How do Haywood’s custom forged CB & MB irons stack up? | Proving Ground
The Haywood forged CB and MB irons come in either full sets, or can be built as a combo set
Ryan Barath/GOLF
Welcome to GOLF.com’s ClubTest Proving Ground, where Managing Equipment Editor Jonathan Wall and Senior Equipment Editor Ryan Barath put the latest designs and groundbreaking technology in the equipment space to the test on the range and the course.
Haywood Golf launched in 2018 out as a small direct-to-consumer wedge company; its founder, Josh Haywood, saw a void in the golf landscape for quality new and custom wedges for golfers looking to get the most out of their golfing budgets. Today, Haywood has expanded its suite of offerings to include wedges, irons, putters and newly-launched woods .
Haywood CB/MB Combo Irons
$799
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Tools: Haywood irons are built to order. My particular test set was built to my specs of standard length and loft, but at 3 degrees flat to match up with my traditional build requirements. Also since I was keen on testing both the CB (cavity back) and MB (muscle back blade) models, I got a combo set that went 4-7 in the CB and and 8-PW in the MB.
This was not a special request fulfilled just for me. Any consumers can get this exact combo set from Haywood, or you can choose a couple of other options to mix and match a blended set to your liking. Because Haywood is a direct-to-consumer brand, lie and loft adjustments will cost you a few extra bucks. But at only $20 for the full set, the rate still beats the traditional $5 a club most golf shops charge.
The Test: To find out how the Haywood forged CB and MB combo set stands out from other direct-to-consumer brands in the market.
Haywood forged CB and MB design notes
For its forged CB and MB irons, Haywood says it, “created the sets with a harmonious look, ensuring that despite merging two different club heads, the combo sets look and feel balanced and compatible. Each set offers Haywood’s trademark simplicity and timelessness, with subtly-milled detailing, and clean lines.”
The irons are forged from 1020 carbon steel and then 100% milled to final spec to create some of the tightest weight tolerances in the industry.
Forged blades and cavity backs generally stick to the basics, but both the CB and MB irons offer the look of a slightly longer heel-to-toe length than you would find in other similar style sets. This look is created by a more rounded toe and shallower blade length, which helps add forgiveness without making these one-piece forged irons oversized.
This blade shape is confidence-inspiring and matches well with the thinner — but not too thin — topline.
Results: Although the golf world has been flooded with DTC brands looking to cash in on new golfers looking for equipment, Haywood Golf has been dedicated to slowly building its lineup and the results speak for themselves.
The finish work on the irons is top-notch, and they perform just as good as they look, especially with the inclusion of custom ferrules. For players who might tend to struggle with generating enough spin with their irons or want some extra workability, the forged CB and MB irons from Haywood offered a few extra hundred RPM through the set, which led to more stopping power in the long irons.
Conclusion: If you’re a golfer who has been looking to build your own combo iron set but has been worried about mixing and matching clubs within a brand that doesn’t quite flow from club to club, the purposely designed Haywood CB and MB irons could be the perfect set build just for you.
Want to overhaul your bag and find your own perfect fit? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.
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