Equipment

Ping Goes Adjustable! First Looks new Anser Driver & wedge

Published

14 years ago

Jul 9, 2012

GolfWRX

Just off the press GolfWRX has found out that Ping will be bringing the Anser adjustable driver and Tour Wedges w/Gorge grooves to John Deere and the Scottish Open. We have attached pictures of both for you to see below.

ADJUSTABLE ANSER DRIVER – GolfWRX has found out that Ping will be bringing the Anser adjustable driver to tour pros this week. The Anser driver is a 460cc titanium head with a black-matte finish that is adjustable for loft plus or minus 1/2 degree. This is the first time Ping has engineered an adjustable driver. For years Ping saw no value to adjust the specs if properly fitted. It will be interesting to hear why they think there is a reason now. Ping’s credibilitybeign so high will certainly have a good answer for this.

Adjusting the loft will also change the face angle from open to closed. More loft and the more it is closed and conversely less loft will make the face angle open up.

The Anser Driver is flat black just like the 2012 i20 Driver that won the GolfRWX 12′ Editors Choice, 12 GolfWRX Community Choice as well as the Golf Digest Hot List Gold Award. The driver has four “standard” lofts: 8.5, 9.5,10.5 and 12 degrees and is expected to be available to consumers in mid-August. Pricing not available yet.

Click here to see more pics and read the discussion in the forums

TOUR WEDGE – Along with the Driver this week on tour Ping is showcasing the new “Gorge Grooves” which are precision milled at PING’s plant in Phoenix to hold extreme tolerances to maximize the groove’s performance. Unfortunately manufacturing has variation. To positively guarantee you will pass the groove ruling during a competition the manufactures add a little buffer for lack of better words. This buffer while small could make the difference in the balls spin rate during play. Ping says they have capitalized and engineered a way to cut the grooves closer to that rule. In short… more spin and more bite legally!

Higher lofts are offered in three sole options to match swing-style (steep or shallow) and playing conditions (soft, hard, etc.). Expected to hit golf shops by mid-August and pricing was not available.

Click here to see more pics and read the discussion in the forums

Equipment

Best irons 2026: Best irons overall, most forgiving irons, and more

Published

41 mins ago

Jun 8, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

In our effort to assemble the 2026 best irons, we have again compiled an expert panel of fitters to help you find out which of the 2026 irons is optimally suited to your game.

We are not, however, just running it back with the same categories. Instead, we have asked our fitters to shortlist their best irons overall, the best irons for better players, and the most forgiving irons. That’s it. Three categories. We are also featuring all the Best Irons categories in one piece, rather than dedicating an article to each.

We are in the era of not just maximizing distance but also minimizing the penalty of common misses for each player — this applies to irons just as much as it does with any other club in the bag. And of course, proper set makeup and gapping are essential. This is why, now more than ever, custom fitting is essential to help you see results on every swing you make.

Best irons of 2026: The process

The best fitters in the world see all the options available in the marketplace, analyze their performance traits, and pull from their internal databases of knowledge and experience like a supercomputer when they are working with a golfer.

Modern iron sets are designed into player categories that overlap the outdated “what’s your handicap?” model, and at GolfWRX we believe it was important to go beyond handicap and ask specific questions about the most crucial performance elements fitters are looking at.

These are the best iron categories we have developed for 2026.

Best irons overall

Srixon ZXi5

From our launch piece: Srixon developed some new technology and processes to ensure the ZXi line pushed the limits of performance in each iron category. A new forging process and new materials help create strength in the irons while giving better immediate feedback.

Fitter comments:

Immense forgiveness across the face while maintaining consistent ball speeds and reducing flyers. Amazing feel.
If this was a “most underrated iron” survey, the ZXi5 would be #1 by a long shot! Super soft iron that has a lot of forgiveness, is super soft feeling and has the best sole for anyone that is steeper into the turf. This one will win if it is put in the mix. Period.
Best irons for steep players. The v-sole provides effortless turf interaction for steeper players, and the iron helps cut spin for high spin players but provides optimal launch angle. Would recommend to any player with a steep attack angle or out-to-in swing that is looking to get into the Player’s Distance Category.

TaylorMade P790

From our launch piece: The P790 irons feature a forged 4340M face material, which is 20-percent stronger than previous iterations, allowing for a thinner and faster face. The material change contributes to up to a 24-percent larger sweet spot in comparison to the previous P790 model, promoting more consistent distance across the set.

