Who has the hot new irons in 2010? Who doesn’t? The new decade looks promising, with a variety of irons to choose from, ranging from ultra-game-improvement to Tour-inspired, with a host of options in between. In fact, it seems like most irons this year have placed forgiveness atop their list of attributes. Even many of the forged models are being touted as more forgiving. But, what’s forgiving for a forged iron isn’t the same as that of a cast club that may have some more aggressive perimeter weighting. Be sure to take that into consideration as you peruse our guide.
Give these irons a quick look, and don’t miss any chance to go out and try them for yourselves. We did, and contend that this year has more great irons than ever to choose from. In fact, we’d go so far as to say, if it’s in this guide, it’s here because we think it’s a good choice.
Take a look and, no matter what irons you decide, do yourself a favor and get fit. They’ll work a lot better, and your golf game will thank you for it.
Bridgestone J38 Dual Cavity
Key Feature: The integration of dual pockets in a forged set of irons. The resulting effect
is greater forgiveness without the bulk.
What We Like: They’re beautiful to look at, not to mention they feel like butter on solid shots. The longer irons are much easier to hit that previous B-Stone forged offerings.
Who It’s For: Good to great players who want a player’s sole grind and club shape that’s forgiving, too.
Specs: Available in 4-PW, with an optional 3-iron. Project X steel shafts.
bridgestonegolf.com | $799
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| Adams Idea a7 Key Feature: This set comes with two hybrids (3-4) that have added playability; the lone 5-iron is a hollow-body model; and the 6-PW are tricked out with dual cavity-backs, thinner toplines and smaller sole widths. What We Like: The hybrids. They’re super easy to hit. The 5-iron seems out of place. Why not make it a hybrid? The short irons feel great, as well. Who It’s For: Good players who aren’t too proud to play a mixed set. Specs: Available in both steel and graphite models. adamsgolf.com | $499 (steel) |
Adams Idea a70S Max Key Feature: Irons? What irons? This set marks Adams’ first all-hybrid set. What We Like: Short irons take some getting used to, but each club lifts the ball in the air in a hurry. We guess most folks will hit these “irons” one to two clubs longer than with traditional sets. The draw bias in each club is a real slice-killer, too. Who It’s For: Golfers with moderate to slow swing speeds who want more distance and forgiveness. Specs: Available in 3-SW; Grafalloy ProLaunch graphite in longer clubs. adamsgolf.com | $649 |
Bridgestone J38 Cavity Back Key Feature: A gorgeous forged cavity-back with magnesium composite infused in the rear heel and toe for enhanced perimeter weighting. What We Like: All of it? No really, we do. Better players will appreciate the tapered sole design that’s crazy versatile. The chrome finish is a classic look. Who It’s For: Better players who like to work the ball. These irons have forgiveness, but that’s a relative term. They’re still forged players’ clubs. Specs: Available in 4-PW, with an optional 3-iron; Project X steel shafts. bridgestonegolf.com | $799 |
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| Cleveland CG7 Black Pearl Key Feature: The CG7s get a black pearl finish that is so sweet, we can barely stand it. All the cool Gelback Tech and heel-toe weighting is still there, only it’s jet black. What We Like: The great looks aside, these irons are remarkably forgiving. And with new groove rules, the Laser-Milled grooves seem to really help hold the greens. Nice soft feel, too. Who It’s For: Every type of player. Better sticks will like the CG7 Tour version. Specs: Available in 3-SW, in a variety of steel or graphite shaft options. adamsgolf.com| $799/$999 |
Cobra S2 Key Feature: Multimaterial construction, using steel, polymer and urethane that combine to produce a soft feel with hard-hitting distance and forgiveness. What We Like: The stepped sole offers the best of both worlds–playability and forgiveness. And who doesn’t love a high MOI in an iron? Who It’s For: Those looking for more distance and accuracy. And, oh yeah, did we mention mega-forgiveness? You’ll find that in this set for sure. Specs: Available in 3-LW, in Nippon steel or Aldila graphite. cobragolf.com | $599 |
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| Callaway Diablo Edge Key Feature: Callaway claims these are the longest stainless-steel irons they’ve every made. Core tech like S2H2, VFT and a 360-Degree Undercut Channel are reprised in this set for outstanding performance with the longer irons. What We Like: The sole is a bit thick, but that’s helpful if you hit it fat or thin. And the low CG really launches the ball upwards in a hurry. Who It’s For: Golfers who want a set with a low CG for a higher ballflight. Specs: 3-LW, with graphite or steel shafts. Custom options available. callawaygolf.com | $699 (steel) |
