They are designed to make the game easier for players of all abilities
– and we have reviewed a huge selection of the very best
About the test
We conducted this test at De Vere Oulton Hall in West Yorkshire.
Our intention was to identify the clubs that were most suitable for 10 to 24 handicappers. Looks, forgiveness, versatility and price were the key criteria.
We conducted this test at De Vere Oulton Hall in West Yorkshire.
Our intention was to identify the clubs that were most suitable for 10 to 24 handicappers. Looks, forgiveness, versatility and price were the key criteria.
The Testers
Chris Ashton, PGA pro and Oulton Hall’s academy manager
Dan Murphy, handicap 4
Mark Townsend, handicap 9
Joe Whitley, handicap 22
Chris Ashton, PGA pro and Oulton Hall’s academy manager
Dan Murphy, handicap 4
Mark Townsend, handicap 9
Joe Whitley, handicap 22
Click on images to view in full size
Ping G15Technology: This stainless steel cavity-back features a custom tuning port (CTP, pictured far right) to push weight to the edges of the club for increased forgiveness, and a thick sole
Left-hand option? Yes
SRP: £80 per iron (steel); £95 per iron (graphite)
www.pinggolf.com 01427 615 405
NCG verdict WITH a winning combination of power, forgiveness, looks and feel,
Ping’s latest game-improvement iron, we think, is the best all-round model on the market.Every single club in the set looked the part – even though there is a lot of meat behind the club – and that the ball flight was consistently strong and high. The long irons performed like hybrids, firing the ball away on a soaring trajectory with little effort, while the shorter clubs offer a surprising degree of control and finesse – something you might not expect from a chunky Ping iron.
You will be hard pressed to find a game-improver that can offer such high performance and forgiveness for anyone above single figures. Callaway’s Diablo Edges took the G15s right to the wire – but the more appealing Ping short irons settled the debate.
And as ever with Ping, there are fantastic custom-fit options available.
Dan: The wedge, in particular, looks superb and the whole set is a definite improvement on the G10 in the looks department.
Mark: It’s almost impossible to miss with these. They are so forgiving.
Ideal handicap: 10-28
And as ever with Ping, there are fantastic custom-fit options available.
Dan: The wedge, in particular, looks superb and the whole set is a definite improvement on the G10 in the looks department.
Mark: It’s almost impossible to miss with these. They are so forgiving.
Ideal handicap: 10-28
Callaway Diablo EdgeTechnology: Designed to offer high levels of distance and forgiveness, without losing feel, thanks to a deep centre of gravity towards toe
Left-hand option? Yes
SRP: £549 (3-PW, steel); £649 (3-PW, graphite)
www.callawaygolf.com 02083 910 100
NCG verdict PERFORMANCE-WISE, no club in our test was superior. They are long and forgiving, and feature everything a mid-to-high handicapper is looking for. We loved the shape of the mid irons, the high flight from the long irons, and the alignment aid, which allows you to get the face square at address.
The only thing that prevented them from knocking the G15s off the top spot was the head shapes of the shorter clubs – too rounded for our tastes.
Chris: They were so easy to hit. Long, high, powerful – I’d definitely recommend these to one of my pupils.
Dan: Unlucky to miss out on the top spot
Ideal handicap: 12-28
The only thing that prevented them from knocking the G15s off the top spot was the head shapes of the shorter clubs – too rounded for our tastes.
Chris: They were so easy to hit. Long, high, powerful – I’d definitely recommend these to one of my pupils.
Dan: Unlucky to miss out on the top spot
Ideal handicap: 12-28
Titleist AP1Technology: A new tuned feel system in the back of club improves sound and feel while the design promotes a long, forgiving flight
Left-hand option? Yes
SRP: £82 per club (steel); £96 per club (graphite)
www.titleist.co.uk 01480 301 114
NCG verdict
SURELY the best-looking iron on test, we reckon the recently updated AP1 iron is the best sequel since the Godfather.
With sleek and stylish looks, and great feel, they were unanimously voted into the top three.
They do no not, however, offer quite the same levels of forgiveness as our eventual top two, and this was all we could fault them on.
These new AP1s are a massive improvement on the originals and are among the best irons aimed at the low-to-mid-handicapper on the market.
