Irons – Golf Master

Takomo 101 MKII, 201 MKII and 201T MKII irons reviewed

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 06:10:47 +0000

Takomo’s three new hollow-body irons progress from the forgiving 101 MKII to the compact, control-focused 201T MKII.

Takomo has released three new hollow-body iron sets for different skill levels.
The 101 MKII is a game-improvement iron for higher-handicap golfers seeking forgiveness.
The 201 MKII is a players-distance iron for mid-handicap golfers balancing speed and control.
The 201T MKII is a compact players-precision iron designed for low-handicap golfers.

Gear: Takomo 101 MKII, 201 MKII and 201T MKII irons

Price: $579 (101 MKII, 5-GW), $649 (201 MKII, 4-PW), $679 (201T MKII, 4-PW)

Specs: Hollow-body construction with progressive weighting and variable-face-thickness technology. The 201T MKII has tungsten weighting in the 4-iron through 7-iron.

Who they’re for: The 101 MKII is designed for 15- to 30-handicap golfers who want distance and forgiveness. The 201 MKII is a players-distance iron for 5- to 15-handicap golfers who want more ball speed without sacrificing control, and the 201T MKII is for low-handicap golfers who prioritize precision, control and feedback but still want some hollow-body speed.

What you should know: Takomo has updated its hollow-body iron family with three models for 2026 that progressively transition from game-improvement clubs (101 MKII) to speed-enhancing clubs for experienced players (201 MKII) to compact, feel-oriented irons that reward a repeatable swing (201T MKII).

The Deep Dive: After writing about golf equipment for roughly 20 years, I have seen a few miracles happen in fitting bays.

I have watched golfers gain distance without swinging faster, tighten dispersion patterns they thought were permanently wide and discover that the iron they assumed they needed was not remotely the best club for them. A good fitter and a launch monitor have a way of making guesses disappear and great results occasionally emerge from unlikely places.

That is why my first reaction to buying golf equipment from direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands without hitting it is simple: Buyer beware.

It is one thing to order a dozen golf balls, buy a pair of shoes or pick up a training aid after seeing it on social media. It is another to spend $600, $700 or more on irons you have never hit. That has made me cautious about Takomo and other DTC brands. The prices can be enticing, but lower cost does not automatically make a club a good fit.

With the new 101 MKII, 201 MKII and 201T MKII, however, Takomo, which is based in Finland, has created a clearly defined three-iron family that should make it easier for golfers to identify which model deserves their attention.

All three have hollow-body constructions and clean, understated cosmetics. From there, the designs progress from maximum assistance to greater precision and feedback.

Think of them as three vehicles built by the same luxury car company, so they share some technologies, but are made to perform differently.

Takomo 101 MKII

The 101 MKII is the luxury SUV. It is easy to drive, has plenty of power and is designed to deliver a comfortable, well-dampened ride. It is larger than the other two irons, but it is not massive.

Takomo positions the 101 MKII as a game-improvement iron. It has the longest blade of these three models, along with the most offset, which makes sense for a club designed to help golfers square the face more easily and hit straighter shots.

However, the topline is surprisingly thin for a game-improvement iron, and the overall shape is clean and free of distracting graphics. That’s great because golfers who need help do not necessarily want an iron that looks like it came with training wheels.

The sole is wide enough to help players with steep angles of attack keep the club from digging excessively. Takomo also added trailing-edge relief, which should help the sole move through the turf more efficiently after impact.

Inside the hollow body, the 5-iron through 8-iron have variable-thickness faces designed to maintain ball speed when contact shifts away from the center. The scoring irons have constant-thickness faces to promote more predictable distance control. Progressive weighting is also intended to make the long irons easier to launch while enhancing consistency in the short irons. That’s important, because players at this level, who want more distance, often need to stop the ball on the green using a steep angle of descent because they are not creating a lot of spin on their approach shots.

To that end, one of Takomo’s smartest decisions was removing the 4-iron from the standard 101 MKII set and replacing it with a gap wedge. Most golfers who fit into the 101 MKII’s target audience will be more effective with a hybrid or high-lofted fairway wood than a strongly lofted 4-iron. At the other end of the set, the 101 MKII pitching wedge has 43 degrees of loft, so including a 48-degree gap wedge helps create more functional spacing before a golfer transitions into specialty wedges.

The gap wedge also has a wide sole that could make it useful on chips, pitches and some bunker shots, especially for golfers who tend to dig.

Takomo 201 MKII

If the 101 MKII is a luxury SUV, the 201 MKII is the luxury sedan. It is smaller and more responsive, but it still offers plenty of power, comfort and forgiveness.

