In our latest Rankmark test, 250 Players tested 38 different sets of irons: (click here for the list of manufacturers) 60 with 0- 9 handicaps, 120 with 10 - 20 handicaps, and 70 with 21+ handicaps.
Each player was asked to bring his own 5, 7 and 9 iron and they showed us how far they could hit them. We then set the flags to those distances. We scored 5 points for each green hit; 10 points for inside of 10 feet.
Then we asked each tester which clubs were the 4 best, awarding 20 points for first, 15 for second, 10 for third and 5 points for fourth. The results were as follows and each club listed received Rankmark’s "Best of the Best" Award.
For additional information, click on the manufacturer's logo to access their website.
The Cleveland CG1 irons were designed with the better player in mind. Made from CMM metal, they offer players a softer and more responsive feel than blades made from traditional steels. CG1 irons have a slightly larger muscle in order to move the center of gravity back in the clubhead to promote a more penetrating and controllable ball flight.
The Cleveland CG2 irons were specifically designed for the low-to-mid handicapper searching for a club that offers the forgiveness of a cavity back and the workaility of a blade. The CG2 offer a lower and deeper center of gravity than most "better player" irons. This helps get the ball in the air easier and quicker in the long irons while maintaining a penetrating ball flight in the mid-to-short irons. CG2 irons also have an incredibly soft and responsive feel at impact.
CG1
CG2
The Mizuno MP-60 maximizes performance for today's more aggressive game. The MP-60 delivers a slightly higher ball flight in the long irons, and a mid trajectory in the scoring irons, while the Cut Muscle design precisely positions the COG in each club for a consistent and predictable ball flight.
The Mizuno MX-900 is not only the most Hi-Tech iron Mizuno USA has ever produced, but it also delivers unbelievable Game Improvement performance for mid-to-high handicappers. The MX-900 irons utilized Hybrid Technology for unsurpassed forgiveness, easy launch, and maximum playability.
MP-60
MX-900
The Nike SlingShot design will benefit everyone, from professional to the beginner. The CG is suspended in air beyond the thickness of the face. This feature launches the ball higher for more distance and makes it easier to square the club face. 3-D flow weighting optimizes ball flight and spin rate, and the Custom 455 stainless steel face enhances consistency and forgiveness.
SlingShot
The Ping G5 has a larger head and sole width which allow the center of gravity to be positioned lower and further from the face. This results in higher launching, more accurate and consistent shots. A larger, thinner Custom Tuning Port (CTP) stabilizes the face and dampens vibration for a solid, pleasing feel.
G5
The TaylorMade RAC OS features an oversized head with generous offset and slightly wider sole to promote an unmatched combination of high launch angle, long, penetrating ball flight and maximum control.
RAC OS
The Titleist Forged 735.CM feature a blended design for the skilled player seeking the ideal combination of shot control, maneuverability and playability. Progressive blade heights, blade lengths, offset, topline, center of gravity and moment of inertia allow each club to perform to Tour level standards, no matter what shot is required.
735.CM
The Tommy Armour Morph heads are made of 431 stainless steel with three proprietary Rifle Flighted shaft flex patterns developed for the company by Royal Precision. Designed to offer a profound level of trajectory control around the course, these clubs provide options previously available only to tour professionals.
Morph
The new Ben Hogan BH-5 irons, the first fully cast stainless steel irons in the Ben Hogan product line. 17-4 Stainless steel cast construction with extreme perimeter weight design provides maximum playability, control and forgiveness. Whoever said you can't buy forgiveness, never tried the new BH-5 irons.
BH-5
The KZG Forged Z0 Blades have made it into the bags of some of the most famous Tour Players from around the world. Thin top line, little offset, perfectly designed, in a word: the ultimate player's club. Double forged and hand crafted in 520C Carbon Steal.
Z0 Blades
The MacGregor V-Foil M565's mid-sized heads, refined top lines, streamlined V-Foil weighting and reduced offset characterize these forgiving, high-performance, game-improvement, forged irons. The V-Foil Speed Technology will inspire mid-handicap golfers to play with greater aggressiveness and confidence.
V-Foil M565
NOTE: All test results contain a 5% margin of error which could affect the final positioning of
clubs.
For additional information, click on the manufacturer's logo to access their website.
A seamless progression of hybrids and irons integrated into one amazing set of irons. The Adams Idea a2 OS takes the guesswork out of putting hybrids in your bag by replacing hard to hit long and mid irons with easy to hit hybrids. So you can say goodbye to traditional irons and hello to the future.
Idea a2 OS
The Callaway Big Bertha Fusion face inserts are heat treated to different levels of hardness: very hard in long irons and softer toward the wedges for more workability. Face thickness is also varied, from very thin in long irons for more rebound to thicker in the wedge for greater control.
Big Bertha Fusion
The Cleveland CG4 irons offer higher handicap golfers a wider sole and increased weighting around the clubhead's perimeter. These features, along with a high moment of inertia (MOI), will get your ball in the air quicker and easier on every shot. The higher MOI also acts as a stabilizer on your clubhead to keep more shots flying high and straight, even when they're hit off center.
