At a glance they look like straight blades, but what you cant see is these are actually the most forgiving and playable of the new Pro irons this year. The details: Titleist went back to the drawing board with the newest iteration of the T200, and returned to market with a design thats turning heads. Our take: The 0211 DC irons arent quite as blade-y as their ST counterparts, but they still offer a beautiful top-line look for confidence at address. These are for full-time hitters. More specifically, 103 diamond-shaped sections are positioned in varying degrees of thickness across the clubface to promote faster ball speeds from all impact locations. Turbocharged face - each launcher HB Turbo iron features a turbocharged, high strength steel face that is thinner and hotter for increased ball speeds and explosive distance. We tested: Combo set: 2 hybrids and 5 irons. I see a lot of face when I look at it, and that makes me feel comfortable, said the tester. I dumped mine as I was sick of the hype and PR joining PXG. The faces in each head have been optimized by Artificial Intelligence, and theyre made with new 450 A.I. For example, it leaves out the Ping G425, which is one of the most popular GI irons out there. A: While golfers have been conditioned to consider distance to the exclusion of nearly everything else, we recommend looking at the little numbers and looking for small circles. I love the fact that you get that much speed from an iron that has a reasonable blade length.. Along with adding rigidity to the head, an active Thru-Slot Speed Pocket enlarges the unsupported area of the face, creating a larger sweet spot for golfers who struggle with consistent contact. Amazing. Was disappointed at how they finished in testing. So whether it's the latest driver, irons, putter or laser rangefinder, Joel has his finger on the pulse keeping up to date with the latest releases in golf. In addition to the expected looks, the modernized blades use geometrics in the back cavity to control mass placement throughout the set. Runner Up: Wilson Staff Model Blade Irons. The Titleist T400 is one of the most forgiving irons on the market let alone in Titleists popular T series. As for what makes the Launch Pad irons so playable, its a variety of factors. It seems crazy not to consider them.. Its a classic compact look and spec package thats suited for the best players. The details: Wilsons smartly designed D9 irons have Power Holes in the sole near the face to help boost face flex and increase speed, effectively expanding the sweet spots. The blade styling, forged heads, wafer-thin toplines, narrow soles, compact sizing (the smallest in the companys lineup): Everything screams Better ball strikers only, please! If thats you, oh, the shot shapes and trajectories you can create. A custom fit session will make sure you get the right flex and length of shaft, correct lie angle and correct iron head for your game, meaning you'll finish with a set of irons that will be as suitable as possible for you out on course. I've combed through the best of the super game improvement iron category, brought you . We identify distance scores for each iron: 5, 7 and PW. BEST GAME-IMPROVEMENT IRONS FOR DISTANCE TOP PICKS: COBRA KING LTDX, CALLAWAY ROGUE ST MAX, COBRA KING FORGED TEC X Having recently taken these clubs for a spin ourselves, we were very impressed with the feel these clubs offer. Irons: Srixon ZX (20 degrees), Srixon Z-Forged (4-PW) For the ZX4, Srixon used technology to replay multiple shots and found that a variable-thickness pattern milled into the back of the steel face insert maximizes ball speeds and launch. By Matt MacKay Titleist Vokey SM9 60 lob wedge, K Grind. PXG 0311 P GEN4 Irons are the best irons weve ever made. Q: What should I look for when testing irons? Cobra Women's AIR-X Iron Combo Set. The PI-401 cavity back iron was designed for players of every skill level. Published 28 February 23. To separate them from other blades on the market, however, Callaway designed the Apex MBs with adjustable weighting in the back cavities to dial in swing weight and performance. The Haywood CB irons were built with the intention for average to above-average golfers to hit the shots they want while providing increased forgiveness, exceptional feel, and performance. The most forgiving irons are: TaylorMade Stealth Irons (Overall winner) TaylorMade Sim 2 Max irons (Runner-up) Ping G425 irons (Great all-rounder) Cleveland Golf Men's Launcher HB Iron Set (Best for distance) Mizuno JPX 921 (Best forged) Cobra F-Max Irons (Best value - beginner) Tour Edge Hot Launch C521 Irons (Great value - high handicapper) Q: You discuss subjective feedback for things like looks, sound and feel. They arent blades by any means, but they still have a traditional iron shape that masks multiple technologies designed to help boost distance and forgiveness across more points on the clubface. These clubs raise my launch, but not overly aggressive, one tester said. However, it held its own against newcomers. The hollow-bodied constructions are filled with urethane microspheres to improve sound and feel, and they use heavy Tungsten weighting to enhance stability and dial in trajectory. Our take: Blade irons are for the golfer who wants the ultimate in precision performance, and the Apex MBs deliver both in shaping and in technology. The details: The i525s maraging steel face is strong enough to allow for a thinner face structure whose variable face thickness (VFT) increases ball speed for more distanceand more consistent distances. The construction features a multi-layer PWR-COR weighting system that lowers CG, and promotes maximum flexion of the body, sole and face for peak ball speed and distance. Exceptional