Best Golf Irons 2024

Our ultimate guide to the very best golf irons on the market, from game improvement clubs to players' irons

Best Golf Irons
(Image credit: Golf Monthly)

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 dependant 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).

Finally, this time of year we regularly see many of the irons below go on offer so be sure to bookmark our page on the best Black Friday golf deals, to make sure you don't miss a discount on one of them.

Best Golf Irons - Best Golf Iron Sets

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The Quick List

Most Forgiving Irons

Ping G430 Iron

Ping G430 Iron Review

The Ping G430 irons are very playable

(Image credit: Future)
A confidence-inspiring iron that is one of the most playable on the market

Specifications

Construction: Cavity back
Clubs available: 4-LW

Reasons to buy

+
Notably longer than G425
+
Impressive stopping power
+
Very consistent off center

Reasons to avoid

-
Badge appearance will divide opinion

Think of the most user-friendly irons in the game and you might immediately think of the best Ping irons. Going back as far as the iconic Ping Eye2, the brand have been making some of the best irons in golf and the G430 certainly lives up to the brand's reputation.

In its marketing, Ping branded the G430 as ‘distance competitive, scoring uncompromised’ and you won't hear us disputing that as the G430 knocked it out of the park in our testing. The G425 was a terrific iron and a tough act to follow, but the G430 features multiple design changes, including a three percent thinner face and a new PUR Flex badge made up of 15 pieces that form seven flexible zones so as to not restrict the bending of the face.

Another tweak is the introduction of an extra one degree of bounce on the sole which helps to lower the centre of gravity while providing a little more insurance on those fat shots when the club makes contact with the ground too early. This makes it one of the most forgiving irons anywhere on the market.

This forgiveness as well as the off-center stability provided make it ideal for not just the mid-high handicap player, but also the better player who may have some issues finding the sweet spot consistently. Basically it will make you look like a better ball striker than you actually are.

Something to be aware of though is that the G430 iron has slightly stronger lofts. This means it goes further than the G425, but we are happy to say that there has been no sacrificing of height or stopping power. In terms of the feel and sound, Ping has done a great job and it's very similar to that of a forged iron - shorter and lower in pitch than most irons in this category.

Srixon ZX4 Mk II Iron

The Srixon ZX4 Mk II Iron on a green background

The ZX4 Mk II is one of the best game improvement irons out there

(Image credit: Joel Tadman)
The iron we crowned as the best game improvement iron of 2023

Specifications

Construction: Hollow
Clubs available: 4-AW

Reasons to buy

+
Incredibly consistent
+
Powerful, solid feel
+
Long with ample stopping power

Reasons to avoid

-
May not inspire confidence in the hands of higher handicappers

Another iron that delivers bucket loads of forgiveness is the Srixon ZX4 Mk II, which for us is one of the best game improvement irons that money can buy and indeed was our choice as the best in that category for 2023. This is mainly because of the feel, with an energetic, solid, stable yet soft feel being created all at the same time.

The latest ZX4 MkII underwent a significant makeover from the previous model. It's slimmed down to make it look less like a hybrid iron, but it still maintains the hollow construction that gives it so much power. A new PureFrame design forged into the body of the iron reduces unwanted vibrations and really adds to the impressive feel.

The dimensions at address are neat and tidy while still managing to inspire confidence. We also like the lighter finish that makes the head look bigger than it is against the grass. Another plus is the consistency of this iron and in our testing it stacked up with any iron we have tested in the last few years.

Overall, the forgiveness on off-center strikes was excellent and, through the turf, the Tour V.T. sole will help you get out of trouble. One final point to make is that they will sit pretty in your golf bag as the visuals are exceptional.

Mizuno JPX925 Hot Metal Iron

How A 30% Thinner Face Has Lead To Mizuno's Fastest Ever Game Improvement Irons

Mizuno's JPX 925 Hot Metal iron is one of the brand's top irons right now

(Image credit: Future)
A softer-feeling distance iron that packs plenty of firepower

Specifications

Construction: Cavity back
Clubs available: 4-LW

Reasons to buy

+
Appealing looks all round
+
A fast but controlled feel

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited gains over prior model

The Mizuno JPX925 Hot Metal Iron is perfect for any mid-handicapper looking to add more yards to their game. It's a playable and forgiving iron that delivers excellent distance on long shots and a pleasant feel on shorter ones.

