Jump to content

Best irons 2023 discussion thread


Recommended Posts

Masters Week is Irons Week at GolfWRX, and best irons pieces are dropping all week long!

 

At GolfWRX, to determine the 2023 best irons, we have compiled an expert panel of fitters to help you find out which of 2023 irons is best for your game. We’re seeing new technology, more technology packed into the cavity of a club, catering toward combo sets, more consistency across the face, game improvement irons that really improve your game, and increased model segmentation against a backdrop of a few models that work well for wide sections of the fitting bell curve.


Ultimately the best way to find your personal iron set is to work with a professional fitter using a launch monitor. The difficult part is a lot of people don’t have easy access to fitters, launch monitors, and club builders—so at GolfWRX, we have done a lot of the work for you. 

 

We are in the era of not just maximizing distance but also minimizing the penalty of common misses for each player — this applies to irons just as much as it does with any other club in the bag. This is why, now more than ever, custom fitting is essential to help you see results on every swing you make.

 

We want to give you the tools and information to go out and find what works best for you by offering recommendations for your individual iron set wants and needs with insight and feedback from the people who work every single day to help golfers get peak performance out of their equipment.

 

Monday: Best irons: Easiest to launch

350951049_BestIrons2023Graph_EasiestToLaunch.png.a7271d43888164b3921fc596df547013.png

 

Tuesday: Best irons: Pure enjoyment 

1038597602_BestIronsGraph_PureEnjoyment.png.480c02fec0e7e4d7c23c25c6b7cd6bf6.png

Wednesday: Best irons: The shotmakers1583337770_BestIronsGraph_SHOTMAKERS.png.a976492005bdbfcb358c0c9c092a0727.png

Thursday: Best irons: Most technology packed

2097387523_BestIronsGraph_mosttechnologypacked.png.c1500e849eeace4bba03ab1f69ac7717.png

 

Friday: Best irons: Top overall performers

Best-Irons-Graph_top-overall-performers-1.png.ba2b656044e720364b3bf58c7060ec25.png

Best irons: Best bladesBest-Irons-Graph_best-blades.png.d4eeab0f7247d046bdb59fa0c86dee5f.png

Edited by GolfWRX
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interesting read, I just got fit for the Ping G430's and played 2 rounds & broke 80 from the Blue's on 2 different courses here in Palm Springs. I'm not getting any younger, they're easy to launch, go straight/high & long but the best part is they hit & hold the green. These new Ping G430 irons are amazing.

 

D.

 

20230314_120511(2).jpg.6b909854aab186c010f0c9c04ab774f8.jpg

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1

Ping G430 10k - 10.5° Driver Tour Chrome 2.0 65 or Ventus Blue 6-S Velo

Ping G430 Max 15° 3 Wood - Tour Chrome 2.0 65 S or Ad Di8-S
Ping G430 Max 21° 7 Wood - Tour Chrome 2.0 75 S

Ping G430’s, 4-P/W - UST Recoil ES 780 F4-S

Ping G430 - 45° & 50° - UST Recoil 95's F4-S

Ping Glide Pro 56° - UST Recoil 95's F4-S

Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380 Limited Edition Putter

Ping DLX Cart Bag

V1 Sport Push Cart - Garmin Approach G80

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A mate bought the XXIO X 12 irons I have. He didn’t like them, I would never have looked at these but they are great. Consistent, easy to hit, long and these irons were in my bag both times I have broken 80. 

 

Driver = Callaway Rogue ST Max w Kai’li White 60S

3HL = Callaway Paradym X w Tensei AV Blue 65S

3UI = Srixon ZX Mkii w Recoil DART 90
5-PW = XXIO X 12 w N.S. Pro 950GH Neo DST

Wedges = Cobra Snakebite 48 | 52 | 58

Putter = Wilson Staff Model 8802

Ball = 2024 AVX

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Surprised to see the Cobra T-Rails didn’t make this first list. My father-in-law, who’s aging and losing speed and needs help getting the ball up, was fitted into a set at Club Champion. They launched and peaked considerably higher for him than anything else, including some stuff on this list — the Stealth HD, G430 and Paradym X.

