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The Srixon ZXi5 irons are incredibly impressive.  An arguably unrivaled blend of great looks, sound, and feel with strong game improvement performance.

Introduction

I usually try to come up with some kind of modestly clever introduction, but I’m just going to jump in here: the Srixon ZXi5 irons are well on their way to being my favorite game improvement iron of 2025.  I’m impressed with every aspect of this club, so let’s get to it.

Looks

The Srixon ZXi5 irons make an impression from the minute you unbox them.  There are interesting angles everywhere on this club, from the sole to the cavity, but the look has been cleaned up from the overly busy ZX5 Mk II [review HERE].  Srixon allows that geometry to speak for itself, pushing all the branding into the toe.  Limiting the paint fill to black and white furthers the classy, timeless look.  Also, the finish is outstanding – it straddles the line between a dull matte and a thin chrome that shows every scuff and scratch.

The address look of the Srixon ZXi5 irons is a huge part of their appeal for me.  Srixon calls these players distance irons, but I think they could be simply called players irons.  They’re on the thick side of that category, certainly, but I think the argument can be made.  If you don’t want to go that far, then the ZXi5 irons are the best looking game improvement irons I can think of.  The top lines and blade lengths are moderate, and there’s only a modest amount of offset (roughly 0.5 mm more than the ZXi7 irons).

Above, you can see the Srixon ZXi5 next to the ZXi4 (left).  If you want to see all the ZXi irons and their specs, Srixon has an outstanding chart HERE, but there are two things on the chart that don’t match what my eyes see.  Srixon’s chart says that the top lines of the ZXi4, ZXi5, and ZXi7 are all the same, and that the offset specs are almost identical.  I’ve looked at the ZXi4 and ZXi5 side by side, and I am 100% convinced the top line of the ZXi5 is thinner and that it has less offset.

There are probably ways for Srixon and me to both to be right, related to the measurement techniques and the impact of the club’s shape.  Regardless, I think there is a noticeable difference between the two models, but the transition is smooth enough that you could combo the two sets easily.

Sound & Feel

The look of the Srixon ZXi5 irons got me intrigued, but the sound and feel really put me over the edge.  My first shot felt great – soft and crisp.  Then I looked down and realized it wasn’t close to the center.  “Wow,” I thought, “if the toe feels that good, I can’t wait to feel the sweet spot.”  When I did hit the center, the feel was even better: it’s softer and deeper – a better connection from your hands to the ball.

Striking a premium ball creates a crisp “thud.”  That sounds a little contradictory, but the sound never gets click-y or snappy.  Good shots have a rich quality to the tone that does dissipates slightly when you hit the toe or heel.

Performance

Having fallen in love with the looks, sound, and feel, I started looking at the launch monitor data thinking to myself, “Don’t you screw this up!”  Thankfully, the Srixon ZXi5 irons have the performance to back up their amazing subjective qualities.

Srixon promotes the ZXi5 as players distance irons (I don’t love that designation; I’ll continue to think of them as game improvement), so let’s start with the ball speed.  Throughout the set, the ZXi5 produced strong ball speed that was remarkably consistent.  Looking purely at the ball speed numbers, you’d think I was a much more skilled ball striker than I am.  Consistency is going to be the big theme of this section, and it’s why I think so highly of these irons.

Turning to launch and spin, the Srixon ZXi5 irons are mid to mid-high.  This is another reason why I dislike the “players distance” designation for them – I associate that category with irons that launch and spin low because they’re focused purely on winning the launch monitor battle.  Turning back to that theme of consistency, I was really impressed with how robust the launch and spin were from pure strikes to poor ones.  Thin shots flew a little lower, but they weren’t worm burners.  The predictability of the ball flight was excellent.

Despite being forgiving and consistent, the Srixon ZXi5 irons have a lot of appeal to the better player.  Not only do they look, sound, and feel great, they’re workable, too.  This is thanks in no small part to the Tour V.T. Sole which makes the club feel almost like a blade in the turf.

Finally, Srixon continues to push the idea of combo sets with the ZXi line.  The ZXi5 irons are at the heart of these sets because you can combo up or down.  Better players may use the ZXi7 in the scoring irons and ZXi5 in the long irons.  Players who want more help can use the ZXi5 in the scoring irons and ZXi4 in the long irons.

If I’m being totally honest, I think the Srixon ZXi5 irons are so good they almost negate the need for a combo set.  I felt like the ZXi5 gave me all the forgiveness I needed in the long irons with plenty of control and touch in the short irons.  But, of course, that’s just my opinion, and you should work with your fitter to build your ideal set.

Conclusion

Whether you classify them as players distance or game improvement, the Srixon ZXi5 irons have set the bar very high for the rest of the class of 2025.  You will be hard pressed to find another iron this consistent that looks and feel this good.

Visit Srixon HERE

Srixon ZXi5 Irons Price & Specs

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The 2025 Wilson DYNAPWR irons send the long iron shots deep and are consistent in the short irons.  Stout, game improvement look.  Surprisingly traditional sound and feel.

Introduction

Golf can be paradoxical: a game that reveres history and tradition is also one of the most tech-driven sports on the planet.  No OEM embodies that contradiction better than Wilson Golf.  The brand with arguably the greatest history and inarguably more major wins than any other is also working to be on the cutting edge of golf performance.  The Wilson DYNAPWR irons show that dichotomy with a throwback name and performance that’s anything but old school.