The 201 MKII is a players-distance iron designed for roughly 5- to 15-handicap golfers. It could be especially attractive to players who have outgrown traditional game-improvement irons but are not ready to give up the ball speed and stability provided by a hollow-body design.

The 201 MKII has a shorter blade length and visibly less offset than the 101 MKII. Interestingly, the sole appears to be nearly as wide and has similar trailing-edge relief. That combination could give golfers a more compact, accomplished-player look at address without sacrificing as much help through the turf.

The 4-iron through 7-iron have variable-thickness, machine-milled faces designed to help maintain speed across a larger portion of the hitting area. The weighting changes progressively through the set, helping the long irons launch higher while making the scoring irons more control-oriented.

Its lofts are slightly weaker than the 101 MKII, so the 201 MKII should produce more spin, so players who want to hit a draw or a fade should find it easier to do with the 201 MKII than the 101 MKII.

Takomo 201T MKII

The 201T MKII is the high-performance sedan. It is the most compact and focused of the three models, with a noticeably shorter blade, less offset and a sole that appears narrower. It is aimed at golfers ranging from scratch to approximately a 10-handicap, although consistent ball striking matters more than the number printed on a handicap card.

Takomo describes the 201T MKII as a players-precision iron and it is positioned between a traditional better-player’s cavity-back and a players-distance model, offering the clean appearance and feedback accomplished players tend to prefer while retaining some of the enhanced ball speed of a hollow-body construction.

The 4-iron through 7-iron combine variable-face-thickness technology with tungsten weighting, to help create a higher ball flight and more forgiveness in the long irons without making them larger. The 8-iron through pitching wedge transition to steel weighting and constant-thickness faces to emphasize precision and distance control.

Like a performance car with firmer suspension and less insulation between the driver and the road, the 201T MKII should provide more feedback at impact. For a skilled golfer, that can enhance the experience and reward precise contact. It also means poor strikes are less likely to slip by unnoticed.

Which Takomo MKII iron is right for you?

The differences among these irons are straightforward.

The 101 MKII emphasizes forgiveness, launch and distance. The 201 MKII blends power and assistance in a more compact shape. The 201T MKII shifts the emphasis toward precision, control and feedback.

That clarity is important for a direct-to-consumer company because golfers may not have an opportunity to hit all three models side-by-side before ordering.

Each set costs less than many irons from larger brands, and the clean cosmetics make Takomo’s value proposition easy to understand. The prices will attract attention from golfers who have learned about the brand and its clubs via YouTube and social media. A quick look at the company’s webpage and you’ll see endorsements from Grant Horvat, Bob Does Sports and other influencers and content creators.

But the laws of club fitting still apply. A beautiful iron at an appealing price is not a bargain if its lofts, lie angles, shaft or head design do not complement your swing. On the company’s website, you can buy irons that have custom shafts, lie angles, lengths and different grips for a small upcharge. A recent fitting session, even if it does not include Takomo irons, can provide useful data about shaft weight, flex, lie angle, launch, spin and descent angle.

A helpful head’s up: If you decide to purchase the clubs, don’t simply open the box and rip all the clubs out of their wrapping. Takomo’s return policy is very clear:

Returns must be requested within 30 calendar days from the date your order was delivered.
Products must be returned exactly as received. They need to be unused, undamaged and in original packaging.
You may return stock products only. Customized products are not eligible for return, as they are built to your specifications.
You may try the 7-iron for up to 30 days from the date of delivery.
If you decide to return the set, all other irons must remain unused, in brand-new condition and with plastic covers intact on the club heads.

So, go ahead and hit the 7-iron, and only after you decide that you like it should you remove the wrapping and hit the rest of the clubs in the set, because after you do, the irons are non-refundable.

But, looking past that, if you know your specs and want to save some money, the Takomo 101 MKII, 201 MKII and 201T MKII appear to give golfers three logical, well-differentiated options.

The challenge is choosing the vehicle that fits your game before taking the keys.

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WILSON GOLF UNVEILS NEW STAFF MODEL IRONS

admin — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 15:14:42 +0000

Wilson Golf has unveiled its 2026 Staff Model iron family, introducing a three iron lineup that blends classic design with modern innovation.

The range features the iconic Staff Model Blade, the refined Staff Model CB and the all new Staff Model XB, expanding the appeal of the Staff Model franchise to a wider group of golfers.

Engineered by Wilson’s research and development team, the new irons underline the brand’s long standing commitment to craftsmanship and performance.

A new brushed satin finish gives the clubs a contemporary look while maintaining the traditional shaping that has defined Wilson irons for generations.