  • Like 1

Driver: Ping G430 LST 9* | Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6X

3W: Ping G430 Max @14* | Fujikura Speeder NX Blue 70X

7W: Ping G430 Max @20* | Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8X (or sometimes G430 3H with Tour 2.0 Chrome 85S)

4 Utility: Ping iCrossover @23.5* | Graphite Design Tour AD DI 95X (or sometimes G430 5H at 25* with Tour 2.0 Chrome 85S)

Irons: Ping i230 5-UW | Fujikura AXIOM 105X

Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw 54/12W@55/13W, 60/12X | Nippon Modus 125 Wedge

Putter: Bettinardi 2024 BB1 Wide 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, eric61 said:

Surprised to see the Cobra T-Rails didn’t make this first list. My father-in-law, who’s aging and losing speed and needs help getting the ball up, was fitted into a set at Club Champion. They launched and peaked considerably higher for him than anything else, including some stuff on this list — the Stealth HD, G430 and Paradym X.

Loving my T Rails! 3 rounds on them but are great so far.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

47 minutes ago, mtnbiker5 said:

PXG Gen 6 are incredible.  Probably didn’t make the cut because they just came out.   Would highly recommend anyone go and try them.  They’re insane.   

 

 

The Gen 6 are strong, but not crazy; The 311 Gen 6 XP lofts are insane:

image.png.0fe88a3ce71e57f229c67d799cb623fb.png

 

 

Edited by chinaski

TSI3 9˚ AV White Raw 65X 

TSR2 15˚ Black 1K 75

Apex UW 19˚ RDX 80

T-150 4-PW - PX 6.0

RTX Zipcore Raw 48M/54M/60L 

Byron Morgan 029x PROTO-Carbon/Garage San Diego-Naked/2022 BB1-F/Las Vegas H7-Tour Silver

Pro V1X

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good day WRX,

 

I want to start by saying I seriously enjoy your features and articles. Truly great information. I have a question however about your selection of irons that are considered for the "Best of" categories. Have you ever considered, other club companies to review or only the ones sold at the selected club fitter locations. I believe you may be missing the boat when you exclude other amazing smaller club manufacturers. A short list:

Henry-Griffitts Golf -  The oldest custom designed custom built club company in the US. The product HG offers is second to none. 

Muira - Some of the finest forged heads on the market

Edel Golf - Adjustable weight head designs in irons and wedges and possibly the most advanced putter fitting system on the market.

There are a few more that I'm sure your readers would love to be aware of.  Try not to get locked into the major marketed brands. There are amazing products our there that choose not to pay players to wear their brand.

 

Lastly, consider asking long time (20+ years) fitting professionals for their opinion. Not slamming any of your panel, but you might like what you get from independent long time club fitters.

 

Thanks for considering this information.

 

Regards,

Bill Moseley

Professional Teacher and Master Club Fitter

Edited by 1t2golf
No self promotion
Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 minutes ago, MMB1500 said:

I appreciate you can't include all irons, but the Edel SMS Pro would have been a worthy inclusion in the shotmakers category. Particularly as they are the only iron that contains some genuinely innovative technology. 

I 2nd this!!!  Was lucky to be a tester of the SMS irons and absolutely love them. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Play the Gen5 0311XP after years with Ping irons (I and G series).  
 

PXG is a better feeling  iron than the comparable Ping iron but retains all the playing and forgiveness characteristics. 

 

Being able to easily adjust swingweight with the large center weight is icing on the cake.

 

They are one club stronger in loft and length so I just play 6-GW now.  Works well for my game. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 4/5/2023 at 9:55 PM, dmeeksDC said:

Hard to imagine how Cobra did not make this list at all with a 2023 lineup as good as any. The King Tours are not on here but the ZX7 MKII is on there twice? C’mon man. 

Having personally tried and currently own both - the Cobra is my choice between the 2 

Nothing is safe in my bag!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 4/5/2023 at 9:17 PM, Birdyjuice said:

Interesting to see the Srixon ZX7 Mk II make both the Pure Enjoyment and Shotmakers list. Does that make them best overall of the bunch?

I guess if you play the combo setup (ZX5 and ZX7).

