Equipment
Irons: Hot New Picks for 2014
What new irons are getting the most buzz early in 2014, and which ones are testing the best at fitters around the world?
You don’t have to poke around too long in our forums to find out what irons golfers are excited about, and which ones are getting cricket treatment. It’s still too early to tell what will be the winners of our 2014 Editors Choice awards, because some manufacturers still haven’t stocked retailers with heads or full shaft offerings.
That being said, there are some early reports about this year’s performers. Here is a short list of what is hot, and some early recommendations if you’re on the lookout for a new set of irons for 2014.
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Ping S55 Irons
Ping found a way to squeeze a little extra forgiveness and distance out of the new S55 irons. They look almost identical to the S56 irons — we think that’s a good thing — that have over 30 professional victories since fall of 2011. They’re still cast, but many golfers will tell you that these irons feel much better than previous models. Expect the S55 to be a top choice for many, and a contender for Editors’ Choice Iron of the Year.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/148730/review-ping-s55-irons/”]Read More[/button]
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Titleist 714 AP1 and AP2 Irons
Titleist engineers had a very difficult task: improve what many golfers believed to be the leaders in their respective segments. The AP1’s build on their strengths with the game-improvement crowd, giving golfers a set of irons with more distance, forgiveness and a cleaner look. And the changes to new AP2’s set the bar even higher for what just might be the best forged cavity-back irons in golf.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/144023/titleist-714-ap1-and-ap2-irons-editor-review/”]Read More[/button]
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Callaway Apex Pro Irons
The Apex Pro irons are forged from the same 1020 carbon steel as Callaway’s 2013 X Forged irons, but their multi-material construction and new 37WV grooves bring modernity to the former one-piece design. In the long irons, Callaway engineers added high-density tungsten to the soles, which lowers the center of gravity (CG). That accentuates the irons’ CG height progression, a weighting scheme that gives the long irons a lower CG that launches the ball higher, and the short irons a higher CG that launches the ball lower.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/147878/tech-talk-callaway-apex-pro-irons/”]Read More[/button]
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Ping i25 Irons
According to Marty Jertson, director of product development for Ping, the biggest challenge most golfers face is hitting their long irons high enough. That’s why Ping’s new i25 long irons are designed more like to the company’s G-Series irons: they have longer blade lengths, wider soles and more offset, which helps golfers hit them higher, farther and closer to the target line on mishits. The irons also have thinner, more narrowly spaced stability bars in their cavities that make their faces livelier than their predecessors.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/165081/ping-i25-irons/”]Read More[/button]
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TaylorMade SpeedBlade Irons
At address, SpeedBlades are an absolute confidence booster with a thin(ish) top line. They have a great trampoline-like feel when flushed, and mishits won’t punish your joints. The ball flight with the long irons can look down right majestic. These irons are currently testing through the roof for distance and accuracy.
[button color=”red” link=”http://www.golfwrx.com/143879/taylormade-speedblade-irons-editor-review/”]Read More[/button]
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Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game.
The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag.
At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.
The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.
“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley
In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.
To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.
“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod
An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.
Pricing & Availability
The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026.
In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:
“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly.
My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.
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.
- manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
- MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
- dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”
Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.
From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo. 4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades. 5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft. Standard Length, Lie and Lofts. These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me. Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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dwntnbrown
May 18, 2015 at 12:59 pm
if you want the best feeling irons order a set of raven forged iron with aeortech shafts and you will have the best feeling golf club you ever hit
joro
Jun 9, 2014 at 11:21 am
Funny how it is always the same old ones.
Matthew
Feb 25, 2014 at 1:18 pm
what about the Minzuno jpxz forged blade its awesome!!!
Jeff
Feb 17, 2014 at 9:56 am
Best new club is Miura mb-001’s. Buttery and oh so long.
Jon
Mar 20, 2014 at 11:29 am
This article is about cavity backs not blades.
killerbgolfer
Feb 11, 2014 at 11:18 am
anyone got any comparisons between the Titleist AP2s and the PING s55?
Which is more forgiving?
Longer?
