Excel Hollow Core Ti Irons

This relatively new set of irons (available from Pinemeadow Golf) illustrates how buying clones doesn’t mean skimping on new technology. The hollow core in the name refers to a — surprise, surprise — hollow compartment in the clubhead. So the head is actually a steel frame, with a titanium face, a steel wall toward the rear of the club and a rubber back.

There are good reasons for this rather complicated design. The hollow core and rear steel plate mean that the weight is biased toward the perimeters and back of the club. That in turn means more stability and a larger sweetspot. And thus more forgiveness. The light titanium face adds a bit more spring to the club. And the rubber plate has a dampening effect on vibration.

The overall effect, then, should be a set of irons which are more consistently accurate, hit further, and feel better. And that’s the conclusion reached by those who use them. Golfer reviews reflect those design aims, with users reporting distinctly more distance and forgiveness on their shots.

The advantages come at a price. A typical set of clone irons costs around $150 - $170. The Excel Hollow Core irons cost $229, which puts them right at the top end of clone club pricing. Mind you, that’s still around 70% less than equivalent “brand” clubs.

“Hollow core multiple-materials” technology first attracted mass interest around 2 years ago with the launch of the successful Callaway Fusion irons. In May last year, the company extended the concept with the Fusion Wide Sole irons, with a bigger clubhead than the originals.

Callaway’s fusion clubs –as you would expect — make use of more sophisticated materials and designs, including their own proprietary alloy and a unique chemically engineered thermoplastic polyurethane insert. Which is one of the reasons why their iron sets are priced (much) higher than similar clubs designed by generic competitors.