Callaway Diablo Forged Key Feature: Although forged, they’re engineered for more distance with an aggressive heel-toe weighting design and an undercut cavity for better perimeter weighting. What We Like: The feel of a forged iron with added distance and forgiveness to boot. What’s not to like? The short irons are workable–we like that, too. Who It’s For: Good to better players who appreciate the look and feel of a compact and versatile forged iron, but who also want some added distance. Specs: 3-SW, with Nippon steel shafts. callawaygolf.com | $899 |
Cleveland HB3 Key Feature: The long HB3s have a sole width that’s 7% longer than the HiBORE XLi irons, and they all have a tweaked center sole that reduces turf drag. What We Like: The hollow body design is a forgiving one, but we think the new lightweight shafts are what make the difference between this set and previous versions. Fifteen grams doesn’t seem like much on paper, but the added swing speed means more yards. Who It’s For: Game-improvement fans. Specs: Available in 3-SW, in steel or graphite shafts. clevelandgolf.com | $699 |
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| Cobra S2 Forged Irons Key Feature: Compact and smooth from address, these irons are far from subtle. They’re among the most aggressive forged irons we’ve seen this year. What We Like: Cobra makes a statement, and the S2 Forged prove you can have that forged feel in a very playable and very long iron. The CNC-milled grooves really help control trajectory. Who It’s For: Better players, but not really. These irons are as forgiving as many nonforged models we’ve seen. Specs: Available in 3-GW, in either steel or graphite shafts. cobragolf.com | $744 (steel) |
Dynacraft Prophet Tour Key Feature: You can’t see it very easily from here, but there’s a Stability Slot cavity located behind the face for enhanced playability, feel and control. What We Like: We’ve always been big Dynacraft fans. The Prophet Tour also are amazing to look at. They’re smooth and surprisingly easy to hit. The short irons are very versatile from different lies around the course. Who It’s For: 3-SW; custom-built, with a variety of steel or graphite shaft options. Specs: 3-SW; custom-built, with a variety of steel or graphite shaft options. hirekogolf.com | $35/each (clubhead) |
F2 F2 Plus Irons Key Feature: The radical hosel design eliminates shanking once and for all. What We Like: Even if you’re not prone to catching the ball on the heel, these irons are amazingly easy to hit. We don’t doubt the psychological effects either. Knowing you won’t ever shank it is helpful, especially on delicate short-iron shots. Who It’s For: Anyone who avoids the s-word and wants to hit straighter shots more consistently. Specs: Available in 4-PW, with either steel or graphite shafts. f2golf.com | $499 |
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| Mizuno MX-1000 Key Feature: A maraging steel face that’s plasma-welded to a hollow stainless-steel body. What We Like: These are easy to hit–that’s a given. But what we really like is the classic look from address. The less-is-more approach to the aesthetics is working here. Who It’s For: Golfers who appreciate Mizuno’s commitment to quality engineering–this time, in a forgiving, nonforged set of irons. Specs: Available in 4-SW, in either steel or graphite shafts. mizunousa.com | $999 (steel) |
Nike SQ MACHSPEED Key Feature: A super deep undercut channel moves 50 grams of weight away and back from the clubface for a low and deep CG. The AM355 stainless-alloy face-insert tech is thinner, and the sweet spot is wider than ever. What We Like: They look cool, yet they feel hot and easy to hit. Guess you can be both cool and hot at the same time. Shots blast off the face like a cannon, even when struck off center. Who It’s For: Everybody Specs: Available in 3-LW, in steel or graphite shafts. nikegolf.com | $699 (steel) |
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| Fourteen TC-910 Key Feature: Forged of soft S20C steel, these irons have a classic look and feel that shroud their excellent playability. What We Like: The looks. Fourteen makes irons that look and feel as they should look and feel. As for playability, we were surprised at how easy these irons were to hit–even the longer ones. The craftsmanship also is impeccable. Who It’s For: Better players who want an awesome forged cavity-back with no frills and consistent spin rates across the set. Specs: 3-PW, with DG steel shafts. fourteengolf.com | $1,199 |
