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Today, we are diving into the best player’s distance irons on the market. There are surprises. There are disappointments. But, top to bottom, these are the best irons available to you.
MyGolfSpy is the leader in independent golf club testing. Each test we release is backed by more than a decade of testing experience and expertise. There is no sugar coating. No marketing BS. Just results driven by data and objective testing.
For this test, we have 21 player’s distance irons. In total, our team conducted 320 hours of testing. Our testers were responsible for accumulating 16,128 shots’ worth of data.
The results of this test serve as an indispensable guide for the off-the-rack buyer or for anyone looking for a bit of extra insight before your next fitting. Whatever you’re looking for from your next player’s distance iron, you’ll find it here.
These are the best player’s distance irons of 2025.
Player’s distance irons are the embodiment of performance and craftsmanship. They are the irons that appeal to a larger percentage of the golfing community. Whether you are a highly skilled golfer or a mid- to-high handicap golfer, there is an iron in this category that may attract your interest.
The best player’s distance irons tend to excel in accuracy and distance. The combination of these two scoring categories makes for outstanding performance off the rack. Some player’s distance irons offer all-around performance. Think of them as four-star recruits. Not stars but, damn, are they good.
These are the best overall player’s distance irons of 2025.
Review Score
Accuracy
Distance Score
Forgiveness
Price
Performance matters. It is a talking point we will always stress. In the player's distance iron category, accuracy and distance take centerstage. If an iron performs well in one of these categories, it is a win. Now, if it performs exceptionally well in each, it is coming out on top. This is exactly the case with Orka RS1X. It places second for accuracy and fourth for distance. If you want the best of both worlds, Orka RS1X is a winning player's distance option.
Despite being a high performing iron, you may struggle getting your hands on an Orka RS1X iron in the US for the time being. There are positive signs that they will be fully operational in the US this year.
Orka RS1X is the best player’s distance iron of 2025. This is the first year we’ve tested Orka products and they are impressive. Do you want distance? Orka RS1X is one of the best in the category. Do you prioritize accuracy? You guessed it. Orka RS1X offers that too. The combination of accuracy and distance is a win-win for Orka RS1X. This propels it to the top of the leaderboard in our 2025 Most Wanted Player’s Distance Iron test.
“Long with fairly good distance control and dispersion.”
“Really impressed for having never heard of them. Forgiving and easy to hit.”
“Not a fan of the looks. It has too much offset, but the performance is there. Very impressive overall.”
For those of you who haven’t heard of Orka, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. It makes its mark as the best player’s distance iron of 2025. In an iron category that is full of phenomenal options, Orka surprises everyone with its performance. A true underdog rises to the occasion.
Review Score
Accuracy
Distance Score
Forgiveness
Price
Consistency is the name of the game and Honma TW Px is a prime example of it. Accuracy and forgiveness are its two strengths. It ranks third overall in each of these scoring categories. Not only can you expect to hit greens with the Honma TW Px, but you can also expect to have consistent shot outcomes shot-to-shot. Forgiveness tells the tale of how a golf club performs on every shot. The better the forgiveness score, the more reliable a golf club is. Combine this with accuracy and you have a high performing iron.
If you can get your hands on a Honma iron, they are a must try. They perform. However, they aren't the big ticket name out there relative to other player's distance irons. Golfers might be skeptical about trying one. And, even if you decide to try one, you might have slim options in terms of where to demo one.
Honma’s irons tend to be some of the best on the market. They have won our testing in the past and this year is a testament to how consistent they truly are. Honma TW Px is the second best player’s distance iron for 2025. It ranks as one of the best player’s distance irons for accuracy and forgiveness. It won’t knock your socks off for distance, but it offers enough relative to the field for a category that boasts about distance.
“Solid feeling club, very consistent with distance control. I would put it in my bag in a hot minute.”
“The better of the two Honma irons in this test. Tremendous feel and more consistent performance, especially accuracy.”
“Favorite of the grouping, attractive profile, and better results overall.”
If you prioritize accuracy and forgiveness in an iron, Honma TW Px is a no brainer. Honma has a rich history of performing in our iron tests, which is why I was adamant about including them. Honma TW Px lives up to the standard and showcases why it is one of the best irons on the market. TW Px offers accuracy, forgiveness (consistency and reliability), and enough distance to satisfy your golfing needs.