Looks

In the bag, the 2025 Wilson DYNAPWR irons share their overall aesthetic with the previous version released in 2023.  The cavity is colored with black, grey, and red.  This new version is busier with several levels and lines going in numerous directions.  It’s not a bad looking iron, but I wish it had a clearer focal point.  The iconic Wilson shield feels shoe-horned into the toe – I would have liked it to be more prominent.

At address, the 2025 Wilson DYNAPWR irons have a stout game improvement look.  The top lines are thick, but these irons are not very long from heel to toe.  There is a healthy amount of offset – average for game improvement irons – but there isn’t any “extra” sticking out behind the top line.

If you prefer a smaller address look, check out the WIlson Dynapower Forged HERE

Above, you can see the Wilson DYNAPWR irons 7I on the right and the DYNAPWR Max 7I on the left.  There’s a substantial difference between the two, which I like – why have two models if they’re going to be near twins?  The standard DYNAPWR is thinner across the top line with a smaller face and less offset (0.056″ in the 7I, to be precise.  Kudos to Wilson for publishing the offset specs).

Sound & Feel

While the performance aspects of modern golf clubs deserve top billing, I think it’s also noteworthy the way OEMs have engineered the sound and feel.  A hollow body set like the 2025 Wilson DYNAPWR irons would have been predictably loud and boorish just a few years ago.  Now, golfers can get the performance benefits of game improvement irons without the unpleasant sensations.

At impact, the DYNAPWR irons feel very solid.  On feel alone, there’s no way you would guess that these clubs are hollow.  I’m not suggesting that they feel the same as a forged blade, but this level of tactile feedback is not something you could have found in a GI iron a few years ago.

Similarly, the impact sound is quieter than expected.  This set does get louder as the irons get longer, but they never step beyond average in volume.  The scoring clubs produce a duller, more “thud”-like sound where the longer irons are crisper with a bit of snap.

Performance

If you recall the previous Dynapower irons [or you check out the review HERE], the picture above might be a bit surprising to you.  There’s something missing: Power Holes.  This was Wilson’s signature iron technology for several generations, but they’ve changed to a new suite of technologies for the 2025 DYNAPWR set.  Per Wilson, this includes Hollow Body Construction, Energy Transfer Chassis, PKR-Cup Face, and Velocity Optimization Channel.

While the names vary from one OEM to the next, the fundamentals are fairly similar.  The goal of the Wilson DYNAPWR irons is to transfer maximum energy to the ball, regardless of where it strikes the face, and to create a center of gravity that produces a high, consistent ball flight.  In my testing, I saw the Wilson DYNAPWR irons succeed on both counts.

Starting with ball speed, the DYNAPWR irons are very similar to their predecessor.  In the short irons, the ball speed is extremely consistent.  To me, consistency is worth more than raw power in the short irons, because you’re trying to knock it close.  In the longer irons, DYNAPWR lives up to its name with loads of speed.  The 5I in particular absolutely roasts the ball.  This set does have very strong lofts which contribute to the ball speed, but they’re also well designed.

Turning to the ball flight, the 2025 Wilson DYNAPWR irons are an improvement over the previous generation.  This set launches higher which will help players get more distance out of their ball speed.  Even the 22 degree 5I launched at a playable trajectory that could hold a green.  I will still offer the same warning I did last time around: because of the strong lofts, you should get fit and probably avoid the 4I unless you have both elite club speed and fairly high launch.

Conclusion

Overall, the 2025 Wilson DYNAPWR irons are strong performers in the game improvement segment.  At $899 for a 7-piece set, they’re several hundred dollars less than some of the bigger names, but they don’t sacrifice distance or forgiveness.  Get fit for the right specs and shafts, and you’ll enjoy hitting consistent short iron shots and blasts with the long irons.

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2025 Wilson DYNAPWR Irons Price & Specs

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The PXG Wildcat golf clubs are a set built for new players or those who want more help on the course.  Nine club set makes great sense for many players.  Strong value.

Introduction

When PXG first entered the game, the one thing that everyone knew was that their clubs were expensive.  Several years later, there is not a single OEM doing more for the budget-conscious golfer.  The PXG Wildcat golf clubs are a follow up to the 0211 Z line [review HERE] and arguably the best way for new and higher handicap players to get a sensible set of clubs with great performance at a reasonable price.

Looks

Overall, the PXG Wildcat golf clubs have a sharp, premium look that’s largely in line with the rest of PXG’s offerings.  The black and silver color scheme is the same, the PXG branding is the same, and the black headcovers even have the same QuickStick magnets.  You’re not going to see the elaborate mill marks like on the Sugar Daddy III wedges [review HERE], but that’s reflective of the price gap.

Starting at the top of the bag, the PXG Wildcat driver looks really good.  The crown is a high gloss black with a white stripe that gives the shape definition.  It’s round and symmetrical, not stretched or leaning toward the heel.  The only sign that it’s meant for higher handicap players is that the face is a little closed.

You get a very similar story with the PXG Wildcat fairway wood.  It has a traditional, symmetrical shape that I found really appealing.  The face depth is average, making it comfortable to hit off the tee or turf.  It’s also a little closed at address, which makes sense for the target audience.