Other thoughts?
thanks
James
Mar 29, 2014 at 10:53 pm
Today I hit both the AP2 714 and the S55 today. They were both similar in terms of forgiveness. However, the key factor I noticed was that the S55 although not forged but felt really soft like forged irons. The AP2’s felt soft but not as much as the S55, I was quite surprised? I currently play the. I currently play the Mizuno MP33 and the feel between the S55 and my MP33 were similar. If you want a combination of soft feel and forgiveness, try the Callaway Apex Pro. I was blown away by the performance. I will be replacing my Mizunos with the Apex Pro’s. Hope this helps.
SBoss
Jan 29, 2014 at 12:21 pm
I’ve hit just about every iron (2013/2014) and it came down to two finalists: Callaway Apex Pro and Ping S55. I hit the MP-4, MP-54, all the TaylorMade’s, AP2/AP1, i20/i25, S56, MP-64…
This is very personal and one guy’s favorite might be very different than mine. I chose the S55 in the end and I’m happy that I did, because it’s the best iron I’ve ever hit. It’s a lot longer than I thought it was (longer than S56) and it was amazingly forgiving…while at the same time keeping the smaller profile that I like.
I’m blown away by the S55’s ability to be a club that you can move any direction…while somehow providing enough forgiveness and length.
I didn’t care for the MP-54 (it was chunky and not as forgiving) but somebody else might love it. I spoke to a Mini-Tour player who loves Mizuno (plays MP-64) and he said he’d never consider the MP-4 because it makes no sense to play a club with a sweet spot that small when other clubs were available that were just as easy to move and more forgiving. That’s why he plays MP-64. His view was that the MP-4 was an ego club but the person playing it would be better served with another stick. Again, one player’s opinion.
In the end, it’s best to hit every club and keep an open mind. Personally, I’d play any club manufacturer if I believed it was the best for me. I’m not loyal to anyone, I just want the sticks that I can play the best golf…for me.
Tom
Jan 28, 2014 at 5:10 pm
Read the first and second paragraph’s guy’s.
Suwitcha
Jan 23, 2014 at 1:45 am
I’m not agree on SpeedBlade. I use Ping i20 and then switch to RocketBladez and then speedBlade. Now I go back to Ping i20. SpeedBlade is not much different from previous model. Just new color.
Always a Fan!!
Jan 16, 2014 at 10:48 pm
Mizuno deserves credit… MP4’s are the 2014 offering no matter what date they were released… Good god… Blatant commercialism.
yo!
Jan 15, 2014 at 10:01 pm
Got the big 4 covered
titleist, Callaway, ping, tm
livestrong
Jan 15, 2014 at 11:47 pm
They peg it. I work at a top 5 fitter in the USA and we are seeing the same thing plus the new Cobra Pros. All in the LM numbers.
nik dallos
Jan 15, 2014 at 7:17 pm
Lets face it. Golfwrx is paid off by the big names to push their products. Everything is made in china and is assembled in the states. Show me something thats forged in pittsburg by a guy named joe and then i might buy your product. Till then, ill stick to my VIPs!
livestrong
Jan 15, 2014 at 11:44 pm
That is rubbish. Their sponsors are also Tour Edge, KZG, Fourteen Golf and Scratch golf. I dont see them mentioned. GolfWRX uses top fitters as their source if you did any reading or asked around. Read how they vote in the footer and go talk to them.
Januany
Jan 15, 2014 at 11:23 am
You have the SpeedBlade but not the CB or MC? And what about the other Apex? X2Hot and X2Hot Pro? And the Adams XTD irons? This list is ridiculous.
RAT
Jan 15, 2014 at 11:13 am
Why isn’t the FG M3 Wilson Staff shown?
RAT
Jan 15, 2014 at 11:07 am
Good comment Rich!
I notice that ping has been getting more exposure when they appear to be going to a walmart looking club.The colors are cheap & weak looking.
TM is still searching because they keep changing colors .Can anyone tell me what TM’s primary color is? And TT you are right on the ball, prices fall tech doesn’t really change just appearences so wait and buy later.
