50 Words or Less
The Callaway Epic Forged irons create unbelievable ball speed and distance. Massive forgiveness. Surprisingly compact look at address.
Introduction
The fall of 2019 has brought a steady trickle of new clubs from Callaway, including their new premium iron, the Epic Forged. With a price tag that blasts through the $2,000 barrier, it’s fair to ask, “What makes them that premium?” I tested them in an attempt to answer that question.
Looks
When I started reading up on the Callaway Epic Forged irons, “compact” was not a word I expected to use when describing the look. Then I got one in hand, set it down behind a ball, and compact was the word that seemed to fit.
The design of the Epic Forged is a master class in hiding bulk. This is objectively a big, thick iron, but the modest offset and dual finishes make it look smaller than it is. If you’re looking at the thick top line and thinking, “Matt, you’re off your rocker calling this compact,” I challenge you to go see one in person. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Sound & Feel
The word “crisp” appears in my notes multiple times, so we’ll start there. When struck well, the Callaway Epic Forged irons sound and feel crisp. The ball snaps off the face with purpose, leaving a satisfying feeling and the sense that the ball is going to end up very far away.
That crispness is paired with another C word on mishits: clunky. When you wander out of the sweet zone, impact sounds disjointed. Mishits don’t sting, they just lack the reward of the pure shot.
Performance
Before anyone runs to the comments to point this out, I’ll say it: the lofts on the Epic Forged irons are crazy strong. I don’t think there’s a set of irons with stronger lofts, though there are plenty that are close. Yes, this may cause distance gap issues for some players, but, again, the same can be said for many modern sets.
All that said, the performance of the Epic Forged irons is outrageous. In my launch monitor testing, I was routinely seeing smash factors of 1.45 – a number usually reserved for drivers and fairway woods. Ball speed was sky high and the distances were huge. And this is not just about the lofts, as we discovered in a recent Golf Myths Unplugged (read about that HERE).
Two other performance elements merit conversation. First is the low spin. Low spin is becoming a given for modern distance irons. Part of this is the result of the strong lofts, part is the location of the center of gravity. Callaway states that the Epic Forged irons are their first to use a Suspended Tungsten Core to precisely locate the CG. Whether this low spin is good or bad depends on the player, and it makes being fit very important.
Finally, the Epic Forged irons are extremely forgiving. Shots low on the face elevate easily. Shots on the heel and toe retain plenty of ball speed and distance. For ease of use, few irons are in the same category as the Callaway Epic Forged.
Conclusion
The price tag on the Callaway Epic Forged irons may be eye-popping but so is the performance. There are legitimate technological advancements here that produce insane ball speed, distance, and forgiveness. If you have the means, see a qualified club fitter about tuning a set to your swing.
Callaway Epic Forged Irons Price & Specs
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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I bit the bullet and purchased the Callaway Epic forged irons back in the summer. Because of the price point I really put some thought and research into it. I have been very pleased with my purchase. They are insanely long. They’re still pretty forgiving. And you nailed it Matt, they are compact at address. But they still give you confidence over the ball. If you can pony up the $2300 they’re worth every penny. I guess you have to ask yourself, how much are you willing to pay for better golf.
Love the review. Looking for new irons and have interest in demoing these great looking irons. Thanks for great review. Love the close up photos
#SecretGiveaway4
Irons like this get a lot of flak from players who wouldn’t use them anyway. In the hands of a rich retiree with good mechanics on a slowing swing, these are magic
My question is, are they as playable by the doomsayers (30-somethings with 100+ mph swings) as, for example, the new T100s, if appropriately gapped?
Keith,
I would be very skeptical of recommending the T100 to a 30 handicap. The Epic Forged would be a much better choice.
Best,
Matt
I suspect he meant 30 year old “age” wise not handicap. :)
A very insightful review. I absolutely love the look of these clubs, and based on your review I would absolutely buy them but for the staggering cost. #SecretGiveaway4
Great review Matt, Look a lot like the TMB from Titleist. I know you reviewed those before. Which would you prefer if you had to choose?
Thanks
#SecretGiveaway4
John,
I don’t see those two as particularly comparable. The T-MB is forgiving relative to its neighbors in the Titleist line, but it’s still very much a players iron. The Epic Forged is a very forgiving iron that anyone can play.
Best,
Matt
Not sure about price. If it’s $300 per club, shouldn’t 9 clubs be $2700 not $2400?
Jim,
Yes, at $300/club, 8 pieces is $2,400 and 9 pieces is $2,700.
-Matt
Secretgiveaway4
The Callaway irons sound great until you get to the price. Not made for the average golfer.
Agree, nice clubs, but not going to pay that kind of $$$$. #SecretGiveaway4
I hate the turtle backed look of these. I could not get passed that. Reminds of an old cleveland launcher iron.
Just ordered a set of Epic Forged Irons. I tested and was fitted at Golf Tech. The 7 iron carried 170 yards with total yards of 180. I am replacing my Miura CB301 irons that I was custom fitted for by Club Champion Golf. My Miura 7 iron carried 158 yards with total yards of 165
My Miura setup was 2 degrees strong. Quite a difference!! I ordered the Epic Forged Irons 1 degree weak because these clubs have an average angle of descent of 41 Degrees, due to their strong set up of 27 Degrees. I set these irons up 1 degree weaker in order to obtain a descent angle of 45 Degrees, so as to improve my shot making ability to better hold greens. I am 73 years old and a 1 handicap.
