Equipment
Irons: Hot New Picks for 2014
What new irons are getting the most buzz early in 2014, and which ones are testing the best at fitters around the world?
You don’t have to poke around too long in our forums to find out what irons golfers are excited about, and which ones are getting cricket treatment. It’s still too early to tell what will be the winners of our 2014 Editors Choice awards, because some manufacturers still haven’t stocked retailers with heads or full shaft offerings.
That being said, there are some early reports about this year’s performers. Here is a short list of what is hot, and some early recommendations if you’re on the lookout for a new set of irons for 2014.
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Ping S55 Irons
Ping found a way to squeeze a little extra forgiveness and distance out of the new S55 irons. They look almost identical to the S56 irons — we think that’s a good thing — that have over 30 professional victories since fall of 2011. They’re still cast, but many golfers will tell you that these irons feel much better than previous models. Expect the S55 to be a top choice for many, and a contender for Editors’ Choice Iron of the Year.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/148730/review-ping-s55-irons/”]Read More[/button]
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Titleist 714 AP1 and AP2 Irons
Titleist engineers had a very difficult task: improve what many golfers believed to be the leaders in their respective segments. The AP1’s build on their strengths with the game-improvement crowd, giving golfers a set of irons with more distance, forgiveness and a cleaner look. And the changes to new AP2’s set the bar even higher for what just might be the best forged cavity-back irons in golf.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/144023/titleist-714-ap1-and-ap2-irons-editor-review/”]Read More[/button]
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Callaway Apex Pro Irons
The Apex Pro irons are forged from the same 1020 carbon steel as Callaway’s 2013 X Forged irons, but their multi-material construction and new 37WV grooves bring modernity to the former one-piece design. In the long irons, Callaway engineers added high-density tungsten to the soles, which lowers the center of gravity (CG). That accentuates the irons’ CG height progression, a weighting scheme that gives the long irons a lower CG that launches the ball higher, and the short irons a higher CG that launches the ball lower.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/147878/tech-talk-callaway-apex-pro-irons/”]Read More[/button]
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Ping i25 Irons
According to Marty Jertson, director of product development for Ping, the biggest challenge most golfers face is hitting their long irons high enough. That’s why Ping’s new i25 long irons are designed more like to the company’s G-Series irons: they have longer blade lengths, wider soles and more offset, which helps golfers hit them higher, farther and closer to the target line on mishits. The irons also have thinner, more narrowly spaced stability bars in their cavities that make their faces livelier than their predecessors.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/165081/ping-i25-irons/”]Read More[/button]
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TaylorMade SpeedBlade Irons
At address, SpeedBlades are an absolute confidence booster with a thin(ish) top line. They have a great trampoline-like feel when flushed, and mishits won’t punish your joints. The ball flight with the long irons can look down right majestic. These irons are currently testing through the roof for distance and accuracy.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/143879/taylormade-speedblade-irons-editor-review/”]Read More[/button]
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
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 TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
From the seller: (@lasallen): “For sale is a BRNR mini 11.5 deg head only in brand new condition. $325 shipped.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
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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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
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 Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made.
From the seller: (@DLong72): “Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made. ?: $1150. ?? 100% milled collectors item from the limited releases commemorating when Ping putters won every major in 1988 (88 putters made). This was the model Seve Ballesteros used to win the 1988 Open Championship. Condition is brand new, never gamed, everything is in the original packaging as it came. Putter features the iconic sound slot.
Specs/ Additional Details
-100% Milled, Aluminum/Bronze Alloy (310g)
-Original Anser Design
-PING PP58 Grip
-Putter is built to standard specs.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
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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As you probably know by now, Collin Morikawa switched putters after the first round of The Masters, and he ultimately went on to finish T3.
The putter was far from the only change he made last week, however, and his bag is continuing to change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage.
On the range of The Masters, Morikawa worked closely with Adrian Reitveld, TaylorMade’s Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, to find the perfect driver and 3-wood setups.
