Equipment Review: Alpha RX-1 Irons, RX Hybrid, by Jeffrey Reed

Alpha Golf Clubs are probably best known for winning six RE/Max Long Drive world championships. But just like the game of golf itself, there’s much more to Alpha than long drives, as is evident in the company’s excellent RX-I irons, and RX hybrid club.

The RX-1 irons, made of 432 stainless steel, not only look sharp: they feel great from the fairway and tee. The RX-1 line helps set one of the most popular – and smartest – trends in today’s world of golf club manufacturing. That is, they offer the dual benefit of forgiveness and playability – the best of both worlds. Classically designed, these sticks are perfect for the mid-handicapper, but allow the high-handicap golfer a ton of forgiveness, while giving the low-handicapper a club which permits shot shaping with a more forgiving club head than a typical blade.

Alpha has loaded the RX-I with numerous technological features, including a wide sole for deep centre of gravity and easy launch, deep heel for workability, heel-to-toe perimeter weighting for forgiveness, and a thin face for high moment of inertia. These irons also feature a blunted leading edge to prevent turf digging, and a cambered sole for smooth glides. And the nickel-chrome plating on the mid-sized head not only feels good: it allows for easy setup and alignment.

A True Temper Dynamic Gold shaft, and Golf Pride New Decade Multi-Compound grip only add to the RX-1's high quality and performance. Shaft options include the Alpha Platinum 2 and Alpha Luxe 85 graphite shafts.

Another big performer from Alpha, the RX Hybrid looks like a racehorse ready to run out of the gates. Like the RX-1 irons, this hybrid club offers a dynamic dual design – in this case, the feel and accuracy of stainless steel with distance and power of a driving wood. A non-offset hosel and low profile face allow maximum shotmaking – the pill pops off this club with authority.

The RX hybrid looks and feels like a player’s club, but it does offers plenty of forgiveness, too. Optimal CG positioning produces a high launch angle. Torque is reduced, thanks to a low-profile face with very high MOI. A unique sole with modified weight distribution adds to its high launch capability, and offers optimum spin, control and distance. This club is certainly long, and it does permit a variety of shotmaking, despite its forgiving features. Soft 431 stainless steel provides superb feel.

The RX hybrid offers an Alpha Platinum 2 stock graphite shaft, or three custom shafts: Alpha Luxe 85, Aldila NV 85 Hybrid, and UST Irod 780 Hybrid. My 15-degree club, replacing a 2-iron, features Alpha’s Platinum 2 shaft, solid in terms of stock choices.

For more on Alpha Golf Clubs, visit www.alphagolfclubs.com.