| Our Readers Test the Newest 2010 Irons |
| By Tom Landers |
Published
04/27/2010
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Irons , Play Testing
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Unrated
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Our Readers Test the Newest 2010 Irons
Today’s Irons Make the Game Easier and
More Fun
The most significant development in irons during
the last several years has been the popularity of what is commonly
called a “mixed” or “combo”
set.
With the emergence of the hybrid (i.e., a fusion of design elements
found in both traditional irons and fairway woods) and its acceptance
among the buying public, almost all equipment companies offer combo sets
that replace long irons with hybrids, while maintaining traditional
clubhead shapes in the mid- through short-irons and wedges.
As Lee Trevino once joked, “Not even
God can hit a one-iron.” He may as well have thrown in the
two, three- and even four-iron for recreational, mid-handicap players.
Today’s “super game improvement” combo
sets make is far easier for players to get the ball airborne
consistently with hybrid three- and four-irons. This is due to the
club’s profile and playing characteristics, such as a lower
center of gravity and a larger sweet spot on the clubface.
Other features of the combo sets--such as lower centers of gravity and
maximum perimeter weighting in the mid- and short-irons--help instill
confidence and allow golfers of average or lesser ability to get the
ball in the air on a proper trajectory with greater ease.
Now, this is not to say that equipment companies have eschewed the
form and functionality of classic iron designs. Single-digit
handicappers can benefit from more modest game improvement irons that
combine the thinner topline found in blades with cavity or muscle back
clubheads. These sticks offer greater forgiveness and playability thanks
to perimeter weighting and a lower center of gravity that progresses
through the long- to short-irons. Better players still favor the
clubhead shape and feel found in today’s forged irons, some of
which are designed with new materials that make for hotter ball flight
and more carry.
With so many choices, it is vital to try out irons to determine
what’s best for you. Indeed, you may be a better player but
like the feel of a hybrid in your hands instead or a three- or
four-iron. Or, you might be an accomplished golfer who likes a little
forgiveness in his clubs, but also feels more confident at address with
the thinner toplines more modest game improvement irons offer. The best
players will almost always opt for a blade. Yet, even here, designers
have incorporated helpful elements, such as improved scoring lines on
the clubface and state-of-the-art shafts that can be custom fit to that
allow for maximum shot shaping.
Buying a new set of irons should never be an impulse purchase.
You’ll likely have your new irons for a long time and they can
make or break your game. So, find a set that appeals to both your eyes
and ability, test drive the product, get fit and have fun.
PLAYERS
IRONS:
GAME IMPROVEMENT
IRONS:
SUPER GAME IMPROVEMENT
IRONS:
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$899(graphite)
Bridgestone J38 Forged
(CB)
www.bridgestonegolf.com
Unique Features:
The Bridgestone J38 Forged Cavity Back(CB) irons have a magnesium
composite insert, which optimizes perimeter weighting for more
forgiveness on off center hits. In addition, the new insert dampens
vibration at impact for a smooth energy transfer and a purer and softer
feel. |
 |
$799 (steel)
Cleveland CG1 Tour
www.clevelandgolf.com
Unique Features:
The split cavity back long irons and muscle back mid/short irons
maintain a traditional look while providing extra forgiveness and
workability. The CG1 Tour features a surface roughness technology -
Laser Milled. Using the precision accuracy of a laser, each face
features four perfectly calibrated texture lines milled between each
groove exactly to the conforming roughness limit. |
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$799 (steel)
Cobra S2 Forged
www.cobragolf.com
Unique Features:
Aimed at better players who prefer a Tour-inspired shape and seek more
control and workability, the Cobra S2 Forged Irons pair performance and
feel. The clubheads are forged from 1025 carbon steel, the grooves on
the clubfaces are CNC milled. While forged, the Cobra S2 Forged Irons
are not blades; the cavity back boasts extreme perimeter weighting to
target more forgiveness on off-center strikes. |
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$1199
Fourteen TC-910
Forged
www.clevelandgolf.com
Unique Features:
The Fourteen TC-910 Forged irons have traditional shaped heads made with
soft, forged S20C steel and feature a slightly offset shape. The center
of gravity moves progressively higher as the clubs get short, creating
optimal spin rates for each club. They are designed with a clean,
muscle-cavity back head to produce a classic forged
feel. |
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$1200
Mizuno MP-58
www.mizunousa.com
Unique Features:
