

Equipment
Best irons 2020: GolfWRX Members Choice (best easy-to-launch irons)
What are the best easy-to-launch irons of 2020?
This category of irons is aimed to help players who need height. With today’s modern golf ball, creating proper flight widows and spin can be difficult for some players, and this is where technology can really help. All of these irons do everything they can to create shot-stopping trajectories regardless of clubhead speed.
At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. Needless to say, that extends to GolfWRXers views on the best irons of 2020, easy-to-launch category.
Join the discussion in the forums here.
The bedrock of GolfWRX.com is the community of passionate and knowledgable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members—the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Best irons 2020: Easy to launch (Top 5)
You can see the results for the best irons of 2020 “Easy to launch,” as well as quotes we pulled from GolfWRX members about the irons from our forums.
Also, be sure to check out all the other GolfWRX Member’s Choice iron categories below.
Join the discussion in the forums here.
1. TaylorMade P790
The P790 has a hollow-body design built with an 8620 carbon steel body and forged 4140 carbon steel wrapped-face construction. The sole was tweaked compared to the original to improve turf interaction, and from address, there is a thinner top line and more progressive offset in 3 through 6-irons and a more compact blade length in the 7-PW to appeal to players of all skill levels.
- The new P790 features a thinner top line than its predecessor
- The Speedfoam allows the P790 to have one of the thinnest faces in golf
- Improved sole design helps the wider sole more through the ground efficiently
Here’s what GolfWRX members are saying
- “I have the new P790’s and flat out they are the best irons I have owned, long easy to work, and stop well.” – Member English13
- “I’m a 6. Long hitter and have been using player distance irons for a while…. I switched to 2019 p790s a few months ago and absolutely love em. Yardage gaps are fairly large and the faces are hot so you need to learn to control the distance and trajectory, but with the right shafts it’s been no problem for me.” – Member Jkim27
- “I have played the p790’s for the past 2 seasons and I have really liked them. In fact, this past season was my best golfing season to date. I had more rounds in the 70’s than ever before and had my first round in the 60’s … I haven’t played a set of irons for 3 seasons in a row, in a very long time, so that means something, at least for me.” – Member Mob
- “Took these irons out for their second-round today and shot a 75 (+4). Keep falling in love with these things. On a handful of occasions, I put a terrible swing on them and the ball flight distance and spin was just as good as a flushed shot. Even got into some tree trouble and had to hit some punch 6 iron shots and could flight the ball down super low with no issues” – Member agood3putt
- “The 790’s are a set of driving irons. They go.” – GolfWRX member survey
For more information on the TaylorMade P790 irons, you can check out our launch piece here.
Join the discussion in the forums here.
2. Ping G710
The key element of the G710’s is its maraging steel construction which allows engineers to make the face to be thinner, which in turn creates more discretionary mass to move around the head to raise MOI and increase forgiveness. The engineers at Ping didn’t just stop at thinner. Each face of the G710 series iron is machined with variable-wall thickness to increase ball speeds around the whole hittable surface to help with those pesky mishits and keep ball speeds and distances consistent.
The body of the iron is engineered to flex along with the face to assist in energy transfer to the ball while also being built to provide a solid and pleasant feel. It’s one thing to offer more forgiveness, but if golfers don’t like the feel, all the effort is wasted.
Based on Ping’s testing, the G710 offers a five percent boost in MOI compared to the previous G700, thanks to optimally placed tungsten heel and toe weights in the head. This allowed designers to shrink the head size while increasing forgiveness. To complete the package, the G710’s come with a new hydropearl chrome finish with black PVD coating. The hydropearl makes the surface of the irons hydrophobic (water repellant) to improve performance through the turf and in wet conditions. The finishing process goes through two-stages to ensure durability.
- The black finish helps the iron appear more compact from address
- The hydropearl finish repels water faster and creates less friction through the ground
- The Maraging steel face produce top end ball speeds
Here’s what GolfWRX members are saying
- “Beautiful irons I could not resist. Better sound and feel than the G700, no regrets.” – Member DavidV
- “I’m 72 playing to a 6 handicap having been a 1 at my best. I like an iron that gives me confidence and works for me. The G-710 gives me everything I need to balance consistency, distance and trajectory control.” DenZ06
- “I’ve played 7-8 rounds with the G710s and am happy with them. Coming from the G700s … I’ve got to say that I love the new finish (and feel). I’ll avoid hitting them from bunkers since I’m a hybrid player. The hot melt behind the face makes for a much more solid feel.” – Member Drawman