Forgiveness is the big story here. Mizuno felt that it had already pushed distance output as far as possible by reaching the USGA limits for COR, so the goal for the new JPX925 family was to maximize forgiveness. This was achieved thanks to a re-engineered, multi-thickness face that gets as thin as 12 sheets of paper in places. This changed face shape caters to the most common mishits in golf and reduces the damage done, especially on heel and toe strikes.

A ‘Balance Stability Frame’ has been introduced to improve control and forgiveness which Mizuno says gives a tour preferred vibration and sound. Alongside that, we also have some new ‘Acoustic Sound Ribs’ across the top edge and a sound bar to remove tinny/clicky frequencies.

In terms of the looks, the shaping looks great and the branding is relatively subtle. In the playing position, the profile is excellent as you would expect from Mizuno and they frame the ball beautifully. Moderate levels of offset and a manageable top line complete a really tidy address look.

Our testing showed this to be one of the better distance irons we've tried this year and it is certainly one of the best Mizuno irons. We were impressed by the high launch and ball flight despite the stronger lofts and we loved the feel. It doesn’t have that explosive, metalwood like feel you often get from game improvement irons. In fact, it is as close to a forged-like feel as you’re likely to experience in this category, producing a dense sensation at impact and a relatively quiet sound to match.

Best Players' Distance Irons

Mizuno Pro 245 Iron

Photo of the Mizuno Pro 245 Iron

The Pro 245 is comfortably the best looking iron of its type

(Image credit: Future)
A perfect combination of looks and forgiveness in a compact head

Specifications

Construction: Hollow
Clubs available: 2-GW

Reasons to buy

+
Comfortably the best looking iron of its type
+
Feel is exceptional
+
Very easy to launch

Reasons to avoid

-
Not much of a distance boost over the Pro 225

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 our testing was excellent in all areas, but where the Mizuno Pro 245 really sets itself apart from the competition is in looks, 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. We'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.

TaylorMade 2023 P790 Iron

TaylorMade

The P790 from TaylorMade will suit a wide range of players

(Image credit: Future)
A slimline distance iron that will suit a wide range of abilities

Specifications

Construction: Hollow
Clubs available: 3-GW

Reasons to buy

+
Inviting, refined looks
+
Hot, springy feel at impact
+
Consistent, stable ball flight 

Reasons to avoid

-
Gains over prior model are subtle

In this the fourth generation of the P790 iron, the big upgrade is that all the heads are completely unique, featuring a bespoke amount and position of the tungsten weighting. TaylorMade call this FLTD CG (Flighted Center of Gravity), which basically means the center of gravity in each head has been optimised to produce the best launch conditions and ball flight. While this is not a new concept, our testing showed that it did produce more predictable ball flights and consistent land angles.

In terms of performance, it provided gains over the previous version and has a generally more stable and powerful feel to it. This lively feel also translated into above-average distance. When it comes to the visuals, it looks stunning in the bag with its eye catching classy satin finish.

Overall we feel that the P790 will appeal to a broad range of players due to the great blend of distance and forgiveness packed into in an attractive looking, compact clubhead.

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Iron

Photo of the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Iron

The distance of the Paradym Ai Smoke is excellent, but the outstanding forgiveness is the real story here

(Image credit: Future)
A sophisticated look with outstanding forgiveness

Specifications

Construction: Hollow
Clubs available: 4-SW

Reasons to buy

+
Very competitive on distance
+
Refreshingly sophisticated look
+
Impressively forgiving

Reasons to avoid

-
Low spin could hurt stopping power

Callaway's offering for 2024 is the Ai Smoke irons, which in our view are some of the most refined and sophisticated irons on the market. The chrome finish provides a premium look and we feel that the small carbon effect banner strip on the back that houses the Ai Smoke logo enhances that.