Review Score
Accuracy
Distance Score
Forgiveness
Price
A player's distance iron offers distance in an aesthetically pleasing package. Callaway Apex Ai200 excels in our distance scoring category. There are a handful of distance oriented irons in this category, but Apex Ai200 rises above the field. Distance sells. Yet, when an iron displays accuracy performance as well, it is a no brainer to consider it.
Forgiveness is always a tricky subject. In our testing, it is an evaluation of how consistent a golf club is. In this case, how consistent a player's distance iron performs shot-to-shot. Yes, Callaway Apex Ai200 excels in distance and accuracy. However, there are weaknesses in the armor. It does not showcase consistency and reliability. It produces a below average forgiveness score relative to the field.
Callaway Apex Ai200 is the third best player’s distance iron of 2025. This iron is hot. It is the second best player’s distance iron for distance in this year’s test. If you want distance, this is one of the best options on the market for you. But, that isn’t the only perk of this iron. It is the fourth best player’s distance iron for accuracy. This iron offers the best of both worlds.
“Was easy to deliver the club consistently shot-to-shot. It also produces a very straight ball flight.”
“Good feel and sound, but I’m not a fan of a rounded profile.”
“A little hot off the face. Got a few jumpers. Long and if you need distance then this iron is for you.”
Callaway Apex Ai200 produces distance. It is the second longest player’s distance iron. If you crave distance, this iron is a stellar choice. But, its performance qualities don’t stop there. It is among the top irons for accuracy. When an iron produces distance and accuracy, it is a game changing combination. Go check out the Callaway Apex Ai200 iron today.
Accuracy is paramount. Without it, you’ll be missing greens. You’ll be discovering and experiencing parts of the golf course you didn’t know existed. This is why it is the most important of our three scoring categories.
In our iron testing, accuracy can be described as hitting greens in regulation or proximity to the hole. Those are the simple terms. Yet, it ultimately boils down to Strokes Gained.
These are the best player’s distance irons for accuracy.
Accuracy
Distance Score
Forgiveness
Review Score
Price
Why wouldn't you want off-the-rack accuracy with an iron set? You shouldn't think twice about improving your accuracy. Better accuracy can lead to lower scores quicker than more distance. This is why we prioritize accuracy over distance. Stix Golf Compete Hollow Body is the best player's distance iron for accuracy.
Distance definitely sells and it was obvious from the onset that Stix Golf Compete Hollow Body is one of the shortest player's distance irons in the field. Ultimately, you have to determine whether or not distance is a dealbreaker for you in an iron set.
An iron that is accurate off-the-rack is a force to be reckoned with and the best player’s distance iron for accuracy is a surprise – Stix Golf Compete Hollow Body. Stix Golf’s newest iron claims the title of best for accuracy in our 2025 Most Wanted Player’s Distance Iron test. Hitting greens or near the green should be a priority for you as a golfer. It is one of the reasons why accuracy is our highest weight scoring category in iron testing. To top it off, the Compete Hollow Body is our pick as best value.
“Surprise of the test so far, not as forgiving but performed great on carry and shot shape.”
“Feel off the center is appealing. But, the initial feel is very stiff and boardy. You’ll lose some performance on a miss hit.”
“A great club for what you get. A bit more offset than I like. Timing takes a bit to get used to.”
Accuracy is a key performance trait. It won’t always be a golfer’s number one priority. But, it should be. Stix Golf Compete Hollow Body excels for accuracy. It is an exceptionally straight iron. For $649, it is a great entry level option for golfers not looking to brake the bank.
Accuracy
Distance Score
Forgiveness
Review Score
Price
Performance matters. It is a talking point we will always stress. In the player's distance iron category, accuracy and distance take centerstage. If an iron performs well in one of these categories, it is a win. Now, if it performs exceptionally well in each, it is coming out on top. This is exactly the case with Orka RS1X. It places second for accuracy and fourth for distance. If you want the best of both worlds, Orka RS1X is a winning player's distance option.
Despite being a high performing iron, you may struggle getting your hands on an Orka RS1X iron in the US for the time being. There are positive signs that they will be fully operational in the US this year.
