How much 'game improvement' can you have in an iron? As much as you want
CALLAWAY APEX
$1,100 (set of eight, steel)The Carpenter-steel face insert, which is designed to flex at impact, is welded into a forged-steel frame. The purpose is to control vibration for improved feel. There's also tungsten in the soles of the 3- through 5-iron to lower the center of gravity.
MIZUNO JPX EZ
$700The thin, multi-thickness face is designed to increase ball speed. A deep, undercut cavity in the 4- through 7-irons lowers and deepens the center of gravity. The set can be combined with JPX Fli-Hi hybrids, which feature the same lengths and lofts as the irons they replace.
TAYLORMADE SPEEDBLADE
$800The redesigned slots in the 3- through 7-irons are three millimeters longer than those in this year's RocketBladez, and the slots become thicker near the toe and heel for improved performance on heel and toe mis-hits. The face gets as thin as 1.5 millimeters.
TITLEIST AP1 (714)
$800The long and middle irons have a thin face, a low center of gravity (CG) for a higher launch and a tungsten toe weight to improve off-center-hit performance. The short irons feature a slightly thicker face for a slightly higher CG and a more penetrating ball flight.
TOUR EDGE XCG7
$500 (seven irons)This 431 stainless-steel cast iron has tungsten weight pads in the heel and toe of the sole for a low center of gravity. The weighted heel and toe is bridged by a cavity in the sole to enhance feel at impact and improve turf interaction by reducing its contact area.
WILSON STAFF C100
$600The C100 is more compact than its predecessor (Ci11) and features a thinner face designed to yield higher ball speed. The external frame is similar in concept to the Ci11 but weighs 75 percent more for improved perimeter weighting and stability on off-center hits.