The irons used by the current top 10 players in the world
We're taking a look inside the bags of the top 10 players in the world to see what irons they've been using in 2023.
Ever wondered what irons the best players in the world currently use? Well, we've got you covered.
With the 2023 season now drawing to a close, we are taking a look back through the bags of the top 10 players in the world to see what irons they used to win a whole host of majors and events on the PGA and DP World Tours.
From Matt Fitzpatrick's 2013 PING S55 irons to Rory McIlroy's custom TaylorMade prototype irons, there is a wide variety of different brands and iron configurations to take a look at, including some of the best irons of 2023.
Interestingly, only one player in the top 10 uses a full set of the same irons, so we're going to take a look at all the different configurations and try to explain why different players opt for different setups.
Let's get into it.
1. Scottie Scheffler
Irons: Srixon ZU85 (3-4), TaylorMade P7TW (5-PW)
The current world number one has a particularly intriguing iron setup, opting to utilise two Srizon utility irons at the top end of the bag.
From five-iron to pitching wedge, Scheffler games the iconic Tiger Woods signature P7TW blades. Those who have held these sacred clubs in hand will know they are built to the exact specification of Woods, so as you can imagine, they are reserved for premium ball strikers, of which Scheffler is undoubtedly one.
Scheffler's iron play was scintillating in 2023, and due to his poor putting, was one of the main reasons he managed to remain ranked as the #1 player in the world.
He finished the season leading the PGA Tour in strokes gained approach to green, and also had the best greens in regulation percentage, managing to find the putting surface with a staggering 74.4% of his approach shots.
2. Rory McIlroy
Irons: TaylorMade P760 (4), TaylorMade Rors Proto (5-9)
One of the best iron players the game has ever seen, McIlroy, has his own personal prototype irons made for him by Taylormade.
The Rors Proto irons are a slightly altered version of TaylorMade's P730 blades that were made for TaylorMade's biggest names, including Tommy Fleetwood and Dustin Johnson (at the time). Each custom set of irons has a slightly tweaked grind and profile to the P730s, designed to each player's specific preferences.
McIlroy also carries a P760 4-iron to give a touch more forgiveness with the longest iron in his bag.
3. Jon Rahm
Irons: Callaway Apex UT (21 degrees), Callaway Apex TCB (4-PW)
Jon Rahm's trusty Callaway Apex TCB irons guided him to another stand-out year on the PGA Tour, in which he won four times, including his second major at The Masters.
The APEX TCB Irons are Callaway's premier Tour Cavity back irons, and they offer incredible workability and extremely soft feel. With the recent launch of Callaway's new Apex Pro line of irons that include a new CB model, it will be interesting to see if Rahm sticks with what he knows or goes for a fresh update in 2024.
4. Viktor Hovland
Irons: Titleist U505 (3) Ping i210 (4-PW)
First released in 2018, PING's i210 irons have been a stalwart on the PGA Tour and also have a massive fanbase amongst amateur golfers.
Offering slightly more spin than traditional bladed irons, Hovland is said to prefer the i210's because they allow him to hit a higher ball flight and keep his ball remarkably straight.
One of the best ball strikers on Tour, Hovland finished the year 12th in strokes gained approach and is the 3rd most accurate player from 150-175 yards.
Hovland also recently added a Titleist U505 driving iron to his bag that he has used with devastating effects off the tee.
5. Patrick Cantlay
Irons: Titleist T200 (3), AP2 (4-9)
Much like his decision to stick with his Titleist TS3 driver from 2018, Cantlay also uses a set of one of Titleist's older model irons.
The Titleist 718 AP2s were first released in 2017, but they clearly still work for Cantlay, as he recorded another very consistent year on the PGA Tour.
The forged player's iron helped Cantlay finish fifth in the FedEXCup during a season that, despite not managing a win, he still secured ten top-10 finishes.
Cantlay, like many other players on this list, has also added a touch of extra forgiveness at the top end of his bag, with Titleist's player's distance T200 3-iron.
6. Xander Schauffele
Irons: Callaway Apex TCB
Keeping it simple, Schauffele has a complete set of Callaway Apex TCBs in his bag. The Tour-inspired cavity backs are designed to the specific specs of the best players in the world, and they worked a treat for the American in 2023.
While he didn't pick up any silverware this year, he had a remarkably consistent season, recording 11 top-10 finishes.
Schauffele was also in imperious form with his irons, finishing the season 3rd in strokes gained approach.
7. Matt Fitzpatrick
Irons: Ping i210 (4), Ping S55 (5-PW)
Another fan of PING's i210 irons, Fitzpatrick has opted to keep just the 4-iron in his bag this season.
The rest of his irons are basically relics in the modern game, however, with the S55 irons having first hit shelves a decade ago in 2013.
While they may be old, they're certainly still effective, and his S55 9-iron was the club of choice for Fitzpatrick's famous bunker shot on the 18th at The Country Club at Brookline to secure the US Open in 2022.
The S55's also came up trumps in helping Fitzpatrick pick his way around Harbour Town links en route to winning the RBC Heritage in 2023.
8. Max Homa
Irons: Titleist T200 (3), Titleist T100S (4), Titleist 620 MB (5-9)
Opting for a combination set of Titleist irons, Max Homa has a blend of forgiveness and workability in his bag.
Titleist's 620 MB irons are the brand's premium bladed muscle back, offering minimal offset and progressive blade length throughout the set.
Designed for elite ball striking, the 620 MBs helped Homa secure two titles on the PGA Tour in 2023, including the Fortinet Championship and the Farmers Insurance Open.
Opting for added forgiveness higher up the bag, Homa also uses a T100 4-iron, which is one of Titleist's player's irons, and a T200 3-iron, which provides added forgiveness and distance.
9. Brian Harman
Irons: Titleist U-500 (3-5), Titleist 620 CB (6-PW)
Harman enjoyed a standout season in 2023, winning his first major at The Open. Another Titleist man, Harman, uses the 620 CB irons, which are the brand's Tour cavity back option.
Harman also uses three Titleist U-500 utility irons at the top end of his bag. The U-500 irons are designed to offer added forgiveness and distance thanks to their low loft options.
10. Wyndham Clark
Irons: Titleist T200 (3), Titleist 620 CB (4-9)
Much Like Harman, Clark also uses the Titleist 620 CB irons, and the similarities don't stop there. He also enjoyed a breakthrough season on the PGA Tour, in which he claimed his first major, coming at the US Open.
Like many of his fellow Titleist staffers, Clark also utilises a T200 3-iron in his bag for added distance and forgiveness from both the tee and the fairway.