CG4
The undercut design of the Cobra 3100 I/H pushes weight low and back for a deep center of gravity and high moment of inertia. The result, a super-sized Sweet Zone and high launch for incredible distance and forgiveness.
3100 I/H
The Nike SlingShot design will benefit everyone, from professional to the beginner. The CG is suspended in air beyond the thickness of the face. This feature launches the ball higher for more distance and makes it easier to square the club face. 3-D flow weighting optimizes ball flight and spin rate, and the Custom 455 stainless steel face enhances consistency and forgiveness.
SlingShot
The TaylorMade RAC OS features an oversized head with generous offset and slightly wider sole to promote an unmatched combination of high launch angle, long, penetrating ball flight and maximum control
RAC OS
The new Ben Hogan BH-5 irons, the first fully cast stainless steel irons in the Ben Hogan product line. 17-4 Stainless steel cast construction with extreme perimeter weight design provides maximum playability, control and forgiveness. Whoever said you can't buy forgiveness, never tried the new BH-5 irons.
BH-5
The Innovex RLS (Revolutionary Loft System) irons are made of a soft 431 stainless steel, offering a solid feel and adjustability for lie and loft. The irons have a moderate offset progression, ranging from some offset in the long irons to minimal offset in the wedges. The midsize, cast cavity-back, perimeter weighted design provides an extremely stable (high moment of inertia) and forgiving iron. The added mass of weight behind the face helps maintain a solid feel at impact.
RLS
The Nicklaus IronMax Progressive Irons have sole weighting with an undercut cavity. This precisely defines the center of gravity to ensure a high Moment of Inertia, increase resistance to twisting and provide greater forgiveness. Variable sole width throughout the set allows for the center of gravity to be positioned extremely low on the longer irons and graduate up the face on the shorter irons. This promotes more stable contact on off-center hits.
IronMax
The MacGregor V-Foil M565's mid-sized heads, refined top lines, streamlined V-Foil weighting and reduced offset characterize these forgiving, high-performance, game-improvement, forged irons. The V-Foil Speed Technology will inspire mid-handicap golfers to play with greater aggressiveness and confidence.
V-Foil M565
The Tour Edge Bazooka JMAX Iron-Wood's larger more forgiving club head makes it an ideal iron replacement. The over-sized top line and larger wood-like body inspire confidence on both short and long approach shots. With the Bazooka Iron-Wood, it has never been easier to hit higher longer shots that stop quickly on the green. This new, high-tech utility club will greatly improve your iron play.
JMAX
Iron-Wood
The Vulcan Backfire features an all new deep cavity hybrid design that allows mass to be strategically positioned in every club head throughout the set... This creates the lowest and deepest center of gravity, and the highest moment of inertia of any clubs on the market.
Backfire
NOTE: All test results contain a 5% margin of error which could affect the final positioning of
clubs.
For additional information, click on the manufacturer's logo to access their website.
The Callaway Big Bertha Fusion face inserts are heat treated to different levels of hardness: very hard in long irons and softer toward the wedges for more workability. Face thickness is also varied, from very thin in long irons for more rebound to thicker in the wedge for greater control.
Big Bertha Fusion
The Ping G5 has a larger head and sole width which allow the center of gravity to be positioned lower and further from the face. This results in higher launching, more accurate and consistent shots. A larger, thinner Custom Tuning Port (CTP) stabilizes the face and dampens vibration for a solid, pleasing feel.
G5
The TaylorMade RAC OS features an oversized head with generous offset and slightly wider sole to promote an unmatched combination of high launch angle, long, penetrating ball flight and maximum control..
RAC OS
The Tour Edge Bazooka JMAX Iron-Wood's larger more forgiving club head makes it an ideal iron replacement. The over-sized top line and larger wood-like body inspire confidence on both short and long approach shots. With the Bazooka Iron-Wood, it has never been easier to hit higher longer shots that stop quickly on the green. This new, high-tech utility club will greatly improve your iron play.
JMAX
Iron-Wood
A seamless progression of hybrids and irons integrated into one amazing set of irons. The Adams Idea a2 OS takes the guesswork out of putting hybrids in your bag by replacing hard to hit long and mid irons with easy to hit hybrids. So you can say goodbye to traditional irons and hello to the future.
Idea a2 OS
The Vulcan Backfire features an all new deep cavity hybrid design that allows mass to be strategically positioned in every club head throughout the set... This creates the lowest and deepest center of gravity, and the highest moment of inertia of any clubs on the market.
Backfire
The Wilson Staff Pi5 irons unique back weighting design goes from an undercut cavity in the long irons to a standard cavity back in the short irons. This design progressively moves the CG location giving players an arsenal of advantages... from a higher flight with more forgiveness to a lower, more controlled ball flight for maximum shot making capabilities, all with the soft feel of 431 stainless construction.
Pi5
NOTE: All test results contain a 5% margin of error which could affect the final positioning of
clubs.
