BEST GAME-IMPROVEMENT IRONS OF 2023 | Golf Irons Comparison and Test

Introducing a new 2nd Swing series, the BEST OF 2023. In this edition, we break down the best game-improvement irons of 2023. This video specifically takes a look at the game-improvement irons category and includes the following models: the PING G430, Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal, Srixon ZX4 MK II, TaylorMade Stealth HD, Cobra Aerojet, and Callaway Paradym X.
In this video, 2nd Swing's Drew Mahowald is joined by master fitter Kevin Kraft to test and discuss the best game-improvement irons of 2023. Then, we get Kevin's Top 3 game-improvement irons in several categories, including Look, Sound/Feel, Performance, and Innovation.
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[@LeoHoracio5]

Proud owner of JPX 923 HM and they made the game so much more enjoyable. Went from shooting 100’s to my first 89 this past Saturday.

[@marcwinslow685]

I got the HM Pros and I can say I have never hit an iron better and more consistently

[@dustinpeele2748]

I also recently picked up the HM Pros and shot an 89 for the first time in a very long time. Great set of irons.

[@SteveSmith-zz4ih]

We need a mid handicapper to hit these, please.

[@Bawkzers]

In my opinion I wouldn't want a mid or high handicapper doing these tests because they will most likely hit errant shots which messes with the data. I would rather see someone who can hit consistent enough shots with a small variable of toe and heel strikes to show the true dispersion and forgiveness of a club. I can't make a decision to purchase a club if someone is hitting hooks and slices on these tests. I'd rather know how the club will perform on my good strikes, not my awful ones because an awful hit is my swing's fault, not the club. You may not agree with me, that's ok :)

[@zazhou]

Another viewpoint different from the above. Agree that both fast or slow swing speed golf tester can show the forgiveness attributes of a club. However, they will show different results for other swing metrics like spin, launch, height, carry, angle of descent and total distance. Further to that, it should be additionally a slower swing speed tester and not a mid or high handicapper because there are many of them that have fast clubhead speeds. Have a look at Mister Short Hitter on KZbin with 91/92 mph driver swing speed with mesmerisingly good repetitive golf swing!

[@paulmcgee1867]

He’s hit at 90 mph. Is that high or mid?

[@dmkfactor1721]

@@paulmcgee1867 handicaps and swing speeds don’t correlate! I’ve played with guys that’ll shoot under par and have sub 90 swing speeds, and guys who couldn’t break 100 if you offered them a billion dollars with swing speeds WELLLL over 100!

[@BidenIsKing]

So ask someone to hit them who is inconsistent and can’t give professional feedback. Brilliant! I am a plus 3 handicap and use game improvement irons. Hogan Pro forged cavity backs. So don’t judge!

[@oldfartgolf]

Superb video fellas. I’ve watched a lot of review videos on this topic and this is too notch! The information was clear, complete, and thorough. The editing and graphics were stellar too. Two very big thumbs up!

[@mikepecora2638]

How about a game improvement iron comparison for senior golfers with 70 - 75 MPH 7 iron club head speed?

[@JimmyRadloff]

JPX 923 Hot Metals all day long. I have a set of the Hot metal pros and they are stellar. I had the standard Hot metals before that and they were great too.

[@1976axerhand]

I love my Mizuno 921 hm. My 1st ever fitted set from the 2nd swing in Scottsdale. Drove 6 hrs.

[@davepoole3664]

Great work from Kevin , very interesting. I enjoyed your programme .

[@chuckpalmer284]

I had a tough time deciding between the ZX5 and the 923 HM. 923 was a little longer but the ZX5 was just so solid. The performance and sound and feel were both so good. I wound up choosing the 923 HM because they are cheaper.

[@nyr413]

I blended the MK II ZX4s and 5s this year and love them

[@jvande102]

I went with the Mizuno JPX 923s and they are awesome! Very forgiving and long.

[@atxrich]

The ZX4 and JPX923 HM are 2 of the best looking Game Improvement irons this year. The bonus is they can blend with other irons in their family.

[@benhikingoutdoors1632]

Can we make it a standard that for GI irons that mid-high handicap players test these? Low handicap players using these for testing in these video makes no sense to me.

