Equipment
In Search Of The Ideal Trajectory
![Callaway-Epic-Srixon-Z965-Taylormade-P750-Titleist-C16-tout.jpg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2017/05/24/5925d399cab2c976997af3c7_Callaway-Epic-Srixon-Z965-Taylormade-P750-Titleist-C16-tout.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.690.suffix/1573314448546.jpeg)
Photos by Ryan Zimmerman
Most players prefer irons that make it easy to get the ball in the air. A high ball flight lets you carry those bunkers, and a steep landing angle keeps the ball on the green. Using a Foresight Sports GC2 launch monitor, we found a correlation between an iron's sole width and the maximum height of its shots: Wider equals higher. For some golfers, a 6-iron that's an inch or more wide in the center of the sole flew up to 25 feet higher than irons with soles three-quarters of an inch wide or less. To launch it high without a wide sole, look for irons with low internal weighting (like tungsten) and a flexible face that's a separate piece from the body. Don't need more height? Try one-piece irons with thicker faces—the compact, muscle-back, narrow-sole designs found in PGA Tour bags. Here are four new irons. Choose your trajectory wisely.
![Irons-Callaway-Epic.jpg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2017/05/24/5925d30f332eb677d3134793_Irons-Callaway-Epic.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.644.suffix/1573314429060.jpeg)
CALLAWAY EPIC
An exoskeletal structure in the back supports a very thin cupface, and an internal tungsten weight launches long irons high and controls short irons.
PRICE: $2,000
![Irons-Srixon-Z965.jpg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2017/05/24/5925d30e332eb677d3134791_Irons-Srixon-Z965.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.644.suffix/1573314413047.jpeg)
SRIXON Z 965
Forgiveness in a muscle-back design? Yes. Subtle angles and less material in the sole help the club move cleanly through the ground.
PRICE: $1,100
![Irons-Taylormade-P750-Tour-Proto.jpg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2017/05/24/5925d391dbdd8474290f5edb_Irons-Taylormade-P750-Tour-Proto.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.644.suffix/1573314442146.jpeg)
TAYLORMADE P750 TOUR PROTO
This compact forged design has tungsten in the sole of the 3- through 7-iron to give even the best players optimal trajectory.
PRICE:$1,600
![Irons-Titleist-C16.jpg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2017/05/24/5925d30e842146086a1ca3dc_Irons-Titleist-C16.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.644.suffix/1573314440546.jpeg)
TITLEIST C16
The extra tungsten weighting (the most in Titleist's line) works with a steel wraparound cupface for more height and distance.
PRICE: $2,700