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Expert Comparison: Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons vs TaylorMade Stealth Irons

Published on 02/11/2024 · 8 min readCompare Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons and TaylorMade Stealth Irons. Get expert insight below!
David L. Brown, Golf Expert
Michael V, Golf Expert
Jonathan Belanger, Golf Expert
Contributed By Golf Expert David L. Brown, Michael V, Jonathan Belanger, Bobby Funkhouser, Ari T and others

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Side by side comparison

Out of stock
Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons
Out of stock
TaylorMade Stealth Irons
Price
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User rating
4.63(8)
4.76(673)
The Curated Take

Ideal for mid to high-handicap golfers needing forgiving, high-launch irons.

Best for mid-high handicap golfers seeking distance and forgiveness without sacrificing look and feel.

Iron Set Type
Iron Set
Iron Set
Player type
Super game improvement
Game improvement
Used (Y/N)
No
No

In the world of golf, the right set of irons can make a world of difference. Today, we're comparing two top-notch iron sets: the Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons and the TaylorMade Stealth Irons. Both sets are designed with the latest technology to enhance your game, but they cater to different types of golfers.

The Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons are perfect for high-tiered handicappers and beginners looking for a solid starter set. They offer good forgiveness, a simple sound, and consistent shaft performance. However, they fall short in terms of distance, feel, launch angle, workability, aesthetic appeal, and grip feel compared to other irons in the market.

On the other hand, the TaylorMade Stealth Irons are a great option for mid to high handicap golfers or lower handicappers looking for more forgiveness in iron play. They offer top-of-the-line forgiveness, plenty of distance, and an all-around performance. However, they don't excel at anything in specific and some golfers may not be a fan of the white scorelines.

In terms of similarities, both sets are designed to enhance forgiveness and improve your game. However, the Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons are more suited for high-tiered handicappers and beginners, while the TaylorMade Stealth Irons are better for mid to high handicap golfers.

In the end, the winner depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you're a beginner or high-tiered handicapper looking for a solid starter set, the Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons are a great choice. But if you're a mid to high handicap golfer looking for more forgiveness in iron play, the TaylorMade Stealth Irons are the way to go.

Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons summary

The Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons are a solid option for those looking to gain more distance in the mid-range game. These irons are geared more toward the high-tiered handicappers who want to take their game to the next level or find that perfect starter set.

The C522 Irons come with a steel shaft with a regular flex, which allows for solid, consistent contact - a crucial aspect for newer golfers. The forgiveness of these irons is commendable, as off-centered hits still travel a considerable distance and rarely deviate significantly from the target line. This is largely due to the VibRCor technology under-pocket that creates a more consistent impact zone.

The sound of the C522 Irons is simple, with a normal tinging noise, avoiding the loud, ear-piercing ping that some golfers dislike. The shaft performance is good overall, allowing for consistent ball striking and a consistent spin rate of around 7,500RPMs.

However, these irons do have their drawbacks. The distance is comparable to older models like the TaylorMade Racs, but they fall short when compared to the Callaway Rogues and TaylorMade Stealths, averaging 5-10 yards less with each shot. The feel is average at best, with the face not offering much feedback on mishits. The launch angle is higher than preferred, and the workability is very basic, limiting the ability to move the ball from right to left.

The aesthetic appeal of these irons is somewhat lacking. They don't have much flash to them, and the black, blue, and silver could be way cooler if the backside wasn't as bulky looking. The default grips were Lamkin grips that were slippery, which might require customization for some golfers.

Despite these issues, the Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons are a good option for someone who does not want to break the bank on an iron set. They offer a solid performance and are a great choice for the basic golfer looking to improve their game or for someone just starting.

The Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Iron Set is great for the basic golfer looking to improve their game or for someone just starting; however, for the more serious golfer, I would look at the TaylorMade Stealths or Callaway Rogue series.

David L. Brown
Golf Expert

TaylorMade Stealth Irons summary

The TaylorMade Stealth Irons are a fantastic choice for mid to high handicap golfers or lower handicappers looking for more forgiveness in iron play. These irons are designed with a cap back design and toe wrap construction that expands the distance, forgiveness, and feel benefits of the original breakthrough technology.

The Stealth Irons feature a 450SS fast forgiving face that has an intelligently positioned sweet spot that spans the most common impact points, delivering explosive ball speeds and consistency in all the right places. The Thru-slot speed pocket, patented by TaylorMade, is engineered to maximize face flexibility for increased ball speeds and added forgiveness on low face mishits.

The ECHO Damping System uses a soft polymer blend to channel away harsh vibrations and provide a forged-like soft feel. The irons also feature a reduced offset and head size, making them appealing at address while delivering similar forgiveness as larger game improvement clubs.

