Titleist
AP1
The AP1 irons are designed to be ‘Advanced Performance, multi-material, dual cavity irons’, and Titleist promises golfers will find improved feel, great looks, shot control and higher flight with forgiveness for the avid to skilled golfer. RRP: £86 per club (steel); £100 (graphite)
www.titleist.co.uk
|
Callaway
Razr X
Callaway has a simplified irons line up this year, with the Razr X as the central force to a trio of Razr models. Intended for the game improver, the Razr X is complemented by the Razr X Forged and Razr X Tour models for accomplished players. RRP: £599 (steel); £729 (graphite)
www.callawaygolf.com
|
Ping
Anser
Launched at the end of 2010, the forged Anser irons combine a steel body with tungsten sole for improved feel in a progressive set. The clubs are available from 3-PW with Project X steel shafts. RRP: £149 per club
www.ping.com
|
TaylorMade
Burner 2.0
TaylorMade says it has improved the most successful iron in the brand’s history – the Burner – with the introduction of the Burner 2.0. Made with a two-tone Black PVD finish, TaylorMade says it has improved the weight distribution for greater forgiveness. RRP: £549 (steel); £649 (graphite)
www.taylormadegolf.com
|
Mizuno
JPX800
Mizuno says its new JPX800 irons are the most forgiving and longest irons they have ever produced. The irons are made with a ‘Hot metal’ process for a thinner, more uniform clubface. RRP: £75 per club (steel); £100 (graphite)
http://golf.mizunoeurope.com
|
Wilson Staff
FG62
Launched in October, the FG62 forged blades are intended for the better player. The irons feature a slender muscleback design with a thin top-line, slight offset and a wide, cambered sole, merging classic looks with Wilson Staff’s latest technology. RRP: £599
www.wilson-staff.com
|
Cleveland
CG16
Cleveland says the overall club weight of the CG16s is 25 grams lighter than the previous CG7 irons, and combined with slightly longer shafts, golfers should find extra distance with CG16. Cavity backs are designed for a high launch and forgiveness. RRP: £499
www.clevelandgolf.com
|
Snake Eyes
685 OS
The 685 OS irons are designed for golfers looking for extra forgiveness. The offset clubheads are made with a large face profile, and they come as standard with Black Gold frequency tuned, stepless shafts. RRP: £499
www.snakeeyescustom.com
|
Nike
VR Pro Blades
Nike says it has produced its most exact iron faces ever for the VR Pro Blades, thanks to an improved forging process and X3X highfrequency grooves. The forged clubs are designed for elite players seeking feel and workability. RRP: £720 (steel shafts)
www.nikegolf.eu
|
Yonex
VMS
The VMS women’s irons have an ultra-thin clubface in front of a V-Con clubhead core, which Yonex describes as an ‘elastomer sandwich’, that is intended to thrust maximum power through the ball while also reducing unwanted vibrations. RRP: £549 (graphite 4-SW)
www.yonex.co.uk
|
Tour Edge
GeoMax 2
GeoMax 2 irons feature ‘intelligent weighting systems’ that should boost forgiveness and power, and which is designed for the game improver. With weight concentrated in the heel and toe, the irons also come with a wide sole. RRP: £320
www.touredge.com
|
John Letters
T8
John Letters of Scotland has designed the T8 ironhybrid set for high handicappers. Incorporating hybrids to replace the 3 and 4-iron, and irons from 5 to sand wedge, John Letters promises the stainless steel clubs have low and deep centres of gravity for stability and a high launch. RRP: £299.99 (steel); £349.99 (graphite)
www.johnletters.com
|
Ping
K15
Ping’s K15 come as an iron-hybrid set, with golfers able to choose between 5 and 6 irons, or 5 and 6 hybrids. The irons feature stainless steel bodies with titanium faces, which should aid forgiveness. RRP: £108 per club (steel); £123 (graphite)
www.ping.com
|
Titleist
CB
The new CB forged irons come with what Titleist promises to be improved feel and looks. The cavity-back irons are designed to provide the performance required by highly skilled players. RRP: £109 per club (steel); £124 (graphite)
www.titleist.co.uk
|
Wilson Staff
Di11
Wilson promises that the Di11 is the longest iron the company has ever produced, featuring an ‘ultra-wide’ sole and a sweetspot that Wilson says is 36% bigger than any other current irons in the ‘game improvement’ category. RRP: £349 (steel); £449 (graphite)
www.wilsonstaff.com
|
Nike
