The new Tour Edge Hot Launch 524 series is coming to retail March 1.
The 524 series—the eighth iteration of the Hot Launch line—is split into two ranges: the E524 and C524. The E (extreme) range include “super game-improvement clubs” with an extremely low center of gravity, super-shallow faces and offset designs to get the ball airborne. The C (competition) range has “competition-spec game-improvement clubs” with a higher moment of inertia in classically shaped clubs that are more traditional at address while still offering added forgiveness.
Tour Edge is including innovations from their Tour-preferred Exotics line for this game-improvement series which is largely geared toward mid tovhigh handicappers. All six metalwoods in the series feature Tour Edge’s Ridgeback crown technology, a rail that provides additional structural support for the crown, reducing deformation at impact so more energy can be transferred to the ball.
In addition to making affordable game-improvement clubs, Tour Edge is looking to expand in the custom fitting and fast shipping spaces. Game-improvement clubs and accessibility for custom fitting normally don’t pair together—Tour Edge wants to change that.
Hot Launch 524 Series mobile fitting bags will be available at more than 1,500 locations. Any custom order from an authorized Tour Edge fitter will be hand-built at Tour Edge’s headquarters in Batavia, Ill., and will ship within 48 hours for all orders placed in the continental United States.
The company says its custom fitting orders have grown rapidly in the past few years.
“Our focus is to provide something that no one else is offering: the ability to get fit into golf clubs featuring the latest in innovation designed to help the average golfer make this rough and tough game easier to play,” said David Glod, Tour Edge founder and president.
E524 and C524 Drivers
Retail prices will be $249.99 for the E and C drivers, significantly less than most name-brand drivers.
The C524 has a more traditional design and setup for maximum ball speed. A weight on the extreme rear of the clubhead lifts the MOI five percent over the previous Hot Launch series. The premium 6-4 titanium head features a deep 360-degree cup face design. Cup face construction increases the amount of face flexing on off-center hits to achieve higher ball speeds and create a more solid feel. It is available in nine, 10.5 and 12 degrees of loft for right-handers only.
In contrast, the E524 maxes out on MOI to improve launch and accuracy. Its standout feature is a “Houdini Sole” with an area of mass concentrated on the trailing edge as well as a curved leading edge under the face. Tour Edge says this innovation allows their engineers to precisely position weight in the head for an ultra-low and deep center of gravity, optimizing launch conditions and greatly improving stability.
It is available in 10.5, 12 and HL/15 degrees for righties. Left-handers can get it at 10.5 degrees.
The E and C fairway metals will be available for $169.99 each. The E and C hybrids will retail for $149.99.
The C524 fairway metals are made of 17-4 stainless steel and have a classic design and setup. The more compact profile and deeper face was inspired by the Exotics C722 series and designed with the competitive player in mind. The available right-handed lofts are a 15-degree 3-wood, 17-degree 4-wood, a 19-degree 5- wood and a 22-degree 7-wood.
The C524 hybrid is said to be for players seeking optimal launch and spin in a minimal offset design while still enjoying the benefits of “extreme playability.” You can find it in 19 degrees (3), 22 degrees (4), 25 degrees (5) and 28 degrees (6).
On the other side, the E524 fairway metals have a “slice-fighting offset design” and heel weighting for added draw bias. Right-handers can find this in a 16-degree 3-wood, 20-degree 5-wood, 23-degree 7-wood, 25-degree 9-wood and 27-degree 11-wood. This one is also available to lefties in the same lofts for the 3-wood, 5-wood and 7-wood.
The E524 hybrid has a super-shallow face with an 11 percent larger hitting area compared to the previous Hot Launch series. It aims for “extreme forgiveness” and a high launch angle. It is available in right- and left-handed sets for the 19-degree (3), 22-degree (4), 25-degree (5) and 28-degree (6).
E524 and C524 Irons/Wedges
The C524 irons and wedges will sell for $79.99 per iron while the E524 irons and wedges will retail for $99.99 per iron.
The C524 irons are traditional cavity-backs made from soft 431 stainless steel. They feature a wide sole and added toe weighting for stability and more distance on off-center hits. Lofts, for righties and lefties, are 20 degrees (4), 23 degrees (5), 26 degrees (6), 29 degrees (7), 33 degrees (8), 38 degrees (9), 43 degrees (PW) and 48 degrees (A).
The C524 VIBRCOR wedge has 20 percent more TPU material strategically placed in the deep undercut pocket for a distinct feel at impact. Right-handers can find it in 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 degrees. Left-handed lofts are 52, 56 and 60 degrees.
The E524 irons are hollow “iron-wood” designs that put an emphasis on ease of launch and correcting mishits. It includes a wider front-to-back length, a thinner top line and more weight lower in the clubhead. You can find it in the same lofts for both sides: 20 degrees (3), 23 degrees (4), 26 degrees (5), 29 degrees (6), 32 degrees (7), 36 degrees (8), 40 degrees (9), 44 degrees (PW) and 49 degrees (A).
Finally, the E524 wedges also have the Houdini Sole which limits the amount of sole area, reducing drag and turf interaction by 35 percent. An oversized face design on the E-Series wedge provides more striking area for players seeking an extreme game-improvement wedge. You can find it in 52, 56 and 60 degrees for both sides.
The entire 524 lineup comes stock with an ultra-light ALDILA ASCENT PL (Performance Light) graphite shaft. The True Temper Elevate MPH 95 steel shaft is also offered in the 524 irons and wedges.
