This collection’s shoes, shirts, pants and hats are at home in the fairway and the skatepark.
At first glance, golf and skateboarding might seem like polar opposites. One is all about tradition, quiet courses and polite applause, while the other revels in street style, tricks and a bit of rebellious flair. But strip away assumptions and preconceptions, and you can start to see that when it comes to apparel and footwear, the two cultures have more overlap than you might expect.
These days, public courses are filled with players wearing flashy sneakers, colorful socks and hats that wouldn’t look out of place at a skate park. Whether you’re rolling down the fairway listening to Coldplay or bumping at a half-pipe to Cage The Elephant, style is key.
With the release of the Rolling Links line of apparel and footwear, Adidas is trying to tie golf and skate culture more closely together, merging relaxed-fitting shirts, sweatshirts and tops with mix-matched socks and street-style footwear that could be at home on the tee at Torrey Pines or a few miles away at the Carmel Valley Skatepark.
The venerable Adidas Superstar sneakers, which were released in 2020 as golf shoes for the first time to mark the shoe’s 50th anniversary, are one of the stars of the Rolling Links line. Adidas’ three-stripe logo is presented in two colors on this spikeless shoe, while the removable kiltie is a nod to golf shoes that might have been worn 50 years ago.
The Rolling Links Mock Neck polo is made with a thicker, 100 percent cotton material and designed with a loose, relaxed fit, while the Rolling Links Crewneck Sweatshirt is made using 88 percent recycled polyamide with elastane and slipping it on feels retro and hip at the same time.
They look similar but the ZX4 MK II and ZX5 MK II irons are made for very different players.
If you walked into a pro shop and saw both the Srixon ZX4 Mk II and the Srixon ZX5 Mk II irons on the wall, you might have a hard time telling the difference between the two clubs. Cosmetically, they look very similar, but Srixon designed these clubs for very different types of players.
Both clubs share some technologies, and with the help of custom fitters, many golfers blend the two clubs to create a combo set. However, their differences can significantly impact your game, so here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide whether the Srixon ZX4 Mk II or the ZX5 Mk II might be the best fit for you.
Srixon ZX4 Mk II irons. (David Dusek/Golfweek)
Construction and Technology
The ZX4 Mk II has a forged 1770M stainless steel face attached to a 431 stainless steel body, along with a hollow chamber in the center of the head. This allows the face to flex more efficiently at impact to create more ball speed. The ZX5 Mk II has a forged SUP10 stainless steel face attached to a forged 1020 carbon steel chassis for a softer feel at impact, but it is solid instead of hollow. The ZX5 Mk II has also been designed with tungsten in the sole of the long and mid-irons to lower the center of gravity (CG) location and encourage shots with those clubs to fly higher.
The Srixon ZX-5 Mk II irons and ZX-4 Mk II have ridges and cutout areas called MainFrame in their faces. (Srixon)
Both irons have a cavity-back design and a ball-speed enhancing technology Srixon calls MainFrame. Adapted from Srixon’s wood line, MainFrame adds a series of valleys or channels on the inner-facing side of the face to allow more of the hitting area to flex efficiently at impact. It also reduces weight in the face.
Both the ZX4 Mk II and the ZX5 Mk II irons have been designed with Srixon’s Tour VT Sole. This gives the bottom of each club extra forward bounce, so they will work through the turf more easily and maintain speed through the hitting zone.
Both clubs also feature a progressive groove design. The 4-iron through 7-iron in the ZX4 MK II and the 3-iron through 7-iron in the ZX5 Mk II have wider grooves that are spaced farther apart to enhance spin and stopping power, while the grooves in the 8-iron through attack wedge are deeper and packed more tightly together.
From a size perspective, the ZX4 Mk II has a longer blade length, slightly thicker topline and slightly more offset, while the ZX5 Mk II has a more-compact shape.
Srixon ZX5 Mk II irons. (David Dusek/Golfweek)
Who are the ZX4 MKII and ZX5 Mk II irons for?
The best way to find your ideal irons is to work with a good custom fitter, hit shots using a launch monitor, and then compare the data.