Orka RS1X is the best player’s distance iron of 2025. This is the first year we’ve tested Orka products and they are impressive. Do you want distance? Orka RS1X is one of the best in the category. Do you prioritize accuracy? You guessed it. Orka RS1X offers that too. The combination of accuracy and distance is a win-win for Orka RS1X. This propels it to the top of the leaderboard in our 2025 Most Wanted Player’s Distance Iron test.
“Long with fairly good distance control and dispersion.”
“Really impressed for having never heard of them. Forgiving and easy to hit.”
“Not a fan of the looks. It has too much offset, but the performance is there. Very impressive overall.”
For those of you who haven’t heard of Orka, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. It makes its mark as the best player’s distance iron of 2025. In an iron category that is full of phenomenal options, Orka surprises everyone with its performance. A true underdog rises to the occasion.
What is the point of considering a player’s “distance” iron if there is a lack of distance? There are irons in this category that meet that standard. There are ones that do not. Distance isn’t everything, but it certainly helps.
These are the best player’s distance irons for, you guessed it, distance.
Distance Score
Accuracy
Forgiveness
Review Score
Price
Do you want distance in your next player's distance iron? Look no further then Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro. It is the best iron for distance in this year's test. Aesthetically, some may find it a bit too large for the player's distance category. But, if that doesn't bother you, this iron will inspire you in more ways than one.
Distance is important and hitting the golf ball further helps. However, if that distance isn't controllable, you're in trouble. That is the obvious weakness of Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro, which is evident by way of its accuracy and forgiveness scores. Go through a professional fitting if you're considering this iron.
Mizuno’s JPX lineup is consistently a standout in iron testing. Specific to the player’s distance iron category, JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro is a beast. It puts the distance in player’s “distance”. If distance is your goal, this is the iron you want to try. However, it does have weaknesses. Relative to the field, accuracy and forgiveness need improvement. Because it is so hot off the face, go through a professional fitting to ensure optimal launch conditions and proper gapping.
“Great option that inspires confidence. One of the hotter irons. I can see where a fitting is necessary for gapping control.”
“Very long, but consistent and controllable.”
“It’s a Mizuno. It has the most solid feel out of the irons I hit. I love the top line from address.”
If you’re looking for a player’s distance iron that instills confidence, Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro is a top choice. Its profile is closer to a traditional game-improvement iron, but it is much cleaner and refined. Obviously, it is the longest player’s distance iron on the market. It is a force to be reckoned with. However, you will need to go through a professional fitting with this iron. Accuracy and consistency are not its strengths.
Distance Score
Accuracy
Forgiveness
Review Score
Price
A player's distance iron offers distance in an aesthetically pleasing package. Callaway Apex Ai200 excels in our distance scoring category. There are a handful of distance oriented irons in this category, but Apex Ai200 rises above the field. Distance sells. Yet, when an iron displays accuracy performance as well, it is a no brainer to consider it.
Forgiveness is always a tricky subject. In our testing, it is an evaluation of how consistent a golf club is. In this case, how consistent a player's distance iron performs shot-to-shot. Yes, Callaway Apex Ai200 excels in distance and accuracy. However, there are weaknesses in the armor. It does not showcase consistency and reliability. It produces a below average forgiveness score relative to the field.
Callaway Apex Ai200 is the third best player’s distance iron of 2025. This iron is hot. It is the second best player’s distance iron for distance in this year’s test. If you want distance, this is one of the best options on the market for you. But, that isn’t the only perk of this iron. It is the fourth best player’s distance iron for accuracy. This iron offers the best of both worlds.
“Was easy to deliver the club consistently shot-to-shot. It also produces a very straight ball flight.”
“Good feel and sound, but I’m not a fan of a rounded profile.”
“A little hot off the face. Got a few jumpers. Long and if you need distance then this iron is for you.”
Callaway Apex Ai200 produces distance. It is the second longest player’s distance iron. If you crave distance, this iron is a stellar choice. But, its performance qualities don’t stop there. It is among the top irons for accuracy. When an iron produces distance and accuracy, it is a game changing combination. Go check out the Callaway Apex Ai200 iron today.