While all three of the woods are better looking than I expected, the PXG Wildcat hybrid may take top prize.  It’s slightly pear shaped, which is something we usually only see in players hybrids.  The alignment mark skews slightly toward the heel and there’s some offset, both of which nod toward a draw bias.

Finally, the PXG Wildcat irons are thick.  In the bag, they show off their ultra wide, anti-digging soles.  At address, the top line is thick and softly rounded, there’s a healthy dose of offset, and the large face encourages players to take a confident swing.

Sound & Feel

Starting again at the top of the bag, the PXG Wildcat driver was a pleasant surprise.  Most “high handicap” drivers are loud and unrefined.  This club, in contrast, has medium volume with a concentrated, mid-pitch, metallic tone.  The ball feels fast off the face.  There’s moderate feedback through the hands and ears when you have more than a slight mishit.

Both the Wildcat hybrid and fairway wood lean toward the prototypical fairway wood sound.  Both are quieter than the driver but higher pitched and more metallic in tone.  The feel in both is more fast than solid, which should provide confidence and excitement for the newer player.

Finally, the PXG Wildcat irons have the soft, bouncy feel that I’ve come to associate with many of PXG’s premium irons.  The ball feels like it’s springing off the face, even on slight mishits.  This feel accompanies a quiet “thud” which doesn’t change unless you hit only the bottom groove.

Performance

The PXG Wildcat driver is the club that really helps the Wildcat golf set stand apart from other premium options.  It’s built to 44″ with 16 degrees of loft, so it’s engineered to be a fairway finder.  And PXG didn’t skimp on the materials either, making the entire head and face from titanium for durability and ball speed.  This is a high launch, high spin club – largely as a result of the loft – but these are good things for a new player or any player without a lot of swing speed.  But the real selling point is the dispersion.  Players can stand on the tee feeling confident that their shot is going to go in the right direction and get the hole started the right way.

Both the PXG Wildcat fairway wood and PXG Wildcat hybrid carry forward that idea of making the long game less intimidating.  Both of these clubs have more loft than you might expect – 19 and 26 degrees, respectively – but, as with the driver, that’s the key to making them work so well.  That added loft gets the ball airborne, and strong ball speed across the face gives every shot the potential to carry a long way.  The additional loft also helps those longer shots to land softer – something golfers struggle with at almost every handicap level.  There is a notable draw bias in these clubs, which will help players fight that hated slice.

From a technology standpoint, the PXG Wildcat irons might be the most exciting and best value in this set.  These irons feature the same proprietary XCOR2 polymer core that PXG uses in their Black Ops irons [review HERE].  This material supports an ultra-thin face which means that players get exceptional ball speed, even on mishits.  The thick soles help player by lowering the CG for higher ball flight and providing insurance against digging.

While these irons are miles from my gamers [the PXG 0317 T, review HERE], I had a ball hitting them.  Every shot launched high and carried forever.  With so much forgiveness, I felt free to swing away.  That freedom led to exceptional accuracy.  PXG put a note in this box saying that these irons aren’t for me, but I’m not so sure about that.

Overall, the PXG Wildcat golf clubs deliver on their promise of exceptional performance for the new or high handicap golfer.  Every club is easy to hit with a look that promotes confidence.  It is worth noting that this set is offered with graphite shafts only – Project X Cypher – in R, A, or L flex.

If you’re wondering about the PXG Black Hawk putter which can be included in the Wildcat set, I have a full review HERE

Conclusion

Available as a complete set or individually, the PXG Wildcat golf clubs are a great choice for a new golfer, someone coming back to the game, or any higher handicap player looking for great value.  As a nine-club set, this covers everything that most players need without giving them things they don’t, and it lets players take advantage of great technology without breaking the bank.

Visit PXG HERE

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The Edel SMS Pro irons allow players to fit the CG to their swing and impact tendencies.  A traditional players cavity back – don’t expect much forgiveness.

Introduction

In drivers, movable weight is almost a given.  Players toggle the weights to align the CG with their most common strike or to bias the club toward their preferred shot shape.  In irons, however, the heel-toe CG location is almost never discussed.  The Edel SMS Pro irons aim to change that by allowing the golfer to move the CG to suit their swing and most common strike location.

Looks

In the address position, you’d never know the Edel SMS Pro irons are anything but a traditional players cavity back.  The top lines are fairly thin, and there’s minimal offset.  From heel to toe, this iron frames the ball nicely without much excess.  The SMS Pro isn’t breaking new ground, but in this category, that’s not something people want anyway.

In the bag, this iron shows that it has some technological oomph.  The three round, black weights are the dominant feature, dwarfing the “Edel,” “Forged,” and “SMS Pro” engravings on the heel and toe.   A small, triangular cavity hints at a smattering of forgiveness.

Sound & Feel

On their site, Edel touts the “Precision Grain Forging” techniques that they use to enhance the 1025 carbon steel in these irons.  To me, these feel good but aren’t anything particularly out of the ordinary.  On center, they feel soft and rewarding, but that firms up very quickly as you move away from the center.  This is valuable feedback, though it may be a little harsh for players who aren’t consistently striping it.  It is good that the feel changes so noticeably because I had more difficulty feeling the impact location than I would have expected.

