Golf irons make up the majority of golf equipment in your bag. If you don’t have the proper golf irons in your bag, expect to have some major inconsistencies in your game. Modern golf irons feature an excellent feel, impressive ball speed, and some of the most forgiveness we have seen in golf clubs to date. As a PGA Professional, I make sure to change up my iron technology every few years because of the great additions that we have seen in the market. Here are some of the best golf irons Golf Clubs on the market, across several different categories.
Our list of the BEST Golf Irons
- Callaway Big Bertha B21 Irons (Most Forgiving Golf Irons)
- TaylorMade SIM 2 Max OS Irons (Best Game Improvement Irons)
- Callaway Apex Irons (Best Forged Irons)
- Cobra King Forged Tec Copper (Best Players Irons)
- Cleveland Golf UHX Iron Set (Best Cheap Golf Irons)
- Callaway Mavrik Irons (Best Golf Irons For Women)
Most Forgiving Golf Irons: Callaway Big Bertha B21 Irons
Some of the best golf irons on the market can help players improve their golf game. Although you may be surprised by this, even better players are looking for more forgiving golf irons. The idea is quite simple, why work harder when you don’t have to. Irons are used throughout most of your game, and you must trust them and feel confident in what they can provide.
The Callaway Big Bertha B21 irons are a newer release to the market; they have a great feel and impressive overall launch. This club will travel a long way for the slower swing speed player. The face of the Big Bertha B21 is quite large and helps players that need help on those golf shots that miss center.
Pros
- Good distance irons
- Switches out for hybrids in the long irons
- Higher ball flight
- Considered to be a super game improvement
- Created using AI
Cons
- Not the best irons on the market for ball speed
Best Game Improvement Irons: TaylorMade SIM 2 Max OS Irons
The TaylorMade SIM 2 Max OS irons are some of the best game improvement irons for mid-handicap to high handicap golfers that the game has ever seen. One of our favorite things about these game improvement irons is that they do not feel like they are game improvement golf clubs. In fact, the feel is almost going to be forged like.
The TaylorMade SIM 2 Max golf clubs have an oversized sweet spot, a forgiving face, and the new ECHO Damping system to help reduce vibration at impact. The TaylorMade SIM2 Max is a big improvement from the SIM Max technology regarding overall feel and stability at impact.
Pros
- Oversized golf head
- Great launch
- Considered to be highly forgiving
- Thru slot Speed pocket technology
- Low center of gravity
Cons
- Not the cheapest set of irons on the market
Best Forged Irons: Callaway Apex Irons
Callaway has been using artificial intelligence in their golf iron sets for several years. However, this is the first time AI was used in forged irons for the mid handicap group of golfers. This Callaway Apex iron set features an impressive feel, excellent distance performance, and more workability than you have probably ever thought possible from a set of irons.
There is very little vibration at impact with a forged iron, and that is certainly the case with these Callaway Apex golf clubs. Using Artificial Intelligence, Callaway was also able to increase the overall ball speed these irons produce. Although this set is a bit of an investment, you will instantly notice a difference in the performance that you get.
Pros
- Impressive mid handicap irons that work for low handicappers as well
- Forged iron with a premium feel
- Created using artificial intelligence
- Tungsten energy core
Cons
- New releases come with the highest pricing
Best Players Irons: Cobra King Forged Tec Copper
Typically low handicap golfers will look for something like a Titleist iron set or even the Mizuno MP 20. However, with the new Cobra King Forged Tec on the market, all golfers have to take a second glance at these clubs.
If you are a better player that is looking for a bit more forgiveness in your irons, then this hollow body technology feature in the Cobra King Forged Tec will make quite a bit of sense. The club looks like a classic player’s blade but has a foam-infused core to help make it more lightweight and higher launching.
In addition, the new PowerShell Face on the club increases launch and ball speed while still allowing for a more compact golf club head shape.
Pros
- Foam infused core for better feel
- Forgiving design yet players look
- The new finish is one of the better-looking clubs on the market
Cons
- Although it has forgiveness, the higher handicappers will find better oversized options
Best Cheap Golf Irons: Cleveland Golf UHX Iron Set
The great thing about Cleveland Golf is that they release irons at a fair price, and then they lower them from there. This means that you can often find a great deal on a set of Cleveland golf irons that are just a year or so old. That is precisely what the Cleveland Golf UHX irons can offer.