“Forgiveness” is a nebulous term in the golf industry. It’s used often but rarely defined. As a golfer, do you want a player’s distance iron that performs consistently? Your answer should be a definitive “yes.” You should desire an iron that produces similar results off the clubface shot to shot. Are the ball speed deviations tight? Are the carry distance deviations minimal? Are the dispersion ellipses compact? Does it produce consistent backspin? These are metrics we analyze when it comes to forgiveness within each of our iron tests.
These are the best player’s distance irons for forgiveness.
Forgiveness
Accuracy
Distance Score
Review Score
Price
TaylorMade P•770 is a player's distance iron that demands skill. It is one of the player's distance irons that produces results similar to a better player's iron. If you value forgiveness or consistency (whichever way you want to describe it), TaylorMade P•770 is the iron you want. It isn't the longest player's distance iron on the market, but it produces consistent, forgiving results shot-to-shot. If you want predictable outcomes, it is the iron for you. If you want the comfort in knowing you have control over your iron shots, this is the player's distance iron to try.
Sacrificing distance is a hard pill to swallow. If you aren't ready to make that sacrifice in a player's distance iron, TaylorMade P•770 shouldn't be your first choice. It is one of the shortest player's distance irons in the field.
TaylorMade P•770 is the best player’s distance iron for forgiveness in 2025. What makes a golf club forgiving? In this case, what makes a player’s distance iron forgiving? There are certain irons in this category that lean towards a different iron category. P•770 is one of those irons. It produces extremely consistent shot outcomes. In other words, it has extremely tight standard deviations for carry distance, ball speed, backspin, and dispersion. However, this doesn’t mean it is the hottest or most accurate player’s distance iron. If you want reliability, this is the player’s distance iron for you.
“Amazing ball flight. A little short but better then last model.”
“A great “tweener” between Player’s Distance and Player’s. Superb iteration.”
“Buttery feel, felt like I had control of the shot, easy to hit the center.”
If you’re in the market for irons and want something more traditional, TaylorMade P•770 should be high on your list. There are player’s distance irons that flirt with being more “player iron” like and P•770 is one of them. It offers tremendous reliability shot-to-shot. A model of consistent performance. However, you will be left underwhelm if distance is your main objective.
Forgiveness
Accuracy
Distance Score
Review Score
Price
Srixon ZXi5 isn't the winner, nor, is it the best for a scoring category. But, don't fool yourself. It is one of the best player's distance irons on the market. Is it accurate? Yes. Does it offer distance potential? Yes. Is it reliable, consistent, and forgiving? You bet it is. The results are its testimony.
Performance wise, Srixon ZXi5 is among the best. However, if there is one subjective knock against it, it is the thicker topline given the category. A handful of testers noted this aspect as a con to the player's distance iron.
Srixon ZXi5 cracks our top five for our player’s distance iron test. It offers exceptional performance across the board. ZXi5 ranks in the top 10 for each of our scoring categories – accuracy, distance, and forgiveness. This alone attests to its consistency. Furthermore, it is the second best player’s distance iron for forgiveness. Our forgiveness scoring metric showcases how consistent an iron is throughout testing. If you want one of the best all around performing player’s distance irons, look no further than Srixon ZXi5.
“As usual performs great at all aspects, good distance, forgiving, can work the ball either way.”
“Consistent flight and distance. Everything a player’s distance iron should be.”
“Solid iron, thicker topline, slightly higher pitched noise on contact.”
The player’s distance iron category is Srixon’s specialty. They’ve won this category in the past. ZXi5 is their newest addition and it does not disappoint. It is one of the most balanced player’s distance irons on the market. We’ll preach it until they don’t perform well. But, for now, Srixon ZXi5 is a player’s distance iron you need to try.
Our mission is to cut through the subjective BS and encourage golfers to buy based on performance. Performance should be your top priority. However, there are other things you need to consider when purchasing a new player’s iron.
As a high-level or aspiring golfer motivated to improve your game, you’ll find that sometimes there is very little difference in the performance of two irons. Going for a custom fitting will help you determine subjective things like which iron feels better or looks better to your eye. But, most importantly, you’ll be able to fine-tune things like spin rate, launch angle and more to get your golf game to the next level.
A custom fitting will allow you to do just that, especially if you’re torn between a few player’s distance iron options. And, trust us, there are plenty of worthwhile options.
