Equipment
Should your gap wedge match your irons? – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been discussing whether it’s more common to have a gap wedge that matches your irons or other wedges. WRXer ‘VanTheMan0519’ kicks off the thread, saying:
“I still have irons with a 48* PW, so I play a 54 and a 58 in wedges. Most newer irons have PW around 44-46; thus I may need to add a gap wedge and go gap, 54, 58 etc. Does your gap match your irons or match your sand and lob? If so, why or why not?”
And our members have been sharing their preference in our forums.
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.
- bazinky: “Personally, if the GW loft is >=50, I would match it to my higher lofted wedges. If the GW loft is <50, I would match it to my iron set. My rationale is that I’m hitting a lot more partial and open-face shots with the higher lofted wedges and want something that is easier to manipulate in that fashion.”
- Tupperwolf: “I prefer it to match. A 50* GW is basically yesteryear’s PW. I use it for most shots 80-115yd and occasional chipping; I don’t need to open the face or do anything fancy. I need it to play just like my PW or 9 iron.”
- Ger21: “Prefer to match the set, as I use my gap wedge for full swings almost exclusively.”
- rt_charger: “I’m a fan of 4 matching wedges. I play full shots, partial shots, and chip with all of them, so I like the versatility of having a grind.”
Entire Thread: “Should your gap wedge match your irons?“
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Equipment
Best irons in golf of 2024: Best blades
In our effort to assemble the 2024 best irons, we have again compiled an expert panel of fitters to help you find out which of the 2024 irons is best for your game.
Ultimately the best way to find your personal best iron set is to work with a professional fitter using a launch monitor. The difficult part is a lot of people don’t have easy access to fitters, launch monitors, and club builders — so at GolfWRX, we have done a lot of the work for you.
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 is essential. This is why, now more than ever, custom fitting is essential to help you see results on every swing you make.
We want to give you the tools and information to go out and find what works best for you by offering recommendations for your individual iron set wants and needs with insight and feedback from the people who work every single day to help golfers get peak performance out of their equipment.
Best irons of 2024: The process
The best fitters in the world see all the options available in the marketplace, analyze their performance traits, and pull from that internal database of knowledge and experience like a supercomputer when they are working with a golfer.
It’s essentially a huge decision tree derived from experience and boiled down to a starting point of options—and it has nothing to do with a handicap!
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 to help you determine which category is most important for your swing and game.
Best irons of 2024: The categories
- Overall performance
- Easiest to launch/Slower swing speed
- Pure enjoyment
- Shotmakers
- Most technology-packed
- Best blade
2024 Best irons: Best blades
This is by far the most straightforward category because it is defined by a single style of club — the blade AKA the muscle back or MB for short. Although modern variations offer a lot more playability than they did decades ago, blades are still defined by their workability, compact shaping, and lower ball flight. If you are looking for the ultimate test or just prefer something in the more traditional vein, these are for you.
Mizuno Pro 241
Their story: Grain Flow Forged HD in Hiroshima, Japan, Mizuno Pro 241 irons feature better turf interaction than their predecessors thanks to increased bounce (while maintaining the same sole camber). Additionally, the 241 irons feature more centered mass than Mizuno Pro 221 for enhanced feedback. Also contributing to enhanced feedback: Mizuno’s signature soft copper underlay. The topline has been thinned and short irons are more compact.
Fitter comments:
- “Mizuno has made some of the best blades for over 35 years and the 241 holds up with the rest.”
- “These are the staple in the blade market options. These just keep getting better and better each generation.”
- “From a feel and feedback, Mizuno always hits the mark.”
For more photos/info, read our launch piece.
Titleist 620MB
Their story: The 620 MB offers ideal turf interaction throughout the set thanks to more camber and a tweaked leading edge. In addition to the sole tweaks, the blade length is progressive from the longest iron to the shortest and the transition is so smooth that unless you set clubs next to each other, it’s quite difficult to notice. The final design element is the face height progression which transitions from more shallow to tall in the pitching wedge to offer the greatest control over ball flight.
Fitter comments:
- “Exactly what one would expect from a Titleist blade, great feel, incredible control and precision.”
- “Nothing feels as good as a Titleist blade when hit in the middle.”
- “Classic as classic gets for the player who wants that.”
For more photos/info, read our launch piece.
Srixon Z-Forged II
What Srixon says: “Z-Forged II is a traditional muscle back blade Iron designed in close collaboration with Srixon tour pros. Z-Forged II Irons offer crisp feel, maximum control, and pinpoint workability.”
Fitter comments:
- “The easiest blade to hit on the market. The longer heal-to-toe blade length inspires confidence to a player who wants to play a blade, but also wants forgiveness.”
- “Most forgiving blade. Long blade length and V-Sole, with buttery soft feel. First gen looked better in the bag, but this performs better with the updated sole design.”
- “Incredible feel, the dual sole creates great turf interaction and clean strikes from all lies.”
For more photos/info, read our launch piece.
Ping Blueprint T
Their story: The Blueprint T, designed for skilled golfers who prioritize workability, is a single-piece, 8620 carbon steel forging. Its muscle-back design concentrates mass behind the impact zone for a pleasing sound and feel with workability. A shorter heel-face height and narrow soles is designed for a distraction-free appearance at address and consistent turf interaction. Precision-milled grooves and a high-density toe screw provide precise swingweight control.
Fitter comments:
- “These things are beautiful and clean looking. You don’t see much going on the outside of the iron. Small compact and very hard to hit.”
- “By far the best blade made.”