SQ Machspeed
The SQ Machspeed irons are designed to increase clubhead speed, and thereby increase shot distance. The clubheads are made with very thin faces, with a view to maximising the sweetspot and expanding it to the lower area of the clubface. RRP: £600 (graphite)
www.nikegolfeurope.com
|
Snake Eyes
Python XLD
The Python XLD irons are designed with deep cavities and extreme heeltoe perimeter weighting, which should be ideal in boosting a high trajectory and straight ball flight for less experienced players. RRP: £399
www.snakeeyescustom.com
|
Forgan
IWD2
The new IWD2 irons from Forgan are made from stainless steel and feature wide soles and cavity backs, with a promise of great forgiveness. With an anti-glare grey finish, sets are being offered to golfers online for £149.99 – half the RRP. RRP: £299.99
www.forgan.co.uk
|
Ping
i15
Entering the second half of its two-year cycle, the progressive i15s come with a tungsten weight inserted into the toe, with a view to increasing MOI by around 3% compared to the previous i10s. The i15 long irons have slightly larger clubheads, and while they are intended for the better player, they should offer more forgiveness. RRP: £85 per club
www.ping.com
|
Callaway
X-24 Hot
Callaway claims its new X-24 Hot irons are the longest and most accurate irons they have produced for the X-Series, and they are scheduled for August 1 retail delivery. The irons feature a PVD anti-glare finish and Callaway’s proprietary VFT Face technology, a 360-degree undercut channel and precise centre of gravity, with a view to providing a broad sweetspot. RRP: £649 (8 clubs, steel shafts); £749 (graphite)
www.callawaygolf.com
|
Titleist
AP1
The new AP1 irons are multi-material, dual-cavity irons intended to provide improved feel and shot control, great looks and a higher ball flight for the better player. The face thickness on this generation of AP1s has been reduced with a view to enhancing perimeter weighting, and tungsten nickel in the sole should increase stability. RRP: £82 per club (steel); £96 (graphite)
www.titleist.co.uk
|
TaylorMade
Burner Superlaunch
Built with mid-to-high handicappers in mind, the Burner Superlaunch irons make a progressive set with low-profile clubheads, with a view to encouraging a high launch angle. Incorporating TaylorMade’s SuperFast and Inverted Cone technologies, the company says ‘forgiveness’ is the key message with these clubs. RRP: £499 (steel); £599 (graphite)
www.taylormadegolf.com
|
MacGregor
MT Cup Face
Designed for low-to-mid handicappers looking for a classic shape, the MT Cup Face irons are built with a forged clubface that is welded to a 17-4 steel sole and body, with a view to providing a sweetspot that covers the entire clubface. The classic blade profile is slightly larger than that of traditional blades, and the clubs come fitted with stepless steel shafts as standard.
RRP: £549
|
MD Golf
Superstrong Combo
Irons 4 and 5 have been replaced with hybrids in the Superstrong Combo set, with a shaft choice between Proforce 65 and Ultra Flex graphite. The irons in the set are made from 403 stainless steel and the clubs have been built with a view to providing maximum peripheral weighting. RRP: £299.99 (steel/graphite); £349.99 (all graphite)
www.mdgolf.co.uk
|
Wilson Staff
FG Tour
The Wilson Staff FG Tour forged irons are designed to combine classic looks with the latest cavity technology for the better player. Based on the FG17 designed by Bob Mendrella, the FG Tour has a similar shape, precision forged from mild carbon steel. The clubheads have a thin top line, wide sole and deep cavity for a lower centre of gravity, while ‘minimal offset’ is intended to aid workability. RRP: £549 (4-PW)
www.wilsonstaff.com
|
Cobra
S2 Max
The S2 Max cavity-back irons are designed to provide forgiveness, accuracy and distance for the game-improver. Cobra’s ‘9 Point Face Technology’ should result in an expanded sweetzone, while a wide sole and low clubhead profile push the CG deeper to encourage a high launch angle. Golfers can also opt for a iron-hybrid set. RRP: £379 (steel); £449 (graphite)
www.cobragolf.co.uk
|
Nike
SQ Machspeed
Launched in March, the SQ Machspeed irons are aimed at game improvers seeking high launch and faster ball speed. Nike says its Powerbow technology creates a very deep CG and wide sweetspot, with 50g of weight being repositioned thanks to a deep undercut behind the clubface. RRP: £480 (7 clubs, steel); £540 (graphite)