The sound of the Edel SMS Pro irons matches the feel well.  On center, it’s close to the sweet “thud” that players love from a forged iron.  As you move into the realm of toe and heel strikes, the sound transforms into a “clack.”  On the edges of the face, that sound is a harsh reminder the hit the next shot better.

Performance

Edel’s claims around their SMS (Swing Match System) are not small: better club face control, eliminating the right or left miss, adding distance, and hitting more accurate shots.  Having tested the SMS wedge [review HERE], I was not skeptical of these claims at all.  Getting the center of gravity (or sweet spot) right is that big a deal.  The Edel SMS Pro irons will deliver on their big promises, if they’re properly fit.

To appreciate the SMS Pro irons, it’s important to understand a bit about iron design.  First, the CG is not always in the geometric center of the face.  In fact, it might not even be in the center of the face the majority of the time.  OEMs place the CG in different places for different reasons – player preference, aesthetics, biasing ball flight – but they rarely come out and say, “The sweet spot is X mm toward the heel.”  Players are left to figure this out on their own.  And missing the sweet spot is a big deal because it costs players ball speed, spin, and accuracy.

As in my testing of the SMS Wedge, I got the best performance with the heaviest weight in the heel of the Edel SMS Pro irons.  The ball speed and spin were more consistent, and my dispersion was the tightest.  I got similar numbers with the CG centered, but there was a little more variance.  Putting the weight in the toe was a mess: every shot felt bad, my ball speed and distance sunk, and my dispersion was poor.  While I didn’t enjoy hitting those shots, it was good to confirm just how valuable an aligned CG is.

Fitting and CG aside, the Edel SMS Pro irons are players cavity backs and are going to work best in the hands of skilled ball strikers.  There is some forgiveness, but mishits can easily fall short of the green.  Additionally, the lofts are a little more traditional – or weak – which means the ball speed is a bit lower and the spin a bit higher.  If you want the longest 7I, this isn’t it.

Finally, Edel did a great job with the sole of these irons.  They’ve long been known for having great soles on their wedges, so this is not a big surprise.  The SMS Pro irons use a “Tri-Stepped Sole Design” which almost looks like a U.  They’ve softened the leading edge dramatically, given the iron a narrow mid-section, then shaved back the trailing edge so the sole plays or feels thinner than it is while still providing protection against digging.

Conclusion

If you struggle with accuracy with your irons, the problem may not be you – it might be the CG of your irons.  With the Edel SMS Pro irons, you can find out for sure if a better CG can lead to more consistency into the greens.  Make sure to get fit, and check out the standard Edel SMS irons if you want a little more forgiveness.

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Edel SMS Pro Irons Price & Specs

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The Tour Edge Exotics C725 irons blend strong ball speed and distance with a compact, workable players shape.  A great option for skilled players looking to add a little distance or enjoy more forgiveness.

Introduction

Tour Edge Exotics is known for pushing the boundaries of performance with high end materials and cutting edge designs.  Their new Tour Edge Exotics C725 irons aim to do that while leaning even further into “the player-preferred design” according to Tour Edge President, David Glod.  With a 10% smaller club head, can this new model deliver the distance and forgiveness of its impressive predecessor?  I tested a set to find out.

Looks

Surprisingly, the Tour Edge Exotics C725 irons have the boldest in the bag look of any 725 iron.  With a swath of carbon fiber below a removable weight, there’s quite a bit going on for a players iron.  Thankfully, Tour Edge tastefully balanced this with a simple silver and black color scheme and clean, moderately-sized branding.

At address, these irons are entirely traditional.  Tour Edge made the head 10% smaller than the C723 irons [review HERE], shortening the blade length and thinning the top line and sole.  At address, they could almost be mistaken for the Pro 723 irons [review HERE].  There is minimal offset, and the shape of the face is neither too square nor too round.  As you can see above, the leading edge changes dramatically from straight in the long irons to significantly rounded in the wedges.

Finally, above is a comparison of the three new Tour Edge Exotics 725 irons.  On the left is the X725 [review HERE]  which has the thickest top line, the most offset, and the largest face.  On the right is the C725 – a traditional players iron with a thin top line and minimal offset.  The E725 iron sits in the middle – literally and figuratively – with a fairly thick top line and moderate offset.

Sound & Feel

Both the X725 and E725 irons impressed with their sound and feel.  Given the compact size of the Tour Edge Exotics C725 irons, my expectations were significantly higher for the C725 than its brothers, and this set lived up to them.  The feel of a well-struck shot is solid and medium-soft.  They definitely have the softest feel in this line.

Like the other 725 irons, the C725s use VIBRCOR Technology and a multi-material badge to tune the sound.  The result is a quiet “thud” that can pick up just a hint of crispness in the longer irons when struck perfectly.

Given the smaller head, I expected the feedback from these irons to be much more pronounced than in the E725 or X725.  I found that it was not.  While I could locate my impact without much trouble, the character of the impact feel didn’t change dramatically from good strikes to mishits.  You need to get to the edges of the face to get much of a rebuke from the C725 irons.

Performance

Tour Edge attacked the problem of packing elite performance into a compact head by using a hollow body design.  Given the compact size of the Tour Edge Exotics C725 irons, I was surprised to find out that they were hollow.  The only thing that gives it away is how they perform.