The Mizuno MP-58 Dual Muscle back titanium irons were designed with
multiple materials during a Grain Flow Forging process to deliver a
solid feel and superb playability. A rolled leading edge, flattened mid
sole, and rolled trailing edge deliver consistent ball striking ability
from all types of lies. |
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$388
Dynacraft Prophet Tour
www.hirekogolf.com
Unique Features:
The Hireko Dynacraft Prophet Tour irons are designed with an exclusive
Stability Slot in the rear of the clubhead to optimize the center of
gravity’s location. This is done by pushing weight further
back from the face and redistributing it directly in the center of the
face to create a pure feel found in the best
blades. |
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$899
NikeVR Forged
SplitCavity
www.nikegolf.com
Unique Features:
Designed for consistent ball flight and distance control with an element
of forgiveness, the forged split cavity back design keeps weight behind
the sweetspot of the clubhead for ball control while providing
forgiveness. Forged from 1025 Carbon Steel with a CNC milled face, wider
sole and thicker topline, the split cavity delivers a high degree of
workability and ball control. |
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$142 per club graphite, $115 per
club steel
Ping i15
www.ping.com
Unique Features:
The Ping i15 irons were created as a progressive set with long-irons
that are larger for more forgiveness and higher trajectory, and mid- and
short-irons that transition to slightly smaller sizes for workability
and control on approach shots. A stabilizing bar and Custom Tuning Port
provide the feel and sound preferred by better
players. |
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$899
Srixon Z-TX
www.srixon.com
Unique Features:
The Srixon Z-TX irons are made of soft stainless steel through a
proprietary heat treatment and a chrome finishing process to provide a
soft, yet responsive feel. Five-gram tungsten weights in the toe and
heel of the club increases stability through impact with the ball and
allows for more firmness in the long irons on off center
hits. |
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$899
TaylorMade R9 TP
www.taylormadegolf.com
Unique Features: Like the R9 irons, these feature a foam-filled chamber
behind the clubface in the long irons (2-iron through 5-iron). This
allowed designers to construct a face that’s just two
millimeters thick for optimum springlike effect. The KBS Tour Series
shaft (used by the PGA Tour’s Kenny Perry and Dustin Johnson
during victories in 2009) are the stock offering. |
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$125 per club graphite,
$100 per club steel
Titleist AP2
www.titleist.com
Unique Features: A
modified sole on the Titleist AP2 irons provides improved ground
control for cleaner shot making. A thin face with integrated aluminum
and a soft elastomer Tuned Feel System in the back cavity improves sound
and feel at impact for a hot, lively feel. Shorter hosels in the
long-irons helps bias weight low for improved
launch. |
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$159 per club graphite,
$135 per club steel
Tour Edge Exotics
www.touredge.com
Unique Features: Tour
Edge’s Dual Density Dampening System (3DS) covers the entire
cavity with an ulra-light carbon and thermal plastic elastomer (TPE)
enabling a thinner face design for improve feel and forgiveness and
longer shots. The key to the 3DS system is the use of two different TPE
inserts with varying firmness. The inserts are softer in the 7-SW irons
for feel and greater spin. In the mid and long irons a denser insert
promotes greater rebound, added distance, and a firmer feel.
|
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$999 steel $999
steel
Wilson FG Tour Irons
www.wilsonstaff.com
Unique Features: These Irons
are intended to cater to the demands of Tour Professionals and highly
accomplished players alike. Precision forged from soft carbon steel, the
new irons have a compact head shape that offers a moderate amount of
forgiveness desired by better golfers. The irons feature a forged
cavity-back design that redistributes weight from the heel to the toe,
repositioning the center of gravity towards the center of the clubface.
This promotes more stability through the swing. |
Player’s Choice Awards
Players Irons |
Best
Appearance
Cleveland CG1
Mizuno MP-58
Wilson FG Tour Forged
Best Forgiveness
Cobra S-2 Forged
Ping i15
Best Feel
Bridgestone J38 Cavity Back
Fourteen TC-910 Forged
Mizuno MP-58
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Best Consistency
Bridgestone J38 Cavity Back
Mizuno MP-58
TaylorMade r9 TP
Titleist AP2
Best Distance
Cobra S-2 Forged
Ping i15
Tour Edge Exotics XGC3 |
Best Overall
Mizuno MP-58
TaylorMade r9 TP
Titleist AP2
Bridgestone J38 Cavity Back |
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$799 graphite, $599 steel
Adams Idea a7
www.adamsgolf.com
Unique Features: The Idea a7 from Adams is designed to
be the future of irons sets, with every club in the set individually
optimized to fully blend together and outperform traditional irons.