With that said, the ZX4 Mk II’s larger size and hollow-body design push it squarely into the game-improvement iron category. It creates more speed and will be more forgiving than the ZX5 Mk II.
The ZX5 Mk II will produce more spin than the ZX4 Mk II, which can allow players to work the ball more easily and hit draws or fades more effectively. With that added spin, the ZX5 Mk II should create a higher launch angle.
The Takeaway
If you are a player who prioritizes distance and forgiveness, the ZX4 Mk II might be a good option, while golfers who want more feel and control along with added forgiveness might be better served by the ZX5 Mk II.
Welcome to golf fashion Friday, a new series where Riley Hamel highlights whatever has recently caught his eye in the golf apparel world.
Welcome to our newest weekly segment, Golf Fashion Friday! In these short lists, we’ll highlight some of our favorite golf apparel items each week from a variety of brands. Whether you’re looking for a new polo, pair of pants, crewneck, hat or anything in between, we’ll feature it.
This week, we’ve included items from Devereux Golf, Malbon Golf, Johnnie-O, G/FORE and Lululemon. Some of the items are from recent collection drops, and some are just must-own pieces that will be great additions to your wardrobe.
Why we chose it:Devereux Golf’s new “Golf Ohana” collection celebrates the great state of Hawaii and features several must-own items. The Luau Girl tee is one of our favorite items from the drop.
Why we chose it: This stylish crewneck is part of Malbon Golf’s new “Outdoors Club” collection and is also available in tan. This piece is great for the golf course, errands, dinner or your next hike.
Why we chose it: Aren’t these the sweetest golf shoes you’ve ever seen? This pair would elevate your on-course style immediately. When it comes to golf shoes, it’s impossible to beat the quality of G/FORE.
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Why we chose it: If you prioritize comfort when it comes to golf pants, look no further than this pair from Lululemon. It’s available in 13 colors and is perfect for the golf course or dinner.
Check out some of our favorite October golf sales including golf equipment, apparel, tech and more.
It’s no secret that golf can be expensive. Whether you’re looking for new clothes, equipment or accessories, anything related to the game can come with a hefty price tag. Well, lucky for you, we’ve searched the internet for some of the best golf sales we could find for October 2024.
Whether you’re looking for a new polo, driver, pair or pants, pair of shoes or headcover, we’ve included it all in the list below.
Just some of the brands featured in this sales list include Ping, TravisMathew, Nike, Seamus Golf, Puma and more.
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Radmor Golf – Higgins Cap Stripe Hoodie
Radmor Golf Higgins Cap Stripe Hoodie (Radmor Golf)
A year ago, TaylorMade released an update to the P·790 irons, one of its most popular clubs. Two months ago, the Carlsbad, California-based equipment maker announced that it has a new version of its P·770 iron, a club that is very similar to the P·790. They are so similar, in fact, that many golfers with a handicap between five and 12 might be confused about what separates the new P·770 and the P·790.
The P·770 and P·790 cater to different types of golfers, so here’s a detailed comparison to help you understand the similarities and differences between them, and then decide which set might be the best fit for you.
Construction and Technology
The 2024 P·770 irons feature a hollow body construction with the inner chambers in the heads filled with SpeedFoam Air, a material that debuted in the 2021 version of the P·770. It is a lighter version of the original SpeedFoam and enhances the feel and acoustics while maintaining a solid, forged feel.
The P·770 irons have L-shaped faces that are forged using 4041 stainless steel. The face plate wraps under the leading edge and into the sole, which TaylorMade claims helps to broaden the sweet spot. The 3-iron through 7-iron have also been designed with a Speed Pocket slot that is positioned directly behind the leading edge, along with tungsten weighs in the heel and toe to increase the moment of inertia (MOI) and provide stability on off-center hits. The center of gravity (CG) is low in the long irons and elevates through the set to optimize the launch angle for each club, making it easier to hit the long irons higher and flight the scoring clubs down for enhanced distance control.
