50 Words or Less
The Tour Edge Exotics EXS Ti-Utility Iron has stellar looks and even better performance. Enormous ball speed. Strong feedback. An elite long iron replacement.
Introduction
A few years ago, driving irons and utility irons were a novelty. Now, they’re a mainstay in the line up of every OEM. The question now is, which OEM can make the best one? Tour Edge Exotics throws their hat in the ring with their new EXS Ti-Utility Iron. I tested it to see how it stacks up against the competition.
Check out the new Tour Edge Exotics C722 Ti-Utility Iron HERE
Looks
In the bag, the Tour Edge Exotics EXS Ti-Utility Iron is a beauty. The hollow head design gives it the look of a blade, and the near-absence of color makes it look timeless.
At address, this club is just as appealing. It’s short from heel to toe with a muscular, medium-thick top line. The offset is minimal and well-camouflaged by the contrast between the matte face and chrome heel and toe.
Sound & Feel
Not long ago, I stated that the Tour Edge Exotic EXS Pro driver [review HERE] had some of the starkest feedback I could remember. The EXS Ti-Utility Iron isn’t too far behind.
On center, the EXS Ti-Utility is like a sniper rifle – whisper quiet with an extremely fast feel off the face. When you miss the center, however, it’s a totally different story. Toe, heel, or low face shots feel heavy and have a louder impact sound that lets you know that you need to do better.
Performance
There’s only one place that this can start: ball speed. The Tour Edge Exotics EXS Ti-Utility Iron has ball speed to burn. Thanks to the Beta Titanium L-Cup Face and Combo Brazing technology, this utility iron is at the very top of the class for ball speed. There are a few utility irons that might be in the same conversation, but the Ti-Utility will embarrass most.
What’s even better is that you don’t need to hit every shot perfectly to benefit from this speed. Of course pured shots go farthest, but small misses on the heel or toe will land within a few yards of your best swings.
With all this extra ball speed, low-launching players like myself should consider taking a little more loft. The EXS Ti-Utility Iron can hit a variety of trajectories, but its default is a mid-low launch. Its smaller size also keeps it from feeling bulky in the swing which made it more workable for me.
One less noticeable thing that Tour Edge Exotics really nailed is the shape of the leading edge and sole. Both are very soft and rounded which keep them from digging into the turf. Not that any Plugged In Golf readers would ever over-swing, but I’ve heard that some golfers do, and this club is shaped to keep that chunky miss from being too penal.
Like all new Tour Edge Exotics clubs, the EXS Ti-Utility Iron comes with multiple SpeedTested shaft options. For players that prefer a lower launch, there’s the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black at 80 grams in regular, stiff, and X-flex. I need a little more height in my long irons so I opted for the mid-launch Mitsubishi Tensei Silver which is offered a 65-R, 70-S, and 75-X.
Conclusion
The Tour Edge Exotics EXS Ti-Utility Iron is, without a doubt, one of the most impressive utility irons that I’ve tested in the last couple years. It has incredible ball speed and the forgiveness is very solid. Combine that with great looks and and workability and it’s a dream for the player looking to bag something more versatile than a traditional long iron.
Tour Edge Exotics EXS Ti-Utility Iron Price & Specs
Matt Saternus
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What type of player might want to use a utility iron? I’ve always loved Tour Edge’s products. The recent offerings are also aesthetically appealing.
Louis,
Utility irons are geared toward players who want to replace their long irons (for more forgiveness, better gapping, higher launch, etc) but don’t want hybrids or fairway woods.
Best,
Matt
How do you rate the following on A) ball speed and B) forgiveness?
Cobra
Srixon
Tour Edge
Brandon,
I haven’t hit the newest Srixon. The Tour Edge is clearly faster than the Cobra. Both are consistent.
-Matt
I have the CBX iron wood in 19 degree. It’s a cannon. If you have hit the CBX, how would you say this compares?
I haven’t hit the CBX Iron-Wood.
Best,
Matt
Interesting review, Matt – thanks. I am a Hybrid user…..as it suits my “sweeper or picker” impact tendency, but the bloom is starting to fall off the rose with my combo of PING and Sub-70 hybrids. Again, archer, not the arrow, but this Utlity iron has me intrigued. Is it safe to say the Tour Edge ute compares favorably to the New Level 4995 you reviewed quite favorably last summer? Thx. Steve
Steve,
The New Level is still in the bag at the moment, but the Tour Edge impressed me enough that it’s going to get every chance to earn that spot.
Best,
Matt
How would you compare the spin rate, sound tone, and forgiveness vs a comparable G410 Crossover?
I have a full review of the G410 Crossover here: https://pluggedingolf.com/ping-g410-crossover-review/
-Matt
Matt,
Does this tour edge offering pair well with the Ping Blueprint irons? How does this utility iron compare to the Mizuno MP 20 HMB? Are the two clubs looking to achieve the same objective or is the Tour Edge more driving Iron, and the HMB more players distance iron?
Rudy,
I would have no problem playing the Ti-Utility with my Blueprints.
To me, the HMB isn’t really a utility iron, it’s just an extension of the MP-20 line. The Ti-Utility is much more forgiving and much longer.
-Matt
Hi Matt New to this site and have noticed your a fan of Tour Edge Exotics just wondering have you tested any of there irons. In the market for irons and have checked all your review pages on irons no sign. Thanx Kevin..
Kevin,
To date, we have not reviewed any Tour Edge irons.
Best,
Matt
I finally got to demo some Tour Edge clubs, and you were Spot On in this review! I don’t get along with wood type hybrids. My long iron game is the one area where I excel, relative to the average low-mid/mid-low Hdcp Players. I don’t know why, but it could be a result of my using Faultless Lee Trevino Blades, throughout the first half of my Junior career (age 12-15). I had to hone in my long iron ball striking, or suffer the extremely painful consequences! I’d compare a moderately bad 2 cm toe side miss, to the equivalence of when Jerry puts Toms head inside a big bell, then strikes the bell with a super hard 🔨 🛎
💥💢thwatch💢💥!!! And poor Tom comes out vibrating at an extremely painful frequency. So that’s probably why I hit my 2, 3, & 4i so well. Anyway I got to hit the 17° and 22° EXS Utility Irons, and they were easily the best utility/driving iron that I’ve ever hit, and it’s not even close. I switch between Mph5’s and Mp25 at 2-5i, and they don’t come close to the addictive feel & performance of the Tour Edge UI! I’m seriously considering the EXS 2, 3, & 4. Hopefully Tour Edge has a good 5-Pw iron set to combo it with! But I’m not above having multiple OEM’s represented in my bag. While I do like and prefer fluidity, however for myself, Performance trumps all else!
Great Review!
Hey Matt,
What are your thoughts on this for someone who is looking to transition to utilities from hybrids?
Have been playing a lower loft Apex, but I generally have no issue getting height and spin. Looking for something that might give me a lower flight for shots into the wind, or knockouts from under trees, but that I can still hit out of short (usually firm) rough on short par 5s (if I somehow miss the fairway).
Could this do the trick? (Unfortunately the stores here don’t stock tour edge for fittings, but I’ve got along with their 3 woods)
Ned,
For distance and ball speed, this is one of the best utility irons out there. If that’s what you’re looking for, it’s great.
-Matt