Intended for mid-handicap players, the set features two Tour-inspired a7
hybrids that deliver increased carry distance and extra forgiveness,
along with six carefully configured irons that maximize scoring
potential.
|
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$799,
3-iron $114aphite)
Bridgestone J38 Forged (DPC)
www.bridgestonegolf.com
Unique Features:
The Bridgestone J38 Forged Dual Pocket Cavity (DCP) irons are designed
for better players who seek a soft feel and a more traditional topline,
but also want more forgiveness. Weight has been moved to the perimeter
of the clubhead for better ball flight on off center hits, and more mass
has been located directly behind the hitting area for a more solid
feel. |
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$799 graphite, $699
steel
Cleveland CG7 Black
Pearl
www.clevelandgolf.com
Unique Features:
The Cleveland CG7 Black Pearl irons feature laser-milled faces to
provide a perfectly consistent texture for optimal ball-to-clubface
friction and maximum spin. Zip grooves maximize grove volume to channel
more debris at impact than traditional grooves, thus generating greater
spin and more consistent shot-making. |
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$700 graphite, $600
steel
Cobra S2
www.cobragolf.com
Unique Features:
The Cobra S2 irons have a new cavity design with perimeter heel-toe
weighting that utilizes lightweight polymer materials that allow
discretionary weight to be pushed low in the heel and toe to increase
moment of inertia. A mid-width stepped sole offers superior turf
interaction for cleaner hits off difficult lies. |
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$1,199
Fourteen Golf TC550
www.fourteengolf.com
Unique Features:
The Fourteen TC-550 Forged irons have been designed for the average,
mid-handicap golfer with swing speeds between 90 and 100 miles an hour
who wants the playability and workability of forged club in a game
improvement iron. The center of gravity has been lowered to provide the
ultimate trajectory with an ideal spin rate. |
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$900
Mizuno MX300
www.mizunousa.com
Unique Features: The Mizuno
MX-300 irons with Y-Tune technology offer enhanced game improvement
technology that includes a more traditional look with minimal offset, a
compact head size and modest sole width. The full cavity utilized in the
irons contains reconfigured Y-Tune technology for better feel, ball
flight control and added forgiveness.shots |
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$839 graphite, $699
steel
Nike SQ Machspeed
www.nikegolf.com
Unique Features: The Nike
Machspeed irons provide stability and forgiveness thanks to the
company’s PowerBow technology. The design element creates an
extremely deep center of gravity and produces a wide sweet spot. Some 50
grams of weight has been positioned out and back to the PowerBow for
high launching shots that travel farther and land
softer.: A |
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$135 per club graphite,
$105 per club steel
Ping G15
www.pinggolf.com
Unique Features: The Ping G15 irons
provide the high-launching, maximum forgiveness benefits that most
golfers rely on for consistency. A new Custom Tuning Port in the cavity
design of the clubhead expands the perimeter weighting and increases the
moment of inertia for a more stable hit through contact with the
ball.
|
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$800
PowerBilt Citation
www.powerbilt.com
Unique Features: The
PowerBilt Citation irons feature ultra-thin titanium face inserts to
provide maximum moment of inertia and COR ratings for explosive power.
