50 Words or Less
The Tour Edge HL4 Iron-Wood is super easy to hit. High launching and long.
Introduction
I love it when an OEM goes all-in. Whether it’s the most demanding blade or a crazy spaceship-like putter, I love clubs that are clearly built for a particular reason. This is why I love the Tour Edge HL4 Iron-Wood. Tour Edge is so far in on forgiveness, they put it right in the name: it’s not just an iron, it’s an Iron-Wood. They set out to make a club that can make the game easier and more fun, and they succeeded.
Looks
The Tour Edge HL4 Iron-Wood is a big, meaty club designed to promote confidence. Looking down at address, you’ll see a very thick top line and a “Rear Inverted Crown” sloping down behind it. Tour Edge was clever in their color choice because the large black section becomes largely invisible when you’re playing (see the pictures above versus below).
The Iron-Wood does have a fair amount of offset, but it’s less than I expected. Its large face and massive sole made me feel like I couldn’t miss. The only thing I didn’t like is that this club really wants to sit shut at address. I had to be aware of holding the face square before taking my grip.
In the bag, the Iron-Wood has the appearance of a hybrid. The sole is tastefully branded, and Tour Edge even includes a woven headcover to keep it free from bag chatter.
Sound & Feel
At impact, the HL4 Iron-Wood is more iron than wood or hybrid, but it is a blend. The sound of contact is quiet and mid-pitch, a small “click.” It sounds fast but not explosive.
The one predictable downside to a club this forgiving is that it’s hard to feel mishits. If you put one way on the toe or heel, you’ll know, but small misses are covered up. There’s almost no change in impact sound regardless of strike quality.
Performance
The Tour Edge HL4 Iron-Wood is more forgiving than the grandmother you see twice a year. It barely matters what kind of swing you make: the ball is going to get airborne and it’s going a long way.
At the heart of the Iron-Wood’s performance is the wide, heavy sole. One advantage of the wide sole is that it doesn’t want to dig. Yes, you can still hit a fat shot, but unless you swing it like an ax, the sole wants to work out of the turf. Putting so much weight low also makes this club very high launching. I’ve never hit a club that sends the ball this far and makes the ball land so softly.
My only word of warning is that this club does prefer going left. For a lot of players, that’s a huge benefit – it will fight their slice. For the hooker, this club is still very playable, but you do need to be aware of the possibility of the big left.
With the entire HL4 line, Tour Edge is making custom fitting (length, shaft flex, grip size) available at an affordable price. The HL4 line also offers unprecedented flexibility in creating an iron set. Tour Edge offers the HL4 hybrid from 3I-6I, an entire set of Iron-Woods all the way from 3I to lob wedge, and a standard iron set. However you put your set together, it will making the game easier.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking to put together an entire easy-to-hit set, doing a combo set, or just replacing a rarely-used long iron, the Tour Edge HL4 is a great choice. It’s incredibly easy to hit and at just $79, it won’t break the bank.
Tour Edge HL4 Iron-Wood Price & Specs
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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Sounds like a easy driving iron to hit… If you’re other clubs have little offset, and this one has more. Would you tend to pull it more because of the offset.
Robin,
That’s a possibility. It depends how the given player reacts to offset and the club’s weight and shaft.
Best,
Matt
I’ve really been wanting to try one of these iron-woods. The price is reasonable and the custom fit process makes it very attractive.
I played the geneation before these. The HL3. These are very similar except the back of the club on the HL3 was rounded instead of concave. They are very good clubs and like he said, very forgiving. I bought a full set and found them very easy to use. I wanted forgiveness as I was coming back to the game after years away. I have since moved to a more traditional iron set, Callaway Apex, but still game a Tour Edge putter. These are solid clubs at a great price. Highly recommended.
These clubs work well off of bare lies. I mix the 5 and 6 with my mizuno jpx 900’s during the summer when we have grass and play the full set during the winter months
I am a big fan of the HL3/4 line. Out of frustration with my hybrids I gave the HL3 #3 ironwood a try last year and it has saved my game. Since then I added the demo HL4 #6 and plan to also get the #5.
Bought one to fill a gap in my bag and couldn’t be happier! Easy to hit, flies straight and goes the distance I was looking for, and .. all at a really great price! Great long iron replacement or for those who don’t like hybrids. Oh, and, the stock Mamiya shaft .. at least for me, a regular recreational hacker .. works well, too.
#SecretGiveaway4
I purchased the whole set. My first round I had 4 birdies on the back 9.. Don’t make such a big deal of offset. I carry a 4 handicap and the offset never makes me pull the ball left. If you want to go low? Put your ego away and play a CLUB THAT WILL LOWER YOUR SCORES AND BRING MORE FUN TO THE GAME!!
Hi Matt, currently a 16 handicap and thinking of the Tour Edge HL4 2 18 Degree Iron Wood or the Ping G700/710 in a 4 Iron Power Spec 18.5 Degree to fill a hole in my bag mainly to be used of the tee in tight fairways. Having reviewed them both, would you have any recommendations?
