Players Irons - best combo (feel, looks, distance, dispersion)

[BCULAW]

I am a longtime iron junkie with a heavy leaning towards forged blades. Currently playing MP20s and love small footprint irons like the Ping Blueprints and Titleist 620MBs. I am pushing 50 now, but am playing some of the best golf of my life. The only thing I wish I could change is a bit more easy distance, especially from 3-6. Hybrids are not an option and even driving irons are not ideal - I can hit them well, but just really love playing true irons. 
 

Is there anything out there that will look and feel like my blades but give me an extra 5-10 yards?

 

They must have thin soles and feel must be exquisite. I’ve tried p790s and i500s and they just felt a bit sluggish to me. Might something like a 0311T, Apex Pro, i59, etc do the trick?

[ezpz]

zx7 or t100(s) could be solid candidates depending on your delivery.

[Nixhex524]

If you could find some MP20 MMC in the long irons, I think they could do the trick, great irons.... Also think the T100s are a good option.  Overall, I think the Srixon 7 series irons are the best combination of everything but they may not look quite blade enough on the top line for you.

[BCULAW]

Thanks to both of you for the responses. I should have mentioned that I recently purchased ZX7s and then t100S in search fir what I’m looking for. Unfortunately, I think both probably had bad shaft fits, as I could not hit the Srixons out of my shadow - the Modus 120s seemed to produce a very floaty, spinny ball flight. The t100S had PX LZ 6.0 and I couldn’t find the club face. Both actually lost distance compared to my MP20s (KBS Tour 130x SS). I’m sure it was the shafts, so they may still be contenders with a proper fitting. 

[chisag]

... I switched from T100S to Cobra MIM Tour irons and have never been happier and in fact, they are the best irons I have played to date. Like many here there are far too many iron sets to mention. 🤪  Where they really excel is the long irons as I find excuses to hit my 4 iron but all of them are a joy to play and the short irons as as accurate as any MB's I have played. Promoted as "softer than forged steel" I am not sure I would completely agree as they feel different than forged steel but very dense/soft. After a few weeks I was addicted to the MIM feel. 

... Obviously everyone makes very good Players Irons these days and it comes down to personal preference but anyone looking is not doing themselves any favors if they don't at least demo these irons. The look at address is arguably as good as it gets. 7 iron pictured below:

Edited April 18, 2022 by chisag

[Nixhex524]

8 minutes ago, BCULAW said:

Thanks to both of you for the responses. I should have mentioned that I recently purchased ZX7s and then t100S in search fir what I’m looking for. Unfortunately, I think both probably had bad shaft fits, as I could not hit the Srixons out of my shadow - the Modus 120s seemed to produce a very floaty, spinny ball flight. The t100S had PX LZ 6.0 and I couldn’t find the club face. Both actually lost distance compared to my MP20s (KBS Tour 130x SS). I’m sure it was the shafts, so they may still be contenders with a proper fitting. 

 

Hmmm... could be the shafts, like you said...  I have actually been kind of in the same boat, looking for a little more distance.  Figured I'd give the New Level 902 PD a shot as they are lofted a little stronger.  I have to say, they look REALLY good, but the PW has some funky looking offset.  The rest of them are beautiful, easy to hit, and offer the little extra help I have been looking for.  They are just harder to demo, I get it, but the prices are great and they are phenomenal quality.  Seem to have some nice shaft choices as well.  Could be an option as well for what you might be looking for.

[wam78]

JPX 921T could fit the look.  Also, for a players cb, the T100 might be the most blade looking iron on the market.

[SwooshLT]

T100 ......with the proper shaft......obviously 

[jetmech879]

Don’t overlook the Mizuno pro 225. Long irons may look a little chunky to you but the mid and short irons slim down very nicely. And you will get your extra 5 to 10 yards distance consistently. 

[SaVo_]

Recommend trying the 223's if you get a chance. Typical Mizuno feel and pretty forgiving I'd say. Went the furthest for me in this category for irons in my fitting. Went against, Zx7, Apex pro, even further than standard Apex in my experience. Maybe even consider the 225's like the user above mentioned^ get a few more yards and for a iron like the 225's being in the p790's category of players distance, a lot of people seem to say these are very consistent shot after shot.

[KevCannon]

T100 / T100s for sure should at least be tested, Mizuno 223 as well.

[LeftyMatt24]

Don’t overlook apex TCB which is similar in size to t100 but feels better to me. 

[Notashank]

Cobra mim. 

[agood3putt]

ZX7 for sure. Best feeling was performing irons I’ve tried and I’ve tried a lot and with the stock modus 120 shafts 

[Albatross85]

PXG 0311T Gen3 are tremendous and look like a blade. The 4 and 5 irons are really easy to hit. 

[justindowney]

Obviously I think the proper shaft will make a huge difference- I just did a fitting and tried just about everything I could- ZX7 and TC-201 were far and away the best performers for me, including distance. 

