The six-year-old iron set that won a tour player $4 million

As an equipment writer, when I'm watching golf on TV, I can't help but have one eye on the players' golf bags to see what they are plying their trade with.

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While watching the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, something in the winner's bag caught my eye. Russell Henley was using Titleist T100 irons, which in itself may not be extraordinary, but as I looked a little closer, I could see that they were, in fact, the original 2019 versions of this popular model from the brand.

With manufacturers continually pushing the virtues of their innovation and newer models, I was intrigued as to why Henley, a Titleist staffer, would be using a model at least a couple of generations old (he was also using a TSi2 hybrid from 2021!). So, I got in touch with my friends at GolfClubs4Cash to see if I could get hold of the models in question to put them through their paces. I scrolled the company’s nifty app and, sure enough, swiftly found the irons I needed and ordered them. I was surprised to see just how low the price tag was, given they’re still being used at the highest level of the game. The irons, which were in exceptional condition, were just £419.99.

Data

As soon as they arrived, I headed off to the practice ground armed with a Foresight Sports GCQuad launch monitor and a bag full of balls to see what I could find out. Truth be told, I was very surprised. I took along the subsequent two models (2021 and 2023) of T100 irons to my session for comparative purposes, and despite Henley’s 2019 T100 irons launching lower, the Additional spin meant the ball flight window was noticeably higher. This also created a steeper descent angle and herein may lie the reason Henley is opting not to switch.