Mark: A great-looking iron with serious amounts of feel. You would think it was forged – not cast.
Ideal handicap: 6-14
They do no not, however, offer quite the same levels of forgiveness as our eventual top two, and this was all we could fault them on.
These new AP1s are a massive improvement on the originals and are among the best irons aimed at the low-to-mid-handicapper on the market.
Mark: A great-looking iron with serious amounts of feel. You would think it was forged – not cast.
Ideal handicap: 6-14
Nike SQ Machspeed
Technology: Nike’s newest irons are all about speed and distance, with higher ball speeds, even on mis-hits, and increased forgiveness
Left-hand option? Yes SRP: £630 (3-PW)
www.nikegolf.eu 0800 056 1640
Technology: Nike’s newest irons are all about speed and distance, with higher ball speeds, even on mis-hits, and increased forgiveness
Left-hand option? Yes SRP: £630 (3-PW)
www.nikegolf.eu 0800 056 1640
NCG verdict IRONS of this type, which seek to combine forgiving long irons with compact short irons often fall down on the transition between the two – you end up with chunky short irons or a set that just doesn’t blend. But not here. The short irons look fantastic while the longer irons give you a significant margin for error.
They performed on a par with the sleekest blades on test but were also some of the most forgiving and were very unlucky to miss out on a medal.
Dan: They look like blades at address but have added forgiveness.
They performed on a par with the sleekest blades on test but were also some of the most forgiving and were very unlucky to miss out on a medal.
Dan: They look like blades at address but have added forgiveness.
Mizuno MX-100
£75 per club (graphite) www.mizuno.com 01189 362 100
Technology: A Y-Tune stability pad in the back of the cavity increases forgiveness, while the centre of gravity is low for a high flight
Left-hand option? Yes SRP: £50 per club (steel); £75 per club (graphite) www.mizuno.com 01189 362 100
NCG verdict MIZUNO are renowned for their traditional and stylish blades but their chunky game-improvers impressed us in this test. The MX-100s are a really clean and simple iron that looks great and performs even better. They offer a lot of forgiveness and have a solid feel at impact. They are by no means typical Mizuno, but they are very high-performing and decent value.
Mark: It is not what you would expect from Mizuno, but they really work well.
Ideal handicap: 12-28
Mark: It is not what you would expect from Mizuno, but they really work well.
Ideal handicap: 12-28
Forgan IWD
Technology: Steel heads for consistent performance, internal weight distribution (IWD) moves mass to extremes of club
Left-hand option? No SRP: £139.99 (5-PW, steel)
www.forgan.co.uk 01527 598 388
Technology: Steel heads for consistent performance, internal weight distribution (IWD) moves mass to extremes of club
Left-hand option? No SRP: £139.99 (5-PW, steel)
www.forgan.co.uk 01527 598 388
NCG verdict FORGAN’S flagship iron was the surprise package of this test. It was praised by every single tester for how easy it was to get the ball in the air and travelling long, and for how good it looked behind the ball. We also loved the sheer value for money they represent because, at less than £150 for seven irons, they are a real steal.
Dan: I was pleasantly surprised by the IWDs – I didn’t hit a bad shot with them and they felt really solid.
Ideal handicap: 16-28
Dan: I was pleasantly surprised by the IWDs – I didn’t hit a bad shot with them and they felt really solid.
Ideal handicap: 16-28
TaylorMade R9
SRP: £699 (4-SW, steel); £799 (4-SW, graphite)
www.taylormadegolf.eu 00800 8624 4653
Technology: A velocity control chamber (VCC) promotes distance, while a foam and silicone shock absorber reduces vibrations
Left-hand option? Yes SRP: £699 (4-SW, steel); £799 (4-SW, graphite)
www.taylormadegolf.eu 00800 8624 4653
NCG verdict THE R9 was unlucky not to finish with a medal. Everyone commented on how good-looking this iron is, and how the thin sole allowed them to get close to the ball and pick it off the turf – which it did as well as any other model in the review. All-round, this is a very solid performer that looks beautiful and will suit players of all handicaps – even single-figure golfers.
Chris: This is a proper club that looks the business and performs very well. Superb.
Ideal handicap: 8-18
Chris: This is a proper club that looks the business and performs very well. Superb.
