Friday, March 18, 2011
2011 Buyer's Guide Irons
If you want to score your best, start with the right set of irons
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Powerbilt
Air Force One N7  Key Feature: Nitrogen-pressurized clubheads aim to enlarge the sweet spot, make spin rates consistent, and yield more distance..What We Like: The two-piece hollow-core construction enhances the feel. PowerBilt is back, and we love what we see. Who It’s For: These are billed as super game-improvement clubs, so they will appeal to high-handicappers who want some help getting the ball airborne and with some pop. Specs: Available in 4-GW. A standard game-improvement version also is offered for a lower price. powerbilt.com | $599 s/$799 g |
Srixon
Z-TX  Key Feature: The forged head with tungsten weights in the 3- through 6-iron produce a soft feel and loads of workability.What We Like: The variable-face design expands the sweet spot by 20% for distance and forgiveness. Really? A forged iron with loads of distance and forgiveness? Srixon proves you really can have the best of both worlds. Great looks, great feel and a big dose of playability. Who It’s For: Low- to mid-handicappers, but you high-handicappers ought to give them a whirl too. Forged has never been so easy. Specs: Available in 3-PW, with steel shafts. srixon.com | $899 s |
Srixon
Z-STAR  Key Feature: The original undercut design on these forged game-improvement irons produces plenty of shot length and forgiveness.What We Like: The mild carbon steel makes for a soft feel at impact, and the undercut design pushes the CG back for a higher, more manageable trajectory. We can’t help but think that these irons will look awesome sitting behind Srixon’s Tour Yellow golf balls. Who It’s For: Virtually every skill level, especially those who love the way forged irons feel. Specs: Available in 3-PW, with graphite or steel shafts. srixon.com | $899 s/$999 g |
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Taylormade
Burner 2.0  Key Feature: A unique weight distribution in each iron optimizes ballflight (it’s higher in long irons, lower and controllable in short). Each iron also has a unique face thickness (thin in long irons, thick in short) and top line.What We Like: Everything from address aesthetics to playability to workability to feel. And the two-toned black PVD finish is a nice touch. TaylorMade says these are the longest and most player-friendly irons they’ve ever made. And we believe them. They’re a hoot to hit. Who It’s For: Golfers of all skill levels. Specs: 3-LW, with graphite or steel shafts. taylormadegolf.com | $699 s/$899 g |
Taylormade
Tour Preferred  Key Feature: Three versions of these forged irons are offered, including the TPMB (muscle-back), TPMC (muscle-cavity-back) and TPCB (cavity-back). The TPMB and TPMC are both created using a state-of-the-art shaping process and six-step forging procedure for pure feel. The multimaterial TPCB has a forged face/cast body.What We Like: The irons can be mixed and matched. The distance is progressive, so you won’t have any gaps, regardless of your set makeup.The TPCB have graphite shafts available if you want them. Who It’s For: Better players. Specs: 3-AW, with steel/graphite shafts. taylormadegolf.com | $899 s/$1,099 g |
Titleist
AP1  Key Feature: The improvement over the original lies in the back, which now has weight pads, adding loads of visual and actual forgiveness. The Tuned Feel System also does wonders for vibration absorption and improving sound.What We Like: It has a higher MOI than the original, which makes it more stable. It’s longer and more forgiving, too. The weight pads nicely dampen any jarring shock at impact, which helps just about everyone. Who It’s For: Low- and high-handicappers. Specs: Available in 3-SW, with Nippon N.S. Pro 105T steel or Aldila VS Proto-T 75 graphite shaft. titleist.com | $800 s/$1,000 g |
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