Equipment
GolfWRX Members Choice: The best blade irons of 2018
We asked GolfWRX members for their three selections for best blade irons of 2018 based on their testing of the forged offerings from 17 different manufacturers.
And as all forum members generate in excess of 120 mph clubhead speed and need to carve the ball to tucked pins, blades are the only choice, so the data set is sure to be solid (kidding!). But really, WRX members are both discerning and carry handicaps lower than the general golfing population, so OEMs ought to (and do) take note of their feedback.
With the votes tallied, it’s time to take a look at the top-five vote getters of the bunch. And many thanks to all who voted! (See the thread here)
No. 5: Srixon Z 965 (8.19%)
The better player’s weapon from Srixon’s Z-65 lineup, Srixon’s Z 965 beat out some bigger name blades. Building on the popular Z 945, the 1020 carbon steel 945 irons feature V.T. Soles for improved turf interaction and five percent larger grooves.
Check out our review of the Z 965 here.
No. 4: TaylorMade P730 (10.43%)
TaylorMade’s successor to the 2014 TP MB iron line was developed in collaboration with TaylorMade staffers, and it looks like GolfWRX members liked the result. Clean, compact,with a smaller blade profile and milled rear channel, the P730 is popular both on Tour and in the forums.
Related: TaylorMade expands forged iron offerings with P730, P790
No. 3: Callaway Apex MB (16.38%)
Another club with a long release cycle, Callaway made the faithful wait for an update to the 2013 Apex MB. These irons have the shortest blade lengths, the thinnest soles and the smallest overall heads in the vast line of Callaway irons. They’re designed for maximum workability, for tour-desired turf interaction, and to cut through the thick rough that tour players face week-in and week-out on Tour, as we wrote in our review last October.
Related: Callaway finally launches Apex MB
No. 2: Titleist 718 MB (17.67%)
A favorite of purists everywhere, Titleist’s traditional-looking 718 MB irons scream “classic,” but the company optimized CG locations for maximum shotmaking possibilities using capabilities that those who first forged similar-looking irons could only have dreamed of. Big and bold “Titleist” stamping was a hit, too.
Related: Titleist 718 MB irons
No. 1: Mizuno MP-18 (27.16%)
Nearly 10 percentage points more preferred than the No. 2 iron, the Mizuno MP-18 is the clear winner. The least forgiving/most workable member of the mix-and-match MP-18 family (MP-18, MP-18 SC, MP-18 MMC, MP-18 MMC Fli-Hi) is immensely popular. The irons are forged from 1025E Pure Select Mild Carbon (a departure from some recent boron offerings), and are smaller than both the MP-4 and MP-5 models. WRX members were particularly drawn to the irons’ simple, clear, classic look.
Related: Mizuno brings the family closer together
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- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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toyzrx
Jun 20, 2018 at 12:02 am
Such as the women in our lives, we’d all be better off with something a little bit chunky and forgiving,
tlmck
Jun 12, 2018 at 3:13 pm
It’s not a muscleback, but I prefer the Maltby TE.
David Floyd
Jun 7, 2018 at 9:50 am
When is a survey going to happen that would be helpful to the majority of consumers?
joro
Jun 8, 2018 at 11:46 am
Good question, and the answer is never. It is all about the tour and scratch players, of which there very few. Fact is todays MB is much more forgiving easy to hit then the ikd days, yet that is all we had and learned to play with until PING came along.
It is past time some of the smaller companies get in on the act also and not just the big ones that spend Millions to convince we should play their clubs.
The dude
Jun 7, 2018 at 9:35 am
Bring back the TN 87’s!!
rex235
Jun 7, 2018 at 12:43 am
Both the Taylor Made P-730s and the Mizuno MP-18s are RH Only.
The 2018 NCAA Champion uses LH Titleist AP2s.
Dave r
Jun 6, 2018 at 3:27 pm
No surprise at all .
SV
Jun 6, 2018 at 8:29 am
I vote for Titleist and Callaway. Being left-handed they are the only two of the five I have access to and it’s not any better with other brands. As a generalization, it seems most manufacturers think left-handers are all hacks and only need SGI clubs.
Thomas A
Jul 6, 2018 at 10:19 am
No, they are just a small enough market to ignore.
S
Jun 6, 2018 at 8:25 am
I’ve been gaming my MP-37 for about 10 years but I would have to go with Apex MB if I was forced to replace mine because they look the closest to MP-37 especially at address. And I miss the M logo… not a huge fan of this new hip younger gen runbird.
DS
Jun 6, 2018 at 9:29 pm
I hate the term ‘gaming’.
Boyo
Jun 7, 2018 at 6:17 am
+1000
The dude
Jun 7, 2018 at 9:33 am
Not when he’s working on his dead arm traj….
Reggie
Jun 8, 2018 at 9:49 am
I hate the term “gaming” too for some reason, but I have to agree that in the lexicon of golf logos, the run bird is a nonsequitur.
