Sub 70 TAIII v2 Irons

Building on the success of Sub 70’s original TAIII irons, which earned praise from skilled amateurs and even Tour players, the brand teamed up again with Tommy Armour III to create the next evolution in performance – the TAIII v2 irons. The updated Sub 70 TAIII v2 irons offer both cavity back (CB) and muscle back (MB) options, with thoughtful refinements designed to enhance playability and feel. Forged from DT-4 carbon steel, the TAIII v2 irons offer exceptional softness and a premium feel, making them a compelling choice for advanced ball strikers.

The Looks

Pictured above is the TAIII v2 CB 6 iron on the left and MB 8 iron on the right. From address, both the Sub 70 TAIII v2 CB and MB present a classic player’s blade profile. They’re not overly sharp or tiny, but they do offer a compact shape with relatively thin top lines. If you look closely, you might notice a slight amount of offset — it’s subtle, but the specs confirm what your eyes are telling you. For those of us who have an appreciation for classic golf clubs, these designs may evoke memories of classic blades. Let me be clear, the TAIII v2 by no means looks closed or unappealing from address. This just makes it a touch easier to square the face at impact.

True to Sub 70’s signature style, both irons feature modern geometric lines and mill marks. The muscle “pads” sport a distinctive swirl pattern, while the rest of the blade displays horizontal milling marks that run the length of the head. The soles also feature finely milled lines, adding an extra level of detail. While the CB and MB share visual similarities, the CB has a perimeter “frame” around the back of the club. Additionally, the 3 through 5 irons in the CB set feature weight “screws” embedded in the muscle pad to help with performance and feel.

How Does it Feel?

Sub 70 has used DT-4 carbon steel in their forged blades for several generations, including the new TAIII v2 irons. Having played this material in the original TAIIIs, my 659 combo set, and now the v2s, I can confidently say you’ll be hard-pressed to find a softer carbon steel in a golf club. The TAIII v2 irons deliver exceptional softness while providing clear, direct feedback. The feel on a well-struck shot is clean and pure. I don’t throw the term “buttery” around loosely, but it’s worth considering here. I might even go so far as to say the feeling is softer than buttery. It’s creamy. You’ll certainly feel a mishit and know exactly where you struck the ball. However, the sweet spots are larger, thanks to the added perimeter weighting in the CB and the MB’s added weights on the extreme toe, which extend the sweet spot a bit further.

Another notable change in the TAIII v2 irons is the sole. Listen, the original TAIII was one of the crispiest forged blades you’ll ever hit, but those soles were old school narrow! You really needed to be clean at impact with those bad boys. The TAIII v2, however, features slightly wider soles with a touch of relief on the leading edge. The result is smoother turf interaction that’s less prone to digging. You’re able to “bump” or slide the sole through the turf more easily, providing a cleaner feel across a wider range of shots.

How Does it Sound?

I’d classify the sound of the Sub 70 TAIII v2 as a textbook forged blade, though it’s a bit more muted. I’d attribute this to the softer DT-4 steel. I would also assume the more generous sweet spots are a factor in this as well. A well-struck shot produces a mix of a soft “clip” and a mild “tick.” Mishits vary from a “slappy” to “rocky” sound, depending on where you miss on the face. So as usual, just be a good ball striker and avoid those! No problem.

Regarding turf interaction, the wider sole creates a slightly cleaner tone through the grass. Heavier shots produce a subtle “thump,” while crisp, clean strikes yield a pleasant “whish.”

On-Course Performance

The Sub 70 TAIII v2 irons are every bit the “player’s” iron, prioritizing workability and feel. However, the larger sweet spots and slightly wider soles make them more forgiving than you’d expect from a blade of this caliber. The subtle offset also helps square the face at impact, adding a touch of help to keep your shot straight. With a little more mass in the muscle of the club, the center of gravity is a little lower, making it easier to get the ball airborne. While you can still hit piercing, controlled shots, it’s not a struggle to elevate the ball. Overall, I found an excellent balance of control and playability, with just enough forgiveness to make the irons more user-friendly without sacrificing performance. The forgiveness is more of a convenience built into a player’s iron than it is a “dependence”, if that makes any sense.

It’s also worth noting that lofts and lies match up perfectly between the CB and MB irons. This allows for any combination of a mixed set you might need for your game. In my case, I went 4-6 in CB, and 7-PW in MB.

If you’re interested in more of a comparison between the original TAIII irons and this new version, fear not. I wanted to keep this section focused on the v2’s performance, but I threw together a quick comparison section after the review.

Final Thoughts – Sub 70 TAIII v2 Irons

The Sub 70 TAIII v2 irons refine the original design, offering a great mix of performance and forgiveness. Crafted from DT-4 carbon steel, they deliver exceptional softness and precise feedback. While built for control and workability, the v2s feature key updates like larger sweet spots, a slightly wider sole, and a lower center of gravity, making them more forgiving than expected from a blade. The result is a set of irons that allows for precise shot-making with easier launch, providing advanced players with control while still offering some added playability. Whether you’re seeking a more approachable player’s iron or simply want extra confidence in your shot-making, the TAIII v2 delivers on both fronts.

Sub 70 Irons Comparison

If you’re wondering whether the new TAIII v2 is worth upgrading from the original TAIII or another set of Sub 70 irons, it depends on your preferences and playing style. The CB is a great addition offering more forgiveness on the longer end of the set. Though the originals had a little extra forgiveness built into the long irons, you still had to be quite the stick to hit them. If you didn’t have a problem with the original long irons, you can still opt for a full set of MBs in the v2. The new version offers friendlier soles and larger sweet spots, making them slightly more forgiving. Whether that’s enough to justify an upgrade is up to you. I personally prefer the overall feel of the TAIII v2.

If you’re familiar with the Sub 70 659 irons, specifically the TC, I feel the TAIII v2 CBs fall somewhere between the 659 TC and the original TAIII. The TAIII v2 MBs, on the other hand, are more closely aligned with the 659 MBs than the original TAIII in my opinion. Particularly due to their sole design. While they’re not identical, the similarities are notable. However, with the new sole and added toe weight, the TAIII v2 MBs are more forgiving than their predecessors, which is an important consideration.

If you’re one of the rare Sub 70 649 MB Tour players, this comparison is pretty “apples to oranges”. The 649 is about as “bladey” as it gets with thin soles, no offset, and built to almost take the left side of the course out of play. If you bit off more than you can chew with the 649, definitely take a look at the TAIII v2 irons. Like I’ve said, it’s a more user-friendly blade for the better ball striker.

Stock Sub 70 TAIII v2 Irons Specs

CB:

MB: