Price
$200 per iron
Srixon ZXi5
Price
$200 per iron
1 / 3
2 / 3
matt martian photography
3 / 3
Why We Like It
- A condensed forging process allows for a localized hardening of the steel from the high toe and along the topline to optimize durability and feel.
- The face features a variable-thickness pattern of internal grooves and channels, bolstering ball speed.
- Use of a heat treatment makes the face softer and provides durability.
- The 3- through 7-irons have wider grooves to enhance spin across a larger area of the face, and the short irons feature grooves that are deeper and closer together to maximize spin on short-iron impacts.
- Srixon’s venerable V-sole design uses a combination of sole width, notches and bounce to promote a smooth glide through the grass.
- Top 5 in Performance, low-handicaps
- SPECS: 7-iron: 31 degrees; PW: 44 degrees
what our testers said
handicap
- all
- low
- mid
- high
COMMENT SUMMARY
Hot List testers noted a soft, forged feel with high, straight ballflight and exceptional turf interaction—shaved bounce and a refined sole delivered clean divot contact and consistent mid-to-high trajectories. Reviewers applauded toe forgiveness, tight dispersion, strong workability (high/low, draw/fade), and a sleek, players-style head that still feels forgiving; center strikes jumped off the face and yielded modest extra long-iron carry. One downside: the sweet spot can play small for some, producing shorter shots on off-center hits.
Summaries generated from tester comments with the assistance of AI.
COMMENT SUMMARY
Hot List panelists observed a sleek, players-style profile with a smaller head and thinner topline, delivering a soft, forged impact sensation and excellent feedback. Clubs produced high-launching, straight ballflight with solid ball speed—often adding 5–10 yards in the longer irons—while remaining mid‑flight and very easy to hit. The sole and reduced edge bounce improved turf interaction, letting the club “hug” the turf through soft lies. One tester, however, described an unexpectedly firm feel even on center strikes.
Summaries generated from tester comments with the assistance of AI.
COMMENT SUMMARY
Hot List panelists observed exceptional turf interaction — the head moves through turf smoothly, enabling shots out of divots and consistent ball speed. Reviewers praised its soft, muted impact, attractive chrome/cavity shaping, strong workability (high, low, draw, fade) and forgiving off‑center performance with tight dispersion. Feel and launch feel premium. One downside: several found the sweet spot a touch small.
Summaries generated from tester comments with the assistance of AI.
COMMENT SUMMARY
Summaries generated from tester comments with the assistance of AI.
Matt
28, Handicap 7
2 years testing
I could hit any type of shot I wanted with it—high, low, draw, fade, etc. I really couldn't ask it to behave any better than it was. I can feel the compression. I know I'm hitting a good shot.
Alan
31, Handicap 3
2 years testing
Some of these bigger irons can float a little too high and go too far, but this club consistently delivers a mid-flighted ball. The bounce has a little shaved off the edges, and I think that helps with the turf interaction. It moves through the soft turf better than any other club I've hit today.
Thomas
61, Handicap 7
10+ years testing
It was harder to hit than most in this category. These felt good when I hit it in the center, but the sweet spot seemed a little too small for me. My good shots were also a little shorter than average.
Anand
44, Handicap 6
10+ years testing
The turf interaction is what separates this club. It's unreal in the sense that I feel like I can hit the ball out of a divot all day long, without any issues in terms of launching the ball. I hit my longest 5-iron of the day—a 197-yard carry with 127 mph ball speed—with this club. That's ridiculous for me! I can control every trajectory without overthinking.
BK
42, Handicap 2
10+ years testing
High-launching, straight missiles. Who doesn't want that?
SEE ALL (20)
Matt
28, Handicap 7
2 years testing
I could hit any type of shot I wanted with it—high, low, draw, fade, etc. I really couldn't ask it to behave any better than it was. I can feel the compression. I know I'm hitting a good shot.
