A Cavity Back Iron or game improvement club is the most popular iron head in golf. The majority of golfers will utilize cavity back irons to ensure that they have more forgiveness, higher ball speed, and the consistency they need in their game.
Cavity back irons have always been forgiving, but now they also have a great feel. There are many new cavity back irons that have come to market in 2022. If you are looking for a new set this year, keep reading to find out which one could be best for your game.
Our list of the BEST Cavity Back Irons
- TaylorMade Stealth Iron (Best Overall)
- Callaway Apex DCB Irons (Best Premium Cavity Back Irons)
- Cobra LTDX Golf Irons (Most Forgiving Cavity Back Irons)
- Callaway Mavrik Irons (Best Value Cavity Back Golf Irons)
- Tour Edge Hot Launch C521 (Best Cavity Back Irons for Seniors)
Best Overall: TaylorMade Stealth Iron
When you look at the new Stealth iron from TaylorMade, it is easy to see that the concept of game improvement irons is changing. These golf irons are fast, forgiving, and high launching, but they also have an impressive look and feel.
The TaylorMade Stealth irons have some of the same features we saw in the SIM 2 max irons, but they have their own unique features as well. We were happy to see the ECHO damping system and the Thru Slot Speed Bridge technology continue on to this model.
Our favorite upgrade is the overall look of the Stealth irons; the top down visuals on the long irons to the short irons is the best we have seen from a TaylorMade cavity back iron.
Pros
- Best cavity back irons for distance
- Will work for a wide range of swing speed
- Low center of gravity
- Improved feel on these cast irons
Cons
- New release with high price point
Best Premium Cavity Back Irons: Callaway Apex DCB Irons
The Callaway Apex DCB irons are the best cavity back irons for premium feel and impressive control. For those that think their game is ready for a more advanced players club, these golf clubs could be a perfect fit. The iron head has a ton of forgiveness but the feel of forged or blade irons.
The Callaway DCB stands for deep cavity back, and it is the most forgiving Apex iron set on the market. The forged 1025 miles carbon steel body, combined with the urethane microspheres, gives the average golfer an idea of what it feels like to pure a golf ball with a blade iron. If you have not yet swung this golf iron, it is worth trying.
Pros
- Forged irons feature better turf interaction
- Short irons have plenty of spin
- High levels of forgiveness
Cons
- Forged irons are always more expensive
Most Forgiving Cavity Back Irons: Cobra LTDX Golf Irons
The new Cobra LTDx golf irons are the most forgiving cavity back irons on the market. These clubs feature a multi material weighting system to help improve ball speed and ball flight. The Cobra LTDx is available in a one length and a standard model.
With the Speed Tuned Weighting technology, there is an 8-gram toe weight that can be adjusted up or down to control the swing weight of the club. Players find that in addition to getting the ball speed and distance they want, they can optimize spin and get the ball to stop on the greens.
Pros
- Best cavity back irons for forgiveness
- Easy to launch with maximum face flex
- Forged face cup with high ball speeds
- CNC Milled grooves promote higher spin
Cons
- Not as workable as something like the Callaway Apex DCB
Best Value Cavity Back Golf Irons: Callaway Mavrik Irons
The Callaway Mavrik irons are the best cavity back irons for the money. These golf clubs were not always as fairly priced as they are today, but with the clubs dropping in price, it is a good time to take advantage of the impressive technology.
With the Callaway Mavrik irons, you will get an AI designed flash face, a low center of gravity, and a ball flight that the player can control. These are forgiving irons with similar ball speeds to the Sim Max Irons. The Callaway Mavrik also came in a Mavrik Max that would qualify as a super game improvement irons.
Pros
- Custom tungsten weighting in each club head
- Perimeter weighting
- Forgiveness on off center strikes
- Lower in price
Cons
- Not as great feel as the Apex forged cavity back irons
Best Cavity Back Irons for Senior: Tour Edge Hot Launch C521
The Tour Edge Hot Launch C521 golf irons are the best option for seniors or slower swing speeds. The Tour Edge Hot Launch C521 is fairly priced cavity back irons that are known for having just the right mix of power and stability.
