BEST OF SERIES: PLAYERS CAVITY BACK IRONS // What's 2023's Best Player CB's

[@ianfrasergolf]

Guys, just reading through some of the comments here specifically on ZX7. At 28 deg on 6iron it falls into a stronger lofted category. We certainly didn’t leave it out, that head is just intended for a different test.

[@photowinz]

If ZX7 is bent 2 degrees weak, doesn't it compete in this category still?

[@Maruman_man]

@@photowinz changes the turf interaction a bit. Also why would they do that if they want to test what's set from the factory

[@mufc778]

Ian do you have injuries or niggles from swinging? Or are you ok because your technique is solid

[@MrJonwalker23]

Ian - I've watched your channel for years. I just don't know how a set of Mizuno irons are not in your bag. Irrespective of the head, you hit them well consistently, they look, feel and sound the best. Just do it!

[@erik2446]

Great comparison, thank you! Some labeling on the video timeline would be useful! 1:50 Ping i59, 3:42 Callaway Apex CB, 5:13 Mizuno JPX 923 Tour, 7:46 TaylorMade P7MC, 9:16 Miura TC-201, 11:07 Cobra King CB, 13:32 2023 Titleist T-100, 15:25 Results Review, 18:06 Mikey's Pick Cobra King CB, 19:18 Ian's Picks, 20:11 Sole Geometry, 21:00 Conclusion, 21:52 Player's Distance Irons Next

[@JT-xs4br]

Mikey is coming out of shell as of late! Quite smiley and entertaining! Nice job guys!

[@stephenchrishanson]

When all the testing is over I'd love to see from a numbers standpoint what Ian "should" put in the bag versus what he actually has in the bag. Then to hear his reasoning for going with something other than what statistically was best.

[@rufussthoo4083]

Great comparo review guys, but the Wilson Staff Model CBs are sweet, and the equal of any in this group. Why are they not included?Would also love you to select the 'best' irons with which to create a blended set, based on performance, ease of blending/gapping, and aesthetics.

[@life_with_me317]

Awesome test. Although they're not new, I'd love to see you compare the Wilson Staff Model CBs to this group.

[@nikmc7539]

New ones coming too!!!

[@golf007sd2]

I play the Wilson CB and they are AWESOME!

[@stephendibari5010]

Great test as always. T100 is the winner for me. They have 80 to 90 g of tungsten placed in the heel and toe of each head; you get an extraordinary amount of forgiveness. I have 2021 T100S and they are phenomenal. 2 deg stronger loft than T100 but same awesome physical properties. Forged Feel with all that hidden tungsten for forgiveness is as good as it gets. I remember hitting a shot half the ball was outside the end of the grooves near the toe and I didn’t lose more than a few yards

[@BigDawgCAM]

My JPX 923 Tours are easily the most accurate iron I’ve ever played. Their carry yardage is almost EXACTLY the same when I’m swinging it halfway decent. If I hit two shots in a row off the tee, they basically land in the exact same spot PLEASE GIVE THEM A CHANCE IAN! You won’t regret it

[@KMSchriver]

I got those this year and love them!!! Only thing I am still working through is if I am keeping the G or switching out to a 50 degree wedge. Just bc of my style and delivery… …but the rest of the set is staying for a long time. Love them!!!

[@rpk4632]

My daughter plays these and they are incredibly consistent when hit well, note she is way better than me I couldn’t play this type of head.

[@ScottyDogGolf]

Another iron which is way more forgiving than it looks and packs a hell of a punch for its size and category. Won mygolfspy’s most forgiving players iron category too!

[@gerterasmus4410]

Been playing JPX923 Tours for a few months now, best iron I’ve ever had. Mizuno feel with decent forgiveness and great consistency

[@Wired-controller]

Leaving out the ZX7 is a crime

[@nickybgolf]

Couldn't agree more!

[@jmolson027]

I thought the same thing 🙃

[@chadmacjack454]

Yeah what’s the deal?

[@CanadianBiPolarBear]

They left out zx7 cus the other brands cant even come close to them

[@DaveGreasy]

Yea that was a big miss

[@mikec.2314]

Love this one guys. I would have LOVED to have seen a dark horse thrown in the mix with the big boys just for giggles. Wilson Staff CB is a gem.

[@raymondm4441]

Reviewers always leave the Wilson Staff CB out. Real shame.

[@AndrewNeilBaird]

I agree , very good irons and underrated.