Mike
Feb 24, 2014 at 2:47 am
Does it really matter what colour? It won’t make the ball or you perform any better!
Aaron Bieber
Mar 4, 2014 at 12:11 pm
If you’ve seen the PING S55s in hand, there is no way you could classify them as a Walmart club. They are the best looking clubs I’ve seen, the finish is amazing. I love Titleist and Mizuno, but when I saw the S55s I just said ‘wow’. And they play amazingly, too.
trmarsh
Jan 15, 2014 at 8:54 am
Even though the MP 4’s and MP 54’s were released in 2013, I truly would like to see them on this list. They have a great combination of looks and feel.
Lee
Jan 15, 2014 at 2:41 pm
Best blade and forged cavity on the market IMO of course.
TonyK
Jan 14, 2014 at 9:31 pm
I scrolled up and down twice. Where is MP4?
Billy
Jan 14, 2014 at 10:06 pm
and VR pro combo.
Lar
Jan 15, 2014 at 12:02 am
MP-4 has been out for a while now, so it’s considered 2013 and a half? I thought the MP-54 would be on here too but it isn’t. And what about the Wilsons?
Craig
Jan 14, 2014 at 9:18 pm
I have the new Titleist AP1. And i love them. They are about the only company left that doesn’t release new clubs every 2 months. I think it is stupid for companys to come out with new clubs every 4 months. I have a Taylormade R1 white driver and they have already came out with 3 new drivers.
TT
Jan 14, 2014 at 9:33 pm
Since when are more product choices for consumers a bad thing? Also, if I am in the market for new clubs and eyeing a particular club (or set of clubs), I know if I am willing to wait a few more months I can likely get them at a lower price?
LiveWire
Jan 14, 2014 at 11:48 pm
TT, good point
Six months is wonderful timing for price changes. I usually purchase last years models when they drop a lot in price. Even though the look of a cub line might change a little I think R&D rotates on a 2 to 3 year cycle on irons.
Rich
Jan 15, 2014 at 6:41 am
Since it makes a joke of the club industry. TMAG don’t give 2 hoots about what’s good for the game. They only care about what’s good for the bottom line and the shareholders hip pockets. Maybe I should buy some TMAG shares and get in on the rort……….
Andrew Park
May 26, 2014 at 1:46 am
It’s called Capitalism. If you want limited choices and companies that can only release certain products at certain predicated times, move to a communist nation. What do you think is the driving force behind innovation? It is competition, plain and simple. What essentially is competition in a Capitalist system? It is multiple companies vying for marketshare. How do they accomplish this? They constantly develop new technologies, no matter how small the change may be, so that at any given time, a company’s product might be considered more advanced and of better quality than a competitor’s.
Rich
Jan 15, 2014 at 6:40 am
Sorry man, it’s actually 4. R1 Black, SLDR 460, SLDR 430 and Jetspeed. TMAG are ridiculous………
zacjokier
Mar 5, 2014 at 3:10 pm
Actually R1 black is an extension of the r1 so it’s not “new.” And the sldr and the sldr 430 are the same technology in a smaller package. So taylormade has actually only come out with 2 new clubs. Sldr and jetspeed.
TJ
Jan 15, 2014 at 12:07 pm
hmmm Titleist the only manufacture that does releases every 2 years? when was the last ping i series released? I’m also pretty sure that Mizuno has a 2 year cycle as well?
ND Hickman
Jan 15, 2014 at 4:15 pm
Ping i20’s were out two years ago, and yes you are right. Mizuno do employ a two year cycle for their clubs.
Lee
Jan 16, 2014 at 5:29 am
Yeah that’s right the I20 irons were released 2 years ago however Ping had the I25’s ready 6 months ago but were told by their distribution network to hold their horses. It’s good to see that they listened to the guys on the street as from first impressions the 25’s aren’t a radical upgrade which 6 months ago may well have been viewed as a cosmetic blow over, given the extra time they will now attract genuine interest even from I20 owners.
paul
Feb 19, 2014 at 2:35 pm
As an I 20 owner, I have tried the new stuff, and don’t care. I20 looks better to.