Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Irons Buyer's Guide 2007
Today's irons run the gamut from forged blades and multi-material game-improvement designs to entire sets of hollow-body hybrids
| Adams IDEA Pro Forged adamsgolf.com (800) 709-6142 | $799   The new IDEA Pro Forged combo set from Adams proves that even the best players in the world have opted for iron/hybrid sets. Features: The irons are classically shaped with no offset and forged for a Tour-wanted, soft, resounding feel. The thin topline gives better players the look they like.Advantages: It’s not all irons here. This set has two hybrids that replace the 3- and 4-iron to help make the task, from 190 yards and up, a less difficult one. Benefits: This set is designed for the better player, but don’t let that deter you if you want forgiveness. What We Like: The irons are smooth and have a buttery feel. The hybrids are easy to hit. Lineup: IDEA Tech OS, IDEA a2 OS, IDEA a2, IDEA Pro Forged Clubhead: Carbon steel Clubface: Same Design: Forged cavity-back Size: Midsize Clubs: 5-PW, 3-, 4-iWood (available LH) Shafts: True Temper Black Gold (S, R); Aldila NV graphite (S, R) | Bridgestone GC Midsize bridgestonegolf.com (800) 358-6319 | $699  The latest iron from Bridgestone has the ideal genetic makeup for the player looking to hit better shots.Features: The uniquely shaped cavity of the new GC Midsize irons has a Gravity Chamber aperture in the back, further enhancing the iron’s MOI and perimeter weighting. Advantages: The Gravity Discs located on the corners of the irons aid in keeping weight away from the center of the clubface and more toward the heel and toe. The results are short irons for shotmaking and long irons for forgiveness. Benefits: Just about everybody will see better results from the GC Midsize. If more forgiveness is needed, the GC Oversize irons are a great choice. What We Like: Great looks married with outstanding performance. Awesome! Lineup: GC Oversize, GC Midsize, J33 Cavity Back, J33 Blade Clubhead: Stainless steel Clubface: Same Design: Cast cavity-back Size: Midsized Clubs: 3-SW Shafts: Nippon N.S.Pro 950GH steel (S, R) |
| Callaway X-Forged callawaygolf.com (800) 588-9836 | $799  Better players will be drooling over this slick new iron from Callaway.Features: The X-Forged is shorter (from heel to toe) and has less offset than other Callaway irons. Advantages: The X-Forged has a thinner sole and topline than any other Callaway iron, but seemingly, these irons remain more forgiving and playable than a standard set of blades. The Notch-Weighting design provides the needed blend of forgiveness and shotmaking ability. Benefits: Low-handicappers and elite players. What We Like: These look great, and the low CG in the long irons helps with forgiveness. The raised CG in the short irons makes them versatile. Lineup: BB Fusion, BB Fusion WS, Big Bertha, X-18, X-18 Pro, X-20, X-20 Tour, X-Tour, X-Forged Clubhead: Carbon steel Clubface: Same Design: Forged cavity-back Size: Standard Clubs: 2-PW (available LH) Shafts: Royal Precision Project X Flighted steel (X, S, R) | Callaway X-20 callawaygolf.com (800) 588-9836 | $699  The hippest Callaway iron to date is also the company’s best.Features: Thanks to a Progressive Wall Reduction System design, the new X-20 has a lower CG than the older X-18s. Advantages: Extreme Notch Weighting and Callaway’s Variable Face Thickness design lends ample perimeter weighting and stability, thus proving an easy-to-hit iron need not look clunky, but instead smooth and refined. Also, the 360-Degree Undercut Channel makes the sweet spot bigger. Benefits: Virtually all players can take advantage of Callaway’s newest X-iron design. Better players can choose from the sexy X-20 Tour option. What We Like: The ball launches high and straight. Lineup: BB Fusion, Fusion WS, Big Bertha, X-20, X-20 Tour, X-Tour, X-Forged Clubhead: Stainless steel Clubface: Same Design: Cast cavity-back Size: Midsized Clubs: 2-LW (available LH) Shafts: True Temper Steel (uniflex); Callaway X-20 graphite (S, R, A) |
| Cleveland HiBORE Irons clevelandgolf.com (800) 999-6263 | $599  We weren’t sure where to classify this set at first, considering there’s not a single “iron” in the mix.Features: Every club in the HiBORE iron set features Cleveland Golf’s Inverted Crown Design and Full Hollow Construction, resulting in an “iron” with a deep and low CG. Frankly, the HiBORE Irons are the company’s most forgiving irons ever. Advantages: A progressive sole width, bulge and roll on long irons and a high COR equate to the optimal blend of power and forgiveness in an iron set. Benefits: Mid- to high-handicappers. What We Like: The HiBORE irons are easy to look at, and with minimal effort, the ball launches high with a penetrating trajectory. Lineup: HiBORE, Launcher, TA6, CG1, CG2, CG3, CG4, CG4 Tour Clubhead: Stainless steel Clubface: Same Design: Hollow-body Size: Oversized Clubs: 3-PW Shafts: HiBORE steel (S, R, A); HiBORE Silver by Graphite Design graphite (S, R, A) | Cobra S9 cobragolf.com (800) 225-8500 | $599  According to Cobra, the S9 is “the most technologically advanced and most forgiving iron” made by the company.Features: Multi-material technology isn’t just for drivers, as Cobra’s new S9 proves it’s possible to merge polymer and urethane with steel. Advantages: The polymer topline displaces a chunk of weight, and the urethane insert in the cavity of the iron yields a soft, unique feel. Benefits: Mid- to high-handicappers can’t help but love a set of irons that play like cavity-backs but have the feel of a forged blade. What We Like: Smooth looks and the optional Graphite Design graphite shafts are a nice touch. Lineup: S9, FP, Forged CB Clubhead: Stainless steel, polymer, urethane Clubface: Same Design: Cast cavity-back Size: Oversized Clubs: 3-LW (available LH) Shafts: Nippon 1030H steel (S, R, A, L); Graphite Design YS-5.1 graphite (S, R, A, L) |
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