[@billg3535]

Really enjoying this content; it’s not only informative but it’s fun to watch.

[@clubchampionmedia]

We're a bit biased, but we think so too. Thanks for watching Bill!

[@daveysyt]

i watch everything you guys do and have learned so much. 12-20 hdcp players of different ages would show us a lot more about different clubs. you guys will hit the green every shot regardless of club.

[@markhiromoto2310]

Thanks for this comparison guys. I’ve had 923 tours for 3 weeks and love them.

[@dunklechuck1188]

My set on the way

[@johnbrodnik839]

I have the 201’s and a few for demo the 923T. Got to say both are excellent But the feel of the Miura TC 201 is awesome! And they pre worn leading edge workes well with my swing.

[@mikemartysiewicz]

Miura feel!!!!!

[@golfbike]

Funny. The three finalists (?) are exactly where I am stuck deciding before I watched this video. Great problem! Excellent video

[@billyunair]

I love the look n feel of the new T200s. I play last gen Titleist T300s and have an OG 2008 Titleist AP2 4-PW back up set.

[@GlitterFistsFish]

Why does Wilson never get any love. I tried three of the irons on your list and still ended up going back to and buying the Wilson Staff model CBs.

[@johncandlish1282]

Excellent review again guys, I have tested some but not all of the irons on test today and the Cobra CBs won out for me, they look amazing with a compact head size and the least offset of all the irons that I tested plus their performance was equally exceptional and as a bonus I was getting 4-5 extra yards carry compared to my previous irons and they were surprisingly forgiving for their size.

[@sebastienjuteau2459]

What’s the name of irons category for the Srixon Zx7, cobra King Tour, Ping i230, Mizuno Pro 223?

[@ss1597]

It would be helpful if you showed a close-up of each head before swinging.

[@rhonecherrington2131]

I never played a single cobra club up to about four years ago, mainly i played taylormade drivers and fairway woods and titleist or mizuno irons, today im on like my third cobra driver in a row and put their forged king cb/mb split set a couple years ago (i liked not only how similar the cb and mb are, but that they go to the mb in the 7 iron, and i bought them off the shelf) and next thing i knew all but my wedges and putter have been cobra for a couple years now...

[@SMUGAMER]

Glad I waited until the end of the video to comment, as I was asking where in the world are the ZX7's throughout the entire video - then Ian explained their reasoning (different lofts)!

[@roblancaster2036]

I saw another video you guys did on "forgiving irons" so is it foolish to think that this could be the category for me as a new-ish golfer with 85-95 mph 7i swing speeds. I have thick soled 30° loft GI irons now and i am tired of 40 yard variance in yardage and getting six irons that fly past the green when they should be stopping at the front. I also cant feel where im striking it so ive never been able to tell heel/toe/high/low. I think feedback and consistency would help be get better. Working on swing mechanics so im still going to thin and top them but when i hit them on the face I want to feel confident that i know how far they are going to go. I also liked your comment in another video about smaller clubs being more "forgiving" if your miss is a face angle and path miss.

[@jonathontorres948]

Srixon MK ii models are the best golf has ever seen in terms of performance and looks. I like to think they weren’t included in this video because they’re in a league all by themselves.

[@billyunair]

I agree. I want those ZX forged II muscle backs and RTX6 wedges. I love Dunlop sports. I get 70% off Srixon/Cleveland as a club builder.

[@ben1ben2ben1]

They explain why they are not in the video. They are stronger lofted and will be tested later against other slightly stronger lofted players irons

[@billyunair]

@@ben1ben2ben1 Fair point I missed that. Thank you

[@asdfkhieee]

@@billyunair we're not supposed to tell people that, also you should have gotten an email about the new pricing. It's better now.

[@billyunair]

@@asdfkhieee Never heard that. We always openly disclose our industry discounts here. Will have to check into that increase in savings for Srixon/Cleveland/XXIO. Thanks.

[@ryang1910]

I love the callaway Cb. Best feeling iron I have hit this year. I’m looking for stronger lofts. So they are not what I’m looking for. But I was super impressed. I’m looking for the more forgiving side of players irons. 243, apex pro, t150, p760 etc

[@kkgolf5371]

Why do you NEED stronger lofts? Just get CBs and bend 1 or 2 string

[@johnsahhar7599]

If you get to blades, please do the Miura MC-502. Great iron.

