Tour Edge Hot Launch 521 Hybrid
Welcome to the next stop in our series of Tour Edge Hot Launch 521 reviews! In this review we’ll cover the Tour Edge Hot Launch 521 hybrid options and which one might be best for your game. The C521 hybrid is designed to be a forgiving and long hybrid option with premium performance. The E521 hybrid is designed for the player looking for extreme forgiveness and just wants to make the game flat out easier. In addition to exceptional performance, both Hot Launch 521 hybrids are easily one of the best values in golf gear right now.
The Looks
Like the rest of the Hot Launch C521 family, Tour Edge gave this “value” hybrid a look that holds its own against other premium competitors in the market. The footprint is small to medium with a medium depth face, a moderate toe rise, and a pear-shape profile. Combining a black face with a black metal flake top gives the C521 a smooth transition for an overall clean look. If you’re a competitive player that’s comfortable with a hybrid, the C521’s profile is exactly the shape you’re looking for.
On the other hand, if you’re a player that might be slightly intimidated by a traditional hybrid and find them difficult to hit, the Tour Edge HL E521 might be more up your alley. The E521 hybrid’s profile is more rounded and reminiscent of a mini fairway wood. A shallower face has its performance benefits, but also looks nice behind the ball. Personally, that look gives me more confidence that I won’t dig it into the ground. You can’t miss the offset from address, but this is going to help you not slice the ball which is a good thing. We’ll discuss that more later on, as well as the unique Houdini Sole that you can’t miss when looking at the club’s sole.
How Does it Feel?
Consistent with the rest of the HL 521 lineup, the two Tour Edge Hot Launch 521 hybrids outpace their price point. Tour Edge specifically put a lot of effort into making sure the C521 felt incredible. At $130, it almost seems crazy how good this club actually feels. There’s “Diamond Face” technology behind the face which makes the club feel both hotter and more forgiving. In short, Diamond Face creates a “trampoline effect” at impact. This is also aided by the “Power Channel” in the sole as well as the “Cup Face” which allow for more flex at impact leading to more jump.
Though the E521 hybrid doesn’t have Diamond Face, it still feels good. It’s generally very smooth and easy to swing – which is exactly the point of this club. But the real magic is the Houdini Sole. The Houdini Sole does two major things. First, it places the center of gravity (CG) lower and deeper in the head (7% and 30% respectively) to make the club more forgiving and easier to hit higher with more carry. That also should mean more distance for those that need help getting the ball in the air.
Turf interaction is the second major purpose for the Houdini Sole. Looking at the face head on, you see there’s a very distinct point in the middle of the sole. This reduces drag through the turf by 35% which makes the club glide cleanly for better face contact at impact. As a result, the E521 is clean and stable through the turf and the club is able to maintain performance even when you catch one a little heavy. In short, the Houdini Sole allows you to be much more imperfect and still get the ball launching forward and in play.
How Does it Sound?
Over the last few families of metal woods, Tour Edge has focused heavily on acoustic engineering to dial in sound and feel. In the C521 hybrid, there are “Acoustic Ribbing Channels” which optimize the sound of the club. The end result is muted metallic “tick” from the face at impact. Due to the Diamond Face, this sound is pretty consistent across most of the face.
The extreme game improvement E521 sounds quite a bit different. The sound is a little more “open” and hollower resembling a shallow fairway wood. I would put the volume at a nice “medium” level with a good pop to it.
On-Course Performance
More competitive players looking for a long, easy to hit hybrid, the Tour Edge Hot Launch C521 certainly does it. That sole weight in the rear of the head places the CG low and back which makes it easier to get the ball in the air. This CG location promotes a higher launch and will keep the ball up there with a little extra spin. As a result, you’ll get more carry for extra distance with a nice peak and a soft landing. And it’s practically effortless! If you want to be able to shape your shot, the C521 is also plenty playable.
Some of you may be more concerned with just getting the ball in the air and hitting it straight. That’s obviously perfectly reasonable and acceptable. First, Tour Edge put a sole weight toward the heel of the club. This helps the toe of the club come around and square up quicker so it doesn’t stay open at impact. (Meaning, the ball won’t go right.) Add in the E521’s offset design which works with that heel weight to further help square up the face at impact eliminating the right miss.
Last but not least is how the Houdini Sole helps your performance. We touched on this in the Feel section, but this sole design allows you to not be perfect as it will help you when you take a little too much ground so the “anti-right elements” can still do their jobs. Additionally, the low and back CG from the Houdini Sole make the ball get in the air and carrying. For many players in the extreme game improvement category, this is a key breakthrough in their game which leads to a more enjoyable experience. Again, I can’t stress enough how easy the E521 is to hit.
Final Thoughts – Tour Edge Hot Launch 521 Hybrid
Both of the Tour Edge Hot Launch 521 hybrids are excellent golf clubs. Simple as that. The C521 hybrid is a versatile, easy to hit, long hybrid that is insanely high quality for its price point. And I’m TELLING you, I’ve never found any golf clubs to be as easy to hit as the Hot Launch 521 E series. The Hot Launch E521 hybrid is no exception. Getting the ball to get up in the air and carrying was a piece of cake, but the ability to keep it straight or with an easy draw was the most impressive part. Like we keep saying in these HL 521 reviews, the E series is an absolute cheat code at a ridiculously good price point. So whether you’re a beginner player or just need help hitting a hybrid well, and want to save a few bucks, the E521 is a must hit.
Stock Tour Edge Hot Launch 521 Hybrid Specs
Hot Launch C521
Aldila Rogue shaft
| Club | Loft | Length | Stock Flex | RH/LH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 19º | 39.75″ | X, S, R, A, L | RH |
| 4 | 22º | 39″ | X, S, R, A, L | RH |
| 5 | 25º | 38.25″ | X, S, R, A, L | RH |
| 6 | 28º | 37.75″ | X, S, R, A, L | RH |
Hot Launch E521
Mitsubishi Fubuki HD Shaft
| Club | Loft | Length | Stock Flex | RH/LH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 19º | 39.75″ | S, R, A, L | RH/LH |
| 4 | 22º | 39″ | S, R, A, L | RH/LH |
| 5 | 25º | 38.25″ | S, R, A, L | RH/LH |
| 6 | 28º | 37.75″ | S, R, A, L | RH/LH |
I have your 521c irons and exotics driver and three wood and I just purchased your 521e 5 wood and 521e hybrids they totally out performed my callaway xr clubs by far
Love your clubs I purchased
We aren’t Tour Edge, we’re an independent review site. To be fair, we’re based out of the Chicago suburbs just down the road from Tour Edge HQ, but can’t claim any credit for their clubs.
You are absolutely right about the E521. I have had the 5 hybrid for a few weeks and it is incredibly easy to hit.
Purchased a new set of E 521 irons. Waited — three months on order to come in, due to I am a left hander. Hated them the first round I played in. Was going to bring them back. Salesman said play three or four more times before u decide. Now I love them. They hit straight and high. They are light. Hit just as far as callaway XR irons.
Had us in the first half. Not where I expected this to be going, but I glad you like the clubs!