On first impressions, we were immediately impressed with the looks and we would say they compare with any of the best callaway irons. The performance was right up there too, our testing yielded excellent results, which is unsurprising given that these irons were designed using Callaway's industry leading A.I. technology. Data from many thousands of shots by thousands of golfers was used to create Callaway's most forgiving face yet.

We experienced impressive distance on strikes all across the face so this an extremely forgiving iron. This took us by surprise somewhat, and whilst obviously the centre of the face yielded the fastest speeds, drop offs were minimal when we didn't flush it and we have to say the overall forgiveness of this iron is outstanding. The sound and feel were also excellent and while not the cheapest irons on this list, they can certainly match up with anything when it comes to the performance and all round experience.

Wilson 2024 Staff Model CB Iron

Photo of the Wilson Staff Model CB Iron

The CB includes solid distance with good feel and a hint of forgiveness

(Image credit: Future)
No frills, no bold claims, just a well put together, great feeling set of forged irons

Specifications

Construction: Cavity back
Clubs available: 3-PW

Reasons to buy

+
Great shaping of the heads
+
Lovely soft feel
+
Precision toe weighting tech really works

Reasons to avoid

-
The hosel decoration won’t suit everyone's eye

Wilson have always made great irons and although their tour presence isn't what it once was, it should not be overlooked that the brand has won more major championships than any other, mostly on the back of their irons. The Model CB is a worthy successor to some of the great irons that went before. It boasts a generous cavity, a gleaming chrome finish and some really nicely shaped heads. The profile at address is a perhaps little more rounded than some others on this list, but the look is in keeping with the soft, simple, inoffensive demeanour that these irons embody.

So it's a great looking iron, but how did it perform? Very well actually. In fact, the Staff Model CB competes alongside anything we have tested during 2024. We found spin rates and launch windows to be very consistent, while the feel is both solid and transparent at the same time. The feedback is strong as there is no hiding from a mis-hit and you will know exactly where on the face you hit it, but on those shots you will benefit from the extra perimeter weighting which offers some corrective qualities.

Better Player Irons

Ping i230 Iron

Ping i230 i4ons

The i230 is one of the best looking irons on the market

(Image credit: Future)
An excellent choice for the better player seeking a soft, stable feel

Specifications

Construction: Cavity back
Clubs available: 3-UW

Reasons to buy

+
Solid, stable and lively feel
+
Compact long irons match the set better
+
Consistent carry distances

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited shelf appeal
-
Some may want a softer feel

The Ping i230 is perhaps the most complete iron for low-handicap players. It's versatility and dependability allows you to hit all manner of shots, but it has an extremely low margin for error due its compact shape and it therefore isn't suitable for mid-high handicappers. In fact, this iron is for flushers only. That's why you will find them in the bag of Tour pros like Stewart Cink and Tyrrell Hatton. If you are an accomplished ball striker who likes to shape iron shots and whp prioritises feel over forgiveness, then these high-performance clubs should suit you to a tee, no pun intended.

As you'd expect from an iron of this type, the profile at address is very slim and that will appeal to the eye of the better player. Additionally, the 431 stainless steel body, tungsten toe screw, shaft tip weight and concealed elastomer help the club to deliver a muscle- style look that helps players zip the ball off the clubface.

It looks stunning, but the i230 also feels fantastic too. It blends a lively, stable feel with a muted sound which we absolute could not get get enough of during testing. Even when we swung it poorly the i230 felt responsive through the turf. We found the distance to be good and we absolutely loved the trajectory. We struggled to find any flaws with this iron and we can see why it's in the bag of Hatton. We would unreservedly recommend it as one of the best irons for low handicappers.

Titleist T150 Iron

Titleist T150 iron review

(Image credit: Future)
An iron that strikes the balance of premium, compact looks, with explosive feel

Specifications

Construction: Stainless steel
Clubs available : 3-PW

Reasons to buy

+
Compact yet confidence inspiring
+
More forgiving than the T100s
+
Solid, dense feel at impact

Reasons to avoid

-
Added distance could create distance gapping issues

Fitting nicely in between the Tour used T100 and the more forgiving T200, the T150 from Titleist struck the balance perfectly for us 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 us in testing but despite this there was no issue stopping the ball quickly. In our view this makes it an ideal choice for the skilled golfer who maybe needs a little more distance in their iron play. Interestingly, despite being stronger lofted than the T100 we were 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 our experience we would say that most decent players will appreciate the extra size of the T150 as well as the forgiveness on offer.

