Can a less expensive iron keep up with some of the biggest names in golf?
In this EP Golf Studios comparison, the Vice VGI03 and Wilson Staff Model XB went up against the Titleist T150, TaylorMade P770 and Srixon ZXi7.
We used the same shaft and matched loft and lie as closely as possible, giving us a clearer view of how the heads performed without different specifications dominating the results.
The outcome was close. All five produced comparable distance and ball flight, while the Vice stood out for delivering competitive performance at the lowest quoted price.
There was an important qualification, however: the right shaft specification could change that price comparison considerably.
Watch the Full Iron Comparison
Watch “ONE Of These Irons Really Impressed Us” on the EP Golf Studios YouTube channel.
Ross hits the shots while Matt reviews the data, looking beyond the longest strike to assess efficiency, flight, consistency and value.
Which Irons Did We Test?
The comparison included:
Titleist T150
TaylorMade P770
Srixon ZXi7
Wilson Staff Model XB
Vice VGI03
These heads were selected to investigate whether the less expensive options could compete with established alternatives when some major fitting variables were controlled.
Why Matching Loft Matters
Comparing irons only by the number stamped on the sole can give a misleading impression.
In this test, the aim was to bring the heads to approximately 32° static loft, with matching lie angles and the same shaft throughout.
That made the comparison more useful for examining head performance.
It was still a human test, with differences in strike and swing speed. Ross and Matt discuss those differences when interpreting the results rather than attributing every change to the equipment.
The Titleist T150 Established a Strong Benchmark
The T150 produced useful results early in the session, including around 175 yards of carry from a slightly low strike and approximately 179 yards from another shot.
One better strike produced around 17° launch, 6,000rpm spin, 106 feet of peak height and a 47° descent angle.
Those were individual examples, rather than the final averages.
Ross also noted how well the T150 retained useful distance on his low-face misses. It provided a strong benchmark for the remaining heads.
At the end of the comparison, the Titleist had the highest average efficiency: it generated slightly more ball speed relative to the clubhead speed Ross delivered.
TaylorMade P770 and Srixon ZXi7 Stayed Closely Matched
The P770 and ZXi7 both produced competitive results.
Ross described the Srixon positively for feel but found it difficult to identify a substantial difference between it and the irons already tested.
That became a theme throughout the session: the clubs felt good, and the performance gaps were small.
The Srixon also stood out in parts of the consistency analysis. Matt identified it as having the tightest ball-speed and launch-angle variation in the tested sets.
That did not make it the automatic overall winner. Each head had strengths, and the wider results remained closely grouped.
Wilson Staff Model XB: Strong Results From Imperfect Strikes
The Wilson attracted attention before Ross found the middle of the face.
One pronounced heel-side strike still carried approximately 174 yards. Several thin strikes also produced results that impressed both testers.
When Ross struck it better, individual shots carried around 183–184 yards.
Those shots showed why the Wilson deserved consideration. They did not establish that it was inherently longer than the other heads.
Why the Higher Ball Speed Needed Context
Ross was moving the Wilson faster during the session.
He and Matt explicitly acknowledged that his swing speed increased as the test progressed. The Wilson’s stronger raw ball-speed figures therefore could not simply be credited to the head.
That distinction matters when comparing clubs.
More ball speed is useful, but understanding whether it came from faster clubhead speed, better contact or greater efficiency helps explain what the equipment actually contributed.
Vice VGI03: The Standout Value Story
The Vice was the least expensive head in the comparison, with a quoted price of £126 per club.
It also presented a smaller-looking footprint, with a slimmer topline and a more blade-like appearance than some of the alternatives.
Despite that appearance, its results remained competitive.
An early, particularly poor heel-side strike still carried approximately 168 yards. Later shots produced carry around 180 yards, with one discussed example reaching approximately 109 feet and descending at around 48°.
Again, those were individual shots. Their significance was that the Vice could produce useful flight and distance across the strikes shown.
Did It Give Up Ball Speed?
There was no obvious ball-speed penalty in the final comparison.
Average ball speeds across all five heads were clustered at approximately 125–126mph. The Vice remained within that group.
Its average efficiency matched the P770 and Srixon, while the Titleist edged ahead slightly and the Wilson was fractionally lower.
Ross and Matt also praised the Vice’s front-to-back consistency. It was keeping pace with the more expensive alternatives rather than relying on a single exceptional shot.
How Close Was the Overall Performance?
Very close.