[@chrischampion727]

Great review gents! The players iron review is always my fav of the bunch. Ever since the first time you did it and got tons of backlash from not including any Mizunos. 😬 I play the 2019 P7MC 6-P & P770 4 & 5 and love them. The MC has more pop and forgiveness than the marketing gives the credit for.

[@BLKMeSa]

Agree on the *slightly* stronger lofts of the ZX7s, but come on, the i230s are leagues above those brittle-sounding i59s, and the 6 iron is only half a degree off of the player's standard 30°. Looking forward to the next test. The top two player's irons this year are ZX7 mk.ii and i230s imo. All OEMs make great stuff, and I agree, Cobra is slept on.

[@jaredvandyke7851]

Would you ever play a t150 with weakened lofts ? So it has a bit of the extra help but standard lofts

[@InwonKim1982]

Thank you for the vid! Can't wait for the next round!

[@nctubbs2281]

Can you guys do a comparison of game improvement irons to players irons using a mid-handicap golfer? I’ve heard that muscle backs are harder to hit but the spin will help with dispersion and the “well struck hit that goes 20 yards further” when you have that perfect strike using a cavity back iron.

[@mikeg7924]

Inside 5' after all those balls. Ian nails it! Pay up Mikey. Great test.

[@MrTrikai]

I have the first gen T100. Love them but noticed the new T100 have a thinker topline that I just can’t get past. Still have some life in my current irons but this test was timely and super helpful. I like the idea of Mizuno JPX. Thanks guys!

[@golfendeavor8267]

Titleist guy but like the looks of the Cally - love the extra meat behind like the old Bridgestone TOUR B X-CB. Would love to game the Miura. Will stick around with my 620 CB and might give Wilson (new CB are 👌) a try in couple of years.

[@clw22580]

Mikey got polish up on his sales pressure tactics 😂

[@mikemartysiewicz]

This client doesn’t listen 😆

[@DaveFogel]

Your swing is looking solid and fast!

[@shawnstradwick5637]

Great test, and great video again. I am hoping to come up and see you for a club fitting soon. I live in Cleveland Ohio. So not too far of a drive for me. Since there’s not a whole lot to do in the winter time locally. Lol. for the last few years, I’ve been making my own clubs. I’m just curious to know what swing weight you are using in your irons. Thank,Shawn.

[@robertskelhon4566]

Shocker! Red, white and blue! 😂Mikey is the true star of the show! 😉 I’ve got the Zed X 7s so looking forward to seeing how the MkII goes. Cheers fellas great fun watching the videos and very informative.

[@theCycleReport]

How much more difficult/less forgiving do you find the Cobra King CB compared to the King Tour that slots "below" it? Is the feel of it any better than the Tour?

[@waynepadley1337]

Can someone tell me why would Ping put a ss face on the i59 ! I was gutted when I found out. They look incredible. Great test boys 😀

[@maamold]

Can't wait for the players distance iron Best Of (T150, P770, Pro CB, Cobra Tour...etc)

[@maximus9380]

100% this needs to happen

[@robpottergolf]

Fraz, build those Miura’s up and film the full building process. It’d be great viewing

[@brianminnotte9688]

Now this is some solid content!

[@seandoran5589]

How would you compare the new level 623 CBs to these?

[@sweepingdewdrinkingbrew]

Wilson Staff CB are sneaky good

[@nathansargent8513]

Why did you you leave out the Wilson Staff CB’s? I’m curious to know what lead you to omit the brand with the most Majors EVER! 😊

[@martynmantack4026]

Playing 921 tours, moving to p7mcs. Pure vanity. Probably not good enough to play them, but love the look and feel of

[@pigpigpiggies3527]

Awesome test! Can you do the apex pro 24, p770 23, t150 test?

[@muntjunk-plk3171]

What ball was used? ProV1x?

[@tomvankamperdijk4392]

What I thought about the zx7 is that they feel a bit to heavy for my liking. I was between jpg 923 tour and pro 223. I just liked the 223 better in the end got 225 4-5 iron. Had my first level par round in tournament play so yeah I love the setup. I came from jpx 921 forged

[@TheBradleyp63]

Swing looks good, Frazier

[@colinbrown1321]

I'd love to see the old Callaway Legacy tested against these if you could get one. Stenson still using them I think. How much have cb irons improved?

[@DavidH175]

Viktor Hovland said he struggled to hit the i59 and Grant Horvat has moved to P770 from the PM7C. Makes you think if many guys coming in for a fit should be looking at these kinds of irons rather than something with a bit more forgiveness.

