Best Golf Irons

Best Golf Irons Article Feature Image

We amateur golfers have a tough time with our irons shots! Watching the pros launch a long straight 3-iron 240 yards towards the green makes us all green with envy. If we want to improve our irons game, we’ve got to get it right when choosing our clubs. We’ve got to choose the the best golf irons for our skill level.

Small heads and long shafts combine to make iron shots the most difficult golf clubs to master. However, we must master the irons – if you can’t hit the green after a superb monster drive then it is wasted! Solid iron play is essential.

Hybrids

Over the last few years, hybrids have become more popular than long irons, being more forgiving, especially for mid to high handicappers. A couple of hybrids might replace your longest irons, but you’ll still need the short irons for close shots.

Cavity backs

We probably all started out with cavity back irons as they are more forgiving, they’re actually the most forgiving irons and are much easier to hit. They have been around for 50 years now but still carry the stigma of “amateur, game improvement”. That’s okay, most golfers are in that bracket. And they need a larger sweet spot.

Today though, with each new design year, the lines between cavity back and blades is blurring. Most of today’s blades have some perimeter weighting features and most cavity backs are being built so that players who know how to can more easily shape their shots.

Blades

Blades were used by the “better” players offering more control and feedback. Besides the ability to hit on-demand draws and fades, blades have long held a certain cachet as being for the “more serious golfer.” Using a blade iron, it is much tougher to find the sweet spot, there is less margin for error.

Shaft flex

Flex refers to the ability of the golf club shaft to bend as forces are applied to it during the golf swing. Golf shafts are sometimes referred to as the engine of the golf club. That’s because the shaft provides the power that is transferred to the clubhead and ultimately to the golf ball. Shaft flex directly facilitates this power transfer and having the incorrect flex can really hurt your game.

To determine how stiff or flexible your irons should be, you first need to determine your “honest” swing speed. Then simply put, work out which iron you regularly use to hit the ball 150 yards – the shorter the iron, the stiffer the flex you’ll need. For example, if you would use a 7-iron, then a regular flex should suit you.

Best Golf Iron Sets

So, what are the best irons for you? Here are our top picks:


TaylorMade SiM 2 Max OS Iron Set Mens

BOTTOM LINE:

These are the best irons on the market, and are a great value even at their above average price.

MAIN FEATURES:

Cap Back Design
TaylorMade has taken the concept of a cavity back and advanced the state of the art. The cap back design improves forgiveness, distance, and feel.

Oversized
The club heads of this iron set are larger than average, which promotes a stable club face plane in your swing and provides a larger sweet spot. This means a reduction in mishits and, you guessed it, forgiveness when you do.

Thru-Slot Speed Pocket
This essentially enables more flexibility of the clubface, which translates more force from the club to the ball, adding distance to your shots.

ECHO® Damping System
This feature is contained within the clubhead, and it reduces the vibration sent up the shaft into your hands and arms. In other words, better feel!

PROS
  • Extremely forgiving
  • Killer reviews
  • Top brand trusted for high quality and advanced tech
CONS
  • Above average price

Pinemeadow PGX Single Length Irons Set

BOTTOM LINE:

These ultra budget friendly single length clubs mean you don’t have to change your swing from iron to iron, so they’re great for beginners, high handicappers, and anyone who struggles to be consistent with their irons!

MAIN FEATURES:

  • Balanced center of gravity
  • Easier to hit, more forgiving and consistent
  • Use the same swing for each shot
  • Creates consistent distance between clubs
PROS
  • Excellent price
  • Great for budget conscious golfer
  • Single length means same swing for all irons
  • Perfect for beginners and high handicappers
CONS
  • Some customers have complained about their durability

Callaway Big Bertha B21 Irons

BOTTOM LINE:

An excellent choice for experienced golfers looking to add spin and increase distances, but you will pay a premium

MAIN FEATURES:

Designed by AI
Callaway has used advanced artificial intelligence design technology to craft a truly cutting edge iron.

Flash Face Cup
This face cup, which was also designed using A.I., generates high ball speeds which yield longer distances for your shots.

Tungsten Energy Core
Callaway tungsten weights within the club head to deepen the center of gravity, which results in better, higher launch of the ball off the club face.

Urethane Microspheres
Callaway embedded a pocket of custom formulated urethane containing hundreds of thousands of “microspheres”. This pocket sits behind the the clubface, touching the back of it. The microsphere pocket interrupts vibrations from ball contact, creating a much softer, spongier feel on contact.

PROS
  • Claims of ballspeed improvement and increased spin are legit
  • Awesome for mid-handicappers and better
  • Top brand with strong reputation for quality and performance
CONS
  • Above average price
  • Not for beginners or high-handicappers

Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Iron

BOTTOM LINE:

These hybrids are very forgiving, fun, and are priced below the average price of irons sets!

MAIN FEATURES:

Hollow Construction
Because these are hybrids, the club is deeper. This means Cleveland can hollow out the club head and precisely place the center of gravity (CG). Cleveland has located the CG to optimize for distance and accuracy.

Thin Face
The HT1770M steel face insert is extremely narrow. This thinness lets the face flex more at contact, translating more force back into the ball. In other words, more distance on your shots.

HiBore Crown
The club head’s crown shape is inverted moving mass down and shifting the center of gravity to the bottom of the iron. This design launches high flying shots, accurate shots.

PROS
  • Another great option for people who struggle hitting their irons
  • Top brand
  • Below average price!
  • These hybrids are very forgiving
CONS
  • Price varies a lot depending on where you buy

LAZRUS Irons Set

BOTTOM LINE:

Made by same factories as name brands, but at sold at far lower price.

MAIN FEATURES:

  • Stepped steel shaft
  • Right hand or left hand
  • Custom golf grips
  • Regular flex
  • Deep grooves for more spin & control
  • For everyday golfers, weekend warriors
  • 4 iron, 5 iron, 6 iron, 7 iron, 8 iron, 9 iron, PW
PROS
  • Excellent price!
  • Same quality and features as name brands
CONS
  • Lesser known brand with an up-and-coming reputation