While Tour Edge rates the forgiveness of the C725 irons as “Medium,” keep in mind that their rating is relative to their other 725 irons.  I prefer to compare it to other similarly sized irons, where it deserves a much higher rating.  I found the ball speed to be very consistent, and thin shots were barely penalized.

Putting the C725 irons back into context with their brothers, they have the most traditional lofts.  They’re about 2 degrees weaker than the E725 irons [review HERE] throughout the set.  This gives them more launch and spin than the E725 if comparing 7I to 7I, though it should be noted that the two sets have different stock shafts making the comparison not a pure apples-to-apples.

Comparing the Tour Edge Exotics C725 irons to its peers, I felt that the launch and spin were mid to mid-high.  In my testing, this higher-than-average ball flight is a bit of a Tour Edge Exotics trademark, and it’s something I really like.  So many OEMs are chasing distance only, ignoring landing angles (i.e. the ability to hold the green).  Tour Edge gets strong ball speed and distance from the C725 irons, but they will more readily stop where they should.

Something that makes the C725 unusual – in a good way – is the 14-gram weight in the back of the head.  This is used to dial in swing weight and allow players to build comfortable sets at various lengths and with different shafts.  At the time of this writing, additional weights are not available for purchase through Tour Edge’s website, so this is something you’ll need to dial in during your fitting.

Finally, one of my favorite things about the Tour Edge Exotics C725 irons is the workability.  They feature one of the thinner soles on a players distance iron which makes the club feel more nimble and agile.  I had little trouble flighting the ball down or shaping cuts and draws.  These clubs are more than happy to go straight, too, but they offer good shot control to players who want it.

Conclusion

The Tour Edge Exotics C725 irons fulfill the promise of players distance irons by combining strong distance and forgiveness with above average workability and a smaller head.  If you want more control over your shots but don’t want to give up yardage and consistency, this is definitely a set worth testing.

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Tour Edge Exotics C725 Irons Price & Specs

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The Miura KM-700 irons are beautiful, traditional blades with legendary Miura feel.  Centered sweet spot or CG.  Some help on thin strikes, but these irons generally give you exactly the result you deserve.

Introduction

Added to the lineup in 2022, the Miura KM-700 irons are the result of five years of development by master craftsman Katsuhiro Miura.  Miura’s claims around this iron are quite bold, including the idea that they can be played by golfers of all handicaps.  At a reader’s request, I tested a set so that I could weigh in on those big promises.

Looks

In the bag, the Miura KM-700 irons are everything that the PI-401 irons [review HERE] are not.  These sticks have cool to spare.  They’re a true blade with only the classic Miura branding on the toe opposite the small red hanko stamp on the heel.  The three different levels of the back and the dramatic shaping at the toe cause a double take, with that second glance quickly turning into a stare.

The KM-700 delivers visually in the address position, too.  The top line is thin, and the heel-to-toe length is very well-proportioned.  It’s not frighteningly compact like some blades, but it’s miles from oversized.  I also like Miura’s use of sharp, straight lines, which you can really appreciate in the picture below.  My only critique – and it’s very minor – is that the transition from the hosel to the top line is a little jarring.

Sound & Feel

Several of the Miura irons I’ve reviewed lately have come up short in terms of feel.  They aren’t bad, but they aren’t “empty your bank account, it’ll be worth it” good.  The Miura KM-700 irons are.  Forged from S20C soft carbon steel, these irons have the buttery soft feel on center that makes gear nerds go weak in the knees.

In addition to being soft, these irons feel solid behind the hit.  I’ve noted that some clubs give you a feeling of connection from club face all the way to your chest, and the KM-700 has that.

Predictably, the feedback is elite.  As you move off center, the sound gets a little sharp – a subtle cue that you’ve strayed.  The feel is never harsh, but the strike loses its sweetness when you’re a little thin or toe-y.  If you’re unclear on where the ball struck the face, your mind was 100% on something else.

Performance

I understand that everything in marketing has to be over the top, but Miura’s copy makes me roll my eyes so hard I worry I might go blind.  In two short paragraphs on the Miura KM-700 irons, they use the word “revolutionary” twice and promote them as “benefitting all golfers.”  Many of Miura’s comparisons of their own irons are equally daft.  What makes this so frustrating to me is that they don’t need to do this.  You’re Miura.  Cut the crap.  Lean into your legendary craftsmanship and taste and leave the hyperbole for all the OEMs in California.

Now that that’s out of my system, let’s cut to the quick.  The Miura KM-700 irons are blade irons built for skilled ball strikers.  I can’t recall another iron where the ball speed and distance correlated so precisely to the quality of the strike.  When struck perfectly, these irons can produce excellent ball speed.  Small misses will lose a handful of yards and a measurable amount of smash factor.  Put a shot on the toe or heel, and you can expect to see your ball speed and distance plummet.  The only area where there’s notable forgiveness is in thin strikes – the sole is wider than many blades and helps elevate those shots.

In terms of launch and spin, I found them to be about average in both categories, relative to their lofts.  The Miura KM-700 irons have more traditional lofts – as you’d expect from a blade – which leads them to launch a touch higher if you compare 7I to 7I against modern designs.  By that same comparison, these irons will appear “short,” but we know such comparisons aren’t apples and apples, and most blade players aren’t trying to hit the longest 7I anyway.

As with any blade, the benefit of giving up forgiveness is that you have more shot control.  Despite the slightly thicker sole, these irons can easily be flighted down.  There’s also no issue shaping the ball left or right.