Morikawa started off 2024 by switching into TaylorMade’s Qi10 Max driver, but since went back to his faithful TaylorMade SIM – yes, the original SIM from 2020. Somehow, some way, it seems Morikawa always ends up back in that driver, which he used to win the 2020 PGA Championship, and the 2021 Open Championship.
At The Masters, however, Rietveld said the duo found the driver head that allowed “zero compromise” on Morikawa’s preferred fade flight and spin. To match his preferences, they landed on a TaylorMade Qi10 LS 9-degree head, and the lie angle is a touch flatter than his former SIM.
“It’s faster than his gamer, and I think what we found is it fits his desired shot shape, with zero compromise” Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the RBC Heritage.
Then, to replace his former SIM rocket 3-wood, Morikawa decided to switch into the TaylorMade Qi10 core model 13.5-degree rocket head, with an adjustable hosel.
“He likes the spin characteristics of that head,” Rietveld said. “Now he’s interesting because with Collin, you can turn up at a tournament, and you look at his 3-wood, and he’s changed the setting. One day there’s more loft on it, one day there’s less loft on it. He’s that type of guy. He’s not scared to use the adjustability of the club.
“And I think he felt our titanium head didn’t spin as low as his original SIM. So we did some work with the other head, just because he liked the feel of it. It was a little high launching, so we fit him into something with less loft. It’s a naughty little piece of equipment.”
In addition to the driver and fairway wood changes, Morikawa also debuted his new “MySymbol” jersey No. 5 TP5x golf ball at The Masters. Morikawa’s choice of symbols is likely tied to his love of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Not enough changes for you? There’s one more.
On Wednesday at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Morikawa was spotted with a new TaylorMade “Proto” 4-iron in the bag. If you recall, it’s the same model that Rory McIlroy debuted at the 2024 Valero Texas Open.
According to Morikawa, the new Proto 4-iron will replace his old P-770 hollow-bodied 4-iron.
“I used to hit my P-770 on a string, but sometimes the distance would be a little unpredictable,” Morikawa told GolfWRX.com. “This one launches a touch higher, and I feel I can predict the distance better. I know Rory replaced his P-760 with it. I’m liking it so far.”
See Morikawa’s full WITB from the 2024 RBC Heritage here.
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Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
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Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
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Collin Morikawa WITB 2024 (April)
Collin Morikawa what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. More photos from the event here. Driver: TaylorMade...
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At the 2022 RBC Heritage Jordan Spieth defeated Patrick Cantlay on the first playoff hole after nearly holing his greenside...
Jason Day WITB 2024 (April)
Jason Day what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Ping G430 LST (9 degrees @10) Shaft: TPT...
Ludvig Åberg WITB 2024 (April)
Ludvig Åberg what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9 degrees, D4 SureFit setting)...
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dwntnbrown
May 18, 2015 at 12:59 pm
if you want the best feeling irons order a set of raven forged iron with aeortech shafts and you will have the best feeling golf club you ever hit
joro
Jun 9, 2014 at 11:21 am
Funny how it is always the same old ones.
Matthew
Feb 25, 2014 at 1:18 pm
what about the Minzuno jpxz forged blade its awesome!!!
Jeff
Feb 17, 2014 at 9:56 am
Best new club is Miura mb-001’s. Buttery and oh so long.
Jon
Mar 20, 2014 at 11:29 am
This article is about cavity backs not blades.
killerbgolfer
Feb 11, 2014 at 11:18 am
anyone got any comparisons between the Titleist AP2s and the PING s55?
Which is more forgiving?
Longer?
Other thoughts?
thanks
James
Mar 29, 2014 at 10:53 pm
Today I hit both the AP2 714 and the S55 today. They were both similar in terms of forgiveness. However, the key factor I noticed was that the S55 although not forged but felt really soft like forged irons. The AP2’s felt soft but not as much as the S55, I was quite surprised? I currently play the. I currently play the Mizuno MP33 and the feel between the S55 and my MP33 were similar. If you want a combination of soft feel and forgiveness, try the Callaway Apex Pro. I was blown away by the performance. I will be replacing my Mizunos with the Apex Pro’s. Hope this helps.