www.nikegolfeurope.com
|
Mizuno
MP-68
New from Mizuno for 2010 are the MP-68 irons. Designed to be classic Mizuno blades but with what the company describes as ‘enhanced feel’, they are designed for professional players and elite amateurs. A scalloped muscle-back and shorter hosel are intended to provide a more centred CG. RRP: £85 per club (chrome); £105 (Black Nickel)
http://golf.mizunoeurope.com
|
Cleveland
HB3
Cleveland’s new HB3 transition set, which started retailing in April, is intended for the game-improver. The HB3 soles feature centre recess sections to reduce turf drag, and the set has progressive sole widths with a view to increasing forgiveness as the clubs lengthen. RRP: £499 (steel); £599 (graphite)
www.clevelandgolf.com
|
Adams Golf
Idea Pro Black CB1
A premium set of irons designed for skilled golfers, the Pro Black CB1 set features eight forged carbon steel clubs finished in nickel-chrome and black PVD. The clubheads are built with precision-milled cavities, a thin top-line and bevelled trailing edge to reduce turf interaction. RRP: £799.99 (4-GW, steel)
www.ukgolfdistribution.co.uk
|
Srixon
Z-TX
Srixon launched the Z-TX range of clubs in the Autumn, featuring driver, fairway woods and irons. Japanese-owned Srixon says the Z-TX irons provide a sweetspot that is 20% bigger than its previous models, and tungsten nickel weights lower the CG with a view to providing a higher ball flight. RRP: N/A
www.srixon.co.uk
|
Ram
SDX II
Intended to be affordable performance irons, the SDX II combination set is designed for the improving golfer. Long irons are replaced with a hybrid, while clubs 5-SW are cavity-back irons, with the short irons featuring a shallower cavity with a view to enhancing playability. RRP: £149.99 (steel); £199.99 (graphite)
www.ramgolf.co.uk
|
Snake Eyes
Custom 675C
Built with low-to-mid handicappers in mind, the Custom 675C irons come with a thin topline, bevelled ‘tour grind’ soles and minimal offset. Snake Eyes says the clubheads are quintuple forged from 1030 carbon steel with a view to providing a soft feel, and eight-gram increments allow for progressive swing-weighting. RRP: £599 (3-PW, steel)
www.snakeeyescustom.com
|
John Letters
T9+
New for 2010, the T9+ set features hybrid replacements for the 3 and 4 irons, while clubs 5-SW are forged, and feature an undercut cavity with a view to enhancing launch angle. The hybrids are built with discretional heel-toe weighting with a view to enhancing MOI. RRP: £449 (steel); £499.99 (graphite)
www.johnletters.com
|
Tour Edge
Exotics XCG-3
Tour edge modified its Exotics XCG irons to create the new XCG-3, with larger clubheads, a new Dual Density Dampening System (3DS) and thinner clubface, with a view to providing improved feel, forgiveness and shot distance. The new clubs started at UK retail in March, complete with lifetime warranty. RRP: N/A
paul.skeates@foremostgolf.com
|
Titleist
CB
Titleist’s CB irons are forged cavity backs, with a view to providing excellent feel and classic looks for serious golfers playing at a high level. As something of a rarity among contemporary irons sets, Titleist is still offering a CB 2-iron for golfers who are still comfortable with the longest irons. RRP: £104 per club (steel); £118 (graphite)
www.titleist.co.uk
|
TaylorMade
R9
Aimed at avid golfers in the low to mid-handicap range, who are searching for a traditional look but with the latest technology, the R9 irons are geared towards producing a moderate launch angle. The 3-6 irons feature TaylorMade’s ‘Velocity Control Chamber’, and the clubs are made with Inverted Cone technology and progressive face thickness. RRP: £699 (steel); £799 (graphite)
www.taylormadegolf.com
|
Callaway
Diablo Edge
Callaway says the centre of gravity in the cavity-back Diablo Edge irons has been moved 50% lower in the clubhead, and 17% deeper, which should bring the sweetspot down to the lower reaches of the clubface. Hybrid replacements are available from 6-iron up. RRP: £549 (8 clubs, steel); £649 (graphite)
www.callawaygolf.com
|
Ping
G15
Ping says that in building its G15 irons, subtle alterations have been made to the weight distribution of its previous G10 models. A slightly wider sole and thinner top line should increase MOI and forgiveness, while the G15s feature deeper cavities than the slimmer i15s.