This is yet another hollow body and cavity back construction that is built mostly for distance and forgiveness. Although the Cleveland UHX irons won’t fall into the category of best golf irons released this year, it will be real close for last year. If you want to save money, it pays to get a club just one year older.
The variable thickness on the club head also makes this a progressive design so that the pitching wedge will have more of a player’s look, with the longer irons being more like a hybrid.
Pros
- Tremendous value for the price
- More forgiveness than previous Cleveland irons
- Good ball speed
- Tour Zip Grooves
Cons
- Not the best golf irons for the better player
Best Golf Irons For Women: Callaway Mavrik Irons
Although many of the options on our list come in an option for the female golfer, the Callaway Mavrik is a great option to consider. Callaway Mavrik irons are created with Artificial Intelligence and Flash Face Technology. If you want an iron that is easy to get out of any lie, flies far and high, and can really help lower scoring the Callaway Mavrik is a great choice.
We love the lightweight feel and high-performance shaft included in this club. You will find that even the slowest swinging female golfers can get the performance they need from the Callaway Mavrik.
Pros
- Very easy to get the ball off the ground
- Urethane microspheres for better feel
- Higher launching golf club
Cons
- Not the latest release from Callaway
Buyers Guide: What To Look For In Golf Irons
Whether you are looking at a premium iron like the Mizuno JPX 921 or a game improvement iron like the Wilson Staff D9, there are so many great options on the market to choose from. It can be very difficult to narrow down the exact technology that you need for your game. Here are a few things to help you narrow down which golf irons are going to be the best choice for your game.
Ball Speed
The higher the ball speed an iron gets, the more likely it is to be considered a distance iron. You will have tremendous performance when you can get lots of ball speed and a high ball flight. The irons best suited for your game also have to spin correctly; the spin rates need to be enough to stop a ball on a green but also keep your shot straight as well.
Pricing
The price that you pay for a golf iron will likely range from around $500 to $1500 for a set. Something premium like the TaylorMade P770 irons will be at one end of the market, and then you can find more affordable cavity back irons on the other side of the spectrum. Stay within your budget but also look for new irons that have the distance, forgiveness, and turf interaction that you are looking for.
Set Makeup
Low handicap players typically have higher ball speeds and are mostly interested in sound and feel in their clubs. This means that the low handicap golfers will typically choose a set with a 4-PW. The higher handicap golfers are looking for forgiveness even though the short irons. This is why many higher handicap players do better with something that is more of a combo set or even a hybrid set like the Cleveland Launcher. Don’t purchase a club that you are uncomfortable hitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you have a better understanding of what golf irons you will need in your game, it’s time to take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions about choosing a golf iron. Irons are a big decision as they take up so much of your golf bag; here are things you should ask before purchasing.
What Are The Best Irons For The Average Golfers?
The best golf irons for the average golfers are most likely the TaylorMade SIM 2 Max irons. These irons have tremendous technology, from the 7 iron to the pitching wedge to the long irons. If you are frustrated with your golf game and want to make some changes, this is the way to go.
Do I Need New Golf Irons?
It’s essential to understand when to upgrade your golf irons. If you are struggling with hitting your clubs, haven’t updated in 5-7 years, or have recently undergone some significant swing changes, it is likely time to take a look at new golf irons.
What Shaft Do I Get In My Golf Irons?
There are hundreds of golf shafts available on the market, but steel and graphite are the two materials you will have to choose from. Slower swinging players need graphite shafts; faster swing speed players need the steel shaft options. In addition, you will have to choose a shaft flex that works for your game; the regular flex is built for an average golfer.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you now feel you can choose the best golf irons on the market for your game. As you are probably well aware, golf iron technology changes quite often.
If you care about your golf game and want to see positive changes, the Callaway Big Bertha B21 Irons will be worth it. Although a new release may be on the market, the technology is typically quite good within the last three or four years. Overall when you purchase golf irons, make sure to get a shaft that works well for your game and a club that has the right look and feel. These clubs will make up most of your golf set, and therefore you must love what you buy.
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