- “Great follow up to last year’s Blueprint that took off after being a proto club. New category opened up for Ping because of prior success. Refining the issues with blades with maintaining the classic look and lofts.”
For more photos/info, read our launch piece.
Callaway Apex MB
Their story: Callaway’s “modern tour blade” was developed in collaboration with tour professionals and is designed to deliver efficient turf interaction (thanks to Dynamic Sole Design), optimum workability, and a classic feel in a one-piece, 1025 carbon steel forging. Callaway engineers designed the Apex MB line with progressive CG throughout the set — lower in the long irons for higher launch, higher in the short irons for a more penetrating trajectory.
From the fitters:
- “The weight…in the back positions the center of gravity directly behind the ball to give the player precision and control over the launch and shape of shots.”
- “Easier to elevate than the previous generation, the new weight system offers a touch more forgiveness as well while still delivering similar feel.”
- “A nice blade and a good option from Callaway.”
For more photos/info, read our launch piece.
Best irons of 2024: Meet the fitters
- Adam Rathe: Club Champion
- Adam Scotto: Club Champion
- Adam Seitz: Club Champion
- Aidan Mena: Club Champion
- Alex Dice: Carl’s Golfland
- Alex Praeger: Club Champion
- Ben Giunta: The Tour Van
- Blake Smith, PGA: True Spec
- Bo Gorman: True Spec
- Brad Coffield: Carl’s Golfland
- Brett Ott: Club Champion
- Brian Riley: Club Champion
- Cameron Scudder: Club Champion
- Carmen Corvino: True Spec
- Christian Sandler: Club Champion
- Clare Cornelius: Cool Clubs
- Dan Palmisano: Club Champion
- Dane Byers: Club Champion
- Darren Joubert: Club Champion
- Dennis Huggins: Club Champion
- Drew Koch: Club Champion
- Eric Touchet: Touchet Performance Golf
- Erik Gonzales: Club Champion
- Evan Morrison: Club Champion
- Gus Alzate: True Spec
- Jake Medlen: Stripe Show Club Fitters
- Jake Woolston: Club Champion
- Jake Wynd: Club Champion
- Jay Marino: Club Champion
- Jeremy Olsen: Club Champion
- Jim Yenser: Club Champion
- Joe Stefan: Club Champion
- Joey Simon, PGA: Club Champion
- Jonathan Kaye: Club Champion
- Jordan Patrick: True Spec
- Jordan Rollins: Club Champion
- Kevin Arabejo: Club Champion
- Kevin Downey: Club Champion
- Kirk Oguri: Pete’s Golf
- Kyle Lane: Club Champion
- Kyle Murao: Club Champion
- Marc Roybal: True Spec
- Mark Hymerling: Club Champion
- Mark Knapp: Carl’s Golfland
- Matt Miller: Club Champion
- Matt Rish: Club Champion
- Matthew Gandolfi: Club Champion
- Mike Martysiewicz: Club Champion
- Mike Weis: Club Champion
- Mitch Schneider: Club Champion
- Nicholas Barone: Club Champion
- Nick Sherburne: Club Champion
- Nick Waterworth: Haggin Oaks
- Preston Vanderfinch: Club Champion
- Rick Lane: Club Champion
- Rob Anderson, PGA: Club Champion
- Russell Hubby: Club Champion
- Ryan Fisher: Grips Golf
- Ryan Grimes: Club Champion
- Ryan Johnson: Carl’s Golfland Bloomfield Hills
- Sam Kim: True Spec
- Scott Sikorski: Club Champion
- Scott Felix: Felix Club Works
- Scott Trent: Club Champion
- Sean Pfeil: Club Champion
- Shaun Fagan: True Spec
- Steve Harrow: Club Champion
- Tad Artrip: Club Champion
- Thomas Mattaini: Pull the Pin
- Tony Rhode: True Clubs
- William Buse: Club Champion
- William Cho: NovoGolf
- William Fields: Club Champion
RELATED: Best driver 2024
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Whats in the Bag
Scottie Scheffler’s winning WITB: 2024 Masters
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (8 degrees @8.25) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X (45 inches)
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X
Irons: Srixon ZU85 (3, 4) Buy here, TaylorMade P7TW (5-PW) Buy here.
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Hybrid Prototype 10 X (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM8 (50-12F, 56-14F) Buy here, Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto (60-T) Buy here.
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour X Buy here.
Grip: Golf Pride Pro Only Cord
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1 Buy here.
Check out more in-hand photos of Scottie Scheffler’s clubs here.
The winning WITB is presented by 2nd Swing Golf. 2nd Swing has more than 100,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
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Whats in the Bag
WITB Time Machine: Danny Willett’s winning WITB, 2016 Masters
Driver: Callaway XR 16 (9 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana W-Series 60 X
Length: 45.5 inches
3-wood: Callaway XR 16 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana W-Series 70X
5-wood: Callaway XR 16 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana W-Series 80X
Irons: Callaway Apex UT (2, 4), Callaway Apex Pro (5-9)
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 Superlite
Wedges: Callaway Mack Daddy 2 (47-11 S-Grind) Callaway Mack Daddy 2 Tour Grind (54-11, 58-9)
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 Superlite
Putter: Odyssey Versa #1 Wide (WBW)
Lie angle: 71 degrees
Ball: Callaway Speed Regime SR-3
Check out more photos of Willett’s equipment from 2016 here.
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Wade Link
Oct 2, 2022 at 8:27 am
I just put down for the new Mizuno JPX 923 HM. The PW is 42.5° and the GW is 48°. Almost forces you to to go with 5 wedges if you want a 4° gap and go out to 60° LW.