George-
Late to the Epic forged option but found your comments of interest. How did your Epic irons work out for you? I am blessed to still have a single digit handicap but at 74 looking for “some help”. Have a demo Epic 7 iron which feels really good but fighting that “traditional look” thing. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks
Stunning looks. Price seems to mirror technology. Tungsten weighted irons with a low center of gravity and strong lofts seem to be the current wave of the future. Probably not for everybody, but worth a test drive.
It’s a bit like the smart phones, a race towards better and more efficient.
At some point, in my case at least, I don’t put enough hours to become really better and I can’t catch up to the level where equipment makes a difference. If I’m lame, it’s me, not the equipment. And I feel that a $2000 set is worsening this feeling/fact.
#SecretGiveaway4
These on an average are 5* per club stronger than my clubs. Really doesn’t make sense, to me at least. I would think that it would be harder to hit a club with less loft than one with more and this is not counting the compact face. However that the beauty of golf, what works for one might not work for another.
Will the ball stop on the green with a six? Is there a lot of roll out? #SecretGiveaway4
Phil,
If they’re well fit they will. By nature, it’s a lower spinning head. A good fitter will balance that out if the player needs it.
Best,
Matt
Looks like it would make for a great driving iron!
#SecretGiveaway4
Epic forged versus Mizuno HMB?
John,
There’s a full review of the HMB here: https://pluggedingolf.com/mizuno-mp-20-hmb-irons-review/
-Matt
I had been playing the Mizuno MP20 HMB. Prior to that similar styled players clubs until a head on car crash caused tears in both shoulders. Back to able to play but have some diminished club head speed and some limitations that cause me to add a little dynamic loft. So hitting everything high already, these (with the right shaft) are perfect for me. Different lofts of course a factor but I carried the Mizzy 7 iron around 140 on average with about a 49 degree land angle and the Epic Forged low 160s on average with about a 45 degree land angle. I picked up a combination of about 6-8mph on 7 iron between the heads themselves and going to slightly lighter shafts so that contributes too. Night and day more forgiving. Thought the vastly different look would be a deal killer but the most interesting thing is looking down at them now and feeling so much more confident in knowing a fairly shameful mishit probably only costs me 5-7 yards and good ones are on the numbers and tight.
Having a gap and approach wedge in the same set is strange. However, you need to look at the lofts and lengths and a 5 iron is really more like a 4 and will impact which fairway wood and hybrids you carry in the bag.
I would love to buy a set of the Epic Forged irons. It looks like Callaway is no longer producing them. Does anybody know for sure?
Go on Callaway Pre-Owned.
Bought a used set 5-PW… They really fly, 15-20 yards farther than my OS clubs… At 65 with a diminishing swing speed this is nice. I’m back to hitting my 7 iron 140-145…
Question — do I need to change my ball? I have been using the Titiliest Tour Soft, but I wonder about getting the ball to stop.
Don,
Is the ball not holding the green when you play? If so, then yes, I’d consider a higher spinning ball.
Best,
Matt
I bought my Epic Forged set (4-PW, Aerotech SteelFiber FC 90 shafts) in September 2019 and have been playing them ever since. No way am I changing. These irons are everything that I want and need. Forged feel combined with great distance. Ability to work the ball both ways and stopping power on the green. Expensive? Perhaps, but they are perfect for me. Frankly, I believe that Callaway made a mistake in halting production of this stellar line.
I’m a big fan of Callaway golf clubs. I own a few of their irons and they are always consistent in their performance. I’m excited to try the Epic forged irons.
Just pulled the trigger on a set. I’m a big lefty that’s been hitting ping i3+ for the past 20yrs. Getting serious and found a steal of a deal. More GIRs in my future. Can’t wait to see the hype.
I am filling a hole. I have Ping I 500 irons, love them, don’t have a 7. Am looking at Call pre owned site and maybe will get their Epic Forged. Is it close ? I can’t find a single I 500 7 iron except with screw in fitting cart or demo instead of regular ferrule. Lots of sets are up for sale but no 7 iron only. Any reader info or opinion welcome.
Donn,
You can order a single iron direct from PING.
-Matt
Been playing Epic Forged since 2020. At 68 yrs old 9 HC I can’t imagine a better iron for me. I’ve wondered if there are really noticeable advancements in newer models such as Paradym? Epic Forged seemed to be ahead of their time. Not sure if anything out there is an improvement. Opinions?
Greatest irons I ever bought and played I’m buying a backup!!! INSANE!!!
I still have my Epic Forged Irons, at 70 with a 3 HC I have tried the new Paradym irons a friend purchased I have no reason to buy. We traded irons for the day and said he would be happier with my set than his. The only issue is trying to find an extra club in great shape. I have a 6 iron that i would like to replace after getting into some rocks it did a job on the face. Someday I will have to get a new set of irons just hope they are as good as these. By the way I had a hole in one using the clubs the first 2 months I owned them and several Eagles, Eagles I contribute to the distance 192 yard 6 iron.