It’s happening. The golf equipment landscape is shifting.
For years, the ‘big manufacturers’ have dominated the bag of the aspirational ball-striker, but the rise of Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brands is forcing a total re-evaluation of what constitutes a “premium” iron in the blade sector.
Having spent some time on the course and practice ground with the Haywood MB irons, I’m not just impressed; I’m struggling to find a reason why anyone would pay double for a legacy logo.
(Image credit: Future)
Haywood takes a refreshingly purist approach to the design process.
The MB is 100% CNC milled from a single block of 1020 soft carbon steel. Unlike traditional forging, which can have slight weight variances, the milling process – which takes roughly 2.5 to 3 hours per head – ensures incredible precision and consistency in CG (center of gravity) placement.
The aesthetic is, quite simply, outstanding. It is clean, minimalist, and features beautiful texturing on the back cavity that catches the light without being distracting, while the non-glare matte finish is a sophisticated touch that makes them look like a boutique, high-end tool.
Behind the ball, it just gets better. The profile is breathtaking.
(Image credit: Future)
I recently dubbed the Cobra 3DP MB as essentially “perfect” at address, but the Haywood might be the only blade I’ve seen to rival it in the playing position. In fact, there is half an argument to be made that these are better.
They feature slightly less offset and a rounded toe that suits my eye perfectly, avoiding the overly angular “boxy” look found in models like the Mizuno Pro 241 or S1. It is a silhouette that inspires confidence through its simplicity.
As ever, feel is obviously subjective, but the Haywood MB is undeniably “buttery.” Impact is superbly soft, at the very least comparable to anything from the major manufacturers.
(Image credit: Future)
In fact, in my testing, I actually found the sensation at impact to be softer and more “dense” than a couple of the major players in the Titleist 620 MB or the Srixon Z-Forged II – two irons often cited as the gold standard in the best blade category.
Feedback is instant. You know exactly where you’ve struck it on the face, but even…
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