The one factor Lydia Ko and I’ve in frequent is that we each routinely play Proto Idea irons. Apart from that, she’s a world-class skilled golfer that Proto Idea can level to as proof that its irons meet the calls for of probably the most discerning gamers.
And I’m a man with a penchant for Japanese gear with two, Wednesday evening Males’s League championships on my resume. Spectacular, I do know.
With that, in case you’re on the lookout for a quintessential gamers cavity again iron, the brand new Proto Concept C03TC is one which extra than simply the JDM devoted ought to have on the demo shortlist.
Okay, it’s expensive ($350/head) and never available (such is the fact of area of interest Japanese forgings) however hear me out.
Proto Idea Refresher
On the danger of redundancy, Proto Idea isn’t as acknowledged as Japanese Home Market stalwarts (JDM) Miura, EPON, or Yonex. But. Shifting dynamics of the worldwide tools market is an effective little bit of the story, however that’s a rabbit gap for a distinct day.
Proto-C is a collaborative effort between the Endo forging home and the Golf Accomplice govt possession group.
Golf Partner is the biggest golf retailer on this planet. It boasts practically 400 retail places and 550,000 in-stock golf equipment. It’s one thing just like the Japanese equal of Starbucks however for golf tools. I point out this primarily as an instance that the corporate has a novel perspective and breadth of JDM market information. Its management has a eager understanding of what works, what doesn’t, and most significantly, what resonates with the audience.
The Endo forging home is an trade benchmark. Past Proto Idea and its home model, Epon, Endo counts a litany of manufacturers as shoppers. Srixon, Yamaha, Mizuno, Honma, Bridgestone, Tourstage, S-Yard, Daiwa, Callaway, and Titleist have all, at instances, relied on Endo to forge their premium strains of golf irons and wedges. A number of nonetheless do.
It’s just like the auto store different mechanics go to after they get an issue they’ll’t repair.
Proto Idea C03TC Tech Discuss

Expertise within the gamers iron class is generally centered on supplies, design, mass properties and aesthetics. Opposite to what some imagine, beginning with a softer materials doesn’t essentially yield a “higher” feeling iron. So, whereas the completed product might not embrace an extended record of substances (carbon, tungsten, foam, skinny faces and fancy polymers), the feeling at affect is the place most of the goal shoppers will decide. Put in another way, sound/really feel matter extra to potential consumers gamers irons than different classes – particularly sport enchancment and tremendous sport enchancment.
Every Proto Idea iron and wedge is solid by the famend Endo forging home. Whether or not it’s Endo, Miura or Mizuno/Chuo (throw Fujimoto in there as properly) that wears the forging crown is a matter of debate, not absolute reality. That apart, in case your thesis is that Endo sits on the absolute head of the category, you gained’t get any argument from me.
The Proto Idea C03TC irons are solid after which CNC milled within the #4-#7 irons. A pocket cavity removes weight which is reallocated to exactly place the CG location (middle of gravity). Based on Proto Idea, the CG of every iron is uniquely positioned to account for contemporary shafts and variation in affect loft (dynamic affect). The web result’s a constant turf-to-CG distance which is designed to result in extra constant launch traits.

The #8-PW do not need the milled pocket as a result of, properly, it’s not essential. With increased lofted golf equipment reducing the CG by eradicating materials to extend trajectory could be counterproductive. As static loft will increase so does the general trajectory. As well as, the problem for a lot of golfers interested in this class of irons is to excessive quick irons, decrease, not increased. It’s the outdated “hit your lengthy irons excessive and quick irons low” adage that’s probably extra usually true than it isn’t.
Additionally, Proto Idea tweaked the only real design on every C03TC iron to match what it felt finest serves the wants of the goal participant. Particularly, lengthy irons have a barely wider sole which turns into narrower as you progress into the shorter irons. That stated, a chamfered trailing edge and pre-worn vanguard permit the only real to play thinner than seems to be – which on this case, is an effective factor. Thicker soles are usually extra forgiving while you catch a shot a heavy (hit behind the ball) however make clear contact difficult on firmer turf or tight lies. On steadiness, that is one cause that higher ball strikes are inclined to favor a thinner sole.
Proto Idea C03TC Efficiency