Titleist TSi2 10, Fujikura Ventus Blue Velocore 6X, 45"

Titleist TSi2 16.5, Fujikura Ventus Red Velocore 7X, 43"

TaylorMade GAPR Mid 4, KBS

Titleist T100S, KBS C-Taper S+ 5-PW

Titleist SM8, 50F, 54S, 60D, TT S400 Custom 

Scotty Cameron Phantom X12, 35", Stability Tour


[url="https://www.instagram.com/dnice262626/"]https://www.instagram.com/dnice262626/[/url]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 4/5/2023 at 9:17 PM, Birdyjuice said:

Interesting to see the Srixon ZX7 Mk II make both the Pure Enjoyment and Shotmakers list. Does that make them best overall of the bunch?


No, that makes it a very flawed list. It’s not like this is based on testing. It’s just a list someone created. it’s the usual OEM stops and leaves off some great options. The absence of Cobra, PXG, Miura, Honma and Proto Concept tells you this is not really about the best. The Golf Digest Hot List is more complete.

  • Like 4

Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond 10.5 w/Diamana TB 60S

PXG GEN6 5 wood w/Diamana S-plus 70 stiff

Yamaha RMX VD 7 wood w/Diamana S-plus 70 stiff

Callaway Mavrik Pro hybrid (22) w/Aldila Tour Blue 85 stiff hybrid

Wilson Staff Model CB 5-G w/DG s300 shafts

Edel T grind 54 w/Nippon 125 wedge shaft

Fourteen RM-12 58 w/Dynamic Golds400

Axis1 Rose putter, 34 inches

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 4/9/2023 at 10:55 PM, maamold said:

No Ping i230's there? 

 

Bingo, from everyone I've talked to that has hit them they basically say they're the perfect iron (enough so I have a set on order I'm anxiously waiting). 

  • Like 1
G430 LST 10.5* - G430 Max 15* - Cobra Baffler 17.5*- Sub 70 Pro 20* & 23* - i525 6-U - SM9 54* / 58*  - F22
 
 
 
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 4/4/2023 at 5:33 PM, chinaski said:

The Gen 6 are strong, but not crazy;

LOL I beg to differ with what you think not crazy. 

 

My T200 4 iron is 22', thought strong compared to my 620 MB 4 iron at 24'; while PXG Gen 6 4 iron is 18', 4' stronger, 1' short of my 17' 2 iron. 

 

My T100 5i is 25', 2' strong compared to my 620 MB 5i at 27', while PXG Gen 6 5 iron is 20'. 

 

Crazy is 4'-5' as crazy does. 🙂

Edited by Pepperturbo
  • TSR2 10° Ventus Velo TR Blue 58S
  • TSR2 15° Talamonti PD80R
  • T200 17' 2i Tensei AV Raw White Hybrid 95S
  • T100 3i & 4i MMT 85S
  • T100 5i to 9i MMT 105S
  • T100 PW, SM9 F52/12, M58/8, PX Wedge 120S
  • SC/CA Monterey
  • DASH -ProV1x
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Pepperturbo said:

LOL I beg to differ with what you think not crazy. 

 

My T200 4 iron is 22', thought strong compared to my 620 MB 4 iron at 24'; while PXG Gen 6 4 iron is 18', 4' stronger, next to my 17' 2 iron. 

 

My T100 5i is 25', 2' strong compared to my 620 MB 5i at 27', while PXG Gen 6 5 iron is 20'. 

 

Crazy is 4'-5' as crazy does. 🙂

 

 Whoa buddy! There are two versions of Gen 6. The XP is the extremely strong lofted 18˚ 4i. The Gen 6 4i is 20.5˚. They are both jacked lofts.

 

image.png.5c14266368d692d706421c81d1f92e2d.png

TSI3 9˚ AV White Raw 65X 

TSR2 15˚ Black 1K 75

Apex UW 19˚ RDX 80

T-150 4-PW - PX 6.0

RTX Zipcore Raw 48M/54M/60L 

Byron Morgan 029x PROTO-Carbon/Garage San Diego-Naked/2022 BB1-F/Las Vegas H7-Tour Silver

Pro V1X

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 minutes ago, chinaski said:

 

 Whoa buddy! There are two versions of Gen 6. The XP is the extremely strong lofted 18˚ 4i. The Gen 6 4i is 20.5˚. They are both jacked lofts.

