50 Words or Less
The Bridgestone Tour B JGR HF1 irons launch the ball easily. Long. Almost impossible to hit them fat.
Introduction
When golfers talk about forgiveness, they typically mean how well a club preserves ball speed on hits that are off center. Go to any range, however, and you can hear that the problem often isn’t mishits, it’s hitting the ground before the ball. With this in mind, Bridgestone put an uber-forgiving sole on their JGR HF1 irons to help higher handicap players hit more greens in regulation.
Looks
At address, the Bridgestone Tour B JGR HF1 irons create a new category: the refined super game improvement iron. With a chunk of the sole sticking out behind the top line, there’s no arguing that these aren’t SGI irons. That said, the top line isn’t that thick and there’s not a ton of offset. The blade length is about average, and the contrast between the two finishes on the face makes it appear smaller.
Sound & Feel
Just like the look, the sound and feel of the HF1 irons blends polish with power. There’s a “snap” to impact that makes it feel like the ball flies off the face, but it’s not very loud. Because it’s quiet, impact feels much softer than you might expect from an SGI iron.
Performance
When you look at the JGR HF1 iron’s wide sole, you expect a high-launching iron. When you read the technical notes, your expectations go from “high launch” to “moon balls.” What counters these design elements are very aggressive lofts. The final result is a strong, medium-high ball flight with a boatload of ball speed. Even when I tried to add loft and hit big cuts, I could not get the HF1 to balloon.
While Bridgestone’s focus is on the forgiveness and high launch, which are noteworthy, what really got me was the way the sole cures fat shots. The range where I usually go is very sandy. Any shot that’s even a little fat goes nowhere…unless you’re swinging the HF1 irons. With these clubs, the sole skates through the turf and puts a charge into the ball. If you struggle with hitting behind the ball, the HF1 is the best quick fix I’ve seen.
Conclusion
It’s not too often that a new club can surprise me, but the Bridgestone Tour B JGR HF1 did just that. I was expecting high launch and a lot of forgiveness, and it delivered. I was expecting massive distance, and it delivered. What I was not expecting was the way it turned fat shots into good results. For the high handicapper, the HF1 gets a strong recommendation from me.
Bridgestone Tour B JGR HF1 Irons Price & Specs
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
- Scotty Cameron Phantom 5 Putter Review - December 23, 2025
- Vice Golf VGI02 Irons Review - December 22, 2025
- Do Groove Sharpeners Actually Work? – Golf Myths Unplugged - December 19, 2025
34 Comments
Sounds sweet for the higher capper, but those clubs lengths! 39.25 in for a 5i? I hope a high capper can handle it. Interesting sole.
Hurry up and review the HF2. I’m searching for something to replace my PTx irons and are interested in hearing about the Bridgestone’s. Trying to find a game improvement iron that has a look closer the a players distance set. Am I dreaming?
919 Forged? For low to mid cappers.
Jerry,
We’ll have a full review of the JPX919 Forged next week.
Best,
Matt
Much as I love Bridgestone clubs, I really wish they hadn’t gone the “jacked lofts”/“5-iron is really a 4-iron” route. A 22° loft on a 39.25” shaft is a 4-iron no matter what you stamp on the toe and simply won’t be played by most high handicappers.
Matt nice review, but is there much distance between the 6 and the 5 with the gaping?
Thanks,Robin.
Robin,
Yes, about 10 yards.
-Matt
Didn’t Adams or Cleveland or so have clubs with soles like this a few years back? Much difference? Anyway, Bridgestone seems to be popping up more again. Silly to call them “Tour” when they won’t get close to any players on the tour..
Well now, these comments sounds really good but playing them will tell the truth. HF2 sounds cool but standing in the fairways 185 to the greens, 4 irons are you with me?
Being a short golfer I have trouble getting the ball high enough to get the distance I need. I have a 11.0 handicap index. I have a very good short game, that’s because of not hitting a higher ball flight and missing greens. The JGR HF1 will help me improve my ability to hit better shots.
Well, I am new to the world of golf (I am 70 and just started playing 9 months ago) and have discovered I hit a lot of “fat” shots. If Matt is right, I may have to try the Bridgestone Tour B JGR HF1 irons. They sound like what a high handicapper like me needs.
Sounds like what my game needs. Lost some speed and strength with age, these would help me compensate for that.
I want to win the HF1 irons, from the review I read, this will fit me perfectly!!
Would love to have HF1 for improvement Thank You.
Jgr hf1 will maybe provide the consistency im looking forward too
Chesapeake Va
I would give anything for a set of clubs like these. I’m a vet and have back problems from surgerys and I hit a lot behind the ball. Maybe these could help Matt
These clubs look amazing
As a high handicapper I look forward to trying the HF1 irons.
Like the looks of the HF1. The specs bother me. The lofts seem to be very strong and some very close together and others far apart. Is this spacing required to keep the same distance gaping? Length seems long for metal shafts. Would have liked to see what different shafts are available. Looking forward to having them in my hands to satisfy my curiosity.
Julian,
The lofts do seem oddly spaced, but it seems to work within the context of the club – low CG, hot face, etc.
Best,
Matt
Both the Hf1 and 2 look awesome and Bridgestone have been thorough and thoughtful with the two models. Both models I believe can be used to improve one’s game and my personal preference is the HF2 as they just look awesome. A true winner from a company that I believe think of us and not just the commercial benefit to them. Their range of golf balls have a great synergy giving all golfers the opportunity to try the best without compromising their game.
In essence Bridgestone have given a wide range of golfers the opportunity to use a club that will not only suit their game but actually give one the confidence to improve on their handicap. I personally love the fact that Bridgestone as usual have given all golfers the resource to improve and enjoy their game.
Great review! I would love to when these irons. Eddie, Springfield Missouri.
The HF 1 look nice but with their wide soles I would like to know how they handled heavy rough. Any experience with hitting them in heavy rough?
As I have become older and endured some feet and leg injuries, I have had trouble with fat shots. It would be interesting to see if the “almost impossible to hit fat” designed iron would help me.
I’ve played with “fat” sole irons before and got the same results talked about in this review. Need to range test these asap!
Are the HF 2 irons suitable for a mid-high handicap golfer ???
Daniel,
I don’t like to tell anyone they can’t play a certain piece of equipment. That said, if you’re talking about a 20+ handicap, I think the HF1 is a better choice in most cases.
Best,
Matt
I hit my irons (Ping Eye 2) all over the face and on the sweet spot occasionally… it feels like hitting a marshmallow when i do hit the sweet spot…… Would the HG 1’s help me to find the sweet spot more??? Any suggestions?? I need help. Thanks for your reply in advance.
Larry,
No iron is going to help you hit the sweet spot more but a more forgiving club will lessen the difference between a good strike and a poor one.
Best,
Matt
I am interested in the JGR HF1s. It looks like Tour Edge’s EXS irons are direct competitors in the SGI category. Any feedback on how the two compare?
Steve,
We haven’t tested the EXS iron, so we can’t offer a comparison.
Best,
Matt
Pingback: 57 Best Golf Irons in 2020 (Market Study by PGA Pro) | Luka Karaula
These are expectional clubs in many ways. To bad the loft and shaft lengths make these play about two clubs long than the number. I would have to add at least 2 wedges just to compensate. Does not make much sense but that is the way they sell irons now.