Looking for a 🦄 players Iron that will improve scores

[LowAndLeft32]

Looking for that that unicorn set of irons benefits of game improvement that will actually improve scores. 

Edited April 28, 2023 by LowAndLeft32

[iknowbagu]

You're going to have to compromise somewhere. If that iron existed, we'd all be playing it. 

 

That said, T100.

[eric61]

Yeah T100/T100S is probably the best answer.

 

Honorable mention to ZX7, Mizuno Pro 223, Wilson Staff CB, Ping i210/i59.

 

You have to compromise somewhere. Out of all of those, the JPX 921 SEL (lefty Forged/Tour combo set) won out for me. They’re forgiving for their category, but not compared to game improvement irons.

 

If you’re willing to compromise on looks — as in, something bigger than a blade, but still good-looking — this whole thing gets much easier. The i210 for example has been popular on the PGA and LPGA tours for years now. It’s super forgiving, consistent, looks good. But it’s a little bigger, and it’s cast. The elastomer gives it a nice soft feel, but it’s a little different. You’d have to buy i210s used, since Ping stopped selling them and is introducing the i230s at some point in the next few months, but they’re great. 

Similar story with Mizuno Pro 223. Look great, feel great, super forgiving, super consistent, some tour guys have them in the bag on the long end, but they’re slightly larger than the Mizuno Pro 221 blades.
 

Another thought would be P770s. They’re designed to look in the bag like a blade but perform like a much hotter and more forgiving irons. The compromise is feel and accepting the slightly larger looks. P760s if you can find a set might be even better in this regard.

[GHIN n Juice]

P770.  These are the most “blade” looking of the players distance irons with acceptable forgiveness.  The T100 has that gawd awful line on the back that makes them look cheap.

Edited July 3, 2022 by GHIN n Juice

[wam78]

T100s will be the closest thing you are looking for.  Like mentioned above, you will have to compromise.  However, t100s is the only one that looks as close to a blade while giving you the distance you are looking for.  Might be a different feel from t100 with the different cavity.  

[PowderedToastMan]

PXG 0311T. They are essentially the size of a blade, definitely smaller than P770. 

Edited July 3, 2022 by PowderedToastMan

[LWelchGolf]

14 minutes ago, eric61 said:

Yeah T100/T100S is probably the best answer.

 

Honorable mention to ZX7, Mizuno Pro 223, Wilson Staff CB, Ping i210/i59.

 

You have to compromise somewhere. Out of all of those, the JPX 921 SEL (lefty Forged/Tour combo set) won out for me. They’re forgiving for their category, but not compared to game improvement irons.

 

If you’re willing to compromise on looks — as in, something bigger than a blade, but still good-looking — this whole thing gets much easier. The i210 for example has been popular on the PGA and LPGA tours for years now. It’s super forgiving, consistent, looks good. But it’s a little bigger, and it’s cast. The elastomer gives it a nice soft feel, but it’s a little different. You’d have to buy i210s used, since Ping stopped selling them and is introducing the i230s at some point in the next few months, but they’re great. 

Similar story with Mizuno Pro 223. Look great, feel great, super forgiving, super consistent, some tour guys have them in the bag on the long end, but they’re slightly larger than the Mizuno Pro 221 blades.
 

Another thought would be P770s. They’re designed to look in the bag like a blade but perform like a much hotter and more forgiving irons. The compromise is feel and accepting the slightly larger looks. P760s if you can find a set might be even better in this regard.

Very much agree with the P770 recommendation, they are very forgiving but offer a smaller blade width versus the P790 series and are a shiny chrome finish, which us blade lovers are mostly used to. Even Harry HIggs plays the P770 series...

[Aviador Naval]

Titleist 716 or 718 CB.

[KevCannon]

T100 for sure. T100-s if you are a high spin player or looking for a bit more juice in the mid and long irons

[LeftyMatt24]

T100, TCB feel better than p770 to me. Great look and more forgiveness than blades. 

[wam78]

1 hour ago, PowderedToastMan said:

PXG 0311T. They are essentially the size of a blade, definitely smaller than P770. 

I have a set of the gen 3 T’s and they are pretty awesome!  You are correct, they get pretty slim as you progress through the set.  Great looking, performing and feeling irons!  Really nice blade like profile.

