Edel SMS and SMS Pro Irons - 2023 Forum Review

[ZMendle10]

3 hours ago, GolfSpy BOS said:

did you have any loft/lie adjustments?

I'm almost positive mine came unwrapped during testing and I assume that's because I had non-standard lie angles.  Wouldn't want the plastic to cause any slippage when trying to bend them 2* flat. 

That's a great point. I had them bent 1° upright so that would make sense. 

[ZMendle10]

A little late to the unboxing party but here are some photos of the SMS.

I went with Dynamic Golf X100 as the shaft since I play DG 120's and the additional shaft weight of Tour Issue X100 never bothered me all to much and for grip I just went with tour velvet midsize so nothing fancy on that end. 

Put of the box these things are absolutely gorgeous and I was very excited to hit them as soon as I got them. They definitely are a larger profile iron from the back and sole but for the players distance category they have a great shape.

The thing that stands out to me the most is there is a fair amount of offset but its not off-putting and I love how short the blade is from heel to toe. I would say its a bit smaller than my ZXy's however the ZX7's have a thinner topline and less offset as well. and that satin finish is I will admit a nice touch over a shiny chrome. 

There are some negatives of unboxing though. The first one is that the SMS and my ZX7 are both supposed to be the same length on paper but the SMS is 1/4in shorter. Now I haven't taken them to a ruler yet as I don't have access to one but I have had my ZX7 measured before and I know that it is deadnuts 37.0in. I did get the SMS iron 1° upright so this may be the reason it appears shorter so if anyone has any insight on this possibility I am all ears. Having hit them since their arrival they don't feel shorter and they don't play any different than my ZX7's in terms of length.

The bigger negative for me though is that I never received a tool for the weights in my shipment. I will be reaching out to Edel about this issue and report back however it is also not a major issue as I have an allen key I can use on my own but it is a slight disappointment. 

 

[Willie T]

Plan today - take the SMS 7i to the range and work on dialing it in, then play an abbreviated round with the SLDR 7i in side by side play…..well that did not happen.  Instead I show as the Friday Men’s Group is teaming up to head out.  An old friend asks me to fill in as one team needs a third.  So I play the round “in the dark” in regards to the SMS 7i and how it performs…..

In the end (1st round impressions - non very scientific results here):

Accuracy (L - to - R): the SMS (w/8g weight in toe) goes pretty doggone straight.  No hard pushes or pulls encountered. 

Shot Shaping: No real opportunity to work it as most shots were straightforward.  (Range time next week on this one)

Distance: looks to be about 5-10 yards longer than the SLDR (to be verified w/launch monitor) 

End of the day, I really like that the club lets you know if you mishit and also if you strike it well.  To be continued….

 

Edited December 8, 2023 by Willie T
Grammar

[ChitownM2]

14 hours ago, ZMendle10 said:

 

There are some negatives of unboxing though. The first one is that the SMS and my ZX7 are both supposed to be the same length on paper but the SMS is 1/4in shorter. Now I haven't taken them to a ruler yet as I don't have access to one but I have had my ZX7 measured before and I know that it is deadnuts 37.0in. I did get the SMS iron 1° upright so this may be the reason it appears shorter so if anyone has any insight on this possibility I am all ears. Having hit them since their arrival they don't feel shorter and they don't play any different than my ZX7's in terms of length.

The bigger negative for me though is that I never received a tool for the weights in my shipment. I will be reaching out to Edel about this issue and report back however it is also not a major issue as I have an allen key I can use on my own but it is a slight disappointment. 

 

Club length varies from brand to brand as the way they all measure differs so that is likely the discrepancy.  I think Mizuno and srixon measure length to the end of the actual shaft before putting a grip on.  Ping measures to the line at the end of the butt cap on their standard grip which results in a different shaft cut length and means that the measured length in a shop would vary based on the grip you choose.  Callaway, Titleist, TM all have their way of measure as well....

Edited December 9, 2023 by ChitownM2

[revkev]

On 12/7/2023 at 11:21 AM, GolfSpy BOS said:

did you have any loft/lie adjustments?

I'm almost positive mine came unwrapped during testing and I assume that's because I had non-standard lie angles.  Wouldn't want the plastic to cause any slippage when trying to bend them 2* flat. 