The TaylorMade P·770 irons have a hollow chamber filled with SpeedFoam Air, along with an internal tungsten weight in the toe. (TaylorMade)
The 2023 P·790 irons also utilize a hollow body construction and feature an inner chamber filled with SpeedFoam Air, which contributes to a softer feel and improved sound. The P·790s also feature a progressive center of gravity, with the CG being lower in the long irons for higher launch and higher in the short irons for better control. The P·790s also have a Thru-Slot Speed Pocket to enhance ball speed, particularly on low-face strikes in the 4- through 7-iron.
Who are the P·770 and P·790 for?
While the construction of the P·770 and the P·790 irons is similar, they were made to appeal to different types of players.
The 2024 P·770 irons are better-player distance irons made for golfers who seek a blend of control and forgiveness. These irons are ideal for low to mid-handicap golfers who want a compact look in the address position but who still want some level of forgiveness on off-center hits. The P·770s feature a shorter blade length, thinner top line, and less offset compared to the P·790 irons.
The progressive center of gravity in the TaylorMade P·790 encourages a higher flight in the long irons and a lower, more controlled flight in the scoring clubs. (David Dusek/Golfweek)
The 2023 P·790 irons, on the other hand, are aimed at a broader range of golfers, from mid- to high-handicappers. These irons should provide golfers with more forgiveness than the P·770 because they are larger, and they should produce more distance and a higher ball flight.
The P·790 should create less spin than the P·770, so if a golfer wants to shape shots from left-to-right or right-to-left, it will be easier to do with the P·770.
The P·790s also have a bit more offset and a thicker top line, which can instill confidence in less consistent ball strikers.
The Takeawy
The best way to find the irons that are right for you is to work with a custom fitter who has a launch monitor and hit shots with lots of different head and shaft combinations. That said, when comparing the P·770 and the P·790, golfers who want a more compact look in the address position, a shorter blade length, more spin and a slightly lower flight might be happier with the P·770.
Golfers who want more forgiveness, more distance and a higher ball flight may get more of what they are seeking from the P·790.
Working with a custom fitter, golfers can easily create a blended set of P·790 and P·770 irons to get the benefits of both clubs in one set, including the forgiveness of the P·790 in the long irons and the control of the P·770 irons in the scoring clubs.
Black has a way of transforming simple things into classics.
From leather jackets to little dresses, black has a way of transforming simple things into classics, and the list of great rock ‘n’ roll songs that include the word ‘black’ in the title reads like the back of a greatest hits album. There’s “Paint It Black,” by the Rolling Stones, “Back in Black,” by AC/DC, “Black Is Black,” by Los Bravos, Santana’s “Black Magic Woman,” and Pearl Jam’s “Black” … we could go on.
When it comes to golf equipment, black clubs hold a mystique. Black is the most popular color for drivers, fairway woods and hybrids, but most irons are chrome-plated or designed with a silver tone. Black irons are somewhat rare, but some golfers covet them and when brands release special black versions of previously-released clubs, they perk up and take notice.
Rickie Fowler is among them, having put the just-released Cobra King Tour Black irons in his bag this week at the 2024 Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi. Cobra has also just released the King CB and MB Black Combo irons for pros, college players and elite golfers.
Here’s your first look at the new dark-finished offerings from Cobra and everything you need to know about them.
Cobra King Tour Black irons. (David Dusek/Golfweek)
Gear: Cobra King Tour Black irons Price:$1,399 with KBS-Taper 120 Black steel shafts and Lamkin Crossline Black grips Specs: Forged 1025 carbon steel with TPU insert, co-molded aluminum medallion and diamondized black metal finish Available: Oct. 18, but available for pre-order NOW
Who it’s for: Low-handicap players who want soft feel with extra control and spin.
What you should know: A better-player’s cavity-back, the King Tour irons have a vibration-dampening insert hidden in the back to soften the feel, along with the compact size and classic look that accomplished golfers demand.
The deep dive: These irons are identical to the standard King Tour irons that were released in 2023 and that Rickie Fowler used to win the Rocket Mortgage Classic last season, except they have been given a black DBM (Diamondized Black Metal) finish. Cobra claims it is especially durable and does a good job of diffusing sunlight to reduce glare.
