First Versus Worst: Player’s Distance Irons
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First Versus Worst: Player’s Distance Irons

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First Versus Worst: Player’s Distance Irons

We tested 18 player’s distance irons in 2024 as part of our Best Player’s Distance Irons testing. We analyze their performance in terms of distance, accuracy, and forgiveness. The Srixon ZX5 is the best overall player’s distance iron of 2024, and the Titleist T-150 is the worst. If you are considering upgrading your player’s distance iron’s it’s worth looking at the differences between the first and the worst and understanding where your money is best invested.

Distance

Distance is not the strong point of the Titleist T-150, as it finished 14th overall in the test. For Srixon iron distance is the weakest performance category, but it’s still considerably better than the T-150. We would never suggest that distance is the most important performance category of any golf iron you invest in.

However, this was the player’s distance iron test.

If you are not playing with player’s irons because of a lack of distance capability, make sure you are aware of the distance performance these irons offer.

The best player’s distance iron for distance was the COBRA KING Forged Tec X.

Accuracy

We measure accuracy by looking at strokes gained. The Srixon ZX5 Mk II is the most accurate player’s distance iron of 2024, while the Titleist T-150 was the least accurate. Regardless of the type of golf irons you are interested in purchasing, you have to be able to hit them close to the hole, and the ZX5 Mk II helps ensure that happens.

One thing to remember as you read this first versus worst is that the Srixon ZX Mk II not only won first place in player’s distance irons in 2024, but they also won in 2023. These repeat victories have everything to do with the accuracy of the Srixon ZX Mk II.

Forgiveness

Among the three categories we evaluated for golf clubs, forgiveness stood out as the strongest feature of the Titleist T-150, though it ultimately finished 11th overall. In comparison, the Srixon ZX Mk II secured a fourth-place finish.

Forgiveness, as we measure it, reflects how reliably a golf iron can deliver consistent shot outcomes. For most golfers seeking a player’s distance iron, the ideal choice combines exceptional aesthetics with user-friendly performance. The Srixon ZX Mk II excels in both.

Value

Player’s distance irons are some of the most expensive options on the market. Game improvement irons and super game improvement irons typically make it easier to find a deal. Neither the Srixon nor the Titleist are considered “cheap,” but the Srixon is slightly less expensive than the Titleist. It’s pretty obvious to the better value in this head-to-head.

Bottom line

If you have yet to try a Srixon iron, it may be time. The ZX5 Mk II managed to capture the best player’s distance iron two years in a row.

When we did our 2024 testing, we saw many irons thrive in one category and struggle in another. Plenty of irons could be accurate and forgiving but lack distance.

The ZX5 Mk II is by far the best when you look at across-the-board performance. If you want a Titleist iron, the Titleist T-200 finished fifth place overall in the player’s distance iron test. It may be a better option than the T-150.

Srixon ZX5 Mk II versus Titleist T-150: Which is right for you?

Who’s it For?

✅ Someone looking for more accuracy. The most accurate player’s distance iron of 2024.

The golfer who values performance across the board. The Srixon ZX5 Mk II performs well for accuracy, distance and forgiveness.

Who’s it not for?

❌ Players who don’t want to try something new.

Who’s it For?

✅ Someone who prefers Titleist golf irons. If you are sold on the subjective performance of Titleist, you may like what the T-150 offers. From a performance standpoint, it couldn’t compete with the Srixon.

Who’s it not for?

❌ Golfers who need consistency and accuracy.

❌ Anyone on a budget

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Brittany Olizarowicz

Brittany Olizarowicz

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt Olizarowicz is a scratch golfer, former teaching professional and one of MyGolfSpy’s leading voices on equipment testing and golf performance. She has spent more than 15 years working at private clubs in New York and Florida and now specializes in translating test data and swing mechanics into practical advice for everyday golfers. Britt began playing at age 7 and has never left the game. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her on the course, playing pickleball, cooking, running or out on the boat with her family.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Brittany Olizarowicz

Brittany Olizarowicz





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      Pat Maweini

      1 year ago

      Once again, a bogus test by MGS……the testing parameters are always questionable……..

      Reply

      Pat Maweini

      1 year ago

      T150 is not a distance iron lol

      Try comparing the T200 as a better test

      Reply

      Buckpillar

      2 years ago

      Urprised??? Not really, I think the big boys promotion doesn’t always provide the consumer all the detail… but thanks to MGS makes this information avail with proven testing and results. Glad to see Srixon did well!

      Reply

      Cody

      2 years ago

      When you say that the titleist is the worst for distance and Cobra forged tech X is the best? Are you comparing loft to loft? or iron number to iron number??

      Reply

      WYBob

      2 years ago

      I did extensive testing/fittings with many of the irons in this category during this past Spring and early Summer. My finalists were the Srixon ZX5 MkII, the Titleist T150, and the Mizuno Pro 245. The thing that stood out to me was how much of a difference the correct shaft makes in the performance and feel of each of these irons. Once I found the correct shaft, the difference in the performance of the three heads was marginal. And the shaft I thought was the correct one for me at the beginning turned out not to be in every scenario. The moral of the story is to get fit for the best shaft, and then the best iron heads, for your game.

      Reply

      Deacon

      2 years ago

      You just emphasized the most important aspect of club fitting. It is the shaft that matters most. I was recently fitted for a new driver. I eventually tried a shaft I thought would be too stiff for me and it turned out to produce the best results.

      Reply

      Henry

      2 years ago

      So which club head did you decide to go with.

      Reply

      Hopp

      2 years ago

      ZX5 MKII irons are awesome, they have been in my bag for 2 years and I don’t see them going anywhere.

      Reply

      Jason S

      2 years ago

      I still have no idea why the T-150 is even in the PD test. The T-200 is their PD iron and the T-150 is with the T-100 in the player’s category.

      Reply

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