First Look – (3) Tour Edge HL4 Iron Models

Rounding out the HL4 line from Tour Edge are three sets of irons, though, with a pre-packaged combo set and the previously announced iron-wood, it’s three distinct options, one of which is entirely new.

Semantics, but whatever.

If this is your first-time hearing about HL4, it’s a line of equipment designed explicitly for the value-conscious, mid-high handicap golfer who has no interest in $1500+ iron sets but sees merit in a basic, efficient custom fitting experience. No doubt the term custom gets tossed around with less definition than premium, but Tour Edge believes by providing golfers with the correct length, shaft flex, lie angle, and grip size (and 48-hour turnaround time), it’s a considerable step in the right direction. This is particularly true given that the target demographic likely isn’t interested in hearing about frequency-matching, exotic shafts, or the purported benefits of spine alignment.

With that, Tour Edge believes its HL4 line of equipment offers an unparalleled value for what’s arguably the most under-served segment of the golfing population, a group which is quickly becoming a focal point for any number of OEMs.

HL4 IRONS

The HL4 Irons are cast from 431 stainless steel and are a traditional-looking, maximum game-improvement club engineered around the typical needs of the intended audience.

An expanded undercut cavity and wider sole serve to move weight away from the face and low in the clubhead to boost forgiveness (heel-toe MOI) and increase the initial launch angle. Because the HL4 irons are using Tour Edge parlance, power-lofted (see: loft-jacked) some design tweaks are necessary to maintain a playable loft/spin configuration.

According to Tour Edge, a shallower face and deep CG location create “…a modern long-distance iron design that will provide extra distance and straighter shots with the same apex height expected from each iron.”  As always, we’ll see what shakes out once the HL4 irons hit the retail market.

Additionally, precise toe weighting helps to achieve face stability at impact while Variable Face Thickness works to retain more ball speed on off-center strikes.

The 7-piece (4 iron-PW) set will retail for $419.99 in steel and $489.99 in graphite. Both are available in right and left-handed models

The HL4 series features UST Mamiya graphite shafts with enhanced tip stability and is available in Ladies, A-flex, Regular, and Stiff. Weights for the graphite shafts range from 45 to 65 grams. For those preferring a steel option, the KBS Tour 90 is offered in regular and stiff flexes.

The stock Lamkin Z5 multi-compound grip is available in standard and midsize.

HL4 TRIPLE COMBO AND IRON-WOOD

Typically, when engendering a conversation around triple-combos, I’m trying to decide whether or not to add the bacon or supersize it. That said, the HL4 version is a pre-configured combo set with two HL4 hybrids (22° and 25°), two HL4 Iron-Woods (29° and 32°) and three HL4 Irons (35°, 40°, and 44°).

Effectively, it’s a 4-PW set with responsible loft-gapping, which leverages varied technologies for different purposes. Hybrids are easier to launch and generally more forgiving than long-iron counterparts and the 6 and 7 iron-woods offer similar performance benefits as compared to the standard HL4 mid-irons. Utilizing the standard HL4 iron in 8-PW gives golfers additional control and consistency in the scoring irons.

According to David Glod (Tour Edge founder), the HL4 Triple Combo “seamlessly combines hybrids, iron-woods, and irons so that you’re holding the perfectly designed club for every shot you encounter.”

From a cost standpoint, at $569.99 (steel) and $599.99 (graphite) the Triple Combo is also less expensive than purchasing each club ala carte.

As noted with the release of the HL4 hybrids and iron-woods, the later will be available in twelve discrete lofts of 18°, 20°, 23°, 26°, 29°, 32°, 36°, 40°, 44°, 49°, 54°, and 59°.

With that, golfers can choose any combination of seven clubs to complete a full HL4 Iron-Wood set which will retail for $529.99 (steel) and $599.99 (graphite). The entire set will be available in right and left-handed models.

As stated, the HL4 series features UST Mamiya graphite shafts with enhanced tip stability and is available in Ladies, A-flex, Regular and Stiff and ranges in weight from 45 to 65 grams. For those preferring a steel option, the KBS Tour 90 is offered in regular and stiff flexes.

All  Tour Edge HL4 products will be available beginning August 1st.

HL4 is a harbinger for several evolving topics, most notably the tactical strategies of several OEMs to address the pricing and equipment needs of the roughly 18-million Jake 3-Putts out there – the quintessential recreational golfer,  who largely isn’t going to drop a month’s paycheck on new golf equipment every year. It’s a storyline which, like the dynamics of a healthy golf marketplace, will continue to evolve.