BEST OF: IRONS FOR THE AVERGE GOLFER // Take Your Game To The Next Level

Today Ian is in the bay to hit 8 of his favourite irons for the average handicapped golfer. Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke, Cobra Darkspeed, MIzuno JPX925 Hot Metal, Ping G430, Taylormade Qi, Srixon ZX4 and PXG 0311 XP GEN 7 are all up against each other to see who truly is the king of game improvement irons.
BOOK A FITTING
CANADA: bit.ly/41mBbmg
USA: bit.ly/3TtgSli
SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL
bit.ly/3TrDLVX
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM
Club Champion: bit.ly/48iAyMH
Ian Fraser: bit.ly/48jglq1
Mike Martysiewicz: bit.ly/48hejGR
bit.ly/41mBbmg
Filmed at: Club Champion Toronto
Custom Golf Club Fitting Studio - Toronto, Canada

[@stayvigilant007]

Love the content, been subscribed for years, learned A TON. My only request would be to see a couple pics of the iron before you hit them? I see the data, but I have no idea what these clubs look like. Thanks, and best of luck!

[@ianfrasergolf]

We actually discussed that internally this week to include more shots of each club in the playing position. We will integrate that in upcoming videos.

[@jacobadames7251]

This will be a game changer. I always wonder you don’t include photos/close up shots in your content. Top line, face on, sole etc. Look forward to seeing it in upcoming videos

[@justCarner]

For the life of me, I don’t understand why a better players club isn’t best for the average golfer. It’s best if you want to stay average, period.

[@brandon8217]

Ian’s swing is poetry in motion. So good.

[@StephenVelvet-t7c]

My strong preference is for Ian to do these tests - in particular these multi club tests. It’s the only way to find out the inherent qualities of each club. Also kudos to both Mike and Ian for the final summary. They have it down to a fine art: sorting through the data to give a clear, concise conclusion to the performance of the clubs and the type of players the might suit. I second the comment that a quick image of the cavity/back and address position would be great. Great job guys!

[@dannythedabbler]

Been golfing for a year and just recently got fitted. With my current swing speed and beginner tendencies the AI Smoke MAX Fast irons performed the best, and they continue to perform great. I love how you do the best you can to control for variables to showcase the differences in the heads. Maybe someday they'll make a swing robot with all the inconsistencies, fatigue, ego, and mental anguish of the "Average Golfer" 😂

[@ianfrasergolf]

Hahaha, quantifying that anguish is mission impossible, non golfers will never understand the pain and suffering of a golfer. 😂

[@dudosmokokos]

I agree show photos of each iron before you hit it. For more clarity in the 😊test.

[@Cesar-Avila]

Ian’s cut is 🔥💈

[@b.l.275]

In my opinion, Ian's constancy is what makes the test. Great job, guys. I love the content of your channel

[@mikec.2314]

Ping G series going back to G25 is just the gold standard I find in this category. Makes me wonder if I should get fit up for some G's and just have at until the grooves are worn. At 51 this year, they just seem to want to fit with how I want to play.

[@rfpho1456]

Average golfers looking at game improvement irons don’t hit 180yd 7 irons. So it’s very hard to relate to tests like this.

[@ChunkedIt]

Great video. Love your content. You’ve just hit more greens in a 15 min vid, than I have in the last 12 months. 😢

[@lawbinson]

G430 with that stop and drop is good to see in an iron.

[@johnwagner47]

Would love to see you guys do the test with players distance irons

[@shimaki591]

would be great to have the video in chapters, so you can easily see all different clubs and scroll back and forth between different ones

[@sobe303]

Would love to see one of these on shafts. For those of us that don’t get custom fit clubs, shafts are always a missing piece and would be nice to have high level understanding of different shafts that come standard on these irons.

[@JezWoolerton]

I’m 19 handicap, I bought Ping G430 at the start of the year . My fitter at Midland Golf recommended the G430’s for exactly the same reason as Ian said . Great launch great spin and very very consistent distance . I know within a few yards exactly how for I’m going to hit each Iron. G430’s.5 ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@frazzman80]

Golfers in this skill level would kill for dispersion circles that you produced!