distance. money, time and performance. I wish all irons felt this good.. The first set worth mentioning are the Taylormade Sim 2 Max Irons, as these are among the top performing golf irons for most players. For those on the bubble, especially for those seeking a few more yards, the players distance category is typically the most versatile. Many manufacturers also realize that even better players need some help with the . Tour Edges VibRCor creates a distinct feel of the clubhead at impact that dampens sound and shock, while also creating perimeter weighting around the entire clubhead for maximum forgiveness and power and ball speed enhancement off the face. The new-look Cap Back Design with toe wrap construction is engineered to improve face flexibility and deliver faster ball speeds. Tour Edge has also utilized TPU in the E722s cavity to dampen sound and reduce vibration to give golfers acoustics and feel that are softer than might be expected. Ping. The most forgiving forged irons on the market are the Callaway Apex DCB Irons. Wilson Women's D9 Iron Set. The details: Collin Morikawas iron or choice, the P7MC is forged from 1025 carbon steel in a 2,000-ton press to add strength and feel to each head. 1. The details: Grain Flow Forged with a Stability Frame with toe bias weighting for more stability at impact for straighter shots and a more consistent/predictable ballflight. TaylorMade still features the Speed Bridge and Speed Pocket in these irons, and the MAX version are specifically engineered to be the best fit for forgiveness and have a larger profile than other options. Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 12 years covering both instruction and more recently equipment. Our take: Did our testers like the look of the i59s more, or the performance? Our take: Want to hit what the pros hit? In this case, XXIO delivers soundly on that promise. Most of these irons continue to be forged from a soft metal such as 1025 carbon steel although some are still cast. To boot, they helped Gary Woodland win the 2019 U.S. Open. Too bad Wilsons D9 forged didnt make it into this testing round. Some products are reaching an end of life cycle. The Mizuno Pro 223 has a Flow Microslot behind the face resulting in a thin clubface for faster ballspeeds and a beveled back edge for more versatility. In fact, it's the same high-strength material youll see used in the Paradym driver because it it thinner and stronger than traditional steels. TaylorMade SIM Max OS Irons Quick Summary Club Flex: Regular Shaft Material: Steel Weight: 6 pounds View Price and Buy on Amazon The TaylorMade SIM Max OS Irons are one of the strongest lofted irons in the market currently. G425s employ variable face thickness (VFT)the face is thinner in certain areas, and the weight saved has been added to the hosel and toe, enhancing forgiveness, ball speed and shot trajectory. Irons Skip to main page content shopping cart icon English - United States 1-800-474-6434 Customer Service Trade In & Move Up Find a Fitter Register | Sign In Brand new face technology increases speed, distance and control in these new irons. When hitting, try and take note of where you are striking the golf ball with the face of the club and see if there is any performance drops. No time? Sure, the distance is there but is the spin sufficient to hold the green? Its the same game being played for years by irons OEMs going longer and better. The details: TaylorMades P7MB irons were developed based on input from the worlds top golfers, including Dustin Johnson, so naturally theyre going to have the familiar blade shapes that better players prefer, including thin toplines, reduced offset and narrow soles. Nice job, MGS. The multi-material design allows Stealth to eclipse the performance of traditional irons. Grain Flow Forged Chromoly 4120 enables the face to be ultra-thin for a faster ballspeed and a CNC-milled slot behind the face pushes weight farther toward the perimeter for more forgiveness. The progressive weighting in the sole provides a lower center of gravity in the long irons for added height and higher trajectory on longer shots. It seems really odd you would exclude the NL OS iron, since NL won the players iron category. A:ZERO. I cant believe how good it is. 4th Place: Cobra T-Rail Combo Irons. But some of the best golf irons (opens in new tab) on the market have been specifically designed to make the task considerably easier. Its forgiveness where you need it, and control where you want it, all from the same set of Irons. Our take: Most irons designed for better players arent considered lightweight irons, but the XXIO X irons stand alone as a solid lightweight option that better players might consider should they also want to effortlessly tack on extra clubhead speed without any added effort. The details: Callaways TCB irons are similar in look and tech to the companys X Forged CB offerings, except theyre slightly more compact with thinner toplines and soles, and slightly less offset. The most forgiving irons all look to help youachieve greater consistency and swing more confidently when hitting approach shots from different lies. In the end, this is not 2022s Most Wanted GI Iron Test, its 2022s Most Wanted GI Iron Test For Clubs Released In 2022. 