OUR JOB IS YOUR GAME

What characteristics define the best performing game-improvement iron?

Is it distance? Accuracy? Control? A little added forgiveness? We’ve found that it’s a combination of all of the above, and the best way to summarize that is through Mark Broadie’s Strokes Gained Methodology. To that end, we’ve changed things up a bit since our Most Wanted Players Iron test. We still leveraged our testing facility in Virginia to deliver the most comprehensive, unbiased Game-Improvement Iron Test in the world, but we’ve improved our metrics. If you’re in the market for new irons in 2017, this is for you.

To determine this year’s rankings, we applied Strokes Gained methodology to long, middle, and short irons. We’ve provided the Strokes Gained values for each iron in our table below. As we have in the past, we have also provided standard launch monitor metrics, along with our Radial Distance and Shot Area calculations.

For more information, view our How We Test page.

DEFINING THE GAME IMPROVEMENT CATEGORY

10 of the top game-improvement irons were put to the test.  The clubs tested, while they may seem fit for the higher handicap golfer, offer playability for a wide array of handicaps.  These irons provide added forgiveness while maintaining similar launch characteristics as the non-blade players irons we tested earlier in the year.

The target handicap for this iron category ranges from low single digits to the mid-teens. The designs of these clubs feature a medium-sized head profile and a full cavity to maximize distance and forgiveness across the set.

ADVANCED GOLF ANALYTICS

Data matters. And when it comes to finding the right equipment, it’s critical. We help solve this by applying the largest connected set of head-to-head data to tackle one of golf’s biggest challenges.

All testing was conducted inside our fully independent test facility located in Virginia. All testers used Bridgestone B330-RX golf balls for consistency and to reduce test variables. All ball data was collected using the world’s most trusted launch monitor, Foresight Sports. All head data was captured using the Foresight’s HMT.

• SHOTS HIT: 5,812
• DATA POINTS: 255,728
• TIME: 60 hours
• TESTERS: 20
• HANDICAP RANGE: 0-16
• AGE RANGE: 23 – 50
• DRIVER SWING SPEED RANGE: 80 mph – 120 mph
• IRONS TESTED: Three irons, a short, middle, and long iron from each set

Data. Aggregated. Normalized. Delivered.

For more details, see our How We Test page.

RESULTS AND RANKINGS

Our rankings aren’t determined inside a conference room. We don’t have a panel, and there are no votes. The launch monitor is the one and only judge. For our 2017 Most Wanted Game-Improvement Iron test, we collected a standard set of launch monitor metrics (ball speed, launch angle, spin rates, distance, etc.).

Using that data, we calculated a Strokes Gained average each club. Note that because Strokes Gained values are derived from PGA Tour data, it’s normal and expected that amateur averages will show negative Strokes Gained values. What’s important isn’t the absolute number, but rather how the numbers compare from club to club.

2017 Best Game Improvement Irons

2017 Most Wanted Game Improvement Iron Data

Below you’ll find the data from our 2017 Most Wanted Game Improvement Iron Test. Note that you can use the Iron Model filter to limit the display to specific models.

PLEASE NOTE:

By default, we show the comparative metrics for long irons. To see middle and short irons, use the Iron Type drop down located on the top right of the charts.

Game-Improvement Iron Data (by Club Type)