The King Tour Black irons are made using 1025 carbon steel that is forged five times to increase the precision of the process, make the faces completely flat and enhance feel.
[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cobra King Tour black irons” link=”https://pga-tour-superstore.pxf.io/LXeD03″]
There is a small TPU insert in the back of the King Tour Black irons (David Dusek/Golfweek)
The cavity-back shaping is created by computer-controlled milling. This allowed engineers to make subtle changes to the undercuts around the head, taking extra material out of the top of the long irons to lower the center of gravity.
Cobra designers added a thermoplastic polyurethane insert and an aluminum co-molded badge to the back of the King Tour heads to soak up excessive vibrations.
Who it’s for: Elite ballstrikers who demand the ultimate in feel and control.
What you should know: This combo set for the game’s best players combines forged cavity-back long irons with muscleback blade scoring clubs and comes with a black finish that Cobra feels is more durable.
The deep dive: In early 2023, Cobra released the King CB and King MB irons for professionals, college players, and elite golfers with powerful, repeatable swings. If you are looking for forgiveness, go check out Cobra’s Dark Speed irons because neither the King CB nor the MB is designed to give you that. However, if you want feel and control, the King CB and MB are at the zenith of what Cobra can provide.
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The Cobra King CB Black irons (David Dusek/Golfweek)
Now, Cobra is offering the King CB and King MB Black Edition irons for low single-digit handicap golfers and tournament-level players who want something that delivers the highest levels of feel, control, and that look, well … kinda badass.
These clubs have the same diamondized black metal (DBM) finish that was given to the King Tour Black irons.
They King CB and MB Black irons are typically sold as a combo set comprised of cavity-back 4-, 5- and 6-irons that are blended with muscleback blades in the 7-iron through pitching wedge. While the CB long irons have slightly more perimeter weighting, all seven clubs have a thin topline, practically no offset, and a narrow sole. The King CB and MB Black irons feature the shortest blade length of any Cobra iron.
Cobra King MB Black irons. (David Dusek/Golfweek)
If you have a repeatable swing and can generate all the distance you need, the Cobra King Tour CB/MB Combo set can allow you to hit controlled draws and fades, knockdown shots, and more. At the same time, golfers will immediately know where on the face they hit the ball, thanks to the softness of the metal.
In addition to the standard blended set, the CB and MB models are each available as full sets in a 3-iron through gap wedge. The CB is available in both left- and right-handed versions, but the MB is only available as a complete set for right-handed players.
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On Tuesday, Fowler commented on a new putter he is preparing to use this week.
Rickie Fowler is making his first appearance in a PGA Tour event since the 2024 British Open this week at the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi. As one of the field’s headliners, he spoke with the media on Tuesday.
After discussing the course and his plans to play a few more PGA Tour events in 2024, Fowler was asked about some new equipment that was spotted in his bag.
“Yeah, got a few things. From irons, they’re just a black version of the same Cobra King Tours that I was playing, just a different color. I thought they looked a little bit better. Put those straight in.”
The King Tour is a compact, forged iron with a thermoplastic insert in the back that softens feel and enhances sound. Fowler started using the standard chrome version in 2023, nearly winning the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club with them before finally winding up in the winner’s circle at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
On Tuesday, Fowler commented on a new putter he is preparing to use this week.
“I had a little extra time to be able to do some more testing with a L.A.B. putter and saw a lot of good things from it. Like I said, liked what I’ve seen at home, so giving that a test run this week. Hopefully, we continue to see good things.”
L.A.B Golf DF3 putter (David Dusek/Golfweek)
The putter Fowler is using is a L.A.B. DF3. After you sole it behind the ball, the DF3’s weighting encourages the face of the putter to remain square to the arc you establish in the address position, creating what L.A.B. refers to as Lie Angle Balance.
Fowler also sounds like he is making a switch at the top of his bag too.
“Outside of that, added a mini driver from TaylorMade, so basically a replacement for 3-wood.” Fowler said. “Feel like it’s something very beneficial off the tee, especially at a golf course like this, so I’ve seen, again, a lot of good benefits from it.”