- “Virtually effortless. If you put a half decent swing on a ball, it’s leaving in a hurry, and usually straight.” – GolfWRX member survey
You can read what other golfers are saying about the Ping G710 iron and see our launch piece here.
Join the discussion in the forums here.
3. Ping G410
The Ping G410 irons feature a face and cavity structure that aims to deliver faster ball speeds while saving weight to expand the perimeter weighting. By saving weight around the head, designers re-distributed it to the toe and hosel to achieve an eight-percent increase in the moment of inertia compared to the G400. They also feature a more flexible and free moving face, achieved by de-coupling the weighting structure from the face to create a larger flexing zone. The larger flexing zone is designed to act as a hinge to launch the ball faster and higher with consistency, allowing golfers to take less club into the green.
From a visual perspective, the Ping G410 irons have slightly shorter blade length and 10-percent less offset compared to the G400 iron, and the clubs Hydropearl 2.0 finish contributes towards smoother turf interaction. From heel to toe—these irons are filled with technology built to get the ball in the air.
- The sole helps offer maximum forgiveness and playability
- The free moving face flexes to boost ball speed for all shots hit around the face
- the G410 is smaller yet more forgiving that the previous G400
Here’s what GolfWRX members are saying
- “I love my G410 irons. In fact like the line so much I now have G410 Plus driver, 3 LST and 5 wood! Ha” – Member LaymanM
- “Love the distance and ball flight. Ball flight is higher than G400, but very penetrating and not more ballooning on good strikes. Love the forgiveness. Recently my worst recurrent shot is low toe hit and in most of the cases, those babies are saving me from a disaster!! All in all, I couldn’t be happier.” -Member Marco Colo
- “These things are like a shovel that picks up the ball and throws it up in the air.” – GolfWRX member survey
- “Terribly easy to hit every club in this set.” – GolfWRX member survey
You can read what other golfers are saying about the Ping G410 iron in the GolfWRX forums: Ping G410 Iron discussion and see our launch piece here.
Join the discussion in the forums here.
4.Titleist T300
The T300 is the hottest and most forgiving Titleist iron ever made and uses Max Impact Technology to add rebound and improve overall feel. The unsupported face is stretched across a larger area, and when you combine the bigger face size, wider sole, and undercut perimeter of the iron you get a club with a very low center of gravity away from the face. This deep CG and thin, fast face are what makes this club so easy to launch high. It’s also the reason why they have stronger lofts than some other irons in the category.
- The progressively wider sole lowers COG for higher launch in the longer irons
- Even with a larger footprint the T300 keeps the classic Titleist look
- The strong steel face is stretched to make these some of the fastest Titleist irons ever
Here’s what GolfWRX members are saying
-
“Super forgiving” – GolfWRX member survey
You can read what other golfers are saying about the Titleist T300 irons in the GolfWRX forums: Titleist T300 discussion thread, and read our launch piece here.
Join the discussion in the forums here.
5. Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo
The HB Turbo irons feature a redesigned HiBore Crown, which pushes the center of gravity low and deep towards the sole and rear of the club, a placement is designed to allow golfers to launch the ball higher, and carry it farther. The clubs also contain progressive shaping throughout as engineers seek to provide players with a smooth transition club to club by offering maximum forgiveness in the long irons and optimal control in short irons with more loft.
If you are someone who struggles to hold greens, these can really turbocharge your iron game.
- The “scooped” HiBore crown helps support the thin fast body
- Considering their hybrid style, they have a classic “over sized” look from address
- Progressive width soles still make the shorter irons playable all over the course
Here’s what GolfWRX members are saying
- “Highest iron I’ve ever hit. Period.”
- “Big, chunky and launching missiles to deepspace.”
- “Easiest to launch for slower swing speed and beginners and those who struggle with irons – more like a hybrid than an iron.”
- “Legally cheating.”
You can also read what other golfers are saying about the Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo irons in the GolfWRX forums: Official Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Iron discussion and check out our launch piece here.
Rounding out the top 15 easiest-to-launch irons
- Ping i500
- Callaway Epic Forged
- Callaway Mavrik MAX
- Titleist T400
- PXG 0311 XP GEN3
- TaylorMade SiM MAX
- Callaway Mavrik
- Cleveland Launcher UHX
- TaylorMade P790 Ti
- Bridgestone Tour B JGR HF1
Join the discussion in the forums here.
Ongoing Members Choice Polls: Have your say!
We’re still looking for your feedback on the “best” items in several other categories, so head to the GolfWRX forums to have your say!
Check out the polls in the GolfWRX forums!
Join the discussion in the forums here.
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Equipment
2021 Callaway Epic Speed Launch Day Report: Everything you need to know about the new equipment from Callaway

