IRONS: Game-Improvement

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

TECH TALK: A deep cavity allows Ping's engineers to concentrate more weight in the perimeter and low-toe areas to increase MOI and optimize the CG. Offsets are larger in the long irons (for more forgiveness and higher launch) and less in the short irons (to control trajectory). The wide sole is designed to move the CG away from the face, thus promoting a high launch.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (L) "It's a club that has a combination of everything going for it: the look, the consistency, the trajectory, the sound, the feel. This one has it all." . . . (M) "It's all about forgiveness."

HOT: This iron has been one of the category's leading sellers since its debut, and it's easy to see why. The game-improvement features are disguised, and Ping is a master at offering fitting and set-makeup options galore. Too big a look for you? Try i10.

NOT: The irons lag in the soft-feel department.

*category leader

: TAYLORMADE BURNER; STREET PRICE: $700
WEBSITE: taylormadegolf.com
LOFTS: 6-iron: 27, PW: 45

TECH TALK: TaylorMade has taken its core driver technologies and used them in a progressive iron design. Features include the sweet-spot enhancing inverted-cone face technology and a reduced total club weight through the lightweight grip and lighter, longer shafts to increase ball speed.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (M) "There is nothing not to like about this club. Simply the best." . . . (L) "The gold standard. This iron inspires the kind of confidence you want." . . . (L) "The name fits -- this one is a burner. By far the longest in this group." . . . (T) "Wow! Even a solid single-digit player could use these clubs."

HOT: A round of applause for targeting the distance-gap issue and smartly using lofts and club lengths to address it. Expect this club to supplant the Tour Burner as the most popular iron in the TaylorMade line.

NOT: It will take time for some to get used to the longer-shafted long irons.

: TITLEIST AP1; STREET PRICE: $700
WEBSITE: titleist.com
LOFTS: 6-iron: 29, PW: 45

TECH TALK: Made from multiple materials, the AP1 uses a tungsten-nickel box that is laser-welded to the back and sole to place the CG low and deep, promoting a higher launch. A dual cavity helps push weight to the club's perimeter, and an elastomer cushion helps dampen vibration.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (M) "Titleist has finally answered the call to middle-handicappers." . . . (L) "A surprisingly forgiving club. I hit it thin and saved the shot. I'm very impressed." . . . (T) "It's nice being able to stand up there and know you don't have to hit it perfect. Feels better than any other cast."

HOT: In prior years Titleist has stepped up its game in this category, but this club qualifies as a huge leap. Even the Aldila VS Proto graphite-shaft option won't turn off the traditional Titleist player.

NOT: Long irons are still too close to tour level and a little too far from hacker level.