Aside from separating
their performance,
a number of wider
questions were thrown
up in this test. Does
forged make a
difference, how might
we define ‘better
player’ and how
powerful is branding
when there’s such a
gulf in retail price?
Feel can be such a
subjective issue and
even within our group
there was a mixed bag
of opinions on which
of the irons actually
‘felt’ the best. When
you focused on the
single best shot each
of the four testers hit,
and by that we’re
talking straight and
long with a good ball
flight, then all three
models achieved
‘greatness’.
But what each
tester did agree upon
is that a forged head
on a golf club of this
nature does add a
significant quality to
the mix over a head
that would be cast. It’s
the solidity of strike.
The denser metal
gives superb feedback
and the whole balance
of the club feels
beautifully centred
behind the ball.
As we’ve alluded to
in the test, ‘betterplayer’is misleading
as it suggests select
single-figure golfers.
That is not the case.
“If you’re quite
consistent in the way
you strike the ball then
you can enjoy playing
these clubs,”
explained Murray.
“Plus, it’s not just
about scoring. I have
clients who use blades
because that’s what
they like to look down
at and enjoy using,
even if their game isn’t
quite there.”
So can a 15
handicapper play their
best golf with an
iron like the
P770?
Absolutely.
And then we
come to brand,
summed up in a
nutshell when one
of our testers said:
“If it was my cash
I’d buy the Wilsons,
if it was somebody
else’s I’d have the
TaylorMades .”
When players win
and the brand name is
flashed before your
eyes, it will have an
effect. The P770s are
aspirational and yell
‘these are special’.
The Mizunos are
similar, but the
Wilsons, at over £300
less, are going to beregardedby many as
‘less good’. But our
test data says
differently.
“People will walk
past the V6 because
they don’t realise just
howgoodtheyare,”
said Alexander.
“I wouldlovetoknow
howmanysetsthey’d
sell if they increased
the price alongside
the others.”
When you are
recognised as a
‘cheaper brand’
market position
becomesaprecarious
conundrum, no doubt.
Mizuno has floated
in this test, impressing
as always, but not
setting anything
alight. Our question iswhat s next for its
Boron forged steel?
It needstomovethe
story on and the next
stepswillbe
fascinating to witness.
Thematerialisunique
to them, delivering
appreciably soft feel
withastrengththat
promises new design
potentials that will
increase playability.
Watch this space.EQUIPMENTAugust 2017 Golf World 107TALKING POINTS
Inside our wide-ranging discussions.