Golf Monthly

Best 2021 utility irons

- GM pick: Wilson Staff Model

Arelativel­y niche club, perhaps, but a utility iron can become a useful option if the course or conditions dictate or you simply don’t get on with hybrids. To assist you in your search, we tested the latest models indoors on the Foresight Sports Gcquad launch monitor with Titleist Pro V1x golf balls to get some quantitati­ve data, before hitting them all outdoors to assess feel and ball flight.

Looks

In the utility iron category, you have a choice between more iron-like models and those that are larger and a little more hybrid-like. At one end of the spectrum, the Titleist T200 and Srixon ZX have the narrowest toplines and the least amount of offset – ideal in the eyes of better players.

Conversely, the Cobra King and Taylormade SIM DHY have the largest profiles, which will perhaps inspire greater confidence at address for many. You need to think about how much flight you require (a larger size usually equates to a higher launch) and how they fit in with the rest of your clubs.

The Ping G425 Crossover really stands out from the crowd, with its darker finish and lighter hitting area framing the ball really well. Our personal preference, though, would be for something that looks like an iron but isn’t too intimidati­ng, and the Taylormade SIM UDI strikes the perfect balance.

GM pick: Taylormade SIM UDI

Feel

One of the key components when it comes to feel is how a club sounds. Some models we tested felt more iron-like with a quieter thud, while others had a slightly higher-pitched sound that made them feel more springy and metalwoodl­ike. The models that offered a lower-pitched sound were the Callaway X-forged UT and the

“CARRY DISTANCE IS LESS OF A FACTOR GIVEN THE ADDED ROLL. CONTROL OF DIRECTION IS KEY” Neil Tappin, GM digital editor

Srixon ZX, while the Titleist U505 and Taylormade SIM UDI generated a more powerful, explosive sensation with a more noticeable sound.

To be honest, all these clubs felt really solid off the face, but if pushed to pick a winner, it would be the Titleist U505. Well-struck shots with this club were rewarded with a sensationa­lly solid feel and a strong ball flight.

GM pick: Titleist U505

Performanc­e

Your choice here will really depend on what you want from a utility iron – it won’t necessaril­y be maximum distance, but perhaps consistent control of how far shots carry or maybe more of a handle on direction. The difference in lofts tested here means you can take our results with a pinch of salt in that regard, although it’s worth noting that the biggest head – the Taylormade SIM DHY – also achieved the highest peak height.

In terms of forgivenes­s, the

Ping G425 Crossover and

Wilson Staff

Model really stood out – our shots were uniform in how they flew and where they finished, and variances in strike seemed to have less impact on dispersion in both directions than with other clubs.

GM pick: Ping G425 Crossover

Value

The Cobra King and Wilson Staff Model are considerab­ly cheaper than most here, and that is where the best value lies given the performanc­e we experience­d. Both compared well with the premium models and the Cobra King is also the only one that’s adjustable for loft, with this versatilit­y adding further to the value on offer.

Given how well the Wilson Staff Model performed, though, you’d have to say that, pound for pound, it’s one of the best options on the market.

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 ?? ?? We assessed the pros and cons of nine of the latest utility irons
We assessed the pros and cons of nine of the latest utility irons
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