The TaylorMade Stealth Irons are a great option for anyone looking to improve their game. They offer top of the line forgiveness, plenty of distance, and an all-around performance. However, they don't excel at anything in specific and some golfers may not be a fan of the white scorelines.

TaylorMade's Stealth Irons are a great option for mid to high handicap golfers or lower handicappers looking for more forgiveness in iron play. Upgraded toe wrap construction, offering more forgiveness on toe misses in comparison to the previous Sim 2 series. Carry distance focused design. All around performing iron, tough to find something not to like about them.

Michael V
Golf Expert

Similarities

Despite their differences, the Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons and the TaylorMade Stealth Irons share some common ground. Both sets are designed with the latest technology to enhance your game, offering forgiveness on off-center hits and consistent performance.

Both sets feature a design that aims to maximize ball speed and distance. The Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons use VibRCor technology to create a more consistent impact zone, while the TaylorMade Stealth Irons use a Thru-slot speed pocket to maximize face flexibility.

Both sets also focus on providing a comfortable and enjoyable playing experience. The Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons have a simple sound and a regular steel flex for solid, consistent contact. The TaylorMade Stealth Irons, on the other hand, use an ECHO Damping System to provide a forged-like soft feel.

In terms of aesthetics, both sets have a sleek and modern design that appeals to many golfers. However, the Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons have a more traditional look with their black, blue, and silver color scheme, while the TaylorMade Stealth Irons have a more modern look with their reduced offset and head size.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While the Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons and the TaylorMade Stealth Irons share some similarities, they cater to different types of golfers and have distinct features that set them apart.

The Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons are more suited for high-tiered handicappers and beginners. They offer good forgiveness, a simple sound, and consistent shaft performance. However, they fall short in terms of distance, feel, launch angle, workability, aesthetic appeal, and grip feel compared to other irons in the market. If you're a beginner or high-tiered handicapper looking for a solid starter set, the Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons are a great choice.

On the other hand, the TaylorMade Stealth Irons are better for mid to high handicap golfers or lower handicappers looking for more forgiveness in iron play. They offer top-of-the-line forgiveness, plenty of distance, and an all-around performance. However, they don't excel at anything in specific and some golfers may not be a fan of the white scorelines. If you're a mid to high handicap golfer looking for more forgiveness in iron play, the TaylorMade Stealth Irons are the way to go.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When comparing the Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons and the TaylorMade Stealth Irons, it's important to consider four key dimensions: forgiveness, distance, feel, and aesthetics.

  1. Forgiveness: Both sets offer good forgiveness, but the TaylorMade Stealth Irons edge out with their cap back design and toe wrap construction that expands the distance, forgiveness, and feel benefits of the original breakthrough technology.

  2. Distance: The TaylorMade Stealth Irons take the lead in this category. While the Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons offer comparable distance to older models, the TaylorMade Stealth Irons are designed for maximum distance with their Thru-slot speed pocket and 450SS fast forgiving face.

  3. Feel: The TaylorMade Stealth Irons win in this category with their ECHO Damping System that provides a forged-like soft feel. The Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons have an average feel at best, with the face not offering much feedback on mishits.

  4. Aesthetics: This category is subjective and depends on personal preference. The Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons have a more traditional look with their black, blue, and silver color scheme, while the TaylorMade Stealth Irons have a more modern look with their reduced offset and head size.

In conclusion, the TaylorMade Stealth Irons come out on top in three out of the four dimensions. However, the best set for you ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Conclusions

In the end, both the Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons and the TaylorMade Stealth Irons are excellent choices, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons are a solid option for high-tiered handicappers and beginners looking for a solid starter set, offering good forgiveness and consistent shaft performance. However, they fall short in terms of distance, feel, launch angle, workability, aesthetic appeal, and grip feel compared to other irons in the market.

On the other hand, the TaylorMade Stealth Irons are a great option for mid to high handicap golfers or lower handicappers looking for more forgiveness in iron play. They offer top-of-the-line forgiveness, plenty of distance, and an all-around performance. However, they don't excel at anything in specific and some golfers may not be a fan of the white scorelines.

In terms of similarities, both sets are designed to enhance forgiveness and improve your game. However, the Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons are more suited for high-tiered handicappers and beginners, while the TaylorMade Stealth Irons are better for mid to high handicap golfers.

In the end, the winner depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you're a beginner or high-tiered handicapper looking for a solid starter set, the Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 Irons are a great choice. But if you're a mid to high handicap golfer looking for more forgiveness in iron play, the TaylorMade Stealth Irons are the way to go.

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