Pricing will always impact a purchasing decision. This is even more evident in the player’s distance iron category. Since most offer forged components and hollow-body designs, it isn’t uncommon for an iron set to run around $1,400. Some are more and some are less.
The best player’s distance irons often take some time to go on sale. If you have your eye on a specific set, don’t forget to check our coupons and deals page for all the latest and best savings options. (MyGolfSpy Coupons/Deals and Promo Codes)
Selecting the right shaft is critical for optimal performance. The proper shaft can positively impact launch conditions and overall accuracy.
Shafts typically are made from graphite or steel with the former being lighter and potentially aiding in faster swing speeds. The shaft flex corresponds to swing speed and affects the trajectory and ball flight. It can also help or hurt with how consistently you can deliver the clubhead to the golf ball. You want what allows you, or at least helps you, to be consistent.
Player’s distance irons are arguably the best iron category for devoted golfers. Regardless of skill level, if you’re an active golfer, these irons have the balance of everything you’re looking for in an iron: overall performance, playability and subjective appeal.
From a performance perspective, you’ll discover more playability, especially in terms of distance control. Our testing philosophy is to test equipment off the rack (stock option). The standard lofts on most player’s distance irons are less aggressive than game-improvement irons. This can lead to more playable launch conditions without having to go dive into yardage gapping.
This performance trait trickles down to better consistency overall, a desirable trait of a player’s distance irons. You want consistency. You want reliability. Player’s distance irons offer this more predictably than a game-improvement iron.
Testing irons is no easy task. Our 2025 Most Wanted Player’s Distance Irons test took 320 testing hours. For 2025, the testing pool includes 21 different iron models.
MyGolfSpy’s test program is powered by three crucial components.
Our 2025 player’s distance iron test consists of 16,128 shots worth of data. Testers hit the pitching wedge, 7-iron and 5-iron of each participating iron model.
Providing you, the golfer and consumer, with insights into the best player’s distance irons on the market is our No. 1 goal with this test. We can’t do that without taking a diligent, in-depth approach to analyzing the data we collect throughout this process.
Our scoring categories remain the same and we will review those below.
Overall scores are now labeled as an MGS Score. The MGS Score is on a 10-point scale.
Player’s distance iron testing is comprised of three scoring categories:
These three categories are weighted with accuracy taking a strong priority.
Accuracy is a game changer. Hitting the golf ball on or near your intended target leads to better scores. Accuracy is the most important metric when shopping for new player’s distance irons. For our accuracy category, we analyze one specific metric:
Our distance category analyzes two specific metrics:
We label forgiveness as how consistent a player’s distance iron is at producing consistent shot outcomes. For our forgiveness category, we assess three specific metrics:
| Iron Model | MGS Overall Score | MGS Accuracy Score | MGS Distance Score | MGS Forgiveness Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orka RS1X | 9.0 | 9.2 | 9.2 | 8.6 |
| Honma TW Px | 8.9 | 9.1 | 8.6 | 8.9 |
| Callaway Apex Ai200 | 8.9 | 9.0 | 9.5 | 8.1 |
| Honma TW Vx | 8.9 | 8.9 | 8.9 | 8.7 |
| Srixon ZXi5 | 8.8 | 8.8 | 8.8 | 8.9 |
| Stix Golf Compete Hollow Body | 8.8 | 9.3 | 7.8 | 8.7 |
| PXG 0311 P GEN7 | 8.6 | 8.7 | 9.0 | 8.2 |
| Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro | 8.6 | 8.4 | 9.6 | 8.0 |
| TaylorMade P•790 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.8 | 8.3 |
| Bridgestone 222 CB+ | 8.5 | 8.6 | 7.9 | 8.8 |
| Wilson DYNAPWR Forged | 8.5 | 8.4 | 8.3 | 8.8 |
| Mizuno JPX 925 Forged | 8.4 | 8.2 | 9.1 | 8.4 |
| Maxfli XC2 | 8.4 | 8.0 | 9.2 | 8.5 |
| New Level 702+ | 8.4 | 8.8 | 7.7 | 8.4 |
| Callaway Apex TI Fusion | 8.4 | 8.5 | 8.7 | 8.0 |
| Sub 70 699 Pro v3 | 8.3 | 8.3 | 8.5 | 8.3 |
| COBRA KING TEC | 8.3 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 8.5 |
| TaylorMade P•770 | 8.3 | 8.3 | 7.6 | 9.0 |
| Bettinardi CB24 | 8.2 | 8.1 | 8.2 | 8.5 |
| Ben Hogan Legend | 8.2 | 8.1 | 8.4 | 8.1 |
| Tour Edge Exotics C725 | 8.2 | 8.2 | 8.1 | 8.2 |
Scores are derived strictly from ball launch monitor data by way of our Efficiency Values. Efficiency Values are a cleaner version and representation of raw average as they remove certain outliers from the equation.