[@robz1699]

I think for grant it might be more distance related. He's doesn't hit it very far given his skill level

[@tig4156]

Don't insult Viktor Hovland like that please. Grant Horvat is a YT golfer. They don't belong in the same sentence lol.

[@DavidH175]

Just saying that very decent ball strikers that get paid to hit golf balls don't even hit some of these clubs @@tig4156

[@Griswald2000]

Nice comparison. What is the difference between the JPX 923 vs MP 223?

[@g_nw]

One piece forged head with traditional lofts and construction (923 Tour) vs. a micro slot and slightly stronger lofts for a bit higher ball speeds (223). Variation in topline shape and blade length as well.

[@aurelienvarin3324]

Miura TC201 with Project X LZ 6.5 blackout are perfect for me. The feel is unmatched. I'm 4index

[@BigDawgCAM]

I just bought some used TC201s with X-Flex C-Tapers in them. I’m an 8 handicap, so I’m excited to grow into them I bought some JPX 923 Tours earlier this year, but they were unfortunately just too spinny for me. Loved them otherwise

[@stevencooks2200]

Comes done to fitting and personal preference. Based on the results there was one more consistent than the others, in my opinion, then it comes down to personal feel, looks, loyalty, and need.

[@doggoronnie3387]

Would absolutely love to see the miura KM700 in one of the tests

[@danielhunt4330]

How do the Mizuno Pro 223 compare to the JPZ 923?

[@timbuma3693]

Was that one weak referring to the lofts on the TC201s or one week as in how long clubs stay in Ian’s bag!?

[@spothos]

With the T100 filling this space for Titleist and being the modern day blade... why do they make the 620CB and whos it for?

[@jmac_619]

Guys, leaving out Srixon? Best of the year...

[@Lesterzen]

why is the Miura CB302 & Pi 401 not included in this category? O.O

[@robertwootton1410]

How can you possibly leave ZX7 out?

[@RobertFlynn-i4h]

Jee I haven't watched you guys for a while , Mikey looking great, you've lost some weight brother. Really love your reviews, from Australia

[@dunklechuck1188]

My 923 Tours are on way! Nothing feels like a Mizuno

[@WestonHapp]

Wait...923 jokes aside, where's Srixon?

[@kristopherbuchanan1231]

These seem to be the more obscure players cb clubs. I think things like zx7, t150, i230, p770 and jpx forged are better sellers and maybe cover a different standard of golfer however. But would be good to get a comparison of the above .

[@Bearded1DurGolf]

That’s what I’m looking for. Getting fitted at club champion in Cincinnati in February or March.

[@mikemartysiewicz]

Enjoy 🎉

[@timothygoldsmith8419]

Loving my zx5 mk2

[@ScottyDogGolf]

Great video guys. I could not believe the difference between this iteration of the P7MC and the original when I’ve hit them, it’s night and day it really is. The next category will be interesting with ZX7, P770, T150, King Tour, Apex Pro, MP223 (or new version), i230, 0317T (maybe?!). Fraz is getting too good with all this practice in these videos!

[@dan8085]

What's the difference?

[@ScottyDogGolf]

They seem way more forgiving on off centre strikes and just seem to have a bit more behind them- as Ian noted in the video. The feel and acoustics as well are slightly different, always thought the original was a bit of a dull sound whereas the newer model just seems to have a bit of a crack and a more solid feel. No idea what they’ve done to the iron but for me they feel so different, I know a lot of people in threads have mentioned they’ve gained ball speed and thus distance with the new model.

[@dan8085]

@@ScottyDogGolf Oh, ok. Thank you!

[@davidlewisTN]

Another change to Ian’s WITB 😊

[@justinsikorsky4699]

Given the looks and help on mishits how do you not choose the T100. Golf is a game of misses so improve those right?

[@ChrisOhlrich11]

Feel, the tech reduces it compared to some of the proper forged options

[@nickkesby741]

No wilson staff model cb ?

[@matinsalali713]

why i59 and not the i230?

[@markcroft2743]

Mizuno 223's or 243's?

[@lawbinson]

Curious how the Blueprint T will do when it comes out. i59 seems to have been a rare miss by Ping.

[@Captainchaos14]

i have i59’s and i loved them while i played them. didn’t have an issue at all

[@jeffwagner1152]

i agree i also own a set of the i59 and enjoy them when i game them.@@Captainchaos14

[@matthewwhitehouse7322]

The new pxg 0317 cb ? Had awesome review but not in line up ??

