Sub 70 699 Pro Irons
Creating an iron with a player’s head shape and size while implementing the distance and forgiveness characteristics of a game improvement iron has been a popular path for club manufacturers over the past decade. Sub 70 Golf’s response is the new 699 Pro iron. Modeled from its sleek GI cousin, the 699 iron, the Sub 70 699 Pro irons utilize the same technologies but in a slightly more player friendly and compact package.
The Looks
The Sub 70 699 Pro is available to order in both a black and satin chrome finish. Like the majority of black finishes on irons, it will wear over time, but if you’re a good ball striker that dime spot on the face is a sick badge of honor. In terms of looking like a player’s iron, the topline is a touch thicker and there is some offset, but it blends nicely and isn’t anywhere near extreme. Just take a look at the picture above.
The head length is slightly shorter heel to toe than the standard 699. Overall, the 699 Pro doesn’t exactly look like a baby blade behind the ball but it still sets up nicely for the player that doesn’t want to look down at a GI iron.
How Does it Feel?
By utilizing a lot of the same technology and design, the Sub 70 699 Pro is very similar to the original 699. The 699 Pro uses the same thin 455 Carpenter Steel face that is intended to provide “maximum compression and face flex” regardless where you make contact. Additionally, the 699 Pro is also a hollow head that utilizes an injected material called TPE to control both the spring in the face as well as the sound. If you’re wondering what that screw on the toe is for, that’s where said TPE gets injected.
As I said, the 699 Pro’s feel is very close to the standard 699. So much so, I’m just lifting the next part of this section from that review. In terms of feel, the TPE stabilizes the face so you still get a firm, solid feedback in your hands and a great feel of the ball exploding off the face, and mishits aren’t as punishing. If the TPE wasn’t there, it would likely feel squishy and just kind of “blah.” The overall feel is very sweet and smooth when you hit a good shot.
How Does it Sound?
Compared the 699, the Sub 70 699 Pro irons have a little bit of a tighter sound to them. Of course, maybe that’s just my ear looking for the difference, but I felt the 699 Pro had more of a snapping “smack” at impact whereas the regular 699 was a “slap”. Also like the 699, Sub 70 utilized their TPE resin to control the acoustics. Not only would the face cave in without the resin (I assume), but it would also sound more metallic and empty.
While the sole of the 699 Pro isn’t ultra thin, there’s really nice turf interaction with it. Shots that take a thin divot make a nice crisp ripping sound through the turf, and when you need to really hit down on one and get that dollar bill pelt, there’s a tight “thump” to it.
On-Course Performance
The big selling point of the Sub 70 699 Pro irons is that they are supposed to have the forgiveness and distance of a game improvement iron, but looks and control much closer to a player’s iron. Following my testing and a couple of rounds with the 699 Pro, I’d say that’s a fairly accurate assessment. While any club can shape shots and adjust trajectory, GI irons tend to come stock with “straight and high” built into them. What’s nice with the 699 Pro is you can still get that long and towering shot easily, but you can also shape and flight the ball with ease as well. Of course, this can be somewhat manipulated with shaft choice.
Final Thoughts – Sub 70 699 Pro Irons
Look, the Sub 70 699 Pro does exactly as it says on the tin. It certainly flies far and is easy to launch with some controllable playability. Don’t get me wrong, you won’t mistake the 699 Pro for a butter knife of a blade, but the lines are clean and it doesn’t come off as a GI iron whatsoever aside from the forgiveness and some thickness in the topline. But damn, I just can’t stress enough how much these irons get up and go with ease. In my opinion, the 699 Pro would be a killer option for long irons in a mixed set of irons for the better player, or for the player that can get the ball around pretty well but is looking for more yardage.
Stock Sub 70 699 Pro Irons Specs
| Club # | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | PW | AW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loft º | 21.5º | 24º | 27º | 31º | 35º | 40º | 45º | 50º |
| Lie º | 61º | 61.5º | 62º | 62.5º | 63º | 63.5º | 64º | 64º |
I read your glowing review of the King Forged Tec, and it’s obvious you like these two (along with the regular 699). So, which out of those three would you prefer (an 8-10 handicap)?
Honestly, I’d say it’s a tossup between these and the Forged Tec. The regular 699 is probably a little more game improvement than the other two you’re comparing.
I’d say the toss up comes down to which you hit better, which is hard to say if you can’t hit them before ordering online (obviously). If you can test the Cobras somewhere, I’d say do that. Then Sub 70 has a pretty good “try before you buy” test option at a pretty reasonable fee if you hit them up.
The Forged Tec is currently in play with our “sister site” and I depend on a Sub 70 set for testing on our site, so I think it’s safe to say both are solid options, just depends on what you hit best and your wallet of course.
Thanks so much for the reply Bill. Your content is outstanding.
There are so many intriguing options out there for irons right now, I’ve pretty much gone into paralysis by analysis!
Hi…
My name is Ray and I live in Ireland ??
I seen your comments above on the Sub70 699 Pro iron reviews. I’d like to add a comment/opinion connected to you mentioning the Cobra forged tec irons.
I’ve recently bought the Cobra forged Tec irons. Fitted here in Ireland… KBS tour 80 Stiff flex,standard length, 2 degrees flat. Cost €1100. I play off a hcap of 5.4 on new WHS handicap system just introduced worldwide.
They are a beautiful looking iron but after a month of hitting them…approx 6 rounds played,….I’m not fully convinced. I’ve hit some excellent shots with them but they feel a bit too clicky/harsh for me…… Now it could be myself and I have also went for a iron striking lesson with our teaching club pro….not a club fitter.
