Player's Irons

: TAYLORMADE TOUR PREFERRED; STREET PRICE: $900
WEBSITE: tayormadegolf.com
LOFTS: 6-iron: 31, PW: 47

TECH TALK: The look of the TaylorMade player's iron has been streamlined. It features a thinner topline and incorporates a shorter blade length from heel to toe than the r7 TP. The inverted-cone technology helps to optimize distance on off-center hits, and the undercut cavity moves weight to the heel and toe, increasing MOI.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (L) "There seems to be a bit more space out on the toe, but it looks good at address." . . . (T) "Perhaps the most forgiving club in this category." . . . (T) "As much confidence over the ball as I've ever had."

HOT: An effective mix of classic look and contemporary technology. The SelectFit fitting system is an idea that makes tremendous sense, especially when trying to sell to players at this level.

NOT: The inverted cone is not as large as the cosmetics lead you to believe. At least that's what we saw when we peeled off the badge.

*category leader

: TITLEIST AP2; STREET PRICE: $1,000
WEBSITE: titleist.com
LOFTS: 6-iron: 31, PW: 47

TECH TALK: Although it has an elastomer cushion and a dual-cavity design similar to the AP1, there are distinct differences, starting with the club being forged from carbon steel instead of cast from stainless steel. The lofts are 2 degrees weaker than the AP1 in the 6-iron through pitching wedge, and the stock shaft is the Project X.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (T) "Workability and feel were there. Even the toe hits held on." . . . (T) "A soft feeling that gives you feedback to help you tune your swing." . . . (L) "This is a clear winner. Hit it the highest and longest of all."

HOT: When designing irons for better players, the challenge for engineers is how much game improvement is appropriate. This forged club strikes just the right balance, with more playability and better looks and feel than any of its predecessors.

NOT: The topline is a tad thicker than some in this category. So is the price tag.

: ADAMS IDEA PRO GOLD; STREET PRICE: $900
WEBSITE: adamsgolf.com
LOFTS: 6-iron: 30, PW: 46

TECH TALK: Two shallow Boxer hybrids complement six carbon-steel, forged cavity-back irons that have grooves with 14 percent more volume than the original Idea Pro. The mirror-chrome plating and the constant offset provide a traditional look.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (L) "The finish on these is as pretty as anything I've seen." . . . (L) "I'm not a fan of the hybrids, but I would play these irons any day." . . . (T) "These are the perfect recommendation for a player who likes the look of a player's iron but doesn't have the skill to hit a player's 3- or 4-iron."

HOT: The shaft options (Project X for steel and Mitsubishi Javln FX for hybrids) are a nice surprise. This is the only player's iron to make our list that comes with hybrids standard, and the one that replaces the 3-iron is nothing short of cheating.

NOT: However, two hybrids in a player's set is one too many.