 

image.png.5c14266368d692d706421c81d1f92e2d.png

Yep, but the one's posted further up caught my eye, the former, where I saw your NOT crazy comment. LOL  

 

Look at those above compared to my T100s, which are considered stronger than traditional.  Even the ones above are stronger than mine, so on the high end of strong lofts.  My buddy in the islands just bought the above set.  He's having all sorts of gapping issues, mostly due to his swing.  Just sayin.... 

 

T100s - 5 iron   25   
T100s - 6 iron   28     
T100s - 7 iron   32     
T100s - 8 iron   36    
T100s - 9 iron   40        
T100s - PW       44          
T100s - W         48   

  • TSR2 10° Ventus Velo TR Blue 58S
  • TSR2 15° Talamonti PD80R
  • T200 17' 2i Tensei AV Raw White Hybrid 95S
  • T100 3i & 4i MMT 85S
  • T100 5i to 9i MMT 105S
  • T100 PW, SM9 F52/12, M58/8, PX Wedge 120S
  • SC/CA Monterey
  • DASH -ProV1x
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Our picks

    • 2024 Valspar Championship WITB Photos (Thanks to bvmagic)- Discussion & Links to Photos
      This weeks WITB Pics are from member bvmagic (Brian). Brian's first event for WRX was in 2008 at Bayhill while in college. Thanks so much bv.
       
      Please put your comments or question on this thread. Links to all the threads are below...
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 31 replies
    • 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #3
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Matt (LFG) Every - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Sahith Theegala - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Cameron putters (and new "LD" grip) - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Bettinardi MB & CB irons - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Bettinardi API putter cover - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Swag API covers - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Golf Pride Reverse Taper grips - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 15 replies
    • 2024 Cognizant Classic - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #1
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #2
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #3
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #4
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Brandt Snedeker - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Max Greyserman - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Eric Cole - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Carl Yuan - WITb - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Russell Henley - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Justin Sun - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alex Noren - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Shane Lowry - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Taylor Montgomery - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jake Knapp (KnappTime_ltd) - WITB - - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Super Stoke Pistol Lock 1.0 & 2.0 grips - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      LA Golf new insert putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Garsen Quad Tour 15 grip - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Swag covers - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jacob Bridgeman's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Bud Cauley's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Ryo Hisatsune's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Chris Kirk - new black Callaway Apex CB irons and a few Odyssey putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alejandro Tosti's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 2 replies
    • 2024 Genesis Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #3
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #4
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Rory McIlroy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Sepp Straka - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Patrick Rodgers - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Brendon Todd - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Denny McCarthy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Corey Conners - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Chase Johnson - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tommy Fleetwood - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Matt Fitzpatrick - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Si Woo Kim - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Viktor Hovland - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Wyndham Clark - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Cam Davis - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Nick Taylor - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Ben Baller WITB update (New putter, driver, hybrid and shafts) – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Vortex Golf rangefinder - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Fujikura Ventus shaft - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods & TaylorMade "Sun Day Red" apparel launch event, product photos – 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods Sun Day Red golf shoes - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Aretera shafts - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Toulon putters - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods' new white "Sun Day Red" golf shoe prototypes – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      • 22 replies
    • 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put and questions or comments here
       
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open - Monday #1
      2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open - Monday #2
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Ben Taylor - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Garrick Higgo - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Billy Horschel - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Justin Lower - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Lanto Griffin - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Bud Cauley - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Corbin Burnes (2021 NL Cy Young) - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Greyson Sigg - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Charley Hoffman - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Nico Echavarria - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Victor Perez - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Sami Valimaki - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Ryo Hisatsune - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
       
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      Jake Knapp's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      New Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Tyler Duncan's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Greyson Sigg's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Sunjae Im's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Ping's Waste Management putter covers - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Vincent Whaley's custom Cameron - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Odyssey Waste Management putter covers - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Super Stroke custom grips - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Zac Blair's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Bettinardi Waste Management putter covers - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
       
       
       
       
       
       

       
      • 12 replies

×
×
  • Create New...