Consistent design DNA runs throughout the range, with each model offering sharp precision, premium feel and subtle differences tailored to specific player needs.

All three irons have been designed to work seamlessly together, making combo sets a key focus for the brand as golfers increasingly look to blend different head styles within one set.

WHAT WILSON SAY

Ben Hanser, CAD Engineer at Wilson Golf, said the range represents a significant step forward for the brand.

He explained that Wilson has drawn heavily on its iron heritage while applying modern design techniques to create what he believes is the strongest iron family the company has ever produced.

Hanser added that the introduction of the Staff Model XB allows more golfers to fit into the range, while still maintaining a consistent look and feel across all three models.

The range has a consistent look

Crafted from forged 8620 carbon steel, one of the softest materials used in iron construction, the new Staff Model irons are designed to deliver excellent workability and immediate feedback at impact.

A precision milled face and scoreline pattern promotes longer ball to face contact for more consistent spin and improved stopping power.

Wilson’s Fluid Feel Technology redistributes mass towards the centre of the face, while the centre of gravity has been carefully positioned away from the heel to enhance overall performance.

Staff Model XB

The Staff Model XB is an all new Players Performance iron featuring a forged hollow body construction designed to increase face flexion for higher ball speeds.

The design also delivers increased moment of inertia and precise centre of gravity placement, while maintaining a compact, tour inspired look thanks to minimal offset and a thin topline.

Urethane fills the hollow body to dampen vibrations and create a crisp, clean sound at impact. A hidden vent port beneath the shield medallion ensures a seamless appearance across the back and toe of the club.

Advanced computer based simulations and topology optimisation played a central role in the development of the XB.

Wilson engineers analysed the body and face structure to optimise feel, sound and performance, creating unique internal rib configurations for each loft.

Wilson Staff Model XB

Hanser said topology optimisation allowed the team to identify exactly where internal mass should be placed to maximise performance, while sound and feel were a major priority in the hollow body design.

The optimised construction combines engineered rib supports, a parabolic mass pad and precisely located tungsten weighting to deliver an ideal centre of gravity and high moment of inertia in a slim profile.

The face design has also been optimised to maximise performance across the entire hitting area, with simulations focusing on consistent ball speed, spin and launch from a range of strike locations.

This helps reduce dispersion and maintain performance on both centre strikes and mishits.

Staff Model Blade

Designed for elite ball strikers, the Staff Model Blade remains the flagship iron in the Wilson lineup and continues to be trusted by Tour professionals worldwide.

For 2026, the blade features refined shaping to deliver exceptional control.

A variable hosel length improves mass distribution and ensures visual consistency with the CB and XB models.

The blade length has been shortened and offset reduced to create a more compact profile and a modern tour inspired appearance.

Wilson Staff Model Blade

Staff Model CB

The Staff Model CB offers a modern cavity back design that balances forgiveness and feel. Shaped to closely mirror the Staff Model Blade, the CB has benefited from extensive feedback from Tour professionals.

Compared to the previous generation, the head has been shortened and its edges softened to better align with the Blade’s premium profile.

Hosel length now matches the Blade for improved visual consistency, while an enhanced hosel to face transition delivers a cleaner look.

Reduced offset and a straighter, narrower sole improve turf interaction and control through impact.

Wilson Staff Model CB

A slightly longer blade length and thinner topline provide subtle forgiveness without sacrificing traditional, confidence inspiring aesthetics.

Wilson continues to offer a comprehensive custom fitting experience through its Wilson Custom website, allowing golfers to build a personalised set in just four steps.

Players can specify loft, shaft, grip and bespoke adjustments tailored to their individual needs.

For more information on the Wilson Staff Model irons and the full Wilson Golf range, visit www.wilson.com.

COSTS

The Staff Model XB iron will be available next month with a Nippon Modus Tour 110 stock shaft in regular and stiff flex, paired with a Golf Pride Z grip.

The recommended retail price is £1,169 for a seven club set from 4 iron to pitching wedge, with custom fit options including long irons and a gap wedge.

The Staff Model Blade and Staff Model CB irons will also be available next month, featuring a True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid 115 stock shaft in regular and stiff flex, with an extra stiff option available through custom fit.

Both models are priced at £1,169 for a seven club set, with additional irons available through custom fitting.

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Ping G740 Midnight irons dress maximum forgiveness in black

admin — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 04:22:51 +0000

Ping’s limited-edition G740 Midnight irons pair a slimmer-looking dark finish with the same high-launching, forgiving design.