SBoss
Jan 29, 2014 at 12:21 pm
I’ve hit just about every iron (2013/2014) and it came down to two finalists: Callaway Apex Pro and Ping S55. I hit the MP-4, MP-54, all the TaylorMade’s, AP2/AP1, i20/i25, S56, MP-64…
This is very personal and one guy’s favorite might be very different than mine. I chose the S55 in the end and I’m happy that I did, because it’s the best iron I’ve ever hit. It’s a lot longer than I thought it was (longer than S56) and it was amazingly forgiving…while at the same time keeping the smaller profile that I like.
I’m blown away by the S55’s ability to be a club that you can move any direction…while somehow providing enough forgiveness and length.
I didn’t care for the MP-54 (it was chunky and not as forgiving) but somebody else might love it. I spoke to a Mini-Tour player who loves Mizuno (plays MP-64) and he said he’d never consider the MP-4 because it makes no sense to play a club with a sweet spot that small when other clubs were available that were just as easy to move and more forgiving. That’s why he plays MP-64. His view was that the MP-4 was an ego club but the person playing it would be better served with another stick. Again, one player’s opinion.
In the end, it’s best to hit every club and keep an open mind. Personally, I’d play any club manufacturer if I believed it was the best for me. I’m not loyal to anyone, I just want the sticks that I can play the best golf…for me.
Tom
Jan 28, 2014 at 5:10 pm
Read the first and second paragraph’s guy’s.
Suwitcha
Jan 23, 2014 at 1:45 am
I’m not agree on SpeedBlade. I use Ping i20 and then switch to RocketBladez and then speedBlade. Now I go back to Ping i20. SpeedBlade is not much different from previous model. Just new color.
Always a Fan!!
Jan 16, 2014 at 10:48 pm
Mizuno deserves credit… MP4’s are the 2014 offering no matter what date they were released… Good god… Blatant commercialism.
yo!
Jan 15, 2014 at 10:01 pm
Got the big 4 covered
titleist, Callaway, ping, tm
livestrong
Jan 15, 2014 at 11:47 pm
They peg it. I work at a top 5 fitter in the USA and we are seeing the same thing plus the new Cobra Pros. All in the LM numbers.
nik dallos
Jan 15, 2014 at 7:17 pm
Lets face it. Golfwrx is paid off by the big names to push their products. Everything is made in china and is assembled in the states. Show me something thats forged in pittsburg by a guy named joe and then i might buy your product. Till then, ill stick to my VIPs!
livestrong
Jan 15, 2014 at 11:44 pm
That is rubbish. Their sponsors are also Tour Edge, KZG, Fourteen Golf and Scratch golf. I dont see them mentioned. GolfWRX uses top fitters as their source if you did any reading or asked around. Read how they vote in the footer and go talk to them.
Januany
Jan 15, 2014 at 11:23 am
You have the SpeedBlade but not the CB or MC? And what about the other Apex? X2Hot and X2Hot Pro? And the Adams XTD irons? This list is ridiculous.
RAT
Jan 15, 2014 at 11:13 am
Why isn’t the FG M3 Wilson Staff shown?
RAT
Jan 15, 2014 at 11:07 am
Good comment Rich!
I notice that ping has been getting more exposure when they appear to be going to a walmart looking club.The colors are cheap & weak looking.
TM is still searching because they keep changing colors .Can anyone tell me what TM’s primary color is? And TT you are right on the ball, prices fall tech doesn’t really change just appearences so wait and buy later.
Mike
Feb 24, 2014 at 2:47 am
Does it really matter what colour? It won’t make the ball or you perform any better!