Funkaholic
Jun 22, 2018 at 2:18 pm
Settle down Francis
Mick
Jun 5, 2018 at 10:40 pm
Titleist , by far number 1. Just as Webb Simpson !. Wins on tours all over the world, Mizzy is good but not near the wins the Titleist has.
joro
Jun 6, 2018 at 11:29 am
Do you thing that one of the reasons Titleist wins more is because they have 50 players and Mizuno only has a couple ? Could it be ? MBs today are much easier to hit than in the old days, and that is all we had.
Michael H
Jun 6, 2018 at 12:47 pm
Wins would partially be a result of sheer numbers of playing them no?
Brian
Jun 6, 2018 at 1:10 pm
Perhaps because Titleist has nearly 40 guys on staff and Mizuno has, what, two or three?
Dragos Racolta
Jun 6, 2018 at 2:55 pm
Titleist is used more frequently on tour because the players have contracts with Titleist. Mizuno doesn’t pay as much, or as many. However, look at any players without contracts, and most will use Mizuno irons.
Boyo
Jun 7, 2018 at 6:18 am
Professional club ho’s don’t count.
Funkaholic
Jun 22, 2018 at 2:21 pm
This is just a stupid comment, I know a couple of club makers on the tour and even they will tell you there is nothing like a Mizuno forging. Taylormade has far more divers on tour than anyone so they have the most wins, it is a meaningless metric.
Dan
Jun 5, 2018 at 6:20 pm
I hit them all and still prefer my MP 29’s
shawn
Jun 5, 2018 at 3:12 pm
What about all those hollow blades filled with jello… and those with skrews allover the heads? They look like ‘blade’ irons too.
3offthetee
Jun 6, 2018 at 11:43 am
Troll much?
Mower
Jun 16, 2018 at 6:52 pm
Made by Tonka? ;-P
Jeff Smythe
Jun 5, 2018 at 2:39 pm
At the end of the day – how much difference is there between all these and and the Nike blades of the late 90s & early 2000s – (VRs, VR red, TW VRs etc) and each other ? (gotta love frequent reference to “sole redesign for optimum turf interaction” – is Terry Koehler silently laughing?)
Justin
Jun 5, 2018 at 10:25 pm
Jeff – I doubt it, but I hope he is. . . his Fort Worth 15’s are exceptional clubs and are a whole lot more fun to play than the MP18’s
Bill Wood
Jun 6, 2018 at 12:16 pm
Jeff – there’s just so little difference in the top 3. The Titleist really does remind me of the design a decade ago. In fact I’d be hard pressed to tell the difference, other than the large Titleist logo on the back.
Scott Longmore
Jun 5, 2018 at 2:06 pm
I have the MP18’s and love them. I love the clean look and great feel of them.
Jeff
Jun 5, 2018 at 2:01 pm
I think the Cobra MB should be in this mix also, very solid club blew the Titleist and Srixon out of the water.
Shaker
Jun 5, 2018 at 1:37 pm
Tested all and mizuno was dead last. Mp-18s way overrated. Surprisingly the Apexs were tied for top with the srixons. I play miura professionals so i know what im talking about.
HAHA
Jun 5, 2018 at 3:30 pm
“I play miura professionals so i know what im talking about”… do you realize how stupid that sounds?
Realist
Jun 5, 2018 at 8:28 pm
Cuz any guy playing miuras is wayyy better than someone else. Get over yourself
Quit the BS
Jun 5, 2018 at 8:50 pm
Exactly! Shaker you play Miuras so your opinion is supposedly more reputable than those that don’t?! Are you for real!? I play Miuras too and the Mizuno MP-18’s are definitely phenomenal and in my opinion tops of this list. Unreal the arrogance of some people. And I must know what I’m talking about too because of what I play…
Mizzle Fizzle
Jun 5, 2018 at 11:27 pm
At this point it’s not even… oh whatever.
joro
Jun 6, 2018 at 11:32 am
Just curious, but just what do you know about clubs, design, what makes them work, weights, shafts, etc. Please tell us.
Nigel Kent
Jun 12, 2018 at 2:26 pm
I play Miuras too , and sometimes I can break 140 .
Travis
Jun 5, 2018 at 10:12 am
I would’ve put P730 and Cally’s far ahead of the Mizuno blades. I think Mizuno’s MP18 are one of their worst blade design so far, but clearly I’m in the minority there…
2putttom
Jun 5, 2018 at 11:13 am
not in the minority . 14 days, 198 votes cast out of thousands of wrxer’s. In that time period MP 18 got 27% of 17 choices.
Realist
Jun 12, 2018 at 11:12 pm
Agreed….but 730’s, really? Come on guy…get over the hype.
Woody
Jun 4, 2018 at 8:15 pm
What a snoozer list..might as well be a billboard ad.
James
Jun 4, 2018 at 7:54 pm
I would put Titleist at 5 and move the others up one. Mizuno is the real winner I think.
larrybud
Jun 5, 2018 at 9:17 am
You realize the results are based on player’s rankings, right?