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Should you be playing game improvement irons? Testing PXG’s Black Ops irons

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According to the National Golf Foundation, the average score of golfers who regularly keep score is 94. The same study shows 32 percent of golfers report average scores between 90-99, with 29 percent of golfers reporting average scores between 80-89.

While many of us want to play players irons, the reality is that most of us should be using more game improvement-style irons, or at least strongly considering this category. PXG wants to show you that just because you need game improvement irons doesn’t mean you have to give up soft feel, great sound, and classic looks.

Where we come in

GolfWRX took to our forum to find two gearheads who not only wanted, but needed to make a chance when it came to the irons in their bag. That’s where Dan and Joe come in. Two longtime GolfWRX forum members and Scottsdale, Arizona, golfers who were looking for added distance, forgiveness, and were interested in the tech behind the PXG Black Ops irons.

About the members

Dan aka dahn (Member since 2008) Joe aka puttnforthe8 (Member since 2009)
13.2 handicap 10 handicap
Current Irons: Callaway Paradym Current Irons: Srixon ZX5 & Ping S56

 

.. and how the PXG Black Ops irons could benefit them:

Dan: “The dual cavity will hopefully give me the added distance while maintaining the aesthetics that we all want from a players/players distance iron.”

Joe: “I personally could benefit on a number of fronts. Firstly, the forgiveness the Black Ops technology is providing will be truly welcome. The mishits have increased right along with age – so need some irons that reverse aging! The distance provided of course is going to be beneficial, but if I am going to get forgiveness and length back – sign me up. Mentally, the look is going to be a big win – some of the GI/SGI irons look like a shovel and my head gets wrecked looking at those. These look streamlined and thinner at the top so as not to cause a mental breakdown.”

Getting fit

PXG welcomed each member to their Scottsdale location for a fitting. Remember, getting fit is a vital step to find what clubs will work best for you and uncovering the most optimal setup to unlock your full potential as a golfer. Dan was fit into a set of Black Ops irons (4-gw) with Aerotech SteelFiber 95s shafts.  Dan picked improvement in distance (approximately 5 yards), but his “dispersion and ball descent was much better.”

Joe had never been fit for irons. He came into this fitting looking for better distance, more forgiveness and to hit the ball higher. After working through a few different options, Joe and his fitter settled on the PXG Black Ops irons with the Accra I-series Graphite shaft. Joe stated that this setup was “balanced, the head felt great and it really inspired confidence“. With this setup, Joe was able to achieve a faster swing speed, more distance, and a 30 percent increase in height.

Hitting the course

By this time we had seen the improvement in their numbers following their fitting, but we wanted to see how it impacted their game on-course in a location that they frequent, one they’re familiar with, and perhaps have proved challenging to them in the past. We hit Camelback Golf Club’s beautiful Ambiente Course, a 7,225-yard, par 72 course that challenges players with several striking features: eye-catching elevation changes and rolling fairways with significant drops.

No. 4, a long par-5 on Ambiente, is one that has particularly proven to be one that is tough to overcome for Joe. This time, though, it was different. He came equipped with the PXG Black Ops irons, a set of irons that was more suitable for his game and packed with technology, ultimate forgiveness, and maximum distance for a mid-handicap player like Joe.

Tune in below to see how both Dan and Joe fared. 

For more information on the PXG Black Ops irons, visit the PXG website here and be sure to schedule a fitting at one of their 200+ fitting locations. Read more about this experience from Dan and Joe, and get in on the action by visting our forum.

This article is presented in partnership with PXG. 

We share your golf passion. You can follow GolfWRX on Twitter @GolfWRX, Facebook and Instagram.

Equipment

Tour Edge unveils all-new Exotics mini driver

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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. 

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Equipment

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

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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”

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Equipment

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

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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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