Top 10 New Irons of 2005Here are our end-of-the-year selections for the best new irons of 2005: The first blended (meaning a more forgiving design in the long irons, progressing to a more spin- and control-oriented design in the short irons) set of irons from Titleist is aimed at better players. More info. Higher handicappers will probably be more inclined to look at our No. 2: TaylorMade calls the r7 CGB Max irons the "pinnacle in game-improvement iron design." The technology available in these irons is impressive - and costly. This is a very expensive set (well over $1,000 at debut), which is its only drawback. The Mizuno MP-60 irons utilize the company's "cut muscle" design approach to incorporate extra forgiveness (in the form of a shallow cavity) in an otherwise traditional-looking blade. A blended set with a mix of cavity back irons (in the long irons) and blades (in the short irons), these babies are almost too pretty to hit. But go ahead - hit 'em. (These irons were actually introduced in 2004, but we didn't get the chance to hit them until this year. The wait was worth it.) The 3DX irons are the first designed for Nickent by John Hoeflich, who helped create the Tommy Armour 845, Titleist DCI, and TaylorMade rac irons. These are a super choice for mid- to high handicappers. After spending some time with Alpha's C1 Pro Forged Irons, we came to think of them as player's clubs with greater playability. These irons combine qualities that appeal to low-handicappers along with some nods to the rest of us in order to increase the range of golfers for whom they'll be a good fit. This is the set that brings Cleveland's proprietary "CMM" (Carbon Metal Matrix) metal from their players' clubs (CG1, CG2 irons) to the game-improvement irons category. Based on all that we've heard about these irons, it worked out just fine. More infoDesigned by Roger Cleveland, the X-Tour irons represent the first set of forged irons from Callaway. But they still feature the same qualities golfers have come to expect from Callaway, and also the same appearance. Very expensive, but if you're looking for a combination of forged feel with more forgiveness, worth a look. More infoWith larger, deeper cavities than any previous Ping iron, the G5 irons are what Ping calls its "most forgiving irons yet." We say you won't forgive yourself if you're browsing the game-improvement section of the pro shop and don't check these out. More infoThere is a lot of technology built into these game-improvement irons - a widened sole, undercut cavity and a Kevlar carbon insert inside the clubheads - yet they can be found for under $300. We like. What are your favorite irons from the past year? Make your own picks in the Golf Forum. | 
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