cavity depth appears relatively shallow—an elegant half-cavity execution.
There have been many “classic” irons over the years, and this AF-301 gives off that same timeless vibe. Cavity backs are prized for forgiveness from the cavity geometry, but aesthetically they sometimes can’t match the “natural beauty” of a muscle-back.
Even in practice swings, it felt excellent—very much a “traditional players’ iron” sensation.
It swings with that familiar, everyday comfort—never fussy or high-maintenance—so I could move through the ball freely.
At address it’s extremely easy to align—my setup felt “locked in” instantly.
There’s no hesitation or doubt at address. It felt as if the iron naturally guided me into the right position.
I started hitting balls.
From the first strike, the feedback was outstanding—soft, dense, and immensely satisfying.
The first thing that struck me was the superb feel at impact.
Launch felt naturally neutral—no artificial “help,” just a clean, standard construction.
I don’t see evidence of composite inserts or mixed materials. As the shape suggests, it doesn’t produce the “effortless pop” you see in some high-tech irons, but I’m used to irons like this, and it feels wonderfully natural.
Stability was very good. As a half-cavity, it still offers the player feedback you associate with muscle-backs.
It won’t mask big timing errors or poor contact; misses tend to show up in the ball flight. That said, it didn’t feel punishing.
Workability is outstanding—quick, precise response without feeling twitchy.
That easy setup at address translates directly into shot-shaping control. I kept the same clear picture in mind and could put the ball on my intended line.
Distance is “normal” for its category—consistent yardages with reliable stopping power.
If you simply strengthened the loft on a shape like this, you’d risk adding difficulty without enough upside.
Many brands have released waves of new clubs lately, and more of them both perform and set up beautifully behind the ball.
I used to skip testing if a club looked awkward at address; recently I try to give such clubs a fair swing. Often the results still aren’t great—but I’m making the effort.
This iron is different—it captivated me from start to finish and revealed mostly strengths.
I was in a buoyant mood the whole session. It’s been a while since an iron test was this enjoyable and impactful. Even as I write this, I’m still energized—it was hard to calm down enough to take notes today.
I wanted to tell my golfing friends about it right away—I think even the picky ones would really like it.
I can already picture the smiles—and the animated conversation afterward. I’d love more golfers to experience this combination of beauty and feel.
I’m not the most skilled golfer, but I do love the game—and realizing how little I knew about such a superb brand was humbling.
It reminded me to keep learning. I rarely read golf magazines, but I imagine many would rate this brand highly. My interest in EPON has grown.
I even felt like taking the grip home with me today—it’s that appealing.
I thought my “Iron of the Year” candidates were already set, but this one arrived late and made a powerful case.
I didn’t want to put it down and kept hitting to imprint this beautiful iron in my memory. I’m looking forward to the autumn colors, but today I feel like I saw something equally beautiful a bit early—a glimpse into the essence of what a golf club can be.