Miura does promote that the KM-700 has a centered CG where many blades have their CG toward the heel.  This isn’t objectively good or bad.  Some players feel they can control the face more easily with a heel-side CG.  Personally, I don’t like getting any nearer the hosel than I have to.  If you like a traditional, heel-side CG, Miura suggests the TC-201 [review HERE].

Conclusion

At $400 per club, the Miura KM-700 irons do not offer revolutionary tech or game changing forgiveness, but they do deliver what most people want from Miura: stellar looks, exceptional feel, and the “It” Factor that some of their other offerings have been missing.  If you have the high end ball striking to make these work, the KM-700 will definitely scratch the Miura itch.

Visit Miura Golf HERE

Miura KM-700 Irons Price & Specs

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The PXG Desert Club is ready to do your dirty work.  Keep your gamers free of dents and dings and let this traditional cavity back design get you out of dangerous lies.  Higher loft and longer shaft length give you the ability to hit it longer, softer, and higher.

Introduction

Every golfer is familiar with this situation: you hit a wayward drive, are happy to find your ball, but then face the decision about whether to swing your prized clubs into a rocky, dangerous lie.  Enter the PXG Desert Club.  Forget the name – this club is built to handle tough situations in all types of geography and keep your precious gamers free of dings and gouges.

Looks

At address, the PXG Desert Club has the look of a traditional iron.  Compared to my gamer, the PXG 0317 T [review HERE], the Desert Club is a little shorter from heel to toe but a touch thicker in the top line and sole.  It has a stout, powerful look, like a tank ready to roll through tough terrain.  I’d put it in the players iron category but not on the thinner side of that group.

In the bag, the Desert Club lives up to its name with a cascade of cacti in the cavity.  The PXG logo is tucked into the toe and the ever-present skull is centered.  There’s even a cactus on the sole where you’d expect to see the iron’s numerical designation.  Is all this a little over the top?  Yes, but sometimes that’s ok – this is a game.

Sound & Feel

The PXG Desert Club is made of 17-4 Hardened Stainless Steel, a material chosen for its durability.  This might lead you to think it has a harsh, unforgiving feel, but that’s not the case.  It’s not “buttery,” but the feel is right in the middle of the hard-soft spectrum.  The club feels solid and controlled behind the ball, which is reassuring on the type of rescue shots you’ll be using it for.

This feels pairs with a traditional impact sound.  It’s not a super dull “thud” nor is it clicky.  There’s a nice crisp response on well-struck shots that disappears when you miss the center, providing adequate feedback.

Performance

What’s your go-to club when things go off the rails?  Lots of people opt for a 7I.  Some punch a long iron.  Others call on something high lofted to escape danger.

The PXG Desert Club combines two of those options into something uniquely versatile.  This club features the loft of a pitching wedge – 44 degrees – at the length of an 8I – 36.5″.  I found it to be a supercharged pitching wedge that also had lower gears.  When I swung 100%, I could hit it almost 10 yards past my normal pitching wedge – useful when you’re trying to stretch your recovery shot to the green or a superior landing area.  I could also grip down and play a comfortable near-full swing as short as 100 yards with a steep landing angle.

With its traditional design, the PXG Desert Club also allows for shot shaping, when requested.  The high loft makes this club a breeze to hit straight, but it’s capable of fading or drawing shots around obstacles.  The sole has medium bounce with some trailing edge relief, so you can pick balls off precarious lies and not worry too much about digging into soft turf.

Conclusion

If you want to keep an honest scorecard but also keep your clubs in pristine condition, consider slotting the PXG Desert Club into your bag.  This traditional iron isn’t loaded with game changing technology, but it will shoulder the burden of getting you back on course where your gamers can shine.

Visit PXG HERE

PXG Desert Club Price & Specs

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50 Words or Less

The Tour Edge Exotics E725 irons are long and incredibly consistent.  Point-and-shoot accuracy.  Wide sole helps to combat digging.  Soft feel and great impact sound.

Introduction

For players that want loads of forgiveness and distance, the TEE E723 irons are remarkable [review HERE].  Factor in the price, and they may be unbeatable.  Yet beating them is exactly what Tour Edge tried to do with the new Exotics E725 irons.  With an even lower center of gravity and more forgiveness, the Tour Edge Exotics E725 irons aim to prove that they’re even better than their older brother and still “golf’s most solid investment.”

Looks

In the bag, the look of the Tour Edge Exotics E725 irons is much more subdued than their predecessor, the E723 irons.  Matte silver frames a black cavity.  Clean, moderately sized “Tour Edge Exotics” and “E725” branding mark the toe and heel, respectively.

At address, the most eye-catching feature of the E725 irons is the thick top line.  You’ll also notice the very rounded toe which makes the face appear longer, more oval.  A pleasant surprise for those with more traditional tastes is the moderate offset.  Based on the thickness of the top line, I would have expected a larger offset and one less tastefully shaped.

Finally, above is a comparison of the three new Tour Edge Exotics 725 irons.  On the left is the X725 which has the thickest top line, the most offset, and the largest face.  On the right is the C725 – a traditional players iron with a thin top line and minimal offset [review HERE].  The E725 iron sits in the middle – literally and figuratively – with a fairly thick top line and moderate offset.

