GolfWRX Members Choice presented by 2nd Swing: Best iron shaft of 2023

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We’re proud to partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2023! 2nd Swing has more than 100,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.

What is the best iron shaft in 2023? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. Needless to say, that extends to their views on the best iron shaft of 2023.

The bedrock of GolfWRX.com is the community of passionate and knowledgable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.

You can see the full results for the best iron shaft of 2023, as well as additional comments, in the forums.

What Aerotech says: “With more professional tour wins than any other graphite iron shaft in history, SteelFiber iron shafts are the preferred option by the world’s best. SteelFiber shafts come in many weights and are the only graphite iron shafts to feature Aerotech’s unique SteelFiber technology–combing the power of graphite with the stability of steel.”

What Fujikura says: “For AXIOM, VeloCore has been specifically tailored and modified to ensure that the groundbreaking results players have experienced with VENTUS metalwood shafts are just as impressive in their irons. VeloCore Technology increases the stability of the club during the swing and at impact, resulting in more efficient strikes and improved performance on mishit shots. Improved consistency, accuracy, and distance help golfers hit it closer to their target more frequently.”

What Mitsubishi says: “Born from more than 30 years of innovation and composite shaft mastery, the new MMT Iron utilizes a breakthrough Metal Mesh Technology to redefine the possibilities for performance in a composite iron shaft.”

What Mitsubishi says: “Born from more than 30-years of composite shaft mastery, the new MMT Taper Iron utilizes a patent pending Metal Mesh Technology (MMT) to redefine the possibilities for feel and performance in a composite iron shaft. A unique metal mesh – made from individually braided strands of 304 Stainless Steel – is integrated into the shaft’s prepreg layers towards the tip. This improves density and stability, while also allowing for thinner overall composite wall construction.”

What UST says: “Recoil Technology…Efficient Energy Transfer (67% more efficient than steel). Optimal spring effect in the walls of the shaft for efficient energy transfer to the ball for increased velocity and greater distance…Improves consistency (i.e. shot dispersion), distance and trajectory control.”

See more results and what GolfWRXers are saying here.

What True Temper says: “Dynamic Gold Tour Issue is the Gold Standard by which all other iron shafts are measured. It is the most successful shaft in the history of golf and continues to dominate on professional tours each and every year. Dynamic Gold Tour Issue is a tour-weighted shaft that is designed for players seeking a low, penetrating ball flight for optimum control and accuracy. Our Tour Issue shafts hold the industry’s tightest weight tolerance for the exacting performance demanded by the best players.”

What Nippon says: “The N.S. PRO Modus³ series shafts are popular with touring pros because they offer optimal performance in the three key areas: 1) High tip rigidity strengthens trajectory. The high-rigidity design of the tip steadies impact to help minimize unwanted spin and realize a stronger trajectory. 2) Low mid-section rigidity controls shaft flex. Low rigidity in the mid section improves shaft control so players with any swing tempo can more easily control their shots. 3) Low butt rigidity enhances comfort. Low butt rigidity improves swing tempo and contributes to a comfortable, smoother feeling upon impact.”

What Nippon says: “The N.S. PRO Modus³ series shafts are popular with touring pros because they offer optimal performance in the three key areas: 1) High tip rigidity strengthens trajectory. The high-rigidity design of the tip steadies impact to help minimize unwanted spin and realize a stronger trajectory. 2) Low mid-section rigidity controls shaft flex. Low rigidity in the mid section improves shaft control so players with any swing tempo can more easily control their shots. 3) Low butt rigidity enhances comfort. Low butt rigidity improves swing tempo and contributes to a comfortable, smoother feeling upon impact.”

What Project X says: “Project X iron shafts are trusted by the best players in the world and are a staple in golf shaft design. Maintaining a stout profile throughout the entire shaft, Project X is a preferred choice by stronger swingers looking for a flat, penetrating ball flight and unmatched stability.”

What True Temper says: “The #1 shaft in golf. The True Temper Dynamic Gold is a high-flex, tour weighted steel iron shaft that is designed for skilled players seeking a low, penetrating ball flight for optimum control and accuracy.”

See more results and what GolfWRXers are saying here.

Callaway introduces new Paradym Star Family

TaylorMade debuts MG4 wedges with Spin Tread technology

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Noona

Aug 15, 2023 at 3:51 pm

Surprised that KBS doesn’t make it anywhere on the list with any of theirs

Bob

Aug 15, 2023 at 1:35 pm

What’s the difference between the Modus and PX LZ?