TaylorMade P770 Iron

TaylorMade 2024 P770 Iron

An iron with ample forgiveness for the better player

(Image credit: Future)
A consistent, low handicap iron that is surprisingly forgiving for its size

Specifications

Construction: Hollow
Clubs available: 3-AW

Reasons to buy

+
Refined, elegant aesthetics
+
Tangible improvements in feel and acoustics
+
Ample forgiveness for the better player

Reasons to avoid

-
May alienate mid-handicap players

The P770 irons have been given a mini makeover by TaylorMade for 2024 and we have to say that we absolutely love the new looks. TaylorMade has clearly made an attempt to push the P770 irons a little further down the handicap spectrum, closer towards the new 'player cavity' iron - the P7CB, and we think they've done a job with that.

Advancements through the accentuated heel and toe tungsten weighting enhance the MOI, and CG locations have been refined to optimize ball flight. This means that they are lower in the longer irons and higher in the shorter ones, which is to help with launch and to maxmize while still controlling spin levels. Our testing confirmed this to be the case.

The newly-designed sole is also a huge asset, particularly for the golfer that predominantly plays on firm, tight, links turf. In terms of the visuals, these irons look fantastic, both at address and also in the golf bag. The shelf appeal here is spectacular. During our thorough testing of the P770 irons the one word that constantly came to mind was consistency, so for accomplished golfers who can be a little erratic with their ball striking, this could be a good solution.

Cobra King Tour Iron

Cobra King Tour Iron Review

If you are a low handicapper then this is an iron we recommend trying

(Image credit: Future)
Our leading iron for low handicappers to consider

Specifications

Construction: Cavity back
Clubs available: 3-GW

Reasons to buy

+
Near flawless looks
+
Solid, stable feel
+
Consistent flight

Reasons to avoid

-
May send the ball too far for some

In terms of all-round packages the Cobra King Tour is one of the best we’ve tested this year. In fact, it is one of our absolute favorite irons and we can't speak highly enough about them. These irons are packed with technology, including a 1025c forged body and a CNC Milled undercut, which improves forgiveness by removing weight from the center and repositioning it to the heel and toe. As you would expect, this really helps to mitigate any damage done when you miss the sweet spot.

In our testing we noted that the feel off the face was somewhat livelier than most other compact cavity back irons we've tested, but it still delivered a dense, soft feel at impact and provided a pleasant hitting experience.

In general, irons for low handicap golfers tend to not be the most forgiving. This is because the priority for players with consistent ball striking ability is usually workability, but with the Cobra King Tour we noticed surprisingly high forgiveness levels to go with that workability. Not quite the best of both worlds but if you need. bit of forgiveness in case your strike isn't quite flush, this can help. We found it to be very playable out on the course. It produced ample carry when shots were a little thin and we had no problem shaping the ball whichever way we wanted.

The margin for error on offer is a bonus while the extra distance will certainly appeal to good players that may have lost a little club speed and distance either due to age or not being able to dedicate enough time to playing and practicing.

Ping Blueprint S Iron

Photo of the Ping Blueprint S Iron

(Image credit: Future)
An excellent offering in the low handicap, players' cavity department

Specifications

Construction: Cavity
Clubs available: 3-PW

Reasons to buy

+
Lovely compact profile behind the ball
+
Real depth to strike
+
Good, consistent ball numbers and flight

Reasons to avoid

-
Many won’t like the chrome stripe on the back

Ping irons always look spectacular so it's no surprise that the Blueprint does not disappoint in the aesthetics department. Behind the ball they look great and the premium aesthetics and shelf appeal make them a welcome addition to any golf bag. We also think that the dimensions and shape are just right and this iron will really appeal to players who prefer a bladed iron. The top line is nice and thin while the blade length is compact without being intimidating, which in our view means they frame the ball beautifully. In addition, the offset is very minimal and will please the eye of the better player, although it does increase gradually as you head up into the longer irons.

