Equipment

The hottest blade irons in golf right now

Published

8 years ago

Nov 21, 2017

As we’ve written before, the decision to put a new driver in the bag is usually obvious. Better numbers at testing, perceptibly longer distance, and as long as your bank account allows, you have your new gamer.

The iron switch, however, is a trickier beast. Comfort with the variety of shots one needs to hit is key. Confidence from one’s long irons through the higher lofts is critical. Thus, even the greatest enthusiasm for a new iron release isn’t always followed by a mass exodus to gaming said irons. This is doubly true at the professional level, where the tools are critical to a player’s livelihood.

That said, the combination of forum chatter, GolfWRX member enthusiasm, and what we’re spotting in our WITB photos from tour stops are a reliable indicator of the hottest irons in the game.

And judging by the response to our recent Instagram post, we’re confident that these four models are the hottest blade irons in golf right now.

Callaway Apex MB

Buzz built steadily for the Apex MB iron when we first spotted them in Tour players’ bags at the beginning of 2017. The irons are the product of direct feedback from the company’s Tour staffers, according to Luke Williams, Director of Product and Brand Management at Callaway. Forged from 1025 Carbon Steel, these irons have the shortest blade lengths, the thinnest soles and the smallest overall heads in the vast line of Callaway irons. They’re designed for maximum workability, and for tour-desired turf interaction.

Mizuno MP-18

The pioneers of Grain-Flow Forging, Mizuno went back to its roots with the MP-18 iron model. A throwback to the great muscle backs in the company’s history, Mizuno was shooting for the look of an iron that could have been forged a century ago. Shorter blade length, cambered top line, sharp, compact wedges, all combined with the most minimal badging make the MP-18 an instant classic that set the GolfWRX forums afire.

TaylorMade P730

TaylorMade’s P730, particularly in its prototype incarnations, made quite a splash on the PGA Tour. Building on the heritage of the TP-MB irons, P730 was developed in collaboration with the very best players in the world. The 1025 carbon steel irons irons feature a smaller profile and crisper lines than the MB series irons. The combination of the clean look and a deep rear groove have players drooling. Discussing working with Dustin Johnson and Justin Rose to design the P730, TM’s Senior Director of Irons, Tomo Bystedt said, “What these players need is a very low-inertia club that they can [manipulate] easily, almost like a surgeon’s scalpel.” Behold the scalpel.

Titleist 718 MB

“For the purist there is no substitute for a one-piece, muscle back iron. The 718 MB is the modern choice for those desiring a traditional forged look and feel,” says Titleist in the 718 MB marketing materials.

It’s hard to argue with that statement from the “appearance of a classic forged iron” standpoint. Purists appreciate that the 718 MB maintains Titleist’s traditional lofts (the 6-iron is 31 degrees, the pitching-wedge is 47 degrees), thin top-line, minimal offset, and limited badging. In short, if it ain’t broke…

Related Topics:featured

Up Next

Catching up with Sunfish and taking a test drive of the new custom builder

Don't Miss

See what GolfWRX Members are saying about Mizuno’s new ST-180 driver

Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

21 Comments

Johnno

Mar 3, 2019 at 6:20 am

Fujimoto MB new best irons on the market

Reply Report comment
Benny

Dec 28, 2017 at 8:30 am

KZG shows amd details their forging process. Forging is not hard fellas for these manufactures. But in every industry huge companies all sub contract. I sell plastic and resin but some of the largest manufactures outsource everything as its cheaper than bringing it all in house. Instead these manufactures are trying other ways to market a “better club”. Like any manufacturing it’s about speed, process and profits.

Reply Report comment
Crazy About Golf

Dec 14, 2017 at 11:35 pm

Used to game Titleist….Hit all four of these guys over several days and made the change to Mizuno MP18. Hands down the softest, best performing and best looking new blades currently on the market.

Reply Report comment
OB

Nov 23, 2017 at 12:03 pm

Okay, Ben, now tell us how each of the clubs were forged. Hot forged? Cold coin forged? Welded hosel?
You get the metallurgical data from the OEMs, but how about asking them about their forging method so GolfWRX denizens will know exactly what they are buying?