With this being said, scores are weighted with 50 percent of the score coming from accuracy metrics, 25 percent from our distance metrics and 25 percent from our forgiveness metrics. You can reference the specific metrics within each scoring category in the previous heading section.
With our iron tests, we stress the importance of accuracy. It is the most important metric as hitting greens should be your number one priority.
Finally, we reserve a very small percentage of the score to account for things like fitting considerations, excessive outliers and other details that fall outside the scope of the data.
World-class testing requires world-class equipment. This is the gear we trust to help us fulfill our Most Wanted testing.
Cancer Survivor. Amputee Golfer. Essentially, a OneLeggedBoss. When he isn't facilitating testing or analyzing data, Phillip enjoys his family time, practicing and playing golf, unwinding with video games, capturing photos of nature, or devouring pretzels.
| Driver Titleist GT3 | 3 Wood Titleist GT3 |
| 7 Wood Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | Irons (5-PW) Srixon ZXi5 |
| Wedges (46, 50, 54, 58) Titleist Vokey SM10 | Putter L.A.B. MEZZ.1 MAX |
| Ball Titleist Pro V1x |
7 months ago
It would be nice to take into account availability in left handed as most of the top iron sets this year are not accessible to lefties which is a real shame…
9 months ago
I bought a set of ORKA im so happy I bought them.
They really take care of you at orka giving everything you ask at know real up charge .
They are well balanced clubs, and the build quality is first class, the delivery is super fast.
Theses irons are probably the last set I own .
My body was screaming graphite so they were built with Kbs shafts and standard Cp2 grips.
Thank you so muck Alex at orka
10 months ago
where is the data?
9 months ago
Still waiting for that data…..
7 months ago
Yes, The Data would be very helpful. Specifically the distance data. If the difference between the longest and shortest 5 iron is 8 yards, no dig deal to me. If it is 20 yards, then a real big deal. While the information is good, the data adds context.
Kinda like the old joke. The numbers thirty-eight, thirty-two, and thirty-four are data points. BUT 38 – 32 – 34 is information.
It helps to have the data and the information to help for a conclusion.
10 months ago
Very curious how the forgiveness and accuracy of the P770 and P790 came out. I’m playing P790s right now and considering the P770 or something else to get a little more spin on the ball. The P790 is pretty forgiving.
10 months ago
No Ping 530’s ? seems like a pretty big omission for a fairly comprehensive test.
10 months ago
Agreed. WTH???
10 months ago
I am always surprised when the comments on the Srixon ZX5 iron are top line to thick. As a player of both the ZXi5 and ZX5 MKii irons, I have never thought the top line was thick. It isn’t butter knife thin, but to me ulit is right sized.
10 months ago
Looks like the Honma TW PX won. What kinda fuzzy math is going on with Orka with a 7.2 in distance being the best in distance
10 months ago
Nevermind, after scrolling down its actually a 9.2 making much more sense. Fix that fellas
11 months ago
Which irons from each set did you use for testing? 7i, PW, etc…
11 months ago
It says 7i,5i, pw but doesn’t say that they account for varying lofts in the distance metric
11 months ago
I love the testing that you do and I put a lot of stock in the results of your tests. I know you addressed in the article why certain brands like PING and Titleist weren’t included in this test but it’s a shame that they weren’t included.
I would’ve loved to have seeing how the likes of the PING i240, Callaway Apex AI150 and the Titleist T150/200 would have done against the other irons in this category.
