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Golf Iron Myth Busted by Robot Testing
1 Jun
Summary
- New robot testing challenges traditional golf iron tradeoffs.
- Players irons were tested for distance and forgiveness.
- Testing involved 36 shots per club across various impacts.

For years, golfers have been told that choosing players irons, like blades and compact cavities, means accepting a tradeoff. The conventional wisdom dictated a sacrifice in distance and forgiveness in exchange for superior feel and workability. This narrative has led many to believe that players irons are inherently less forgiving than other types.
However, recent equipment testing conducted by Golf Laboratories introduces a significant revision to this long-standing belief. Utilizing robotic testing, 10 of the newest players 7-irons were subjected to a detailed protocol. This involved 36 shots per club, systematically analyzing performance across various impact locations, including mid-heel, center, and mid-toe strikes.
This comprehensive testing methodology aimed to quantify the actual performance differences, replicating the same shaft, golf ball, and delivery conditions for each iron. The results suggest the tradeoff may be more nuanced and less pronounced than commonly understood, offering a potentially more interesting perspective for golfers considering their equipment choices.