Why this part of iron design is more of a focus than ever

When it comes to fitting irons, turf interaction is just as important as finding the right shaft and head combination.

Sole design has always been a major consideration when designing an iron, but over the last few years, manufacturers have started to promote their sole technology more and more.

Ever since 2018 when the Tour V.T. sole was introduced with the Z585 and Z785 irons, Srixon irons have long been a great choice for players with a steeper angle of attack or those looking to lower strike location. Recent Callaway prototypes, like those in the bag of Min Woo Lee, feature a similar dual sole design to increase bounce and forgiveness.

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Titleist has long leaned on its Vokey wedge team to help craft the soles of the T-Series irons, while Mizuno, Miura and others have recently started incorporating additional bounce in the leading edge of their irons.

This is something that OEMs have been doing for a long time, but as GOLF’s Fully Equipped co-host Kris McCormack points out on this week’s episode, they are starting to talk about the design more.

“All of the OEMs out there are looking for things that differentiate them from each other,” McCormack said.

Mizuno JPX 925 Forged Custom Irons

CORTECH Design Featuring Contour Ellipse Face
At the heart of the JPX 925 Forged irons lies the revolutionary CORTECH Design, featuring a Contour Ellipse Face. This advanced multi-thickness face bridges the explosive distance of the Hot Metal series with the unparalleled feel of forged irons.

Optimizes ball speed across the entire face for consistent performance, even on off-center strikes.
Represents a breakthrough in innovation, utilizing new construction methods to deliver precision-engineered performance and forgiveness.

Grain Flow Forged HD
Mizuno’s signature feel stems from decades of forging excellence at its exclusive facility in Hiroshima, Japan. The JPX 925 Forged irons utilize the Grain Flow Forged HD process for exceptional feedback and playability.

Long Irons (4-7): Forged from Chromoly 4120, blending strength and malleability for speed and adjustability.

Short Irons (8-GW): Forged from 1025E Pure Select Mild Carbon Steel for unmatched precision, control, and the iconic Mizuno buttery feel.

Triple Cut Sole
Engineered for superior turf interaction, Mizuno’s Triple Cut Sole enhances versatility and playability in all conditions.

Beveled leading edge ensures clean entry into the turf.
Hard-cut trailing edge allows a smooth exit for uninterrupted ball contact.
Balanced weighting promotes control and precision, even on challenging surfaces.

Striking Finishes

Traditional Satin Chrome: The classic Mizuno aesthetic for purists.

Forged Black: A bold, modern look with reduced glare.

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On a recent trip to Carlsbad, we came across an unreleased iron that had some visible tweaks made clearly to enhance turf interaction.

He continued by suggesting that if one OEM was trying to figure out why many players were playing the iron of another manufacturer, sole would often come up as a point of differentiation.

Miura TC-202 Custom Irons

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“Now you are starting to see these other OEMs that are doing a little bit more on the leading edge, on the trailing edge,” McCormack said. “They are looking at the camber, they are looking at turf interaction, and now they are starting to incorporate that in their storytelling. So maybe there was something that was there, but they never really brought enough attention to it for somebody to go, ‘Oh, that’s actually something I like, I’m going to go look at that model.’”

For more from McCormack and me, listen to the full episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipped here, or watch it below.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2025? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.