When I first heard that TaylorMade was coming out with a new iron that would appeal to everyone from tour pros to 29-handicaps, I was a tad skeptical. I think my exact phrase was “horse hockey.”

Well, it’s time to put the skates on some ponies. Featuring a futuristic blend of curves, angles and lines, as well as an attractive dark finish, the Burner 09 iron truly appeals to everyone from low handicaps, who demand a clean look, to high handicaps, who need help.

The key was a rethinking of the way irons are designed. Most engineers start with the 6-iron, but TaylorMade’s scientists started with the 4-iron. “We figured that if we could make a long iron that was far easier to hit than any other, we’d learn a lot about how to make the mid- and short irons easier to hit,” said Dr. Benoit Vincent, TaylorMade’s chief technical officer.

The effort resulted in the highest moment of inertia among long irons of any TaylorMade club to date. Adding to the forgiveness is plenty of distance, thanks to lower spin numbers and shafts that are lighter and longer than those found in most irons.

Another distinctive feature is the “sound-managing cavity badge,” located in the back of the head. Made of carbon composite, aluminum and ABS polymer, the badge softens the sound and vibration of impact for a feel comparable to that of a forged iron, further enhancing the club’s appeal among low handicappers.
MSRP: $840 (steel, 4–PW), $1,050 (graphite)
taylormadegolf.com

Testing Grounds: 6-iron with S-flex Burner 85 Superfast steel shaft
Ball Speed: 118.0 MPH
Launch Angle: 15.3 degrees
Backspin: 4218 RPM
Carry: 184.4 yards