GOLD
GOLD
GOLD
GOLD
OVERALL RATING ★★★★ ½ PERFORMANCE ★★★★ INNOVATION ★★★★ ½ LOOK • SOUND • FEEL ★★★★
OVERALL RATING ★★★★★ PERFORMANCE ★★★★★ INNOVATION ★★★★ ½ LOOK • SOUND • FEEL ★★★★★
OVERALL RATING ★★★★★ PERFORMANCE ★★★★★ INNOVATION ★★★★ ½ LOOK • SOUND • FEEL ★★★★★
OVERALL RATING ★★★★ ½ PERFORMANCE ★★★★ ½ INNOVATION ★★★★ ½ LOOK • SOUND • FEEL ★★★★ ½
‘Good turf interaction with no digging.
‘The forged feel on centre strikes is unbelievable, like you hit nothing at all. Distance
‘Produces a consistently high ball flight that stays on line and lands softly. Centre strikes make a snapping sound.’ – 13-HANDICAP
Best blend of power, playability and soft feel. I can confidently attack the ball without fear of a punishing miss.’ – 1-HANDICAP
Centre-face contact gets good carry. Mis-hits hold
the line.’ – 6-HANDICAP
is there.’ – 7-HANDICAP
MIZUNO MIZUNO PRO 245 R33 000
COBRA KING FORGED TEC R20 500
MIZUNO JPX923 FORGED R27 000
MIZUNO JPX923 HOT METAL PRO R22 000
WHY WE LIKE IT Sometimes multiple materials are used to mask deficiencies in one area, but not so here. By mixing materials, Cobra brings the kind of raw power irons in this category need. The neat trick, however, is doing so in a pleasing shape that doesn’t scrimp on feel thanks to a light, soft foam inside the 1025 carbon-steel clubhead. The muscle-back shape belies the hollow construction, and the thin face delivers significant ball speed with a higher launch.
WHY WE LIKE IT If these irons took human form, they might just give Patrick Dempsey a run for “Sexiest Man Alive.” Just like with the actor, there’s more here than good looks. The speed in this iron comes from the thinnest face on a forged iron in the company’s history – just 2.2 millimetres thick. The distance chase doesn’t stop there. Micro-slots in the sole cavity (wider in the 4- through 6-irons and slightly narrower in the 7-iron to smooth the transition to the scoring clubs) provide plenty of heat.
WHY WE LIKE IT Advancements in golf clubs aren’t always solely driven by the design. You need to be able to manufacture them with precision. For this iron that meant finding a different steel – nickel chromoly 4335 – that could be cast to an ultra-thin 1.75mm and still withstand impact with the ball and ground at high swing speeds. This led to the ability to create a single-piece design that behaves like an iron that has a spring-like face insert. The elimination of weld joints eradicates hot spots on the face.
WHY WE LIKE IT The traditional blade appearance of the Mizuno Pro 245 says, “Be afraid. Be very afraid.” The performance, however, says otherwise. This hollow-body iron is grain-flow forged from 4135 chromoly steel for the face and neck all the way to the 8-iron. Internal tungsten weighting in the irons up to the 7-iron is 46.4 grams as opposed to 30 grams in its predecessor. A new method of laser welding suspends the tungsten in the head so that it doesn’t touch the sole, allowing the face to flex better and boost ball speed.
• The low and back centre-of-gravity position produces height despite strong lofts. • Compact shape and thin topline fit the eye of better players. • 7-iron: 28.5 degrees; PW: 42.5 degrees
• The use of more internal tungsten weighting increases forgiveness and helps golfers launch the ball higher. • New Pro Fli-Hi offers a viable alternative to long irons. • 7-iron: 30 degrees; PW: 43 degrees
• Five-step forging produces a lower sound. • A light foam saves weight that is moved low to aid launch. • A slim topline and reduced offset deliver a player-ish look. • 7-iron: 29.5 degrees; PW: 44 degrees
• Micro-slots in the long and middle irons deliver distance. • A notch in the club’s perimeter assists sound. • Carbon steel in the 8-iron through wedges promotes control. • 7-iron: 30 degrees; PW: 44 degrees
BALL FLIGHT
BALL FLIGHT
BALL FLIGHT
BALL FLIGHT
Lower
Higher
Lower
Higher
Lower
Higher
Lower
Higher
SENSORY
SENSORY
SENSORY
SENSORY
Softer
Firmer
Softer
Firmer
Softer
Firmer
Softer
Firmer
PLAYABILITY
PLAYABILITY
PLAYABILITY
PLAYABILITY
Workable
Forgiving
Workable
Forgiving
Workable
Forgiving
Workable
Forgiving
TOP 5 HIGHEST FLYING, PLAYERS-DISTANCE IRONS, LOW-HANDICAPS
TOP 5 MOST FORGIVING, PLAYERS-DISTANCE IRONS, MIDDLE-HANDICAPS
TOP 5 BEST LOOKING, PLAYERS-DISTANCE IRONS, LOW-HANDICAPS
TOP 3 IN PERFORMANCE, PLAYERS-DISTANCE IRONS, HIGH-HANDICAPS
75 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA 76
HOTLIST 2024
HOTLIST 2024
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software