Lee,
I haven’t hit the new G710 yet (they’re on their way). Between the G700 and the HL4 Iron-Wood, I would ask you how much do you want something that looks more like an iron. If you want the bigger head, the HL4 is great. If you really want an iron, you need to go with the G700. The other element in this is that the HL4, especially with its graphite shaft, is much easier to get airborne.
Best,
Matt
Thanks for the update and comparison on the G700 and HL4. I’m a 14 handicap and have no problem launching irons/hybrid and if anything launch them too high. Ideally just looking for a driving iron off the tee and at the moment is a choice of the G700 4 iron in power spec 18.5 degree, Ping G410 Crossover 2 iron 17 degree or the HL4 in 2 iron wood 18 degree. Just trying to getting opinions of what you think is better really?
Lee,
There’s no objective “better,” it’s really just a matter of what works best for you. All three options are high quality and will work well if they’re fit correctly.
-Matt
For someone that is struggling with traditional irons (shanking constantly), would these be an alternative? I love hitting my callaway XR 3 hybrid
Wade,
Because of the offset in these clubs, I’m not sure they’d be the best quick fix for a case of the laterals.
Best,
Matt
How does the HL4 compare to the Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo irons ?
Jack,
I haven’t hit the HB Turbo irons, so I can’t offer a comparison.
Best,
Matt
Hi, I have tour edge Bazookas. Looking at getting the hl4s. My current irons are 3,4,5 hybrids and the rest irons. The iron hybrid set includes 2 iron woods (6 & 7). I’m not sure what those are or if I need them. I was also told I should steel shafts not graphite. Not sure why, wouldn’t graphite be better.
I play 2-3 times every 2 weeks and have been avg. 105 over my last 4 rounds. Any input would be much appreciated. Hope to purchase this week.
David,
I would suggest finding a Tour Edge fitter so you can test both the graphite and steel shafts.
Best,
Matt
When hitting the hl4 irons .do you need to open the face because of the offset
Ron,
I did not, I just understood that the shot pattern would be a bit further left than normal.
Best,
Matt
Thanks! I have it narrowed down to the Tour Edge HL4, Callaway Rogue X and the Taylor Made M6. All hybrid sets. What are your thoughts on all 3. Do you like one over the other. My swing speed is around 84.
Also I’ve noticed, most sets now have a a 4 & 5 hybrid but, no 3 hybrid. Why is that?
David,
I can only assume that OEMs are designing their sets to match the preferences of the majority of consumers.
We have reviews of all the irons and hybrids that you listed here on the site. Beyond that, I can only recommend that you get fit so that you find the set that works best for your swing.
-Matt
I got a 6 and 7 ironwood. The courses i usually play have elevated greens and my approach shots from 140 to 160 were usually short in the bunker or too hot slipping across the green and off the back. But, I cant hit these ironwood consistantly. I think I should hit them like an iron but at address they look like a hybrid and I sweep them and get nothing.
Peter,
That’s understandable, a lot of people have trouble trying to not “pick” a hybrid.
-Matt
Hi, went to get fit and hit some clubs at 2 places. Short story, keeping my irons but, purchased the M6 driver and will purchase a 3 wood. I was hitting well, 15 -20 more yards Question; I was getting a high launch angle. Even after lowering the ball. The driver had the atmos orange 5R. Would I be better off with the atmos black 6 Which is supposed to have a lower launch? Thoughts?
Thanks!
David,
If you were getting 15-20 more yards, why would you worry about the launch angle being too high?
-Matt
Thanks so much for your review! Got a great deal on these with a custom length. My length is usually +.5 because I’m a taller player. Previously, I was also playing a higher loft (+2) to get the ball airborne. Since these seem to do that more naturally and I was prob getting too much loft previously, I am hoping these will be a better fit and more forgiving. Really am interested to see the flight pattern since I had a terrible slice (still do with driver), but since taking a lesson, I am pulling irons to the left pretty consistently with a regular hook. Might be time for another lesson!
I’ve been hitting Ping G-15 Hybrids; 17, 20, and 23 degrees for years but I am now looking at more modern clubs. I carry no fairway woods.
The G-15’s look more like todays Tour Edge Iron Woods. I am comfortable with the large offset and look of the G-15’s. I’ve tried conventional hybrids but tend to have more mishits. Would the HL4 iron woods be as long and as foregiving as the G-15’s I currently use? The G-15’s are still very popular as evidenced by how hard it is to find used ones for sale. I’ve lost a few over the years because I often use them for chipping around the green. I currently use a 12 degree HL4 offset driver.
Your thoughts?
Michael,
I would offer my stock advice: try them, and some other options, in a fitting. See what can outperform you current clubs and go with that.
Best,
Matt
I have really tried to hit a fairway wood – 3 or 5 – and I have hybrids 4,5 and 6 but I hit the ball the best with Tour Edge hybrid irons. I have a full set – 2 thru 9 and a pitching wedge. I also have a driver and a putter in my bag. Thats all I need for a relaxing round of golf.