By Scott Kramer
Major golf brands have told us that iron unit sales have been slightly up in 2025, and slightly down in dollars compared to last year. Among the multiple factors affecting the market for irons are golf participation, distribution, the economy, rising prices, market saturation and equipment innovation. Another issue: Many golfers just don’t upgrade their iron sets very often.
Last year, Cobra Golf partnered with Golf Datatech to conduct an online survey with 1,071 serious golfers and learned that, on average, the respondents change iron sets about every 6.3 years.
“It will be important for us and other brands to focus on capturing market share and converting sales among golfers wanting to upgrade their sets to the newest iron technology,” says Caitlin Farley, Cobra Golf’s Senior Product Line Manager.
“This is where a focus on custom fitting and trial will be critical for two reasons – to help showcase data-driven performance improvements and educate customers on the importance of getting custom fit using launch monitors.”
Cobra offers PGA of America Golf Professionals multiple programs to help drive iron sales, including fitting event support, custom fitting credentials, brand partnerships and marketing/content support. The company will help stage fitting events hosted by Cobra certified fitters with the latest launch monitors and gear to showcase the brand’s newest iron technology and performance – including the 3D-printed irons.
In addition, PGA of America Golf Professionals get discounting, special pricing and incentive structures to help them promote Cobra’s products and technologies at their facility. Cobra also works with partners to create dedicated content around their irons that facilities can leverage in their marketing.
Cobra has also invested heavily into its own custom programs – from demo and fitting days to premier fitting experiences. Golfers seeking a fully personalized fitting experience can also visit Cobra-owned Performance Studios across the country that offer a personalized fitting experience with a Cobra-employed full-time fitter using state-of-the-art launch monitor technology. In addition, the company recently renovated its indoor fitting studio at its Carlsbad, California, headquarters, where golfers can visit.
According to Matt Bovee, TaylorMade’s Director of Irons Product Creation, his company’s data differs from Cobra’s, and “indicates fluctuations in time over short time spans. But when compiled together and reviewed over a long-term view, the bulk of iron replacements remain in the range between three and five years.”
Bovee adds that TaylorMade has several programs that can help PGA of America Golf Professionals.
“We’re not only an industry leader in fitting, but also fitter education. And we are constantly innovating how and where we can show up on behalf of PGA of America Golf Professionals across the country,” he says. “We hold demo days and product testing at courses across the U.S. We offer educational resources on product design for PGA of America Members, and we host virtual training discussions.”
One manufacturer with noticeably strong iron sale in 2025 has been Ping, as the company has experienced success with the new G440 iron and continued momentum for the i530. Ping officials claim the G440 has been the top-selling iron for several months through summer and fall. They also feel that the i530’s success is in part due to the player’s distance category being the fastest growing segment.
How exactly are PGA of America Golf Professionals able to benefit from Ping’s momentum?
“The best way to sell more irons is to leverage your expertise in custom fitting,” says Pete Samuels, Ping’s Director of Marketing and Communications. “We provide PGA of America Professionals the latest fitting tools and technologies, like AFS 3D interchangeable irons and our Co-Pilot fitting software, giving them a great advantage if they’re committed to custom fitting.
“Plus, our ability to quickly deliver custom-built equipment means golfers don’t have to wait for clubs custom fit to their game. Our ongoing training through Ping Academy, our online platform, educates them on our fitting techniques and provides detailed product information.”
• Callaway’s Apex Ai150 ($1,600/set) is a player’sperformance iron that promises feel, distanceand spin consistency. It has a forged hollowbody, along with a 455 face cup in the longirons and a 17-4 steel face in the short for betterball speed and feel throughout.
• A set of Cobra Golf’s Bafflers ($899/set)includes long hybrids, mid-hybrid irons, shorthollow irons and a cavity-back pitching wedge.Sole rails aim to deliver clean contact andsmooth turf interaction.
• Honma’s TW VX ($875/SET) is a compactplayer’s iron that generates distance withforgiveness. Forged from soft carbon steelwith a modified thick cavity, it yields apremium impact feel.
• Mizuno’s Pro S-1 muscleback ($1,505/set) isforged in Japan from a single billet of 1025EPure Select Mild Carbon Steel for a soft andresponsive feel. A copper underlay furthersubtly refines vibration at impact.
• Ping’s i240 ($232/club with graphite shaft,$217/steel) sports a cavity-back, players-styleclubhead that’s geared to a wide range of skilllevels. A multi-material cavity badge softensfeel while lending a more efficient energytransfer across the entire face.
• TaylorMade’s P·790 Battle Worn ($1,500/set)features a premium forged feel, large sweetspot and improved gapping – all in a uniquedark finish. A new high-strength, high-speedforged face is stronger than predecessors,yielding more distance.
• Titleist’s meaty T350 is a hollow-body, game-improvement model that yields distance,forgiveness and speed. It has an all-steelconstruction, perimeter tungsten weighting,fast face and deep CG.
