Best players distance irons?

[captwilks67]

What is everyone’s preferred players distance irons? 
 

im currently gaming p790s but can’t help but wonder how everything else performs in relation to these. 

 

So what have y’all found and why do you like them? 
 

points for comparisons to other irons you’ve tried. 

[Warrick]

I have 2 sets I really like, new T200, and Mavrik Pro.

 

The T200 have a great profile, thinner top line than most anything in the category, Mavrik pro seem to have a touch shorter blade length, but thicker top line and bigger sole.

 

Both are great.

[SE Gamer]

I suppose to answer, you'd have to give some more detail on what "best" means to you. 

 

Longest?

Most forgiving?

Most consistent?

Best dispersion?

Nicest look at address?

Nicest feel?

All of the above, and then some?

 

Have played a set of Snake Eyes 600B blades for years, and just can't find a reason to ditch them. But I was bit by the tech in the players distance irons this year. So I went out and hit a few of the major brands. There's big difference between an afternoon or two on a launch monitor, and actually playing them. But I did draw some conclusions (for me, YMMV).

 

P790/P770 - Didn't really care for either. Top lines at address looked a little too hefty. Feel was so-so. They performed fine. Just weren't my cup of tea.

 

Apex Pro - I'd rank these above the TM models in feel and looks. And slightly in performance. But really splitting hairs in that regard.

 

Mizuno 223 - I liked these the most. Looks were great. Feel was the best of any I'd hit. But performance was pretty much on par with the others.

 

Maltby TS1 - Really love the look of these at address. Feel is slightly below the 223, but better than the others. Performance is as good as all of the above. 

 

So the big conclusion I drew is that they're all pretty darn similar. So I'd really go with whatever fits your eye and feels the best for you. That is, unless you're going for some specific nuance in terms of performance. For me, if I do go through with switching to this class of iron, I just see no reason to go with the big box brands. When the Maltby is every bit as good for a fraction of the price. 

 

 

[Ripken08]

Apex 21 non pro have been good to me

[Carolina Golfer 2]

I’ve played

2021 P790

Mizuno 223

Wilson  D9 Forged

Cobra Forged Tec-X

 

Is have to say the cobra are the best all around of that bunch by far.  From feel, sound, dispersion and distance.  

 

[captwilks67]

10 minutes ago, Carolina Golfer 2 said:

I’ve played

2021 P790

Mizuno 223

Wilson  D9 Forged

Cobra Forged Tec-X

 

Is have to say the cobra are the best all around of that bunch by far.  From feel, sound, dispersion and distance.  

 

What shaft are you playing in each? 

[Carolina Golfer 2]

Oh boy let’s see….🤔

p790 was Recoil 460

223 was Recoil 95?

D9  is Modus 105

FTX are TGI 70 

 

 

[captwilks67]

5 minutes ago, Carolina Golfer 2 said:

Oh boy let’s see….🤔

p790 was Recoil 460

223 was Recoil 95?

D9  is Modus 105

FTX are TGI 70 

 

 

Tec x is a game improvement iron, no? 

[T_Golf_23]

Mizuno Pro 225 hands down. I play all forged CB  and Blades. Including two sets on Miura’s. This flow set is amazing. They hit a home run with these. There are no other players distance irons that even come close on feel and consistency. 

 

the scoring irons even get shorter and more compact as the set progresses. Their top lines look like blades. This is very unique to the 225. 
 

they won my golf spy best players distance irons as well. 

[T_Golf_23]

May be worth checking out this thread… 

 

 

 

 

[Brobespierre]

2 hours ago, captwilks67 said:

Tec x is a game improvement iron, no? 

that line is getting pretty blurry these days.

 

Cobra has the forged tec as their players distance between mim tour and LTD

 

really depends on what you are looking for, wouldn’t let game improvement vs. player’s distance be a dividing line.

 

I would say that Zx5 is one of the best players distance, but plenty would call it GI, etc. etc.

 

That being said,

 

Zx5, MP 225, p790 are the ones I’ve liked the most. (I haven’t hit the new Forged Tecs)

[lambo428]

Titleist T100S is very good but didn't like the feel.  Titleist 620 CB would be my choice:

better feel, same distance, and more accurate.  Try the 620 MB for super feel and great accuracy (if you dare). For me, these irons beat the 223 in every way.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

2 hours ago, captwilks67 said:

Tec x is a game improvement iron, no? 

Technically yes it has more GI aspect than the non X. But shares a similar look and hollow body design.   Probably the best looking GI out there.  

[aenemated]

Only been a couple of rounds with them but quite loving my Apex Pro 21s. Shot my lowest score of the year last weekend with 'em. 

[T_Golf_23]

16 minutes ago, lambo428 said:

Titleist T100S is very good but didn't like the feel.  Titleist 620 CB would be my choice:

better feel, same distance, and more accurate.  Try the 620 MB for super feel and great accuracy (if you dare). For me, these irons beat the 223 in every way.

I would consider all those more player irons. Those 620CB have some really traditional lofts and are games usually by single digits… 

 

i agree with you on the T110s…. The feel was almost hard… it was just off… wanted to love the 223, but pound for pound …. They just didn’t hold up to so many other sets. 