Mini drivers and extra-large 2-woods are gaining popularity among elite players who do not use their 3-wood off the turf and instead only use it off the tee. Tommy Fleetwood has been carrying a mini driver for a few seasons and last year Cameron Young and Max Homa also used a mini driver in several PGA Tour events.
Check out Malbon Golf’s newest collection, ‘Outdoors Club’, featuring hoodies, hats, vests and more, it’s everything you need for fall golf.
Malbon Golf is one of the most popular brands in golf for players who take pride in their fashion. Malbon does a fantastic job with their collaborations and designs, and they’ve recently released their fall/winter 2024 collection, dubbed “Outdoors Club.”
Within this collection are t-shirts, polos, outerwear, hats and a whole lot more. And don’t worry, ladies, they also have some fantastic options for you!
Why you’ll love it: Everyone loves a good hoodie for the golf course. Well, this one is great for that, plus anything you’re planning on this fall and winter.
Why you’ll love it: This hat is available in three colors and is perfect for golfers out there who also love to go on hikes or spend their weekend camping.
The Exotics E725 is the first driver from Tour Edge to eclipse the 10,000 total MOI mark.
Gear: Tour Edge Exotics E725, C725 drivers Price: $399.99 with Project X Cypher or Denali Blue shaft and Golf Pride Tour Velvet grips Specs: Titanium chassis and face with carbon fiber crown and adjustable hosel. Available: October 15 (pre-order); November 1 (in-stores)
Who it’s for: Golfers who want to maximize forgiveness and stability (E725); Golfers who want a lower-spinning driver that offers more ball speed with enhanced stability.
What you should know: The Exotics E725 is the first driver from Tour Edge to eclipse the 10,000 total MOI mark, making it the most stable driver the brand has ever made. The C725 produces a lower flight and less spin, but it also boasts more stability.
The deep dive: Earlier this year, Tour Edge released an updated version of its Hot Launch wood lineup for budget-minded players who still want modern technologies and performance, but the Exotics family has always been where the Batavia, Illinois-based brand has showcased its most-advanced gear. With the drop of the Exotics E725 and C725, the Tour Edge is keeping that tradition intact.
The newest Exotics drivers are crafted with distinct player types in mind. As it has done in the past, Tour Edge has made the E driver for golfers who want extreme levels of forgiveness and stability, while the C driver is for competitive players who typically swing faster and need more spin reduction. However, the Exotics E725 and C725 drivers are built around shared technologies and a greater emphasis on forgiveness.
Shifting more weight to the back of the Exotics E725 driver elevates the MOI and boosts stability. (Tour Edge)
Enhanced Stability
Despite being tailored for different player types, the Exotics E725 and C725 share some core elements, but the most significant point of emphasis has been on increasing the moment of inertia (MOI) and boosting stability.
The E725, which has a volume of 460 cubic centimeters, has the higher MOI of the two drivers and is the first Tour Edge driver with a combined MOI above the 10,000 g-cm² threshold. That makes it more resistant to twisting on off-center hits, so shots should fly straighter.
To achieve that, Tour Edge created a weight system in the Exotics E725 it refers to as Flight Tuning. It’s an 18-gram weight that is in the trailing edge that can be shifted to a draw, neutral or fade position, but in every setting, it pulls the center of gravity (CG) location back and down, which elevates the MOI while also creating a shot-shaping bias.
The Exotics C725, which has a volume of 445 cubic centimeters, also has a Flight Tuning system, but it comes standard with a 10-gram weight that stays in a center-back location. It still boosts stability, in fact it MOI is five percent higher in the C725 than it was in the C723, which it replaces, but not as much as the Exotics E725. However, the combination of a smaller volume and a more forward CG location should help to produce a lower ball flight and less spin.