Infiniti Tour Strategy Key Feature: A forged iron designed with a healthy dose of forgiveness. The progressive offset and undercut cavity work together to control trajectory and distance through the set. What We Like: We’re seeing a lot of forged irons that are forgiving this year, but don’t count the Tour Strategy out. They look and feel as awesome as any forged iron we’ve tried in 2010. Who It’s For: Folks who want a forged iron with distance and forgiveness. Specs: Available in 3-PW, in steel or graphite shaft options. infinitigolf.com | $1,200 |
InnovexType S GDT Key Feature: Each club in this set is spaced four degrees apart, resulting in optimal distribution of shot distances across the entire set. A dual-cambered sole and extreme perimeter weighting help make these irons easy to hit. What We Like: Innovation coming from smaller companies. These irons are easy to hit and fly long and high. What’s not to like? A great buy, too! Who It’s For: Everyday golfers looking for more distance and distance control. Specs: Available in 3-PW, in steel- or graphite-shaft options. innovexgolf.com | $279 (steel) |
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| Mizuno MP-58 Key Feature: Using titanium in the heel section of the iron, these clubs have an elevated level of forgiveness, despite their traditional and sleek appearance. What We Like: The long irons! They’re remarkably forgiving, and we didn’t expect that from an iron that has such a classic, Tour-inspired shape. Each iron in the set looks great, as well. Who It’s For: Better players who want a lot of added playability in a long iron that doesn’t look thick or bulky. Specs:3-PW, in Dynamic Gold steel shafts, custom options available. mizunousa.com| $900 |
Nike Slingshot Key Feature: A Slingback design and an air CG makes for mega-forgiveness through the entire set. What We Like: Whoa. The hybrid long iron is nice, but we can’t help think these irons are ideal for golfers who struggle with steep swings. They resist digging and help prevent fat shots like nobody’s business around the course. Who It’s For: The aforementioned player who wants to stop chunking it and start hitting better golf shots. Specs: Available in 3-PW, in either steel or graphite shafts. nikegolf.com | $599 |
Ping G15 Key Feature: Maximum distance and forgiveness are achieved by using stronger lofts with a low CG. The Custom Tuning Port beefs up the irons’ MOI and perimeter weighting. What We Like: PING always makes amazing irons. The G15 are no different. Made to fit virtually anyone, the G15 launch the ball high and long and with the most forgiveness we’ve seen. Who It’s For: Everyone, but mid- to high-handicappers will like them the most. Specs: Available in 3-LW, with graphite or steel shaft options. pinggolf.com | $699 |
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| Ping i15 Key Feature: Dual stabilizing bars and a Custom Tuning Port lend a sound and feel that better players will prefer. The tungsten toe weight adds forgiveness. What We Like: The i15s are made for better players, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t long and forgiving. They are! And like all PING irons, when it comes to durability, these are the best. Who It’s For: Moderate to better players who want irons that fit right, look right, feel right and just plain perform right. Specs: Available in 3-PW, with a variety of steel and graphite shaft options. pinggolf.com | $799 |
Taylormade R9 Key Feature: A Velocity-Control Chamber in the 3-6 iron that absorbs shock and promotes added distance and forgiveness. Deep undercut cavity in shorter irons for control and distance. What We Like: With sports-car good looks, the feel and performance of the r9 irons are equally impressive. Who It’s For: Players who want big-time forgiveness in a clean design. Better players ought to try the svelte R9 TP irons for more workability. Specs: Available in 3-SW, in steel or graphite shafts. taylormadegolf.com | $799 |
I didn’t see any any ratings for the A7Os mixed set – jut the MAX. The max set is for those with higher handicaps, not for someone with my abilities. I have both the A7’s and the A7O’s and that way I can mix and match, so the 7AOs 2 and 5 ron hybrids will suit just fine if I need them with the A7 6 thru wedge and 3 and 4 hybrids. I tried out the 3 hybrid and 7 iron from the A7 and considering I don’t normally hit the 7 iron 170 yards, I can’t complain about the distances I was hitting at Golf Town. Besides, the A7’s are players irons, so they should play like them as well. KUDOS to Adams – I look forward to starting off with the A7Os and ending up with the A7’s – with my awesome 5 iron thru wedge system!