Mine were ordered two flat. It definitely came in plastic wrap. My understanding is that when you order a factory adjustment they have heads premade flat or upright - perhaps that’s only larger OEMs do perhaps someone will correct me. 
 

I meant to take mine to the course yesterday when I played but chaos ensued at my house and I forgot it. I will need to run to the store after the UConn game today - I’m picturing a quick side trip to the club on the way.

Edited December 9, 2023 by revkev

[Willie T]

Demo 7i update:  Played a round today using this iron along with the AI-ONE Milled putter I am testing (

along with the ongoing reporting of the INDI wedges I tested this summer.  

Round thoughts: It was a fun day having to rely on the 7i to get me out of some blocked in areas (which it excelled).  The shot of the day was on #12, a short par 3 (playing 135 today). 

This is an easy 7i for me so that is what I played.  The ball landed about 9' below the pin with a 3" hop/stop.  For me that was pin point accuracy.  The putter (not the club) failed to convert for birdie, but par was satisfying. The club does let you know if you are off the sweet spot but also issues that buttery feeling a forged face delivers when well struck.   More to come.... 

 

 

[Owengeorge13]

7 minutes ago, Willie T said:

Demo 7i update:  Played a round today using this iron along with the AI-ONE Milled putter I am testing (

along with the ongoing reporting of the INDI wedges I tested this summer.  

Round thoughts: It was a fun day having to rely on the 7i to get me out of some blocked in areas (which it excelled).  The shot of the day was on #12, a short par 3 (playing 135 today). 

This is an easy 7i for me so that is what I played.  The ball landed about 9' below the pin with a 3" hop/stop.  For me that was pin point accuracy.  The putter (not the club) failed to convert for birdie, but par was satisfying. The club does let you know if you are off the sweet spot but also issues that buttery feeling a forged face delivers when well struck.   More to come.... 

 

 

Keep them coming!

[Willie T]

6 minutes ago, Owengeorge13 said:

Keep them coming!

That's the plan - as much as life will allow....

[Owengeorge13]

Looking for more updates!  Anyone…bueller?

[GolfSpy BOS]

I still love mine.... hence the family Christmas photo this year:

 

[Owengeorge13]

If you end up not likening them, I will take them off your hands!  The irons not the kids!

[Willie T]

Edel SMS 7i - demo - more thoughts:  

(1) Played again with the Edel and the SLDR - more the former and less the latter.  Far more predictable ball flight with the Edel. I do find that you do “feel” off center, but man o man - on center is buttery sweet. 
(2) Backyard drills - moving the 8g weight - center, heel, toe does affect shot shape - and carry looks to be best with the 8g weight in the toe. This made me think about my old TA 845s Silver Scots and the weighting they have. 

So - a little impromptu head to head in the backyard with hard foam balls just to see.  Granted the 845s Silver Scot is 36* and the Edel is 32* it was a case is seeing if the shot shapes were similar based on a toe bias weighted Edel.  Remarkably similar. Both clubs with my swing providing a baby draw type shape. 
(3) Awkward lies shots with the Edel. I have a nice sloping ditch here at the house that provides side hill, uphill and downhill lies.  The Edel is super predictable and I seem to “know” what the club is going to deliver.  

So what do I do?  Edel has reached out to see if I want to complete the iron set….is it good enough to oust the SLDR irons?  Hmmmmm…..will need to ponder 

[Owengeorge13]

10 minutes ago, Willie T said:

Edel SMS 7i - demo - more thoughts:  

(1) Played again with the Edel and the SLDR - more the former and less the latter.  Far more predictable ball flight with the Edel. I do find that you do “feel” off center, but man o man - on center is buttery sweet. 
(2) Backyard drills - moving the 8g weight - center, heel, toe does affect shot shape - and carry looks to be best with the 8g weight in the toe. This made me think about my old TA 845s Silver Scots and the weighting they have. 

So - a little impromptu head to head in the backyard with hard foam balls just to see.  Granted the 845s Silver Scot is 36* and the Edel is 32* it was a case is seeing if the shot shapes were similar based on a toe bias weighted Edel.  Remarkably similar. Both clubs with my swing providing a baby draw type shape. 
(3) Awkward lies shots with the Edel. I have a nice sloping ditch here at the house that provides side hill, uphill and downhill lies.  The Edel is super predictable and I seem to “know” what the club is going to deliver.  

