Equipment

GolfWRX Members Choice: Best irons of 2021

Published

3 years ago

Jul 12, 2021

What are the best irons in 2021? 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 their GolfWRXers views on the best irons of 2021.

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.

You can see the full results for the best irons of 2021, as well as additional comments, in the forums.

Best irons of 2021: The top 5

1. Srixon ZX7

What Srixon says: “A compact blade shape, narrow topline, single-piece forging, and narrow sole give ZX7 the workability, feel, and aesthetics of a world-class players iron.”

Here’s what GolfWRX members are saying

@Carolina Golfer 2: “ZX7 (my vote as well) with a large early lead. I expect it to only increase from here. They are truly a great iron. For the record, my 2nd best would be the ZX5!”
@CobraGolfFan96: “Absolutely love my ZX7’s!”
@JStang: “I have had my ZX7’s for a while now and am comfortable sharing a quick review. One thing that has been noticeable is how forgiving these are. I am constantly surprised at how far these fly when mishit. They feel outstanding when centered, and while they are a bit larger than I typically play, they don’t bother me one bit anymore. For the first time in years, I am not even considering another set of irons. These might be in the bag for years to come.”

You can read what other golfers are saying about ZX7 irons in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here.

2. Titleist T100

What Titleist says: “Titleist T100 irons are forged to suit the player’s eye. The T100 inspires daring, imaginative play with precise distance, Tour-level shaping and signature Titleist feel. This iron is designed to help the best players score lower.”

Here’s what GolfWRX members are saying

@sherlockgolfer: “Had my T100s for about 6 rounds now and can say they’re probably the best irons I’ve hit. Coming from 3 straight sets of 712, 716, 718 CBs, and there is definitely more of a clicky feel compared to those irons, but it is quite satisfying, and the ball does go further and higher. I was looking for more launch in the long irons from CB’s, and that’s exactly what I got.”
@Matty01984: “Superb set of irons. I must admit when I changed from my 714 AP2’s I was a little sceptical. I worried that there might be a little trade off going into a better looking, smaller iron as opposed to a slightly bigger one with more forgiveness. I simply cannot see there being any difference. The T100 goes just as far as the AP2, has just as much forgiveness and is in a better looking package.”

You can read what other golfers are saying about T100 irons in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here.

3. Srixon ZX5

What Srixon says: “Srixon’s ZX5 Irons combine pioneering ball speed technology with premium forged feel, and deliver all of it in a forgiving yet workable chassis that’s razor sharp at address.”

Here’s what GolfWRX members are saying

@potuna: “ZX5 for me best irons ever, and I’ve tried a bunch over the years.”
@EastTNGolfer: “Well, got the ZX5s on the course today. I saw ball flights I have never seen before, and terrible struck shots that still managed to find the green.”

You can read what other golfers are saying about ZX5 irons in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here.

4. TaylorMade P770

What TaylorMade says: “We took everything that makes P•790 such a beast and put it into a more compact players shape with P•770. They share the same DNA, each built for dominating distance and premium performance. It’s impossible to choose your favorite child.”

Here’s what GolfWRX members are saying

@ASN21: “Came to these from the OG P790’s and haven’t missed a beat. They simply check all the boxes. Can’t wait to use them again on Friday.”
@ScottHutch2: “Playing the best golf of my life with the P770s. I recently made a switch from ctaper 120 —> $taper HT 120, and the results have been phenomenal. Feel/consistency/control are outstanding compared to the Srixon Z585s I was playing previously, but they still give you a little pop distance wise. Great iron and I think fitting is very important with these.”

You can read what other golfers are saying about P770 irons in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here.

5. Callaway Apex Pro

2021-callaway-apex-pro-21-irons

What Callaway says: “We’ve redesigned this iron from the ground up, with an innovative A.I. face architecture and all new forged hollow body construction. Any scratch or single digit handicapper who wants speed and forgiveness in a players performance iron needs to try the Apex Pro 21.”

Here’s what GolfWRX members are saying

@Whipitgood13: “I recently got the Apex Pro 21’s with the MMT 95 shaft, and I am blown away with how good these irons are. I’ve never had dispersion this tight. And the MMT shaft is just amazing. Like firm butter. And you can lean into any shot, and the control is just there. Super impressed and happy.”
@avidswampthing66: “Coming from a set of Miura’s…..these new Apex Pro 21 irons are simply the best irons I’ve ever played. 7-4 iron lots of straight high shots with plenty of pop but no crazy flyers. 8-PW are softer feeling and easily workable. Honestly, I’m kind of wowed.”

You can read what other golfers are saying about Apex Pro irons in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here.

You can see the full results for the best irons of 2021, as well as additional comments, in the forums.

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

4 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.

Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.

We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.

Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).

See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here

Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge

Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.

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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.

See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here

Turning Back the clock

Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.

But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.

For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.

Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.

The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.

The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.

Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter

Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.

Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.

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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.

If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.

Brilliant.

See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here

Stricker’s unrecognizable putter

Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.

Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.

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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates

Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.

Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.

It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.

Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines

Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.

Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.

FitzMagic teams back up

Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.

See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here

And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.

We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!

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