4 new players’ distance irons with maximum forgiveness | ClubTest 2023
The Srixon ZX5 MKII irons.
Jonathan Wall
Nearly every major equipment manufacturer has released their 2023 club lineup. Now the work begins. If you’re in the market for new irons, consider this guide a roadmap to tracking some potential options to complement your game.
To be clear, the goal of this guide is to highlight clubs that do certain things well. We’re of the belief that golfers deliver the club differently, thereby making it impossible to claim any one club is the “best” for someone with a tendency to slice. But with the help of our robotic and player-testing insights, we’re able to whittle down the field and provide some options to test. It’s up to you and a certified club-fitter to determine where you should go from there.
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Players’ distance irons are designed to maximize forgiveness while maintaining a smaller profile than traditional game improvement irons. They feature midsized profiles, less offset, and are packed with technology.
MORE CLUBTEST 2023: Drivers | Fairway Woods | Hybrids | Wedges | Putters
Callaway Paradym
Callaway Paradym Irons
The Paradym irons are designed to offer the best combination of feel and distance by pairing Callaway’s Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) face technology with a forged 455 material. Each iron face is uniquely optimized through A.I. based on parameters set by the engineers to deliver more ball speed and higher launch through the set. Like the Pradym X, the standard Paradym irons feature a hollow body with what Callaway dubs Speed Frame construction, but in a profile that features less offset. The frame adds support to the face for extra ball speed on off-center hits and also allows the structure to be made thinner to free up mass.
Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro
Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro Irons
Combined with Mizuno’s vibration-controlling V-Chassis and deep CG design, the JPX923 Hot Metal Pro irons are as enjoyable and controllable as they are long. Compact, with minimal offset for confident ball-strikers seeking maximum ball speed. They are made with 4334 Nickel Chromoly which is not only 35% stronger than the material used in the previous Hot Metal irons but it also allows engineers to make the clubface 8% thinner for more ball speed.
Srixon ZX5 MKII
Srixon ZX5 MKII Irons
The multi-material ZX5 MK II features high-density tungsten in the long and mid-irons for added stability and a higher launch, along with a Sup10 face for extra speed. The slightly wider sole and moderate blade length — in comparison to the ZX7 MKII — make it a great option for mid-handicappers. It’s also a worthy option if you’re considering a blended set.
TaylorMade Stealth HD
TaylorMade Stealth HD Irons
Hidden inside the forged hollow body — and behind the fast 4140 face — is up to 45g of tungsten. Speedfoam Air, a favorite of the P700 line, is injected into the cavity of the new P770 to deliver a premium sound and feel without sacrificing the rebound characteristics of the hollow design. The new Speedfoam Air, originally introduced in the 2021 P790, is 69% less dense than the initial iteration and allows TaylorMade to reposition precious grams in the head for forgiveness.
Want to overhaul your bag for 2023? Find a fitting location near you at GOLF’s affiliate company True Spec Golf. For more on the latest gear news and information, check out the Fully Equipped podcast below.
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