Matt’s assessment was that Ross could play almost any of the tested heads, with their overall numbers substantially overlapping.
Average peak heights illustrated that similarity
The difference between the lowest and highest was around seven feet, with Ross’s changing swing speed contributing context to that spread.
Carry distances were also described as having very little between them.
There were individual differences in consistency measures, but the test did not produce a clear overall performance winner.
Forgiveness: Look at Your Miss, Not Just the Head’s Appearance
This session included plenty of imperfect contact, particularly low-face and heel-side strikes.
The Vice and Wilson both produced results that impressed the testers from those misses.
That challenges the assumption that a smaller-looking or less expensive head must produce substantially worse outcomes.
It does not prove every iron is equally forgiving for every golfer. Different strike patterns and deliveries can produce different results.
The useful question is how a head responds to your typical miss while still providing the flight and distance gaps you need.
Price: How Much Could You Save?
The prices quoted in the video were the prices at the time of posting:
Vice VGI03 = £126
Wilson Staff Model XB = £158
Srixon ZXi7 = £175
Titleist T150 = £196.50
TaylorMade P770 = £178
These are figures quoted during the video, rather than a current retail price check. A TaylorMade P770 price was not stated in the spoken comparison.
At those prices, the Vice was £70.50 per club below the Titleist.
Across seven clubs, that would represent a £493.50 difference before any specification changes or additional charges.
With performance so closely matched, that is a meaningful saving to investigate.
The Shaft Caveat That Could Change the Value Equation
The lowest starting price is not necessarily the lowest price for your fitted specification.
Ross and Matt discuss the narrower stock shaft selection available with the Vice at the time of testing.
If your best-fit shaft required an upgrade, the additional cost could move the finished price closer to the Wilson or Srixon.
An alternative head might also include your preferred shaft within its standard offering.
Compare the complete fitted club price, including the shaft and any other specification changes. That gives you a more useful value comparison than the headline head price alone.
Which Iron Would We Choose?
The Vice was especially impressive for its price, and the Wilson also justified a place on the shortlist.
But Ross’s conclusion was that getting the shaft, swing weight and lie angle right could matter more for him than choosing between these closely matched heads.
That is the fitting lesson.
The best-performing club in a video may not be the best-performing club for your swing. A lower-priced option deserves a fair test, while a more expensive option needs to demonstrate a benefit that matters to you.
Questions Golfers Are Asking
Can Vice Irons Compete With Titleist and TaylorMade?
In this test, the Vice VGI03 produced ball speed, carry and flight comparable to the Titleist T150 and TaylorMade P770. The heads used the same shaft, with loft and lie matched as closely as possible. Vice also impressed the testers with its front-to-back consistency. These results support testing it alongside established brands, rather than assuming its lower price means inferior performance.
Were the Wilson Staff Model XB Irons Longer?
The Wilson produced some longer individual shots, including carry around 183–184 yards. However, Ross was also swinging it faster. He and Matt acknowledged that difference when reviewing the data. The overall carry comparison was described as very close, so the test does not establish that the Wilson head would automatically produce more distance for another golfer.
Which Iron Was Most Efficient?
The Titleist T150 had the highest average efficiency in the comparison, meaning it produced slightly more ball speed relative to clubhead speed. The P770, Srixon and Vice were level on that measure, with Wilson fractionally lower. The differences were small, and the testers considered the wider performance closely matched. Efficiency was one part of the assessment rather than the sole deciding factor.
Were the Vice Irons Less Forgiving?
Ross and Matt were impressed by the Vice’s performance on the mishits shown, including heel-side contact. They did not identify a substantial forgiveness disadvantage in this session. That is not proof of equal forgiveness across every strike location or golfer. Testing your own common misses remains necessary before deciding which head provides the most useful results.
Are Cheaper Irons Always Better Value?
A less expensive head can offer excellent value if it performs well in your required specification. However, shaft upgrades can reduce the saving. In the video, Ross and Matt explain that Vice’s narrower stock shaft offering could increase the finished price for some golfers. Compare complete fitted specifications and repeatable results before deciding which option offers the better deal.
Find the Right Irons at EP Golf Studios
At EP Golf Studios in Newbury, Berkshire, we benchmark your current equipment, test alternatives and explain why a particular setup works for you.
We assess the complete ball flight and specification, helping you decide whether an improvement is worth the investment.
The objective is to find the clubs that perform for your game, whatever the badge or price.
