Price
$200 per iron
Srixon ZXi7
Price
$200 per iron
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matt martian photography
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Why We Like It
- A proprietary forging process adds strength in the hosel area, allowing for the use of a softer steel for optimal feel.
- Mass behind the hitting area reduces face flex for tour-like distance control.
- The venerable Tour V.T. sole design helps turn fat shots into acceptable hits.
- The 8-iron through gap wedge have deeper grooves spaced more closely together for Velcro-like grab on approach shots.
- Laser milling between each groove delivers additional bite.
- Top 5 in Performance, middle-handicaps
- SPECS: 7-iron: 32 degrees; PW: 46 degrees
what our testers said
handicap
- all
- low
- mid
- high
COMMENT SUMMARY
Hot List testers noted the iron's standout sole design, which drops off the trailing edge so it moves through turf like a thinner sole and tolerates forward/back shaft lean without digging. It delivers a true forged, soft feel while launching ball speed and consistent flight; even low-groove strikes produced strong results. The slightly thicker top edge and head shape inspire confidence and preserve distance on toe/heel mis-hits (often only 2–3 yards lost). One minor criticism: a few found the impact feel a touch firm or clunky.
Summaries generated from tester comments with the assistance of AI.
COMMENT SUMMARY
Summaries generated from tester comments with the assistance of AI.
COMMENT SUMMARY
Summaries generated from tester comments with the assistance of AI.
COMMENT SUMMARY
Summaries generated from tester comments with the assistance of AI.
Megan
40, Handicap 0
2 years testing
A highly forgiving players iron. When you mis-hit it, there's nothing negative or painful about the results.
Wesley
31, Handicap 4
3 years testing
The main thing I like about these is the sole design. There's a drop-off in the trailing edge that reduces the surface area that interacts with the turf. So, they feel very sharp and fast through the ground. Even though it looks thick and is forgiving, it interacts with the turf like a thinner sole.
Alan
31, Handicap 3
2 years testing
Moves through the turf well, but it feels a little clunky off the face. There's a little bit shaved off the edges of the sole, so I think the turf interaction is among the best in this category. But the feel is firm and clunky off the face, not the softer metal feel you want in a players iron.
Jack
36, Handicap 1
3 years testing
Of the players irons I tested, this has one of the thicker top edges, but it's still a beautiful, sleek-looking club, and that instills confidence over the ball. You know that it has a little bit more meat behind it, which helps on off-center hits. Toe and heel shots seemed to only lose two to three yards.
Ricky
47, Handicap 0
10+ years testing
The performance is a lot better than the sound. It sounds heavy, but the ball was still getting out there. Pretty consistent ball flight. Even a groove low produced good results.
SEE ALL (8)
Megan
40, Handicap 0
2 years testing
A highly forgiving players iron. When you mis-hit it, there's nothing negative or painful about the results.
Wesley
31, Handicap 4
3 years testing
The main thing I like about these is the sole design. There's a drop-off in the trailing edge that reduces the surface area that interacts with the turf. So, they feel very sharp and fast through the ground. Even though it looks thick and is forgiving, it interacts with the turf like a thinner sole.
Alan
31, Handicap 3
2 years testing
Moves through the turf well, but it feels a little clunky off the face. There's a little bit shaved off the edges of the sole, so I think the turf interaction is among the best in this category. But the feel is firm and clunky off the face, not the softer metal feel you want in a players iron.
Jack
36, Handicap 1
3 years testing
Of the players irons I tested, this has one of the thicker top edges, but it's still a beautiful, sleek-looking club, and that instills confidence over the ball. You know that it has a little bit more meat behind it, which helps on off-center hits. Toe and heel shots seemed to only lose two to three yards.
Ricky
47, Handicap 0
10+ years testing
The performance is a lot better than the sound. It sounds heavy, but the ball was still getting out there. Pretty consistent ball flight. Even a groove low produced good results.
Robert
29, Handicap +2
2 years testing
There's a little bit less forgiveness in this club than others that we've tested. However, for the player that wants maneuverability and feedback, this is a prime option.
Jason
49, Handicap 0
10+ years testing
The biggest thing about these is the versatility. The unique sole design allows you to lean the shaft forward and back. But if you go square, it doesn't dig. These are the first irons I've hit this year that have a true forged, soft feel, yet the ball's jumping off the club face.
BK
42, Handicap 2
10+ years testing
You get a little bit of forgiveness on mis-hits and more distance than you might expect in a players iron. The head design makes you think you can swing hard.
Megan
40, Handicap 0
2 years testing
A highly forgiving players iron. When you mis-hit it, there's nothing negative or painful about the results.
Wesley
31, Handicap 4
3 years testing
The main thing I like about these is the sole design. There's a drop-off in the trailing edge that reduces the surface area that interacts with the turf. So, they feel very sharp and fast through the ground. Even though it looks thick and is forgiving, it interacts with the turf like a thinner sole.
Alan
31, Handicap 3
2 years testing
Moves through the turf well, but it feels a little clunky off the face. There's a little bit shaved off the edges of the sole, so I think the turf interaction is among the best in this category. But the feel is firm and clunky off the face, not the softer metal feel you want in a players iron.
Jack
36, Handicap 1
3 years testing
Of the players irons I tested, this has one of the thicker top edges, but it's still a beautiful, sleek-looking club, and that instills confidence over the ball. You know that it has a little bit more meat behind it, which helps on off-center hits. Toe and heel shots seemed to only lose two to three yards.
Ricky
47, Handicap 0
10+ years testing
The performance is a lot better than the sound. It sounds heavy, but the ball was still getting out there. Pretty consistent ball flight. Even a groove low produced good results.
Robert
29, Handicap +2
2 years testing
There's a little bit less forgiveness in this club than others that we've tested. However, for the player that wants maneuverability and feedback, this is a prime option.
Jason
49, Handicap 0
10+ years testing
The biggest thing about these is the versatility. The unique sole design allows you to lean the shaft forward and back. But if you go square, it doesn't dig. These are the first irons I've hit this year that have a true forged, soft feel, yet the ball's jumping off the club face.
BK
42, Handicap 2
10+ years testing
You get a little bit of forgiveness on mis-hits and more distance than you might expect in a players iron. The head design makes you think you can swing hard.
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
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