GolfWRX has assembled an expert panel to help you choose the best 2023 irons for your game. New technology is being introduced to clubs, allowing for more consistent technology across the face. We also see more models that are well-suited for large sections of the fitting bell curve.
Working with a professional fitter who uses a launch monitor is the best way to determine your own iron set. It’s difficult because not everyone has easy access to launch monitors and fitters. GolfWRX does a lot of the hard work for them.
The era of maximising distance and minimising the penalty for common misses is here. This applies equally to irons as any other bag club. To maximize your results, custom fitting is crucial.
We want you to be able to make the best choice for yourself. This is why we offer recommendations to suit your needs and provide feedback and insight from people who are constantly working to improve the performance of golfers’ equipment.
The 2023 Best Irons: How We Did It
Before we started the process of creating our best iron survey, our trusted fitters were contacted to discuss how they sort the infinite number of options for golfers. It was unanimously agreed that the best fitters can see all available options, analyze them, and draw from their internal database of knowledge and experiences like a supercomputer when working with golfers.
It is essentially a large decision tree that has been derived from experience. It can be boiled down to a starting list of options. And it doesn’t have anything to do about a handicap!
Modern iron sets are designed to fit into different player categories. GolfWRX believes it is important to ask more than just “what’s my handicap?” to get the right questions. We also want to know what the key performance elements that fitters consider to help players choose the best set of irons. We tried to get the right questions, from overall performance to shotmaking to helping players achieve better trajectories, speed and trajectory,
These are the top iron categories that we have created to help you, the reader, decide which rankings are most important to your game and swing.
These are the top 2023 irons: The categories
- Performance overall
-
Launch The easiest
-
Pure enjoyment
- Shotmakers
- Technology-packed most
- Best blade
Meet the Fitters: The 2023 Best Irons
- Nick Sherburne, Founder, Club Champion
- Clare Cornelius: Fitter, Cool Clubs
- Shaun Fagan – Fitter, True Spec Golf
- Kirk Oguri – PGA Professional/ Club Specialist Pete’s
- Scott Felix: Owner, Felix Club Works
- Mark Knapp, Fitter, Carls Golfland
- Ryan Johnson: Fitter Carl’s Golfland
- BradCoffield: Fitter Carl’s Golfland
- Matthew Sim, Director of Operations, Modern Golf
- Scott Sikorski: Fitter, Club Champion
- Ryan Grimes – Fitter, Club Champions
- Ben Giunta, Owner, Tour Van
- Alex Dice, Fitter, Carl’s Golfland
- Gus Alzate – Fitter, True Spec Golf
- Marc Roybal – Fitter, True Spec Golf
- Carmen Corvino – Fitter, True Spec Golf
- Bobby Ennis, Club Champion
- Dane Byers – Fitter, Club Champions
- Blake Smith: Fitter True Golf
- Shaun Fagan – Fitter, True Spec Golf
- Mark Hymerling, Fitter, Club Champions
- Joey Simon – Fitter, Club Champions
- Dean Fry: Fitter, TXG
- Jim Yenser, Fitter, Club Champions
- Dan Palmisaro: Fitter, Club Champion
- Mike Martysiewicz, Director of Club Building & Fitting TXG
- Rob Gallagher, Fitter, Club Champions
- Alex Praeger – Fitter, Club Champions
2023 The Best Irons
Each of these irons was created with one purpose in mind: to be the best shotmaking tool. It doesn’t take a professional to enjoy the joy of hitting a good shot with a club that provides superior feedback. This category is all about control, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a blade.
Srixon ZX7 Mk 2
Their story: The players iron ZX7 Mk II features PureFrame: an 80-percent thicker portion of 1020 carbon steel forged behind the sweet spot in the body of the iron for soft-yet-solid-feeling impact. The design also features a refined Tour V.T. The sole proprietorary sole widths, bounce angles and notches in heel and toe of club help ensure contact from all lies.
From the fitters
- These are the most used irons by our fitters, even though it isn’t the best metric.
- “Srixon has been the “sleeper iron company” for many years, but I believe the secret is out. The ZX7 Mk II is suitable for many players, including tour pros and mid-handicappers. Forging is easy and very forgiving. Iron is also very usable for players with greater abilities. The shape of the ZX7 to Mk II was not changed, which I believe is a wonderful thing.