[@brianhappoldt5080]

I tested the zx4, zx5, hot metal plus hot metal hl today. I hit the zx5 decent but couldn’t hit the zx4 to save my life. The hot metals were the best all around for me. Going back to try the ping g430

[@alexmills1329]

Wow Srixon seems to be killing it with the zx clubs, I’m really impressed with them but it seems I’m not the only one.

[@99GOLF]

Look at those swings!

[@davidcole2337]

JPX923 is the best of the bunch for Balance and Distant and Spin Rate for Stopping, My Brother does Callaway Rogue ST OS for Long Irons and 7 Iron - PW uses JPX923 for Stopping Power. It is nice Blend of Distant and stopping power..

[@michaelg3911]

I've had my Mizuno 923 HL's about a month and love them. I had the Ping 425's and the 923's feel so much better, launch higher, more spin, just more enjoyable to play with.

[@parkinglotgolfer8461]

Wow I just sold my G425 irons this week and just custom ordered the 923HL!!! I’m a high handicapper (+30) and decided to take advantage of the free shaft upgrades from Mizunos. Which shaft did you go with?

[@michaelg3911]

@@parkinglotgolfer8461 I'm 14 handicap but getting up in years. Recoil 95R shafts. Made them +1/2" + 2 degrees up. Added the HM 4 iron bent 2 degrees weak. Really liking these!

[@chrisengland1]

Im a weaker 19 HCP & playing my best ever golf with Paradym X hit a record (for me) 81 on a long par 72 a couple of weeks ago - just so long, accurate & tight dispersion. Alas my 8 iron face has cracked but Callaway replaced no questions 👏👏👏

[@jimmyholley3088]

How did it crack?

[@kuna507]

Jpx 923 Hot Metal are 🔥🔥

[@nigelfrancis6350]

I play the ZX5 iron but wouldn't hesitate to add the good looking ZX4 iron in the longer clubs.

[@paulmcgee1867]

Maybe with a lower spin a 2 layer high launching spinning ball comes into it’s own? Any suggestions?

[@brettmiller4270]

Just got the PING G430s!

[@hicharbud]

Did you get to play it yet? I been a Ping guy for awhile currently G410s, looking for more distance.

[@ryanh2479]

Cleveland launcher XLs ftw!

[@gavinleeburn5511]

Just got fitted for srixions

[@turdferguson2839]

The Big Bertha irons are the game improvement/high handicap iron for Callaway, the Paradym X is more of a mid handicap iron and that's why these have less spin and less offset than the rest.

[@TC-ps9sd]

Very helpful test. For instance, if Kevin can't generate lots of spin or descent angle with an iron, I have no chance of holding a green with it.

[@lawbinson]

It’s not necessarily the case. Better players tend to deliver less loft at impact. For higher handicaps who typically deliver very little shaft-lean or even add loft, the strong lofted irons are designed to help these players better mimic the delivery conditions of a better player.

[@cameronloveless1751]

Have you guys stopped stocking Wilson Staff? Cos the new Dynapwr irons would probably win this contest

[@brandonwynne4233]

I didn't even watch the video once I noticed they only reviewed the Top Tier Brands that happen to also give away the most in sponsorships. Excluded the Wilson Dynapower and the Cleveland Launcher XL Halos made this video a non-starter for me. All I want is a large selection honest review. Very hard to find!

[@house2249]

Do you all offer discount codes to your site?

[@randymahony8157]

Why does Callaway insist on making the badge on the back so busy. Srizon and Mizuno and even Ping know color doesn't work.

[@legend9018]

Sound, feel and performance of ZX4s are hard to beat.

[@ramirezcpa]

Oh yes! We know what Chromoly is! BMX in the 80's :)

[@usatrooper5045]

I chose the Titleist T 350 👍🤪🇺🇲

[@brianfuhrer2359]

Jpx923 Hot Metal

[@granthodges9860]

What a shame you didn’t include the Mizuno JPX Hot Metal High Launch clubs in this review. Fair review though just the same. 👍🏻🇦🇺

[@murrayconrad8476]

What is his swing 😊speed

[@gregwayne6785]

Titleist? Last year of current model, but arguably, best performer of the group.

[@thecavitybackgolfer7083]

You forgot to include the longest iron of the year the Wilson Dynapower. They are long and very forgiving

[@richardbrewer2937]

Good review, just one thought, the Paradym set had one that you mentioned as "thin" the other tests did not appear to have one of these. On that basis either all the clubs should have had a "thin" hit or the "thin" Paradym should have been deleted from the comparisons. I think this might have made a significant difference to the comparisons.

