One trend emerges from the best iron players on the PGA Tour

It’s extremely clear that even the best players on the PGA Tour are looking for extra forgiveness with their irons and especially with their long irons.

It seems like this has never been more evident than this season when you look at the top 10 players in the PGA Tour’s Strokes Gained: Approach rankings.

Of the 10 players, only two players, Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood, play only one model in their iron sets. Every other player uses some sort of combination or mixed set with a more compact chassis on the scoring irons and a larger, more forgiving model on the long irons.

Fleetwood could also be considered an exception as he has used a 9-wood instead of a 4-iron for most of the season and when he does have a 4-iron it is usually TaylorMade’s P770 hollow body iron.

Playing a 4-iron in the same model as the rest of a player’s iron set is nearly extinct on the PGA Tour these days. Hovland is the only player on this list to have done so this season, and he plays a full set of i210 irons from Ping, which are anyway on the more forgiving side of irons played on the PGA Tour.

Now players will move to larger and more forgiving long irons to make it easier to hit their ball speed differentials. It’s not so much that they don’t hit the smaller long irons as well, but it might be that they don’t hit them fast enough to warrant good iron spacing.

The bonus is the forgiveness that allows them to hit their ball speed not only easier, but also more often.

The other thing that stands out on this list is the dominance of both TaylorMade and Srixon irons. Of course, the No. 1 player in the world, Scottie Scheffler, plays both TaylorMade P7TW irons and Srixon ZU85 long irons, checking all three trend boxes here. No wonder he took 36 more shots than anyone else this season.

Continue reading below for the list of last season’s top 10 players on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Approach the Green and which irons they used.

2025 PGA Tour Strokes Gained: Approach the green leaders and what irons they play

If a player has been substituted during the PGA Tour season, the most recent set will be listed.

1. Scottie Scheffler (1,291) – Srixon ZU85 (3-4), TaylorMade P7TW (5-PW)

Axles: Nippon NS Pro Modus 3 Hybrid Prototype 10

TaylorMade P7TW custom irons

MILLED GRIND SOLE DEBUT Milled Grind eliminates head-to-head variations in sole geometry and ensures precision in every iron set, while CNC-machined sole geometry and a precise leading edge promote consistent turf interaction. TIGER’S FINGERPRINT Each iron is meticulously shaped to meet Tiger’s discerning eye: longer head length, thinner topline, increasing face height and more.

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2. Viktor Hovland (.945) – Ping i210 (4-PW)

Axles: KBS Tour-V 120-X

PING i240 Custom irons

The Tour-inspired i240 enhances our popular Players technology, offering extra forgiveness, along with the control, look and feel that will appeal to a wide range of skill levels. It is PING’s highest launched Players model, which gives golfers more control and the ability to consistently hit their distance numbers and stop the ball close to the hole. A new ABS badge in the true ‘cavity-back’ design is 8.5g lighter, and combined with an elastomer insert provides more weight distribution to the perimeter to increase moment of inertia in the mid and long irons. This contributes to an 11% reduction in spread. The decal and insert contribute to a more desirable sound and softer, more responsive feel from the 431 stainless steel cast head.

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T3. Shane Lowry (.765) – Srixon ZXi5 (4, 5), Srixon ZXi7 (6-PW)

Shaft: KBS Tour 130

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T3. Collin Morikawa (.765) – TaylorMade P-DHY (4), TaylorMade P7CB (5-6), P730 (7-PW)

Axles: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour edition X100

TaylorMade P7CB custom irons

BEST-IN-CLASS FEEL Using Tour feedback and modal analysis, we strategically designed the mass placement for best-in-class feel. Made using Compact Grain Forging and 2000 tons of pressure to deliver the purest possible feel from 1025 mild carbon steel. PRECISE CONTROL Precision milled face and grooves, combined with a constant center of gravity, the P•7CB is designed to deliver an optimal launch and spin combination for ultimate control and precision. CONSISTENCY Created to maximize accuracy and consistency. The P•7CB optimized the perimeter weighting and forged tungsten, designed to deliver a beautiful blend of stability and workability. COMPACT TOUR SHAPE Every aspect of this iron’s design was designed to meet the needs of demanding ballplayers. A compact blade length and thin topline provide a confident, clean look in the playing position, while the sole’s camber and progressive bounce profile ensure consistent ground interaction.

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5. JJ Spaun (.738) – Srixon ZXi5 (4), Srixon ZXi7 (5-PW)

Axles: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour edition X100

6. Tommy Fleetwood (.711) – TaylorMade P7TW (5-PW)

Assen: Project X 6.5

7. Sepp Straka (.677) – Srixon ZXi5 (4-5), ZXi7 6-9

Axles: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour edition X100

T8. Rico Hoey (.667) – TaylorMade P7MC (4), P730 (5-9)

Axles: KBS Tour-V 125

T8. Henrik Norlander (.667) – PXG 0317T (4), 0317ST (5-PW)

PXG 0317 T Custom irons

Introducing the ultimate player’s iron for tour performance. PXG 0317 T irons are built for highly experienced golfers who desire workability with a boost of forgiveness. With a hollow design and stabilizing S COR™ polymer core, these irons increase spin performance, improve distance control and overall consistency. The compact head shape has a slightly larger profile for improved moment of inertia and forgiveness on misses. XTREME STROKEMAKING The small workable head design increases the player’s control over the clubface. HIGH SPIN PERFORMANCE Patented S COR™ material increases stability and limits face movement at impact, delivering higher spin rates. SUPERIOR DISTANCE CONTROL The thin concave construction of the face provides highly consistent distance control for highly experienced players. EXCELLENT SOUND AND FEEL 3X forged 8620 mild carbon steel

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10. Ben Kohles (.656) – Titleist T250 (4-5), 620 CB (6-9)

Titleist 2025 T250 custom irons

Distance never looked so pure. T250 irons give golfers the ultimate combination of pure speed, stability and consistency with an ultra-clean design that players love. It is a fusion of form and function, created for powerful performance while pleasing the eyes of the most demanding golfers. Unique design High-strength steel construction allows powerful performance technologies to be discreetly housed in a sleek, modern design. Increased Speed ​​A new forged L-Face design increases ball speed and launch for astonishing distance across the face. Improved Consistency Enhanced Max Impact Technology and a progressive groove design promote consistent carry, spin and dispersion from any lie. High Flight and Stability High-density split tungsten produces an optimal center of gravity with high stability for more forgiving hitting. Launch Spec Configuration A brand new addition to the T-Series lineup, the T250 Launch Spec offers the same technology and construction as the T250, but with a lighter head weight and extra loft, promoting effortless launch, increased carry distance for low-flying players and increased stopping power on the greens.

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Assen: Project X 6.0

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