Which players iron delivers the best overall performance: the one that goes furthest, the one that feels best, or the one that keeps finding the same yardage?
In our latest EP Golf Studios comparison, we tested five leading players cavity back irons: the Titleist T100, Srixon ZXi7, Wilson Staff Model CB, Ping Blueprint S and TaylorMade P7CB.
The Srixon produced the most distance. The Titleist earned Ross’s top performance ranking for Matt. The Wilson came exceptionally close, with a tight dispersion pattern and a comfortable feel through impact.
And Matt’s preferences didn’t follow the same order as Ross’s data-led ranking.
That difference is the real story. Choosing an iron involves more than finding the longest shot or the nicest feel. You need a club that produces the right results for your swing, in a build you can deliver consistently.
Watch the full players irons comparison on YouTube.
How We Tested These Players Cavity Back Irons
Matt hit all five models, with Ross assessing the performance and discussing the results.
To make the comparison more useful, we equalised the test irons to 33 degrees of loft, matched the lie angles and used the same Dynamic Gold X7 shaft at one inch over standard length.
Using GCQuad data, we looked at ball speed, carry distance, spin, strike location and dispersion. Matt also assessed appearance, feel and confidence.
There was, however, an important difference: using the same shaft did not produce the same swing weight in every head.
That became particularly relevant with the TaylorMade P7CB.
This was also a comparison session rather than a complete fitting or robot test. Some P7CB shots were removed during the comparison, as discussed in the video. The results show how these particular builds worked for Matt on the day.
The Results at a Glance
Iron | Main finding in this test | Ross’s performance ranking for Matt
Titleist T100 — Consistent delivery and excellent distance control — 1st
Wilson Staff Model CB — Very tight grouping and performance close to the T100 — 2nd
Ping Blueprint S — Soft feel and consistent spin, but less consistent striking — 3rd
Srixon ZXi7 — Highest ball speed and lowest spin; longest of the group — 4th
TaylorMade P7CB — Heavy test build made it harder for Matt to deliver — 5th
These are rankings for Matt in the configurations tested, rather than a universal order of the best irons for every golfer.
Matt’s preferences versus Ross’s performance ranking
Matt’s closing assessment focused on looks, feel and confidence. He singled out the Srixon as the nicest-feeling iron, followed by the Wilson, Titleist, Ping and TaylorMade in the preference discussion.
That needs context: Matt had already explained that he would be uncomfortable gaming the Srixon in this setup because of its hotter flight.
Ross’s ranking answered a different question: which iron’s performance would he prefer for Matt? His answer was the T100, closely followed by the Wilson.
Titleist T100: Ross’s Winner for Distance Control
The Titleist T100 set a strong benchmark from the beginning.
Matt settled into it quickly, and Ross repeatedly highlighted how easy and repeatable the shots looked. At the final comparison, Ross reported a carry-distance standard deviation of approximately two yards.
That figure describes the spread around the average carry distance. It does not mean every shot finished inside a two-yard window, but it helped explain why Ross rated the T100 so highly.
With an approach club, knowing your likely carry distance matters. Extra speed is useful only when the resulting flight and yardage also work for you.
Looks and feel
Matt liked the T100’s appearance and sole, although he described the feel as slightly firmer than the previous generation. The overall assessment of looks and feel landed around 8.5 out of 10.
It wasn’t his softest-feeling option, but the performance was convincing.
Our takeaway: the T100 was Ross’s first choice for Matt because it combined a comfortable delivery with strong front-to-back consistency.
Srixon ZXi7: The Longest Iron in the Test
The Srixon ZXi7 stood out for speed and distance, even after its loft had been adjusted to match the other irons.
In the final comparison, Ross reported approximately:
123.5 mph ball speed
5,500 rpm spin
The longest carry distance of the five models
Several shots reached around 180 yards or beyond during the session. Ross described the distance advantage as approaching half a club.
Matt also loved the feel. Compared with the T100, the Srixon felt softer, and he liked its appearance.
Why didn’t the longest iron win?
For Matt, the extra distance wasn’t the priority.
He was concerned about how lively the flight felt and whether he could trust the club to produce his intended yardage. He also raised a concern about potential shots from the first cut of rough, although this session did not test that situation.
Ross therefore placed the ZXi7 fourth for Matt’s performance needs.
That doesn’t make the Srixon a poor choice. The video explicitly identifies it as an option for a golfer who could benefit from lower spin and more distance.
The distinction is between producing impressive numbers and producing the numbers a particular golfer needs.
Wilson Staff Model CB: A Close Challenger to the T100
The Wilson Staff Model CB delivered one of the strongest performances of the session.
Straight away, Matt found it easier to swing than the preceding TaylorMade build. Ross highlighted a centred strike pattern, while the final dispersion map showed a particularly tight Wilson grouping.
Matt liked the rounded sole and described the overall experience as similar to the T100: he could settle into it without worrying about an unexpectedly hot shot.
How close was the Wilson to the Titleist?
Very close.
Ross noted similar ball speeds, around two yards between their carry figures and carry-distance standard deviations in the region of two to three yards.
