There is a persistent myth in the golf industry that to obtain a truly premium, precision-milled blade, you have to part with a sum of money north of $1,500.
After spending significant time with the Sub 70 669 MB irons, that notion hasn’t just been challenged – it’s been dismantled. As an equipment tester, I see the best of the best, but the 669 MB is a stark reminder that incredible brands exist outside the local pro shop, offering performance that rivals, and often exceeds, the industry giants.
(Image credit: Future)
Visually, the 669 MB strikes a sophisticated chord. From the back, the minimal branding and soft CNC milling lines offer up an extremely premium aesthetic that wouldn’t look out of place in a boutique Japanese forge.
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The profile of the iron is particularly strong; it sits in that ‘Goldilocks’ zone of blade shaping. It isn’t overly curvy like the Haywood CB, yet it avoids the hyper-boxy, angular look of the TaylorMade P7TW. The topline is thin enough to challenge you, but also a nod to the potential feedback on offer.
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4-iron(Image credit: Future)7-iron(Image credit: Future)Pitching wedge(Image credit: Future)
I also have to mention a personal quirk: I am a total sucker for the knurling around the hosel. It’s a small detail, but it adds a rugged, ‘machined’ feel to an iron that I have loved since first seeing it on Hogan clubs of yesteryear.
When you move from the aesthetics to the turf, the 669 MB continues to impress. The feel at impact is exceptional – soft, responsive, and remarkably ‘pure’ when struck out of the center. Much of this is aided by the very thoughtful pre-ground leading edge. It allows the club to move through the turf with superb efficiency, preventing the digging sometimes associated with sharper blades while maintaining that crisp connection every low-handicap player craves.
(Image credit: Future)
One of the most refreshing aspects of the 669 MB is the loft configuration. It is increasingly rare to see a true muscle back with a slightly stronger base loft than the traditional 34° 7-iron. The 669 MB 7-iron sits at 32°, with the pitching wedge at 45°. For a certain type of player, this will be really useful.
Usually, if you want a stronger flight in a blade, you have to bend them stronger, which will increase offset and reduce bounce – two things most blade players want to avoid. Starting at 32° provides a penetrating flight without compromising the clean, low-offset look.
(Image credit: Future)
On my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, this translated into a launch window that was a touch lower than my current Cobra 3DP MB irons. However, the data was reassuring; despite the slightly lower launch, the spin numbers didn’t drop off noticeably at all.
(Image credit: Future)
This resulted in a very ‘heavy’ ball flight that cut through the wind with ease. Performance-wise, much like the 669 TC, the MB irons are brilliantly predictable. Whether it was the launch window, spin rate, or carry numbers, the predictable nature of these irons is exactly what you want to see when you’re flag-hunting.
Finally, the DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) experience Sub 70 offers is something many larger manufacturers could learn from. The level of customization is excellent. Whether you want satin, black, or raw finishes, or if you want to go wild with twelve different ferrule options, Sub 70 makes it happen.
(Image credit: Future)
If I were reaching into my own pocket for a new set of irons this year, the Sub 70 669 MB would be very close to the top of my list. In my opinion, they represent the pinnacle of what a modern blade should be: beautiful, predictable, and fairly priced.
