Hot List
Best Players Distance Irons: Innovation
The best clubs in each category of the Hot List reflect excellence across an array of criteria. In Players Distance irons, the most innovative clubs feature cupfaces—in which the face wraps around part of the topline and sole—made of exotic steels for extra spring. Models also frequently have an internal foam or polymer to sweeten the sound. Here is how our editors and academic panel evaluated clubs in this category based on the criterion of Innovation, with each achieving a minimum of 4.5 stars.
Callaway
Apex Ai200
$200 per iron
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$200 per iron
A forged hollow-body clubhead is married to a forged high-strength 455-stainless-steel face that wraps around the top and sole to create impressive face flex through the 8-iron.
The “Ai Smart Face” uses the power of AI to analyze regular golfer swing data to deliver tight dispersion along with added yards.
A cool feature of the Ai200 is the strategically positioned metal-injected molding weights that ensure the ideal center of gravity to create the proper launch.
Twelve grams have been taken out of the hosel area, which allows the center of gravity to be close to the center of the face.
Tungsten encased in urethane with microscopic air bubbles assists feel and positions the center of gravity low in the long and middle irons.
The Ai200 features a smaller profile compared to the Apex 21.
Top 5 in Forgiveness, all handicap groups.
SPECS: 7-iron: 30 degrees; PW: 43 degrees
Callaway
Apex Ti Fusion
$300 per iron
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$300 per iron
A proprietary brazing process was used to join the stainless-steel body with the titanium face—an industry first.
The strong and thin titanium face gives ball speed a boost.
The forged steel body features urethane microspheres inside the head to provide a feel typically found in single-piece forged irons.
The diamond-like coating finish is more durable than PVD and produces an eye-catching aesthetic and reduces glare.
The gunmetal True Temper Dynamic Gold steel shaft completes the all-black look.
Top 5 in Performance, low- and high-handicaps.
SPECS: 7-iron: 30.5 degrees; PW: 43 degrees
TaylorMade
P·790
$200 per iron
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$200 per iron
The face on the long irons is made of a high-strength forged 4340M Chromoly steel alloy and wraps around the sole in an L-shape to create a more effective trampoline effect.
A cut-through slot in the sole enhances flex for shots struck low on the face.
Tungsten (30 to 40 grams) is positioned horizontally and low on the long irons to provide a better launch. On the middle irons, a chunkier piece rests vertically closer to the toe to improve stability on off-center strikes.
The key to getting the weighting right is how the back wall of each iron uses alternating thick and thin sections, almost like latticework.
The short irons (8-iron through gap wedge) eschew tungsten so that the center of gravity progresses higher with each successive loft to prevent shots from ballooning.
By injecting the heads with a lightweight urethane foam, the thin face can still flex while unwanted sounds and vibrations are controlled.
Top 5 in Performance, low- and middle-handicaps.
SPECS: 7-iron: 30 degrees; PW: 44 degrees
Cobra
King Tec
$186 per iron
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$186 per iron
The muscle-back shape cleverly hides the fact that the head is hollow and uses a thin variable-thickness face for greater ball speed and a higher launch.
A 20-gram tungsten toe weight in the 4- through 7-iron is positioned in a manner that allows the center of gravity to be more in line with the face center.
The five-step forging process and softer foam create a deeper sound that appeals to better players.
Because the foam filling is lighter, weight can be moved lower to foster a better launch angle.
A softened topline, shorter blade length and “tucked toe” provide the look of a players iron.
The 8-iron through gap wedge eschew the tungsten weights for a slightly more penetrating trajectory and better accuracy in the scoring zone.
Top 5 in Performance, low-handicaps.
SPECS: 7-iron: 29.5 degrees; PW: 44 degrees
Mizuno
JPX925 Hot Metal Pro
$150 per iron
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$150 per iron
A multi-material clubhead (a first for the JPX line) features a thin chromoly-steel cupface for improved ball speed and tungsten weighting for precise center-of-gravity placement.
A smaller, more controllable iron with less offset and a thinner topline than other JPX925 models.
The sole features a beveled leading edge, high bounce and trailing-edge grind to make entering and exiting the turf easier.
Less weight in the toe helps position the center of gravity—a desirable trait for better players who tend to strike the ball in that location.
The topline is also part of the face forging. Along with internal ribs, this helps deliver a pleasing sound.
Top 5 in Performance, high-handicaps.
SPECS: 7-iron: 28 degrees; PW: 42 degrees
Mizuno
Mizuno Pro 245
$200 per iron
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$200 per iron
This hollow-body iron's face and neck are grain-flow forged from 4135 chromoly-steel through the 8-iron.
Internal tungsten weighting through the 7-iron is 46.4 grams as opposed to 30 grams in last year’s version. This provides more stability on off-center hits.
A new method of laser welding suspends the tungsten in the head, allowing the face to flex more on shots struck low.
The copper underlay assists in delivering a smooth feel.
For those not comfortable hitting long irons, the company’s Pro Fli-Hi hybrid offers a viable alternative.
This model has a more compact blade length and thinner topline than last year’s Mizuno Pro 241.
Top 5 in Performance, low-handicaps.
SPECS: 7-iron: 30 degrees; PW: 43 degrees
Ping
i530
$205 per iron
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$205 per iron
A blade-style, hollow structure and a high-strength maraging-steel face allow for significant bending of the face at impact for extra distance and a higher launch.
An arcing sole cascade helps with the flexing to ensure maximum height that delivers enough stopping power (despite the strong lofts) to hold greens.
Four grams of EVA polymer improve feel and sound without hindering face flexing.
The face and grooves are designed with tighter spacing and a geometry that results in an average of four extra grooves on each iron to improve spin.
A “Hydropearl 2.0” chrome finish combines with the grooves to ensure lower launch angles with high spin rates on the short irons for greater control.
Top 5 in Performance, middle- and high-handicaps.
SPECS: 7-iron: 29 degrees; PW: 42 degrees
PXG
0311 P GEN7
$230 per iron
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$230 per iron
The maraging-steel face is razor thin (.050 of an inch) to maximize face flex.
A new proprietary internal polymer enhances sound and feel.
An internal channel around the hitting area also promotes flexing at impact.
A 20-gram tungsten toe weight positions the center of gravity in the middle of the face and boosts the moment of inertia, helping mitigate ball speed loss on mis-hits.
Each iron is five-times forged from 8620 carbon steel and has a milled back surface that produces a pleasing aesthetic.
A lightweight titanium insert in the back saves five grams that are redistributed to improve forgiveness.
SPECS: 7-iron: 30 degrees; PW: 44 degrees
Titleist
T200
$200 per iron
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$200 per iron
The dual-tapered L-face insert (in which the face wraps around the sole) improves deflection and helps shots maintain a tight dispersion.
The use of tungsten weights allowed for precise center-of-gravity placement to promote a high launch in the low irons and control in the scoring clubs.
A polymer-backed structure is closer to the face for a soft feel.
The sole’s variable bounce makes the T200 play smoother through the turf thanks to a chamfered trailing edge.
A sleek shape, shorter blade length, thin topline and same minimal offset as the T100 enable seamless set blending.
Top 5 in Performance, middle- and high-handicaps.
SPECS: 7-iron: 30.5 degrees; PW: 43 degrees