BEST OF THE REST
COBRA AEROJET
£849 (s), £949 (g)
7-iron loft: 26.5°
Forgiveness rating: 3.5/5
TG VERDICT: The Aerojet’s test data highlights an impressively strong performance, but it’s important to remember that the model has unashamedly strong lofts, which inevitably, in a fitting situation, will rule golfers either in or out based on the levels of 7-iron speed they can muster. In other words, impressive, but not for everyone.
PXG 0311 XP GEN5
£249 per club
7-iron loft: 27°
Forgiveness rating: 3.5/5
TG VERDICT: If your game needs longer, shorter, lighter or heavier irons, the 0311 family are the only model on the market that offer the perfect fit without moving the centre of gravity location, so you won’t compromise feel or performance. It was our pro’s third-fastest, third-longest and third-best mid-handicap iron for protecting carry distance.
WILSON DYNAPOWER
£700 (s), £800 (g)
7-iron loft: 27°
Forgiveness rating: 3.5/5
TG VERDICT: Like its predecessor, the D9, the Dynapower is a fast (second-fastest ball speed in the category) and long (T1) option. With the bigger head shape and more offset (which some like for reassurance and confidence), the model will be most at home in the hands of golfers who aren’t overly fussy about head shapes and profiles.
MIZUNO JPX923 HOT M E TA L
£135 per club
7-iron loft: 28.5° Forgiveness rating: 3.5/5 TG VERDICT: With a 7-iron loft 2° weaker than the strongest, the JPX923 was always going to struggle to keep up on raw ball speed and carry distance. But those wanting to maximise scoring potential should look at how it launched and flew higher, span more and descended onto the green at a steeper angle than our test average. It puts looks before raw power.
TAKOMO 101 £371.30
7-iron loft: 30°
Forgiveness rating: 3/5
TG VERDICT: Takomo operate a direct-to-consumer model and promise premium equipment at affordable prices. With lofts 2-3° weaker than many in the category, the cast, hollow body 101 was never going to compete on speed or distance alone (it was 14 yards back from our longest). But when it came to accuracy, its 30sq/yds average was a seriously impressive winner.
CALLAWAY PARADYM X
£1,199 (s), £1,299 (g)
7-iron loft: 27.5°
Forgiveness rating: 3.5/5
TG VERDICT: Our test pro’s third-longest mid-handicap iron, but the X also offers the lowest backspin, joint lowest peak height and shallowest descent angle of any iron within the category. In the right hands it’s a powerful and forgiving hollow body iron, but at slower clubhead speeds it will be hard to flight and stop them successfully.