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The Tour Edge Exotics X725 irons provide high launch, spin, and ball speed with unbelievable consistency. As forgiving as irons get.
Introduction
For the last several generations, Tour Edge has been using E and C to designate their two lines of clubs. C is for Competition, the clubs for skilled players, and E is for Extreme Spec, clubs that provide more forgiveness. But if two offerings is good, could three cover an even wider range of players? That was part of the thinking behind the Tour Edge Exotics X725 irons. This all new model is a premium Exotics version of Tour Edge’s hugely popular iron-wood concept. I tested a set to find out who should consider putting a set of these in their bag.
Looks
The in the bag look of the Tour Edge Exotics X725 irons belies their super game improvement purpose. With a black and silver color scheme and an extremely subdued cavity design, these have the aesthetic hallmarks of a players iron. If it weren’t for the wide sole, passersby would have no idea how forgiving these clubs are.
In the address position, the X725 irons have all the hallmarks of other Tour Edge iron-woods. The face is rounded and shallow but long from heel to toe. There is a great deal of offset and a very thick top line. And, as you can see above, there is some “extra” sticking out behind the top line when you move into the longer irons. While these won’t have much appeal for the traditionalists, players in search of more forgiveness should love this look.
Finally, above is a comparison of the three new Tour Edge Exotics 725 irons. On the left is the X725 which has the thickest top line, the most offset, and the largest face. On the right is the C725 – a traditional players iron with a thin top line and minimal offset. The E725 iron sits in the middle – literally and figuratively – with a fairly thick top line and moderate offset.
Sound & Feel
Given the large, hollow head of the Tour Edge Exotics X725 irons, I was expecting a noisy, explosive impact sound. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Even with range balls, this set produces a quiet, understated impact sound. The muted “thock” is the result of the multi-material badge at the back of the head and Tour Edge’s VIBRCOR Technology.
Those same elements also contribute to the solid feel. While I wouldn’t go so far as to say these irons feel like a forged blade, there’s nothing thin or weak about the feel. They’re strong without being harsh.
The final surprise in this category was the level of feedback. After just a few swings, I was able to accurately determine the location of impact on feel alone. There isn’t much audio feedback – just a slight bump in volume on mishits – but your hands will let you know when you strike it pure.
Performance
One of my pet peeves in golf equipment is when OEMs try to make a single club that’s supposed to appeal to every golfer. However, I love when an OEM targets a specific play type and goes all out to make a club that works for them. That’s what Tour Edge did with the Exotics X725 irons. This super game improvement design is not for everyone, but for the slower swingers and players who want maximum forgiveness, it’s amazing.
One of the things that I noticed before I struck a shot was that the lofts of the Tour Edge Exotics X725 irons are fairly traditional or “weak.” They’re closer to the players C725 than the forgiving E725, but there’s a reason for this. Golfers with less swing speed need that additional loft to launch the ball high with more spin to create more carry distance. The ball flight with the X725 irons is towering thanks to the additional loft and the shallow face design.
When I started hitting the Tour Edge Exotics X725 irons on my launch monitor, what stood out was the consistency of the ball speed, launch, and spin. On the range, I could see that every ball flew high and long, but the numbers really emphasized how much forgiveness is packed into this set. The high MOI and 3D Diamond Face create robust speed from heel to toe, and the spin numbers barely change from mishits to flush strikes. This is most impressive in the 5I which is one of the easiest-to-hit long irons I’ve ever tested.
Finally, Tour Edge designed the X725 to keep players off the right side of the course. There’s ample offset and, I suspect, some internal weighting which promotes a draw. It’s not overdone – I could hit the ball straight with minimal effort – but there’s a noticeable pull toward the left, which many players will welcome.
Conclusion
The Tour Edge Exotics X725 irons are not for every golfer. If you like traditional looks, this isn’t for you. Ditto if you have Tour-level swing speed or ball striking. But for the tons of recreational players who could add distance with higher launch and spin, this set is amazing. And if you want maximum forgiveness, it’s hard to imagine a set eclipsing the X725 irons.
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Editor In Chief at Plugged In Golf
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.