2009 Equipment Reviews

Wedges Gloves Improvement Irons Players Irons Fairway woods Putters Carry Bags Waterproofs Waterproof Shoes

Titleist AP2 The AP2 is a technical forging, made with 1020 mild carbon steel, targets the skilled, single digit golfer who wants contemporary iron technology with traditional solid feel, looks and shot control Left-hand option? Yes Set: 3-PW Clubs in set: 8 Standard shaft: Rifle Project X SRP: £775 SRP based on 4-PW set: £678 www.titleist.co.uk 01480 301 114 Our verdict THE unanimous favourite of all our testers. Titleist have made a brilliant job with this iron – so much so that it has proved to be remarkably popular on tour. It manages to combine genuine playability with a level of forgiveness you just wouldn’t expect. From the moment you sit the AP2s behind the ball, they look reassuring without being oversized – and precise without being intimidating. The flight is strong and good players can control the distance and trajectory on half and knock-down shots. What is more, every club in the set looks great, and the transition from short iron to long is seamless. These irons are by no means cheap but you are all but guaranteed a set that will serve you well for years to come.

Mizuno MP-62 Minimal offset and a versatile sole plate inspired by Luke Donald’s personal grind ensures crisp ball striking and a neutral left/right bias Left-hand option? No Set: Sold individually Clubs in set: - Standard shaft: Dynamic Gold SRP: £85 per iron SRP based on 4-PW set: £595 www.mizuno.com 0118 936 2100 Our verdict STILL the obvious choice for the better player, the MP-62 is based on Luke Donald’s favoured design and is a classy, distinguished iron. Not an out-and-out blade, there is enough forgiveness in the longer irons to allow you to take advantage of modern technology. That said, these are soft off the face and will allow the player with sufficient skill to do whatever he wants with the ball. As you would expect, they look beautiful at address and it is doubtful that any clubmaker does this type of iron better than Mizuno. For those who prefer a traditional blade, Mizuno offer the MP-67, while the MP-57 and MP-52 (also reviewed in this feature) offer progressively more forgiveness and a larger head.

Bridgestone J36 Combo Premium forged 1020 mild carbon steel irons; 3, 4 & 5 are forgiving long irons, 6, 7 & 8 are stable mid irons while 9 and PW are controllable short irons Left-hand option? No Set: 3-PW Clubs in set: 8 Standard shaft: Rifle Project X SRP: £649 (steel) SRP based on 4-PW set: £568 www.bridgestonegolf.com Our verdict TECHNICALLY this is three sets in one – but you might not know it unless it was pointed out to you. All our testers loved the look at address and noted how quickly they felt comfortable with and trusted the J36 Combos. There is something intangible about feel and sound in this type of club that some models get right while others don’t quite. These flight the ball beautifully and feel like ‘proper’ irons. But with the extra forgiveness in the mid and longer irons they are far from difficult to use and so we would unreservedly recommend them to any low-handicap player.

Orka PS9 MB/CB Single-billet-forged from S25c Japanese steel and then double-chromed with cavity precision CNC-milled for precise weight distribution and hand-finished Left-hand option? No Set: Sold individually Clubs in set: - Standard shaft: All custom fit SRP: From £65 per iron SRP based on 4-PW set: £455 www.orkagolf.com 0845 862 0061 Our verdict: YOU might look at these and think the price is a little on the high side but closer investigation reveals the opposite is true. The heads are made from the finest-quality steel while the components are exactly the same as in any premium set. So in fact you are getting great value for money. You also have the option of blending the sleek MBs into the larger-headed CBs at the longer end of the set if you prefer. But it is almost a shame to do so because, while the CBs are undoubtedly effective, they can’t rival the MBs for style and grace.

Callaway X-Prototype Forged muscle-back irons by legendary clubmaker Roger Cleveland designed specifically to meet the demands of the best players in the world Left-hand option? No Set: 3-PW Clubs in set: Standard shaft: Rifle Project X/Dynamic Gold SRP: £1,099 SRP based on 4-PW set: £962 www.callawaygolf.com 0208 391 0100 Our verdict BEAUTIFUL, beautiful irons that offer no compromises in terms of performance and reward high-quality ball striking. There is nothing to help you if you miss the middle and nor should there be because the expectation is that anyone using these should be a very fine player to get the best out of them. It may be you can pick a set up for a little less than the price quoted here and if you have a taste for the best then you will not be disappointed. The sensation, flight and feel when you hit one of these properly is one you will never tire of.

