50 Words or Less
The Honma TW 747 V irons are classy, compact players iron with plenty of distance. Soft, forged feel.
Introduction
Honma moved onto the radar of many American golfers with their signing of Justin Rose. And while more players know the name, information about the brand’s clubs is still relatively hard to find. In the first of a series of reviews, we will peel back the curtain on Honma to let you know whether they deserve your attention.
Looks
Looking at the TW 747 V irons on the shelf, I was impressed. This is exactly the type of iron I like to play, and the understated cavity design appealed to me. When I set it down at address, I liked it even more.
The blade is compact from heel to toe, and the top line is thin. Additionally, there’s very little offset. This is exactly what most people imagine when they think “players iron.”
Sound & Feel
The forged construction of the Honma TW 747 V and the traditional look set my expectations high for the feel of impact. These irons delivered with a soft, traditional feel. There’s no springy, explosive feeling here; the ball melts into the face.
Another traditional element of these irons is that the feedback is unmistakable. Even small misses can be felt clearly. For the player looking to dial in their ball striking, this is invaluable.
Performance
It’s not too often that I’m surprised by the performance of a forged cavity back iron. I expect some forgiveness and the ability to work the ball and control trajectory. On all those counts, the Honma TW 747 V irons delivered. You can still hit the green with small misses, and even larger misses aren’t punished too severely. Additionally, there’s adequate control over trajectory.
What did catch my eye on the launch monitor was the smash factor. I was seeing smash factors as high as 1.4 with a 6I, which is not the norm for traditional irons. Also, the spin was slightly lower than I expected. The result was about a half club more distance in the mid irons.
These trends were explained when I got a look at the club’s specs. The TW 747 V irons have lofts that are slightly stronger than usual for a players iron. They’re not as strong as an iron like the Callaway Epic Forged, but players switching from a Titleist CB or similar will want to get their distances checked and possibly adjust the lofts back a touch.
Conclusion
The Honma TW 747 V irons are a set that I would happily put in my bag. These are classic players irons in looks and feel with enough forgiveness for the better player. If you are going to pick up a set, keep in mind that the lofts are a little strong. Be sure to be fit for the right shaft and set make up.
Honma TW 747 V Irons Price & Specs
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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Looks super similar to Bridgestone Tour B X-CB Irons, all the way down to the lofts. I think you’ve tested both.
Can you say something about honma 747 P..thank you
Marty,
I said quite a bit about them here: https://pluggedingolf.com/honma-tw-747-p-irons-review/
-Matt
Very nice looking clubs Matt. Did they remind you of Srixon Z765 or 785 irons? The trailing edge looks to be rounded off quite a bit.
Tom,
I can’t say that they did, but that’s not a bad comparison now that you mention it. The one difference is that I don’t recall the lofts of the Srixons being as strong.
Best,
Matt
i’ve been playing the predecessor TW 737 irons for a year. Agree with all you said, with these two additions: the trajectory is lower with all irons, even considering loft differences (which is good for me who launches too high). The most important suggestion i can make is to try the Vizard graphite shafts. Honma makes them for their own irons, which is extremely rare (only Ping?). These shafts have all the advantages of graphite (light, shock absorbing, power) but with very low torque, matching the low offset better players like. Easy to flight and maneuver the ball. Compare when fit, imho.
Hi Matt, except for lofts, how does this iron compare to the Miura CB 1008 that you are familiar with?
Richard,
In terms of forgiveness, I think they’re in the same ball park. I prefer the feel of the Miura, it’s softer, but that’s a preference. The lofts are a really big deal, they change the character of the set pretty dramatically.
Best,
Matt
Matt,
Your reviews are fantastic. I was thinking of combo these with TW-X in the 6-3 iron. Wonder if you have hit the X yet and if so do you think it would combo well.
Sean,
Thank you. I haven’t hit the X yet, just the V and the P, review of that coming in 2020.
Best,
Matt
Matt, great review. Question, is a player losing out by playing the P version of this club, as opposed to this one? Outside forgiveness and look are their significant differences? I’m a 5 handicap, feel confident with my ball striking, and looking to move into one of these clubs from a TaylorMade Psi blended set. I can’t afford the fitting, just curious what your take would be on that.
Thanks
Ryan,
I have a full review of the P version here: https://pluggedingolf.com/honma-tw-747-p-irons-review/
They are very different clubs, in my opinion, due to the differences in spin. In my opinion, if you’re going to spend the money on either of these sets (which is substantial), the extra $100 or so to be properly fit is completely worth it.
