Best Golf Irons 2025

There are lots of things a golfer can do to improve their scores and lower their handicap. Two of the most obvious ways are hitting more fairways and improving around the greens, but an often overlooked factor is better iron play, which is largely dependent on having the right set of irons to suit your game. More consistent iron play will give you better scoring opportunities which in turn could knock strokes off your handicap. Speaking of handicaps, choosing the correct irons is usually quite dependent on that. If you’re mid or high handicapper, you should probably look towards the best game improvement irons, or some of the most forgiving irons on the market to help your iron play.

On the other hand, a lower handicap golfer will generally benefit from the best compact mid-handicap irons or the best irons for low handicappers. These are tailored to the more accomplished ball strikers and give a nice balance of consistency and feel. Whatever style you’re looking for, feeling confident and comfortable with the irons you choose is going to give you the best chance to play to your potential.

Choosing the right set is also important because, let's face it, a set of irons is one of the most expensive purchases in golf. Making the right decision can be tricky due to the vast array of options out there, so knowing how to choose irons is vital. Picking incorrectly will cost you a lot of money as well as hurting your golf game. Fortunately we can help you, as we've tested lots of different irons from many brands. We have then collated our findings into this guide to list the best models in various categories. (For more information on how we test irons, our process is explained towards the bottom of this page).

The Quick List

Best Golf Irons - Best Golf Iron Sets

Best feel

First up we have the Srixon ZXi7 iron which builds on the previous ZX7 Mk II and improves on it, especially in terms of feel. The main technology story revolves around improving said feel and the process was called ‘i-FORGED’ which is about selecting the right steel depending on the iron. As such the steel selected for this model is S15C, which is incredibly soft and this showed out in testing beautifully.

I thought the strike was buttery soft, giving good feedback as well, whilst the anti-vibration technology is excellent. Additionally Srixon has also kept the things that worked in previous irons of this type as well, chiefly the Tour V.T. sole which creates sublime turf interaction. Put simply I cannot stress how good the feel is with these irons.

I should also mention the look of this iron. The branding is minimal and I think it has a very sophisticated aesthetic. Down behind the ball, however, is where they really begin to excel. Everything about these irons in the playing position suits my eye, and I feel Srixon has ticked every box.

• Read our full Srixon ZXi7 Irons Review

Best for low handicaps

A while ago TaylorMade brought the P7CB to a market already filled with great irons for low handicappers. But these are one of the absolute best models in this category for a variety of reasons.

First TaylorMade put real impetus into the technology to aid forgiveness but also deliver outstanding feel. Most of the head has been forged with an intense pressure that is more than the 'industry standard' to improve the feel and consistency of the forging - it is then then milled out through the sole to create two pockets. These pockets then have been filled with different materials and I must say the sensation at strike is top-notch. I thought it was soft, but not too soft, and its robust without being too harsh either. In short these irons are a genuine pleasure to hit.

My flight windows were consistent and I also found manipulating ball flight easy with the P7CB's. Of course I think they look amazing too, with the brushed satin finish oozing class, and I enjoyed the simple look at address as well.

Finally consistency is the number one demand of better players in their irons, and the P7CB delivers in bucket loads here.

• Read our full TaylorMade P7CB Iron Review

Best looking

One of the best Mizuno irons currently on the market takes the form of the Pro S3, which is actually my top pick in terms of looks in this guide. They are simply sensational to look at, on the shelf, in the bag, down at address, they are about as clean as it gets. I love the satin finish too because it looks extremely premium.

But as you would expect with a Mizuno iron, the feel and control was at the top level too. Mizuno used 1025E Pure Select Mild Carbon Steel along with a copper underlay to provide the very distinctive Mizuno feel, which is really stunning I must say. The softness at impact felt lovely, and the triple cut sole gives a flawless turf interaction. Now like the Srixon and TaylorMade models above, there is not a lot of forgiveness with this iron, but the joy of flushing it makes up for it.

Ultimately it is an iron designed for proficient ball-strikers and these players will enjoy the shorter blade length too because it makes it easier to manipulate the clubface to hit different trajectories and shapes at will.

• Read our full Mizuno Pro S3 Iron Review

Best for mid handicaps

Another Mizuno iron to make this guide is the JPX 925 Forged, my top pick for mid handicap players. That may be a vague term but I think this iron will suit a wide range of players, especially those wanting an iron with good distance, but without compromising on feel. In my testing this hollow bodied player's distance iron delivered exceptional, premium feel, eye-catching looks and surprisingly good levels of forgiveness.

Mizuno achieve the distance gain thanks to the ‘Contour Elipse Face’ - essentially a multi-thickness face that has been designed to optimize ball speed across the entire face, ensuring consistent performance even on off-center strikes. As mentioned, the result was an iron that delivered exceptional ball speed, and punchy distance numbers, which surprised me because the iron felt so beautifully delicate at impact.

