BEST OF THE REST

MIZUNO JPX923 FORGED 7-iron loft: 30° Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5

VERDICT: Cast an eye over the data sheets on our website and you’ll see the Forged is a top performer for distance (187 yards carry; fourth longest), which is very much a prerequisite within this category. Apart from that, its numbers are very close to our averages, which tells us that unless you’re especially turned on by this specific model, there are probably slightly better alternatives available out there.

WILSON D9 FORGED 7-iron loft: 30.5° Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5

VERDICT: Wilson’s tech-loaded D9 Forged was an attractive players’ distance iron package last year, and not much has changed. Expect a traditional head shape and profile plus a very shiny chrome-plated finish. From a slightly weaker loft than many (30.5° 7-iron), it produced a decent 180 yards of carry and, thanks to Wilson’s Power Hole tech, above average levels of ball speed.

MIZUNO PRO 225 7-iron loft: 30° Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5

VERDICT: Since its launch, midway through 2021, the hollow body 225, which looks very much like a muscleback blade, has won many fans. The model is sublime to look at, both in hand and sat behind the ball at address, and it’s just the sort of iron that helps golfers feel like a player without compromising everything in terms of forgiveness. For our test the model turned in decent results right around the test averages, so it should certainly be on the radar of decent golfers seeking great-looking irons this year.

TITLEIST T200 7-iron loft: 31° Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5

VERDICT: While Titleist might be renowned for being a players’ brand, many might be surprised to hear that for the second year in a row the T200 has thrown up some very good dispersion numbers. Yes, the model was seven yards back from our longest, but with a 2.1mph drop-off between on and off-centre shots, and thanks to hitting balls into our tightest dispersion area (65.6yds²), this was the most accurate model of them all.

PING I525 7-iron loft: 30.5° Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5

VERDICT: We love the styling, we love how focus has been poured on eliminating the no-spin knuckle ball that some golfers experience with fast face irons, and we love how the extra face grooves give this iron a proper players’ feel. Ball speed, backspin and carry were all bang on our test averages, shot height and descent angle were higher and steeper, so control and playability on the course is likely to be better than some.