1-approved, being that Jon Rahm used these irons to win the 2021 U.S. Open Championship. D9 irons launch higher and spin lower while delivering stopping power for accuracy. Spin consistency The details: Rather than using the original SpeedFoam material between the face and body of the irons, TaylorMade has developed a new SpeedFoam Air urethane material thats 69 percent less dense. Unfortunately for me at least the accuracy was awful! allowing the engineers to identify where boundaries could be pushed in materials and design. If accuracy is your main objective, TaylorMade Stealth is worth your consideration. Ironic that golf is trying to be inclusive however club makers are trying to price 99% of the population out of buying their clubs due to price, plus any resale on those clubs are non existent. The details: Designed with slower swingers in mind, these cavity-backed irons marry lightweight construction with offset setups and slightly weaker lofts. read all about this years ClubTest testing process here, Are all golf balls the same size? It was the longest iron across the board. Available in variable or single length. The lesser known brands in this list still make high quality, forgiving golf irons, so there's good value to be had here. Theyre hollow. Its an iron cheat code, One Tester raved. Like thats actually one of the main stereotypes, that its a rich mans game? TaylorMade Women's Stealth Combo Set. A compact blade shape, narrow topline, single-piece forging, and narrow sole give ZX7 the workability, feel, and aesthetics of a world-class players iron. They have a large, hollow-body profile to promote distance, and severe back weighting to improve height on shots hit across the face. Ping design and steel shaft is ok but shaft quality has become pathetic in Ping graphite irons stock shaft inspite of great improvement in technologyso wake up Ping guys. Our take: Its easy to be fooled by how the 225s look. The details: The Pro 225 irons feature a Grain Flow Forged hollow-body construction for added forgiveness, and like the other new Pro irons has a copper underlay for better feel. They dont have a current game improvement iron. For our 2022 Game-Improvement Iron test, weve focused on models added to the market since our last test. These iron/hybrid hybrids are so easy to hit that it feels a little like cheating. Its compact look inspires creativity, and the cavity-back construction offers added distance. I think with the Steath 5i at 21* and the Cobra at 20.5* most players looking at game improvement irons would consider these long irons. The details: The highlight is the dual VibRCor technology a TPU insert in the hollow body design behind the face that creates more ballspeed and a tour-desired feel. Same metric in 22 had it at 180 yards. 3) Best For Distance: Cobra Radspeed Iron Set. Crisp, consistent impact, a solid feel and a flighted trajectory with added forgiveness are the result of an aerospace-grade aluminum insert joined to a forged 1025 carbon steel body and forged 17-4 SS laser-cut face. We think it is vitally important to do both and continue to test the irons so they have been comprehensively put to the test in different conditions. The Callaway Big Bertha B21 irons are the first Big Bertha irons to be designed using Artificial Intelligence. We use their feedback as a representation of what golfers like and dislike about the product we test. $250 original cost per 0211 iron and now $79.99 per iron. Making a clean contact with the ball and achieving a consistent strike and distance can be quite a challenge. Price: From $785.99. This shows that the group of testers this year dont hit as long as the group in 21. Still their current model. They arise instead from Metal Injection Molding, a manufacturing innovation that allows for intricate shapes and precision design, yielding clubs that combine a distinctive appearance with uncommonly soft feel. The details: The 0311 XP are geared for extreme forgiveness, which they achieve through more offset and a wider sole. Performance should be your primary concern when buying new irons but there are additional things you may want to think about before you make your decision. It has the strongest lofts in the Titleist iron range, but the launch is not. The details: While the iron is designed around a sleeker overall look think P700 Series TaylorMade didnt make sacrifices to the technologies housed inside the hollow-body construction. BTW I can more than afford any PXG or other club in the review so your assumption is incorrect. I hit my 3 more accurately than I hit an 18 degree hybrid. This way you can be sure you have reviews you can trust. TaylorMade Stealth Irons - Best Feel 7. From there, an overall score is calculated. I was REALLY looking forward to seeing how the OS performed in this category. As a golfer, you want a club that is attractive at address. Little more feedback than I thought Id get from a traditional blade, and the face scorelines are longer than Im used to seeing, which gives you confidence.. The Stealth iron provides golfers with even more distance and forgiveness than what is on offer in theP790 model. We tested: Rogue ST Max: 4-PW, AW, GW, SW; Rogue ST Max OS: 4-9, PW, AW, GW, SW; Rogue ST Pro: 3-PW, AW; Rogue ST Max OS Lite: 4-PW, AW, GW, SW, Our take: Players fawned over the combination of length and forgiveness from the Rogue ST irons, but the Pro version in particular was a show stopper: For how low spin it is, it has a nice controlled launch and its extremely fast, said a GOLF tester. Matt MacKay brings you his best bets for the Arnold Palmer Invitational. I figure Mizuno lost a couple ranking placements because they didnt fly as far as the other Game Improvement irons. What if the distance you are gaining isnt efficient distance? A 5 is a mid-iron. While there is some overlap between categories, your search should begin with an honest assessment of your skill level (handicap) as well as what you need in your game. Well these clubs have designs and technology created to minimize the effects of a poor swing or a poor contact. MyGolfSpy Integrity in Advertising Promise. 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