At address, it looks like you're holding one of the best low handicap irons on the market but it's neat but not scary, and the traditional Mizuno satin chrome finish adds to the already sophisticated aesthetic.

• Read our full Mizuno JPX 925 Forged Iron Review

Best broad appeal

Fitting nicely in between the Tour used T100 and the more forgiving T200, the T150 from Titleist struck the balance perfectly for me in testing. In terms of design, there’s a muscle channel behind the face which is filled with a polymer to give it a more lively feel, along with a softer sound, while the sole and topline are noticeably wider and the blade length is more generous.

The T150 has slightly stronger lofts than you might expect from an iron in this category so that is definitely something to be aware of and might be off-putting to players who do not need extra distance. These stronger lofts produced longer distances for me in testing but despite this there was no issue stopping the ball quickly. In our view this makes it an ideal choice for golfers who maybe need a little more distance in their iron play. Interestingly, despite being stronger lofted than the T100 I was surprised to note that the T150 actually flew higher so we could be more aggressive in our approach shots.

The strike remained consistent in a lot of areas off the face, which was pleasing and is presumably due to the two D18 tungsten weights that sit in the dual cavity behind the bottom portion of the face to aid forgiveness. The T150 is aimed at lower handicap golfers but in my experience I would say that most decent players will appreciate the extra size of the T150 as well as the forgiveness on offer.

• Read our full Titleist T150 Iron Review

Best game improvement

Next we have one of the best game improvement irons on the market, the Callaway Elyte irons. Starting with the looks, these look fantastic in the bag and are also a treat at address as well which is a great to see from an iron of this type.

During my testing the irons felt very powerful indeed whilst impact feedback was excellent as well, thanks in part to what Callaway call their 'Speed Frame’ construction' which is designed to help with feel and acoustics. Admittedly, my launch monitor numbers weren't too dissimilar to what we saw from the 2024 irons but there were notable improvements in turf interaction and workability.

I also enjoyed the feel of the irons, as the microspheres were clearly doing their job in removing any kind of hollow sensation at impact. I would say that they still feel just on the firmer side of the impact scale, but far from harsh. Interestingly I found the Elyte irons exceptionally easy to manipulate in terms of trajectory which is fantastic to see because this is usually an area where game improvement irons have to compromise.

• Read our full Callaway Elyte Irons Review

Best for forgiveness

Following on from the success of the G710 iron, we have the G730, which has forgiveness at its core. Ping's engineers have unlocked the exceptional strength profiles of hyper 17-4 stainless steel with an advanced heat treatment to increase flex and lower CG, resulting in distance gains across the board. In my testing the ball speed was exceptionally high and as a result I got large distance numbers.

The look of the iron seemed to aid forgiveness as well. It has sizeable blade lengths and a fairly chunky top line that let you know you are getting some assistance, but somehow they don’t look clumsy and overbearing. I actually liked how the irons looked in the bag and at address too.

Along with the distance, I really liked the feel, which wasn't too hard or lively, something that many golfers will like. What's more, the wide soles of the G730 irons offer a good amount of bounce which helped turf-interaction and forgiveness. One final note is that there is plenty of adjustability when it comes to lofts, shafts and grips, allowing you to find the right set up for your game.

• Read our full Ping G730 Iron Review

Best ease of launch

Yet another offering from Mizuno, this is a really classy option in the players' distance category. The Mizuno Pro 245 combines phenomenal looks with strong performance make this a really impressive iron which is suitable for a wide range of players.

The performance in my testing was excellent in all areas, but where the Mizuno Pro 245 really sets itself apart from the competition is in looks, launch, feel and sound. There's more to these irons than just the numbers puts up on the launch monitor, although those numbers were strong. For us the beauty of these irons was in the hitting experience. It's such a pleasing club to hit.

Interestingly, it does not look like a distance iron and is in fact not too dissimilar in looks to a blade, so that gives it an even broader appeal. I'd actually go as far as to say that these irons are visually stunning. From the back, it is genuinely difficult to tell them apart from the bladed Pro 241 irons in the family as when you put the irons down behind the ball the only slight difference is a marginally longer blade length and thicker top line.

This classic profile make them an ideal option for the more skilled golfer who would like to use a player's iron but just needs that bit of extra help.

• Read our full Mizuno Pro 245 Iron Review

Best for ball speed

Looking to sit amongst the best compact mid-handicap irons, the i530 delivered some noticeable ball speed in its category, which is thanks to a deeper to thinner face-to-sole transition which Ping says increases face flexing. Given my launch monitor data in testing, it is hard to argue here.

