Tour Edge has long carved out a reputation as the "Pound for Pound" leader in golf, and its latest addition to the Hot Launch stable, the Max D Ironwood, seeks to solidify that status.
Designed specifically for those who struggle with traditional irons, this is a club that prioritizes launch, forgiveness, and slice correction above all else. So let's see how it stacks up against some of the best irons in the game…
Undoubtedly, the visual profile of the Max D is unorthodox.
As the name would suggest, it is more of an 'ironwood' than a true iron, sitting in that hybrid-esque space that often divides opinion. However, quite honestly, I don’t mind it. In fact, that’s a little harsh; I quite liked it.
The dark grey fill-in piece of the cavity is executed nicely, giving it a premium, tech-forward vibe, and while the extremely wide sole could be deemed a touch fussy, the overall 'in the bag' appearance has been executed fairly well.
Behind the ball, you would do well to find a profile that inspires more confidence.
The massive head size is further enhanced by the inclusion of full-face grooves, which make the hitting surface feel endless. This is something that I also loved on the Cleveland Halo XL irons.
Predictably, the offset throughout the set is fairly prevalent - designed to help those who fight a right miss - but I didn’t find it too jarring. The proportions of the head are so large that they seem to minimize the offset visually, allowing it to blend into the overall footprint of the club.
I gathered my data on my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, and in truth, I was surprised by the quality of the overall performance. If players can get past the unorthodox looks, this ironwood will tick an awful lot of boxes.
Firstly, the feel is tremendous. It offers a lively blend of iron and wood, which exudes masses of power at impact. It doesn't have the "clack" of some hollow-body irons; instead, it feels springy and playable.
Technically, the Max D utilizes a 450 Stainless Steel construction with a hollow-body design that pushes weight as low and deep as possible. This results in a launch that is incredibly easy to come by.
During testing, even thin strikes managed to get airborne with ease.
The wide sole proves hugely beneficial for a huge array of delivery types and turf conditions; whether you are steep and prone to "fat" shots or play on soft, lush fairways, the sole resists digging and keeps the club moving through impact.
As I mentioned, one of the standout features is the full-face grooves.
It really makes me wonder: when will we see a world where all iron faces are full-face grooves? What sense is there in stopping them before the edges when we know high-handicap players can strike almost anywhere on the face!
On the Max D, this ensures that toe or heel strikes retain more spin and control than they would on a traditional iron.
As is so often the case with Tour Edge, the value is a major plus point. With a 4-PW set starting from $699.99/£526.00, it undercuts the major manufacturers significantly while offering genuine performance-enhancing technology.
I am already eyeing up a set for both of my parents, who I am certain would benefit based on their dwindling swing speeds. If you are a slower swinger who struggles to achieve the height you desire or occasionally struggles with heavy contact, these could be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