So what do I do?  Edel has reached out to see if I want to complete the iron set….is it good enough to oust the SLDR irons?  Hmmmmm…..will need to ponder 

If you like them, find a fitter and go for it!   I’m super impressed by the tech.  But definitely go to a fitter first!  I think CC carries Edel. (I don’t have a set, I cannot speak from experience, but if I was in the market they would be the first set I would try)

Edited December 23, 2023 by Owengeorge13

[Willie T]

25 minutes ago, Owengeorge13 said:

If you like them, find a fitter and go for it!   I’m super impressed by the tech.  But definitely go to a fitter first!  I think CC carries Edel. (I don’t have a set, I cannot speak from experience, but if I was in the market they would be the first set I would try)

Already been looking - closest CC fitter is about 2hrs each way.  

[Owengeorge13]

1 minute ago, Willie T said:

Already been looking - closest CC fitter is about 2hrs each way.  

Ouch…that sounds like a long day.  But…those irons sound awesome.

[Willie T]

Thought I would throw a few thoughts up here on the test 7i - the club continues to impress.  I’ve used it to punch out runners from among trees, sweet hooking draws around trees, crisp approaches that hop and stop, and it goes where I envision it going. Has there been a downside in this test?  The iron lets you know if you are not on the sweet spot at contact, but even then the shot has not been horrific.  The other day I played around with the 8g weight - a series with it in the heel, the center, and the toe.  I’m amazed at how 6g of weight shift can be felt. As noted before - the club works best for me with the 8g in the toe. So what will I do?  Three options: (1) return the iron at the end of the test period; (2) pay for the iron and keep playing it; (3) pony up, get to an Edel fitter and dial in a set of SMS (5 - PW) of irons less the 7 (other than changes to match a fitted set).  No matter what I do, the test has proven that all the accolades applied in reviews are spot on.  

[Owengeorge13]

I want a second set of irons.  I might end up buying new level 902 os because of the price…the only thing holding me back are zx5mkii and SmS irons…I already bought grips and bbandf co.  Just waiting to see who goes on sale first.

[ZMendle10]

For those that participated in the black friday opportunity will you be purchasing the rest of the set or returning your 7i? And if returning did you get your return label yet?

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Just now, ZMendle10 said:

For those that participated in the black friday opportunity will you be purchasing the rest of the set or returning your 7i? And if returning did you get your return label yet?

While I like the 7 iron, I can’t see committing $1800 to a new set of irons, right now. 
I haven’t seen any correspondence or a return label yet, but I assume that it will be coming soon. 

[ZMendle10]

3 minutes ago, GolfSpy_BEN said:

While I like the 7 iron, I can’t see committing $1800 to a new set of irons, right now. 
I haven’t seen any correspondence or a return label yet, but I assume that it will be coming soon. 

My thoughts exactly. There are a lot of things that I like about this iron and I could see it being a great long iron combo with the SMS Pro's but my gamers dont need to be replaced just yet. However Edel is for sure on my radar when that time comes. 

[Willie T]

5 hours ago, ZMendle10 said:

For those that participated in the black friday opportunity will you be purchasing the rest of the set or returning your 7i? And if returning did you get your return label yet?

I’ve played a number of rounds as part of my SLDR irons (albeit they are graphite shafted and it’s steel), likewise I’ve played it mixed into my throw together Callaway X-16/18 irons  as they are steel shaft an the  lofts match up well.  The verdict - it’s a really neat iron that i love to play - dispersion is great, distance control is getting there, gains in distance - nominal.  So, is it worth diving into a new set of irons? Maybe - maybe not.  It would be 6i-PW (5 X $250 (no extras) or $1,300) - as I lean more on hybrids in 3-5.  Need to do more plus/minus evals. 

Edited February 12 by Willie T

[Willie T]

17 Feb update - Had an e-mail from Edel stating they were going to let me continue testing the 7i thru the golf season at no charge!  Looking forward to more on course work - as I’ve ordered additional weights (1ea 4-6-8-10) I am excited to see how the iron’s performance changes - good or bad or indifferent……stay tuned 

[Prepcoach44]

