Takomo 301 CB Irons Review: Best Value Pure Player Iron

This is Golfer Geeks’ Takomo 301 CB irons review.

I’m an avid golfer, 6ish handicap (on my way to a 2), and frequent tester of golf gear since 2015.

Quick Take: Takomo 301 CBs are superb pure player irons and are the best bargain in the game.

Feel is soft and solid with excellent feedback.
Just a touch of forgiveness, but never harsh on mishits.
Workable. You can hit them high or low and turn them any way your skill permits.
Great looking irons. Head shape, size, and cosmetics are a knockout.

Great Irons – Great price.

Well done, Takomo.

In this review of Takomo 301 CB irons, I discuss my experience with the clubs, any unique features and benefits, customer reviews, and potential recommendations. I also tell you who I think should be playing them and why.

4.5 Overall Score

Score	Category	Score	Category
5	Bag Appeal	4	Distance
4	Sound & Feel	5	Ball Flight
4	Forgiveness	5+	Value

5 = Among the best / 4 = Very Good / 3 = Average-Acceptable / 2 = Below Average / 1 = Poor / 0 = ☠️

Best For

Takomo says scratch to 5 handicaps and I tend to agree. You need to be familiar with the sweet spot.

Considerations

Nada. They do what Takomo says they’ll do and they do it well.

Verdict

~~Maybe~~ my favorite player irons I’ve tested since the Mizuno Pro S1s.

They look like player irons, but they’re never intimidating. They frame the ball beautifully. You can hit all the shots and you get every bit of what you put in. They’ve got me seriously thinking about taking over for my everyday clubs. Not there yet, but it’s close.

Plus, they do all this at about the best price in the game.

These are a great option for you iff you’re serious about your game, but don’t mind a bargain.

Where To Get Yours

Highly Recommended

Takomo 301 CB Irons

4.4

Pros:

Gorgeous
Great sound and feel
Superb playability

Cons:

Nada - they hit the mark

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About Jamie

Handicap: 6.5
Expertise: reviewing clubs since 2015
Right/Left-Handed: Right-handed
Typical ball flight: Mid-High Tight Draw
Golf ball used: Titleist ProV1x

Set Tested

Set: 4 iron – PW
Iron Shaft: KBS C Taper Lite
Shaft flex: Stiff flex

Takomo 301 CB Iron Specs (Set Tested)

Club	Loft	Lie	Length
4	23*	61*	38.75″
5	26*	61.5*	38.25″
6	30*	62*	37.75″
7	33*	62.5*	37.25″
8	38*	63*	36.75″
9	42*	63.5*	36.25″
PW	47*	64*	36″

How we me tested:

Range sessions: 2
Rounds of golf: 2
Launch monitor: 1

7-Iron Launch Monitor Data

Club	Club Speed	Ball Speed	Carry Distance (yds)	Peak Height (ft)
7	80	112	171	74

Takomo 301 CB Review

Category	Grade
Looks	5
Sound/Feel	4
Distance	4
Forgiveness	4
Flight/Playability	5
Value	5+

Bag Appeal: (5) There’s not a ton going on with 301 CBs, but I love what there is. The head shape in size are perfect for my eyes. Tokomo keeps the minimal design ethic the players tend to look for in their clubs.

Sound/ Feel: (4) Solid and soft with excellent feedback. I know where my mishits are, but they’re never harsh.

Forgiveness: (4) You lose distance pretty quickly when you miss dead center. I noticed a 2-3 yard drop. Not a lot, but it’s there.

Distance: (4) There not short, but you don’t get help with distance. Nail them and you’ll get your distance. Miss a little and you’ll get a little punished.

Flight / Launch: (5) They can handle whatever you throw at them. Classic lofts mean the go high easier than player distance or performance irons.

Value: (5) Outstanding. ~$93/club. Excellent performance per dollar.

My Experience with the 301 CBs

Straight to the launch monitor with premium ProVs for first testing.

I figured out pretty quick they go as far as you hit them and no more.

Let me explain.

Here are some of my stock yardages when I’m hitting pretty well. Which is slightly toward the toe for me:

PW – 125 yards
9-iron – 145 yards
8-iron – 155 yards
7-iron – 165 yards

Well, that contact consistently got me 2-4 yards short of my number consistently with the 301s. Which didn’t bother me at all. It just told me the 301s require more disciplined swings from me to experience all they had to offer.

On the course, I just pulled the club for the number. But, I was careful to never try to stretch that number and that served me well. I hit a number of shots that danced all around the pin.

Which reminds me, these things put serious spin on the ball. I had a number of short iron shots suck back 5-7 yards, which is rare for me. I’m more accustomed to my short irons landing and stopping or spinning back maybe a couple of yards.

Bottom line: You get out what you put in, but they’re never harsh.

Who Should Play Takomo 301 CB Irons?

As mentioned above, Takomo says 5-handicaps and lower. I agree with this, but I’m just above that at about a 6.5 and I am seriously considering playing these every day. I will certainly drop the 4-iron for a hybrid, which is what I do in my every day set.

Low handicaps (Yes): No doubt these are premium performance low handicap irons.
Mid handicaps (No): Too much for you. Give the 201 MKIIs a look see.
High handicaps (No): You’ve got better Takomo options with the 101 MKIIs.

Best Alternatives to Takomo 301 CB Irons

All these irons cost double or more than the 301 CBs. But, you do get more premium performance and feel from them.

Mizuno Pro S1 Irons – Top of the category – top of the line player irons. They have and do everything…for a price.

Ping i240 irons – The best Ping player irons I’ve tested. About a notch below the Mizuno Pro S1s. Nice sound and feel. Easy launch. Ample distance. For a price.

Taylormade P-7CB irons – One of my favorite Taylormades of the last few years. Shame they’re not more popular. They do it all while looking gorgeous. Probably going away soon. Get them while you can.

Editor's Pick	Best Player Pings	Best Player Taylormades
Mizuno Pro S1 Irons	PING i240 IRONS	TaylorMade P-7CB Irons
Primary Rating: 4.7	Primary Rating: 4.5	Primary Rating: 4.8
Pros: Superb Sound & Feel Ample Distance & Forgiveness Can play all the shots Gorgeuous	Pros: Satisfying Sound & Feel Plenty Distance & Forgiveness High-Launching Long Irons Perfect player profile	Pros: Nice Sound & Feel Ample Distance Splash of Forgiveness Good launch, trajectory & workability
Cons: Not giving these away	Cons: Nada	Cons: Nada - they hit their mark
Check Global Golf Price & Options	Shop Global Golf	Shop Global Golf
	Shop PGA Tour Superstore	Shop Worldwide Golf

Customer Reviews

An average rating of 4.9 out of 5 with 85 verified reviews in.₍₁₎ Buyers rave about distance and forgiveness.

Final Verdict

Takoma 301 CBs are player irons you’d be proud to carry in your bag and show your buddies.

They do all the player iron things you want:

Gorgeous compact heads that look great behind the ball and great in your bag.
You get all the playability for shot making and consistency with a splash of forgiveness for minor mishits.
Premium sound and feel.

Plus, you get all that at an unbeatable price.

Thanks for checking out our Takoma 301 CB irons review.