Yonex Golf has become best known for making good value entry level improvement irons like the fabulous Nanospeed 3I set I reviewed last year. However the Ezone SD Irons cater to a broader mid-handicap audience that require more than just entry level technology.

I've always been a huge advocate of Yonex and what they stand for in golf. If ever asked to recommend a cheap, easy to hit iron I will inevitably mention Yonex. This is why I'm struggling to uncover Yonex's departure from tradition as they look to target the upmarket golfer.

The Ezone SD Irons look great and immediately you can see that Yonex have invested in some additional improvement technology in an attempt to justify a club which almost directly competes with the likes of Callaway. At address the Ezone SD Irons have a much thinner top line, compared to other improvement irons, and the club head is more compact providing a better feel and styling.

Like many of the market leaders Yonex has incorporated a double undercut cavity into the precision cast stainless steel club head. This makes for a well-balanced and easy to hit set of irons which have a vastly forgiving sweet spot. The undercuts allow for the centre of gravity to be placed behind the ball at all times for a better trajectory and added stability through contact.

A customised graphite insert runs throughout the set and is positioned towards the heel in the longer irons and further toward the toe in the wedges. This tailored approach helps aspiring golfers reduce slicing and mis-hits when they need the distance.

The thinner sole construction of the Yonex Ezone SD Irons further reduces friction and promotes consistent ball striking and spin control. This means that these irons do produce a degree of control as well as providing ultimate forgiveness, making them suitable for true mid handicap golfers as well as beginners.

Yonex has paired this superb club head with one of their own quality manufactured shafts, produced specifically for the Ezone SD Irons. This quality combination promotes great striking and consistent scoring. Along with a high, easy to hit, trajectory, Yonex seem to be onto a winner here.

The Ezone SD Irons are a great set for any mid-high handicap golfer but I really struggle to see the value in these clubs. At £699 for the steal shafts, £799 for the graphite, the Ezone Irons are as expensive as any equivalent Callaway or TaylorMade set in the same category. Also you only get 4-SW meaning you will probably need to purchase a hybrid club to fill the distance gap.

I feel Yonex have slightly lost their way with the Ezone SD Irons, and by trying to compete on price with the big boys in the improvement iron market have shot themselves in the foot. If you are looking to buy an expensive technology packed set of irons I would look to the second hand market or a more established brand. Otherwise I would stick to the cheap and cheerful set of entry level irons that Yonex are best known for.

What the web says:

"I like the simplicity that these clubs offer, with great performance off all areas of the face. The ball is going to come off the face and fizz on a good line." - Golfmonthly.co.uk

"The proven power flow weight system adjusts the position of the visible weight within each iron to promote quality of strike and the new sole construction reduces friction with the ground to ensure smooth acceleration through the ball for longer and straighter shots." - Onlinegolf.co.uk

Price Comparison

	Yonex Golf Ezone Forged Pb Irons 4pw Steel (Online Golf)	£999.99
	Yonex Golf Ezone Composite Irons 5sw Graphite (Online Golf)	£999.99
+ 3 others available from Online Golf ↓
	Yonex Golf Ezone Sd Irons 5sw Graphite (Online Golf)	£699.99
	Yonex Golf Ezone Sd Irons 4sw Steel (Online Golf)	£699.99