Epon AF-706 vs Epon AF-506
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | AF-706 loft | AF-506 loft | AF-706 lie | AF-506 lie | AF-706 length | AF-506 length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | — | 22 | — | 60.5 | — | 38.5 |
| 5 | 22 | 25 | 61 | 61 | 38 | 38 |
| 6 | 25 | 28 | 61.5 | 61.5 | 37.5 | 37.5 |
| 7 | 28 | 31 | 62 | 62 | 37 | 37 |
| 8 | 32 | 35 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 36.5 | 36.5 |
| 9 | 36 | 40 | 63 | 63 | 36 | 36 |
| PW | 40 | 45 | 63.5 | 63.5 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| TW | 45 | — | 63.75 | — | 35.25 | — |
| AW | 50 | 50 | 63.75 | 63.5 | 35.25 | 35.5 |
| SW | 56 | — | 64 | — | 35 | — |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- AF-706
- AF-506
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the AF-706 is 28° and the AF-506 is 31°, a 3° 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 9 to 12 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the AF-506. Across the 7 clubs both sets share, the AF-506 averages 3° weaker, with the largest gap at the PW (40° vs 45°). The pitching wedges are 40° and 45°; the stronger one leaves a 10° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping.
The sets are built differently: the AF-706 runs 5-iron to SW (9 clubs), the AF-506 4-iron to AW (8 clubs).
The AF-706 is a game improvement iron and the AF-506 a players distance iron, so they sit one step 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-506 trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly 5 to 15 handicaps who want extra distance from a compact head.
The AF-706 is listed as hollow body (forged SAE8655 spring steel face on forged S20C body) and the AF-506 as forged (one-piece S20C billet, NC-milled undercut pocket cavity). 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-506, at some cost in feel.
The AF-506 came out 1 year 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-506 is the weaker-lofted set — up to 5° 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-506 specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Epon AF-706 stronger lofted than the AF-506?
Yes. The Epon AF-706 7-iron is 28° against 31° for the AF-506, 3° stronger, which is worth roughly 9 to 12 yards of extra carry with the same swing.
What is the loft difference between the Epon AF-706 and AF-506?
At the 7-iron the difference is 3° (28° vs 31°). The largest gap on a shared club is 5° at the PW, and 6 of the 7 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Epon AF-706 or the AF-506?
The Epon AF-706. As a game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The AF-506 is a players distance iron, better suited to roughly 5 to 15 handicaps who want extra distance from a compact head.
Do the Epon AF-706 and AF-506 have the same lie and length?
At the 7-iron, yes: both are 62° lie and 37 inches long.
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