Everything You Need to Know to Select the Correct Irons for Your Game
By Ryan Gager
So you’re thinking about getting new irons? Great! You’ve come to the right place. GOLFTEC’s Brad Skupaka is here to review three of the top performing irons for mid-handicap players in this edition of Club Explorers. We think of mid-handicappers as those with a 15 to 22 handicap index.
It’s no secret that a majority of golfers could benefit from a little more technology in their clubs, especially irons, and golf club manufacturers have you covered with a variety of options. Gone are the days of chunky clubs with an enormous and sometimes distracting amount of offset. Today, golfers can find forgiving clubs in a sleek design that nearly resemble the clubs that pros carry in their bags. All clubs in this category will have some offset, so they will be catered to those who fight a fade or slice.
Without further ado, let’s get to the irons and their list of benefits that will have you playing your best! And as always, be sure to head to your local GOLFTEC and work with one of our Coaches to try out the various irons and find the one that’s best for you and your game!
Callaway Rogue ST Max
One of Brad’s favorites in this category and an iron that we have seen perform extremely well is the Callaway Rogue ST Max.
These irons have the strongest lofts of the three models in this lineup with the 7-iron coming in at 27.5 degrees of loft. However, Callaway has added tungsten weight to the rear of the sole to create a high launch and low spin for maximum distance while still providing stopping power on the greens.
The sole width of the Callaway Rogue ST Max is in the mid category, placing it in between the other two models, so it offers a nice blend of forgiveness and playability. These irons also have the most camber (curve on the sole) which helps to prevent digging. So if you tend to hit shots fat, this could be the solution for you!
TaylorMade Stealth
Next up is the TaylorMade Stealth irons, which features hollow body construction with a polymer filling, giving these clubs the feeling of a one-piece club.
TaylorMade also continued with a feature we have seen for a few years now, with the Thru-slot speed pocket on the bottom of the club which helps maximize face flexibility for increased speed and adding forgiveness for mis-hits low on the face.
The Stealth features a slightly wider sole than the Rogue ST Max, however, there is almost no camber. The wider sole will help prevent digging, while the flat bottom of the club will allow cutting through some rough.
Mizuno JPX921 Hot Metal
And last, but not least is an offering from the always popular, Mizuno. They are known for making some of the best irons in the world and the Mizuno JPX921 won’t disappoint.
Like other models in this category, Mizuno brings some technology to help increase ball speeds, they call theirs Chromoly Construction. The JPX921 also has a wide sole, similar to the Rogue ST and Stealth. The sole of the JPX921 does have a grind on the trail edge making it look slightly narrower than the others. Because of this, the JPX921 might be the least forgiving of the three on fat shots. However, it is still a very forgiving club overall.
The JPX921 also has the least amount of offset compared to the other two irons in this category. So, if you don’t fight a slice or you simply just have a slight fade, this club might be perfect for you.
There are many of great irons out there, including these three featured and others that we haven’t featured. By the time you consider which shaft and club head combination would work best for you, the options are seemingly endless. You might be asking, “How do I know which irons are right for me?” The easy answer is to get a custom club fitting at GOLFTEC and work with a certified Coach who can quickly fit you into the perfect set of irons to fit your game.
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