The Honma TW747 P compared to Vx

In this test two worlds meet: a modern cavity back iron and a two-piece "Game Improvement Iron". The trend in recent years has clearly been towards Game Improvement Irons and the reason is obvious: they forgive more mistakes, are longer and easier to play. What other reasons do you need to not play this club? On the one hand it always looks a bit "bulky", even though new irons like the Honma TW747 P have already become very attractive. And it's actually more of a beginner's club you can't touch as a (self-proclaimed) good player. One must finally stand out from these beginners somehow.

But the question is also: how much longer are they really? How much easier to hit? And is it worth it for an average player who hits the ball somewhat constant and only occasionally has his runaways to really switch to a Game Improvement iron?

The setup of the test: TW P vs. Vx

We have chosen a player who swings very constant with about 68 mph which is reasonable for an average player swing. He is neither a big slicer nor hooks the ball. We analyzed it with the Foresight Quad which is currently the measure of all things when it comes to simulators and swing analysis.

As shaft we both used the Nippon 950GH in Regular. For these clubhead speeds a good choice for a relatively light and soft steel shaft.

Carry length

The carry length of the P was about 2.5m longer on average. That doesn't sound like much, but it's at least 2% at a range of about 105m. But it is also clear: if you consider a game improvement iron like the P, you can't expect to hit 10, 20m further.

The Spin

Spin is particularly important, even if it is neglected by many players. There is both a side spin and a back spin. The former describes the spin in relation to the direction, the latter the spin back to the player. Both have to be kept under control. If you get too much side spin on the ball, you quickly lose direction in a light slice or hook. Too much back-spin is rarely a problem for an average player, rather too little. Because with too little spin, the ball can no longer be controlled, jumps from the green, rolls out 20m, and so on. Especially with a 6 iron you want to attack the flag and little spin makes this very difficult.

The numbers are relatively clear here: The spin of the Vx is significantly higher than that of the P - by about 5%. The spin is no problem for our test player because he hits the ball nicely in a downward movement. But with other players with a different swing it is. In this respect, this can be a purchase decision.

The result summarized

The main differences between these two club heads are clear: The Honma TW747 P flies further than the Vx, but provides the ball with less spin. Depending on the type of player, this can be an important factor.

Apart from these values, there are other considerations that are relevant for other types of players, less so for our test player. If you don't hit the ball properly in a downward movement - whether you do it or not you can already tell by the (missing) divot - you can easily get the ball into the air. An advantage of player's irons such as the TW P is that the center of gravity is far below the ball so that it can be more easily carried into the air.

This test shows the basic differences and considerations you should make when it comes to whether a Cavity Back or Players iron is the right one. The decision is not always easy because both variants have their advantages and disadvantages and it depends strongly on the individual swing. However, it is important to test without bias and not to take a club just because it is usually played by beginners. At the end of the day your own performance counts.