If you are comparing Takomo 101 MKII vs 301 CB vs 301 MB in the UK, you are doing the right thing. These irons are built for very different golfers, and one of the fastest ways to regret a direct-to-consumer iron purchase is choosing based on looks alone.
This guide is written for UK golfers who want the simplest possible answer: which one suits you, what you gain, what you risk, and how to choose with more confidence.
Test and compare Takomo iron models in a professional fitting environment. We'll help you identify the right head, shaft and specifications to maximise distance, consistency and confidence on the course.
Book Your FittingIf you have not read the main pillar yet, start here for the full overview: Takomo Golf UK Review: Are Takomo Irons Worth It?.
Takomo iron comparison image highlighting differences in shaping, setup, and address profile across the range. Image credit: Takomo Golf.
Important: This is an independent UK guide. We are not claiming to be an official Takomo partner. The focus here is fit, performance, and buying clarity.
Quick navigation: Quick verdict · Key differences · Who each model suits · Specs table · Simple decision guide · How to test properly · FAQ
Quick Verdict
| If you want... | Pick this first | Why | What to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum forgiveness and easiest launch | Takomo 101 MKII | Designed to protect ball speed and carry on imperfect strikes | Forgiveness does not fix poor lie angle or the wrong shaft build |
| Players look with a touch of help | Takomo 301 CB | Traditional forged cavity-back control with some added stability | Specification mismatches tend to show up more clearly than with forgiving heads |
| Maximum feedback and workability | Takomo 301 MB | Blade-style iron for elite strike quality and precise shot shaping | Most golfers score worse with blades if they buy them for looks rather than strike quality |
The simple UK takeaway:
If you play in wind, on softer turf, and you value greens hit, forgiveness and stopping power often matter more than pure feel.
The key question is this: do you want your best shot to be better, or your worst shot to be less costly?
Key Differences That Actually Matter
Forgiveness and strike protection
101 MKII is built to protect you when strike is not perfect. That usually means ball speed and carry drop less on misses. That matters in real UK golf, where lies, turf, and conditions are rarely perfect.
Takomo 101 MKII game-improvement iron designed to offer the most forgiveness and launch support in the range. Image credit: Takomo Golf.
301 CB gives you some help, but it is still a players cavity back. It will tell you when you miss it, and carry variation can increase if your strike pattern is inconsistent.
Takomo 301 CB forged cavity-back iron designed for golfers who want more control, feedback, and traditional players shaping. Image credit: Takomo Golf.
301 MB is the most demanding. It rewards centred strike and punishes misses more clearly. The best use case is a golfer who already has tight dispersion and is choosing MB for control and feedback.
Takomo 301 MB blade iron featuring a traditional muscle-back profile for maximum feedback and workability. Image credit: Takomo Golf.
Launch and stopping power
UK golfers should care about peak height and landing angle, not just carry distance. If you cannot stop a 7 iron on a green, the iron becomes harder to score with even if it feels great.
- 101 MKII: usually the easiest to launch and the safest option for height and stopping power.
- 301 CB: can work very well if your delivery is stable, but shaft and build spec matter more.
- 301 MB: best when you already control trajectory well and want extra precision.
Dispersion control is mostly about specs, not just head choice
Many golfers assume players irons automatically tighten dispersion. In practice, dispersion improves when lie angle, shaft weight, length, and grip size match your delivery.
A players head can improve feel and feedback. It does not automatically straighten a two-way miss.
Common online buying mistake: changing both the iron head category and the shaft profile at the same time. If both change, it becomes much harder to know what actually improved or worsened the result.
Who Each Model Suits
Takomo 101 MKII
- High to mid handicap golfers who want more greens hit, not just a smaller clubhead
- Golfers with inconsistent strike patterns and noticeable carry variation
- Players who want a premium-looking iron that is still forgiving under pressure
- Golfers ordering direct who want the lowest regret risk
UK reality check: If your miss is heavy, thin, or toe-side, forgiveness protects your round. That is why the 101 MKII is often the most sensible direct purchase.
Takomo 301 CB
- Low to mid handicap golfers who want a classic forged cavity-back look and feel
- Players who strike the middle often and want more feedback and control
- Golfers who flight the ball reasonably well and care more about dispersion than raw distance
- Golfers who already know their build specifications
Why the 301 CB works: it is the type of players iron many golfers can realistically use. It still demands the right build, but it is a more playable choice than going straight to blades for most people.
Takomo 301 MB
- Scratch or very low handicap golfers with genuinely consistent strike quality
- Players who want maximum feedback and shot shaping
- Golfers who prioritise trajectory control and precision over help
Hard truth: most golfers do not need blades. If your handicap is driven by iron dispersion and inconsistent contact, blades usually make that problem more expensive and more frustrating.