Sound & Feel

On center, the Tour Edge Exotics E725 irons offer players a soft, rewarding feel and a responsive sound.  Perfectly struck shots generate a crisp “tock” that’s absolutely gorgeous.  The first time I heard it, I did a little double take before smiling and trying to find it again.  It’s quiet enough that traditionalists should like it but with enough pop to please those with modern tastes.

Through the hands, the E725 irons offer good feedback.  Well struck shots feel soft, and mishits firm up proportionally to how poorly they’re struck.  Within a few balls, you’ll be able to locate your strike points with good precision.  I felt that the feedback got stronger as the clubs got longer, but that may just be a reflection of how well I hit each club.

Performance

The Tour Edge Exotics E725 irons have the strongest lofts of any of the three models in this family – roughy two degrees stronger than the C725 – but that’s balanced with other design elements.  The wide sole and 360-degree Undercut Design put the CG low enough that this set still produces towering shots.  Tour Edge states that the CG is 10% lower than previous models, and that shows in the way that every swing puts the ball on a soaring trajectory.

Comparing the E725 to the X725 [review HERE], the E725 is a step down in terms of launch and spin.  Where the X725 has very high launch and spin for the slower swinger, the E725 is built for players with average speed.  This set is still a bit higher launching and spinning than many of its peers, but I think that’s a positive both for landing angle (holding the green) and maximizing carry distance.

What the Tour Edge Exotics E725 irons share with the X725 is extreme consistency and forgiveness.  Hitting the E725 irons gave me deja vu from my X725 testing: the numbers barely changed whether I hit the ball flush or off-center.  Launch angles stayed within a couple degrees, ball speed held a range of 4-5 MPH, and spin was always within a couple hundred RPM of my best swings.  This adds up to predictable distances which makes playing golf easier.

Tour Edge rates the E725 irons as “Medium” for Workability, which I think is fair.  These clubs want to put the ball on a high, straight flight, but you can move the ball with some effort.  Overall, I wouldn’t recommend these for the shot shapers – in part because of the wide sole.  However, if you think it’s fun to hit the ball where you’re aiming, and you want a sole that can help forgive your dirt-first swings, this set is definitely worth a test.

Conclusion

For players seeking forgiveness and distance, the Tour Edge Exotics E725 irons remain some of the best that you can buy.  Factor in the sub-$1,000 retail price and the value is inarguable.  Tour Edge continues to earn its reputation as “Golf’s most solid investment.”

Support Plugged In Golf, Buy HERE

Tour Edge Exotics E725 Irons Price & Specs

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50 Words or Less

The Miura PI-401 irons offer neither class-leading performance nor the vaunted Miura feel.  Not a bad iron, but there’s nothing here to justify the price other than the brand name.

Introduction

Due to their price and limited availability, Miura is one of the few golf brands that still has substantial mystique.  Owning a set of Miura irons is a rite of passage for gear heads, something that needs to be checked off the bucket list.  The problem for the brand, however, is that their appeal is built around one-piece forged irons which limits their market to low handicap players.  The Miura PI-401 irons are an attempt to expand into the game improvement market, but is this an offering that abandons the things that make Miura what it is?

Looks

How you feel about the address look of the Miura PI-401 irons will depend on how you classify them.  Given that Miura intends them for “players of every skill level,” I’ll put them in the game improvement category where they’re very good looking.  They have fairly low offset relative to GI irons and an average face profile.  The satin chrome finish is a clean, practical choice.

In the bag, my feelings about the PI-401 irons are colored strongly by the Miura name.  The brand has so many stellar designs – from super traditional blades to my personal favorites, the MC-501 [review HERE] – that the bar is very high, and the PI-401 fails to clear it.  There’s nothing objectively bad about them, I just think they’re bland.  The few aesthetic details, such as the level change near the sole, are clunky to my eye.

Sound & Feel

One of the critical things to recognize about the Miura PI-401 irons is that they are not a traditional one-piece forging.  They have a forged carbon steel face attached to a “soft steel” body.  This results in a feel that is medium soft with a clicky sound.  Off center strikes get called out with a much louder impact sound and a feel that gets hard, particularly on thin strikes.

I want to be very clear about this: the PI-401 irons don’t feel bad, but they don’t feel particularly good either.  Miura’s notes say that this set has “the renowned Miura ‘feel'” which I do not agree with at all.  My notes actually say, “These could be from any OEM.”  While I don’t think that the feel is disqualifying, it’s definitely not a reason to put these in the bag.

Find the classic Miura feel in the KM-700 irons HERE

Performance

With the Miura PI-401 irons falling short in looks, sound, and feel, they need to have a strong anchor leg to justify their enormous price tag.  Unfortunately, the performance is just average.

Miura touts “exceptional forgiveness” in this set, and that’s simply not the case.  While not nearly as taxing as Miura’s blades, there are dozens of similar-sized irons that are as or more forgiving.  The PI-401 does a good job keeping the ball speed high on a small miss, but anything more than a slight error will lose substantial distance.

The story on dispersion and workability is similar.  Small misses won’t create much twisting in the club head and will typically hold their intended line.  If you make a medium or large error, however, you can expect to hit the ball to all fields.  The tradeoff is that these irons do offer the kind of shot control you would expect from a smaller game improvement iron.  This is another area where I disagree with Miura’s ratings – the workability is definitely more than 1 star, but the forgiveness is not nearly 5 stars.  If you’re looking for substantially more forgiveness, I would look to something like the Miura IC-601 [review HERE].

