Super Game Improvement Irons

: TAYLORMADE R7 CGB MAX; STREET PRICE: $1,300
WEBSITE: taylormadegolf.com
LOFTS
6-iron: 26, PW: 44

TECH STORY
A lightweight shaft and a thin, high-strength steel face are designed to produce a faster swing speed for distance. The tungsten weights increase MOI for stability at impact.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"These are about as pretty as you're going to get in this group. They don't look like you have to have a high-handicap to use them. . . . The carry was long and straight. . . . The super game-improvement aspects are nicely disguised. . . . Hitting balls with some clubs is like work. This is just plain fun."

HOT
Technology is TaylorMade's strength, and the company features plenty in this iron. Besides its standard inverted-cone and a lighter shaft, a hollow top line is a nice achievement. The purpose is to allow weight to be moved deep to launch the ball high despite the strong lofts. How hot are these? Think of driving a Ferrari . . . . downhill.

NOT
If you're going to employ a lighter shaft, why not a lighter grip, too?

* Category Leader

: TOUR EDGE BAZOOKA GEOMAX; STREET PRICE: $550
WEBSITE: touredge.com
LOFTS
6-iron: 29, PW: 46

TECH STORY
A pair of 15-gram tungsten weight screws in the heel and toe are designed to increase the MOI. An elastomer coating in the undercut cavity provides vibration damping. Hybrids can be substituted for any iron in the set.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"The address is not overpowering for such a big, honkin' club. . . . Everything about it is just fine. They were forgiving, and most shots went straight. . . . Call this a Volkswagen on a stick. The fat top line is too much for me. . . . I found it interesting that I almost couldn't overswing with these. The only downside is that it felt a little heavy in the hands."

HOT
Who cares if the irons look like shovels? These clubs work as hard as a ditch digger. This is Tour Edge at its roots: helping the average golfer play better golf at a price that won't cause spousal conflict. In fact, if there's a better bargain in the hybrid-iron-set category, we'd like to see it.

NOT
A 2-hybrid is available. Why bother?