[doctorgriffo]

I’ve tried all the most recent offerings (t100, apex pro, 770s, Wilson CB etc) in this area and nothing beats my combo set of z785 and z forged. The z forged a a very playable set of blades, especially from 7 iron -PW, and the z785s look and feel great (with a 585 4 iron to complete the set). Big fan of combo-ing cavity backs and blades - had a set of mp20 combos and played around with x-forged and apex mb (during lockdown - ordered and returned a bunch of preowned irons to find the right set and the srixons won - probably cost me $200 in shipping and reselling losses in total, but was worth it to find the right irons when everything was closed and most places only have 7 irons to demo anyway).

[samwm]

 

Would recommend trying the T100, ZX7, Blueprint, and i210's. 

 

For context:

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 3, 2022 by samwm
context

[Z1ggy16]

4 hours ago, LowAndLeft32 said:

Looking that that unicorn set of irons. I want all the benefits of a blades: looks, feel, consistency, but also forgiveness and distance found in the game improvement. What iron am I looking for? 

 

4 hours ago, eric61 said:

Yeah T100/T100S is probably the best answer.

 

Honorable mention to ZX7, Mizuno Pro 223, Wilson Staff CB, Ping i210/i59.

 

You have to compromise somewhere. Out of all of those, the JPX 921 SEL (lefty Forged/Tour combo set) won out for me. They’re forgiving for their category, but not compared to game improvement irons.

 

If you’re willing to compromise on looks — as in, something bigger than a blade, but still good-looking — this whole thing gets much easier. The i210 for example has been popular on the PGA and LPGA tours for years now. It’s super forgiving, consistent, looks good. But it’s a little bigger, and it’s cast. The elastomer gives it a nice soft feel, but it’s a little different. You’d have to buy i210s used, since Ping stopped selling them and is introducing the i230s at some point in the next few months, but they’re great. 

Similar story with Mizuno Pro 223. Look great, feel great, super forgiving, super consistent, some tour guys have them in the bag on the long end, but they’re slightly larger than the Mizuno Pro 221 blades.
 

Another thought would be P770s. They’re designed to look in the bag like a blade but perform like a much hotter and more forgiving irons. The compromise is feel and accepting the slightly larger looks. P760s if you can find a set might be even better in this regard.

I've owned these all except Mizuno pro 223, and only because T100 were so good, I didn't feel the need to buy more sets. I'll rank these minus the 223 because as I said, no experience playing them over real golf rounds.

 

Looks: T100>Staff CB>ZX7>i210

 

T100 are pretty compact, minimal offset and a nice satin finish. i210 and ZX7 are the longest heel to toe and the thickest topline. CB's are smallest overall but have this insane bright chrome finish that makes me blind in the sunny months.

 

Feel: Staff CB>T100, ZX7>>i210

 

No doubt the forged CB win here. Absolute butter when you middle it, it's pretty crazy how good these feel. T100 feel much better than the previous versions of this club and I found them about the same as ZX7 in terms of how satisfying it feels. i210 is yucky, if you middle it, it just feels... meh (compared to the CBs).

 

Forgiveness: i210>T100>ZX7>>CB

 

Honestly the T100 is just baaaarely less forgiving than the i210. When I toe a T100, I really don't feel the club twist at all, but I do drop some yards. i210 I wasn't really looking too much distance unless I pretty much missed the grooves. It's a club all about forgiveness without IMO much engineering put into looks or feel. T100 feels like 5% less forgiving, but is incredibly better in every other way. The CB's aren't forgiving at all IMO, and you'll loose like 20+ yards on miss hits and I felt the club twisting all over the place. These are closer to a blade, then they are like an i210.

 

Hope this helps. T100 would be my choice, and the 2nd place I'd prob pick ZX7's.

[LowAndLeft32]

7 minutes ago, Z1ggy16 said:

 

I've owned these all except Mizuno pro 223, and only because T100 were so good, I didn't feel the need to buy more sets. I'll rank these minus the 223 because as I said, no experience playing them over real golf rounds.

 

Looks: T100>Staff CB>ZX7>i210

 

T100 are pretty compact, minimal offset and a nice satin finish. i210 and ZX7 are the longest heel to toe and the thickest topline. CB's are smallest overall but have this insane bright chrome finish that makes me blind in the sunny months.