- “Slight refinement. It has a better appearance and feel. Iron with more distance. You can improve your ball speed and distance, but you still have enough spin control to manage the golf ball.
- They did a great job in not destroying a good thing. ZX7 was amazing. This iron was used by almost half of all pro golfers, even those who were not contracted. It continues to deliver very consistent numbers. A consistent number is what the better player needs. They must know that it will go that far. This club excels at that.”
- “Most forgiving players iron. V-Sole design provides significantly better turf interaction than a traditional sole.
View more photos/info in ‘s launch piece.
Callaway Apex TCB
The story of Callaway Engineering: Callaway engineers each iron CG within the 1025 mild steel body. The TCB is a tour-inspired model and shape with a straighter leading edge and less offset. It also has a smoother hosel transition.
From the fitters
- “Good lofts to spin and can be flown any way you like if you have the club speed.”
- “Classic compact and classic look. With the ability to make shots in the window, a better player will be able to find it. This season, we have seen many wins. This iron is a good choice for players who require spin.
- “One of the greatest players irons Callaway made. Excellent condition. Looks fantastic. It feels amazing. It’s easy to feel the weight in your back. They don’t have to do anything different.”
- “One of the most skilled players out there, but still has the right amount forgiveness that player is looking to achieve.”
- “Excellent shape and sound from an iron with a little forgiveness. The iron’s response to tour play is exceptional, and it is available in the retail market. This is a great option for those who want to shape their ball.
has more photos/info. Please see our launch piece.
Titleist T100
Their story: The “players iron”, the T100 iron is the latest T-Series product. It features a new Tour-designed sole that was developed in collaboration with the Vokey wedge team and tour staff. The sole features a variable bounce design that provides more bounce in your toe and less bounce in your heel to improve turf interaction and feel.
The T100’s new face has a continuous cradle design that provides a seamless striking surface with a uniform leading edge.
The fitters
- “A club for purist players. You will be a better balltriker. It’s not too offset, but it’s still easy to launch and spin. Although it isn’t forgiving in this category, it’s usually not for players looking for forgiveness. The right window is needed for launch. Amazing sound and feel
- “The club where blade players can transition to when they don’t want to go full-muscleback.” It looks like a blade from the way it is viewed. The cavity and back are not visible. It is equipped with enough technology to forgive mishits. It’s also slim enough and has a thin topline so that it can be used for shot shaping.
- “Still the GOAT among high-tech players. Titleist somehow manages make it look better with every update.
- “Best low handicap iron head. Excellent performance. For the discerning golfer, great look at address “Classic Titleist sound and feel.”
- “Great ball speed for a tour-style player. This is the perfect combination for players who want a classic look with distance.
View more photos/info in Our launch piece
TaylorMade P7MC
Their story: The TaylorMade P7MC irons are made using a 2,000-ton pressure forged to achieve the right feel and sound. The iron is all business. Anyone comparing it to the P7MB (blade), will notice its slightly longer heel–to-toe length and slightly more offset, which make it an excellent candidate for gapping. The iron has a sharp feel at impact, and the workability of an iron blade. However, it is still able to forgive shots that are not in the middle. It has all the right features: looks, feel, and usability.
The fitters:
Read our launch article for more information and photos.
Mizuno Pro 223
Their story The Mizuno Pro223 irons conceal a speed-enhancing design within a compact player’s cavity. Mizuno’s new technology platform for 4-7 irons combines Mizuno’s tested ChromolyForging and Flow Microslot – A breakthrough designed to create extreme ball speeds with a small, tour-ready profile. Irons have a face thickness just 2.4mm (vs. 2.6mm JPX921Forged) and the Pro 223 irons, which are available from 8-PW from 1025E Pure Select Mild Carbon Steel, offer exceptional precision and control.
From the fitters
- “223 is incredible. It should not be so forgiving. Although players clubs have a tendency to be too conservative, this is still a great thing. This is a great option for single-digit players. It’s so easy to fit. Everyone loves the Mizuno feel.
- “When you have something within the 32-degree 7 iron range, it feels good, it looks good, and it offers what the better players are looking for. Home run. This is a great option for someone who doesn’t have the ability to play on a tour but still wants something similar to a Mizuno, with a little more help.
- “Forged Mizuno feel that is great for distance and control. With its compact shape, but sufficient ball speed to keep up with distance irons players, it is easy to use.
- “Iron has been a great spin cutter for high-spin players.”
You can find more photos/info in our launch article.