The target for irons within the gamers class is to provide enough distance, constant launch situations and a fascinating steadiness of forgiveness and workability.
Most Needed Participant’s Irons outcomes are due out subsequent week. Little question that can present a specific amount of readability each relating to the CO3TC, but additionally the way it compares to the perfect performing gamers iron fashions. That apart, in earlier Most Needed testing, Proto Idea irons appeared to favor accuracy over distance. That apart, the top-performing irons within the gamers class typically aren’t the longest. So, TBD on all of that.
It’s a single information level, and I’d by no means recommend anybody use my expertise to achieve any grand conclusions, however I’m fairly acquainted with Proto Idea having performed a combo set of CO1 and CO3 (and CO5) over the previous season. In my testing, the earlier Proto Concept C03 wasn’t an ideal match. For me, they weren’t noticeably extra forgiving than the C01 within the #8-PW and the longer irons didn’t hit my desired launch/spin window. That is the first cause I swapped out the C03 for the CO5. As an apart, Lydia Ko’s typical iron setup features a C07 6-iron and C05 7 by way of 9 irons.
Based on Proto Idea, the CO3TC ought to produce a better trajectory with much less inherent draw bias than the C03. As soon as I’m capable of get the C03TC on the Foresight GC Quad and procure significant information, I’ll make sure you share my findings.
Proto Idea C03TC Aesthetics

The Proto Idea C03TC is what golfers count on from a standard single-piece solid, gamers cavity-back iron. Mainly, this contains minimal offset, skinny toplines and a compact footprint. Additionally, Proto Idea has the C01 muscle-back iron for individuals who favor even much less offset and an angel hair pasta skinny topline.
General, the presentation of the CO3TC is clear, but distinct – which appears to be a development all through the trade. Frankly, I favor the absence of huge fonts and loud colours. Furthermore, I don’t want manufacturers to make use of the cavity as a spot to remind me of the varied supplies and processes (solid, milled, tungsten) it used to create the product. Model title and mannequin designation are enough. Who’s with me!?
My $0.05

You’re probably acquainted with Six Levels of Kevin Bacon. It’s not an ideal parallel, but it surely you need a bit of inside Japanese membership designer baseball, right here you go. The title is Muneyuki Matsuyoshi aka “Q” by golf trade people. The dots to attach are Fourteen Golf, Jucie, and Proto Idea. Not way back, Fourteen Golf established a good foothold in North America and routinely had a number of wedges (RM-22, FH-V1, RM-4) and units of irons in play on the PGA TOUR on a weekly foundation. Considerably mysteriously, Fourteen vacated the North American market (I’m certain there’s an awesome story right here) and “Q” began his personal model, Jucie. Based on a number of trade sources, “Q” is an iron-savant with CAD design and his first run of Jucie tQ irons is a testomony to this aptitude. From there, Proto Idea enlisted “Q” to design its second technology of irons, beginning with the CO3 TC.
I do know it’s early, however the CO3 TC is what feeds JDM gear geeks and will get us all twitterpated.
I’ll additionally fortunately acknowledge that I’m a Japanese gear homer, however to not the extent that I’m prepared to commerce efficiency for a set of irons with the curb attraction of an Aston Martin Vantage. Or am I? The fantastic thing about this inside battle is that, for now, I don’t need to make any concessions. Drivers (all metalwoods, actually) and irons with superior supplies and complicated designs are the purview of huge producers with R&D budgets that rival the GDP of small nation-states. However, in the case of comparatively easy blueprints for single-piece solid irons and wedges, there’s all the time a spot on the desk for such a visitor.
Pricing and Availability
Proto Idea wedges are at present out there by way of approved sellers.
The MSRP for the C03TC is $350/head solely.
For extra info, go to protoconceptgolf.com
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