In a sea of strong product offerings, picking just one favorite is never easy. But GOLF’s Fully Equipped crew still tried to highlight the models that stood out during robotic iron testing. During a wide-ranging discussion covering the data points that mattered on the latest 3-woods and irons, the episode concluded with the group selecting the irons that stood out for one reason or another.
Check out the models below, and then head to the 2024 ClubTest hub to get the full rundown on the tech behind each option. And if you haven’t already, subscribe to the Fully Equipped YouTube page to stay up-to-date on all the latest news in the equipment industry.
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Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke and Cobra Darkspeed
Gene Parente (Golf Laboratories founder): “I’d have to give the nod to the Cobra Darkspeed and Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke. They were both rock-solid. I’m looking at this through the prism of an average golfer, not an elite golfer. More something I’d like to personally game. It’s ultimately up to the listener to mine this and see what their characteristics are and what clubs could potentially benefit them.”
Kris McCormack (True Spec’s VP of Tour and Education): “I really like the Darkspeed, if I had to narrow it down to one. It’s a sleeper in the drawer that does really well. This year, there’s such a good variety of products out there that can work for so many players. But if you’re putting my feet to the fire, I’ll say Darkspeed because it works for a bunch of player types.”
Cleveland ZipCore XL
Ryan Barath (GOLF.com senior equipment editor): “They do not get enough credit for their iron designs, but Cleveland ZipCore XL irons deserve a nod. From a price-point perspective, it’s one of the most cost-effective irons on this list, which is important to note. I’ve hit them and they feel really good, and look really good. It’s an oversized XL, but when you consider the price it’s at and the performance it delivers, it is one of the best values out there. You can go to any of the ones we’ve mentioned, but the Cleveland stacks up to the rest of the pack. It’s a standard cavity-back iron with a lot going on. For a mid-handicap who’s looking for a hollow-bodied iron, it’s a good option. From the data and performance I’ve seen, they are great. If you’re looking for something to try, don’t walk past the ZipCore XL without giving it a shot.”
Ping G730
Jonathan Wall (GOLF’s managing equipment editor): “It’s Ping G730 for me. It was inside the top 5 in ball speed, had one of the tightest heel-toe carry deltas and was one of only three irons with a single-digit carry delta on heel and toe misses. It’s a really good iron. No surprise Ping is coming out with a great game-improvement iron. It also has a clean profile with limited offset, even though it’s game improvement. It checks a lot of boxes for the golfer who’s a higher handicap but doesn’t want to play a shovel.”