Ideal handicap: 8-18
Cobra S2
Technology: A multi-material design promotes a high launch,
and vibration levels are reduced by an aluminium back plate.
Left-hand option? Yes
SRP: £499 (5-PW, steel); £599 (5-PW, graphite)
www.cobragolf.co.uk 01480 301 114
Technology: A multi-material design promotes a high launch,
and vibration levels are reduced by an aluminium back plate.
Left-hand option? Yes
SRP: £499 (5-PW, steel); £599 (5-PW, graphite)
www.cobragolf.co.uk 01480 301 114
NCG verdict COBRA have raised their game this year. The S2s are not only high-performing and easy to hit, but also remarkably good-looking.
At address they frame the ball nicely, and at impact they feel solid and strong.
They also promote a high flight, which allows you to stop the ball very quickly and easily. An excellent all-rounder.
Mark: I like the black finish on the topline – it makes the club look quite sleek at address.
Ideal handicap: 10-20
At address they frame the ball nicely, and at impact they feel solid and strong.
They also promote a high flight, which allows you to stop the ball very quickly and easily. An excellent all-rounder.
Mark: I like the black finish on the topline – it makes the club look quite sleek at address.
Ideal handicap: 10-20
Adams A7
Technology: From the longer clubs to the wedge, engineered to maximise performance – the long irons are top-quality hybrids, the mid-irons are forgiving cavity-backs, and the shorter clubs are compact and easy to work
Left-hand option? Yes
SRP: £499 (3h, 4h, 5-PW)
www.adamsgolf.co.uk 08000 139 139
SRP: £499 (3h, 4h, 5-PW)
www.adamsgolf.co.uk 08000 139 139
A fantastic concept that more people should try. The combination of forgiveness in the hybrids with the compact short irons is superb This modern idea may seem a little odd to some, but that is all that will hold this great set backIdeal handicap: 8-16
Nike Victory Red Full Cavity
Technology: Perimeter weighting across the clubhead increases MOI and therefore increases distance and forgiveness on
mis-hits. A contoured cavity places extra mass behind the impact area, while a low CG gives a high flight
mis-hits. A contoured cavity places extra mass behind the impact area, while a low CG gives a high flight
Left-hand option? Yes
SRP: £490 (4-PW, steel); £560 (4-PW, graphite)
www.nikegolf.eu 0800 056 1640
SRP: £490 (4-PW, steel); £560 (4-PW, graphite)
www.nikegolf.eu 0800 056 1640
Great performance, and stunning looks. There is a lot of meat on the club, but it is hard to see at address We simply felt that Nike’s new SQ Machspeed did a similar job but offered more forgivenessIdeal handicap: 8-18
Ping i15
Technology: Larger long irons offer more forgiveness; compact mid and short clubs give high levels of workability and control
Left-hand option? Yes
SRP: £85 per club (steel);
£100 per club (graphite)
www.pinggolf.com 01427 615 405
SRP: £85 per club (steel);
£100 per club (graphite)
www.pinggolf.com 01427 615 405
Seriously good-looking clubs that offerhigh levels of performance and a desirable, powerful ball flight. A fantastic option for the mid-to-high-single-figures player
The forgiveness on offer is perhaps not quite enough for the average player in search of game improvement – which is where the G15s come inIdeal handicap: 6-12
Mizuno MX-300
Technology: Mizuno’s sleekest MX iron is forged while the Y-Tune system in each iron expands the sweet spot while cavities in the long irons offer forgiveness, and a power bar in the shorter clubs gives more control and workability
Technology: Mizuno’s sleekest MX iron is forged while the Y-Tune system in each iron expands the sweet spot while cavities in the long irons offer forgiveness, and a power bar in the shorter clubs gives more control and workability
Left-hand option? No
SRP: £85 per club (steel); £110 per club (graphite)
www.mizuno.com 01189 362 100
SRP: £85 per club (steel); £110 per club (graphite)
www.mizuno.com 01189 362 100
Very stylish forged irons, and the feel they generate was unrivalled in the test They are a little too sleek to be used to their potential by the average mid-to-high handicapper and are therefore restricted to players at the lower end of the spectrumIdeal handicap: 8-14
John Letters F90 Forged
Technology: Forged from soft steel, the F90 irons offer high levels of feel and, with specifically positioned weight deep and low, they promote a high, long ball flight
Left-hand option? No
SRP: £499 (3-PW, steel)
www.johnletters.com
SRP: £499 (3-PW, steel)
www.johnletters.com
The feel off the face is very good, and they are really nice to look down on. An extremely good club for the traditionalist blade-user in search of more forgiveness They are not as forgiving as some of the other models in the test, and at almost £500 are up against some serious competitionIdeal handicap: 4-12
