As tested: 3-PW with stiff flex Apollo shafts and Tacki-Mac grips. Custom options available via MOIgolf.com
PROS: One of the softest, best feeling castings I've ever hit, excellent looks, pleasing price tag
CONS: Finishes wears very easily, grips lose tack rather quickly
OVERALL: A $500 set that plays to easily double that price. If you're looking for something to stand out with, give these guys a call.
From the blog:
For a company most well-known for producing long-drive competition equipment, MOI golf has cast a formidable contender into the ring of player's irons at a price that should have the big guys sitting up and taking notice.
Address:
Even though they are a player's iron in a muscleback configuration, the generous offset and medium thickness top line inspire confidence from the minute you set the club on the turf. As evidenced in the pictures, the sole is a little wider than my current 710MB set, making these a fairly forgiving set of irons. The other notable trait in this set is that they seem to play a shade lighter than anything else I've tried, making the initial takeaway very smooth, and I found my swing plane to be much more consistent when banging test shots between my own Titleist 7 iron and the MOI 7 iron.
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| Here you can see the compact head, excellent contrast, and propensity for wear. |
Feel:
I normally devote quite a bit of space to feel. I can do that here, but honestly, there isn't much need to read past the next sentence. These are, quite simply, the best feeling set of $500 irons I have ever hit. I had to re-confirm with Scott Chandler, President of MOI golf, that these were indeed cast and not forged out of a hard steel. While they aren't as buttery as a classic Mizuno, they rank right up there with classic cast irons like the Ping Eye 2 and the TaylorMade R7. Solid hits are rewarded with a muted feeling and incredible distance, and off-center hits are not punished nearly as harshly as they should be. Trust me, I had more than my share of mishits. Because I didn't want to skew this review too much, I asked both our club champion and the senior club champ to put these irons through their paces on the driving range. Separately, I was told they felt incredible, and when told the retail price, were shocked to learn that quality can still be had so cheap.
Finish:
The catch-22 on this iron set is the finish. When they arrive, they are nothing short of stunning. White grips, black Apollo shafts, black ferrules, black PVD finish on the clubheads. These clubs are meant to be shown off, and even the most equipment shy golfers will have trouble keeping these bad boys under wraps. That is, until you hit a few warm-up balls on the range. The finish instantly begins to wear, and my set suffered from significant finish wear from bag chatter after a session where I walked 9 holes. The good news is that I was able to touch them up somewhat with some Birchwood Casey Super Blue from out local outdoor store. Honestly, I'd be upset if these were $1000 irons wearing this way, but at $500, you cannot go wrong anyway they come.
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| Sole wear and comparison between MOI 7 iron and Titleist 710MB 7 iron. |
Overall:
Despite the minor drawbacks on the finish, it is highly encouraging for me to see a small niche company such as Scott's take off. The thing that impressed me the most is that irons are not his primary business, yet he (through MOI Golf) has found a way to create greatness at a price point that rivals the big box stores, and turns up the heat on some of your all-time favorites. If you're looking for something that feels fantastic, is unique, and can shoo your old Pings away, check out Scott and his company at http://www.moigolf.com. You'll be glad you did.
