Combo Sets: Many of the worlds best have them in play, shouldn't we?

The 30 second summary

Tiger Woods, Collin Morikawa, Rory Mcilroy, 80 percent of Titleist brand ambassadors on the PGA Tour, whats one thing about their gear that they all have in common.? They are all playing some level of combo/blended set. These are the best ball strikers in the world and they still try to get more help on their longer irons. Yet the majority of amatuers I play with have a fully matching set, from their longest to shortest iron.

If you have a matching set of irons and have never tried blending your iron set from multiple models, write this down for the next time you have an iron fitting. "I'd like to try a blended set". This is especially true ff you're the type of player that has a matching iron set but maybe the longer irons seem tough to hit and elevate, or the shorter irons don't offer you enough control on more finesse shots.

Blended/combo sets explained

For those unfamiliar, the "combo set," aka the "blended set", is a set of irons comprised of more than one model. Combo sets are usually comprised of 2 or 3 models of irons (but could be more). The 2 model configuration would be comprised of the longer iron(s) in the set designed a lot more around adding more forgiveness and height, maybe even distance. While the mid and short irons would be more targeted towards control. Rory uses this type of setup. The 3 model configuration would include very forgiving longer irons, a blended control/feel/forgiveness iron in the mid irons and a more blade like control and workability focused iron in the short irons. Nike was ahead of its time over 20 years ago when it came out with a set prebuilt in this configuration called the Nike Forged Pro Combo.

The main benefit of this setup is the ability to give a segment of irons in your bag ( or a specific iron) a better capability to do its specific job and/or better capabilities to optimize your ball flight specifically to each club. What do I mean by this?

As a general rule most players (even the pros) need more forgiveness and height as they get down to the longer irons in their bag (ie 4 or 5 iron or whatever the longest one is for you). Generally with these irons you are trying to hit a full swing shot with enough distance to cover the yardage and have some level of accuracy. On the opposite end of the bag, the short irons and wedges, most golfers are starting to become more lasered in on a specific target, and their miss tolerances are generally tighter. You might even be trying to hit specific shapes, often flighting the ball lower for control.

So if on the long irons you're more often trying to get more height and distance with a larger acceptable dispersion. Why would you use the same iron that you often might be trying to do the opposite with much tighter levels of dispersion.

You wouldn't, or you shouldn't.

If you're in the market for new irons be sure to ask your local fitter or retailer about the possibility of getting into a combo set of irons. Most of the leading brands have great combo options, and It might be just what your game needs.

Irons that make great players combo sets

My favorite Full Blends

These iron lineups are visually great for blending. Blend any combination of 2 or more of these models for any given brand. Great for mid to low handicaps. Customize your blend to your tendencies and needs. Some irons lofts may need to be tweaked to create the proper distance gaps.

Callaway Apex MB / Apex CB / Apex Pro - Callaway even sells this as a pre configured triple blend set

Cobra King MB / King CB / King Tour / King Forged Tec - Cobra also sells the MB/CB as a prebuilt flow set

Mizuno JPX 923 series (there are literally 5 models that can be comboed together in this line) if you prefer a more traditional look check out the Mizuno Pro line - models 221 / 223 / 225

PXG 317 Milled Blades / 317 Cavity Back / 317 Filled Cavity

Srixon  Z-Forged II / ZX 7 Mk II / ZX 5 Mk II / ZX 4 Mk II

Taylormade P7MB / P7MC / P770 / P790

Titleist T100 / T150 / T200 / T350

More forgiveness/height/distance combos

Great irons to blend if you need even more forgiveness/distance height, but prefer some level of a players look.

Callaway Apex 21 / Apex DCB 21 - note may be replaced with a new model in 2024

Cobra King Forged Tec / King Forged Tec X - note may be replaced with a new model in 2024

Mizuno JPX 23 Hot Metal  / JPX 23 Hot Metal HL

PXG 0311 Gen 6 P / 0311 Gen 6 XP

Srixon ZX 5 Mk II / ZX 4 Mk II

Titleist T200 / T350

‍

‍