Best Players Distance Irons

[srjohnson913]

Thinking it’s time to upgrade my iron set. I got my handicap down to a 12 last year and my dream irons are T100’s or p770’s (just based on looks) BUT kids are on the near term horizon for me so I’m thinking now may not be the best time to go with a smaller head. I plan to try a bunch but thinking p790’s? Probably personal preference but would like to hear others experiences. 

[GHIN n Juice]

If you’re focused on the “distance” part of that category then I would look at the 790s or the Cobra Forged Tec.  Both are long, beautiful, and easy to play.  
 

 

[RacineBoxer]

50 minutes ago, srjohnson913 said:

Thinking it’s time to upgrade my iron set. I got my handicap down to a 12 last year and my dream irons are T100’s or p770’s (just based on looks) BUT kids are on the near term horizon for me so I’m thinking now may not be the best time to go with a smaller head. I plan to try a bunch but thinking p790’s? Probably personal preference but would like to hear others experiences. 

 

Are you short on distance or hit a fade/cut and trying to knock down spin?

 

There are multiple reviewers on the internet that put a bunch of clubs from this category head to head on a regular basis. IMO there isn't much difference between most of them. I know as consumers we always want that confidence that we bought the "best" but there really isn't a best. The best thing to do is go get fit to make sure the clubs work for you. 

 

I swing driver right around 100 and I'm looking hard at this category. I have a fitting scheduled for Friday and my personal favorites going in are the Mizuno 225 and the Ping i525 but I have to let the results make the decision for me. 

 

P.S. I don't expect improved performance or scores. I just want something smaller (and hopefully better feel) than my G425's and I'm in a place in life where I can "waste" a bit of money on this hobby that I love. But I'm 99% sure they won't help my scores.  

[dmeeksDC]

48 minutes ago, RacineBoxer said:

 

There are multiple reviewers on the internet that put a bunch of clubs from this category head to head on a regular basis. IMO there isn't much difference between most of them. I know as consumers we always want that confidence that we bought the "best" but there really isn't a best. The best thing to do is go get fit to make sure the clubs work for you. 

 

+1. I tried a bunch as I wanted to try a set of power irons. They’re more alike than different in terms of overall performance, but in terms of feel and overall comfort level you will find differences. Both the 225 and Rogue Pro ST feel better to me vs TM 770 or 790. Ping i525 would be my other contender and you might also like the Titleist T200. 
 

I went with the 225. Profile and compact size appeals to me. I am going to play some rounds with the Mizunos and some rounds with the New Level 623CB (pure forged, no tungsten or multi-materials) and see if there is any impact on my scoring. 

[cmatthews77]

As others have said lots of good choices but I still prefer the look and profile of the Callaway Apex for players distance. I think it’s the relatively short heel to toe blade length that is appealing. 

[BirdieBob]

Here are several discussions about "Distance Irons"........

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[srjohnson913]

20 minutes ago, BirdieBob said:

Here are several discussions about "Distance Irons"........

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

thanks for linking these I figured it was a popular topic

[srjohnson913]

2 hours ago, GHIN n Juice said:

If you’re focused on the “distance” part of that category then I would look at the 790s or the Cobra Forged Tec.  Both are long, beautiful, and easy to play.  
 

 

not focused on gaining any distance I just like the category being somewhere between blades/cb’s and super forgiving 

[Itsjustagame]

Sub 70 699 Pro

[larryd3]

37 minutes ago, Itsjustagame said:

Sub 70 699 Pro

I'll second this especially when considering the price and great service you'll receive from Sub70.    If not, T200 and even T100S.  I had Apex 21s and switched to the T100S and really prefer the Titleist irons.  Just work better for me.  

[m_w]

Has anyone hit the i525 vs the Rogue ST Pro's? Im curious how those two perform

[m_w]

Just collecting some data from Michael Newtons testing (who I always find a good reference to judge club performance, good ballstriker, not mega quick but quick)

 

Ping i525 (Std Spec 30.5* loft)

 

ST Rogue Pro (30.5* Loft)

 

Mizuno 225 (30* Loft)

 

Ping i59 for comparison (std. spec, 34* loft)

[dalillama47]

25 minutes ago, m_w said:

Has anyone hit the i525 vs the Rogue ST Pro's? Im curious how those two perform

I've hit the demo 7 irons only and prefer the size and feel of the Callaway.  Not thrilled with the chrome look and much prefer the look of the Ping.  Ping looks like it would be a little more forgiving, but I didn't see anything that puts one or the other much more forgiving than the other.

[BirdieBob]

1 hour ago, srjohnson913 said:

not focused on gaining any distance I just like the category being somewhere between blades/cb’s and super forgiving 

 

PXG Gen 3/4 0311P irons.  Easy to hit size; super forgiving.........BINGO!

Buy PXG 0311 GEN3 Golf Irons & Iron Sets | PXG

Buy PXG 0311 P GEN4 Irons - Golf Irons & Iron Sets | PXG

Edited March 20, 2022 by BirdieBob

[HarborMike]

I was a T100S player last season and play to a 7-9 handicap, but due to career and family obligations I wanted something a bit more forgiving while maintaining distance, feel, and looks. I ended up with Mizuno 225s. I have over 5 rounds with them now and just love these irons! These have been perfect for me so far and check every box. Spin is just right as well. Ball just stops next to my divot on the green in my approach shots and haven’t seen any fliers yet. They also feel amazing. I can’t really tell these are hollow body in terms of feel like a can with other hollow body irons I played with in the past (I500s, PXG). I really don’t have anything bad to say about the 225s.

