BEST OF THE REST

CALLAWAY APEX 24 PRO

£217 per club

TG VERDICT: Expect a beautiful head shape and satin finish as well as a very pleasing impact sound and feel, even though the Pro didn’t quite nudge its way into the higher echelons of our top performers this year. Our thinking comes down to a significantly lower ball flight and shallower descent angle than the major competition and our test averages. If lowering ball flight is key to you, note that the Pro produced an above average ball speed, bang on average carry distance and a smaller carry distance drop-off and shot area than most of the 2024 players’ irons we hit.

WILSON STAFF MODEL CB

£1,050

TG VERDICT: The CBS have very traditional lofts, so our test model gave up five yards of 7-iron carry distance to our test average but also a huge 13 yards to the very longest in the category. That won’t work for too many club golfers. However, it doesn’t stop this model being a very attractive, traditional, forged, tour-level cavity back option in the right hands. We love the head shape and our pro really liked the feel, but the polished finish is likely to split opinion.

COBRA KING TOUR

£999 TG VERDICT: The Cobra’s five-times-forged heads feel super soft. There’s a tiny bit of tech built in with variable depth milled pockets in the shallow cavity backs, which add a fraction more playability on the long irons and increased flight control on the scoring clubs. Like any good players’ iron, the head shape is really attractive. There are no awkward areas that unduly draw the eye, making this an understated model for decent players who are happy to let their golf do the talking.

TITLEIST T150

From £178.50 per club

TG VERDICT: For our test pro, the T150 produced 4.5mph more ball speed than the similar T100. It launched and flighted shots higher than our test average, and despite the stronger loft shots, it hit the green at a steeper angle, too. Titleist say that performance comes from the head now having its own identity (with a wider sole etc), rather than just being a 2° stronger version of the T100. When you add in eight yards more carry distance with a 7-iron, very few club golfers will consider the T100 is their better option.

TAKOMO 301 CB

£557

TG VERDICT: Takomo have plundered our players’ iron category for two years in a row now, as the lovely looking 301 CB and 201 both turned in outstanding performances – all the more so, given their affordable price tag. Choosing between the two, we’d plump for the slightly sleeker, less angular and more traditional, satin-clad 301 CB. The only slight drawback is that you will need to order online and forego a fitting.