[captwilks67]

I’m really curious how the new Edel irons are gonna hold up here. 

[forrester_fire]

I'm playing the JPX 921 Forged, which I really like.  But if I had to start my bag over again, I'd probably land in the Pro 225.  Practically the same blade length and offset, but with a thinner top line.  I've not seen a bad review of the 225, and they look gorgeous.

Edited July 14, 2022 by forrester_fire

[Warrior42111]

I got fitted into the 921 HMP (maybe they don't even count as players distance? Ha) been a few months with them now. Looks wise they hit the spot for me, not overly big but not crap the pants small. I was actually hitting the P770 just as well in the fitting but blade length was a bit terrifying to me. The longer irons are a bit chunkier but they progress nicely do the scoring clubs IMO.

 

Compared to my previous SIM irons the feel is great. I can tell a center shot from a not center shot, but it is not harsh at all, just enough to know. Forgiveness is good on miss hits not much if any at times lost distance.

 

Bonus the lofts set up perfect for the wedges I already had.

[jjfcpa]

I've got to add the Titleist T300 to the mix.  I've played the player's distance clubs (JPX 921 HMP and Srixon SZ5), but I'll take the extra distance and forgiveness and give up the looks for lower scores.  

 

I tried to find something better with an hour long fitting with TrueSpec and they couldn't come up with anything better either.  I specified more distance with no loss of dispersion and after an hour, the fitter said he was out of suggestions and stay with the T300.

 

I could play the T200 but I'd be giving up distance and probably not score as well.

[Eesh]

Mizuno 225. end of story

[RobS]

I like the Apex Pro 21 and the Ping i525.  Both look really good at address and feel solid on center strikes.  The Ping's feel/sound a little funny outside of the sweet spot but are great performing irons.  What I like about the performance of both of these irons is that the spin rates aren't exceptionally low which helps with distance control and offers better performance out of the rough (fewer flyers or knuckleballs).

[Carolina Golfer 2]

21 hours ago, jjfcpa said:

I've got to add the Titleist T300 to the mix.  I've played the player's distance clubs (JPX 921 HMP and Srixon SZ5), but I'll take the extra distance and forgiveness and give up the looks for lower scores.  

 

I tried to find something better with an hour long fitting with TrueSpec and they couldn't come up with anything better either.  I specified more distance with no loss of dispersion and after an hour, the fitter said he was out of suggestions and stay with the T300.

 

I could play the T200 but I'd be giving up distance and probably not score as well.

You nailed it.

 

Sucha great performing iron and not bad looking either.  Titleist came a long way with this T300....Can't wait for this time next year to see what they do next 🙂

 

[captwilks67]

19 hours ago, RobS said:

I like the Apex Pro 21 and the Ping i525.  Both look really good at address and feel solid on center strikes.  The Ping's feel/sound a little funny outside of the sweet spot but are great performing irons.  What I like about the performance of both of these irons is that the spin rates aren't exceptionally low which helps with distance control and offers better performance out of the rough (fewer flyers or knuckleballs).

I wanted the i525s to work out so much for myself. I love the thin top line and look of those Irons. 
 

[captwilks67]

After a fitting yesterday, we landed on either the Forged Tec, P790, or the Srixon ZX5 as the irons of choice for my swing. 
 

I have P790s already so going to reshaft those with a C Taper Lite and I also ordered ZX5s with C Taper Lite tk see who can win. 
 

I have a feeling I’ll get more distance with the p790 and better accuracy with the ZX5s. 
 

 

[T_Golf_23]

On 7/15/2022 at 10:44 AM, captwilks67 said:

After a fitting yesterday, we landed on either the Forged Tec, P790, or the Srixon ZX5 as the irons of choice for my swing. 
 

I have P790s already so going to reshaft those with a C Taper Lite and I also ordered ZX5s with C Taper Lite tk see who can win. 
 

I have a feeling I’ll get more distance with the p790 and better accuracy with the ZX5s. 
 

 

Make sure you die d tine hitting those ZX5 off different turf… they respond very differently than off the mats. 
 

good luck . 

[JD3]

2021 T200 or 2019 Apex.  Very similar feel and performance, both crunch the ball and get it out there long and high. Just comes down to looks.

 

Compared to others I've hit I'd say:

 

- P790 doesn't look as good and the head has too many hot spots 

 

- Mizuno 223 just not enough height and power. Really a better comparison is T100S

 

- Ping i210 feel is too slick and slippery 

 

- PXG from Gen 3 on look good at address but still think they're lacking somewhat in distance and consistency. And the feel is interesting at first but then the novelty wears off and I want something more solid again. 

 

- Srixon Z 585 sole is just too weird. Don't like a club that can't be grounded. 

 

 

Edited July 21, 2022 by JD3

[Lobber]

Tour Edge C722 deserve to be in the conversation

[ThomasM]

2021 T200 gets my vote. I’ve had the 790’s and ZX5’s and the T200’s just flat out perform. 

[black bnr32]

Forged Tec 

[third-times-a-charm]

So many options nowadays. To be honest theyre all the same idea with varying marketing terms. Pick the one that looks the best to your eye with the feel you 'feel' you think you like - match a shaft that works - and have at it.

 

Every OEM makes at least two 'players distance' models, now.