Game Improvement Irons

CLUBS LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

* Category Leader

: ADAMS IDEA A3; STREET PRICE: $600 (set of eight, steel)
WEBSITE: adamsgolf.com
LOFTS
6-iron: 29 degrees, PW: 45 degrees

TECH STORY
Three boxy hybrids with a high moment of inertia are designed to be more forgiving in what normally would be the 3-, 4- and 5-irons. They combine with hollow-back middle irons and cavity-back short irons to complete the set. The center of gravity and MOI are aligned between the hybrids and the short irons for consistent yardage gaps throughout the set.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"This is a good stick. Impact feels solid and forgiving at the same time. And, man, did I hit that 3-hybrid really well. . . . You could definitely work the ball with it. . . . The boxy look on the hybrids makes them easy to square up, and the irons look sharp."

HOT
When we say "advancing the category," this is what we mean. Adams has been at the forefront of the hybrid movement, and this set is the latest example. The Grafalloy ProLaunch Red graphite shaft option is a plus.

NOT
Three hybrids in an iron set might still be a little much for some egos to stomach.

* Category Leader

: CALLAWAY X-20; STREET PRICE: $700
WEBSITE: callawaygolf.com
LOFTS
6-iron: 30, PW: 45

TECH STORY
Callaway stays true to its core technologies of variable-face thickness (for increased ball speed), S2H2 hosel (in which hosel weight is removed and repositioned to the perimeter) and the 360-degree undercut channel (which stabilizes the clubhead and moves the CG low and toward the back of the clubhead).

PLAYER COMMENTS
"How can anyone look at that top line and not feel confident. . . . I have to admit, it doesn't do much for me at address, but the hits were really good. . . . The help on poor swings is tremendous."

HOT
Callaway has always made irons that are easy to hit, and this one ranks near the top. Plenty of distance, loads of forgiveness and a look that, if not exactly slim, inspires confidence. Lie-angle options that can be as much as 3 degrees flat or upright help with fitting.

NOT
The Uniflex steel shaft -- which is supposed to be good for all players -- just doesn't get it done. You have to be more precise than that.

* Category Leader

: PING G10; $700
WEBSITE: pinggolf.com
LOFTS
6-iron: 30.5, PW: 46

TECH STORY
The wide sole on this third-generation G-series iron is designed to provide a low, deep CG to help launch the ball and produce more stability at impact. A reshaped custom tuning port and a thin face save weight that gets moved to the lower toe area to increase MOI.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"It gets the ball up and keeps it there. There's just no doubt the ball flies higher with these. . . . The orange graphite shaft is a bit garish, but good hits go straight and mis-hits stay in play. . . . It's a little clunky at address."

HOT
Ping irons are almost always workmanlike in appearance and workhorse-like once they're in the bag, and the G10 is no exception. There's nothing fancy here -- it's just good ol' engineering know-how that works. The TFC 129i graphite shaft is an upgrade from the previous stock offering.

NOT
If you purchase the sand wedge, the 54-degree loft makes it imperative that you get a 58-degree lob wedge, too.

: TAYLORMADE r7; STREET PRICE: $700
WEBSITE: taylormadegolf.com
LOFTS
6-iron: 28, PW: 45

TECH STORY
A deep-cavity design pushes the CG low and back, fostering additional carry despite strong lofts. The clubface features inverted-cone technology designed to increase ball speed on off-center hits. The shaft options (90-gram steel, 65-gram graphite) are also designed for extra distance.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"These clubs look great. Are you sure they belong in the game-improvement category? . . . The trajectory was identical on every hit. . . . It could be the prettiest club out here. And the graphite shafts are more consistent than most graphite iron shafts I've tried."

HOT
Although somewhat traditional in appearance at address, these irons have a hot, explosive feel that should appeal to a wide range of players, as will the moderate offset. It has the look of a better player's iron, but it's plenty playable for the 15-handicapper.

NOT
The difference in loft between the 3-iron and 5-iron is just 5 degrees.