Fitter comments:

A classic that continues to improve and remain dominant in feel, speed, and a more compact look.
Tried and true. Consistently one of the highest performers in all the recent generations. This generation has fixed some of the consistency (flyer) issues. feels great. performance is great.
Best for all golfers.

Titleist T150

From our launch piece: For golfers seeking tour-like feel with added speed and launch, the T150 is the go-to. Slightly larger profile than T100 with stronger lofts. Improved muscle channel for faster ball speeds in mid- to long-ironS. Same VFT and groove enhancements as T100 for consistency across the face. Split tungsten weighting for optimized CG and improved launch.

Fitter comments:

Another Titleist iron that I could have put higher up on the list. The T150 is a much more forgiving iron than the T100, yet you still get the great look of the T100. Really great iron to combo with T100 or even the opposite way and do the T250 at the top and the T150 in the low irons.
Titleist has found a forgiving sweet spot for a players iron that provides amateurs with enough forgiveness without sacrificing all the feel and workability you receive with the T100.
Like most Titleist products, hits all the marks without being to flashy.

Ping i540

From our launch piece: Distance gains come from multiple sources in the i540 iron, including tungsten sole weighting in the 4-7 irons that lowers the center of gravity in design for more ball speed. In addition, the forged, highly flexible maraging-steel C300 face is precisely welded to a 17-4 stainless-steel body, creating metal-wood-like bending in a bid to ensure faster ball speeds with higher max height for more stopping power.

Fitter comments:

This has been one of the longest clubs since it’s arrival in the players distance category. It is hard to find anything close to it in a similar size.
The biggest surprise of this year’s releases. Ping manages to fix the feel, sound, weak spin, and inconsistent performance areas that their prior irons have suffered from. The i540 really gives category giants like the P790 a run for it’s money.
Consistent, fly high, not too low spin. Great all around iron for mid handicappers or combo sets.

Mizuno Pro M-13

From our launch piece: Leading edge bevel provides a sharp leading edge with a high bounce surface, designed for ease of entering the turf without digging. In addition, the trailing edge bevel reduces turf drag as the head passes through the turf.

Fitter comments:

Feel amazing, ball speeds are great, distance and trajectory are phenomenal.
Better players with great feel. Really great follow up to the 243. Sleeker look with great performance.
Mizuno consistently makes solid irons, and this is a nice, traditionally eye-appealing golf club for better players.

Best irons for better players

Srixon ZXi7

From our launch piece: For the ZXi7 irons Srixon knows the focus is on pure strikes, precision distances, and workability. PureFrame is forged behind the sweet spot to help strengthen that section, reducing unwanted vibration and giving the golfer that soft and solid feel.

Fitter comments:

Packing feel and aesthetic with a dash of forgiveness that is not too intimidating to look at. Blends look great.
Srixon just keeps hitting it out of the park with this model. Consistent Endo forged greatness! Smallish profile fits the eye and penetrating ball flight with great balls speed and control.
The V-sole technology continues to deliver excellent performance and turf interaction in this generation of Srixon iron.

Titleist T100

From our launch piece: The updated T100 continues its reign as the most played iron on the PGA Tour. Designed for elite ball-strikers, T100 features, Forged, multi-material construction with a compact, tour-preferred profile, New muscle channel in the 3- and 4-irons for higher launch and better gapping. Variable Face Thickness (VFT) in long irons for more speed across the face. Aggressive grooves in the mid- to short-irons for more consistent spin, even from the rough. A traditional cavity back with a little bit of forgiveness works for a lot of players, even better players looking for a higher ball flight.

Fitter comments

A traditional cavity back with a little bit of forgiveness works for a lot of players, even better players looking for a higher ball flight.
Extreme control over the ball with excellent feel, and the right amount of forgiveness even for lower handicaps.
The T100 is just a great iron for anyone that is in that better player category. It combines look, feel, and proper spin rates leading to steeper land angles.

Titleist T150

From our launch piece: Golfers seeking tour-like feel with added speed and launch, the T150 is the go-to. Slightly larger profile than T100 with stronger lofts. Improved muscle channel for faster ball speeds in mid- to long-iron. Same VFT and groove enhancements as T100 for consistency across the face. Split tungsten weighting for optimized CG and improved launch

Fitter comments:

Provides forgiveness, while maintaining workability and feel.
For those who are not fearful of the more blade-oriented shape, the T150 is incredibly rewarding. Great feel. Great forgiveness.
Best blend of workability and forgiveness.