Benross VX-Proto
Technology: Undercut cavity-back and heel-toe weighting offers stability and forgiveness, while a thin face and narrow sole width allow the player to hit the ball cleanly
Technology: Undercut cavity-back and heel-toe weighting offers stability and forgiveness, while a thin face and narrow sole width allow the player to hit the ball cleanly
Left-hand option? No
SRP: £279 (5-PW, steel); £329 (5-PW, graphite)
www.benrossgolf.com 01932 821 200
SRP: £279 (5-PW, steel); £329 (5-PW, graphite)
www.benrossgolf.com 01932 821 200
A lot of club for the money – Benross use only the best components and this club is a prime example. Serious performance, quality, and value The leading edge on a lot of the clubs was a little too rounded for the tastes of our testers, but that is only personal preferenceIdeal handicap: 10-20
MD Golf Seve Icon Forged
Technology: With sleek lines and forged heads, the Seve Icon blades offer the ideal mix of workability, feel and stunning looks.
A classic set inspired by the charismatic Spaniard
A classic set inspired by the charismatic Spaniard
Left-hand option? No
SRP: £299 (3-PW, steel)
www.mdgolf.co.uk 02894 460 333
SRP: £299 (3-PW, steel)
www.mdgolf.co.uk 02894 460 333
Very much a players’ iron in the looks stakes, but they are surprisingly forgiving. The forging makes them feel a lot more expensive than they are and it is hard to knock the performance They are very sleek for a mainstream game-improvement club, which might put some off, and the textured face is a little odd and glares in the sunIdeal handicap: 8-14
Cobra S2 Forged
Technology: Extreme perimeter weighting provides high levels of forgiveness, distance and control, while CNC-milled grooves promote a consistent flight and spin rates. The head shape is tour-inspired
Technology: Extreme perimeter weighting provides high levels of forgiveness, distance and control, while CNC-milled grooves promote a consistent flight and spin rates. The head shape is tour-inspired
Left-hand option? No
SRP: £749 (steel, 3-PW)
www.cobragolf.co.uk
01480 301 114
SRP: £749 (steel, 3-PW)
www.cobragolf.co.uk
01480 301 114
They look great at address, and the fact they are forged sets them apart from the crowd in terms of feel This is a niche product – because the more forgiving S2 has more widespread appeal, being easier to use, and is cheaper as wellIdeal handicap: 8-14
TaylorMade R9 TP
Technology: A velocity chamber offers high levels of forgiveness and plenty of distance in the longer irons, but keeps both control and workability to the maximum in shorter clubs
Left-hand option? Yes
SRP: £729 (3-PW, steel)
www.taylormadegolf.eu 00800 8624 4653
SRP: £729 (3-PW, steel)
www.taylormadegolf.eu 00800 8624 4653
The R9 TPs were very powerful and stable at impact, reminiscent of the old Maxfli Revolution irons (remember those?) – a big positive in the eyes of our panel They were not the most user-friendly, although anyone towards the lower end of the teens could use these with real purposeIdeal handicap: 4-14
Srixon Z-TX
Technology: A 20 per cent larger sweetspot than previous models combines with a thin face to offer high levels of distance and forgiveness, while a low CG promotes a towering trajectory
Technology: A 20 per cent larger sweetspot than previous models combines with a thin face to offer high levels of distance and forgiveness, while a low CG promotes a towering trajectory
Left-hand option? No
SRP: £499 (5-PW, steel);
£599 (5-PW, graphite)
www.srixon.co.uk 01420 541 709
SRP: £499 (5-PW, steel);
£599 (5-PW, graphite)
www.srixon.co.uk 01420 541 709
One of the best-looking clubs on test, thanks to a sleek head and beautiful finish. They also pack a buttery-soft feel and a nice, high flight They are just a little bit too sleek to be regarded as an out-and-out game-improverIdeal handicap: 4-14
Tour Edge Geomax 2
Technology: A super-wide sole with heel and toe weights places the CG in the ideal place for a high launch, while a thermal plastic elastomer (TPE) insert dampens vibrations
Left-hand option? Yes
SRP: £40 per club (steel);
£46.50 per club (graphite)
www.touredgeuk.co.uk 01932 346 584
SRP: £40 per club (steel);
£46.50 per club (graphite)
www.touredgeuk.co.uk 01932 346 584
These look a little odd initially, but behind the large heads lies a top-performing club that offers serious power and forgiveness The heads look cumbersome and this may put a few off, although we would urge you to try them if you are in need of more forgivenessIdeal handicap: 18-28
Wilson Staff Di9 Distance
Technology: A low profile and wide sole combine to offer confidence-inspiring looks, a high, powerful ball flight, and a very stable hitting area.
A thin ‘ultra-hot’ face delivers high ball speeds for more distance, while a lightweight shaft increases clubhead speed
A thin ‘ultra-hot’ face delivers high ball speeds for more distance, while a lightweight shaft increases clubhead speed
Left-hand option? Yes
SRP: £349 (4-SW, steel);
£399 (4-SW, graphite)
www.wilsonstaff.com 01276 404 970
SRP: £349 (4-SW, steel);
£399 (4-SW, graphite)
www.wilsonstaff.com 01276 404 970
At address, it looks as though it is impossible to miss – the head is large, inviting, and fills you with confidence The standard ‘fatshaft’ is definitely an acquired taste and can be off-putting at addressIdeal handicap: 14-24
Ram TGX
Technology: A deep cavity design offers maximum playability without sacrificing feel, and a lightweight shaft gives extra playability
Left-hand option? Yes
SRP: £199.99 (4-SW, steel);
£249.99 (4-SW, graphite)
www.ramgolf.co.uk 0161 886 4010
SRP: £199.99 (4-SW, steel);
£249.99 (4-SW, graphite)
www.ramgolf.co.uk 0161 886 4010
A success in every sense – Ram have achieved a good set here with nice-looking head shapes and a powerful flight. Their best iron in years The head shapes are perhaps not quite as appealing as other (more expensive) models in the testIdeal handicap: 16-28
Mizuno MX-1000
Technology: With hot metal face technology, and a high MOI construction, these are among Mizuno’s longest and forgiving irons. Y-Tune weighting expands the sweet spot for even more forgiveness on mis-hits
Left-hand option? No
SRP: £105 per club (steel); £125 per club (graphite)
www.mizuno.com 01189 362 100
SRP: £105 per club (steel); £125 per club (graphite)
www.mizuno.com 01189 362 100
They are very easy to hit and go a seriously long way. One of the longest in the test Perhaps Mizuno sacrificed feel for length because, in comparison to other Mizuno cavity-backs, these were not as responsiveIdeal handicap: 18-28
MacGregor MT Mid
Technology: A shallow profile with medium offset offers high levels of forgiveness, while a wide sole and deep undercut cavity, which lowers the CG to promote a towering, long trajectory
Left-hand option? No
SRP: £479 (4-PW, steel)
www.macgregorgolf.com 01480 308 800
SRP: £479 (4-PW, steel)
www.macgregorgolf.com 01480 308 800
Definitely the better MacGregor cavity-back – it has decent levels of feel and has a nice, high flight The sound at impact is closer to that of a wood and is not what you come to expect from a premium iron brand like MacGregorIdeal handicap: 14-22
Callaway X-22
Technology: With maximum perimeter weighting, and a cleverly positioned CG, the X-22 irons have a 10 per cent higher MOI than their predecessors
Left-hand option? Yes
SRP: £499 (3-PW, steel); £699 (3-PW, graphite)
www.callawaygolf.com 02083 910 100
SRP: £499 (3-PW, steel); £699 (3-PW, graphite)
www.callawaygolf.com 02083 910 100
The X-22s, like so many Callaway irons, were exceptionally forgiving – and the flight was powerful The looks were not to the tastes of all our testers, who felt the other Callaways in this test, the Diablo Edges, were better performersIdeal handicap: 14-24