RRP: £80 per club (steel); £95 (graphite) www.ping.com
|
Ping
Rapture V2
Launched in 2008, Ping's Rapture V2 irons are the company's ‘maximum forgiveness' irons. Ping's in-house research into multi-material combinations has led to the over-sized clubheads being made from a 17-4 stainless steel body, with a titanium face and tungsten sole weight. The clubs are available from three iron to nine, and with a range of four wedges.
|
Cobra Golf
King Cobra SZ
The ‘SZ' of the King Cobra SZ irons stands for ‘Sweet Zone', and forgiveness and high trajectory are key to these clubs, which have been designed for mid-to-high handicappers. The clubheads have a sleek, low profile and a shortened hosel to push the centre of gravity low and back, while the wide sole and heel-toe weighting are designed to maximise the clubs' moment of inertia. With models for men, women and seniors, the clubs come from 5-iron to sand wedge.
|
Cleveland
CG7
The CG7 irons from Cleveland come with Gelback and Micro-Cavity technologies, with a view to providing great feel, distance and forgiveness. Gelback takes the form of an injection-moulded, lightweight insert that dampens unwanted vibrations from strikes across the clubface, while the Micro-Cavities are progressively sized to provide the optimum centre of gravity for more distance. Cleveland also has the CG7 Tour option for the better player.
|
MD Golf
SuperStrong Combo
Illustrating what more companies are doing with the make-up of a new set of irons, MD Golf's SuperStrong Combos feature six irons, from sand wedge to six-iron, with the set completed with a pair of offset hybrids, of 21 and 24 degrees. The stainless steel irons are made with ‘maximum' peripheral weighting, which gives the clubs a thick sole and top line, to aid playability. The clubs come fitted with UST Ultraflex graphite shafts or Proforce 65Lady, and UST Multi-compound grips.
|
TaylorMade
Burner 09
TaylorMade claims it has re-invented the way it designs clubs, with the long, middle and short irons being created as separate entities. TaylorMade's SuperFast Technology is an umbrella that covers progressive COR through the set, progressive MOI and progressive shaft length. The clubs are fitted with ultra-light shafts and grips and TaylorMade promises faster ball speed and increased forgiveness. The brand's Inverted Cone Technology is also present throughout the set.
|
Callaway
Big Bertha Diablo
The Big Bertha Diablo irons from Callaway are premium clubs with the better player in mind. They feature traditional head shapes, yet with Callaway's flaming Diablo cosmetics. The clubheads are forged from a soft 1020 carbon steel and feature high-strength 455 Carpenter Steel faces. The clubs are designed to provide exceptional feedback at impact thanks to the soft body, yet the stronger clubface should increase ball speed.
|
Titleist
AP1
Cast from 431 stainless steel, Titleist's AP1s are aimed at skilled golfers who are looking to take their game to the next level. The upper and lower cavities on the back of the clubheads are designed to optimise weight distribution around the perimeter. The clubs feature a high-density tungsten nickel box and an elastomer cushion with a view to providing excellent feel, forgiveness and overall performance.
|
Bridgestone
J36 Series
Bridgestone has introduced a series from which accomplished golfers can make up a set to fit individual preference - the ‘Ultimate Combo Set'. Featuring three clubhead designs; J36 Blades, Cavity Backs and Pocket Cavities, all irons are forged from 1020 mild carbon steel for a soft feel, and they feature U-grooves for excellent control. Golfers seeking added forgiveness from long irons may prefer the Pocket Cavities, but could work through to the Blades for the scoring clubs.
|
Wilson
Di9
Wilson says it has improved the Di7 irons to produce its longest and most forgiving iron, the Di9. The clubs have been designed with a low profile and wide sole to lower the centre of gravity, with a view to providing a higher and straighter ball flight. The responsive clubface should generate exceptional ball speed, while the ‘super-lightweight' shafts feature Wilson's patented Wide Tips to limit twisting at impact.
|
Ben Sayers
Benny Irons
The Precise Weight Positioning System of the Benny Irons is designed to deliver ‘unrivalled' stability, forgiveness and feel. The centre of gravity has been moved further back to increase the sweet spot by 25%, claims the company, and with a high MOI the distance and accuracy of the clubs should be excellent. They come fitted with True Temper shafts and Golf Pride New Decade multi-compound grips.
