2nd Swing Golf
Master fitters, Trackman-heavy testing
“They can really do it all.”
Fitters' choice winner for players iron in 2026 and the fitter's own gamer, with three near-perfect test strikes carrying 176-178 and the most consistent spin of the session.
+ the facts · 5 pros− the facts
- +Fitters' choice winner in the players iron category
- +Central weighting keeps ball speed up on slight mishits while enhancing good strikes
- +Excellent forged feel from added material behind the face
For: A wide band of players from plus-figure handicaps to mid-teens who want a compact iron that still forgives
James Robinson Golf
Mid-handicap everyman reviews
“It feels great. It sounds beautiful.”
Best forged players iron of the year: feels and sounds beautiful, superb through the turf, and far more forgiving than anyone gives it credit for.
+ the facts · 5 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Phenomenal product that bats well above its brand-name weight
- +Feels great and sounds beautiful, especially off grass
- +Deceptively forgiving for a players iron, with tungsten weighting tech
- −A little shorter than hollow-body options due to weaker lofts
For: Better players who want honest forged feedback and would be shocked how well it performs
Mark Crossfield
Coach, famously hard to impress
“it does just feel as good as anything I've hit”
The players iron of the range feels as good as anything he has hit, with the new i-Forged softness plus a little help around the edges.
+ the facts · 4 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Feels and sounds as soft and forged as anything available
- +Fantastic looks: minimal offset, slender-to-medium top line, shorter blade length
- +New i-Forged process claims stronger yet softer-feeling heads and he believes the feel
- −Expensive, top-end pricing
- −So close to the prior model that he would not upgrade from it
For: Feel and forged junkies who want better-player looks with a touch of help
“They're going to have a chance.”
The ZXi7s felt solid and flighted higher than his decade-old Pings, and while they're not in the bag yet, they earn a re-shaft and an on-course trial.
+ the facts · 4 pros · 3 cons− the facts
- +Solid, 'pingy' feel with good feedback even on strikes a groove low
- +Flew noticeably higher than his long-time Ping gamers
- +Clean, great-looking intermediate cavity head that a plus-2 player can still play
- −Comes out a bit knuckly for him, wants more spin
- −Stock shaft felt light; he's swapping in his own graphite shaft before judging them
- −Not committed, they only 'have a chance' pending more testing
For: Better players who want a cleaner, compact cavity with more flight than an older players iron