The Exotics E725 (left) and C725 drivers both have a clean look in the address position. (Tour Edge)
Other Shared Technologies
Both the Exotics E725 and C725 also feature 360-degree Ridgeback technology. the original Ridgeback system had a titanium beam that extended from the topline to the back of the chassis, and was flanked by carbon fiber panels. The new, updated version of Ridgeback has a supporting brace that encircles the crown, allowing it to be made with 22 percent more carbon fiber to save weight while maintaining strength.
Both drivers have also been made with an updated version of Tour Edge’s 3D Diamond Face technology. On the inner-facing side of the titanium face, Tour Edge has added 61 diamond-shaped areas of various thicknesses, and working together, they enlarge the sweet spot and protect ball speed on off-center hits.
E725 or C725: Which is right for you?
The best way to tell which driver is ideal for you is to hit both alongside a training fitter who has a launch monitor and then study the data.
That said, if you’re a golfer who values straight drives above all else or are someone who wants to minimize the impact of mis-hits, the Exotics E725’s high MOI and more forgiving design could make that club ideal for you.
For golfers who seek to shape shots and who prefer a more traditional driver profile, the C725 offers lower spin, more workability, and more forgiveness than many other control-oriented drivers.
When it comes to the Tour Edge Exotics 725 iron family, the Illinois-based brand has tried to make three irons that offer varying levels of distance, stability, forgiveness and shot shaping for three different types of golfers. Many of the same technologies are found in each club, to varying degrees and levels, which allowed designers and engineers to level-up certain traits and attributes based on what players typically want.
The Exotics C725 (competition spec) is a better-player’s distance iron,while the E725 (extreme spec) is a classic game-improvement club. The new model, the X725, is a max game-improvement offering for moderate and slower-swinging players who need the most forgiveness, height and distance.
Here’s what you want to know about each club:
Tour Edge Exotics C725 irons. (Tour Edge)
Tour Edge Exotics C725 irons
Price: $128.99 per club ($899.99 for 7-piece set) with True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid steel shafts and Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 grip; $142.99 per club ($999.99 for 7-piece set) with Project X Denali Blue 80 graphite shafts. Specs: Hollow-body design with maraging steel face and 17-4 stainless steel body. Available: October 15 (pre-order); November 1 (in-stores).
Who it’s for: The Exotics C725 irons are engineered for single-digit handicap players who want distance and forgiveness in a more compact iron.
What you should know: The hollow-body design and perimeter weighting allow these better-player distance irons to create more distance and forgiveness while still looking like a club that belongs in the bag of a golf who plays in the A Flight in the club championship.
The deep dive: The Exotics C725 irons are a “player’s distance” iron that merges game-improvement technologies into a compact, workable shape.
The hollow-body construction enables Tour Edge to place the center of gravity (CG) low and deep, which increases the launch angle and helps produce a higher ball flight.
The maraging steel face, which is welded to a 17-4 stainless steel body, is L-shaped and wraps into the sole, creating a hinging effect that improves face flex. By using a thinner steel face in combination with the hollow design, Tour Edge engineers have been able to increase ball speed across a larger portion of the hitting area, which means the C725 irons maintain their speed and consistency more effectively on mishits.
Internally, Tour Edge injected VIBRCOR, a thermoplastic polyurethane gel, into the hollow cavity of each head to dampen vibrations and improve feel. On the back of each C725 iron, a multi-material dampening badge made of carbon fiber and high-grade TPU further enhances acoustics and feel.
On the inner-facing side of the face, Tour Edge added its 3D Diamond Face technology, which includes 92 diamond-shaped areas of various thicknesses. Tour Edge claims they act like mini trampolines to help golfers generate more ball speeds and protect speed on off-center hits.
The Exotics C725 has the shortest blade length, thinnest topline and least amount of offset among the Exotics 725 iron family. The 14-gram weight on the back of the head is adjustable for fitters and allows them to change the swing weight of the clubs easily based on length or a player’s preferences.
Tour Edge Exotics E725 irons. (Tour Edge)
Tour Edge Exotics E725 irons
Price: $114.99 per club ($799.99 for 7-piece set) with True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid steel shafts and Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 grip; $129.99 per club ($899.99 for 7-piece set) with Project X Cypher graphite shafts Specs: Hollow-body design with 360-degree undercut cavity, multi-material badge and injected thermoplastic polyurethane. Available: October 15 (pre-order); November 1 (in-stores).