[@teddystreamz6153]

Great video and glad to see the ZX4 getting some love.

[@justinstephenson9360]

4 irons stood out - JPX 925, G430,T350 & ZX4 all give control plenty of distance and enough peak height, but even those have the loft of my 5i and spin roughly the same as my 5i

[@keithkatz1350]

Can’t believe Ian didn’t jar one during this video ! Best iron Byron video he’s ever done bang on 👏👏👏 bravo Ian Cheers from Norcal

[@GregoryGroce-g8f]

Thanks for the Information. I have a set of 2019 T300's and I have been wanting to upgrade to something newer. This video will really help when i decide to get a new set. Excellent review and information on the game improvement irons. This video was perfect timing for me as well.

[@tomthebomb45]

Ian is definitely not the "average" golfer... the guy just hits absolute darts one after the other

[@jackiechow860]

He actually doesn’t hit darts one after another. They just edit together all the good ones and remove the bad ones.

[@Justin-tx8be]

@@jackiechow860 I choose to believe he's a dart machine

[@richardvoyageur]

Will you do this for drivers too? I love to see the general characteristics of clubs, very helpful if you already know your tendencies and can't get to a fitter.

[@ianfrasergolf]

Yes we definitely will.

[@SolidGolfers]

Maybe just call it G430 Max and be done 😂

[@richardgraves2358]

Ian is so so consistent best compliment is he is "iron Byron" 2024 excellent club test.

[@mikes2902]

My god… nothing average about Ian’s swing ❤

[@InwonKim1982]

simply love this. Thank you!

[@ianfrasergolf]

🙏🏼

[@sevesellors2831]

Great review but as a senior with a 74 mph swing speed and average launch angle of 23 degrees on my testing the best irons for me were G430 and Paradym Smoke. ZX4 was up there too. Not tested PXG or Mizuno but did try Dynapwr forged and I530, AI300 but lost yardage with the forged weaker loft irons. Will wait till Spring because my front runners will all be replaced.

[@smokinjaws3310]

Ping was the winner. The height and spin is critical for poorer ball strikers.

[@ianfrasergolf]

It depends, there’s no real winner. There’s obviously better irons for different player types and swing types so this test should help golfers know more about the individual characteristics of each of these irons.

[@justsomekid2]

@@ianfrasergolf Yes but....the Ping G430 is a great baseline when shopping for Irons.

[@ianfrasergolf]

@@justsomekid2 I agree it’s a great iron.

[@GregoryGroce-g8f]

It is a good iron but at 60 yrs old that 13 extra yards from the other irons is just as important as the other items in the list that they were looking at.

[@smokinjaws3310]

@@GregoryGroce-g8f I’m 64 so I get it. For me, the ability to stop the ball quickly is most helpful. I play with many guys who use the super juiced irons. They hit it far, but can’t hold a green or get it close to the hole. If you get that controllable distance, then you are in great shape.

[@simonsaunders1730]

Ping are my least favourite, but yet most favourite, brand. All their stuff is class, I always want to have something sleeker and shinier, but you test their gear and it just works. And it is a nightmare to get out of the bag, especially in terms of on-course performance.

[@scotthansen4692]

guess I am staying with my G430s :) Love the drop and stop I get today, was thinking more distance but after this video I get your point on the spin and launch.

[@glennhoyt811]

Is there a reason you didn’t test the PXG Black Ops irons for this category?

[@ianfrasergolf]

I’d put those into a different category. I believe Gen 7 XP is the right irons to compare with the ones in this test.

[@zacdavis7]

We need more videos of the average golfer and clubs

[@timothykennedy4457]

I’m 76 playing the T350 senior graphite love them the height is great stops on the green

[@peterbuzz7279]

Great comparison. Some amazing club choices. Ping G430 likely to shine as the club head speed drops.

