2012 GAME IMPROVEMENT IRON TEST: The results
GOLD MEDAL
Nike VR_S
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“Awesome. There’s no other way to describe them. Fast, straight, easy to use – and cheap. what more could you ask for?” JaW
“There’s a lot of bulk behind the face but it’s hidden at address, which is brilliant. TrackMan stats suggest this is one of the longest clubs on test and it’s also one of the easiest to use. Excellent.” JoW
“I love the look and feel of these and carried them almost two clubs longer than anything else.” DG
DETAILS
SRP: £399.95 LH? Yes
AVAILABLE: 4-SW
STANDARD SHAFT: True Temper Dynalite
w: nikegolf.eu
t: 08000 561640
SILVER MEDAL
Taylormade RBZ
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“In a word, ridiculous. The ball speed on offer was just amazing. I like how the set is a gradual combination set with a chunky 4-iron and a compact wedge.” JoW
“I was genuinely shocked when I first hit these – the PW carried 137, which is very unusual for me!” JaW
“These have the most appeal to me, distance-wise. They’re very striking on the shelf. I found the different colour on the face helped me find the middle. I absolutely love them.” DG
DETAILS
SRP: £549 LH? Yes
AVAILABLE: 3-LW
STANDARD SHAFT: RBZ Steel
w: taylormadegolf.eu
t: 08000 728 624
BRONZE MEDAL
Benross Quad Speed
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“Impressive. Serious distance in the mid-irons. good components, great performance.” JoW
“I really like these. They look forgiving and are great value – I could sell these easily. Well up there in distance.” JaW
“Seem heavy to me but boost confidence at address. Plenty of margin for error, it seemed.” DG
DETAILS
SRP: £349 LH? No
AVAILABLE: 3-PW
STANDARD SHAFT: True Temper Dynamic Lite
w: benrossgolf.com
t: 01932 821200
RECOMMENDED
Yonex Ezone SD
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“Very light, very long and fly a long way. The wedge seemed hard to flight but the mid and long irons were seriously powerful.” JoW
“I am not a fan of the red graphite shaft but love how the bulk is hidden at address.” JaW
“I really like how they look and found them to launch the ball quite high.” DG
DETAILS
SRP: £699 LH? Yes
AVAILABLE: 3-SW
STANDARD SHAFT: Yonex Nanopreme
w: yonex.co.uk
RECOMMENDED
Cobra AMP
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“Excellent performance – but would a beginner pick these up and feel confident? I’m not so sure – they just look too sleek.” JoW
“The shape is very nice but the orange line in the grooves is off-putting. Great ball speed.” JaW
“Lots of weight in the head. Fairly long. A bit in your face with the orange colour scheme.” DG
DETAILS
SRP: £549 LH? Yes
AVAILABLE: 3-LW
STANDARD SHAFT: True Temper Dynalite 90
w: cobragolf.co.uk
RECOMMENDED
Ping G20
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“Very forgiving. Superb all rounder.” JoW
“Good ball speed in the short irons, but not as quick up top. Forgiveness-wise, hard to beat.” JaW
“I like the look of these better than the G15s. They’re about the same distance-wise but seem more forgiving.” DG
DETAILS
SRP: £80 per club LH? Yes
AVAILABLE: 3-LW
STANDARD SHAFT: Ping AWT
w: pinggolf.com
RECOMMENDED
Titleist AP1
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“More forgiving than you’d expect – in between players’ irons and game improvers.” JoW
“Typical Titleist – a classy shape and good performance. Lots of control.” JaW
“The feel and strike are both beautiful, but, for me, there’s nothing sexy about them.” DG
DETAILS
SRP: £93 per club LH? Yes
AVAILABLE: 3-GW
STANDARD SHAFT: True Temper Dynalite
w: titleist.co.uk
RECOMMENDED
Wilson Staff Ci11
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“These look lovely but I would find it hard to recommend this to say, my grandad.” JoW
“There are a lot of grooves on this and it is very inviting at address. good shape and weight.”JaW
“I adore the look of these – the black finish is superb. Very eye catching. Not the most forgiving though.” DG
DETAILS
SRP: £449 LH? Yes
AVAILABLE: 3-PW
STANDARD SHAFT: True Temper TX
w: wilson.com
WHAT ELSE WAS IN THE TEST?
MD Golf Superstrong ST
Callaway RAZR X Black
Adams Idea a12 OS
Snake Eyes Viper XCII
Cleveland CG Black
Mizuno JPX800
DETAILS
TEST DATE: March 2012
TESTERS: James Whitaker (pro), Joe Whitley (7hcp), David Goldstone (18)
TECHNOLOGY USED: TrackMan launch monitor
Results collated by Jake O’Reilly