It’s the official launch day of the all-new Callaway Epic Speed line of metal woods, which includes both driver and fairway wood models—Epic Speed, Epic Max, and Epic LS. To summarize the newest releases, Callaway engineers are taking their artificial intelligence as far as they ever have by using it to optimize both the face and body of the driver to deliver forgiveness and distance increasing ball speed across the face like never before.
If are looking for in-depth information, on the ins and outs of the new designs and the technology that makes them possible, check out our full launch pieces below.
The new 2021 Callaway Epic Speed driver
The Epic Speed is the fastest swinging driver Callaway has ever made. The elevated Cyclone Aero Design gives players a clubhead that gets through the air and down into impact faster creating even more ball speed opportunities.
2021 Callaway Epic Max driver
The new 2021 Callaway Epic Max driver is a heater, but more than anything, it’s forgiving. Using all the tech bells and whistles from Epic Speed (AI-designed Jailbreak and Flash Face), Callaway made the Epic Max crown lighter with even more triaxial carbon, saving 19 grams of discretionary weight, which allows them to create an even deeper CG and higher MOI. A rear sliding 17-gram weight in the trunk to tune in launch and shape and the OptiFit hosel provides up to 20 yards of shot shape correction.
2021 Callaway Epic Max LS
Perspectives from the GolfWRX forums
- bcflyguy1 – I’ve also found the Max head to be excellent when lofted down and weight pushed to the toe; becomes surprisingly neutral when configured as such. Obviously can see where many will prefer the more muted sound/feel and compact footprint of the Speed head or may need the greater fade bias from the Max LS and its Trip Diamond-ish shaping. However, the Max offers a VERY rare combination of tons or horsepower but with sufficient traction control to keep even me from figuratively wrapping it around a light pole.
- noodle3873 – Just got back from hitting balls. My local Pro was breaking in his Epic LS 9° against his Mavrik SZ TD 9°. Both heads were built/hotmelted to the same weight. He was using GC Quad and brand new Srixon range balls (not ideal but numbers are like for like). On average he was getting more launch, more ball speed and a couple more yards out of the LS.
- mtp – I hit the whole lineup today. Not a fitting. Just trying them out. Was using the HZRDUS Smoke Green. LS was best for me. Prefer the shape, sound and feel over my current Sim Max.
- zeke66 – This thing is a beast. Hit it with a Paderson ballistic tp. I was swinging awful with all 3 drivers I was hitting including gamer, and wouldn’t leave the hitting bay until I started hitting it better. So I grabbed the Max Ls 9.0 and worked through it. Average ball speed was around 177 low 120’s with spin around 2100-2200, launch 12-15. When you catch one on the screws… it goes as good as anything I think.
More from the GolfWRX forums
GolfWRX’s resident equipment tester, Brian Knudson of the Club Junkie podcast, had this to say
Epic Max driver: A lot of draw bias, but easy to launch high and takes some right side out even with a neutral weight. Sound and feel are improved over Mavrik, much more muted and solid feeling. Center strikes are hot, and even misses carry some good ball speed.
Epic Speed driver: The best looking of the Epic drivers. Offers the most penetrating flight. Seems to be pretty low spin and easy to work the ball in either direction. Misses don’t stay online as well with more curvature. It is long and going to be a really good option for skilled players.
Epic Max LS driver: Very forgiving and offering a straighter flight than Max. Slightly lower trajectory as well. Toe misses hold their line better than the other two. Shots low on the face don’t get up as high as expected but still carry. Misses off-center still have good carry distance
Here’s what the biggest YouTube testers and reviews have to say on the newest Callaway Apex line
And on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
From the Twitterverse
Loved the #EpicSpeed straight away ??????
Great work Callaway?? #SpeedFrame #FutureOfSpeed pic.twitter.com/pIEFRv32U4
— Matt Wallace (@mattsjwallace) January 15, 2021
Building a driver to deliver more speed isn’t new. The way we’re doing it is.
Introducing the new Epic family of drivers. ??????Framing the Future of Speed.
Find out more ?? https://t.co/NbuZOkvatC#EpicSpeed | #FutureOfSpeed | #SpeedFrame pic.twitter.com/pUSrfknpRf
— Callaway Golf Europe (@CallawayGolfEU) January 15, 2021
Fitting myself for the NEW CALLAWAY EPIC SPEED & EPIC MAX LS! https://t.co/nHygmfGmwL via @YouTube pic.twitter.com/4lXY5xuM6Q
— Peter Finch (@PeterFinchGolf) January 15, 2021
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Equipment
Best utility iron of 2021 – GolfWRXers discuss