I’m half thinking of selling them on and I am looking at the Sub70 brand….the 639CB forged or the 699 Pros….. As I’m in Ireland its not possible to get the Demo irons so I suppose I’m just making the connection with you to offer my opinion on my cobra King forged tec’s and to see if you happen to get to try both the cobras & the Sub70 699 pros then what is your opinion on both?? …. I’d have to order a full set of the 699 pros otherwise and take a chance on them.
Also that said I’m not dismissing the Cobras…..my swing after lessons is a work in progress so I may be jumping the gun…..but as I alluded to earlier just not sure bout the sound off the hit from them. I wouldn’t call it buttery for definite.
Anyway thats just my thoughts on them and if you can offer an opinion on them both compared I’d appreciate it.
If you don’t get to thats no problem.
Bill – Great piece, thanks for sharing. Question… From a technology perspective, how would you compare and contrast the 699 Pro to the TaylorMade 770? They seem to be targeting the same players, and even use a very similar foam injection technology. Is the technology a huge deal? Can a company like Sub70 hang with TM’s R&D, or is the technology basically commodity and they both are using the same and the only real difference is marketing? Thanks 🙂
This is a tough one to answer really. Let’s bring it back a bit and start with resin/foam injected irons. Off the top of my head, I can think of at least five popular clubs if you count Sub 70’s 699 and 699 Pro as separate clubs. (I didn’t think the TaylorMade 770 had foam injection, but i could be wrong. I don’t know much about the clubs.)
Given the amount of brand’s using the injection concept, I think it’s a case of they either do it well or they don’t. I don’t think it’s a case of marketing as I don’t really put much faith in anything other than how the club does in my hands. Having tested both Sub 70 699 clubs, they’re just as good as anyone else, if not better. I suppose it wouldn’t come down to the player’s personal preferences for which one they think is best.
Don’t know how helpful that is? I have no qualms about recommending this club.
I’ll preface this by saying I could be totally off base and the following is based on me gawking at pictures of each club online. Let’s call this more of a thought exercise instead of anything too substantial lol.
But speaking of brands sharing tech, these irons look awfully similar to the PXG 0211 irons. Both seem to be positioned as sleek/blade-esque GI irons at a very palatable price point. Both club heads seems similarly designed – each has a channel running through the back, both are filled with some sort of goop, and the lofts/lies are darn near identical. Both are praised by media outlets and users. I like that both companies also seem to place a premium on customer service, fitting (even if by phone consultation), and allow a trial period which is helpful.
Of course there are some differences. Despite the channel being present on both clubs, there seem to be some more subtle design/aesthetic differences. The Sub 70s have the goo-port where are the 0211’s do not. But the biggest difference is that the Sub 70s are currently available to purchase lol!
Or maybe I’m just spewing random nonsense after going cross eyed looking at too many sets of clubs! But I have to say, these smaller direct to consumer companies have sure gotten my attention. I missed a great sale on the PXGs, but I’m looking more and more into Sub 70.
Here’s what I’ll say to all of this and what I do know.
Pretty much every brand out right now has a “goop” iron. Here’s an example.
I’ve never hit the comparable PXG, but I have hit the Sub 70 iron and it’s really good. Maybe the PXG is, maybe it isn’t. I’ve really only heard the latter from people I actually know, but we’re all different. I can’t comment on what I think of it.
So let’s come back to customer service. I’ve witnessed/been made aware of more than a handful or terrible customer service issues with PXG. Sub 70 on the other hand, I’ve never so much as seen an issue claiming their concern wasn’t properly and quickly addressed. I know these guys personally at this point and the lengths they go to for their customer service would be considered well past above and beyond by most people.
So if you asked me personally, I’m going Sub 70 13 out of 10 times in that contest. And I’m not saying that for any other reason than I believe it. Maybe that take’s helpful, maybe it isn’t? Just saying…they’re pretty good clubs. Oh, and that’s even WITH the PXG being on sale!
Thanks for the reply, Bill!
I guess I haven’t done enough digging into PXG’s customer service, but customer is important to me. Big points to Sub 70 for sure!
I also must have glossed over negative reviews and/or chalked them up to haters. That company seems to have a bunch (deserved or undeserved, idk!). And I haven’t had any real world experiences with PXG customers or clubs myself.
At any rate, “goop irons” might just be my favorite term in golf and keep up the good work with the site! I enjoy reading and the reviewers here helped steer me into a Project X HZRDUS Smoke driver shaft and Hi-Rev 2.0 wedge shaft – both of which I’m enjoying! With the world breaking and me being a little apprehensive to get out and test products for myself at the moment, being able to glean information and entertainment from this site is much appreciated.
Thanks, Tim. I really appreciate it. We’ll try and keep you coming back. I’ll have to try and work “goop irons” into some content now.
Have had sub70699 pro, 1week ,really like the look of flight and distance!! The 3,4,hybrid sounds different from other ones,,but they take off great!!, the guys I play with said I need to look for other groups! Not really!lol.!already had one round under par! Thank you!!
Hi Bill, great review. I would be really interested to know how you the standard 699 and the 699 Pro compared for forgiveness and distance. I’d assume the Pro is slightly less forgiving and not quite as long?
Cheers mate
They’re both pretty forgiving and plenty long. Neither of them jumped out at me as significantly longer than the other. As far as forgiveness, the 699 will be more forgiving in general, but mostly for the player trying to keep it away from the right side of the course. The 699 Pro has a lot of similar forgiveness, but a little more of a “player friendly” look behind the ball and will allow for more workability.
Thanks bill that’s exactly what i was looking for. Keep up the great work and Happy New Year.