Wilson Staff Fg59 Forged Forged from mild carbon steel to produce a soft and responsive feel, these blades are designed with minimal offset to improve workability and trajectory control Left-hand option? No Set: 3-PW Clubs in set: 8 Standard shaft: Dynamic Gold SRP: £599 (steel) SRP based on 4-PW set: £524 www.wilsonstaff.com 01294 316 270 Our verdict A TIMELESS classic. Probably the least forgiving iron on test but in the right hands the buttery-soft feel off the face is a joy to behold. The 59 refers to the number of Majors Wilson irons have won over the years - although with Padraig Harrington adding two more in 2008 it is already out of date. But it does remind you of Wilson Staff’s legacy to the game, and specifically in designing forged irons like these of rare beauty and precision.

Nike VRForgedTW Blades Made of 1025 Forged Carbon Steel with a CNC milled face, these irons differentiate from Nike’s original Blades with a more modified backpad and a slightly thicker toe Left-hand option? No Set: 4-PW Clubs in set: 7 Standard shaft: Dynamic Gold SRP: £630 (steel) SRP based on 4-PW set: £630 www.nikegolfeurope.com 0800 056 1640 Our verdict THE clubs that Tiger uses are, as you would expect, high-class tools of precision. From the grips to the shafts, they are exactly the way the World No 1 likes them, so they could hardly come with a higher recommendation. The head shapes are traditional, especially in short irons, while as the set progresses you do get a little bit more forgiveness. But in essence these should be left strictly to the experts – so if you are a Tiger wannabe you might want to work on your ball-striking before investing!

Snake Eyes 675B, C & XC Sets new standards in quality forged irons: The B (Blade) is a clean muscle-back design, the C (Cavity) combines a thin top line with amazing forgiveness and the XC (Extra Cavity) offers the benefits of a forged blade with the playability of an oversized head Left-hand option? No Set: 3-PW Clubs in set: 8 Standard shaft: Black Gold SRP: £599 SRP based on 4-PW set: £524 www.snakeeyescustom.com 01480 308 800 Our verdict: OUR panel felt that the most appealing head shape out of the B, C and XC was the C. The idea is that you can blend your ideal set together and thus benefit from the extra forgiveness of the XC and C in the longer irons and the precision of the C and B at the other end of the set. It’s a concept that both makes sense and works. All feel fantastic and Snake Eyes are renowned for the quality of their forged irons. We think that any good club player would do very well with Cs down to, say, the 6 iron and XCs to make up the rest of his set.

Nike VR Split Cavity Maintaining a traditional look with a high degree of workability, the Victory Red Forged Split Cavity includes a split back design that positions the centre of gravity behind the sweet spot for ball control while providing forgiveness Left-hand option? Yes Set: 4-PW Clubs in set: 7 Standard shaft: Dynamic Gold SRP: £630 (steel, 4-PW); £720 (steel, 3-PW) SRP based on 4-PW set: £630 www.nikegolfeurope.com 0800 056 1640 Our verdict: IF you love the idea and looks of the Victory Red Blades but are realistic enough to accept they are not quite forgiving enough then the Split Cavities are for you. For anyone above, say, a 2 or 3 handicap this is definitely the way to go – why make the game any harder than it needs to be? You won’t be sacrificing either looks or feel and the set is blended beautifully, with the long irons looking reassuringly substantial and the short irons close to blades in profile.

Benross VX51 Forged Made from exceptionally soft 1020 carbon steel, ensuring maximum feel, feedback and workability while precision-milled cavity backs ensure a thin face construction and perfect weight distribution Left-hand option? No Set: 4-PW Clubs in set: 7 Standard shaft: Project X/Dynamic Gold SRP: £399 (steel) SRP based on 4-PW set: £399 www.benrossgolf.com 01932 821 200 Our verdict: COMPARED to other models in the test, we felt the VX51 Forgeds were relatively forgiving and had quite large heads. This all helps to hit higher-flighted shots. But where this set succeeds and others fail is in the feel – the ball comes off the face softly and the performance is refined. So while we wouldn’t recommend them for scratch men, with top-quality shafts and grips they are ideal for anyone playing off high single figures.

Ping S57 Tour-inspired irons that offer the performance of a blade design with the added forgiveness of a higher MOI due to a tungsten toe weight Left-hand option? Yes Set: Sold individually Clubs in set: - Standard shaft: All custom fit SRP: £90 per iron SRP based on 4-PW set: £630 www.pinggolf.com 01427 615 405 Our verdict: THE S57s are worthy, consistent, reliable and easy to use when compared to many other models in this test. They probably lack a little bit of finesse, if you are used to, say, Mizunos or Titleists – but they make up for this in other areas. Certainly, if you have previously used a cavity back but are looking to move up in the world then they are a great place to start. Compared to previous Ping models in this category, the head shapes on the shorter irons especially are a big improvement and much more appealing.

