The strongest-lofted iron of 2018 is Bridgestone TOUR B JGR HF1 Irons, at a 26° 7-iron — ahead of Callaway Rogue X Iron Set at a 27° 7-iron and TaylorMade M4 Iron Set at a 28.5° 7-iron.

The published loft of the 7-iron, the row every iron spec table centres on. Lower is stronger, and a stronger loft is a longer-carrying club of the same name — not a better one, and not a longer set: the 28° 7-iron and the 34° 7-iron are different numbered clubs sold under the same number. Models publishing no 7-iron row are left off.

The published loft of the 7-iron, the row every iron spec table centres on. Lower is stronger, and a stronger loft is a longer-carrying club of the same name — not a better one, and not a longer set: the 28° 7-iron and the 34° 7-iron are different numbered clubs sold under the same number. Models publishing no 7-iron row are left off.

How far the 7-iron leading edge sits behind the hosel, in inches, as the manufacturer publishes it. Offset helps square the face and is a design choice about who the club is for — it measures intent, never quality. A combo set stating two different offsets publishes no single figure and is left off.

How far the 7-iron leading edge sits behind the hosel, in inches, as the manufacturer publishes it. Offset helps square the face and is a design choice about who the club is for — it measures intent, never quality. A combo set stating two different offsets publishes no single figure and is left off.

Degrees between the highest and lowest loft the model is published in — how far the line stretches to fit different players. Measured over the lofts on record for the model; a model we hold in a single loft has an unmeasured span and is left off rather than recorded as zero. Putters are excluded, being sold at one loft.

Degrees between the highest and lowest loft the model is published in — how far the line stretches to fit different players. Measured over the lofts on record for the model; a model we hold in a single loft has an unmeasured span and is left off rather than recorded as zero. Putters are excluded, being sold at one loft.

The published lie angle, measured from the ground. Irons are read at the 7-iron; every other category at the most upright figure the model publishes. PING quotes putter lie from vertical rather than horizontal, so those figures are converted onto the common scale before comparison and the club’s own page still shows the number PING published.

The published lie angle, measured from the ground. Irons are read at the 7-iron; every other category at the most upright figure the model publishes. PING quotes putter lie from vertical rather than horizontal, so those figures are converted onto the common scale before comparison and the club’s own page still shows the number PING published.

Published playing length in inches. Irons are read at the 7-iron, so a set starting at a 3-iron is not credited with length a set starting at a 5-iron never had; every other category is read at the longest club the model is published in.

Published playing length in inches. Irons are read at the 7-iron, so a set starting at a 3-iron is not credited with length a set starting at a 5-iron never had; every other category is read at the longest club the model is published in.