|
Snake Eyes
Viper XT
Weighted to provide that high MOI, the Viper XT irons are made with an ultra-thin S42 steel face that is plasma-welded to a deep-gravity clubhead, with a view to maximising power and accuracy. The clubs are fitted with FST Pro 115 stepless lightweight steel shafts or AeroTech Hoop Wind graphites. All shafts are hand ‘PUREd' before assembly.
|
Snake Eyes
Viper XT
Weighted to provide that high MOI, the Viper XT irons are made with an ultra-thin S42 steel face that is plasma-welded to a deep-gravity clubhead, with a view to maximising power and accuracy. The clubs are fitted with FST Pro 115 stepless lightweight steel shafts or AeroTech Hoop Wind graphites. All shafts are hand ‘PUREd' before assembly.
|
Benross
VX-51
Arguably the highlight of the 2009 releases from Benross, the VX-51s are forged, cavity-back irons with a moderate sole width, a slim top line and a satin finish.
|
Go
C3
The C3 irons from Go have been designed with the beginning or improving golfer in mind. The cavity-back irons, which are assembled in the UK, are available right and left-handed, and golfers are free to assemble combination sets to their personal preference, mixing in Midi Rescue clubs, fairways woods and a driver. All C3 irons come fitted with True Temper steel shafts or ‘Fuko' graphites.
|
Nicklaus
Polarity HCT
Nicklaus claims its has taken its Polarity MTP irons and made them even better, to produce the Polarity HTC. The patented Extreme Polar Weight System has distributed the clubhead weight deeper, with a view to enhancing ball velocity and trajectory. The Polar Weight also resists twisting at impact. Shaft options are FST Pro Silver Ultra Light steel, Precision Rifle Black Graphite, and Nicklaus SG Pro 3.01 Ladies.
|
Nike
VR Split Cavity
Nike has a series of three VR irons: TW Forged, Split Cavity Forged, and Full Cavity. Tiger goes for the TW Forged of course, but mere mortals may prefer the Split Cavities, which have traditional looks, and a top line and sole only slightly thicker than the TW Forged, and they have a hint more offset. Designed to offer forgiveness while still aiding shot shaping, the Split Cavities are fitted with Dynamic Gold steel shafts.
|
Yonex
VMX
With its VMX set, Yonex has built mid-sized steel heads with 3mm clubfaces, and combining with V-Con Core cavity technology, the promised result is increased power and forgiveness. The irons also have a triangular weighting system, designed to maintain stability through impact, and they come with the option of True Temper steel shafts or Yonex's own HS6000 graphites.
|
Nickent
3DX RC+
Nickent's 3DX RC+ Combo Set features three club designs: ironwoods to replace the 3 and 4 irons, wide-sole mid-irons, and short irons with a narrower sole. The mid and short irons feature carbon backing to dampen vibrations and to lower the centre of gravity, while XW tungsten-polymer weight inserts boost the club's forgiveness and stability at impact. The clubs have True Temper ST-90 steel shafts or UST SR2.5 graphite.
|
Mizuno
MX-200
From the four sets of irons launched by Mizuno last Autumn, the MX-200s are the biggest sellers. The irons are ‘Grain Flow Forged' from 1025E Pure Select mild carbon steel to ensure excellent feel and control, and the sweetspot is extended by a Y-shaped reinforcement pad in the cavity that provides ‘Y-Tune forgiveness' for off-centre strikes.
|
Tour Edge
Exotics XCG
The Exotic XCG irons are built with a dual-density dampening system called 3DS, which consists of an elastomer insert that sits in the clubhead cavity, with a view to providing excellent responsiveness. The insert is softer with the shorter irons and wedges to produce even greater feel and spin, whereas the firmer density in the long irons promotes a stronger rebound and hence, shot distance.
|
PGA Collection
IQ
The IQ irons from PGA Collection have been designed to make a seamless transition into the IQ hybrids, to provide golfers with the ideal line-up. The irons are made with deep cavity-backed clubheads to ensure the weight lies around their perimeter, to give golfers the best chance of maintaining stability through impact, a high trajectory and greater distance.
|
Ram
Serbera
Ram says its Serbera irons for mid-handicappers are its most forgiving ever. The multi-material, cavity-back clubs have that low centre of gravity to promote maximum forgiveness, clubhead speed and penetrating strikes. The Serbera set is fitted with Golf Pride Decade multi-compound grips and Grafalloy DC shafts.
|