Alan
31, Handicap 3
2 years testing
Some of these bigger irons can float a little too high and go too far, but this club consistently delivers a mid-flighted ball. The bounce has a little shaved off the edges, and I think that helps with the turf interaction. It moves through the soft turf better than any other club I've hit today.
Thomas
61, Handicap 7
10+ years testing
It was harder to hit than most in this category. These felt good when I hit it in the center, but the sweet spot seemed a little too small for me. My good shots were also a little shorter than average.
Anand
44, Handicap 6
10+ years testing
The turf interaction is what separates this club. It's unreal in the sense that I feel like I can hit the ball out of a divot all day long, without any issues in terms of launching the ball. I hit my longest 5-iron of the day—a 197-yard carry with 127 mph ball speed—with this club. That's ridiculous for me! I can control every trajectory without overthinking.
BK
42, Handicap 2
10+ years testing
High-launching, straight missiles. Who doesn't want that?
Wayne
61, Handicap 7
3 years testing
One of my favorite clubs, with a nice combination of both performance and forgiveness. Shots that weren't hit in the middle or came out thin still traveled nearly as far as those off the sweet spot. The ball jumps off the face on center hits.
Ricky
47, Handicap 0
10+ years testing
I like the smaller head and thinner topline on these. The feel was hard, even on center hits.
Alejandra
27, Handicap 6
5 years testing
I could put this in my bag right away. It was very easy to swing and rewarding. Outstanding distance and height. A 10 out of 10.
Jack
36, Handicap 1
3 years testing
Beautiful, sleek design, more like a players iron. It does not look like a players distance iron whatsoever. I love the feeling of the sole cutting through the turf. It doesn't go digging, but it also doesn't bounce above the turf. It kind of hugs the turf. Great feedback with this club, too.
Skylar
27, Handicap 7
3 years testing
These clubs do a million things at once in terms of correcting. I could hit off the toe, the hosel or the bottom of the face, and my shots still panned out well. Super angular and aerodynamic looking on the back.
Wesley
31, Handicap 4
3 years testing
I really love the sensation at impact for a non-blade iron. You definitely get a soft, forged feeling. The ball flies off with some pretty good velocity, too. I didn't see a huge uptick in distance, but this one definitely gave me five to 10 more yards in the longer irons.
Jamie
52, Handicap 7
3 years testing
This club was very easy to hit in any trajectory. No problems from any top of lie. The club gets to the ball with good energy, and it's a very soft, muted touch at impact. Distance is mediocre, but it is outstanding in every other aspect.
Sean
54, Handicap 6
9 years testing
I hit it really well. Ample distance, and the dispersion wasn't too big. Good trajectory.
Paul
64, Handicap 6
10+ years testing
Turf interaction was above average. It moved through the turf without too much hesitation, which allowed me to keep up the ball speed. Very light, smooth. Even my mis-hits all felt the same.
Megan
40, Handicap 0
2 years testing
A really solid club. I felt very confident over the ball, probably because it was so easy to hit, and it was getting great distance as well.
Andrew
40, Handicap 8
1 year testing
It has a nice chrome look to it with some angles. Looks fairly durable and has some meat behind it. My mis-hits were forgiving in terms of both distance and direction. Even my terrible swings were mostly on target.
Jason
49, Handicap 0
10+ years testing
Probably the softest irons I've hit so far, and the best feeling. The only reason I didn't grade them the highest is I wasn't quite getting the distance I got from some of the others.
Chris
60, Handicap 8
1 year testing
A really strong performing iron across the board. The workability is good in both directions, and there's very little negative feedback in the hands on off-center strikes. The only downside is it's not the longest of irons out there.
Peter
58, Handicap 8
10+ years testing
I really like the head shape. Beautiful cavity, not too thin a topline. It's very inviting. It's got a good, luscious feel to it when you hit the ball in the center of the clubface. Toe shots still go straight. Not a lot of visible difference in distance, but you do lose some.
Robert
29, Handicap +2
2 years testing
A considerably firmer iron here up through the bag. I did get a bit more distance from the 7-iron. Flew about five to 10 yards farther without being obnoxiously longer.