He also made an important point: a small difference in average carry could reflect normal variation in Matt’s swings rather than a meaningful advantage in the head.
For feel, Matt put the Wilson CB in a similar category to the T100—slightly firmer than some alternatives, but still pleasing.
Our takeaway: the Wilson deserved its place alongside the Titleist at the top of the performance discussion. Matt preferred its sole feel, while Ross gave the T100 the edge for overall consistency.
Ping Blueprint S: Soft Feel and Consistent Spin
The Ping Blueprint S offered an immediate change from the Srixon.
Matt described a very soft feel and a more controlled sensation off the face. He also liked the appearance at address and the visual reference provided by the bottom groove.
Spin was a clear talking point. Early shots were around 6,300 rpm, and Ross highlighted that even a pulled shot retained more than 6,000 rpm.
What kept the Ping behind the leaders?
Matt didn’t strike it as consistently as the strongest performers.
There were good shots, and its overall carry performance was close to the Titleist and Wilson. But the head didn’t feel quite as easy for him to deliver repeatedly.
That left the Blueprint S third in Ross’s ranking.
Our takeaway: the Ping offered appealing feel and a consistent spin response, but the T100 and Wilson were more convincing matches for Matt during this session.
TaylorMade P7CB: Why the Build Matters
The TaylorMade P7CB needs the most context.
Both Ross and Matt spoke positively about the model before testing it. They had seen good results with it in fittings, and there were encouraging individual shots here too.
But Matt struggled to make this particular build work.
A swing-weight check helped explain his feedback:
Test build | Measured swing weight
TaylorMade P7CB — E1
Titleist T100 — D5
Those measurements apply to the test builds, including Matt’s extended shaft. They should not be read as standard specifications for either model.
A heavier feel affected Matt’s delivery
Matt felt he needed to work harder with the P7CB. Ross also observed differences in delivered loft and discussed whether the head weight and swing weight were influencing the result.
The P7CB finished with the lowest ball speed and carry in the comparison, but both presenters recognised the build mismatch.
Ross explained that a fitting could explore changes to the build. In this session, other heads already worked more naturally with Matt’s shaft.
Our takeaway: the P7CB’s last-place finish demonstrates why a head cannot be assessed separately from the golfer and the finished club.
What This Comparison Means for Your Iron Fitting
The clearest lesson is that feel, distance and suitability can point towards different clubs.
The Srixon felt excellent and travelled furthest. The Wilson produced a remarkably tight grouping. The Titleist gave Ross the greatest confidence in Matt’s repeatability.
Meanwhile, the TaylorMade showed how a substantial swing-weight difference can complicate a comparison, even when shaft and static loft are matched.
When testing irons, ask:
Can I repeat the carry distance?
How consistent is my strike?
Does the flight suit the shots I need?
Do I feel comfortable delivering the club?
Does the complete build work for me?
A favourite brand or a single long shot can start a conversation. The full pattern should guide the decision.
Questions Golfers Are Asking
Which players iron performed best in this comparison?
Ross ranked the Titleist T100 first for Matt, followed by the Wilson Staff Model CB, Ping Blueprint S, Srixon ZXi7 and TaylorMade P7CB. The T100 stood out for repeatable delivery and distance control. The Wilson was a close alternative. These results apply to Matt and the tested builds, so they should guide a shortlist rather than replace a fitting.
Which was the longest players iron tested?
The Srixon ZXi7 was the longest iron in this session. Its final figures included approximately 123.5 mph ball speed and 5,500 rpm spin, despite all five irons being matched to 33 degrees of loft. Matt liked its feel, but the extra distance and hotter flight were less suited to what he wanted from this particular iron.
How did the Wilson Staff Model CB compare with the Titleist T100?
The Wilson Staff Model CB performed very similarly to the T100, with comparable ball speed, a small carry-distance difference and a tight dispersion pattern. Matt particularly liked its rounded sole. Ross preferred the Titleist’s overall consistency, placing it first and Wilson second, while acknowledging that either could have been a strong option for Matt.
Why did the TaylorMade P7CB finish last?
The P7CB test build measured E1 swing weight, compared with D5 for the T100 using the same shaft setup. Matt found it noticeably heavy and harder to deliver comfortably. Both presenters stressed that the P7CB can perform well for the right golfer. Its result here reflects a poor match for Matt in this configuration.
Does matching iron lofts make a comparison completely equal?
Matching lofts removes one important difference, but it does not make the finished clubs identical. This test also used the same shaft and matched lie angles, yet swing weight still differed considerably between the P7CB and T100. Matt also delivered the heads differently. The comparison therefore helps show why the complete club matters during fitting.
Find the Right Players Irons for Your Game
For Matt, the Titleist T100 and Wilson Staff Model CB were the strongest performance options. For someone seeking more distance and lower spin, the Srixon could move much higher up the shortlist.
Your result may be different again.
At EP Golf Studios in Newbury, Berkshire, we combine expert fitting advice with GCQuad data to assess the clubhead and shaft combination that works for your swing.
Whether you want more dependable distances, better consistency or greater confidence with your irons, book a fitting with Ross or Matt.
Explore our fitting services and book at EP Golf Studios.