[@KevinScott-oi9sg]

I don’t know a lot of “average” golfers hitting a 6i 195. It’s nice to see what they are capable of but not as realistic

[@scottrivkin3307]

Maybe not average golfer but I'm 18.9 Handicap and I remember trying out the Callaway APEX DCB's and hitting the 7 iron 200 carry at 94ish MPH swing speeds. I didn't really like that because I was used to hitting my 7 in the low 180s. I went with 21' Cobra MIM Tours because these Super Game improvement clubs just go way far, and I don't need distance. I prefer more traditional lofts and smaller heads but not blades.

[@xTimx2002]

Always loving this test! thank you so much! I would love to see the same test but on a forgiveness scale. Also if you can, can you display or mention the ball being used at the beginning of the videos from now on?? that would help out a lot for golfers and what to look out for :) Cheers mates!

[@valvaholic6800]

Chrome Tour

[@dougellio7000]

Great test guys. Had the ZX4 for a while but didn't get on with and they were fitted. I liked the 350 numbers. BTW FAZ WAS ON FIRE!! Thought he was going to hole out at one time

[@8dragonsx]

All of these irons had 4 yards or less of roll - admittedly calculated by the simulator. Roll & Spin by club G430 0/5318 Srixon 2/5154 T350 2/5152 Qi10 3/4774 JPX 4/5174 AI Smoke 4/4741 Cobra 4/4611 PXG 4/4492 Meaningful or irrelevant?

[@joelane2845]

Hi Ian and Mike! Will you guys be doing this same type of video for Player’s Distance Irons? Thank you and great reviews as always!! Joe Lane

[@speerchucker64]

You know that there are going to be Wilson comments again. Dynapower forged is fabulous

[@davidkolarik-yj8up]

I totally agree with revomayne. Need some off center hits like AVERAGE golfers.

[@jongeephotography]

Zx4, good enough for Mark Crossfield, good enough for me 💲💲

[@Burghy1]

It would be cool if you had an idea end card with the rankings - perhaps come up with some rankings beyond a screenshot of the spin speed and flight angles. Maybe bring in some feel, consistency, spread, etc. Also, Ian is scratch, maybe being in someone that is more average to get some feedback. So much of what you like is based on what you’re already familiar with playing, too. Love the content, but also want to be able to skip to the end to really get to the bottom line and then maybe scroll back to chapters to dive deeper on each club. Great stuff nonetheless.

[@papaash1610]

Fantastic video.

[@Jamie-jy8vh]

The way I’m looking at it is you guys fit to the current play style but as you improve the irons you get fitted for no longer are the best for you. Is it better to get fitted for clubs you want to hit and are pleasing to the person that you play into because we can only afford 1 fitting

[@nealfreeman01]

So this person comes in and likes any of these irons. What is the set makeup with the lower irons? 8=175yd, 9=160yd, pw= 145yd, u=130, A=115yds? do you want the launch to be so high for a shot that is 145yd?

[@ianfrasergolf]

Yeh 15 yards gaps would probably be necessary. If in this case the 145 yard shot is with a wedge the launch will be high due to the dynamic loft but won’t reach the highest peak height as the ball speed will be lower. Ball velocity is the most dominant factor when determining how high a ball will apex.

[@izzyman162]

I agree with these choices, but I wonder if the TM P790s could fall into this category.

[@randymahony8157]

Hey guys, I'm 71 yo . I live in Florida in the winter, and I lose at least a club in distance at sea level . I need distance but also high and spin to hold hard greens. I think these 4 clubs are what I need to try. Your opinions?

[@hansvandermerwe3321]

Maybe the Cleveland Zipcore XL should be there too

[@jrm007]

I agree, Ian’s swing is looking exceptional. But remember, he hit 101 shots for this test. We saw just over 30. He’s likely not showing his misses. This certainly isn’t meant as a critique, just pointing out even Ian misses a few shots here and there.

[@MattMacKo]

Do players distance next!

[@edmundbyrne6709]

Tried the T350s but held onto my T300s. Ab fab clubs. Standard lofts, 2° up, true temper amt white s300. Swing speed 87mph.

[@Ru4real4848]

I think you should have an average golfer hitting the shots and not scratch golfer so we get to see how they help dispersion on the off center hits

[@bentonleach6730]

I see your point, but the numbers and data from an average golfer won’t be apples to apples comparisons because of the lack of consistency. The way they do this allows us to see the general difference in launch and spin.

