PROTOCONCEPT C01.5TH Forged Hybrid Iron Review

Not A Long Iron Replacement, But A Long Iron Improvement

Ryan Heiman

Founder and Head Author of Independent Golf Reviews

Long irons are being replaced left and right by hybrids and fairway woods. Everybody is talking about 5-woods, 7-woods, 5 hybrids, etc.

Many golfer believe that these clubs are easier to hit on approach shots or long par 3s.

But some of us haven’t found the benefits of iron replacement clubs like everyone is pushing right now on the internets.

I still love a good 4-iron off the tee, on a par 5 or on long par 3s. If you are like me and don’t want to have a full bag of woods, but still hit your irons better than hybrids and high lofted fairway woods, don’t give up or replace your 4-iron.

Let me introduce the PROTOCONCEPT C01.5TH Forged Hybrid Iron which is a long iron improvement club.

They come in 3-iron or 4-iron loft and blend perfectly with other irons.

The hollow body design looks like a long iron, just a little bit beefier.

They created it with just a little offset, but not too much so it still looks really good at address, but the ball launches really easily from tee, fairway or rough.

I tested this hybrid irons over 10 rounds of golf as well as in the iGR Carls Place DIY Simulator with FlightScope Mevo+ Pro Launch Monitor.

This is my definitive PROTOCONCEPT C01.5TH Forged Hybrid Iron Review.

See the price online here

Forged Hybrid Iron

Forged clubs remain the king of feel. However usually when we think of a forged club, it is usually a solid mass of metal.

The PROTOCONCEPT C01.5TH Forged Hybrid Iron is a hollow body forged 2-peice head that gives all the feels of forged, but all the extra pop of hollow body design.

It blends the best irons of all worlds together for amazing feel, great distance and forgiveness, but still looks like a long irons which blends perfectly together with their other irons sets.

This hollow body design also allows them to optimize the CG for great performance.

The combine a SAE8655 Nickel Chromium Molybdenum Steel face with a forged S20C Carbon steel body.

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2 Lofts

What do you consider a long iron? 2-iron, 3-iron, 4-iron, and 5-iron?

I agree with PROTOCONCEPT on this one having 2 long iron options, 3-iron or 4-iron. The 19* or 22* options are perfect for filling out a set.

You could play one or the other or both.

I went with just the 4-iron to fill the gap between my hybrid and 5-iron.

This club is the perfect fit and blends into my bag seamlessly.

It has a little higher launch more like my 5-iron, but more distance and I hit is super consistent.

I could see someone doing the 3-iron also if they don’t hit their hybrid/5-wood well.

Optimized Spin and Launch

Distance isn’t the only key to irons/hybrids.

For me I want something that has consistent spin, launch and distance.

Even though I’m talking about my 200 yard club, I want it to hit close to that number as often as possible and I really like it when I can control the landing on long par 3s so that I can carry it onto the green, but not have it bounce off the back.

The PROTOCONCEPT C01.5TH Forged Hybrid Iron is designed and dialed in for a consistent and ideal launch and spin for both distance, lift and stopping power.

On-Course Performance

The PROTOCONCEPT C01.5TH Forged Hybrid Iron was put to the test immediately after it arrived.

I gamed it on-course for 8 rounds of my Nebraska golf trip.

This long iron saved me numerous strokes as I striped it off the tee and watched it bounce down the firm fairways.

I also was able to launch it high and soft into long par 3 greens. It is the perfect 4-iron improvement.

The sole grind is great for the rough or firm fairways as I was able to pick the ball clean and launch it without digging.

Summary

The PROTOCONCEPT C01.5TH Forged Hybrid Iron is not a long iron replacement, but a long iron improvement.

I know that PROTOCONCEPT isn’t a household name, but they make amazing clubs and this is just another upgrade for your iron game.

Inspired by the needs of pros, this hybrid long iron actually gives amateurs tour like performance.

The optimization of this club offers consistent spin, outstanding feel, nice launch, outstanding turf interaction and results.

You don’t have to jump on the bandwagon and get a 7-wood, but you can stick with a long iron improvement club like this for even better results.

More information here:  PROTOCONCEPT Golf Website

About The Author

Ryan Heiman – Founder and Head Author of Independent Golf Reviews

Founder of Independent Golf Reviews, Ryan plays to about a 3 handicap and writes most of the articles about the equipment, accessories and travel. Now living in Tucson, AZ he enjoys year round golf. He’s been writing reviews here and for other websites for over 10 years now. He has worked with every brand over that time.

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