Rory McIlroy tests new TaylorMade irons at the start of the year. Is he switching his entire iron set for the first time since 2017?
After a dream year in 2025, Rory McIlroy is already looking to keep up his success in the upcoming year. A change might be on the horizon regarding the 36-year-old’s club selection as he is testing a new set of irons at the TGL. Last year he already changed his driver and golf balls, and now the next significant change could be coming.
TaylorMade P7CB Instead of Rors Proto
Since 2017, McIlroy has been using TaylorMade Rors Proto irons, but at the Crown Australian Open, he switched his 4 to 6 irons to TaylorMade P7CBs. It now seems the rest of the set may follow, as before his game at Boston Common Golf Club in early 2026, his TGL team released a video in which McIlroy was asked, ‘What is the most important thing you are working on right now?’ The 36-year-old replied, ‘I’m currently testing a new iron set, which I’m very excited about.’
Soon after the video release, Boston Common played its TGL season opener against the Los Angeles Golf Club and won. McIlroy used TaylorMade P7CB irons from 4 to 9, keeping the Project X 7.0 shaft. The P7CB irons are more forgiving than his previous Rors Proto clubs and provide him more leeway in his shots.
Whether this will be a permanent switch to the P7CB irons remains to be seen, but for McIlroy, it would be a significant change in his game. It would be the first time the five-time major winner does not use blade irons in his set.
Rory McIlroy to Make Debut in Dubai
McIlroy will officially start his season at the Dubai Invitational from January 15 to 18, which will provide a closer look at his bag and iron choice for the coming year.
His new TaylorMade Qi4D driver and fairway woods appear set to stay in the Northern Irishman’s bag as well, after he first used them at the HSBC Championship in November.