In our forums, our members have been discussing 2021 utility irons. WRXer ‘Krod10359’ kicks off the thread, saying:
“Just want to know your opinion on what new utility iron you have hit this year. Looks like a lot of solid offerings out right now from Ping, Srixon and Callaway. Let me hear what you have to say about these clubs.”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- hypergolf: “This…(photo above)”
- TigerInTheWoods: “Sim Udi is a beauty. Launches a bit higher and is a bit more forgiving than the P790 UDI which was really the benchmark for this kind of club.”
- craz-e: “Hard to go past the Srixon for performance and value. The current offerings from Titleist (u500 & u501) and Mizuno (HMB) are also great options and worth trying.”
- Golfingfanatic: “The new Callaway one is pretty good.”
Entire Thread: “Best utility iron of 2021”
Not yet a GolfWRX member? Sign up for FREE here.
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Equipment
2021 Callaway Epic driver: Epic Speed, Epic Max & Epic LS drivers

Callaway Golf introduces new Epic driver lineup for 2021—Epic Speed, Epic Max, and Epic Max LS drivers—giving us the best of everything.
When it comes to a hot face, Callaway Golf has been at the top of the heap since its introduction of Jailbreak Technology back in 2017. In simplest terms, Jailbreak allowed Callaway to vertically stiffen the face, which allows the face to absorb a ton of energy and release it right back into the golf ball.
When Epic hit the market, it was instantly the driver of that year due to its ball speeds and forgiveness across the face, but most importantly for Callaway, it gave the company a strong foundation to build from for models to come.
In 2020, with the help of artificial intelligence, Callaway engineers were able push that idea a bit further with the successful Mavrik line. This time, artificial intelligence took Jailbreak and found ways to make it even more efficient with the addition of the Flash Face.
Now, in 2021, using every piece of tech at its disposal, Callaway officially launches the new 2021 Epic Speed, Epic Max, and Epic Max LS drivers.
The new AI-designed, carbon-loaded, MOI machines are the culmination of now four iterations of Jailbreak technology, and in my opinion, Callaway has its fastest but more importantly—most golf-course friendly—driver ever.
Let’s dive in…
The new 2021 Callaway Epic Speed driver

New 2021 Callaway Epic Speed driver
The Epic Speed is the fastest swinging driver Callaway has ever made. The elevated Cyclone Aero Design gives players a clubhead that gets through the air and down into impact faster creating even more ball speed opportunities.

