Nike NDS £349
DESIGN
With the introduction of these NDS irons, Nike are looking to expand their range to show they can produce top quality kit for high handicappers and beginners as well as the best player in the world. And they've adapted to the different requirements remarkably well. The modern, stylish look is unmistakably Nike and a thick top line and chunky head should inspire confidence in any high handicapper of getting the ball up and away without too much difficulty.
TEC TALK
The long irons have a clever weight progression system that manipulates the centre of gravity to increase heel and toe weighting for optimum forgiveness - ideal if you're prone to the odd duff strike. They've also raised the centre of gravity in the short irons to assist you in moving the ball through the air.
PERFORMANCE
Ok, we appreciate that if you're a beginner, you aren't going to do much shot shaping but as you improve the extra short iron feel should definitely start to make an impact. For mid or low handicappers, the heads might seem too chunky, tough to manouver and potentially lacking in feel. But in the right hands we reckon these have the technological benefits to make a positive difference.
TOTAL GOLF VERDICT
At £349 they'll attract those serious about developing an interest in the game. And if you're looking for your first proper set of sticks, they have both the look and design to get your handicap moving in the right direction.
Benross VX-Di £29.99(s) £34.99(g)
DESIGN
Driving irons tend to sit somewhere between a wood and an iron and as a result have an uneasy relationship with the eye. And this one isn't really anything different to look at. A chunky head should give higher handicappers confidence of delivering a healthy blow that flies high.
TEC TALK
This hollow steelheaded Benross VX-Di driving iron has an expanded sweetspot for greater forgiveness and more accuracy off the tee. The head is also far thicker than your average long iron, giving a powerful and confidence boosting punch to the back of the ball for important extra yards.
PERFORMANCE
Significantly the flight is lower and stronger than that of a three or five wood and you can shape the ball to find the fairway. This is where the real help can be found - if there's any wind the strong flight will be easy to control.
TOTAL GOLF VERDICT
Once you've got the hang of it, a driving iron could be the key to picking out more fairways and this Benross VX-Di has all the attributes you'd want. What's more the £34.99 price tag is a real bargain. If only to test out the virtues of a driving iron, get yourself one of these to have a crack with at the range.