Why New Level’s new forged irons fit more players than you think | Fully Equipped

There’s a stereotype out there that good golfers should play forged irons while beginners or high-handicappers should play cast irons.

It’s not true and New Level Golf‘s Andy Hennis and Kevin Masterson want you to know their new 702 series of forged irons might just be a good option for players in game improvement irons right now.

The pair appeared on this week’s episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipped and explained to hosts Kris McCormack and Wadeh Maroun that cast game improvement irons might be hurting players more than helping.

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“Speaking to somebody out there who may not have that much control of their golf ball, maybe playing something more game improvement [iron] right now, one of the things we talk a lot about is at some point those game improvement irons, those two-piece [forgings] that are creating inconsistencies, are maybe not helping a player,” Masterson, New Level’s managing director, said. “It’s like, sure, you’re hitting it further than you would hit our 7-iron, but then you hit it 10 yards further than you thought you were going to and all of a sudden, you’re scrambling to make pars.”

Masterson continued that one-piece forgings like their new 702 series irons bring with them the consistency that an improving golfer needs.

The New Level irons also have weaker lofts than modern game-improvement irons, which helps players get the ball in the air.

New Level Golf Co. 702 + Forged Custom Irons

$149

The 702 Forged Irons are engineered for serious golfers seeking a perfect balance of feel, forgiveness, and shot-making capability. This series, available in three models—the 702-CB, 702-MB, and 702 +—offers tailored options for every style of play, from elite ball-strikers to golfers refining their skills. FEATURES 702+: A slightly oversized profile delivering more distance and forgiveness without sacrificing precision and feel. SPT Technology: Strategically Placed Tungsten to create a perfectly balanced center of gravity (CG), ensuring stable ball flight and improved distance control on toe strikes. Progressive Geometry: Optimized cavity design across the set enhances ball flight and consistency. Tour-Level Refinement: Precision forging and CNC milling deliver the premium feel and feedback demanded by players.

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“We see a lot of guys come in and they’ll be in a multi-material kind of a game improvement super distance irons,” Masterson said. “They’ll come in and they’re launching it too low, they’re spinning it too low and they’re hitting their 28-degree 7 iron with 2500 RPMs and it’s going forever but it’s never going to stop. Then you can get them dialed in and it’s a 7 iron for us is 33 or 34 degrees and then they start launching it higher and it’s carrying farther and it’s going and then it stops.”

New Level thought of both elite ball-strikers and less experienced golfers when they designed the 702 irons.

“I think that’s really where the CB and Plus just absolutely nailed it, giving you a little more surface area on that Plus to hit it,” Masterson said. “But again, you don’t have to be an elite ball-striker to play a club like this.”

For more from Hennis and Masterson, listen to the full episode of Fully Equipped or watch it below.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2025? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.