[Tbone107]

17 hours ago, chisag said:

... I switched from T100S to Cobra MIM Tour irons and have never been happier and in fact, they are the best irons I have played to date. Like many here there are far too many iron sets to mention. 🤪  Where they really excel is the long irons as I find excuses to hit my 4 iron but all of them are a joy to play and the short irons as as accurate as any MB's I have played. Promoted as "softer than forged steel" I am not sure I would completely agree as they feel different than forged steel but very dense/soft. After a few weeks I was addicted to the MIM feel. 

... Obviously everyone makes very good Players Irons these days and it comes down to personal preference but anyone looking is not doing themselves any favors if they don't at least demo these irons. The look at address is arguably as good as it gets. 7 iron pictured below:

Want to second this. Came from MP20 blades and could not be happier with look/performance. 

[xGameOver]

t100s

[Guest]

Have you had an opportunity to hit the Wilson Staff CB?  

 

[Jmccas]

My recommendations:

1. JPX Tour 

2. T100

3. Wilson CB

4. New Level 623CB

 

The JPX T is going to be updated this year and rumors are it’ll be a substantial update but obviously take that rumor with a grain of salt. 
 

I’m testing the NL623CB via their single club purchase program. Bit larger than I’d like but the forged heads are hot. The 7 iron loft is 34° and it outpaces my MP4s. 
 

The Wilson CB are beautiful but not how much distance you’ll gain over the MP20. 

[RoyalMustang]

Personal choice of course, but I have been playing a set of Cally MB21 and Apex Pros. Plenty of distance on the 7-iron: I flew 178 into a 5mph headwind the other day on a flushed shot.  It is a touch stronger (3-5 yards) than my Mizuno MP20 MMC and probably close to the new 223.  

 

It looks sleek and won't throw you if you have a mixed set.  

 

the 620 CB won't give you much extra distance, but forgiveness is probably better over the 620MB

 

don't worry about the age thing: finding the clubface is the most important thing, even if you have lost a few mph of ballspeed. I am 44 and really just got serious a couple of years ago; no issues with blades for me, as long as I make that good swing each time!

Edited April 18, 2022 by RoyalMustang

[RoyalMustang]

21 hours ago, BCULAW said:

Thanks to both of you for the responses. I should have mentioned that I recently purchased ZX7s and then t100S in search fir what I’m looking for. Unfortunately, I think both probably had bad shaft fits, as I could not hit the Srixons out of my shadow - the Modus 120s seemed to produce a very floaty, spinny ball flight. The t100S had PX LZ 6.0 and I couldn’t find the club face. Both actually lost distance compared to my MP20s (KBS Tour 130x SS). I’m sure it was the shafts, so they may still be contenders with a proper fitting. 

 

I have hit both of those shafts: I can hit the Tour 130 but the 6.0 LZ is absolutely the wrong shaft if you like the tour.  PX6.0 would probably have worked (just on the soft side) but the LZ just doesn't have a profile that suits anyone who likes the 130X.  

 

FWIW, I like the X100 best of everything I have tried.  

[Golfingfanatic]

Ping S55

[LionGolfer]

Artisan LS420HM

[Kale_m]

TCB are sweet

 

i like my 2021 xforged Cb 

 

s55

 

i59 

 

zx7 

 

p750 

[AntLockyer]

I didnt find anything when I went through this recently. T100 were significantly worse feeling and didn't really go any further. The 620CB felt superb and launched higher than the MB with less spin so I went with that in 4,5 and 6 iron.

[LongStaff]

I had the I500s for a few years. They were good irons and helped while I went through some swing changes. Then I randomly tried the cobra mb rf irons at the course I work at this past winter. I was instantly memorized on the feel and look of them. Bought them a week later and my consistency has improved a lot. They just fit my eye. If you are a good ball striker, I recommend testing these out. Pic is a 7 iron.

[JB lefty]

PXG T model, Apex Pro's, Muzzy MP SEL. These are great players irons. But the Taylor Made TW blades are dead set hot. 

[craz-e]

On 4/18/2022 at 7:30 AM, chisag said:

... I switched from T100S to Cobra MIM Tour irons and have never been happier and in fact, they are the best irons I have played to date. Like many here there are far too many iron sets to mention. 🤪  Where they really excel is the long irons as I find excuses to hit my 4 iron but all of them are a joy to play and the short irons as as accurate as any MB's I have played. Promoted as "softer than forged steel" I am not sure I would completely agree as they feel different than forged steel but very dense/soft. After a few weeks I was addicted to the MIM feel. 

... Obviously everyone makes very good Players Irons these days and it comes down to personal preference but anyone looking is not doing themselves any favors if they don't at least demo these irons. The look at address is arguably as good as it gets. 7 iron pictured below:

 

That's a great looking iron

[isaacbm]

Switch to 1/2 inch longer steel fibre I 95. Or 115 in your case. They play stiff to flex. One club longer instantly. 
 

Will take a little adjustment but the overall weight of the club will feel similar but the length will give you a little extra speed.

    

Edited April 20, 2022 by isaacbm