In testing, these irons were very quick and provided a high-launch and plenty of spin, something that will create ample stopping power when hitting into greens. From a feel point of view, the i530s are very lively and a touch firmer than some others in this category.

Moving onto the looks and, to put it simply, I think that Ping have smashed it in this category. Behind the ball, there's enough cavity to provide confidence, but not so much they become an eyesore. Also there is relatively minimal offset, which will appeal to the better player, and yet toe forgiveness will be beneficial to a wide range of golfers too.

• Read our full Ping i530 Iron Review

Best value

I have become a big fan of the new Tour Edge irons of late, especially the E725's I have included here. From a looks perspective I think they look great. I love the look of the jet black, textured TPU badge in the cavity because I think it just gives a very premium and futuristic look. Down by the ball it offers plenty of offset, a thick topline and enough blade length to inspire confidence to many.

On to the performance, and the numbers I produced in factors like ball speed and carry, could sit nicely alongside competitors such as the Ping G440, Srixon ZXi4, or the Cobra DS-ADAPT, which is great to see. I also thought the feel was decent but it is worth noting these irons do feel slightly firmer and more robust than others in this category.

Overall, I think the E725 is a nice option in the game improvement category. While the slightly clicky feel and lack of spin may deter some, the excellent looks and impressive ball speed will have others very interested.

• Read our full Tour Edge Exotics E725 Iron review

How we test golf irons

In order to provide you with the best advice and recommendations possible, our testing and rating procedure for golf irons is built upon a comprehensive process combined with the knowledge and expertise of the Golf Monthly test team. It is important to us to gather as much information about the products we review, so before testing, whenever possible the team will attend product launches so we can meet with the manufacturer's R&D experts to understand the new technology and how it differs from the previous model.

When it comes to actual testing, we will generally head indoors first to try the irons in a controlled environment. This normally takes place on an indoor simulator at Foresight Sports, with premium balls and the GCQuad launch monitor. Our outside testing normally takes place at West Hill Golf Club, a course with top-notch practice facilities.

We strongly believe that it is essential to do both indoor and outdoor testing to ensure that the irons have been comprehensively put to the test in all manner of different conditions. We must stress that manufacturers cannot pay for a good review and that all of our conclusions come from the testing and our own experiences of using the product. We strive to give the best reviews possible so you can get a greater understanding of the irons themselves and make a more informed choice when it comes to buying.

How to choose the best golf irons

As you can see from the extensive lists above, the market for golf irons is crowded and confusing. We appreciate that choosing the most suitable iron for your game can be a minefield and hopefully this piece has given you an idea of what the best options are out there for you right now. If, however, you are still unsure then here is a little extra advice to help you find the best golf iron for your game.

Your Handicap And Ability

The most important first step is understanding which type of iron best suits your game. Once you know that, you can start to narrow down your choices. Although there are exceptions to this, generally speaking higher handicappers tend to use cavity back irons that offer maximum forgiveness in a larger iron head, while mid-low handicappers tend to use more bladed irons that are forged, offer more feel and control but with less focus on forgiveness.

You will know better than anybody how good, bad or indifferent your ball striking tends to be, but you need to honest with yourself and make sure you invest in a set of irons that matches where your game is at now, rather than where you hope it will end up. If you do improve and outgrow your game improvement irons you can always trade them in and invest in something suited to a more skilled player. We have great guides that go into more detail on this, so check out our guide on the most forgiving irons if you're a higher handicapper and our guide on the best irons for mid-handicappers.

Custom Fit

This is probably the most essential part of the buying process, whether its for irons or drivers or even putters. A custom fit is vitally important if you are going to get the right clubs for your game. A custom fit session will make sure you get the right flex and length of shaft, correct lie angle and correct iron head for your game, meaning you'll finish with the best golf clubs that are as suitable as possible for you out on course.

Custom fits can be a daunting process if you're a true beginner or you aren't that confident hitting golf balls in front of people, but they're a vital part of the club buying process. We recommend having a shortlist of three or four iron heads you like the look of before entering a custom fit and then whittling them down to the best for your game during the custom fit process. Custom fits are provided by a number of golf retailers or club professionals at your local golf club.

Price

As always, price will be a major factor in any decision of what irons to go for. As you'll have seen in this list, the price can vary quite dramatically between brands and models. Typically, for a set of cavity back irons - those that provide most distance and forgiveness - you'll be looking between $600-$800 for a set of seven irons.

This will fluctuate between brands, and we've highlighted in this list the ones we think give the best value for money in this category. The price jumps quite significantly when looking at the forged and bladed options - up to and above $1000 - but this is par for the course and you'll be getting a high quality, premium product in return. These irons tend to be for the serious golfer that plays to a high standard, and often, so the increase is price is worth it for them.

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