Matt
28, Handicap 7
2 years testing
I could hit any type of shot I wanted with it—high, low, draw, fade, etc. I really couldn't ask it to behave any better than it was. I can feel the compression. I know I'm hitting a good shot.
Thomas
61, Handicap 7
10+ years testing
It was harder to hit than most in this category. These felt good when I hit it in the center, but the sweet spot seemed a little too small for me. My good shots were also a little shorter than average.
Anand
44, Handicap 6
10+ years testing
The turf interaction is what separates this club. It's unreal in the sense that I feel like I can hit the ball out of a divot all day long, without any issues in terms of launching the ball. I hit my longest 5-iron of the day—a 197-yard carry with 127 mph ball speed—with this club. That's ridiculous for me! I can control every trajectory without overthinking.
Wayne
61, Handicap 7
3 years testing
One of my favorite clubs, with a nice combination of both performance and forgiveness. Shots that weren't hit in the middle or came out thin still traveled nearly as far as those off the sweet spot. The ball jumps off the face on center hits.
Alejandra
27, Handicap 6
5 years testing
I could put this in my bag right away. It was very easy to swing and rewarding. Outstanding distance and height. A 10 out of 10.
Skylar
27, Handicap 7
3 years testing
These clubs do a million things at once in terms of correcting. I could hit off the toe, the hosel or the bottom of the face, and my shots still panned out well. Super angular and aerodynamic looking on the back.
Jamie
52, Handicap 7
3 years testing
This club was very easy to hit in any trajectory. No problems from any top of lie. The club gets to the ball with good energy, and it's a very soft, muted touch at impact. Distance is mediocre, but it is outstanding in every other aspect.
Sean
54, Handicap 6
9 years testing
I hit it really well. Ample distance, and the dispersion wasn't too big. Good trajectory.
Paul
64, Handicap 6
10+ years testing
Turf interaction was above average. It moved through the turf without too much hesitation, which allowed me to keep up the ball speed. Very light, smooth. Even my mis-hits all felt the same.
Andrew
40, Handicap 8
1 year testing
It has a nice chrome look to it with some angles. Looks fairly durable and has some meat behind it. My mis-hits were forgiving in terms of both distance and direction. Even my terrible swings were mostly on target.
Chris
60, Handicap 8
1 year testing
A really strong performing iron across the board. The workability is good in both directions, and there's very little negative feedback in the hands on off-center strikes. The only downside is it's not the longest of irons out there.
Peter
58, Handicap 8
10+ years testing
I really like the head shape. Beautiful cavity, not too thin a topline. It's very inviting. It's got a good, luscious feel to it when you hit the ball in the center of the clubface. Toe shots still go straight. Not a lot of visible difference in distance, but you do lose some.
Alan
31, Handicap 3
2 years testing
Some of these bigger irons can float a little too high and go too far, but this club consistently delivers a mid-flighted ball. The bounce has a little shaved off the edges, and I think that helps with the turf interaction. It moves through the soft turf better than any other club I've hit today.
BK
42, Handicap 2
10+ years testing
High-launching, straight missiles. Who doesn't want that?
Ricky
47, Handicap 0
10+ years testing
I like the smaller head and thinner topline on these. The feel was hard, even on center hits.
Jack
36, Handicap 1
3 years testing
Beautiful, sleek design, more like a players iron. It does not look like a players distance iron whatsoever. I love the feeling of the sole cutting through the turf. It doesn't go digging, but it also doesn't bounce above the turf. It kind of hugs the turf. Great feedback with this club, too.
Wesley
31, Handicap 4
3 years testing
I really love the sensation at impact for a non-blade iron. You definitely get a soft, forged feeling. The ball flies off with some pretty good velocity, too. I didn't see a huge uptick in distance, but this one definitely gave me five to 10 more yards in the longer irons.
Megan
40, Handicap 0
2 years testing
A really solid club. I felt very confident over the ball, probably because it was so easy to hit, and it was getting great distance as well.