Reply Report comment
- Mick
  
  Nov 25, 2017 at 10:43 am
  
  If Mizuno is so good, how come no one plays them. PGA Tour, NCAA, Mizuno is the least played and NCAA guys dont get paid to use clubs. Titleist, PING, Taylormade are in most golf bags.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Brian
    
    Nov 27, 2017 at 11:50 pm
    
    There was a survey a few months back in one of the major golf publications asking tour players what iron they would play if given the choice. Mizuno was atop this list by a large margin. Mizuno also has several sets on the tour in players bags without contracts- any NCAA school with a decent golf program is under a contact with major manufactures. Example PGX supplies several schools with FREE equipment. Mizuno has never spent in this fashion and thus you do not experience the propaganda you may expect.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Mike
    
    Dec 6, 2017 at 3:26 pm
    
    Actually when Nike stopped making equipment it left a number of players without a club contract for a while. Overwhelming those players put Mizuno’s in their bags for free.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Benny
    
    Dec 28, 2017 at 8:23 am
    
    Yes but schools get their clubs, gear, and clothing from sponsured OEM’s. You think the schools pay for everything for their teams? Adidas sponsored Louisville for $180mil over 6 years to play all of their gear. Mizuno doesn’t sponsur like these other brands but certainly doesn’t mean their irons aren’t ontop right now.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Hutstar
    
    Dec 28, 2017 at 12:34 pm
    
    “Titleist, PING, Taylormade are in most golf bags.” Right. You could add Callaway. Those 4 spend the most at Pro and College level by far. I still remember seeing a really good amateur player using Taylor Made a few years back and being surprised – it just hadn’t occurred to me that someone who knows what they’re doing would use Taylor Made irons by choice (and it’s possible they were holdovers from college days or something). BTW, those companies make decent stuff, but it wouldn’t be the choice of most top players and therefore they are forced to buy their way into bags.
    
    Reply Report comment
- SteveK
  
  Nov 29, 2017 at 3:07 pm
  
  Full forged or fake forged….. that’s the issue.
  
  Reply Report comment
Anthony

Nov 22, 2017 at 8:21 pm

I’ll stick with my Z965’s. Tried them all and the Srixon’s felt the best…

Reply Report comment
Bob Jones

Nov 22, 2017 at 12:36 pm

Still doing well with my Hogan Red Lines.

Reply Report comment
The General

Nov 22, 2017 at 12:04 pm

no Cobra KING Forged MBs? They came out late last year, but still, they are some of the best feeling/best looking irons out there and they come in 2 different colors. You guys made a mistake not adding them to this list.

Reply Report comment
Paul Dooley

Nov 22, 2017 at 10:10 am

I’m playing the Apex MB’s currently, and love the feel. Granted I’m a Callaway loyalist, but getting the ball to do whatever I need it to comes really easy with these irons.

Reply Report comment
Woody

Nov 21, 2017 at 6:58 pm

It would be cool to see some other companies from time to time..

Reply Report comment
Andrew

Nov 21, 2017 at 4:57 pm

Why is Mizuno the only one that shows the public their forging process from start to finish? Because the others only cold forge? Because the others have a welded hosel? Take away the money, Mizuno is the best forged iron on the planet.

Reply Report comment
- JOEL GOODMAN
  
  Nov 22, 2017 at 7:59 pm
  
  MIZUNO FORGES THEIR OWN. MOST OF THE OTHERS ARE FORGED BY KENDO OR OTHER GENERIC FORGES
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Adam
    
    Nov 25, 2017 at 1:21 am
    
    Its called Endo, who actualyl forge their own 1 piece irons no welding of of hosel. Who are the generic forgers.
    
    Reply Report comment
- SS
  
  Nov 24, 2017 at 2:53 pm
  
  Mizuno = 100% hot forged throughout.
  Others = Cheap coin “forged” stampings = 1% surface-only forged.
  Does it matter, particularly since PING are double annealed 17-7 cast steel, to allow for lie bending?
  Perhaps that soft ‘buttery’ impact feel is only due to hosel and shaft design and the ‘feel’ attributed to the clubhead is illusory.
  
  Reply Report comment
Steve Sands

Nov 21, 2017 at 4:49 pm

The Miura’s are the best, and and the Srixons are right there too. How come we only mention the same major companies over and over again?

Reply Report comment
Michael Riechmann

Nov 21, 2017 at 4:22 pm

Srixon 965’s All Day

Reply Report comment

Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Equipment

Tour Edge unveils all-new Exotics mini driver

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

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.

Equipment

Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

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”

Equipment

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

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