Black is slimming. Fashion designers have known this for years, and now Ping is applying the same principle to the largest iron in its lineup.

The new, limited-edition G740 Midnight irons are dressed in a dark, glare-reducing finish with silver and black paint fill. Underneath, they are the same large, ultra-forgiving G740 irons Ping introduced earlier this year, but the darker tone makes the head appear slightly smaller, the topline a little thinner and the overall package less imposing.

That is not an insignificant detail because golfers who need maximum forgiveness do not always want an iron that looks like it came with training wheels. They may benefit from a wide sole, long blade and generous amount of offset, but they still want to look down and see something that appears sleek and purposeful. The G740 Midnight attempts to do that.

The original G740 was designed for golfers who shoot in the 90s and 100s, struggle to launch their iron shots high and don’t find the center of the face with metronomic regularity. That describes a lot of golfers, even if relatively few are eager to admit it.

The G740 is Ping’s super-game-improvement iron, and nobody should confuse it with a compact blade like the Blueprint T or the Blueprint S, which are designed for carving shots like low fades into back-right hole locations. The G740’s job is more practical. It is supposed to help a golfer hit the ball higher, preserve speed on mishits and turn less-than-perfect swings into useful shots.

To accomplish that, Ping made the G740’s sole 22 percent wider than the sole of the G440 and increased the blade length by 3 percent. The topline is thicker, too. Those proportions allow more weight to be positioned around the perimeter of the head, increasing the moment of inertia (MOI) and helping the club resist twisting when contact is made toward the heel or toe.

The wide sole also helps Ping position the center of gravity (CG) lower and farther back. That promotes a higher launch, which can be especially helpful for golfers who tend to strike their irons low on the face. Those shots normally come out low, weak, spiny and disappointing. The G740 is designed to give them a better chance of getting airborne.

Ping gave the sole a dual-camber shape, with contours intended to help the club enter and exit the turf more efficiently. A golfer with a steep swing or an inconsistent low point may still take a sizable divot, but the sole should reduce digging and help the head maintain more speed through impact. It cannot prevent a bad swing, but it may make the consequences less severe.

The G740 also has a shallow face and a shorter hosel, which saved weight that was then repositioned in the back of the cavity. Behind the thin, flexible face is a three-piece PurFlex badge. It is designed to control unwanted vibrations and improve sound and feel without preventing the face from flexing.

The G740 Midnight irons cost $202.50 per club with steel shafts and $217.50 with graphite shafts. The dark finish will be offered for a limited time, and fitting options are slightly restricted. The irons are available within one color code of Ping’s standard lie angle and only with traditional lofts. Power Spec and Retro Spec lofts are not offered.

So while the Midnight finish does not make the G740 smaller, and it does not turn a 22-handicapper into a Tour player, it does make Ping’s largest iron look a little sleeker while retaining all the help built into the original.

David Dusek is a senior writer at Golfweek covering golf equipment.

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The 5 best irons for high handicappers

admin — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:23:21 +0000

Golf is about precision, patience and incremental improvement. But for high handicappers, it can often feel like a test of endurance rather than enjoyment, especially when approach shots fail to find the green or consistency proves elusive. One of the most effective ways to improve both your performance and your confidence is by choosing the right set of irons.

Modern golf equipment is designed with a wide range of players in mind, and high handicappers in particular can benefit enormously from irons that prioritise forgiveness, distance and ease of use. The right irons won’t magically fix your swing, but they will make mis-hits more playable and good shots more rewarding.

To help you find the right clubs for your game, here we’ll break down what irons are, how to choose the optimal ones for you, and highlight five of the best irons for high handicappers currently available.

What are irons, and what are they used for?

Irons are versatile clubs with solid, angled heads usually made from iron or steel. They’re used to make approach shots from the fairway or rough towards the green, usually from 120 to 160 yards or more.

Iron clubs are numbered from 3 to 9 (3-iron, 4-iron, 5-iron, etc.), with lower-numbered clubs designed for lower-lofted shots at longer distances, while higher-numbered clubs offer more loft and control. Each iron is engineered to produce a specific trajectory and distance, allowing you to select the appropriate one for the approach shot you need to play – learning which iron to take out of your bag is central to lowering your handicap.

For high handicappers, irons are often the most frequently used clubs during a round. Choosing the right clubs for your game – ones that fit you and complement your skill level – can make a big impact on your handicap.

How to choose the right irons for you

Finding the right irons for you can be a daunting prospect given the variety of options available. However, high handicappers should focus on a few key characteristics that can make a meaningful difference, like:

1. Forgiveness

Forgiveness refers to how well a club performs on off-centre strikes. Game improvement irons, designed specifically for higher handicap players, feature larger clubheads, perimeter weighting, and wider soles. These features help maintain distance and accuracy even when contact isn’t perfect.