In terms of the performance, we have no complaints and we enjoyed testing these irons. While the feel is on the firmer end of the spectrum, it is by no means offensive and feel is subjective anyway. Some golfers may prefer that firmness rather than the buttery soft feel of some other blades. When it comes to feedback of strike we would say that it was easy to tell when we missed the center, but that should not be seen as a negative. Better players crave this feedback as long as it isn’t punished too harshly in performance - which we are happy so say it isn't.

Best Distance Irons

TaylorMade Qi Iron

Photo of the taylormade qi irons

This is one of the best looking distance irons on the market

(Image credit: Future)
A super powerful and forgiving iron in the game improvement category

Specifications

Construction: Hollow/Cavity
Clubs available: 4-LW

Reasons to buy

+
Exceptional distance
+
Very forgiving
+
Good launch considering the strong lofts

Reasons to avoid

-
Not a huge change from the Stealth iron visually
-
Quite a firm feel at impact

They say if it ain't broke then don't fix it, and TaylorMade must have felt that way about the Stealth irons as aesthetically very little has changed in this new Qi model. There are some very slight alterations, such as marginally bigger badge on the back plus a little more chrome, but other than that there is very little change perceptible to the naked eye. That' fine in our view, it isn't a criticism by any means as we loved how elegant and aspirational the previous model was.

In terms of performance during our testing, undoubtedly the main standout for us was the speed. We found that the ball absolutely zips off the face at an almost alarming velocity, which unsurprisingly shows in the distance numbers. The spin numbers were on the lower end of the scale, especially with the longer irons, so you will achieve extra distance but stopping power is limited when hitting into greens, so that's something to be aware of. For golfers who need distance and like to run the ball up onto the green rather than fly it all the way though, these irons will be just perfect.

Wilson Dynapower Iron

Wilson Dynapower Iron Review

One of the longest models we have tested

(Image credit: Future)
One of the longest irons you'll try in 2024

Specifications

Construction: Cavity back
Clubs available: 5-GW

Reasons to buy

+
Incredibly fast off the face
+
Easy to draw
+
Forgiving from a wide area
+
Excellent value for money

Reasons to avoid

-
Flat ball flight limits stopping power

Wilson make some of the most forgiving drivers and irons on the market, with their latest offering coming in the form of the Dynapower. Their irons of the same name share many of the same traits, packing a real punch while providing plenty of forgiveness too. This is one of the longest irons we have tried. Admittedly the strong lofts play a big part in that but there are stronger lofted irons in this category, so there are technology elements that contribute to the increased distance too.

Impressive levels of forgiveness comes from the use of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) to optimise the face architecture and reconfigure the Power Holes 3.0 on the sole. The way Dynapower is designed, the center and toe sections of the club are much faster as Wilson's research showed that this is where 85 per cent of 10+ handicap players strike most of their shots.

Our testing certainly confirmed all of the above. Dynapower definitely felt faster than most irons on the market, and we experienced an almost metallic, metalwood-like feel which translates into blistering power that leaves you itching to hit another shot. When you connect well on a shot it feels like the ball has been fired from a cannon, even with the short irons. If you do miss the sweet spot you won't get that explosive feel but you will still achieve similar distances, making this one of the more forgiving irons on the list.

Cobra Darkspeed Iron

Photo of the Cobra Darkspeed iron

The Darkspeed has well proportioned and shaped club heads with plenty of power

(Image credit: Future)
An excellent all-round distance iron with a brilliant dark finish

Specifications

Construction: Cavity back
Clubs available: 4-SW

Reasons to buy

+
Surprisingly soft feel for a distance iron
+
Plenty of power
+
Well proportioned and shaped club heads

Reasons to avoid

-
The dark finish won’t be to all tastes

Looks are subjective so not everyone will agree, but we think Cobra Darkspeed are a fantastic looking set of irons that really stand out from the rest. We love the charcoal finish, which looks really sleek and sophisticated. These irons look fantastic both in the bag and behind the ball. While how it looks in the bag might not be that important, behind the ball it is vital to have something that inspires confidence and the way these irons sit at address with their lovely soft curves and minimal offset should appeal to a wide range of golfers. The top line is thicker than it looks but the dark colorway does a good job of minimizing that, giving this the look of an iron that could be used by more skilled players.