Callaway X Forged

From our launch piece: Crafted from a single piece of 1020 Carbon steel, the X Forged irons are designed to deliver the crisp sound and soft feel that discerning players seek. Targeted for professionals and elite ball strikers, the irons feature a streamlined cavity back, compact profile, minimal offset, and a thin topline.

Fitter comments:

Solid forged goodness! Nice ‘mid’ look with smaller footprint. Enough cavity to be forgiving but the essence of player iron just oozes from everywhere.
Callaway finally improved on their 2018 version of this iron. This is a soft, sweet feeling iron and gives the player great turf interaction with the pre ground leading edge.
Amazing look and feel with excellent performance.

Mizuno Pro M-13

Fitter comments:

Mizuno, again, just knows how to make irons. The amazing feel is complemented by the look and the performance. Great grind on the leading edge allowing for better turf interaction.
Nothing feels like a Mizuno. You know what you’re getting. Predictable flight, spin and control. Blends well.
Looks and feels like a Mizuno with better ball speed than previous generations.

Most forgiving irons

Mizuno JPX Hot Metal HL

From our launch piece: Mizuno’s latest iteration of its technology-packed JPX iron series continues the company’s history of questioning and innovation by incorporating, for the first time, multi-material construction in the JPX family. Engineers use nickel chromoly and strategically positioned tungsten across the lineup for higher launch and steeper angles of descent.

Fitter comments:

Great Mizuno feel with the performance for the person that doesn’t hit the ball as high. Makes it easy to launch but doesn’t sacrifice on the ball speed.
Great feeling club, super forgiving, launches to the moon with spin in a confidence inspiring profile without excessive size.
One of the best feeling in the high launch category.

TaylorMade Qi Max HL

From our launch piece: “Per TaylorMade, through extensive testing, engineers were able to deduce that the faces in most game improvement irons flex more on the toe at impact than anywhere else on the face. The result is unwanted fade bias that sees golfers losing too many shots to the right (for right-handed players). To counteract this tendency, the faces in Qi Max and Qi Max HL irons are designed to flex in unison and reduce cut spin for shots that stay online.”

Fitter comments:

A good forgiving large iron with very high flight.
Really good mix of ball speed and height for the player that doesn’t mind a bigger, thicker head. Tons of forgiveness.
Players looking for height this is the club.

Srixon ZXiR HL

From our launch piece: Per TaylorMade, through extensive testing, engineers were able to deduce that the faces in most game improvement irons flex more on the toe at impact than anywhere else on the face. The result is unwanted fade bias that sees golfers losing too many shots to the right (for right-handed players). To counteract this tendency, the faces in Qi Max and Qi Max HL irons are designed to flex in unison and reduce cut spin for shots that stay online.

Fitter comments:

The ZXIR HL launches the ball significantly higher than traditional game improvement irons while maintaining a high amount of ball speed. It uses it’s V-sole to help guide players through the turf.
Best addition to this category in years. Gret look and feel that Srixon is known for. Numbers are incredible.
This has been a phenomenal club for the person that isn’t launching the ball or getting any distance from their shots. Great for the person that hits down a good bit.

Titleist T250 Launch Spec

From our launch piece: An upgrade from the outgoing T200, the T250 introduces a sharper, all-steel look while packing in powerful tech. Forged L-Face insert and Max Impact 2.0 for explosive speed with control. V-Taper design and lower CG promote high launch and consistency. Split tungsten weighting enhances forgiveness and stability. Slightly thicker topline and wider sole offer added confidence at address.

Fitter comments:

All of the great stuff about the the T250 with the higher loft to help with peak heights.
A player oriented look, with traditional lofting and exceptional forgiveness.
Higher lofted launch spec irons are great for chasing that extra bit of height for a proper, functional ball flight.

Titleist T350

From our launch piece: Built for maximum forgiveness and distance, the T350 offers. All-steel construction with a clean, premium look. L-Face with multi-zone VFT for ultra-fast ball speeds. Deeper CG and high-density tungsten weighting for higher launch. Max Impact 2.0 and progressive grooves for better consistency from all lies.

Fitter comments: