The New Stix Compete Irons Deserve Your Attention (Hint: They’re GOOD)

For a while there, I’d always be surprised when I reviewed a set of Stix clubs, and they were actually good.

But after using them regularly for years? I’m sold. Stix is legit.

For the last few years, they’ve been an easy recommendation to friends or golfers who are looking for their first set, or perhaps their first real set after falling in love with the game.

So I’m not surprised at all that this new Compete set, geared towards the better golfer, turned out to be very, very good golf irons.

But what did surprise me? Just how good they actually are.

First Impressions of the Stix Compete Irons

Let me start by saying this: these might be the best-looking irons I’ve ever seen.

Ok, that might be a stretch, but these all-black, muscle-back irons look so, so good. Anyone who has seen me with them immediately said, “what are those?” in an admiring fashion.

The Compete irons represent a significant departure from Stix’s previous offerings. While the Play series and Perform series were designed for beginners and mid-handicappers, the Compete irons are built for better players who want more control and workability.

The set comes with irons 4-PW, and features a two-piece hollow body construction made from high-strength AM355P stainless steel. This is a step up from the 431 stainless steel used in their other models, allowing for a thinner face and faster ball speed.

At $649 for the iron set, they’re priced hundreds of dollars less than most similar irons from big-name brands. And the code “BE50” will knock an additional $50 off as well.

Best Value Irons

Stix Compete Golf Iron Set - 4i-PW Golf Set | Use code BE50 to save $50!

$649 (Before Discount)

These are not only some of the best irons I've tested for the competitive player, but they're also one of the best values. Direct-to-consumer clubs simply aren't to be written off anymore. Use code BE50 to save $50.

Check Current Price at Stix

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Performance: A Significant Upgrade for Better Players

One of the biggest differences I noticed right away is that these don’t seem to have the draw bias that Stix’s other models do.

If you’ve read my reviews of the graphite Perform clubs, you know those clubs have a tremendous draw bias, more than any other club I’ve tested. For slicers, this is fantastic. But for better ball strikers who want control? It can be a bit much.

The Compete irons go exactly where you point them. They give you much more consistent control over your shots, and as such, they are less forgiving than the Play or Perform sets. This is by design. These are clubs for players who can consistently find the center of the clubface.

How My Game Has Changed

I’ve significantly strengthened my grip over the last 12 months, which has been the biggest change to my swing I’ve ever made. It’s led to me reducing my slice (most of the time), but it’s also added significant distance to both drives and iron shots.

But another part of this distance is the gear. The Callaway Elyte driver I game is excellent, and switching from a 10.5 degree loft to a 9 has made a huge difference.

With my irons, I’ve been playing primarily the PXG 0311 XP Gen 7 for the last year. Those saw huge changes in that my average 4 iron went from 190 to 215 yards. My 7 iron went from 150 to 175. My 9 iron from 130 to 140 – and so on.

So I was curious to see how those distances would translate to these new Stix clubs which are significantly weaker in terms of lofts.

As an example, the PXG 4 iron is 18 degrees vs the 22 degrees of the Stix. That’s a massive difference in loft.

Distance and Control: The Trade-Off

These new Stix irons are definitely shorter, but not by as much as I expected. I’ve consistently hit most of the Stix clubs about 5-7 yards less than the PXG.

But because of those higher lofts? Getting balls to stop on the green is much easier as well.

With the Compete Irons, I have a sense of confidence that if I hit it well, it’s going to do what I want it to do.

The PXG irons are much longer and much more forgiving, but I often feel like I’m just throwing them up there and hoping for the best. And to be fair, when I’m playing well, that can lead to some excellent results. And when I’m not, the forgiveness is welcome.

But it’s rare that I feel like I’m just throwing darts at the green.

I’ve been getting that feeling more while testing the Compete Irons, and I love it.

Feel and Feedback

The Stix come with a stiff shaft that’s significantly stiffer at 120 grams than my PXGs.

As to be expected, you feel the misses more. But when you hit one perfect? Oh man, I’ve missed that feeling.

These Stix feel more akin to my old Mizuno JPX-900 irons I played with for years. The PXG have been excellent at helping me regain some confidence in my ball striking, but as I’ve gotten a bit better lately, having something that provides more feedback and more control is a welcome change, even if I do miss those 175-yard 7 irons.

Who Should Buy the Stix Compete Irons?

The Stix Compete Irons are wonderful golf clubs. If you’re a mid to low handicap and you’re looking for an upgrade that won’t break the bank and looks good, these are definitely worth considering.

I’d recommend these clubs for golfers who:

• Are in the single-digit to low teens handicap range
• Want more workability and control than game improvement irons
• Appreciate traditional lofts and trajectory
• Don’t want to deal with the hassle and expense of a full fitting
• Value style and aesthetics in their equipment

More importantly than that, if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of a fitting and knowing all of the ins and outs of what you need, this is about the easiest way to actually get clubs that will be a good fit for you.

That said, there are still be people who will scoff at buying irons that aren’t from a household name like Taylormade, Titelist, Callaway, and so on.

I get that, but I think it’s time to come to the realization that some of these DTC brands are putting out some excellent products – and Stix is leading the way.

I personally rocked their Compete Driver for over a year, and my dad was rolling the Compete Putter all through our Nova Scotia trip last month. 

And after two rounds with the irons? They might be staying in the bag for awhile.

Final Thoughts on the Stix Compete Irons

Overall, the Compete irons represent Stix’s most ambitious release to date. They’ve successfully made the jump from beginner-friendly game improvement clubs to legitimate players’ irons that can compete with anything from the major brands.

At $649 (or $599 with Stix code “BE50”), they’re an absolute steal for what you’re getting. These are clubs that look premium, feel premium, and perform at a premium level – without the premium price tag.

If you’re a better player who has been curious about Stix but felt their other offerings were too forgiving or beginner-focused, the Compete irons are exactly what you’ve been waiting for.

Best Value Irons

Stix Compete Golf Iron Set - 4i-PW Golf Set | Use code BE50 to save $50!

$649 (Before Discount)

These are not only some of the best irons I've tested for the competitive player, but they're also one of the best values. Direct-to-consumer clubs simply aren't to be written off anymore. Use code BE50 to save $50.

Check Current Price at Stix

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

This page contains affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and buy one of the products on this page, I may receive a commission (at no extra cost to you!) This doesn’t affect our opinions or our reviews. Everything we do is to benefit you as the reader, so all of our reviews are as honest and unbiased as possible.