Epon AF-706 vs Epon AF-306
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | AF-706 loft | AF-306 loft | AF-706 lie | AF-306 lie | AF-706 length | AF-306 length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 22 | 26 | 61 | 61 | 38 | 37.75 |
| 4 | — | 23 | — | 60.5 | — | 38.25 |
| 6 | 25 | 29 | 61.5 | 61.5 | 37.5 | 37.25 |
| 7 | 28 | 32 | 62 | 62 | 37 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 32 | 36 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 36.5 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 36 | 41 | 63 | 63 | 36 | 35.75 |
| PW | 40 | 46 | 63.5 | 63.5 | 35.5 | 35.25 |
| TW | 45 | — | 63.75 | — | 35.25 | — |
| AW | 50 | — | 63.75 | — | 35.25 | — |
| SW | 56 | — | 64 | — | 35 | — |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- AF-706
- AF-306
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the AF-706 is 28° and the AF-306 is 32°, a 4° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the AF-706 should carry roughly 12 to 16 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the AF-306. Across the 6 clubs both sets share, the AF-306 averages 4.5° weaker, with the largest gap at the PW (40° vs 46°). The pitching wedges are 40° and 46°; the stronger one leaves a 10° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the AF-706 7-iron is 0.25 inches longer (37" vs 36.75").
The sets are built differently: the AF-706 runs 5-iron to SW (9 clubs), the AF-306 4-iron to PW (7 clubs).
The AF-706 is a game improvement iron and the AF-306 a players iron, so they sit 2 steps apart on the forgiveness scale. The AF-706 is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The AF-306 trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
The AF-706 is listed as hollow body (forged SAE8655 spring steel face on forged S20C body) and the AF-306 as forged (one-piece S20C billet with forged-in tungsten toe weight). The AF-706's hollow body lets the face flex more and moves mass low and outward, usually giving higher launch and more ball speed on off-centre strikes than the AF-306, at some cost in feel. The AF-306 adds tungsten weighting, which lowers the centre of gravity and raises stability on mis-hits, helping the long irons launch.
The AF-306 came out 2 years after the AF-706, but it is a different line rather than a direct replacement, so the two were designed for different golfers as well as different seasons.
Which should you choose?
The AF-306 is the weaker-lofted set — up to 6° weaker than the AF-706. That trades raw distance for a steeper landing angle and more predictable stopping power into greens.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Epon AF-706 specs and Epon AF-306 specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Epon AF-706 stronger lofted than the AF-306?
Yes. The Epon AF-706 7-iron is 28° against 32° for the AF-306, 4° stronger, which is worth roughly 12 to 16 yards of extra carry with the same swing.
What is the loft difference between the Epon AF-706 and AF-306?
At the 7-iron the difference is 4° (28° vs 32°). The largest gap on a shared club is 6° at the PW, and all 6 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Epon AF-706 or the AF-306?
The Epon AF-706. As a game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The AF-306 is a players iron, better suited to roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
Do the Epon AF-706 and AF-306 have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Epon AF-706 is 62° lie and 37 inches, the AF-306 62° and 36.75 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
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