Best,
Matt
Thanks for getting back. What I was trying to ask was: is there a major difference between these 2 types of clubs? Not necessarily this brand alone but in general (Apex Pro vs. Apex; T100 v T100). Does it more or less come down to forgiveness, stronger lofts and the ability (or lack thereof) to work the ball. Going to buy a used set, feel confident hitting either just curious as to what you thought.
Thanks
Ryan,
Yes, you’ve hit the high points as to the differences between the two types of irons you mentioned. As a 5 handicap, I’m sure you can play either side of that fence, it’s just a matter of what you prefer. I’d also say that the difference between the two is bigger in some lines, smaller in others. Apex is a fairly small difference. Honma is quite large. Titleist is closer to Callaway, an incremental difference.
Best,
Matt
Thanks. Appreciate the response and info!
I have 747V with Modus3 120. What said above is precisely correct. I love the look and the feel. When hitting low compression balls well, it feels like hitting a soft bun.
One part I wanna add is the consistent distance. I can totally depend on these irons. I am 11 – 12 hcp but it suits my game well.
Hi Matt,
I ‘ve been playing the 727V for 3 years in a NP Modus 3 120; love these set of irons!!! Sometimes I just have some difficulty with the 4 iron.
Two questions:
1) Any real difference with the 747V model? Big improvement? Would I notice it?
2) Would you advice putting a graphite shaft (Vizard) to improve MOI and launch it higher? I’m addition to a graphite shaft, would you put a 747P head? …or keep the steel shaft and just order P model for the 4 iron? Appreciate your reply! My email: robertobaba@icloud.com
Robert,
I haven’t hit the 727, so I can’t speak to improvement from model to model.
To your second question, I would work with a fitter to find the right combination of shaft and head. Putting graphite into an iron is no guarantee of higher launch or anything else.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
Thanks, great review. I am Playing with Callaway X forged 2018 irons and Project X Rifle 5.5 shafts.
I would like to play these Honma irons with Nippon Modus 105 Regular shafts,
The Callaway face is bigger in comparison with the traditional forged iron and this I like so much, How you see that vs these Honma irons?
What do you think about this change?
Thanks,
EM
EM,
Have you hit the Honma irons vs. your Callaways? I would suggest you do so, ideally with a fitter, to find out what performs better.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
I’m torn between getting a Callaway Apex and 747V. I want my ball to have high trajectory and distance. Which do you prefer I get between the two. I’m a 6 handicapper.
Thanks!
Martin
Martin,
My preference is for the Apex.
Best,
Matt
Hello Matt,
Have you reviewed the tw 747 x iron yet? After TXG glowing review I am very interested in yours and namely if the big sole interacts favorably in the turf.
Thank you! Really enjoy your stuff
Bob,
No, but we will add this to our list.
Thanks,
Matt
I bought this set based on this review. I did so off ebay and paid 449 where I see they are still available along with a return guarentee.
In doing so, hit my first 77 on a tougher course. Thanks Matt! Beautiful buttery player irons with forgiveness! Paired them with the modus 120’s that have great feedback and recoil, unlike the modus 105 for me. The standard grip also feels great. I am still interested in a review of the 747 x iron, which I would consider for my 4,5, and 6 iron for some extra ease and power, if not too much too ask.
Thank you Again Matt!!
Bob
Bob,
That’s great to hear!
-Matt
Thank you for all the reviews. I have been looking for a new rangefinder for quite a while now. But couldn’t make up my mind on what should I buy. I love the post because it says what to look for when buying a rangefinder rather than saying random brand names. Now, this kind of post is really helpful. Thank you so much for writing this post.
Hello, I was wondering how this club would compare to the Titleist 718 CB and Ap2 range.
Thank you Matt!!
Billy,
I have full reviews of the 718 line here: https://pluggedingolf.com/?s=titleist+718
-Matt
This is a great iron set which flew way under the radar. I bent the lofts of the PW and 9 i to 44 and 40, respectively. Yes, the same as the Titleist 100S and now I have a set of irons without the inconsistent distances of all those hollow/thin faces irons that I have had the past 3 years. Now, with a set of irons with better carbon steel and feel than the new Titleist and all the same lofts, they perform wonderfully for 1/2 the costs of Titleist 100S. Remember, these Honmas came out in 2019. I just acquired a great used set for $450.