The Tour Edge C521 has a very wide sole that helps to create a more clean turf interaction. Even if you use cavity back irons from the rough, they should launch high and give players maximum distance where applicable. This golf club will do all of that and with a very high overall ball flight.
Most senior golfers that are losing their high ball speed will be concerned about distance control and making it to the green with their golf irons. This could be the perfect solution to your golf game.
Pros
- Long irons have a wider sole for increased forgiveness
- Shorter irons have excellent stopping power and better feel
- Low center of gravity
- Larger sweet spot
Cons
- Feel is not as good as some other golf irons on the market
Buyers Guide
The cavity back irons on the market today are long hitting, forgiving, and great feeling. However, there are quite a few of them to choose from, and this can make the decision making the process a bit overwhelming and stressful. Here are a few things to help you decide which cavity back irons are the best for your game and how to make sure that yours are customized to your needs as a player.
Shaft
The cavity back irons come in either a graphite shaft or a steel shaft. With a cavity back iron, you can expect to get plenty of extra distance, but adding in a graphite shaft can increase these distances even more. Most golfers looking for control will choose steel shafts; those looking for distance will choose graphite.
The shaft flex is another important determination for players. You must choose a shaft flex that matches your swing speed and allows for maximum performance.
Forgiveness
The great thing about cavity back irons is that they are all very forgiving. However, some of these clubs are considered super game improvement irons, and they have an even larger sweet spot and offset technology. Typically speaking, the mid handicap golfer needs a game improvement iron which is the standard model from most companies.
Golfers that are considered to be high handicappers or beginners will want a cavity back golf iron that qualifies as a super game improvement.
Brand
Almost all golf manufacturers will put out at least one cavity back iron for golfers to choose from. The majority of companies will have several different options. Callaway has a forged cavity back and a traditional cavity back.
The cavity back iron is a staple in the world of golf, and all companies must have these golf clubs in place in order to compete. Therefore you will not find one specific brand that stands out as the best overall cavity back. Companies like Callaway, TaylorMade, Cleveland, Ping, and even Titleist all make forgiving irons for the average golfer.
Pricing
Those that are looking for a cavity back golf club are in luck; the pricing of these golf clubs is typically quite a bit less than a forged blade club head. The price of a standard cavity back iron is fair when looking at other golf options on the market. The new forged cavity back iron designs are considerably more expensive.
This is a result of the manufacturing process, and it has come to be generally accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
As we always say, it is a good idea to ask your questions before you purchase the clubs as opposed to after when you may end up with buyer’s remorse. Here are a few of the most common questions we are asked about cavity back irons and how they are for.
Do any tour players use cavity back irons?
Tour players typically do not use cavity back irons throughout their set. However, you will sometimes see a tour player using a cavity back iron in their long irons. The long irons are difficult for any player to hit consistently. Having a cavity back iron in place to ensure that the ball launches properly and gives plenty of distance is an excellent thing for a tour player as well.
What is the most forgiving cavity back irons?
The most forgiving cavity back irons are the new Cobra LTDx. When we tested all of the new equipment this year, Cobra LTDx had a ton of forgiveness but still had an impressive feel and consistency. When you purchase these in the one length model, you will notice even more improved performance.
What handicap golfer should use cavity back irons?
A mid to high handicapper will have the best luck with cavity back irons. Some low handicap players that struggle to hit blade style irons consistently will also enjoy the cavity back irons, but they often find the technology to be a bit too forgiving. Truly the majority of the golf world plays with the cavity back iron.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you feel ready to choose a cavity back iron that will work for your game. There are so many great options out there, but the TaylorMade Stealth stands out as the best overall. This top-of-the-line technology will increase player confidence, improve turf interaction, and promote a better overall ball flight. The ball speed coming from the Stealth irons is even higher than we have seen in the past from this company and an option that all golfers should at least try before making their final club purchasing decision.
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