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.
Golfer Geeks Verdict
4.5/ 5
★★★★★★★★★★
The Scorecard
Bag Appeal5
Distance4
Sound & Feel4
Launch & Flight5
Forgiveness4
Value5+
Best value pure-player iron in the game right now.
5 = Among the best / 4 = Very good / 3 = Average–acceptable / 2 = Below average / 1 = Poor / 0 = ☠️
Best For
Scratch to 5 handicaps — Takomo’s own guidance, and I agree. You need to be familiar with the sweet spot.
Considerations
Nada. They do exactly what Takomo says they’ll do, and they do it well.
The Verdict
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 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. A great option if you’re serious about your game but don’t mind a bargain.
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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.
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
IronShaft: KBS C Taper Lite
Shaft flex: Stiff flex
Takomo 301 CB Iron Specs (Set Tested)
Club
Loftdegrees
Liedegrees
Lengthinches
4
23.0°
61.0°
38.75″
5
26.0°
61.5°
38.25″
6
30.0°
62.0°
37.75″
7
34.0°
62.5°
37.25″
8
38.0°
63.0°
36.75″
9
42.0°
63.5°
36.25″
PW
47.0°
64.0°
36″
How we tested:
Range sessions: 2 Rounds of golf: 2 Launch monitor: 1
7-Iron Launch Monitor Data
7-ironLaunch Monitor #s
Club Speed78mph
Ball Speed108mph
Carry Distance158yds
Peak Height70ft
Takomo 301 CB Review
Category
Grade
Bag Appeal
5
Distance
4
Sound & Feel
4
Launch & Flight
5
Forgiveness
4
Value
5+
Bag Appeal: (5) There’s not a ton going on with 301 CBs, but I love what there is. The head shape and size are perfect for my eyes. Takomo 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) They’re 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.
Launch & Flight: (5) They can handle whatever you throw at them. Classic lofts mean they 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.
An average rating of 4.9 out of 5 with 85 verified reviews in.(1) Buyers rave about distance and forgiveness.
Takomo 301 CB Irons FAQ
Are Takomo 301 CB irons good?
Takomo 301 CB irons are the best value pure players’ irons in Golfer Geeks testing, rated 4.5 out of 5.
Bag appeal: 5
Launch and flight: 5
Distance: 4
Sound and feel: 4
Forgiveness: 4
Value: 5+
Are Takomo 301 CB irons forgiving?
Takomo 301 CB irons have a touch of forgiveness, but they are players’ irons. In Golfer Geeks testing, slight misses lost 2 to 3 yards and were never harsh. Forgiveness scored 4 out of 5, judged against other players’ irons.
What handicap should play Takomo 301 CB irons?
Takomo 301 CB irons are for low handicappers. Takomo recommends them for 5 handicaps and lower, and Golfer Geeks agrees. Mid handicappers are pointed to the Takomo 201 MKII and high handicappers to the 101 MKII.
How far do Takomo 301 CB irons go?
In Golfer Geeks launch monitor testing, the Takomo 301 CB 7-iron (34°) carried 158 yards at 78 mph club speed and 108 mph ball speed. They give no help with distance, and slight misses came up 2 to 4 yards short.
What are the Takomo 301 CB iron lofts?
Takomo 301 CB iron lofts run from 23° in the 4-iron to 47° in the pitching wedge.