[SwooshLT]

Don't sleep on the T100 irons ......tons of forgiveness and proper , CONSISTENT distance...... I'm truly surprised and loving my T100 irons

 

Smallish obviously but packs a punch! 

[Springsteennut]

8 hours ago, larryd3 said:

I'll second this especially when considering the price and great service you'll receive from Sub70.    If not, T200 and even T100S.  I had Apex 21s and switched to the T100S and really prefer the Titleist irons.  Just work better for me.  

Agreed this is a great option..

[FmaxTurboSi]

On 3/20/2022 at 4:07 AM, srjohnson913 said:

Thinking it’s time to upgrade my iron set. I got my handicap down to a 12 last year and my dream irons are T100’s or p770’s (just based on looks) BUT kids are on the near term horizon for me so I’m thinking now may not be the best time to go with a smaller head. I plan to try a bunch but thinking p790’s? Probably personal preference but would like to hear others experiences. 

LOL i hear ya bud.  I used to play muscle back/cavity combo sets before kids.  I game the p770's with p790 4i now.  And I have a set of 225's on order.  I still hit the ball well and shoot high 70's low to mid 80's, but I don't have enough free time to practice.  So it's hit or miss.  

 

Just my $.02, get whatever "YOU" like.  Get what looks and feels good to you.  We all have different preferences. I like the p770's because they're not huge, but they're not tiny shovels either.  They're in-between.  Not a huge top line and not overly large soles.  They're still small enough to force me to make a good swing.  I used to have a set of srixon 565's and they were large enough to make me think i could grip and rip every shot.  So I made more bad shots even though they were larger and more forgiving.  The p770's are not a distance iron like the p790's.  The yardages on the p770's are more consistent for me, and I don't need a 200 yard 7 iron, which is why I chose them over the p790's.  Good Luck!  

[Warrick]

T200 clear winner for me. I am a smaller person, and now 50, still strike it solid, but a slight lack of speed.

 

i needed 1/2 Club of distance, higher ball flight, forgiveness, but still need a great looking club at address.

 

New T200 checks every box and IMO is an easy overall winner.  It’s also my first set of Titleist irons, so no bias.

 

I am a Mizuno guy and don’t think the 225 are nearly as good, although small experience.

Edited March 21, 2022 by Warrick

[ob1soccer]

read all the reviews, the guys on here know what they are talking about. Make a list and demo outside off the grass. Let us know how the search goes.

[RacineBoxer]

On 3/20/2022 at 10:26 AM, m_w said:

Just collecting some data from Michael Newtons testing (who I always find a good reference to judge club performance, good ballstriker, not mega quick but quick)

 

Ping i525 (Std Spec 30.5* loft)

 

ST Rogue Pro (30.5* Loft)

 

Mizuno 225 (30* Loft)

 

Ping i59 for comparison (std. spec, 34* loft)

 

I'm a big data junkie too. I love to watch reviews, write the numbers down, compare, etc...

 

Here's the thing I've been seeing... while the performance is pretty close typically, it's usually even closer when you factor in that the one going farther usually has less spin, and every time you club up or club down you change spin, so...

 

A. 172 carry, 6481 spin

B. 182 carry, 5261 spin

C. 190 carry, 4771 spin

D. 192 carry, 4315 spin

 

[Paybax]

I am a 4 cap and love my Cobra Forged Tec. They have 2 new models coming out in a month or so through so definitely demo them. 

[Nixhex524]

On 3/20/2022 at 9:56 AM, SwooshLT said:

Don't sleep on the T100 irons ......tons of forgiveness and proper , CONSISTENT distance...... I'm truly surprised and loving my T100 irons

 

Smallish obviously but packs a punch! 

 

They beat out your i210s?!

[MountainKing]

There's no best, they're all great clubs  Go hit a few to see what ones look, feel and perform best for you!

[Pepperturbo]

In golf, I am not big on decisions based on data collecting.  I go off what I see down range.  Between T100 and P770's, if you're concerned about not practicing and need distance and forgiveness, the latter IMO is in all probability the better option.

[SwooshLT]

1 hour ago, Nixhex524 said:

 

They beat out your i210s?!

 

As consistent as the i210s are they just lacked the performance ability for me to hit flat stingers.... also the dead sexy look drew me in 

[AC in TX]

Funny - I tried the T200s and just could not hit them ... got hand stingers, crap contact, short distance. I tried the i500s and love at first swing ... could be shaft difference (T200s with 85g R flex graphite; i500s with 60g SW Recoils) but maybe the i500s matched my Senior swing better. Needless to say, just picked up a set of T200s with Tensei Red R flex shafts ... gonna try those next.

 

Long story short, go try all of them inside, outside and see if they match your swing.

Edited March 24, 2022 by AC in TX

[BallerNate]

Best thing to do is always to get a proper fitting if you’re able to and test out all the options in this category.

 

The iron no one has mentioned yet is the Srixon ZX5, and you could also look to combo with the ZX7 in the short irons.

 

Excellent feel, great control, beautiful clubs, and add distance and pop off the face.

[ButcherButters]

If you’re willing to wait, definitely would try to demo/hit the 2022 Cobra Forged Tecs. I’ve hit the 7i, and it flies high, mega forgiving and  looks beautiful (at least to me). I’ve hit Apex’s, P790, ZX7, (2020) Forged Tecs, 699Pros, Rogue ST Pro, Stealth over the winter and I’m going with the 22’ FTs.

[bjp1]

Best is subjective, but I own both the ‘21 P790 and Mizuno 225.  For a more confidence inspiring size, but minimal offset, I recommend the P790.  For a small footprint, Mizzy 225.  Both, when fit right, fill the gaps that Players Distance irons are made for.