Yonex Golf 2011 Zero Iron

The Yonex ZERO Iron was first introduced at the British Open last year as a prototype for Ishikawa to use off the tee in battling the strong winds at the open.  The ZERO Iron has a premium forged body from S25C Carbon Steel matched with a high strength SAE spring steel face. The ZERO iron provides a penetrating trajectory thanks to a short CG and the ease of use of a utility.  Extra weight is focused on the heel and neck area to keep shots centered and reduce shots off the heel. The sole is semi wide for versatility and features a semi groove trailing edge relief.   Because the ZERO Irons feature lower lofts, they are made for extra carry with that penetrating trajectory thanks to lower spin which also equals run out.

At the Japan Golf Fair I had a chance to demo these briefly into a net.  I wasn’t able to make good contact then,  it was sporting the Tour AD Japan spec shaft.  In the U.S the new 2011 Yonex Zero Iron comes with a nanopreme 85 stock shaft which isnt on the same level as the Tour AD yet I was able to make great on course contact using this shaft.  It’s 85 gram weight works well keeping me on plane.  I would also be interested to try the new Yonex Zero Iron with a steel shaft yet its not an available option at the moment.

The Zero iron has an interesting hump heel side,  Its a heel outer weight that helps the player square up the face at impact for a straighter ball flight.  It’s something I haven’t seen done for a very long time.  Another thing worth noticing is the shape while looking sole down.  It’s thick and boxy,  my on course impressions are that this thickness really helps by adding substance behind the club face.  mis hits are absorbed a bit better because of this.  Overall the trajectory achieved was medium.  I suspect it would be a little lower with the Japan Tour AD standard shaft offering.   The big question for me is does the new zero iron have what it takes to knock the Srixon Z-UTi out of the bag?