Make no mistake though, it is very much a distance iron with the exceptionally strong lofts that provide a powerful flight and exceptional distance.

In terms of the tech, the Darkspeed iron is filled with a lighter foam material than the Aerojet iron it has replaced in the Cobra range. These changes within the clubhead have created an exceptionally good feel and sound in our view. In testing, the flight was strong and although the strong lofts meant the spin levels were relatively low, we still noted that there was plenty of stopping power. The forgiveness was noticeable too and off center shots retained a good level of ball speed. This is one of the best irons we've tested in 2024.

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.

FAQs

What are the top rated irons in golf?

When it comes to deciding the top rated irons in golf, this depends on what kind of iron you are looking for and what level of golfer you are. The top rated iron for a single figure player is not the same as one for a higher handicap player, although occasionally there can be some crossover. This is why in our best golf irons guide we have included sections for a variety of players, and from a variety of brands.

Which irons does Tiger Woods use?

Tiger Woods uses a set of TaylorMade P7TW Prototype irons. These go from four-iron down to the pitching wedge. In a Golf.com article about the irons it said; "Woods has the tungsten positioned in each club to produce a specific combination of flight, feel and control he’s come to rely on over the years. One interesting nugget is that the CG in Woods’ set actually progresses toe-ward in the short irons." The main difference between the P7TW's and the popular P730's is the milled grind sole and it was the first iron time the company has used the same CNC milling process on something other than a wedge. All of his irons are fitted with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts.

What is the easiest golf iron to use?

The easiest model of golf iron is hard to be specific about given every golfer is different and no two golf swings are the same, but we can say that there are specific irons on the market which are designed to be as easy to hit as possible. For example some of the most forgiving irons on the market are the Ping G430, Titleist T400, Srixon ZX4 Mk II, Callaway Paradym X, Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal and TaylorMade Qi irons.

Does Ping make good irons?

Yes, absolutely. We have tested many Ping irons over the years and the performance is always right up there with the best in the market. Importantly Ping makes irons for every level of player as well, ranging from the super forgiving G430, all the way to the Blueprint iron which is aimed at the most prolific of ball strikers. We are confident there is a Ping iron for every golfer out there as a result.

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Joe Ferguson
Staff Writer

 Joe has worked in the golf industry for nearly 20 years in a variety of roles. After a successful amateur career being involved in England squads at every age group, Joe completed his PGA degree qualification in 2014 as one of the top ten graduates in his training year and subsequently went on to become Head PGA Professional at Ryder Cup venue The Celtic Manor Resort. Equipment has always been a huge passion of Joe’s, and during his time at Celtic Manor, he headed up the National Fitting Centres for both Titleist and Taylormade.  He’s excited to bring his knowledge of hardware to Golf Monthly in the form of equipment reviews and buying advice. 

Joe lives in North Devon and still plays sporadically on the PGA West region circuit. His best round in recent years came earlier in 2023 where he managed a 9 under par 63 at Trevose GC in a Devon & Cornwall PGA Tournament.

Joe's current What's In The Bag? 

Driver: Switch between Ping G430 Max 10K & TaylorMade Qi10 - both with Fujikura Ventus Black 6-X

Fairway wood 1: TaylorMade BRNR Copper Mini Driver - Fujikura Ventus Black 7-X

Fairway wood 2: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke TD 5 Wood - Fujikura Ventus Black 8-X

Irons: TaylorMade P7CB 3-PW with Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts

Wedges: Callaway Opus 50, 54, and 60 degrees - Project X LS 6.0 shafts

Putter: Odyssey Toe Up #9

Ball: TaylorMade 2024 TP5x 

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 60R

Bag: Vessel Player IV Pro DXR Stand

With contributions from