Callaway X-Forged

Designed to provide an elite level of performance for highly skilled golfers, they are forged from soft carbon steel with a thin topline, narrow sole and short blade length for excellent workability Left-hand option? Yes Set: 3-PW Clubs in set: 8 Standard shaft: Rifle Project X SRP: £799 (steel) SRP based on 4-PW set: £699 www.callawaygolf.com 0208 391 0100 Our verdict: MANY of Callaway’s tour players use this and it’s easy to see why – the feel and sound are both fantastic. Our panel preferred the X-Prototype at address. But then again these are at a more realistic price and the performance is hard to fault.

Ping i10

Designed to appeal to golfers who prefer the look of a smaller, blade-style club but still rely on the forgiveness of a cavity back Left-hand option? Yes Set: Sold individually Clubs in set: - Standard shaft: All custom fit SRP: £75 per iron SRP based on 4-PW set: £525 www.pinggolf.com 01427 615 405 Our verdict: DESIGNED to bridge the gap between a game-improvement and better-player’s iron, the i10 is exactly what you would expect from Ping. Easy to use, reassuringly solid and in general a set that you can rely on. Better players may feel that the head size on the shorter irons is a touch on the bulky side.

Mizuno MP-52

The tour profiled MP-52 integrates a discreet pocket cavity for an uncompromising balance of shot-making and forgiveness, while twin crescents increase the stability from off-centre hits Left-hand option? Yes Set: Sold individually Clubs in set: - Standard shaft: Dynamic Gold SRP: £85 per iron SRP based on 4-PW set: £595 www.mizuno.com 0118 936 2100 Our verdict: THE MP-52 is the most forgiving of the MP range and represents Mizuno’s attempt to offer a bladed iron that isn’t intimidating. They have succeeded but we thought it may have come at the cost of losing that legendary Mizuno style.

Srixon I-701 Tour

A 1025 forged carbon steel cavity back with thin top line with minimal offset and unique face-press milling treatment Left-hand option? No Set: 3-PW Clubs in set: 8 Standard shaft: Dynamic Gold SRP: £649 (steel) SRP based on 4-PW set: £568 www.srixon.co.uk 01420 541 709 Our verdict: THIS was a club that performed better than it looked. That isn’t to say it’s ugly or undesirable, only that it did not stand out from the crowd in this test. But once we started hitting shots, it became apparent that it is a high-quality forged iron offering high levels of forgiveness. Quietly impressive.

Cobra Pro CB

Designed with input from Cobra’s Tour staff, these irons deliver superior feel and workability with a forged cavity back, shorter hosel and lower centre of gravity Left-hand option? Yes Set: 3-PW Clubs in set: 8 Standard shaft: Rifle Project X SRP: £632 (steel) SRP based on 4-PW set: £553 www.cobragolf.co.uk 01480 301 114 Our verdict: WE really like the compact head shape and muscular profile of the Pro CBs, and the only thing we could find fault with was that they seem to feel heavy to swing. Because of that we think they would best suit strong, fast swingers.

Taylormade TP

The shallow, undercut cavity design allows substantial weight to be distributed in the perimeter of the clubhead for exceptional stability and forgiveness on off-centre hits Left-hand option? Yes Set: 3-PW Clubs in set: 8 Standard shaft: Dynamic Gold SRP: £599 (steel) SRP based on 4-PW set: £524 www.taylormadegolf.eu 00800 8624 4653 Our verdict: THESE irons confused our panel a little: TaylorMade’s TP (Tour Preferred) clubs are aimed at the expert player. So why should this set have been branded in that way? We think they would be most suited to the high single-figure player.

Cleveland CG7 Tour

Progressively sized microcavities decrease in length from the long to short irons to optimize the centre of gravity location while Gelback Technology provides vibration dampening for superior feel Left-hand option? No Set: 4-PW Clubs in set: 7 Standard shaft: Dynamic Gold SRP: £419 (steel) SRP based on 4-PW set: £419 www.clevelandgolf.com 01252 761 300 Our verdict: ALTHOUGH these are designed with the better player in mind, they will probably appeal more to, say, the 8-handicapper. Very forgiving and with extremely large heads on the short irons, they are light to swing and encourage a high flight.

MD Golf Seve Full Forged

Clean lines and the feel of MD’s finest forging to date combine to offer unparalleled quality at this price point Left-hand option? No Set: 3-PW Clubs in set: 8 Standard shaft: Dynamic Gold SRP: £399 (steel) SRP based on 4-PW set: £349 www.mdgolf.co.uk 02894 460 333 Our verdict: AS the cheapest set on test, the Seve Full Forged had some stiff competition and certainly the aesthetics were not as appealing as we had hoped for. However, they did perform well and were arguably the most forgiving set on test, giving them wide appeal to the good club player.