2015 Most Wanted Game-Improvement Irons

What are the qualities of a great game-improvement iron?

Distance? Accuracy? Forgiveness? We believe the best game-improvement irons offer an outstanding balance of the three – and their performance is consistent with every iron in the bag.

As it turns out, finding a set of irons that does exactly that is no easy task.

Defining the Game-Improvement Category

This year we put ten of the top game-improvement irons to the test. The irons we tested, while not the absolute most forgiving in most manufacturer’s lineups, are generally well-suited for the average golfer.

The target handicap range for these products is generally ranges from the high single-digits to upwards of 20 (and sometimes beyond). These designs feature wider soles, thicker toplines, a fair amount of offset, and comparatively larger blades. They’re designed to be easy to hit (easy to get in the air), and very forgiving.

They are among the most popular iron designs on the market today.

For full details of our test conditions, see our How We Test Irons Page (coming soon).

• 20 Testers took part in this season’s iron tests.
• Our panel consisted of golfers with a wide variety of swing speeds and launch conditions. Handicaps ranged from the high single-digits to eighteen.
• Golfers were asked to hit a series of shots with the short, middle, and long irons in each set.

• All irons were tested in their stock configurations with manufacturer’s standard length and lie.
• Golfers were fit into the appropriate flex.
• In the majority of cases, test sets were supplied by the manufacturer. Titleist and Callaway declined our invitation to participate. Our AP1 and XR sets were obtained from retail sources.

• All testing was done with Bridgestone B330-RX Golf Balls
• Data was collected using Foresight GC2 launch monitors
• To simulate grass as closely as possible, shots were hit off Country Club Elite mats from Real Feel Golf Mats
• Testing was done at McGregor Links Country Club in Saratoga Springs, NY.

About the Data

Here’s what you need to know in order to interpret our basic data and rankings. Launch monitor data along with the radial distance, shot area, and consistency calculations shown in each chart can be found on our 2015 Most Wanted Game-Improvement Iron data page.

• Distance (yards) is the average distance (regardless of left/right dispersion) for each iron.
• Radial Distance (distance to the pin) is shown in feet.
• Shot Area is a measure of the dispersion or consistency of each iron. It provides the size (yards squared) of a 90% confidence ellipse (the area in which 90% of shots can expected to fall). A smaller value should be regarded as better.
• Carry Consistency is how we quantify forgiveness. The value presented is the standard deviation of carry distance (regardless of left/right dispersion). Once again, a smaller number is better.

The Test Results

Irons were evaluated for distance, accuracy, forgiveness, and consistency. Key data points and rankings for each iron tested are provided below in the sections below.

Overall #1 in short, middle, and long irons, TaylorMade’s RSi1 iron basically annihilated the field. In terms of pure performance, it’s unquestionably the best in class.

Testing Notes:

• Most forgiving in the long iron category
• Extremely consistent and accurate in middle iron testing
• Very strong performer throughout the set

A strong, and likely surprising result from a company whose irons don’t generally get top billing, Cobra’s FLY-Z is a compelling alternative for those not moved by the RSi1.

Testing Notes:

• Long irons are both long and forgiving
• Outstanding forgiveness throughout the set
• Well above average accuracy

A game-improvement iron for golfers who don’t like game-improvement irons, Srixons Z545 offers outstanding performance from a forged iron.

Testing Notes:

• Forged head offers outstanding feel
• Overall good results, with exceptionally good long iron performance
• Dynamic Gold shaft should appeal to quicker, more aggressive players who struggle with lightweight shafts

Overall an above average performer, Callaway’s XR is well-suited to golfers looking to maximize distance.

Testing Notes:

• #1 or #2 overall for long and middle iron distance
• Some question marks around accuracy and dispersion (particularly at middle iron distance)
• While XR’s outstanding short iron consistency is easily quantifiable, testers commented that the long irons are among the easiest to hit

A steady, though seldom standout performer, PINGs G30 was among the most consistent iron sets we tested.

Testing Notes:

• Similar performance at all distances
• Accuracy and dispersion at scoring distance is compelling
• The shortest iron tested

An almost predictably steady offering from Titleist, the AP1 offers steady performance in a no-nonsense package that should appeal to golfers who prefer a more traditional aesthetic.

Testing Notes:

• Short irons were longest tested, but hot spots are a concern
• Though shorter than average, long irons are among the most accurate
• All-around solid performer that shows Titleist is more than just a ball company

While the it doesn’t grab the attention of it’s forged brothers, Mizuno’s JPX-850 was a favorite among several of our testers.

Testing Notes:

• Consistently the highest launching/highest trajectory set tested
• Not exceptionally long, and generally average for the key performance metrics we consider

One of several sets where testers opinions changed with the various irons in the set, Bridgestone’s J15 Cast misses the mark.

Testing Notes:

• Short iron performance may be intriguing
• Accurate though inconsistent long iron performance

Though there were a few bright spots during testing, Nike’s Vapor Speed produced generally sub-par results.

Testing Notes:

• Like XR, testers found the long iron easy to hit
• Testers struggled to hit it consistently well

A curious offering from Tour Edge, testers feedback suggests a lack of continuity throughout the set.

Testing Notes:

• Above average distance from long and middle irons
• Among the largest heads in this category

Rankings

The chart below shows where each iron ranked for each of the four performance metrics we considered for long, mid, and short irons. To see more launch monitor data, please visit the 2015 Most Wanted Game Improvement Iron data page. We’ve broken our rankings out by category to allow you to isolate the performance characteristics that are most important to you.

Note: There are separate tabs for long, middle, and short iron performance.

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