Turning to ball flight and distance, the Miura PI-401 irons are in the middle of the bell curve.  They launch on a medium trajectory with mid-low spin.  This helps them in the distance race but will be a negative for players who need more stopping power on the green.  As always, work with a fitter to dial in the right shaft if you want to optimize these heads for your swing.

Conclusion

“Good” and “not bad” are phrases I’ve used a lot in describing the Miura PI-401 irons, but unfortunately that’s simply not enough – in my view – for a set that costs $320 per club.  If you want the real Miura experience, opt for something like the Miura CB-301 [review HERE] and suffer through the mishits to enjoy the true “Miura feel” of a pure strike.  On the other hand, if you’re looking for forgiveness and playability, you can find better – for less money – with almost any other OEM.

Visit Miura Golf HERE

Miura PI-401 Irons Price & Specs

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50 Words or Less

The Tour Edge Exotics X725 irons provide high launch, spin, and ball speed with unbelievable consistency.  As forgiving as irons get.

Introduction

For the last several generations, Tour Edge has been using E and C to designate their two lines of clubs.  C is for Competition, the clubs for skilled players, and E is for Extreme Spec, clubs that provide more forgiveness.  But if two offerings is good, could three cover an even wider range of players?  That was part of the thinking behind the Tour Edge Exotics X725 irons.  This all new model is a premium Exotics version of Tour Edge’s hugely popular iron-wood concept.  I tested a set to find out who should consider putting a set of these in their bag.

Looks

The in the bag look of the Tour Edge Exotics X725 irons belies their super game improvement purpose.  With a black and silver color scheme and an extremely subdued cavity design, these have the aesthetic hallmarks of a players iron.  If it weren’t for the wide sole, passersby would have no idea how forgiving these clubs are.

In the address position, the X725 irons have all the hallmarks of other Tour Edge iron-woods.  The face is rounded and shallow but long from heel to toe.  There is a great deal of offset and a very thick top line.  And, as you can see above, there is some “extra” sticking out behind the top line when you move into the longer irons.  While these won’t have much appeal for the traditionalists, players in search of more forgiveness should love this look.

Finally, above is a comparison of the three new Tour Edge Exotics 725 irons.  On the left is the X725 which has the thickest top line, the most offset, and the largest face.  On the right is the C725 – a traditional players iron with a thin top line and minimal offset [review HERE].  The E725 iron [review HERE] sits in the middle – literally and figuratively – with a fairly thick top line and moderate offset.

Sound & Feel

Given the large, hollow head of the Tour Edge Exotics X725 irons, I was expecting a noisy, explosive impact sound.  I couldn’t have been more wrong.  Even with range balls, this set produces a quiet, understated impact sound.  The muted “thock” is the result of the multi-material badge at the back of the head and Tour Edge’s VIBRCOR Technology.

Those same elements also contribute to the solid feel.  While I wouldn’t go so far as to say these irons feel like a forged blade, there’s nothing thin or weak about the feel.  They’re strong without being harsh.

The final surprise in this category was the level of feedback.  After just a few swings, I was able to accurately determine the location of impact on feel alone.  There isn’t much audio feedback – just a slight bump in volume on mishits – but your hands will let you know when you strike it pure.

Performance

One of my pet peeves in golf equipment is when OEMs try to make a single club that’s supposed to appeal to every golfer.  However, I love when an OEM targets a specific play type and goes all out to make a club that works for them.  That’s what Tour Edge did with the Exotics X725 irons.  This super game improvement design is not for everyone, but for the slower swingers and players who want maximum forgiveness, it’s amazing.  

One of the things that I noticed before I struck a shot was that the lofts of the Tour Edge Exotics X725 irons are fairly traditional or “weak.”  They’re closer to the players C725 than the forgiving E725, but there’s a reason for this.  Golfers with less swing speed need that additional loft to launch the ball high with more spin to create more carry distance.  The ball flight with the X725 irons is towering thanks to the additional loft and the shallow face design.

When I started hitting the Tour Edge Exotics X725 irons on my launch monitor, what stood out was the consistency of the ball speed, launch, and spin.  On the range, I could see that every ball flew high and long, but the numbers really emphasized how much forgiveness is packed into this set.  The high MOI and 3D Diamond Face create robust speed from heel to toe, and the spin numbers barely change from mishits to flush strikes.  This is most impressive in the 5I which is one of the easiest-to-hit long irons I’ve ever tested.

Finally, Tour Edge designed the X725 to keep players off the right side of the course.  There’s ample offset and, I suspect, some internal weighting which promotes a draw.  It’s not overdone – I could hit the ball straight with minimal effort – but there’s a noticeable pull toward the left, which many players will welcome.

Conclusion

The Tour Edge Exotics X725 irons are not for every golfer.  If you like traditional looks, this isn’t for you.  Ditto if you have Tour-level swing speed or ball striking.  But for the tons of recreational players who could add distance with higher launch and spin, this set is amazing.  And if you want maximum forgiveness, it’s hard to imagine a set eclipsing the X725 irons.

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Tour Edge Exotics X725 Irons Price & Specs

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