[@alexmills1329]

Look at the spread, without that one shot it’s still less consistent with distance for the sake of maximizing the overall carry. If I could get a Paradym utility 2 iron I would and drive it 260 yards all day.

[@rchakravarthy]

question .. why innovation is a rating criteria, the result of innovation is what matters , right ?

[@2ndswing]

Ultimately, yes. But as gear heads we like to appreciate the different technologies or construction methods used by the manufacturer to get said result. But to your point -- a lot of golfers simply care about the results, nothing more

[@itszach6808]

Wilson Dynapower should be considered by people looking at these clubs I believe

[@take5DD]

Where are the Tour Edge 723s? How about the Wilson Dynapower? You've missed two of the best valued irons of 2023. They also performed very well according to many reviews.

[@jamesbrewster3511]

Wilson Dynapower are great irons

[@johnswing6293]

What Do you Guy's at 2nd Swing think of the SUB 70 IRONS ?

[@scottstrom1974]

What would be a good game improvement iron for those that don't have the $$ for these?

[@itszach6808]

Look at Wilson dynapower

[@GutterSnipe11]

Looking at 15 degree launch angles and low spin and 45 degree descents on the first two clubs….I don’t see the 6 and 5 irons being very playable. The loft wars have to stop. And doesn’t 1.44 or 1.45 smash seem ridiculous for a 7 iron?

[@leonardcampise8112]

Wilson ??

[@ronnieprater]

Why was takomo not in here

[@ichor20]

Bc they're never in-stock

[@Bawkzers]

They are direct to consumer clubs. They don't sell them directly at the 2ndswing store or any retail store for that matter. They won't test or promote clubs they can't make a profit on, just simple retail business practice.

[@hicharbud]

I agree with the idea of mid hc testing these out. This guy will never play these clubs … it’s rather pointless. Hitting a 7 iron 200 yards … hellooo that’s only 1% of those who play golf

[@rickvann3489]

I can't hit a fat sole iron so the Hot Metal wins.

[@jdmb16crx1]

Dang hotshot slow down your gonna break 90mph 😂😂😂😂

[@CybekCusal]

His spin numbers are really low

[@mattpitzer5566]

Can’t read, Can’t write, Kent State! 😉

[@adamsmidkiff1]

Are the carry distances lies? Seriously almost 200 yds from a 7 iron from a guy in his 60s?

[@2ndswing]

LOL. No, they are not lies. And Kevin is barely over 50 😎 he typically carries his 7-iron around 170 yards, but the much stronger lofts and hotter faces of game improvement irons will quicky increase that distance.

[@markstrawbridge9133]

just can't see the point of these clubs being tested by a guy thats hitting it nearly 200 yards when i'm hitting a hybrid 200 yards !!!

[@trevormann796]

first

[@aponoypi]

you need a regular golfer not a low handicap golfer testing. this guy does not need game improvement irons. with stiff steel shafts. really

[@Kylegolfs94]

Stay clear of the G430s as someone who bought them the back badges are made out of cheap garbage quality material and they get absolutely destroyed in the bag. Disappointing quality from ping. I went back to G425s.

[@hicharbud]

Where did you buy your Pings 430s from if you don't me asking. Thxs. I use G410s great club but I think alot more tech has gone into Ping irons since then. I will give g425s a try.

[@bladeduffer]

Not sure why these are still called "game improvement" clubs when they do nothing of the kind. These are actually "score improvement" clubs.

[@jonathontorres948]

Could you explain what you mean? I mean, if your game improving then your scores are too, no?

[@nfortin24]

"The clubs we have overstock of and need to get rid of"

[@richardc6932]

Pricing for all of these clubs is getting a little expensive for a high handicap player or weekend warrior. A high handicap player would do well to drop the 4I from the set and maybe the 6I and put in a hybrid, keeping in mind they still need a fairway wood and a lofted driver. Unless a players gets into a mid handicap lever you don’t need to fill the bag. Get fitted, take some lessons from a professional and not your best friend and go practise properly as much as you can. 👨‍🦳👍🇨🇦

[@itszach6808]

Look at Wilson dynapower