Who it’s for: The Exotics E725 irons are made for mid- and higher-handicap golfers who want more distance and forgiveness.
What you should know: The Exotics E725 irons have a low and back center of gravity to boost forgiveness, increase the launch angle, and add distance.
The deep dive: While the Exotics C725 is designed for players who want a compact look with an extra punch that maintains shot-shaping attributes, the Exotics E725 irons are game-improvement clubs for golfers who shoot in the mid-80s and low 90s who want more forgiveness and more distance.
Tour Edge Exotics E725 irons have more offset and a thicker topline than the C725. (Tour Edge)
As it does in the other irons, the 3D Diamond Face technology broadens the sweet spot to protects ball speed on mis-hits. However, with a larger size than the C725 irons, the E725 irons boast 103 diamond-shaped elements on the inner-facing side of the hitting area instead of 92.
The E725 irons utilize a one-piece, high-strength steel body construction with a 360-degree undercut cavity that reduces weight in the center of the head and pushes the CG location lower and deeper. According to Tour Edge, the CG is 10 percent lower in the E725 than in the E723, the iron it replaces, so golfers should find it easier to get the ball up in the air.
To improve feel and dampen vibrations, Tour Edge injected VIBRCOR into the pocket of each E725 iron. The TPU treatment enhances sound and feel without impeding the face from flexing or reducing distance. The new multi-material badge also stiffens the heads for better energy transfer at impact.
On the sole, a heavy rail helps the club glide through the turf, minimize digging and maintain more speed through impact.
The Exotics E725 has a thicker topline, more offset and a wider sole than the Exoics C725.
Tour Edge Exotics X725 irons. (Tour Edge)
Tour Edge Exotics X725 irons
Price: $114.99 per club, with Project X Cypher shafts and Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 grip. Specs: 17-4 stainless steel body with VIBRCOR and 3D Diamond Face technology. Available in 5-PW, AW and SW Available: October 15 (pre-order); November 1 (in-stores).
Who it’s for: The Exotics X725 irons are designed for slow and moderate-swinging golfers looking for maximum forgiveness and stability, especially if they struggle with a slice.
What you should know: The Exotics X725 is Tour Edge’s attempt to translate its “iron-wood” technology into max game-improvement irons, emphasizing high launch, more distance and slice-fighting offset.
The deep dive: With the Exotics X725 irons, Tour Edge has tried to make its most forgiving, easiest-to-hit iron ever.
The shallow-face design, large size and long blade length are meant to inspire confidence in the address position. That large size also gave designers space to pull the center gravity location down and exceptionally far back, away from the hitting area, which should add spin and create a higher launch angle.
The Exotics X725 irons’ larger size allowed designers to pull the CG location further down and back. (Tour Edge)
Moving the CG lower and further back in the head also increases the stability and reduces twisting at impact, making the X725 irons more resistant to mis-hits. That should give golfers more confidence when they miss the center of the face, as the irons deliver straighter and more consistent shots across a larger area of the clubface.
Tour Edge added its thermoplastic polyurethane material, VIBRCOR, deep inside the 360-degree undercut cavity to soak up excessive vibrations, improve sound, and enhance feel. You can’t see it because the back of the head features a carbon and TPU back badge that stiffens the entire head at impact while helping to dampen vibrations and enhance sound.
On the inner-facing side of the face, Tour Edge added its 3D Diamond Technology, which includes 92 diamond-shaped areas of various thicknesses. Tour Edge claims they act like mini trampolines to help golfers generate more ball speeds and protect speed on off-center hits.
Finally, the sole of the X725 irons features a heavy rail, which improves turf interaction by allowing the club to glide through thick grass without digging in. The rail also has extreme heel and toe relief, which, combined with the significant offset, should help players square the face more easily through impact.
The Exotics X725 should produce the highest ball flight and be the most forgiving of the three new 725 irons, while also having the most offset and thickest topline.
