My top 10 irons 2018 list has a few rules. And I make the rules so you’re not allowed to argue.
Firstly, I’m not saying these are ‘the best’ irons out there. I’m saying that from all the irons I have hit over the past 12-18 months, these are my favourite from each brand.
So there’s only one model per brand which made this list even trickier to put together and most brands have a few models which I really like.
And remember, I am a mid-handicap golfer so have made my choices based on the irons I would be most happy putting in my bag for the 2018 season.
There are some lovely sleek blades out there which would get a lot of people’s vote but I’m not convinced they are going to help me shoot my best scores.
Feel free to have your say in the comments section or tweet me @JamesSavageNCG…
Since this list was created we have also reviewed the Ping i500 and i210, the Mizuno JPX919 and the Srixon Z85 range.
10. Top 10 irons 2018 – Cleveland Launcher HB
So easy and fun to use. These are ideal for players who need a bit of help getting the ball in the air.
I need the opposite so out of all the irons here this is the model I’d be least likely to take on the course.
But it’s great to see a brand investing in this type of club as I think it will help lots of golfers enjoy the game more.
SRPs:
Men’s steel Set (5-PW): £570 (single iron: £95)
Men’s graphite set (5-PW): £648 (single iron: £108)
Women’s graphite set (5-PW): £648 (single iron: £108)
Read and watch our full review here.
More information can be found on the Cleveland website.
Cleveland CBX Cavity vs. RTX-3 Blade wedges test with Graeme McDowell
Review: Cleveland Launcher HB driver
Equipment: Cleveland RTX-3 wedges review
9. Top 10 irons 2018 – Wilson C300 Forged
This is comfortably the best Wilson iron I have ever hit.
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Great look, sound and feel and the numbers were up there with anything I have hit in 2018.
Well worth the extra £100 from the cast C300 model.
SRP: £699 (4-PW steel)
Read and watch our full review here.
More information can be found on the Wilson website.
Review: Wilson C300 irons
Review: Wilson C300 driver
Review: Wilson D300 driver, irons, hybrids and fairway woods
8. Top 10 irons 2018 – Srixon Z565
The oldest model in this list and it still stands up against models which are two-years younger.
Fantastic forged feel in a package that will suit players of any ability level.
Srixon make some of the best irons around and the Z65 range has been a huge success.
If they can make an iron better than this next time around then it will be something sensational.
SRP: £649
Read and watch our full review here.
More information can be found on the Srixon website.
Review: Srixon Z565 and Z765 drivers
Equipment: Srixon Z65 irons review – big hitter testing comparison
Srixon Z565 and Z765 Drivers: Everything you need to know!
7. Top 10 irons 2018 – Cobra Forged Tour/One
It was very hard for me not to include the Cobra F8 here but I have been using the Forged One out on the course this year.
And I think it’s fantastic. I had convinced myself I wasn’t good enough to play it when it first came out but after a few rounds, I think it can help me shoot some good scores this year.
It has a lovely compact shape, the sound and feel are excellent. And I’m yet to be convinced the larger models on the market offer me more forgiveness.
I’ve bought into the One Length concept and especially in the shorter irons I feel more confident about hitting it close.
I’m not 100 percent convinced I can get the distance I need with the 6, 5 and 4 irons but it’s a work in progress.
SRP: £749
Read and watch our full review here.
More information can be found on the Cobra website.
Review: Cobra F8 driver with CNC milled face
Review: Cobra F8 fairways and hybrids
Review: Cobra King F8 irons
6. Top 10 irons 2018 – Mizuno JPX900 Hot Metal
Another which feels like it has been around for ages.
But I don’t think there has been anything released since which is significantly better.
They look and feel great but are incredibly powerful too – especially in the longer irons.
Again, if Mizuno can release another iron in this category in 2018 which is better, I’ll be all over it.
SRP: £110 per iron
Read and watch our full review here.
More information can be found on the Mizuno website.
Equipment: Mizuno JPX900 irons comparison – big-hitter testing
Equipment: Mizuno JPX900 irons review
5. Top 10 irons 2018 – Callaway Rogue Pro
Callaway have a fantastic line-up of irons in 2018.
Even within the Rogue range itself there’s something for everyone with the regular, pro, X and W models.
And for better players, there’s the Apex MB and X Forged.
I’ve hit them all and my model of choice would be the Rogue Pro.
It’s much sleeker than the regular Rogue but is still very powerful. And I think it’s the feel which is most improved from Callaway’s offerings in recent years.
This iron will appeal to a wide range of handicap abilities but will offer a bit more precision to those who don’t need quite as much help.
SRP: £649 (5-PW)
Read and watch our full review here.
More information can be found on the Callaway website.
How did the Callaway Rogue perform against the Epic?
Review: Callaway Rogue irons
Review: Callaway Rogue driver
4. Top 10 irons 2018 – Ping G400
I was quite torn here as I love the i200 and the G700.
But the G400 is a perfect blend of the two as it looks and feels great while still offering excellent distance.
I’ve used this out on the course and in a few competitions and know it won’t let me down.
If I had to pick one iron which will work for the 5-25 handicap range, this would probably be it.
SRP: £110 per iron steel, £120 per iron graphite
Read and watch our full review here.
More information can be found on the Ping website.
How does the Ping G400 SFT compare to the G400 Max?
Review: Ping G400 crossover
Review: Ping G400 driver
3. Top 10 irons 2018 – Titleist 718 AP1
Neck and neck in terms of performance against the G400 but this just looks better in my opinion.
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There’s less offset, a slightly thinner top-line and a bit more shelf appeal.
There’s a hollow construction in the longer irons which gives them a bit more pop off the face.
A combo set of AP3 in the shorter irons and AP1 in the longer irons might be a really smart move.
Make sure you explore this option during the fitting process.
SRP: £115 per iron
Read and watch our full review here.
More information can be found on the Titleist website.
How do the Titleist 718 AP1 irons compare to the 716 AP1?
Which Titleist 718 irons did our team get fitted into?
Equipment: Titleist 917 driver review
2. Top 10 irons 2018 – PXG 0311 Gen2 XF/P
These are an absolute joy to hit. The sound and feel as as good as anything on the market.
But you’re not just paying for the heads. You’re paying for the full custom-fitting experience which is second to none.
My PXG irons fitting was the best I have had this year. The brand’s commitment to getting players properly dialled in is to be applauded.
I was fitted into a combination of the P and XF models the former giving me a bit more precision with the shorter irons and the later offering easy distance.
If you can afford it and want to get fitted like a tour player then get yourself down to a PXG fitting event.
SRP: £400/£475 per iron (chrome/Xtreme dark)
Read and watch our full review here.
More information can be found on the PXG website.
Are the new PXG 0311 Gen2 irons worth their hefty price tag?
People you should know in golf: Bob Parsons
1. Top 10 irons 2018 – TaylorMade P790
I’ve been recommending these to people ever since I hit them at the back end of 2017.
In my humble opinion, they look slightly better than the PXG and that’s the only thing I can find to split them.
These irons have a ‘players’ look and feel but are very user-friendly and as long as anything else on the market.
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Whatever handicap you play off, give these a hit before purchasing a new set of irons for 2018.
SRP: £1,049 (7 irons)
Read and watch our full review here.
More information can be found on the TaylorMade website
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