Twin tungsten back-weights lower the center of gravity and moves it away
from the face to create a large impact area to help off center hits fly
farther and straighter. |
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$799
TaylorMade R9
www.taylormadegolf.com
Unique Features: They offer
distance and control-enhancing technologies in a classic shape. The
Velocity-Control Chamber in 3-6 irons provides increased consistency,
ball speed and power while the innovative shock-absorption system in 3-6
irons give a satisfying feel and sound. A deep undercut cavity and
heel-toe weighting in the short-irons allow for increased forgiveness
and the expertly beveled sole in every iron reduces turf resistance and
promotes crisp contact. |
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$699 (steel), $899 (graphite)
TaylorMade 09
Burner
www.taylormadegolf.com
Unique Features: Just like
TaylorMade’s driver of the same name, its Burner irons can hit
the ball a long way. SuperFast Technology increases clubhead speed and
COR, giving golfers explosive distance that lands surprisingly soft. A
multi-material cavity badge minimizes vibration and sound, creating
shots that feel good and sound sweet at impact. |
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$125 per club graphite,
$100 per club steel
Titleist AP1
www.titleist.com
Unique Features: The thinner
face and larger cavity of the Titleist AP1 irons creates a hotter,
livelier feel. Other improvements include reducing the face thickness to
provide enhanced heel, toe and deep weighting to the frame, and moving
tungsten nickel material to the sole to provide increased stability and
forgiveness. |
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$259
Tour Edge Bazooka
HT Max
www.TourEdge.com
Unique Features: The long
irons (3-5) feature a longer blade length, wider sole width, and
progressive undercut cavity for greater forgiveness. The mid irons (6-7)
feature a mid-blade length, less offset, more bounce, a thinner top
line and a mid-sole width for greater workability. Finally, the scoring
irons (8-PW) feature a smaller undercut cavity, the least offset, the
most bounce, and a narrower width sole for dead-on
accuracy. |
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$2,339
Williams
Polesitter
www.williams-sports.com
Unique Features: The
Williams Sports Polesitter iron series was designed with a target on the
better player. This iron is precision forged with the highest grade of
steel. The iron is designed with thinner top lines and narrower soles to
produce the type of look that better players long for. This iron
features Densimet, a Formula One specific weighting system that features
the second heaviest metal in the world. The combination of precision
forging with the Densimet weight systems produces the feel and playing
characteristics that better players long for. |
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$799 steel, $899 graphite
Wilson
Ci9
www.wilsonstaff.com
Unique Features: The Ci9
combines a traditional midsize clubhead that appeals to players of
varying skill levels with a “players club” overall
look. A confidence-boosting midsize head provides the style expected by
Tour players, such as a thinner top line and a moderately progressive
offset. They also have a hidden rear cavity exoskeleton that pushes
weight to the heel and toe to create more stability through impact with
the ball. A Soft Response insert provides a solid feel, even on
off-center hits. |
Player’s Choice Awards
Game Improvement Irons |
Best
Appearance
Bridgestone J38 Dual Pocket Cavity
Cleveland CG7 Black Pearl
Mizuno MX-300
Best Forgiveness
Adams Idea a7
Cobra S2
Powerbilt Citation CS
Best Feel
Bridgestone J38 Dual Pocket Cavity
TaylorMade r9
Titleist AP1
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Best Consistency
Bridgestone J38 Cavity Back
Mizuno MX-300
Titleist AP2
Wilson Ci9
Best Distance
Ping G15
TaylorMade 09 Burner
Best Value
Adams Idea a7
Powerbilt Citation CS |
Best Overall
Adams Idea a7
TaylorMade r9
Titleist AP1
Wilson Ci9
Bridgestone J38 Cavity Back |
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$799 graphite, $699
steel
Adams Idea A7OS
www.adamsgolf.com
Unique Features: The Adams a7OS hybrid set has 3-, 4- and
5-irons that are designed to produce a mid-high launch angle, as well as
be easier to hit with more distance, 6- and 7-irons that produce
increased distance and forgiveness with optimized launch conditions, and
8- and 9-irons and a pitching wedge that are easy to hit, with features
that are forgiving and versatile
|
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$599 (steel), $799
(graphite)
Adams Idea A7OS Max
www.adamsgolf.com
Unique Features:
The 3-6 are traditional hybrid-style clubs, while the 7-PW are
considered hybrid-irons that provide more control while in scoring
situations. All clubs in this set are constructed with ultra-thin
crowns, thin faces, and sole weighting to provide maximum forgiveness,
distance, and launch conditions. |
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$699 graphite, $599
steel
Cleveland HB3
www.clevelandgolf.com
Unique Features:
The Cleveland HB3 irons are lighter, faster and longer than any of
Cleveland’s previous hybrid iron sets. Advanced internal
weighting and a more forgiving sole design allows for a seamless
transition through each club in the set to inspire confidence at address
and ideal launch conditions for players of all skill
levels. |
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$599 graphite, $499
steel
Cobra S2 Max
www.cobragolf.com
Unique Features:
The Cobra S2 Max irons feature 9-point clubface technology, which
creates an expended sweet spot that promotes consistent power and
improved forgiveness and accuracy. A wide-sole, low-profile design
shifts the center of gravity low and back to improve launch conditions
and maximize forgiveness. A contoured sole improves turf interaction for
cleaner hits. |
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$1699
Fourteen PC-66X
www.fourteengolf.com
Unique Features:
The pocket-cavity back irons feature a tungsten neck weighting for
increased stability and distance. An AM355 steel face is integrated with
a SUS630 body to create the two-piece pocket cavity back design. An
ideal balance between the MOI and CG creates an optimal launch with
consistent trajectories and spin rates. The distinctive sharply-edged
trapezoidal groove undergoes a mirror-face milling process which
precisely and carefully mills each groove for optimal spin.
