The Best Players Irons of 2021

There is certainly no one size fits all approach in golf, but leading manufacturers work tirelessly to create irons that perform best for those most skilled among us - the players irons.

Should that description match with you, then Golfshake Equipment Expert and PGA Professional at Howley Hall Golf Club in Leeds, Ryan Rastall has picked out a selection of irons that have most impressed him this season. 

Callaway Apex Pro, £859 (6 Irons - Steel)

The Callaway Apex Pro Irons are designed for golfers who play off scratch or hold a single-figure handicap. To use these efficiently, you must be skilled. If you hold that trait, then Callaway may just provide the perfect solution. Similarly to the Epic Speed Driver, the irons have been completely redesigned with an innovative A.I. designed Flash Face Cup to feature for the first time. 

This set of irons have been directly engineered to produce the distance you want to see, whilst also providing ultimate comfort and feel through impact. Moreover, for the first time, Callaway have implemented a huge Tungsten Energy Core into the irons. The hollow body construction consists of up to 90 grams of tungsten per iron – which will improve launch characteristics without sacrificing forgiveness. Finally, the Ultimate Forged Steel is what gives the club such a soft feel through impact. 

What Golfshake Say:

“You would expect a club like this, aimed at mid-to-lower handicappers, to not hold much technology in it. I’d like to change your perception. It should continue to get good distance even with off-centre strikes, which you wouldn’t expect considering its target market. The iron is easy to launch as well as forgiving. One excellent feature about this range, is that you can match multiple models together to collect your set." 

For more, see Ryan's Full Review!

Orka RS10 Forged MB, £895 (6 Irons - Steel)

Self-proclaimed by Orka as ‘simply the finest irons we have ever created’, the RS10 Forged MBs look set to rival more-established manufacturers. Created by Japanese craftsman utilising S25C Japanese Carbon steel, these irons are quad forged to expel any voids in the material - resulting in consistent soft feel. 

The Muscle Back offers dependable CG positioning, with an increased penetrating ball flight from the optimal CG location. Each head is precision CNC milled, hand finished and double plated with white satin, which should suit the eye behind the ball. These irons are aimed at skilled players, with a handicap recommendation of scratch to 14. 

What Golfshake Say:

"A simply stunning iron with the best feel on the market in my opinion. Extremely soft and the narrow soles interact with the ground fantastically well for the more consistent ball striker. The Japanese lettering on the back of the club add a touch of class and elegance and whilst these clubs aren’t for the faint hearted, they are lots of fun. I really loved the more traditional lofts that Orka employ throughout their range and are a must try for all you good ball strikers out there."

TaylorMade P7MB, £859 (6 Irons - Steel)

TaylorMade and irons are a match made in heaven. The new P7MBs further extends that relationship. “Pure, buttery, organic, steel – before you look up, you feel it”. Ultimately, comfort through the swing and impact should be a priority – which is why TaylorMade brought out the P7MBs. These irons have been designed with feedback from the world’s best players and hold a thin topline, minimal offset and narrow sole. 

Compact Grain Forging uses a 2,000-ton press which will deliver an optimal, tighter grain structure to provide the most coherent feel possible. Moreover, the Faceted Muscle Back Geometry is a blend of traditional muscle back iron performance with a contemporary look and design. Naturally, these irons have been constructed with the very best players in mind – if you have ultimate control of your game but you feel updated equipment can further progress you, then the P7MBs were designed for you. 

What Golfshake Say:

“The most bladed and least forgiven version, so it’s a real premium and elegant look. A real classic, blade design. When I’ve tried this out on the range, the ball flight has really surprised me. I was getting a really great flight and the feel was fantastic. I honestly think it’s the best blade I’ve used from TaylorMade.” 

For more, see Ryan's Full Review!

Srixon ZX7, £899 (6 Irons - Steel)

The Srixon ZX7 Irons have incredible feel and maximum shot shaping whilst also providing more speed and further control – these irons look and feel like a blade. If you’re looking to upgrade your irons, and you hold a lower handicap, then the ZX7 provide competition for all irons on the market. Mass has been repositioned to the sweet spot of the irons and the perimeter to provide an incredibly soft feel at impact with increased workability. 

Srixon have made the grooves of the 8i to PW sharper, narrower and deeper, which results in more spin and helps the ball to stop quickly for those dialled-in approaches. The Tour V.T. Sole intentionally glides through the surf smoother – even if you strike slightly behind the ball. Finally, the Multi-Piece Construction increases MOI in the 4i to the 7i for more stability while the Forged 1020 Carbon Steel Body will absorb vibrations for an even softer feel. 

What Golfshake Say:

“These irons are very impressive. I love the feel of them and I honestly think Srixon make some of the best irons on the market. The ZX7 will really appeal more to a better ball striker and lower handicapper but someone who could also benefit with that little forgiveness that is in these irons.” 

For more, see Ryan's Full Review!

Mizuno JPX 921 Tour, £859 (6 Irons - Steel)

The brand of Mizuno is the most popular of touring professionals who are not contracted to brands. That’s seriously impressive. Prior entries, the JPX900 and JPX921 have both been utilised to win major championships. The stunning new JPX921 Tour maintains its predecessor’s surprising fusion of precision with stability from off-centre strikes. Tour refined short irons feature, which will improve the smoothness of turf interaction.

The Stability Frame has been constructed with a toe-bias weighting, which gives longer CG distance that is needed for a straighter, more consistent ball flight. Due to the thicker cavity pad, you’ll be able to feel impact for a fraction longer – which has evolved from Mizuno’s study of vibration patterns. Interestingly, Mizuno’s tour audits in 2019 revealed that there wasn’t a single JPX919 3-Iron in play. As a result of this study, the set now comes from 4-GW, giving you one extra wedge and freeing up the 3-iron slot for alternative equipment. 

What Golfshake Say:

“Having played quite a few holes out on the golf course, I am very impressed with these clubs. For an iron that is supposedly seemingly difficult to use, I found it very forgiving. I didn’t lose much distance from off-centre strikes and it is just a beautiful looking iron.” 

For more, see Ryan's Full Review!

Wilson Staff Model CB, £689 (6 Irons - Steel)

The Wilson Staff Model CB provides two standout benefits. Firstly, they will be the cheapest irons of this collection. Secondly, if you’re not comfortable playing with muscle back irons but feel that you would enjoy the benefits of the design, then these cavity back irons – that provide a muscle back feel – should warrant your attention. Inspired by Wilson Staff V6 Irons, Staff Model CB Irons feature modern control, workability and forgiveness. 

The Tri-Brace Stabiliser on the back of the clubhead helps transfer more energy to the ball while delivering amazing sound and feel. Twenty grams of high-density tungsten in the toe of long and mid irons will enhance head stability at impact whilst also lowering the centre of gravity – for reliably consistent shots. Finally, the forged 8620 carbon steel back is supported by an integrated impact mass area, which provides a solid, muscle back-like feel but with a cavity back design that helps to deliver consistency on all shots. 

What Golfshake Say:

“If you’re a player that’s looking for a more muscle back designed golf club and you are a better ball striker, then these clubs will suit you well. Wilson also offer an array of grips and shafts with no upcharge either, so that’s also something to consider. This is in the same family as the Staff Model blade which it has to be said is exceptional and will give you a little more forgiveness than its big brother. Wilson make some of the most fantastic looking players irons and this is no exception."

For more, see Ryan's Full Review!

If you want to hear more from Ryan and the Golfshake Team on the latest equipment releases, see the Golfshake Gear Section for more content OR visit our YouTube Channel for new videos and reviews!

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