[@peterjackson5809]

I’m going to try to copy Ian’s swing. It seems so simple, straight back and through, the distance he achieves is remarkable and accurate. In reality, all of the irons were good but I agree that spin is very important for slower swing speed.players However, the choice of irons for many golfers does come down to personal preference, that being, the looks. For me the lookers are Titleist T350, Srixon ZX4, PXG, in that order The Ping G430 is an excellent iron but I just don’t find it appealing. I have the ZX4 mk11 irons and they feel great when striking the ball

[@xBlade173]

I don't think of game improvement irons when I think of average golfers. I think jpx forged, srixon zx5/7, etc.

[@j07flowers]

Wishing Wilson would have been in this test but everyone sleeps on them. Dynapower I feel like would have been a great choice and at a lower price point too…

[@maximus9380]

Should have done this at 80-90% speed, around 85mph for a 6-iron. Probably more average speed for the folks that would use these sorts of irons. Or maybe leave 2-3 shots with each at the slower speed.

[@paulmoscicki2038]

This may be an unfair question, how do you think that the Vice irons would have faired in this category? Thank you for your thoughts.

[@dennissmith1904]

How do these numbers compare to your 5 iron, which i assume is close to the same loft?

[@BrettWaldemar]

Very interesting group of irons! I wonder how the spin would have looked like at 82 MPH club speed like us mortals manage. My current clubs (AI Smoke) feel great but I have a hard time holding the greens from over 160 yards.

[@jamesreynolds4220]

I was having a problem with my Callaways running through the greens. I was using KBS graphite shafts. I switched shafts to Mitsu Vanquish graphite (softer tips). I gained a little distance, higher launch, less run-out.

[@chrisvlinton]

The stock loft on Q1 6 is 24 degrees, but the graphic states it is 26. Did you bend it to 26?

[@rhuuuuuuu]

Interested in the new Haywood sv2’s - Review coming soon?

[@terrykay7709]

Darkspeed rules

[@SolidGolfers]

I have the AI smokes. Like them but will probably switch out next season.

[@nateb618]

I've caved in and cracked the faces of 2 full sets of AI Smokes with a 90 mph swing speed. This last set caved with 3 range sessions and 1 round of play. Currently trying to get Callaway to let me out of them and into something different. They've been awesome irons though. Just don't hold up.

[@inflatablemooseadventures]

Avoid hollow irons. Irons should last your lifetime - this is why I buy blades.

[@CoryLancasterYT]

Chinese junk, them and the other "big name".

[@nateb618]

@@inflatablemooseadventures Unfortunately almost everything Callaway has is a hollow body. I can either switch to a blade or a high offset shovel. There's nothing in-between. Looking at switching to a blade but if I hate them I'll be selling my 3rd warrantied set and changing brands. What's the point of offering clubs that you cant use to hit some range balls to practice.

[@alfredtu2]

@@nateb618the CB?

[@inflatablemooseadventures]

@@nateb618 I Have the Z-FORGED2 Srixon blades as a high handicap and I can hit them fine. No issues hitting range balls to rocks - solid metal.

[@eddiefrelond-kl1gk]

Would of been cool to see how Qi HL compared

[@CanadianBigGame]

Can we see some course play with Ian

[@clubchampionmedia]

We just posted an on course round last week.

[@CanadianBigGame]

@@clubchampionmedia thanks I'll check it out

[@CanadianBigGame]

@@clubchampionmedia sorry I meant we wanna see him play.

[@stayvigilant007]

T-350…stupid easy to hit. Look fantastic in the bag too.

[@Kevin-yh6dn]

Yeah, let’s bring in ‘Joe Shit The Rag Man’ to hit the irons all over the side of the bay and learn absolutely nothing. Good grief people, use it as a baseline at a 92 MPH swing speed and move on. Or better yet, go hit them yourself at 80 MPH at your local Club Champion!! Great work My Liege and Sir Mikey!! Always a treat.