Goon

Aug 15, 2023 at 3:53 pm

Who cares, you couldn’t swing either one with your slow swing

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My first interaction with Titleist’s new 2023 T-Series irons was at the 2023 Memorial Tournament, where PGA Tour players began testing out the new family of irons. The new irons included an updated T100 model, a brand new T150, a redesigned T200, and a brand new T350.

In the first week, 13 players switched into at least one of the new T-Series irons, and more names got added to that list as the weeks went on. And, as more players switched, my intrigue about the irons only grew.

Then, I wrote about the new irons, covering all of the design changes and technological improvements within the lineup.

That’s all great, but, am I ever gonna get to hit the irons for myself?!

Well, earlier this month, my number was finally called, and I traveled to Oceanside, California, to go through a full iron fitting at the Titleist Performance Institute with expert fitter Chris Baingo.

As one of the most knowledgeable club fitters in the industry, Baingo took me through each of the new T-Series iron models, making adjustments along the way. I was excited to finally hit everything, especially after the months-long hype and anticipation.

I also needed some of my questions answered…

Are the T100’s really any better? Or different? Prior T100’s have looked a little small to me, so are these any more forgiving? And, did they make any changes to the feel/sound of the T-200?

I was especially curious about the new T150 models.

How much more distance/forgiveness will the new T150’s provide, compared to the T100? Will these be my next irons?

In the video at the top of the page, as you’ll see, all of my questions were answered.

However, more than just testing the new iron designs out, I came away with an education about the importance of yardage gapping, general rules for iron fitting, and how to setup my bag with a mixed set.

I won’t spoil everything that Baingo preached in the video, but I do want to highlight one of the most impactful lessons I learned from him during the fitting: As irons progress throughout the set, there should be a 5 mph ball speed difference between irons, and peak heights should generally match through the set.

This means if your ball speed with a 7-iron is 130 mph and has a peak height of 110 feet, then your 6-iron should be 135 mph with the same peak height. If there’s a gap between irons that’s either less than or more than 5 mph with the irons, then an adjustment needs to be made.

Typically, the most noticeable and impactful gap, or “breaking point,” will be between the 5 and 6-irons, or the 4 and 5-irons. In these pockets, the ball speed difference may drop to less than 5 mph, and produce a lower ball flight. This indicates that it’s probably time to look at a 4 or 5-iron that offers more forgiving technology.

For example, in my case, I found the T150’s to have proper speed gapping through the set, until I got to the 3-iron. The ball speed difference between the T150 4-iron and T150 3-iron was dropping below the 5 mph ball speed guidance, thus indicating it was time for me to try out a T200, T350, or U505 iron option. Eventually, I landed on a T200 2-iron, equipped with a Fujikura Ventus HB Black 10 TX shaft (whereas the T150 irons 4-PW were shafted up with Project X 6.5 steel shafts).

To the point about long-iron fitting, Titleist offers long-iron fitting packages that allow consumers to do this exercise for themselves, under the supervision of a professional fitter. As I learned from Baingo, getting an iron fitting is about way more than just hitting a bunch of 7-irons against each other until you find the right one.

While you should absolutely test a bunch of 7-irons to find the right fit for your set, you should also be testing long irons in order to figure out proper gapping, and where the “breaking point” is so that you can get what you need where you need it.

A true full fitting allows the golfer to figure out the gaps in their set, especially at the top end of the bag.

OK, the fitting is lecture over. Enjoy the T-Series testing video above, and click here to see what GolfWRX forum members are saying about the full iron lineup.

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Driver: Titleist TSi2 (9 degrees)Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD IZ 5 S

3-wood: Titleist TS2 (13.5 degrees)Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 661 Evolution II S

5-wood: Titleist TS2 (16.5 degrees)Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 661 Evolution II S

Irons: Titleist U-500 (3-5), Titleist 620 CB (6-PW)Shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 90 (3, 4), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S300 (6-PW)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (50-08F, 54-10S, 60-04L)Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: TaylorMade Spider OS CB

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

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Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond (9 degrees @10.7)Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 TX

3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (15 degrees)Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 TX

5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (18 degrees)Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 TX

Irons: Callaway Apex Pro (4), Callaway Apex CB (5-9)Shafts: Project X LZ 125 6.5

Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (46-10S @47, 50-10S @51), Vokey Design SM9 (56-08M), WedgeWorks (60-T)Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S200

Putter: Odyssey White Hot Versa Seven

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

More photos of Chris Kirk’s WITB in the forums.

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