In 2020 we've seen a huge amount of new irons released to the market in all shapes and sizes. We've tested everything worth testing and found some gems which I can confidently say will stand the test of time.
The main trend we have seen, amongst game-improvement irons certainly, is manufacturers trying everything in their power to improve on sound and feel whilst still offering distance and forgiveness. 2020 has proved that you can get an iron with all the performance you could ever wish for without sacrificing looks. Manufacturers are becoming increasingly good at cramming technology into an iron head subtly which has to be a good thing, right?
Here's our list of the irons that we rated highest in 2020, there is some absolute belters in here. In no particular order...
Released: 20/01/2020
RRP As Reviewed: £1183 (4-PW Steel)
Quick Hit: The G710 comes with a stealth hydropearl finish, along with a black PVD coating, which not only helps to make the head look smaller but also has some performance benefits too. Extra forgiveness comes thanks to the 17-4 stainless steel body, and high-density tungsten toe and shaft weight, which provides 5% higher MOI than the G700.
The Tech: There's a C300 maraging steel face which promotes faster ball speeds thanks to precision machining, acting as a 'spring on a diving board' for higher launch and extra carry distance.
Golfalot Says: "The G710 is the best looking true game-improvement iron I have tried. It's long and offers great forgiveness, although does fall down a little on sound and is on the pricey side too."
Read the FULL REVIEW here
Released: 10/08/2020
RRP As Reviewed: £1299 (4-PW Steel)
Quick Hit: Put simply, TaylorMade P7MB is defined by its clean and elegant appearance, it's a muscle back iron that reflects a level of the game that we all aspire to.
The Tech: 'Performance for the golf purist'. Forged from 1025 carbon steel with a machine-milled face comprised of the most aggressive score lines in TaylorMade's growing arsenal, P7MB represents the ultimate in shot making and control.
Golfalot Says: "These irons are as good as anything Mizuno have produced which is the bench mark for me with blades. I can honestly say this was the most enjoyable time I have had testing with Golfalot due to the real feedback you get from striking these clubs."
Read the FULL REVIEW here
Released: 06/02/2020
RRP As Reviewed: £849 (4-PW Steel)
Quick Hit: You get all of the benefits of Callaway's Artificial Intelligence, and the technologies that combine with it, but in a more compact head which promotes a better feel.
The Tech: The Mavrik Pro Irons feature a more compact head shape, flatter lie angle and thinner topline that better players prefer for better workability and control. With Flash Face architecture, each iron is engineered for optimized distance and performance.
Golfalot Says: "I’d put the Mavrik Pro irons in my bag tomorrow. What a great looking and great performing iron. It's very rare for me to find an iron which goes further than my current ones without dropping the spin rate, whilst also feeling great at the same time. The word that kept springing to mind whilst hitting these clubs was 'pure'."
Read the FULL REVIEW here
Released: 27/03/2020
RRP As Reviewed: £1300 (4-PW)
Quick Hit: They are contemporary in design, they are meaty, they look modern, they look like they were made in 2020, and they certainly don't look like a traditional Titleist iron, but that's not necessarily a bad thing...
The Tech: These irons are jam-packed full of it. A super thin L-face helps maintain ball-speed on strikes on the bottom of the face, 100g of tungsten weighting is added to the toe and heel in the long irons to offer higher launch, and it's all brought together in a wide body shape and hollow structure meaning the MOI is increased further.
Golfalot Says: "If you are a higher handicapper, woman or senior gofer who struggles with launch and speed then this could be the perfect iron for you. The forgiveness and consistency was incredibly clear in performance both on and off the course with the T400. However, packing all that technology in does come at a price, as the irons are priced at £180 per club which puts it up at the top-end of the market with the likes of the Ping G710. You are very much paying for your game improvement, but I can say that this was noticeable in my performance and data."
Read the FULL REVIEW here
Released: 07/01/2020
RRP As Reviewed: £699 (4-PW Steel)
Quick Hit: Combining the distance technologies from the original D7 line with the aesthetics of Wilson Staff's players irons, the D7 Forged irons provide an ideal blend of maximum distance and ultimate feel for golfers looking for effortless distance and ultimate control.
The Tech: The power holes remain from the original D7 irons but there is also the addition of the power chamber that is filled with urethane inside the head, and lower on the face, to improve ball speed and reduce vibration at impact. This should result in a more desirable, better players' iron feel and sound at impact.
Golfalot Says: "Since testing these irons I have played with them a couple of times in casual rounds of golf and enjoyed them. Don't be put off by the relatively low price-tag thinking that this must mean less quality - the D7 Forged are another great set of irons from Wilson Staff and reaffirm their constantly improving position in the iron market of late."
Read the FULL REVIEW here
Released: 10/08/2020
RRP As Reviewed: £1299 (4-PW Steel)
Quick Hit: TaylorMade have changed the looks of this iron from looking like a P750 to now being a cross between P790's and the new P7MB irons. TaylorMade claim that P770 punches above its class and this more compact players iron can keep up with the heavy hitters. They have done this by using some of the technologies we've all seen before.
The Tech: A hollow body construction, SpeedFoam and the Thru-Slot Speed Pocket all feature whilst MOI has been boosted by strategically positioning tungsten weights within each head. Present in the 3-7 irons and weighing up to 46 grams, the tungsten inserts are positioned towards the toe for precise CG placement and increased forgiveness.
Golfalot Says: "I can see these clubs being used by single figure golfers and women professional golfers rather than spreading out into a handicapper in the double figures like the P790's, due to their more traditional lofts and less hot face. You certainly get the sound and feel which you don’t have with the P790's. The P770’s certainly fill a gap between P790’s and P7MC’s."
Read the FULL REVIEW here
Released: 17/09/2020
RRP As Reviewed: £150 per iron
Quick Hit: "Applying the potential of Chromoly means that the JPX921 irons hold their own in any simulator test - without having to crank 7 iron lofts at all cost. Look, feel, launch, spin and landing angles have to be right through the set - ultimately this is what sets Mizuno irons apart."
The Tech: The JPX921 Forged is the first iron of this type to be crafted from Mizuno's Chromoly steel - after it was first used in the Hot Metal irons - and the brand says that this has provided their fastest ball speeds ever produced from a forged iron as it allows the clubface to be up to 0.5mm thinner than their previous models.
Golfalot Says: "All in all, the JPX921 Forged irons looked beautiful and performed really well. They suited me a little better than the Tour model, although I'd say that the longer irons were still a little thin for me and they aren't the easiest to strike consistently. I would certainly look to have the short irons feature in the bottom of my bag from wedge up to around 6 iron."
Read the FULL REVIEW here
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