Jason
49, Handicap 0
10+ years testing
Probably the softest irons I've hit so far, and the best feeling. The only reason I didn't grade them the highest is I wasn't quite getting the distance I got from some of the others.
Robert
29, Handicap +2
2 years testing
A considerably firmer iron here up through the bag. I did get a bit more distance from the 7-iron. Flew about five to 10 yards farther without being obnoxiously longer.
NO REVIEWS
There are no tester reviews here.
Range Results
We tracked 20,000 shots through player testing and then had them analyzed by our team of scientists. These graphics reflect the relative performance our players saw for each club in the category.
A Skeptic’s Guide To New Golf Equipment
Featured In
Related Clubs
1 / 11
Callaway
Apex Ai200
$207 per iron
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$207 per iron
The forged hollow-body head and forged 455-stainless-steel face wrap around the top and sole to create impressive face flex through the 8-iron.
Callaway used AI to analyze average-golfer swing data to design its “AI Smart Face” with the goal of tighter dispersion and greater distance.
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.
2 / 11
Callaway
Apex Ti Fusion
$358 per iron
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$358 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.
3 / 11
Mizuno
JPX925 Hot Metal Pro
$165 per iron
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$165 per iron
The multi-material clubhead features a thin chromoly-steel cupface for improved ball speed and tungsten weighting for precise center-of-gravity placement.
This is 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 a trailing-edge grind to make entering and exiting the turf easier.
4 / 11
Mizuno
Mizuno Pro M-15
$215 per iron
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$215 per iron
The integrated set design features grain-flow forged 4135+ chromoly steel faces and necks with a 431-stainless-steel back part on the 4- through 8-irons.
All irons in the set are hollow. The 4- through 7-irons feature a heavy tungsten back weight (more than 50 grams) to foster a higher launch.
Having the tungsten weight suspended in the lower part of the club allows for easier face flex in the lower portion of the face.
5 / 11
TaylorMade
P·790
$200 per iron
|
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 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.
6 / 11
Titleist
T250 / T250*
$215 per iron
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$215 per iron
A forged L-face wraps around the sole to enhance rebound, particularly on shots hit low on the face.
The L-face also helps foster launch on off-center and low-face strikes to promote consistent distance and peak heights.
The T250 provides a cleaner look than the T200 it replaces, especially on the back. This was achieved by incorporating the company’s max-impact technology within the all-steel construction.
7 / 11
Cobra
King Tec
$186 per iron
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$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-irons is positioned so that the center of gravity is more in line with the center of the face.
The five-step forging process and softer foam create a deeper sound that appeals to better players.
8 / 11
Mizuno
JPX925 Forged
$215 per iron
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$215 per iron
9 / 11
Ping
i540
$235
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$235
An “air bag” inside the clubhead directly behind the center of the face enhances sound and feel without restricting face bend.
An average of 24 grams of tungsten weighting is used in the 4- through 7-irons along the sole to lower the center of gravity for a higher launch angle.
The maraging-steel face is 9 percent thinner than the i530. This creates metal-wood-like flex for ball-speed gains and more height.
10 / 11
PXG
0311 P GEN8
$230 per iron
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$230 per iron
The dual weighting system repositions 11 grams from the center of the head to the perimeter, increasing the moment of inertia to minimize ball-speed loss on mis-hits.
The body is made from soft 8620 carbon steel and is five-times forged to accommodate the club’s complex inside geometry.
An ultra-thin maraging-steel face is .05 of an inch at its thinnest, producing plenty of rebound at impact.
11 / 11
Wilson
Staff Model XB
$230 per iron
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$230 per iron
Wilson ran more than 4,000 face-optimization profiles across five impact locations before deciding on three: one for the 2- through 5-irons; another for the 6-through 8-irons and one for the rest of the set.
The hollow-body construction allows for tungsten in the 2- through 7-irons (19 to 27 grams) to be positioned in the low toe area to raise stability.
Urethane was injected into the internal cavity to reduce vibrations at impact to enhance sound and feel.