[@aidangriffiths5075]

Apex cb all day for me. Favourite iron ive tried in a long time

[@woodygamer6171]

Had a fitting last month, the mizuno 923 tours were perfect for me! Love them 👌👌

[@clubchampionmedia]

We're thrilled to hear that Woody. Let us know how they continue to perform for you!

[@joebartman8609]

Man i would love to know how you can get a 6 iron to a 19+ launch angle. I cant leave a fitting hitting a 7i over 17. Any tips to get that launch angle up?

[@behindthebarwithjr157]

flatter angle of attack (shallower) + 1 deg inside path

[@bm5192]

I’d expect to see the king tours in the next bunch on irons.

[@GrantHaworth]

What about the takomo 301CB?

[@BigDawgCAM]

I have the JPX 923 Tours and this is definitely my question. The Tacoma's are literally half the price and MyGolfSpy ranked them as out of the most accurate and forgiving irons they've tested this year. If I'm getting 95% of the performance of the Mizuno's for half the price, that sounds like the way I would steer literally everyone. And I say that absolutely loving my Mizuno's

[@ChrisJackson36]

Curious why the t100 and not the 620 cb?

[@billyunair]

Z forged II irons by Srixon "muscle back" goodness. Why go bear back when you can go muscle back?

[@micksumo]

I still pay cobra amp forged which are phenomenol irons. Haven't found anything since to justify the money. Cobra most underrated iron band out there

[@whaleshark2625]

Why not the i230s or Srixon ZX5s?

[@BillytheCon]

I know they don't really get mentioned with the "big brands", but the Wilson CB fits right in this category

[@kwalter2323]

Standard deviation on such few shots is more down to the archer then the arrow

[@richardmarsh1769]

Pity Srixon don’t make a CB so why not the 223 Mizuno ?

[@IBOTCHvx33]

TC’s 🤩

[@dan.promedio]

I wish you guys added bookmarks to the video to spread out which irons you're hitting.

[@gregcarnall9097]

Hi, a bit off topic but i figure you are the best man to ask and get a straight answer. If i was to trim 1/2 inch off my 45.5 inch driver shaft would i really feel the difference in swing weight and would it change the feel? Also does just gripping down the shaft give you the same result as trimming the shaft? You hear some people say you have to add back in weight etc.. but surely changing your grip to a midsize for instance would change the swing weight just as much? Thanks

[@BigDawgCAM]

Changing the club by as little as 1/4" can change the feel of the club. Rule of thumb is that for every 1/2" you cut off, you lose 3 swing weight points. So to counterbalance that and maintain the same swing weight, you would either have to add 5 to 6g of head weight from the driver, or remove 10-15g of weight to the grip of the club. Generally speaking, 45.5 inch driver is way too long for most people. Most pros play 43-45" and I would recommend 44" as standard length if you want the best combination of accuracy and distance assuming you are around average height. 45" might get you 5-10 more yards, but if it is offline that actually doesn't get you any closer to the hole.

[@gregcarnall9097]

Many thanks for taking the time to reply, does gripping down an inch give me the same result? I assume it would but does that alter the dynamic swing weight? @@BigDawgCAM

[@BigDawgCAM]

@@gregcarnall9097 Not exactly, but close enough. It's a great alternative if you don't want to cut and regroup all your clubs

[@RequiemDead]

Curious as to why the Titleist 620 CB's weren't in this list?

[@ES-xe7ju]

Would had been nice to see Takomo's cb iron there as well.

[@paultaylor5502]

Love your site, so informative, I was +3 (open final qual 3 times etc) but lost interest then had a hip operation. Now 53 and creaking a bit but playing again thanks to your channel, brilliant, keep it up.

[@clubchampionmedia]

So glad to hear you enjoy our content Paul. Thanks for watching!

[@Schwartzengruber]

Where would the Edel SMS Pro fall in this lineup?

[@ArmyGolfBC]

No wrong choice in this category. I need to get my ish together so I can get back into proper irons like these.

[@IamNexu]

Please do with this players distance models, I really want to see how the new T200 compares against the rest.

[@Onlyfoolsandcourses.]

Gents, I play Nike forged irons. They are players accuracy irons, but I'm getting old and could do with some help these days. If your familiar with the Nike irons in question, are there any in your list which are similar looking? I prefer smaller heads, fairly traditional lofts, but most of all spin control.. I take control over distance any day! Any comments would be much appreciated 👍