11 months ago
If I were to have a nit to pick, it would be in the photos. I try not to hit the ball with the back of the club, which is what is pictured. I prefer to hit the ball with the face of the club. What does that look like? It would tell me how thick, or thin, the top line is. For that matter, it would also let me know how much offset the club does or doesn’t have. Also, how thick or thin is the sole for things like turf interaction? Photos would show that, Finally, there’s a brand that’s big on social media that’s DTC and not included in the test, and that’s Takomo. It would have been nice to see how their entry in the PD category would fare against the rest. I do want it to be said that I appreciate the info that was included in the test.
11 months ago
Many comments already asking why Ping and Titleist weren’t included. It’s literally addressed at the end of the article.
11 months ago
I don’t agree with your definition of forgiveness and how you measure it. By any objective measure forgiveness should be based on – forgiveness. How does the club perform on mishits. Tow, heel, high, low mishits. Does it compensate with minimal loss in yardage and direction. That’s forgiveness and each club will perform differently with regards to mishits and this is a measurable aspect. Consistency on the other hand is about how – consistent – is the club from shot to shot if struck in a similar manner (swing speed and location). Each club will produce a different consistency metric over 30 shots struck with a similar swing speed and location on the face. As a 4 handicap I’m not a fantastic ball striker so I’ll look for a higher forgiveness factor. Just my .02. Additionally would’ve liked to see the T250 in the mix as it’s getting tons of great feedback – kind of wish yall had delayed or at least go back and test and amend the test.
10 months ago
I completely agree with this. For example the Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro has a huge sweet spot (askgolfnut.com), and it’s rated at 8.0 for forgiveness? Based on the metrics you are measuring this against (shot dispersion, carry, backspin, ball speed deltas) a lot of this can be attributed to the stock shaft and not necessarily the club head. It would be nice if you also provided the shaft make / model used in testing.
11 months ago
Where’s the Ping i530 and Mizuno 245 Pro? Surely they would slot right in with this batch of irons.
Those Honma’s are sexy though!
11 months ago
Ping I530 is an excellent players distance iron
11 months ago
You want forgiveness:
TaylorMade P•770 is a player’s distance iron that demands skill
I don’t really think demand skill and forgiveness go together…
11 months ago
The testing methodology is so bad or maybe its the write up……either way, this test is a huge miss when you dont have the T250 included…….the timing of the test is in question.
11 months ago
I was wondering the same thing. Where is Titleist?
10 months ago
Michael—I agree–Titleist irons are some of the most popular irons on the tour–
and they left out of the testing ??
11 months ago
Is the Orka a 7.2 for distance or a 9.2? WTH?
11 months ago
Sure makes me wonder what other numbers got crossed up in this scientific analysis, if something this obvious got by before publishing this?
11 months ago
Yes, I would agree. How can a set with a 34* 7 iron be among the “longest” in this group of irons. This report was not worth waiting all season for. I’m betting they are a 7.2 on the distance rating and not at the top of the field overall.
11 months ago
Not having T250s or i240s makes this test a pretty big miss this year.
11 months ago
Dude, those are both late Summer releases. I’m guessing they missed the cut-off.
I’m sure they’ll be included next year…and finish middle of the pack.
11 months ago
i240 would not have been in this test. It’s in the players iron test (i230 was second place in the last year). T250 would’ve been cool though.
10 months ago
If you read the article, it tells you why certain irons weren’t included. RIF Reading Is Fundamental.
“Why were certain irons i.e. Titleist, PING, etc, excluded from this test?
At the time of testing, newer models from manufacturers were not available. You can check out “first takes” for Titleist and PING on our website.”
10 months ago
Hopp—you are right abt late season release of Tiltleist and Ping, etc. However, if the goal of the review was to test best performing irons–not sure another 1-2 months wait would have been a major issue.
10 months ago
Hopp—you are right abt late season release of Tiltleist and Ping, etc. However, if the goal of the review was to test best performing irons–not sure another 1-2 months wait would have been a major issue.
11 months ago
Assuming each brand’s irons were tested with their respective “stock” shafts, how much impact to the test results might that be a factor? Do all the testers hit the same shaft in each iron?
Any comments on the quality of shafts that are each brand’s stock offering?
BeTheBall
1 month ago
living in AZ and a draw player, “stopping power” would be a category Id love to see added, keeping the ball on the green is FAR more important than how far you can hit it? Height+spin = stopping power? low indexs care about greens and birdie putts not hitting their wedge 150 yards off the back of the green, plleeaasseee….