Of the top iron players on the PGA Tour, 1 trend emerges

It is extremely clear that even the best players on the PGA Tour are asking for extra forgiveness with their irons and specifically their long irons.

It seems like it’s never been more apparent 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 pattern in their iron sets. Every other player uses some sort of combination or mixed set with a more compact chassis in the scoring irons and a larger, more forgiving model in the long irons.

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

Playing a 4-iron in the same pattern as the rest of a player’s set of irons has all but disappeared on the PGA Tour these days. Hovland is the only player on this list to do so this season, and he plays a full set of Ping’s i210 irons, which are still on the more forgiving side of irons played on the PGA Tour.

Now players will go to bigger, more forgiving long irons as a means of making it easier to hit ball speed gaps. It’s not so much that they don’t hit the smaller long irons as well, but they may not hit them fast enough to warrant proper iron opening.

The bonus is the forgiveness that ensures they not only hit ball speed numbers more easily, but more often.

The other thing to note on this list is the dominance of TaylorMade and Srixon irons. Of course, yes World No. 1 player Scottie Scheffler plays both TaylorMade P7TW irons and long Srixon ZU85 cuffs, checking all three trend boxes here. No wonder he earned 36 more innings than anyone else this season.

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

2025 PGA Tour Strokes Gained: Access the Green Leaders and What Irons They Play

If a player changes during the PGA Tour season, the most recent group is ranked.

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

Shafts: Nippon NS Pro Modus 3 Hybrid Prototype 10 X (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

TaylorMade P7TW Custom Cuff

THE DEBUT OF MILLED GRIND The MILLED Grind eliminates variations in sole geometry from head to head and ensures precision in every set of irons, while CNC-machined sole geometry and a precise leading edge promote consistent ground interaction. TIGER’S FINGERPRINT Each iron is meticulously shaped to meet Tiger’s distinctive eye – longer blade length, thinner topline, progressive face height and more.

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

Axle: KBS Tour-V 120-X

PING i240 custom cuff

The Tour-inspired i240 advances our popular Player technology, offering increased forgiveness along with the control, look and feel that will appeal to a wide range of skill levels. It’s PING’s top golfer model, giving players 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 hollow back design is 8.5g lighter and combined with an elastomer insert allows for more girth weight to increase MOI in the mid and long irons. This helps achieve an 11% reduction in distribution. The badge and insert contribute to a more desirable sound and smoother, more responsive feel from the cast 431 stainless steel head.

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

Shaft: KBS Tour 130 X

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

Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

TaylorMade Custom P7CB Cuff

BEST-IN-CLASS FEEL Using tournament feedback and modal analysis, we’ve strategically designed the mass placement for best-in-class feel. Created using Compact Grain Molding and 2000 tons of pressure to deliver the purest possible feel of 1025 carbon mild steel. PACKAGED CONTROL Precision cut faces and grooves combined with a constant CG, the P•7CB is designed to provide an optimal combination of launch and spin for ultimate control and precision. CONSISTENCY Designed to maximize accuracy and consistency. The P•7CB weighs optimized perimeter and co-forged tungsten, designed to offer a nice blend of stability and workability. COMPACT TOUR SHAPING Every aspect of the shaping in this iron was intended to meet the needs of discerning ball strikers. The compact blade length and slim topline create a confident, clean look in the playing position, while the unique camber and progressive bounce profile provide consistent ground interaction.

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

Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

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

Axis: Project X 6.5

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

Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

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

Axle: KBS Tour-V 125 X

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

PXG 0317 T Custom Handcuffs

Get to know the best performances of the players in the tournament. The PXG 0317 T irons are built for highly skilled players who want workability with a boost of forgiveness. With a hollow body design and stabilizing S COR™ polymer core, these irons increase spin performance, improve distance control and overall durability. The compact head shape has a slightly larger profile for improved MOI and poor forgiveness. XTREME PRESS MAKING Small actionable club head design increases the player’s control over the club face. HIGH STABILITY PERFORMANCE Proprietary S COR™ material increases stability and limits face movement during impact, which produces higher spin speed performance. SUPERIOR DISTANCE CONTROL Hollow body construction with thin face provides very consistent distance control for highly skilled players. GREAT SOUND AND FEEL 3X Forged 8620 Mild Carbon Steel

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Axles: KBS Tour FLT 120 (4), KBS Tour 125 S+ (5-PW)

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

Titleist 2025 T250 Irons Custom

The distance never looked so clear. The T250 irons give golfers the ultimate combination of speed, stability and raw durability with an ultra-clean design that golfers love. It’s a fusion of form and function, designed for powerful performance while pleasing the eye of the most discerning player. Singular Design High-strength steel construction allows powerful performance technologies to be discreetly housed within a sleek, modern design. Elevated Speed ​​A new L-Face forged design increases ball speed and launch for amazing distance across the face. Improved consistency, enhanced Max Impact Technology and progressive groove design promote consistent hold, spin and delivery from every lie. Split High Flight & Stability Split high density tungsten produces optimal CG with high stability for more forgiving shots. Launch Spec Configuration A brand new addition to the T Series lineup, the T250 Launch Spec offers the same technology and features the same construction as the T250, but with a lighter head weight and increased loft, promoting effortless launches, increased carry distance for low-flyers and more stopping power on the green.

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Axle: Project X 6.0

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