2. Launch and loft

High handicappers can struggle to consistently get the ball airborne. Irons with a lower centre of gravity and stronger lofts can help promote higher launch and longer carry distances, which can be particularly beneficial for players with slower swing speeds.

3. Shaft type

Most irons’ shafts are made of either steel or graphite. Graphite shafts are lighter and can help increase swing speed, making them a popular choice for beginners or those with slower tempos. Steel shafts, on the other hand, offer more control and durability, but are usually suited to more experienced players.

4. Set composition

Many modern iron sets replace long irons (like the 3 or 4-irons) with hybrids, which are easier to hit. High handicappers should consider hybrid-iron sets, as they provide more consistency and confidence.

5. Custom fitting

Even at a beginner level, a basic custom fitting can significantly improve your results. Factors such as shaft length, lie angle and grip size all influence how well you strike the ball. Investing time in a fitting session can ensure your irons are tailored to your swing, even if you’re just getting into the game.

The five best irons for high handicappers

Below are five of our picks for standout iron sets that offer the kind of performance and forgiveness that high handicap players will benefit from:

1. Callaway Big Bertha B21 Irons

The Big Bertha B21 irons are specifically engineered for golfers who struggle with consistency and slicing. The irons feature a wide sole and a low centre of gravity, making it easier to launch the ball high and straight.

The inclusion of perimeter weighting increases forgiveness across the face, while the club’s design promotes a draw bias, helping to counteract slicing. For high handicappers seeking maximum assistance, this set is among the most user-friendly options on the market.

2. TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons

Combining the latest in technology with a sleek, no-nonsense design, the SIM2 Max irons offer both performance and a refined visual appeal. These irons are well known for their explosive distance, thanks to a flexible face that maximises ball speed, but are most renowned for being beginner-friendly and potentially the most forgiving TaylorMade clubs.

The SIM2 Max irons feature an oversized club head and a wider sole, plus TaylorMade’s “Cap Back” design, which enhances stability and forgiveness without sacrificing feel. High handicappers will appreciate the irons’ high launch and consistent performance, even on less-than-perfect strikes.

3. Ping G425 Irons

Ping has long been synonymous with forgiveness, and the G425 irons really drive that home. The clubs feature a shorter blade length and a Variable Face Thickness (VFT) design, resulting in a very stable, forgiving clubhead that delivers fast ball speeds.

The G425 irons also provide excellent sound and feel. Their ability to deliver consistent distance and accuracy makes them a strong choice for players looking to reduce variability in their game and improve their approach shots.

4. Cobra Air-X Irons

Designed with lightweight performance in mind, the Cobra Air-X irons are ideal for players with slower swing speeds. The lighter clubhead and shaft combination helps generate more speed, which translates into greater distance, whilst making the irons easier to handle and swing than traditional irons.

Cobra Air-X irons also feature offset hosels, which help square the clubface at impact, reducing slices and promoting straighter shots. If you struggle to generate power, the Air-X set offers a significant boost in confidence.

5. Wilson Launch Pad Irons

The Wilson Launch Pad irons are among the most forgiving irons available today. Their hollow-body construction and ultra-wide soles effectively float above the turf, making it far easier to get the ball airborne.

These irons are particularly well-suited for players who have difficulty with traditional long irons. The design virtually eliminates fat shots and provides a smooth interaction with the turf. For high handicappers seeking simplicity and reliability, the Launch Pad irons are an excellent choice.

Finding the right irons for your game

When it comes to improving your handicap, having the right clubs in your bag can make a big impact. A set of irons designed for forgiveness, higher launch, and ease of use can help you build consistency and confidence, reduce frustration, and enjoy the game more.

When choosing irons, focus on features that support your current ability rather than your aspirational performance. Forgiveness, lightweight design, and proper fitting should be your top priorities. The five iron sets highlighted in this guide represent some of the best options available, each offering unique advantages tailored to high handicappers. But ultimately, the best iron set for you is one that feels comfortable, inspires confidence, and helps you achieve more consistent results.

Specialist golf insurance through Golf Care

Once you’ve invested in a new set of irons to work on improving your handicap, you may also want to consider protecting your investment with specialist golf insurance. That way, you can have peace of mind at all times while out on the course. Get a quote online today.

Please note the information provided on this page should not be taken as advice and has been written as a matter of opinion. For more on insurance cover and policy wording, see our homepage.

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