[@SaKuL_W]

Love these videos and information they give. Best thing for any viewer to do is go hit them yourself to find what you like. Everyone is different

[@michaelfrench9597]

no Wilson Dynapower forge or the Wilson CB

[@MYKWDBRN]

Do the Cleveland Zipcore XL belong in this group? If so where?

[@hansvandermerwe3321]

I have the Zipcore XL, they are awesome !

[@StevenDietrich-k2w]

I'd give Mikey's left arm to have Ian's swing.

[@Pud56]

Ping 430 are insipid spinners, tried them for 3 months and sold them, luckily for more than i paid. The best irons for average golfers are the P790, all the manufacturers try to get close, but they are still the best by far. Anybody could game P790, irons

[@ohwowthatsgood]

It looked like you mostly hit those in the middle. If you were ranking them for when you miss hit closer to the toe, what would your ranking be? thanks

[@unknownKnownunknowns]

Good question

[@inflatablemooseadventures]

I myself identify as an AVERGE Golfer

[@ben_stallwood]

Where would the i530s be?

[@clubchampionmedia]

More of a players distance iron.

[@retlod]

So basically, get what looks and feels best--the performance is pretty darn similar.

[@jerroljulian]

2nd !

[@jonnyappleseed5305]

I appreciate the video, but i was disappointed as I've been looking forward to this video specifically for your thoughts on Willson Dynapower since Willson was included in all your other iron videos.

[@MrPanukkio]

Average HCP for men is 14. This is game improvement iron test.

[@photonole61]

Just kind of sad that you couldn’t include any Wilson/Staff irons.

[@jamesreynolds4220]

Yup, I use a custom Wilson MT22 putter. Took almost a month to receive, but no up-charge for the custom work, only the grip. Worth every minute of the wait. My wife loves the Wilson Triad ball. Great company.

[@dandumm4319]

P790’s.

[@nisch2379]

Im glad QI 10 is not in the top 4

[@grahamburke2638]

Find a 70yr plus tester please.

[@jakebj]

And Ian is doing this opposed to Mikey,,,, why?

[@lawbinson]

I mean, neither of them are average golfers 😂

[@SaKuL_W]

Unknown when this was filmed. But Mikey hasn’t been hitting because of injury.

[@ianfrasergolf]

I totally understand why you’re asking that and there are several reasons why I do these types of tests and not Mikey. The quality of the data is only as good as the consistency of the test. Mikey won’t mind me saying this but his iron striking isn’t the strongest part of his game. These tests take about 90mins to film and that’s with a consistent ball striker. If we threw in 30% higher error rate it would take significantly more time. Over the past couple of years I’ve done the majority of the testing. It’s my opinion that it’s important to have continuity when testing different product to allow to isolate the variables from club to club. I understand that my swing and speed may be different from the average golfer but that doesn’t stop OEM’s testing their new technology and innovation with PGA Tour players even though it’s really aimed at the mass market of golfers. There is so much more I could write about why we do the testing the way we do but I’d be writing a short novel and nobody needs to see that. Hopefully there’s still some value for you in these tests but if not KZbin is an amazing platform where you can pretty much watch players of all skill levels and swing types testing golf clubs.

[@simonsaunders1730]

@@ianfrasergolfMark Crossfield said similar… a more erratic player just creates a load of noise that is them and not the club. It makes sense to have the quality of strike to show the variations in club, rather than golfer. Don’t change!

[@CoryLancasterYT]

​@@simonsaunders1730Exactly! Folks think they want to see worse golfers, but it truly doesn't show much at all.

[@spectre205]

I feel like all the PING irons in the G4XX series have flown higher and spun a bit more than their direct competitors. While they're clearly within the GI category, they're the closest of that category to the "Player Distance" irons. I play my G410s and I'm just getting to the point where I may need an upgrade to allow me to choose my flight. That's the one downside I see at the moment, these always want to launch high even when I want them to come out slightly lower.

