French clubmaker ARGOLF’s AR-F35s are targeted to those slow to moderate swing speed players wanting added forgiveness in a strong lofted iron with perimeter weighting and a slim look at address.
Fast Facts ARGOLF AR-F35 irons
Super game-improvement irons
Double undercut cavity back
Perimeter weighting
Wide sole
Lofts: 5-iron 25°, pitching wedge 42°
Stock shafts: KBS steel or graphite
Stock grip: ARGOLF standard black
Available on website $150 per club
WYNTK
ARGOLF, based in France, is well known for its extensive line of milled putters and has received good reviews of their players-category irons, so the AR-F35 super game-improvement iron model is a natural extension of their line.
The AR-F35s, the name is a nod to the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter plane, are easy to like. They have a generous sweet spot and, even when impact is not exactly in the center of the face, seem to retain ball speed making them a good choice for beginners, seniors or others of us with innate swing challenges.
Ordering online is easy and ARGOLF has a club fitting center in their Jupiter, Fla. U.S. office and their website also offers no-charge phone consultation with a PGA Professional.
Taking the AR-F35s to the range for the first time it was evident the ball had a higher trajectory than my gamers (Callaway Apex 19). The distance was approximately the same, but it was difficult to get a sense of how much spin the long and mid iron shots had though the shorter irons stopped after two hops on the practice green.
On the course and when it could be done without slowing play two shots were hit—one with the F-35s and one with the gamers. The higher ball flight of the F-35’s despite their 1° to 1.5° stronger loft took a little getting used to but did give the ball plenty of “stop” on the greens.
These are very forgiving clubs and very easy to hit with the only drawback for some, myself included, being the look of the at address namely the amount of shaft offset. This isn’t necessarily a negative comment and certainly to be expected of a club in this category, just that one must get used to it. They are certainly worth an evaluation if you are looking for a super game-improvement iron with a conventionally styled head rather than one having a hybrid shape.
