IRONS: Game-Improvement

: CLEVELAND CG7; STREET PRICE: $600
WEBSITE: clevelandgolf.com

LOFT: 6-iron: 29, PW: 45

TECH TALK: Microcavities reduce weight in the topline that is distributed to the sole. Additionally, the microcavities progressively decrease in size from 3-iron through pitching wedge to optimize the location of the CG horizontally and vertically, moving from a small heel bias on the long irons (to fight a slice) to the center on short irons.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (M) "They cut through the turf so well. I could hit these clubs all day." . . . (M) "Felt like I didn't have to muscle the shot, which was great." . . . (L) "Looks too big, but when you hit it, my word, does it fly."

Hot: A ton of tech for the money, the CG7's CG is 10 percent deeper than last year's CG Gold, with 5 percent more MOI. There is a lot going on in back, but you don't hit the ball with aesthetics. The trajectory is strong, and it forgives faster than your friends.

NOT: The clunky-ness factor is fairly noticeable, especially in the short irons.

: NIKE VR FULL CAVITY; STREET PRICE: $700
WEBSITE: nikegolf.com
LOFTS: 6-iron: 30, PW: 45

TECH TALK: An increase in the face thickness as the club moves from topline to sole is designed to lower the CG. The undercut cavity is contoured to position weight behind the center of the clubface for better feel.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (M) "Nike has amazed me with its continuous improvement in looks, design and feel in the irons." . . . (M) "Easy to hit, very stable, and it made it effortless to repeat my swing." (L) "It's a lot cleaner looking than most game-improvement irons. It went through the turf perfectly."

HOT: The 4-iron-through-AW set configuration is perfect for this level of player. The Eaton grip -- which is designed for added traction on the top and a softer feel on the bottom -- is a sound idea. Better still is a sole that has been smartly designed to interact with the turf from various attack angles.

NOT: Lacks the visual pizazz and technological wizardry you'd expect from Nike.

: TOUR EDGE EXOTICS XCG; STREET PRICE: $600
WEBSITE: touredge.com
LOFTS: 6-iron: 29, PW: 46

TECH TALK: The dual-density dampening system uses a soft insert in the 7-iron through pitching wedge for added feel around the greens. The long irons have a firmer insert for a more solid feel. The tour grind on the heel section is designed to reduce grabbing.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (M) "The variability on mis-hits was so small, the shots would be on the green." . . . (L) "One of the better ones. Sound and feel were great." . . . (T) "Good, sharp feel coming off the head. This is a nice set."

HOT: Somewhat of a player's look in a club with more than enough technology, this iron will prove to anyone not already convinced that Tour Edge is more than just the "good value" company. In fact, it might be the best iron the company has ever made.

NOT: The 5-degree gaps between the 8-iron, 9-iron and pitching wedge are too large for the scoring clubs.