Aaron Bieber
Mar 4, 2014 at 12:11 pm
If you’ve seen the PING S55s in hand, there is no way you could classify them as a Walmart club. They are the best looking clubs I’ve seen, the finish is amazing. I love Titleist and Mizuno, but when I saw the S55s I just said ‘wow’. And they play amazingly, too.
trmarsh
Jan 15, 2014 at 8:54 am
Even though the MP 4’s and MP 54’s were released in 2013, I truly would like to see them on this list. They have a great combination of looks and feel.
Lee
Jan 15, 2014 at 2:41 pm
Best blade and forged cavity on the market IMO of course.
TonyK
Jan 14, 2014 at 9:31 pm
I scrolled up and down twice. Where is MP4?
Billy
Jan 14, 2014 at 10:06 pm
and VR pro combo.
Lar
Jan 15, 2014 at 12:02 am
MP-4 has been out for a while now, so it’s considered 2013 and a half? I thought the MP-54 would be on here too but it isn’t. And what about the Wilsons?
Craig
Jan 14, 2014 at 9:18 pm
I have the new Titleist AP1. And i love them. They are about the only company left that doesn’t release new clubs every 2 months. I think it is stupid for companys to come out with new clubs every 4 months. I have a Taylormade R1 white driver and they have already came out with 3 new drivers.
TT
Jan 14, 2014 at 9:33 pm
Since when are more product choices for consumers a bad thing? Also, if I am in the market for new clubs and eyeing a particular club (or set of clubs), I know if I am willing to wait a few more months I can likely get them at a lower price?
LiveWire
Jan 14, 2014 at 11:48 pm
TT, good point
Six months is wonderful timing for price changes. I usually purchase last years models when they drop a lot in price. Even though the look of a cub line might change a little I think R&D rotates on a 2 to 3 year cycle on irons.
Rich
Jan 15, 2014 at 6:41 am
Since it makes a joke of the club industry. TMAG don’t give 2 hoots about what’s good for the game. They only care about what’s good for the bottom line and the shareholders hip pockets. Maybe I should buy some TMAG shares and get in on the rort……….
Andrew Park
May 26, 2014 at 1:46 am
It’s called Capitalism. If you want limited choices and companies that can only release certain products at certain predicated times, move to a communist nation. What do you think is the driving force behind innovation? It is competition, plain and simple. What essentially is competition in a Capitalist system? It is multiple companies vying for marketshare. How do they accomplish this? They constantly develop new technologies, no matter how small the change may be, so that at any given time, a company’s product might be considered more advanced and of better quality than a competitor’s.
Rich
Jan 15, 2014 at 6:40 am
Sorry man, it’s actually 4. R1 Black, SLDR 460, SLDR 430 and Jetspeed. TMAG are ridiculous………
zacjokier
Mar 5, 2014 at 3:10 pm
Actually R1 black is an extension of the r1 so it’s not “new.” And the sldr and the sldr 430 are the same technology in a smaller package. So taylormade has actually only come out with 2 new clubs. Sldr and jetspeed.
TJ
Jan 15, 2014 at 12:07 pm
hmmm Titleist the only manufacture that does releases every 2 years? when was the last ping i series released? I’m also pretty sure that Mizuno has a 2 year cycle as well?
ND Hickman
Jan 15, 2014 at 4:15 pm
Ping i20’s were out two years ago, and yes you are right. Mizuno do employ a two year cycle for their clubs.
Lee
Jan 16, 2014 at 5:29 am
Yeah that’s right the I20 irons were released 2 years ago however Ping had the I25’s ready 6 months ago but were told by their distribution network to hold their horses. It’s good to see that they listened to the guys on the street as from first impressions the 25’s aren’t a radical upgrade which 6 months ago may well have been viewed as a cosmetic blow over, given the extra time they will now attract genuine interest even from I20 owners.
paul
Feb 19, 2014 at 2:35 pm
As an I 20 owner, I have tried the new stuff, and don’t care. I20 looks better to.