Takomo 301 MB Irons Review

Takomo 301 MB Irons

Takomo Golf has quickly gained momentum in the “direct to consumer” market of golf clubs. Based out of Finland, Takomo has made a splash by making their way into the bags of OG Golf YouTube guys, the Bryan Bros. Let’s not forget Wesley Bryan is also a PGA Tour winner and currently putting these clubs into play out on the PGA and Korn Ferry Tours. The Takomo 301 MB irons are their player’s forged muscle back design featuring clean looks and and plenty of workability.

The Looks

The Takomo 301 MB irons look identical to the 301 CB irons from address as far as I can tell from my eye. The toe and leading edge aren’t super sharp and the head has a compact profile. I prefer a softer leading edge, personally. It’s a little less intimidating and makes the club seem a touch more “welcoming”. There isn’t much offset and the topline is relatively thin. Where you see the biggest difference in appearances is that there’s no cavity milled out of the back of the club. Instead, the rear of the club is a smooth satin chrome finish that’s super clean and definitely “minimalist”. There is a “channel” that runs the length of the head created by the weight pad on the lower half of the club. We’ll discuss this weight placement a little later.

How Does it Feel?

Takomo Golf forged the 301 irons out of a soft S20C carbon steel. As I said in the 301 CB review, I’m definitely not a metallurgy expert, but I will say that I found this steel to be really clean and precise. I don’t like to call forged blades “soft” these days as I don’t feel like that really reflects reality. In my opinion, “clean” is a better term here with the S20C steel. There’s solid response from the face giving precise feedback at impact, but a well struck shot feels nice and pure. The biggest different between the MB’s feel over the CB is that I’d say the impact is a little more solid and direct.

With the 301 MB head being essentially the same as the CB, minus the cavity milling, the sole is the same as well. I found the Takomo 301 irons to be crisp, but soft through the turf on a reasonable swing. What I mean is that it won’t cut and grab like an old school blade, but will be a little smoother and lenient while it takes its divot. Don’t get me wrong, a bad swing is still plenty capable of digging deep into the ground. I’m just saying a good swing will result in a softer cut through the turf from a feel perspective.

How Does it Sound?

The S20C carbon steel gives the Takomo 301 MB a really nice sound. I would almost go so far as to say that it’s a textbook forged “whack” like you hear on TV. It’s definitely not anywhere near loud, but it’s direct and assertive. Like the CB, the 301 MB has a note of “swish” as it sweeps through the turf. If you take a little more of a divot, it takes on a “ripping” characteristic as it peels the layer of turf away.

On-Course Performance

Though the Takomo 301 MB irons have a slightly higher center of gravity (CG) because they don’t have a cavity milled out of the back, there’s still a good amount of weight lower in the head. That locates the CG lower than your traditional muscle back blade so it’s a little easier to get the ball in the air. A lower CG promotes a higher launch angle and a little extra spin, but rest assured, this doesn’t necessarily result in a ballooning shot. Like I said in the 301 CB review, it’s just easier to get the ball off the ground and carrying. That said, being a muscle back, the 301 MB has a slightly more penetrating flight than the CB. This is especially beneficial in a combo set where you want to hit more “dart like” shots with your short irons.

Being a player’s muscle back, the 301 MB has to be good for manipulating the golf ball. I found the 301 MB to be very maneuverable and lend itself to shaping and flighting as needed. If you have the game to be consistent with finding the sweet spot and know how to get creative with the golf ball, these irons are certainly up to the task. As always, just make sure you have the right shaft for your game.

Final Thoughts – Takomo 301 MB Irons

The Takomo 301 MB irons are a solid contemporary muscle back at an affordable price point. They have a super clean look, solid feel, and are responsive for players that like to work the ball. Takomo offers the 301 MB in 4 through pitching wedge with traditional lofts. Additionally, Takomo’s current stock offering of the 301 MB is right handed with KBS Tour shafts and Lamkin Crossline grips for $649.99. Left handed setups are available via custom orders, as well as a few different shaft and grip options for an upcharge. OR, if they don’t offer your grip or shaft of choice, you can buy just the heads and build your set yourself! (They’re .370 hosels for all of you fellow gear tinkerers out there.)

From my experience, I’d say the 301 irons are a solid iron that’s certainly a good value if the offered combinations are a good setup for your game. Currently, Takomo Golf clubs are only available directly through their website. Takomo also offers the 301 irons in a cavity/muscle back combo set.