Expert Review: Tour Edge Hot Launch E522 Single Iron-Wood
All photos courtesy of David L. Brown
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the golf club, which I tested for one day in December of 2022.
My take
Overall, the Tour Edge Hot Launch E522 Single Iron-Wood is a solid option off the tee. It offers solid distance while maintaining consistency. I was pleased with my results off the tee. The average golfer will benefit from adding this club to their bag, especially if they struggle off the tee.
About the club I tested
- Model: 2022 Tour Edge Hot Launch E522
- Loft setting: 10.5
- Shaft type: Fubuki HL 55
- Shaft flex: Regular
About me
- Average score: 79
- Handicap: 7
- Experience: 22 years of playing golf
- Right/Left-Handed: Left-Handed
- Typical ball flight: High
- Golf ball used: Titleist Practice Ball
- Club swing speed: 97mph
Test conditions
- When I tested the club: December 2022
- Days tested: 1
- Where I’ve used it: Simulator
- Weather and wind conditions: Inside
How it performs
What I was looking for
I’ve seen more and more pros go to a driving iron off the tee and wanted to test out what it felt like. I enjoy my Callaway XR16, but I know that having multiple options off the tee is a huge asset.
Why I chose to test this club
I decided to test this club because I have seen pros use ironwoods off the tee. However, I didn’t end up buying it. My 3 and 5 wood performs just as well and offers more versatility.
What I love about it
- Distance: The distance was better than I expected, averaging around 230 yards. For an ironwood, it was consistent with my 5 wood, so I believed it to be good on its power.
- Forgiveness: The forgiveness was a plus to this driver. Each swing only waivered on distance by 15 yards, whether it was hit square, on the toe, or traveled on a path.
- Sound: The sound was average, with a normal pinging noise. I enjoyed the average sound of it as it wasn’t a dull thud or a loud tinging noise.
- Shaft Feel: The shaft didn’t feel wobbly during the backswing or follow-through, which is key in the overall feel, as I know it's stable and consistent throughout the entire swing.
- Shaft Performance: The shaft weight is 55g which feels heavy for an ironwood but in a good way. The weight allows the ball to pop off the face of the club and provides consistent distance.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The white shaft down to the black and blue clubhead is sleek. It pops and stands out, making it look like a higher-end club.
- Spin: The spin was lower than my current 5 wood and created more rollout, which was an added bonus.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Workability: The workability wasn’t great, as I normally hit a high fade and couldn’t move the ball more than five yards to the left. I then tried to hit a draw and duck-hooked it repeatedly.
- Adjustability: There is no adjustability feature for this club which is expected for a driving iron, but that’s why I would prefer to use a 3 or 5 wood instead.
- Grip Feel: The grip is Lamkin Z5 and feels slippery with no glove. Even with a glove, it wouldn’t be ideal in rainy conditions or if someone's hands were sweaty on a hot summer day.
- Launch Angle: The launch was lower than I would have liked and was inconsistent on different tee shots.
Best shot with this club
My best shot was hitting back-to-back high fades within five yards of each other at 229 yards and 234 yards.
Value for the money vs. other options
The Tour Edge Hot Launch E522 club is a great value for the weekend golfer who wants more options off the tee. I don’t have any other direct comparisons of ironwoods on the market, but compared to my XR 16 5 wood and the Callaway Mavrik 5 wood, they are close. However, the ability to hit more shots out of the fairway and in the rough would lead me to go with either 5 wood.
Final verdict
The Tour Edge ironwood is a great option for its value. It is forgiving but doesn’t sacrifice distance. I believe the mid-to-high handicapper would benefit from adding this option off the tee into their bag.