50 Words or Less
The Honma TW 747 P irons pack a ton of low-spin distance into a traditional looking head.
Introduction
If you follow the world of golf equipment closely, you find that most clubs are predictable. If an iron is very large, it’s probably forgiving, strong lofted, and long. If an iron looks like a butter knife, it’s probably meant for the best five ball strikers in the world (or to hang in a display case). However, every now and then I run across a club that really surprises me. The Honma TW 747 P was one such club.
Looks
When I saw the TW 747 P irons on the shelf, with their carbon fiber cavity and touches of orange, I expected it to be a fairly large game improvement iron. However, when I set it down I saw a slim club with tons of appeal for the better player.
The TW 747 P is decidedly larger than the TW 747 V irons (review HERE), but they barely qualify for game improvement status by size. The blade is medium length from heel to toe, there’s not much offset, and the top line is moderately sized.
Sound & Feel
The sound and feel of the Honma TW 747 P irons gave a hint at what their performance would be like. Impact was firm, with a slightly bouncy, explosive feeling. That was paired with a “clap” sound that was louder than average.
Thanks to the louder impact sound, feedback was extremely clear. Mishits sounded off-key and felt rather harsh in the hands.
Performance
After hitting three shots with the TW 747 P irons, I wrote in my notes, “What are the lofts on these irons???” I was seeing smash factors over 1.4, a territory usually reserved for the largest distance irons. With those high smash factors, came startling distance: the 6I was a full club longer than my gamer before I had even warmed up. Once I got loose, that stretched to a club and a half.
When I got home and looked up the specs, there was a clear explanation for the distance. The 4 iron is 19 degrees, the “10 iron” (pitching wedge) 43.5 degrees. These are very strong lofts. While a thin face and smart design is certainly part of the distance story, the lofts can’t be ignored.
What comes along with these strong lofts is very low spin. I’m a low launch, low spin iron player to begin with. With this set in my hands, my mid-irons were spinning like fairway woods and hybrids – not ideal for holding greens.
This is the part where I emphasize the importance of fitting. For me, this iron is a non-starter because of the low spin. No shaft in the world would make these playable for me. However, for the players on the opposite end of the spectrum, the Honma TW 747 P will be amazing. They’ll stop ballooning the ball, pick up distance, and be able to control their shots.
Conclusion
If distance is priority number one and good looks a close second, the Honma TW 747 P irons are going to be right in your wheelhouse. The lofts are very strong and the spin is frighteningly low, but if those are not concerns for you, the performance is outstanding.
Honma TW 747 P Irons Price & Specs
Matt Saternus
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What is the point of calling a 19 degree club a 4 iron? Is it because the golf industry as a whole has been telling mid to high handicappers that they can’t hit a 3 iron for about 20 years?
Brandon,
It’s the result of every OEM trying to make the longest 6I so they can “win the fitting”. I’ve grown more agnostic about it, but I still don’t think it’s a good thing for the game overall.
Best,
Matt
What do you think the handicap range is for these irons?
Rob,
I think anyone up to a 15ish handicap can play these.
Best,
Matt
I got the 4-11 set to replace my 3-PW Ping S57’s. How would you say the distance/ work ability of these clubs match up?
Keifer,
I haven’t hit these head to head with the S57, so I can’t say for sure.
-Matt
Matt,
I know it has been a while since you’ve tested these, but do you remember if the height of the iron was decent? Realizing that the spin is low, I am curious about the height.
Thanks,
Rob
Rob,
The launch angle and peak height was lower than average for me, in large part because of the strong lofts.
Best,
Matt
would you recommend these ones or the ping i500 if you could choose any of them and why?
Viktor,
It would depend on the player that I’m recommending them to. I don’t think one club is objectively superior to the other.
-Matt
got ping i500 now with x-stiff shaft, was considering on swapping them for these with stiff shafts.
currently my hcp is around 8.
Viktor,
If there’s something specific about the i500 irons that you’re not happy with, my suggestion would be to take them to a fitter, hit them on a launch monitor, and then work with the fitter to find a combination that solves the problem.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
Recently has seen a lot of Honma 747P irons on eBay, it seems like the version on eBay does not has the “Made in Japan Sakata” stamp on the neck of the irons (the stamp “make in Japan Sakata” only appear on the shaft), what does this mean ?
Also, from the Honma website, it seems like the graphic shaft for this iron is listed as 50S; but what I see on those bidding picture is 85R/85S; what is the difference on this ?
Hope to your response on this.
Thanks.
Regards
JimmyTan
Jimmy,
I would be leery of buying clubs on eBay. I’m not saying these are definitely counterfeit, but I think the possibility of wasting money on counterfeits outweighs whatever savings you have compared to buying them from a licensed dealer.
-Matt
Do they made 13 no iron also In TW747P
I don’t believe so.
-Matt
Since Honma changed ownership several years ago, the 747 line and TR lines (the less expensive lines) are forged/made in China and Taiwan while the shafts are still made in Japan. I have the TW-X irons and the heads are not made in Japan but the quality looks and feels great.