 

Feel: Staff CB>T100, ZX7>>i210

 

No doubt the forged CB win here. Absolute butter when you middle it, it's pretty crazy how good these feel. T100 feel much better than the previous versions of this club and I found them about the same as ZX7 in terms of how satisfying it feels. i210 is yucky, if you middle it, it just feels... meh (compared to the CBs).

 

Forgiveness: i210>T100>ZX7>>CB

 

Honestly the T100 is just baaaarely less forgiving than the i210. When I toe a T100, I really don't feel the club twist at all, but I do drop some yards. i210 I wasn't really looking too much distance unless I pretty much missed the grooves. It's a club all about forgiveness without IMO much engineering put into looks or feel. T100 feels like 5% less forgiving, but is incredibly better in every other way. The CB's aren't forgiving at all IMO, and you'll loose like 20+ yards on miss hits and I felt the club twisting all over the place. These are closer to a blade, then they are like an i210.

 

Hope this helps. T100 would be my choice, and the 2nd place I'd prob pick ZX7's.

Awesome summary. 

[Ger21]

1 hour ago, doctorgriffo said:

nothing beats my combo set of z785 and z forged.

I feel the same about my Z765-Z965 combo set. The 765's do have a slightly thicker top line, but I don't even notice it anymore. And they feel incredibly soft.

[T_Golf_23]

I game the New Level PF2/PF1. Amazing irons. Feel great and deadly accurate. Amazingly easy to hit.  Very stable across the face. 

 

Check out the NL623CB. supposed to be even more forgiving. Won’t find a better value either. 

 

I am going to disagree with the majority here, the T100 are solid, but lack in feel for me…. Just can’t get along with them. I don’t like clubs with too much tungsten slammed in them. 
 

I also agree about the Wilson CB, not forgiving. The Staff blades are easier to hit than the CB. 
 

Skip the mizzuno 223 and head for the 225….. if you want to go down this route. You retain all the feel and control with an exponentially more forgiving iron. 

Miura Mc-501 are my back up gamers. Really easy to control and very forgiving for a blade. Going to put the CB-501 in play as well… still building this set out .
 

if you can find them - the Bridgestone J40 DPC…… they may be as close to a unicorn in this space as you will come. Almost no offset. Very thin top line. Feel - looks -  accuracy - and unbelievable forgiveness. I game these from time to time as well. Used sets pop on here from time to time…. If you can find one in good condition, they are a steal compare to the new stuff. 
 

Check out the the callaway X-forged CB ‘21 too. They were ranked as one of the most forgiving player irons  by MGS. They were also noted for high ball speeds off the face. They are the best feeling callaway ever made too. 
 

these are real sleepers. 
 

I have gamed each of these this year at some point. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 3, 2022 by T_Golf_23

[Hawkeye77]

Just got fitted for Apex 21s the other day and for me, they are what the OP describes. I wanted to like the Apex Pro but the pseudo pro (just talking about me) ship has officially sailed and like Bilbo I sail off to the land of compromise and much better iron shots. 

[glm]

I guess I would have to say Ping i25

but they get the summers off in favor of the Srixon z785

[TreqJosh]

Whilst T100/s is the closest to that unicorn, it’s certainly not a game improvement iron. 

[LowAndLeft32]

2 hours ago, T_Golf_23 said:

I game the New Level PF2/PF1. Amazing irons. Feel great and deadly accurate. Amazingly easy to hit.  Very stable across the face. 

 

Check out the NL623CB. supposed to be even more forgiving. Won’t find a better value either. 

 

I am going to disagree with the majority here, the T100 are solid, but lack in feel for me…. Just can’t get along with them. I don’t like clubs with too much tungsten slammed in them. 
 

I also agree about the Wilson CB, not forgiving. The Staff blades are easier to hit than the CB. 
 

Skip the mizzuno 223 and head for the 225….. if you want to go down this route. You retain all the feel and control with an exponentially more forgiving iron. 

Miura Mc-501 are my back up gamers. Really easy to control and very forgiving for a blade. Going to put the CB-501 in play as well… still building this set out .
 

if you can find them - the Bridgestone J40 DPC…… they may be as close to a unicorn in this space as you will come. Almost no offset. Very thin top line. Feel - looks -  accuracy - and unbelievable forgiveness. I game these from time to time as well. Used sets pop on here from time to time…. If you can find one in good condition, they are a steal compare to the new stuff. 
 

