HOT LIST 2007: PLAYER'S IRONS

GOLD
TITLEIST 755: STREET PRICE: $800.; SPECS: 6-iron: 31 degrees; PW: 47.; KEY TECHNOLOGY: The progressive cavity-back design has an aluminum cavity insert to reduce vibration at impact and reinforce the thin face. Weight is moved to the perimeter to increase MOI.; PANELIST COMMENTS: "I'm having a lot of fun with this club. I like the shape, the color, everything. And the shots take less effort than I thought."; JUDGE'S VERDICT: It has taken a while, but Titleist finally has a full set of cavity-backs for the better player. And the company has done it well. There's nothing disappointing about this iron.; HOT: Fab Titleist look in an iron you don't have to hit dead center.; NOT: Beefy (123 grams) TriSpec shaft might feel heavy late in the round.; Even fast swingers will keep ball down with tip-stiff shaft.; titleist.com

SILVER
BRIDGESTONE J33 CAVITY BACK: STREET PRICE: $800.; SPECS: 6-iron: 31 degrees; PW: 47.; KEY TECHNOLOGY: CG moves from near the heel in the 2-iron toward the middle as the lofts increase. This helps make it easier to square the long irons at impact and helps avoid shutting the clubface on the short irons.; PANELIST COMMENTS: "A no-nonsense club that produces a nice trajectory. Feels great throughout the set. . . . Low-handicappers will like the consistency."; JUDGE'S VERDICT: They might not have a lot of momentum in the market, but it's not for lack of performance.; HOT: Fred Couples and Stuart Appleby use these.; NOT: There's not a lot of shelf appeal happening with this one.; Irons not available in left-handed model.; bridgestonegolf.com

silver
MACGREGOR MACTEC FORGED M685: STREET PRICE: $700.; SPECS: 6-iron: 31 degrees; PW: 47.; KEY TECHNOLOGY: This set features 4140 carbon steel and a hollow-back design in 3-iron through 6-iron. It uses 1025 carbon steel and a one-piece construction in the 7-iron through PW. The intent is a high launch in the long irons and shot-shaping in the short irons.; PANELIST COMMENTS: "Every shot was solid. . . . This one follows orders like a good pilot: up, down, right, left. I could hit all the shots.; JUDGE'S VERDICT: MacGregor knows how to make irons for better players, and this is no exception. It's traditional in look, modern in the way it works.; HOT: Forgiving for such a small clubface.; NOT: D2 swingweight might be too much in the long irons.; Heat-treated face sends ball soaring.; macgregorgolf.com

SILVER
MIURA CB-301: STREET PRICE: $1,150.; SPECS: 6-iron: 30 degrees; PW: 47.; KEY TECHNOLOGY: The cavity-back design from the legendary Japanese forging house places weight toward the hosel and the toe to help square the clubface. Hosels are milled to better center the shaft during assembly.; PANELIST COMMENTS: "This is the best-looking girl at the bar—and I haven't had a drink yet. . . . Should say 'For Serious Players Only.' The feel and trajectory are better than anything."; JUDGE'S VERDICT: The very thin top line doesn't inspire confidence, and the price is unconscionable, but for the guy who's a stick, it's worth every cent.; HOT: You'll be the only one in your foursome with these.; NOT: Left-handers are out of luck.; Really worth more than a grand to be a contrarian?; miuragolf.com

SILVER
NIKE CCi FORGED: STREET PRICE: $900.; SPECS: 6-iron: 31 degrees; PW: 47.; KEY TECHNOLOGY: A tungsten weight plug lowers the CG in the long irons, and a polymer insert promotes a soft feel in a head forged from 1025 carbon steel with a thin top line and minimal offset.; PANELIST COMMENTS: "The ball was right where I thought it should be throughout its flight, even on the mis-hits. . . . The sole seemed bulky, but man, did it move through the grass."; JUDGE'S VERDICT: Nice to see Nike with a player's iron that someone other than Tiger can play. It has a consistent feel and is more forgiving than its muscle-back blade.; HOT: Milled face provides consistency.; NOT: Two versions (cast and forged) might create confusion among consumers.; Addition of an X-flex steel shaft will appeal to gorillas.; nikegolf.com

SILVER
SRIXON I-506: STREET PRICE: $700.; SPECS: 6-iron: 30 degrees; PW: 46.; KEY TECHNOLOGY: A forged cavity-back design moves the CG away from the face progressively throughout the set. A double-radius sole has heel and toe cuts to prevent the turf from grabbing the club.; PANELIST COMMENTS: "Impact and workability were superb. . . . It felt a bit head heavy, but I could pinch and move the ball."; JUDGE'S VERDICT: Usually you want a club to show off its technology, but better players prefer it hidden. This iron does a wonderful job of disguising all that goes into it. It's a great club for the high single-digit player.; HOT: Jim Furyk won more than $7 million last year using these irons.; NOT: You will not win more than $7 million with these irons.; Weighting in cavity produces a soft sound at impact.; srixon.com