To succeed with players irons, you must regularly find the center of the clubface through exceptional ball striking. Players irons are designed for low-handicap players who seek peak performance on approach shots and can shape the ball through the air with increased accuracy.

Irons in this category are not recognized for being the most forgiving irons. Rather, they are paired with stiff shafts and graded on precision and workability. For top golfers, players irons are essential to maximizing shot shape and feel on second shots from the fairway.

In windy conditions, players irons will give you the exactness required to ride the breeze and land your ball soft at the hole. For those who can produce the swing speed required, there is no better feeling than finding the sweet spot of a top-performing players iron.

Through playing golf competitively in college and working in the industry for several years, I have had the opportunity to test most players irons in search of the best-feeling blade. I have a growing passion for assisting others in finding the right equipment to get the most out of their game, and in this article, I review the best players irons released to the market in 2023.

1. Titleist 2023 T100 Irons

One of the best new sets of irons in the world, built with top craftsmanship, the Titleist 2023 T100 irons are perfect for skilled players who want to work a draw or loft a fade into the greens. The tungsten weighting promotes a well-balanced feel at setup and solid sensation through the hands at impact, giving you instant feedback on your ball striking.

For gusty days when you need to keep the ball under the wind, the T100, with its low center of gravity, provides incredible trajectory control and command of the shot shape. The thin sole of the club slices through the ground and interacts well with the turf on tight lies.

The T100 irons have a nice traditional look and sound great when struck in the sweet spot. Forgiveness on mishits is minimal, but that is expected for a players iron of its caliber. These irons allow you to shave the shot or two per round for a high-performing top ball striker, taking your scoring to the next level.

2. TaylorMade 2023 P770 Irons

The P770 irons from TaylorMade have a narrow sole and compact clubhead shape that great players prefer. The sleek and professional look of the P770 stands out, with a slim and shiny blade. The irons provide serious curb appeal with excellent turf interaction to match. Playing shots off the slopes of the green is easily achieved, and the control one can feel through the ball with half shots is remarkable.

When I tested them, I saw increased ball speed and felt comfortable working the ball in various ways. I found the long and mid irons precise when struck in the center and gained distance throughout the bag. The extra distance was a pleasant surprise for an iron designed for maximum workability. The short irons in this group can produce great spin and pinpoint accuracy.

For a top player searching for extreme workability, precise accuracy, and distance, the P770s checks all the boxes. Mid-handicap players looking for more forgiveness should check out the TaylorMade Stealth irons as a better option.

3. Mizuno JPX923 Tour Irons

Low-handicap players will love the feel and playability of the JPX923 Tour irons from Mizuno. As the name says, these irons are tour-ready and provide the shot-making capabilities needed to save strokes on the scorecard for a player who finds the center of the clubface.

For a high handicapper, the level of forgiveness across the face of the JPX923 Tour is not as high as a full cavity-back iron, so less skilled players would be better off with an oversized game improvement iron with an increased offset like the JPX923 Hot Metal irons. The minimal offset of the JPX923 Tour gives it a thin topline look at setup that the world’s best desire as they step up to the ball.

Players with great swing speed will be able to produce a high ball flight with these irons, improving the ability to stop the ball faster on the greens with less rollout and closer birdie putts. When I tested the JPX923 Tour irons, I had no problem getting the long irons to perform with higher launch when needed, and I felt comfortable aiming away from the target, knowing I could shape the ball back to the pin with precision.

Popular in professional golf, the JPX923 Tour irons are trusted by the best to perform accurately when the pressure is highest. Their overall feel and workability are matched only by a handful of other models in the marketplace.

4. Srixon ZX7 Irons

Utilized by five-time major champion Brooks Koepka, the Srixon ZX7 irons are a worthy option for players who have complete control of their golf ball. With optimal launch for a players iron, these clubs give great ball strikers the ability to work shots into tough pins when there is little to no room for error.

When I tested the ZX7 irons, I found them to be more forgiving than most in its class, and I got away with a shot or two slightly off the toe and heel. My overall consistency improved over time, and there was no pin that these irons could not take on.

The ZX7s are a shiny silver that will stand out in your golf bag. There is added mass directly behind the iron's sweet spot for more power, and a thin sole provides an awesome look at setup. For players who can go low, the Srixon ZX7 is an aesthetically appealing option that can perform at the highest level.

5. Titleist 620 MB Irons

The Titleist 620 MB irons are classic muscle back irons designed to bring out the best in your game if you are a precise shot maker. I love the look of these irons. The feel generated through the hands at impact on pure shots generates the confidence necessary to repeat the motion.

Everything about the 620 MB irons screams tour-level performance. They look like they belong on a PGA Tour driving range and give a seasoned player the ingredients needed to take their iron game to the next level by minimizing proximity to the hole on approach shots.

When golfers find the center of the clubface with the 620 MBs, they will notice a distinct feeling of power in their hands that echoes through their finish. The 620 MBs produce a ground-shaking boom at impact and perfect-sized divots.

The long irons are great on par 3s and generate enough spin to stop the ball. Some irons are just fun to play with, and the traditional look of the Titleist 620 MB irons inspires spectacular shot-making. A true difference maker, the 620 MBs are the best golf irons for any skilled player looking to improve scoring.

6. Callaway Paradym Irons

The Callaway Paradym features a hollow-body construction that will add distance to your iron game. For a highly workable iron, the Paradym is also forgiving on shots that don’t quite catch the center. The thin soles of the irons interact well with the ground and perform at a high level under various turf conditions.

This iron set is not for beginners or high handicappers, but it is more adaptable than other players irons in its class. High ball flight can be discovered throughout the bag, and shaping the ball comes easy for those who know how. They have a pleasing ping sound when one finds the sweet spot, and their modern look gives them a “new age” feel.

My experience with the Paradym irons saw increased ball speeds and added distance as the irons are engineered with stronger lofts. For more moderate swing speeds and players seeking game improvement irons with higher launch, a softer feel, and more forgiveness, the Callaway Paradym X is an ideal option with a larger clubhead and sole design. The regular Paradym is relatively small and features a minimal offset with a thin top line that low-handicap players love.

Choosing the Right Players Iron for You

It was another great year for players iron technology. Top golf manufacturers designed several highly workable irons for players who can shape the golf ball. If you are a low-handicap player looking for a spark in your game, I believe the irons in this article will give you the ability to attack pins that you might normally shy away from, allowing you to hit the big shot that puts you over the top in your next match.

For free and personalized advice on your swing, please reach out to a Golf Expert at Curated today!