This thread and review of the Edel SMS/SMS pro irons has been a great read. A few weeks ago I completed a Truefit irons quiz and the SMS pros were suggested. So having no knowledge of them I did some research, found this thread, went to the Edel website and discovered that there are a couple of Edel fitters in my home state of CT. Made my way to a golf shop to give a quick look and swing in one of their simulators. I agree with all who mentioned the visual appeal of the irons. My trip to the shop was quick, was able to grab the sms pro demo 7 iron from the rack and made about 20 swings, I didn’t have time to swap shafts or move the weights, will schedule an appointment to do that down the road. Was impressed with the launch, height, landing angle and distance. Ball flight in the standard weight setting was a tight draw which is consistent  with my typical ball flight. I am intrigued by this iron…just need  to do a more comprehensive  fitting session where I can compare my current irons, Srixon Zx7’s, the new ping blueprint s/t and the edel sms pros, and get an idea of which shaft might be best. Again really enjoyed the reviews. Well Done.

[Willie T]

The extra weights I ordered arrived Friday.  Hope to get some time to play around with them this week: along with the stock 2g-8g-2g weights I have additional available weights in 4g - 6g - 8g and 10g.  Gonna be fun…

[ZMendle10]

I have to eat my hat here a bit and take back my comments on the length and build quality of the trial SMS 7i. My club ruler came in the mail a few moments ago and the first thing I did was measure the SMS and my ZX7 7 irons and the results are in. 

The SMS measured out to a length of 37in even which is exactly what it was ordered to. 

The ZX7 7i that was built by club champion measures out to 37 1/4in for length and was actually the incorrectly built club. I actually still have my old build "prescription" and it was supposed to be built to a length of 37.0in so the 7i is built 1/4in too long. 

 

[ChitownM2]

10 hours ago, ZMendle10 said:

I have to eat my hat here a bit and take back my comments on the length and build quality of the trial SMS 7i. My club ruler came in the mail a few moments ago and the first thing I did was measure the SMS and my ZX7 7 irons and the results are in. 

The SMS measured out to a length of 37in even which is exactly what it was ordered to. 

The ZX7 7i that was built by club champion measures out to 37 1/4in for length and was actually the incorrectly built club. I actually still have my old build "prescription" and it was supposed to be built to a length of 37.0in so the 7i is built 1/4in too long. 

 

It's possible that they were both built correctly since each manufacturer measures length differently.  I believe Srixon measures their clubs using the raw shaft so that the built length of the club is not affected by the butt thickness of whatever grip you choose.  I believe Ping builds their clubs such that the length is measured to the line on the butt cap if you go with their standard grip, regardless of what grip you actually choose. 

[ZMendle10]

14 hours ago, ChitownM2 said:

It's possible that they were both built correctly since each manufacturer measures length differently.  I believe Srixon measures their clubs using the raw shaft so that the built length of the club is not affected by the butt thickness of whatever grip you choose.  I believe Ping builds their clubs such that the length is measured to the line on the butt cap if you go with their standard grip, regardless of what grip you actually choose. 

That would make sense. While these clubs were built by club champion and not srixon I would assume that would be the same way they went about them. 

[Shrek74]

15 hours ago, ZMendle10 said:

That would make sense. While these clubs were built by club champion and not srixon I would assume that would be the same way they went about them. 

Sadly, very little of the way clubs are built and even labeled (ie stiff v senior) these days is similar across the various manufacturers. You can't even say "standard length" when talking about clubs as everyone's is different. It's crazy, and annoying to be sure.

[GolfSpy AFG]

I’ll add one more wrinkle to this discussion of build specs.  If you recall from my original review, I ordered my irons a degree strong.  I just had them re-shafted and bent a degree flat at Club Champion, and they checked the lofts and they were off.  Inconsistent across the set in fact, but all standard loft or even a little weak in some cases.

Still a big fan, just the first real negative I’ve experienced, and can’t say that’s unique to Edel versus any other OEM. Perhaps just a good lesson to have your lofts and lies checked.

[ejgaudette]

16 minutes ago, GolfSpy AFG said:

I’ll add one more wrinkle to this discussion of build specs.  If you recall from my original review, I ordered my irons a degree strong.  I just had them re-shafted and bent a degree flat at Club Champion, and they checked the lofts and they were off.  Inconsistent across the set in fact, but all standard loft or even a little weak in some cases.

Still a big fan, just the first real negative I’ve experienced, and can’t say that’s unique to Edel versus any other OEM. Perhaps just a good lesson to have your lofts and lies checked.

Times like these make me want a loft lie machine. Its a bit far to get that done around here but I would love to check