[@MichaelM-to4sg]

26* 6-iron is game improvement? I knew I was out of touch but not to that level. That’s 1* weak of my 4 iron and 6 degrees stronger than my 6 iron. I know the lower CG plays a role and many players today do not carry any iron stronger than a 6, just seems real game improvement would play weaker lofts only because they are more forgiving and easier to get results from a poor ball striker.

[@Brian-or2jy]

Completely in agreement. I hate that the average golfer only gets these crazy lofted, low spin irons as an option. I swing my 6i about 80mph. I want a 6-pw set that starts at 30*.

[@MichaelM-to4sg]

@@Brian-or2jy It’s the low spin that’s baffling. Spin is control. Who wants a 6-iron spinning under 5000? That PXG at 4400? Who exactly is that for? My 6-iron I spin 6500, carry 190yd. That makes it a consistent scoring iron. At slower SS of a mid-high handicapper, they need MORE loft to deliver the required spin, not less. Unfortunately distance sells…or maybe it’s the fitters impacting those sales by convincing the customer that they need more distance instead of control of ball flight.

[@CoryLancasterYT]

That's why Mizzy have the HL and Ping have the retro lofts. Should be what lower speed players are playing.

[@unknownKnownunknowns]

I spoke to a ping representative about this yesterday. His point is you can get the same height and stopping power and ease of launch with today’s lower lofted clubs. My Eye 2 seven iron is 36° the G430 is 29. I would be curious to see If I can control the newer irons

[@Brian-or2jy]

5000 spin is exactly the number I target. I'm already a low spin player and my ball striking isn't great. I hit a 5i 3500 vs 4500 spin, the result can be vastly different. So whatever number they put on the club, I don't play an iron with less than 30* of loft because I won't play an iron with less than 5000 spin. I play a 5H instead.

[@revomayne]

Why not bring in someone whose skill is more inline with who these clubs are meant for? Ian is far from average.

[@edj9961]

Cool clubs has the robot testing data

[@JLong2544]

After all I found Ian is a marketing guy…

[@MichaelM-to4sg]

What are you looking for? If you have a poor ball striker, hitting all over face, inconsistent face angle and inconsistent aoa, what would those results provide? Ian is clearly throttling back the SS, maybe at 75%. The results you see are for a typical mid-high handicapper swingspeed with maybe some of their best impact. If he were to hit it all over the face with inconsistent face angle and aoa, what exactly would that say for the club? Ultimately this demo indicates what the club is capable of, the consumer should be professionally fit for their own swing.

[@TedInoue]

@@MichaelM-to4sgI don’t know any mid-handicap golfers with a 92mph head speed. Maybe 80. I play to a 7 index and I’m lucky to swing 80 mph irons consistently.

[@GRAMDAVNO1]

Well it would show more about the forgiveness of these clubs which is what most golfers in this category are looking for.​@@MichaelM-to4sg

[@chrisscott558]

Both have the same hair cuts. Followers

[@Storm-gt3kg]

Average golfer isn’t hitting 6 195 😜 and there isn’t much consistency with most golfers

[@papaash1610]

The test is worthless without consistent ball striking.

[@petekenny3774]

Apex

[@LawrenceFoster-o2x]

Jones Linda Thomas Margaret Harris Sharon

[@pabloextreme76]

Your swing and speed is far above average golfer…really far…

[@petekenny3774]

Also what is an "average golfer " 🤣🤣🤷

[@ianfrasergolf]

Watch the video and you’ll hear us discuss that.

[@hipcam3512]

1st

[@atxrich]

How about using an "average" golfer to test these irons??? 😜

[@erikv7619]

Good stuff, just kinda boring when a non-average golfer is testing these irons - I'd rather see an average golfer trying them out. Same goes for some other videos..

[@GregoryGroce-g8f]

I believe that it is better to have a person like Ian testing the irons for testing purposes only. His swing and face impact are just about the same every swing where I would be hitting one off the toe then the heel then right in the middle. For testing he hits the middle with the same swing speed 90% of the time so you get a more precise view of each iron.

[@robpannell390]

Ping i530 it’s a simple choice. All of these KZbin reviews are by those who are single figures or scratch players. There must be someone average out there who could do this comparison?

[@FasaFeu]

We are golfing