BEST OF THE REST

Wilson D7

Forgiveness rating: 4 7i loft: 28°

Verdict: Wilson have combined strong lofts with lightweight shafts and plenty of fast face tech to make sure golfers don’t drop below critical levels of height, spin and descent angle. Extra power holes in the soles of the long irons give extra ball speed where golfers need it most. We’ve been fans of Wilson’s D family irons for a while, and by recording a carry of 183 yards, they’re not just good looking, but also our second most powerful SGI irons of 2020 – at a great price.

Mizuno JPX 919 Hot Metal

Forgiveness rating: 4 7i loft: 30°

Verdict: Mizuno are renowned for their great irons, and even though the Hot Metal isn’t forged, or among our longest, it’s still a brilliant option for golfers looking for forgiveness. That’s because they don’t have big and chunky heads with masses of offset, which for some players is really important. It’s due to be replaced midway through 2020, which is worth remembering if owning the latest model is important to you. Until then, they stand out as a serious SGI model.

Honma T//world XP-1

Forgiveness rating: 4

7i loft: 28.5°

Verdict: Honma probably aren’t the first name that springs to mind when we think about SGI irons. But the XP-1S should be on the radar of golfers who put a premium on how their irons look. Our pro was impressed not only by how the XP-1 looked behind the ball, but also by how much they felt like a Honma forged iron (even though they’re not). Strong lofts lowered launch and peak height a little, but crucially backspin stayed high, which will help shots stop. Very impressive.