Most major brands have six, seven or even eight sets of irons in their 2023 line-ups. Some are new models, others are carried over from previous ranges and years, but they are all aimed at very specific golfers, as no iron is ever designed without a target golfer in mind.
There's been a huge influx of new forged iron families in recent times, but choices still range from sublime muscle backs to hollow heads, cavity backs and super-forgiving hybrid-style irons. While some are forged from soft carbon-steel, others have springy fast faces, just like a driver.
With so many options out there, it's easy for golfers to get confused over which will best suit their game. And even those who have a good idea of which iron will suit them often don't realise what's put on the line in terms of ball speed, carry distance and forgiveness if choosing a set above their ball-striking capability.
With every major 2023 iron model now available in the shops, the time felt right to show how each brand's iron range compares head to head. Thanks to our consistent test pro and his launch monitor data, we can show how whole families of irons stack up. We've also given each model a forgiveness rating and handicap guide to spell out which players should be considering each model and, more importantly, why...
PING
BLUEPRINT Category: Muscleback blade Forgiveness rating: 1/5 Handicap range: Four and below Construction: Forged from a single piece of 8620 carbon steel 7-iron loft: 34°
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