2023 PLAYERS’ DISTANCE IRONS
SRIXON ZX5 MK II
£167 (s), £184 (g) per club
Stock shaft: KBS Tour Lite (s), UST Recoil Dart (g)
7-iron loft: 31°
Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5
A brilliant combination of a forged body, to absorb vibration, and a lightweight, lively face make the ZX5 an extremely attractive option for reasonable club golfers. We love how, thanks to having very similar topline dimensions, it’s possible to seamlessly combo any of Srixon’s three playerfocused ZX irons this year.
MIZUNO JPX923 FORGED
£185 per club
Stock shafts: KBS S-taper Lite
7-iron loft: 30°
Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5
High strength but lively chromoly steel is a big feature in modern Mizuno irons, the material adding ball speed without sacrificing feel. The one-piece forged and back milled (a complex process) chromoly JPX923 Forged has a redesigned face which increases the rebound area size, helping improve shot consistency.
TAYLORMADE P790
£1,149 (s) £1,349 (g) or replacement
Stock shaft: Dynamic Gold 95/105 VSS (s), Mitsubishi Chemical MMT (g)
7-iron loft: 30.5°
Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5
Now in its third generation, the P790 are the kings of hollow body players’ distance irons. Some will choose them just because they look great in the bag, but we’d recommend them as they also deliver really strong performance benefits.
MIZUNO JPX923 HOT METAL PRO
£150 per club
Stock shafts: 21 premium options
7-iron loft: 28.5°
Forgiveness rating: 3/5
The Hot Metal Pro is Mizuno’s compact chassis, strong lofted, players’ distance iron that’s built for decent players who don’t feel a benefit in using forged irons. A great option for golfers who don’t like seeing too much hosel offset at address, but be aware that that will produce a slightly lower ball flight.
PXG 0311 P GEN5
From £249 per club
Stock shafts: True Temper Elevate (s), Mitsubishi MMT (g)
7-iron loft: 32°
Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5
PXG’S P (Players’ model) iron put the brand on the radar of well-heeled, reasonable golfers looking for something different when PXG launched back in 2014. The latest model is a powerful and accurate option. Prices fluctuate, so keep an eye on PXG’S website and buy wisely.
COBRA KING FORGED TEC
£999 (s)
Stock shaft: KBS $Taper Lite
7-iron loft: 29.5°
Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5
Decent mid-single figure to low double-digit handicappers are absolutely spoilt for choice for irons right now. The Forged Tec are the archetypal modern forged, hollow-bodied, stronglofted players’ distance irons. If you’re looking at Taylormade’s P790 or Ping’s i525, you really should be trying these too.
CALLAWAY PARADYM
£1,199 (s), £1,299 (g)
Stock shaft: True Temper Elevate (s), Aldila Ascent or HZRDUS Silver (g)
7-iron loft: 29°
Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5 Callaway’s answer to TM’S P790. A new cage-like build means inefficient mass is removed from high up in the blade. The face is forged, thin and hot, yet golfers can expect decent sound and feel thanks to urethane microsphere tech dampening vibration.
PING I525
£180 (s), £190 (g) per club
Stock shafts: 11 premium options
7-iron loft: 30.5°
Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5
They’re not brand new for 2023, but if you’re a reasonable ball striker and distance is your thing, the i525’s are here to stay. Anybody considering Ping should make the effort to get fitted; the brand’s service is second to none, and you’ll end up with a set that is more personalised to you.
WILSON D9 FORGED
£792 (s), £882 (g)
Stock shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold VVS (s), UST Mamiya Recoil Dart (g)
7-iron loft: 30.5°
Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5
The golf side of Wilson’s business is growing fast, and it’s models such as the D9 Forged that have put the brand back on the map of decent golfers. A very traditional looking iron that flat out performs for marrying ball speed and distance with a decent dollop of forgiveness.