Check out the the callaway X-forged CB ‘21 too. They were ranked as one of the most forgiving player irons  by MGS. They were also noted for high ball speeds off the face. They are the best feeling callaway ever made too. 
 

these are real sleepers. 
 

I have gamed each of these this year at some point. 

 

 

 

 

 

Nice summary. So which set do you shoot the lowest scores with? 

[aenemated]

Given my comment in the other thread, probably know what I'd suggest. 🙂

 

My dad played Cally irons back in the 90s - those godawful Big Berthas - and I always made fun of him for them. So regardless of everything, "Callaway" just meant "old man." 

 

Then it occurred to me I'm the same age he was in those days. 

[T_Golf_23]

2 hours ago, LowAndLeft32 said:

Nice summary. So which set do you shoot the lowest scores with? 

Best scores have been shot with the MC-501, PF2 and the wilson blades. But I really need to be on with the wilson blades. 
 

If I had a competition tomorrow, I would hands down game the NL PF2 w/ KBS tour V 110S shafts. I play to around a 9-11 handicap. Irons are the strongest part of my game, so for me it’s about accuracy and consistency. These irons really fit the bill. Don’t need any help with height or distance. Pair these irons with the callaway MD5 wedges with DG TI 115 shafts. 
 

putting is easily my worst part right now….. costing me about 4-6 strokes a round. 

[T_Golf_23]

9 hours ago, LowAndLeft32 said:

Looking that that unicorn set of irons. I want all the benefits of a blades: looks, feel, consistency, but also forgiveness and distance found in the game improvement. What iron am I looking for? 

Help us help you…… what is your miss??? Do you tend to catch balls fat or thin? Steep or shallow?? Natural draw or fade? Tend to catch it off the heal or toe? ….. middle or every time? 
 

Do you need height and distance. Are your short or long irons better? What set are you gaming now? What kind of shafts do play? Do you tend to get flyers? Come up short? 
 

what do you like to see at address?? Thin top lines, thick or thin soles, shorter or longer heal to toe, off set? 
 

some of these irons are better suited to different players. ZX7 is better for steep players while the MC-501 benefit thin strikes and so on….. this may help us narrow things down. 

[joeburger]

T100 imo no question

[SBH9458]

 @LowAndLeft32T100 sir.  No doubt from my perspective. 

[LowAndLeft32]

16 minutes ago, T_Golf_23 said:

Help us help you…… what is your miss??? Do you tend to catch balls fat or thin? Steep or shallow?? Natural draw or fade? Tend to catch it off the heal or toe? ….. middle or every time? 
 

Do you need height and distance. Are your short or long irons better? What set are you gaming now? What kind of shafts do play? Do you tend to get flyers? Come up short? 
 

what do you like to see at address?? Thin top lines, thick or thin soles, shorter or longer heal to toe, off set? 
 

some of these irons are better suited to different players. ZX7 is better for steep players while the MC-501 benefit thin strikes and so on….. this may help us narrow things down. 

9 hcp 

irons are the worst part of game 

short irons are better than long

low ball hitter

miss is thin or short 

played recently:

  Nike Vr Pro 2 blades blades s300 lowest scores everyone made fun of me for playing older Nike blades  because im Not good 

Mizzy MP4 with kbs 120. I like these but long irons were tough and convinced myself not good enough for blades.

 

Srixon 785 modus 105 hit to low and couldn’t hold greens

ping i500 faces caved in 

2019 t100 with modus 105 very inconsistent maybe shaft was too ilght? But in an 120 x100 shaft in the 7 iron as trial and hit it better. But fitter said I didn’t have swing soles for x100s 

 

Proto concept C03 Oban 115 soft x spent too much to hit them not very good 

 

Some I’m all over the place. 

Edited July 4, 2022 by LowAndLeft32

[craz-e]

I agree with the suggestions of the Titleist t100. Otherwise if you wanted to see if you can find a decent set of Mizuno MP5's for sale they are a "forgiving" blade. 

[shanerbanner10]

I came from 714AP's and MP32 before that. I've now adopted T100s and they are awesome. forgiving but lots of feel, but not hurt your hands feel. Looks like a blade from address. I really like them!

[oz dee cee]

On the T100 band wagon here…