|
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$1,199 graphite, $999
steel
Mizuno MX1000
www.mizunousa.com
Unique Features:
The Mizuno MX-1000 irons have an extremely high COR and moment of
inertia for maximum distance and forgiveness. A maraging steel face has
been plasma-welded to a hollow stainless steel body to produce a long,
player-friendly iron. A wide sole works well from rough and
doesn’t dig into the turf, even on steep
swings. |
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$599 graphite, $499
steel
Nike Slingshot
www.nikegolf.com
Unique Features: The Nike
Slingshot irons have weight moved deep and low in the clubhead to
produce a larger sweet spot. Some 30 grams of Nike PowerBow weight has
been positioned low and back and, when combined with a deep sole,
delivers high ball flight and maximum forgiveness for mid-handicap
players. |
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$699 (graphite), $499
(steel)
PowerBilt Air Force
One
www.powerbilt.com
Unique Features: PowerBilt
says its new nitrogen-charged irons are “ballistic.”
The company claims filling the iron’s head with nitrogen gas
allows for the construction of a thin face and a larger sweet spot. The
results are longer shots with more consistent spin rates, no matter
where the ball is struck on the clubface. Also, to maximize clubhead
speed, a proprietary Apollo steel shaft weighing only 85 grams has been
incorporated. The irons come in two styles, a 4-PW nitrogen charged plus
SW cavity back, and a 4-7 nitrogen charged plus 8-SW cavity
back. |
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$799 graphite, $599
steel
TaylorMade
SuperLaunch
www.taylormadegolf.com
Unique Features: These are
engineered to deliver tremendous forgiveness from end-to-end and top to
bottom. These boast the highest MOI of any TaylorMade iron, ever.
Features a wide, multifunctional sole, which is key to establishing the
low and deep CG location that makes every one of these irons so easy to
get high in the air. The SuperLaunch irons have been created to also
help those golfers with slower swing speeds who produce a lower ball
flight. |
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$799
Wilson D-FY
www.wilsonstaff.com
Unique Features: The Wilson
Staff D-FY iron-combo set is designed for players with low- to mid-swing
speeds. A patent-pending, half steel, half graphite design delivers the
speed and soft feel of graphite and the precision and consistency of
steel. The set has a 19.5-degree FY-brid utility club, a hybrid
four-iron, super-wide sole mid-irons and perimeter weighted cavity backs
in the short irons. |
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$469
Tour Edge JMax
Draw
www.touredge.com
Unique Features: This
Iron-Wood’s hollow, hyper steel head features an internal
weight pad in the sole which lowers and progressively deepens the
club’s center of gravity (CG) through the set. The CG is
positioned higher and closer to the face in the scoring irons for better
feel and control and is deeper and lower in the long irons for high
flying shots. The advanced body design features a sculpted skirt and
sole to minimize ground contact and produce clean, crisp shots.
|
Player’s Choice Awards
Super Game Improvement Irons |
Best
Appearance
Cobra S2 Max
Mizuno MX-1000
TaylorMade SuperLaunch
Best Consistency
Adams Idea A70S
Mizuno MX-1000
PowerBilt AirFoil
TaylorMade SuperLaunch
Wilson D-FY
Best Feel
Mizuno MX-1000
|
Best Forgiveness
Adams Idea Idea A70S
Cobra S2 Max
Best Distance
PowerBilt AirFoil
TaylorMade SuperLaunch
Wilson D-FY
Best Value
Adams Idea A70S
Wilson D-FY |
Best Overall
Adams Idea a7
Cobra S2 Max
Mizuno MX-1000
PowerBilt AirFoil
TaylorMade SuperLaunch |
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