HOT LIST 2007: PLAYER'S IRONS

gold (editor's choice)
TAYLORMADE r7 TP: STREET PRICE: $800.; SPECS: 6-iron: 31 degrees; PW: 47.; KEY TECHNOLOGY: The SelectFit system has 17 shaft options and allows for lie-angle adjustments from 4 degrees flat to 4 degrees upright. A shallow cavity lets the player work the ball, and the tour-inspired sole has a ground leading edge for playing from a variety of lies.; PANELIST COMMENTS: "This club is a lot like pitcher David Wells: It's heavy up top, but it gets the job done consistently. I would definitely consider buying these. . . . Anyone from a 4- to 8-handicap will love this club."; JUDGE'S VERDICT: We're huge fans of fitting, and the new SelectFit system offers hundreds of options. For players in the market for clubs in this category, that makes a difference.; HOT: Many tour players already use this club. And more will in 2007.; NOT: Does that dampening web really work?; Tons of tech in a sleek design.; taylormadegolf.com

GOLD
ADAMS IDEA PRO: STREET PRICE: $800.; SPECS: 6-iron: 30 degrees; PW: 46.; KEY TECHNOLOGY: A hybrid set that marries soft 8620 carbon-steel forged irons with tour-proven Idea Pro hybrids. Cambered sole promotes better feel.; PANELIST COMMENTS: "It's soft, solid and workable, and the finish looks great. The highest rating I've ever given an Adams club. . . . 3-hybrid is so much easier to hit than a 3-iron."; JUDGE'S VERDICT: Better players might balk at a hybrid set, but why? On any given week half the field at a PGA Tour event uses a hybrid.; HOT: Game-improvement TriTech 4-iron an option for hybrid haters.; NOT: Longer shafts to increase clubhead speed isn't a great idea.; About as many set makeup options as you'll find in this category.; adamsgolf.com

GOLD
CALLAWAY X-20 TOUR: STREET PRICE: $800.; SPECS: 6-iron: 30 degrees; PW: 46.; KEY TECHNOLOGY: The sole (narrower than the X-18 Pro Series) has a beveled trailing edge, chamfered top line and a high toe that gives it a conventional look. The blade length is shorter than the regular X-20. Offset is less, too.; PANELIST COMMENTS: "A good set for the 7- to 10-handicapper who wants a more forgiving clubhead. . . . The ball really jumps."; JUDGE'S VERDICT: There's a little more game improvement than we'd like to see in a player's iron. When it comes to designing forgiveness, Callaway is hard to top.; HOT: Dig the Royal Precision Project X shaft as standard.; NOT: It ain't the X-Tour, which was nearly perfect.; More ideal for the aspiring player than the better one.; callawaygolf.com

GOLD
CALLAWAY X-FORGED: STREET PRICE: $1,000.; SPECS: 6-iron: 31 degrees; PW: 47.; KEY TECHNOLOGY: Forged carbon-steel clubhead has minimal offset. The blade length is shorter than most Callaway irons, and the CG moves progressively from lower in the long irons to higher in the short irons for better distance control.; PANELIST COMMENTS: "This is as classic as they come. I liked the heavier feel, and the maneuverability was top-notch."; JUDGE'S VERDICT: A Callaway tenet is "pleasingly different," and this club, with the thinnest top line and narrowest sole of any Callaway iron, fits that description.; HOT: Highly anticipated forged iron from Callaway finally here.; NOT: Not the distance you normally expect from a Callaway iron.; Project X shafts require a strong swing.; callawaygolf.com

GOLD
MIZUNO MP-60: STREET PRICE: $850.; SPECS: 6-iron: 31 degrees; PW: 47.; KEY TECHNOLOGY: The "cut-muscle" design allows the CG to be placed precisely on each iron. The rolled leading edge, cambered mid-sole and rolled trailing edge help the club glide through the turf.; PANELIST COMMENTS: "Gorgeous and workable, it's everything a player's iron should be, with a hint of forgiveness. . . . Looks and feels like a muscle-back but plays like a cavity-back."; JUDGE'S VERDICT: Most bad shots with a player's iron end up in jail, but this iron is forgiving and makes you feel like you got a pardon from the governor. Good shots feel sweet.; HOT: Cut-muscle technology makes sense.; NOT: Newer MP-67 might have players bypassing this one.; Low CG helps long irons get the ball up in the air.; mizunousa.com

GOLD
PING S58: STREET PRICE: $850.; SPECS: 30.5 degrees; PW: 47.; KEY TECHNOLOGY: Blade-like design benefits from a tuning pocket that is designed to temper flight in short irons and bolster flight in long irons.; PANELIST COMMENTS: "Somewhat angular in shape, but once you get over that it's a champ. . . . Very solid on mis-hits and not harsh feeling at all—and just going by its looks, that surprised me."; JUDGE'S VERDICT: Custom-fitting goes hand-in-hand with a player's iron, and Ping offers 10 lie options. Even without that, this is an exceptional upgrade to the S59—and that was a club we liked a lot.; HOT: Wider sole makes this easier to hit from a cuppy lie than S59.; NOT: Cast club sticks out in a primarily forged group.; Tour-style lofts, if you're in to that.; pinggolf.com