Takomo 101 MKII vs 301 CB vs 301 MB Specs
This table is here to make the shape differences easier to understand. Loft and offset strongly influence how playable an iron feels for most golfers.
| Model | Type | 7 iron loft | 7 iron offset | 7 iron blade length | Top line thickness | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron 101 MKII | Game improvement | 29° | 3.4 mm | 78.8 mm | 5.1 to 7 mm | High to mid handicap golfers |
| Iron 301 CB | Players cavity back | 34° | 1.8 mm | 71 mm | 5 mm | Low to scratch golfers |
| Iron 301 MB | Players muscle back | 34° | 1.8 mm | 71 mm | 4.5 mm | Scratch golfers |
How to read this: the 101 MKII has stronger loft and more offset, which usually helps launch and direction for the average golfer. The 301 CB and 301 MB use more traditional lofts and demand more consistent delivery.
Optional reading: Takomo’s official model pages, which open in a new tab: 101 MKII, 301 CB, 301 MB.
Simple Decision Guide
Step 1: Choose your priority
- Priority is forgiveness and confidence: start with 101 MKII.
- Priority is control with some help: start with 301 CB.
- Priority is maximum feedback and shot shaping: only consider 301 MB if your strike is already elite.
Step 2: Answer these questions honestly
- Do I regularly strike my current 7 iron in the centre, or do I see toe and heel misses?
- Is my typical miss one-sided, or do I miss both left and right?
- Can I consistently hold greens with mid-irons in UK conditions?
- Do I know my lie angle and shaft weight preference, or am I guessing?
- Am I choosing a smaller head because it looks better, or because it scores better?
Step 3: What most UK golfers should do
If you are buying direct and want the lowest regret risk, the smarter route is normally to choose the more forgiving head that still looks good to you, then focus on the build specs that reduce dispersion.
Quick recommendation:
If you are undecided between 101 MKII and 301 CB, choose 101 MKII unless you are already a consistent striker with proven specs. Most golfers score better with stability than with a smaller profile.
How to Test These Irons Properly
If you get the chance to test, the goal is not to judge the single best shot. The goal is to look at average dispersion and carry consistency.
What to measure in a short test session
- Carry distance
- Ball speed consistency
- Launch angle
- Spin consistency
- Peak height
- Landing angle, if available
- Left-right dispersion
- Strike pattern on the face
The UK-specific test
Compare the iron that wins on your best shot with the iron that wins on your worst shot. The iron that improves your worst shots often improves your scoring.
Testing tip: If you can only test one category, compare your current iron against a forgiving head and a players head. The pattern usually shows clearly what you need.
Common UK Buying Mistakes
Buying 301 MB because it looks elite
Blades look brilliant, but they only help if you already control strike and face delivery. If your handicap is driven by iron inconsistency, they are more likely to add frustration.
Assuming 101 MKII is only for beginners
Forgiveness does not mean cheap or basic. It means the design helps you produce a playable shot more often. Many golfers would score lower with a forgiving head and a proper build.
Ignoring gapping when moving to stronger lofts
If you move from a traditionally lofted iron into a stronger-lofted set, gaps can compress at the top and widen at the bottom. That can make approach play harder.
Choosing shaft by flex label alone
Two shafts marked stiff can behave very differently. If you cannot test, focus on weight and a sensible profile that matches what you already play well.
FAQ
Which is more forgiving, 101 MKII or 301 CB?
For most golfers, the 101 MKII will be more forgiving and more stable on imperfect strikes. The 301 CB can still be consistent for strong ball strikers, but it will usually punish misses more.
Can a mid handicapper play 301 CB?
Some can, especially if they are improving quickly and strike the ball well. If you are buying direct and do not know your specs, the safer and often better scoring option is usually the 101 MKII.
Is 301 MB only for scratch golfers?
It is designed as a players muscle back and is most suitable for elite strikers. If you are considering it, make sure your dispersion is already tight and that you are choosing it for feedback and workability rather than appearance.
Does the 101 MKII go further than 301 CB?
Often yes, partly because it is stronger lofted and built for distance. The real question is whether that distance is consistent and whether you can still stop the ball on greens.
What should I do if I cannot test any of them?
Reduce unknowns. Get a short baseline session on a launch monitor with your current 7 iron, confirm your carry, spin, peak height, and dispersion, then choose the model that best matches your needs without changing everything at once.
Final Recommendation
If you are buying direct in the UK, the best value decision is the one that gives you predictable carry, tighter dispersion, and enough stopping power across different conditions.
101 MKII is the lowest-risk pick for most golfers. 301 CB is the better choice when you already strike it well and want more control. 301 MB is a specialist option for elite ball strikers.
Next step:
Back to the main Takomo UK pillar
You can also build out the cluster further with individual model pages so each one targets its own UK search term.