New 2021 Callaway Epic Speed Driver, Cyclone Aero Shaping
In addition, the AI-designed Flash Face SS21 and the new look Jailbreak Speed Frame create stiffness not only vertically across the face but east and west as well. The result? Speed, stability, and a ton of forgiveness.

The new 2021 Callaway driver, face on
“Spin robustness” is another key term in the 2021 Callaway campaign. What this means for us is giving players spin where we need it (i.e. off the heel spin stays down, off the toe spin stays up, out of the middle the ball goes forever).
Another key aspect to notice across the line is the enhanced composite crown. The new 2021 Callaway Epic Speed driver has a triaxial carbon crown that covers even more real estate allowing Callaway to redistribute 16 grams of discretionary weight. The larger carbon surface area also innately created a way for Callaway R&D to make the Epic Speed a bit more draw friendly without having to add external weight to the heel.

Callaway Epic Speed driver, address
2021 Callaway Epic Max driver

Sole view of the new Callaway Epic Max driver
Yes, the new 2021 Callaway Epic Max driver is a heater, but more than anything, it’s forgiving. Using all the tech bells and whistles from Epic Speed (AI-designed Jailbreak and Flash Face), Callaway made the Epic Max crown with even more triaxial carbon, saving 19 grams of discretionary weight, which allows them to create an even deeper CG and higher MOI. A rear sliding 17-gram weight in the trunk to tune in launch and shape and the OptiFit hosel provides up to 20 yards of shot shape correction.

The New 2021 Callaway Epic Max Driver, Sliding weight

The New 2021 Callaway Epic Max Driver, Address
2021 Callaway Epic Max LS
Incorporating the AI-designed Flash Face SS21 and Jailbreak technology, Callaway has created a new more forgiving profile in a players driver.


Initial Tour Reaction
I had a chance to chat with Callaway’s PGA Tour Manager Jacob Davidson on the early response and this is what he had to say.
JW: In early testing, what is the first thing players are seeing with Speed and LS?
JD: Early feedback from the tour guys has been a noticeable difference in an increase in ball speed across the face but more importantly the dispersion has tightened down range. Many guys have also quickly fallen in love with the sound of the new metal woods.
JW: What most excited you with the new line?
JD: We knew early on with this product launch that we had an exceptional driver. To start- the look of the heads and the shaping allows the clubs to sit beautifully at the address position. From there the overall feel and sound matches exactly what tour guys prefer. The guys we have worked with have converted into the new woods extremely quickly with very positive feedback. For us, we are excited to have some great starting lines, a competitive ball speed advantage, and an increase in forgiveness.
We are constantly studying what makes world class drivers of the golf ball world class. After much research, we determined the ideal spin/ degree of launch and worked closely with our R&D team to reach these numbers. We were absolutely amazed to see what they came back to us with. Using AI they were able to figure out how to increase the MOI in this line of drivers while also focusing on more ball speed. It truly is remarkable the new frontier of technology we are using in our drivers to help our players play their best golf.
Overall Thoughts
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t a huge fan of Epic Flash (acoustics), and Mavrik was solid but didn’t blow me away. This new 2021 Callaway Epic line of drivers is exactly what players want: a golf club that is playable all while providing the distance and performance we have gotten used to over the past few years. It’s a new trend in the market that I’m loving. Drivers are becoming golf course friendly again. We tried to kill spin—when ultimately it was our best friend in the long run.
Specs
At Retail: 2/18
Lofts: 9, 10.5, 12 degrees (Epic Speed) 9, 10.5 degrees(Epic Max & Epic Max LS)
Price: $529.99
Stock Shaft Offerings
- Epic Speed Driver: Project X Cypher 40g (WMS, L). Smoke IM 10 (50g – R,S. 60g – S)
- Epic MAX Driver: Project X Cypher 40g (WMS, L). Smoke IM 10 (50g – R,S. 60g -S)
- Epic MAX LS: Mitsubishi MMT (60g – S,X. 70g – S,X)
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