Tl;dr: The wrong set of irons can make your life on the golf course exponentially harder, while the right set of irons can help you build confidence and shoot lower scores than ever. Learn how to find the best set of irons as a 10-handicapper.

Are you looking for the best irons if you’re around a 10-handicap golfer? If so, you’re in the right place.

First off, congrats on getting to near single digits. The average male is a 14 handicap, so you’re above average in terms of scoring and hopefully trending down to shoot in the 70s more often.

After playing this crazy game for over two decades, I know how much of an uphill climb it can take to get to this level. One of the biggest mistakes I made in my own journey to become a scratch golfer was playing clubs that didn’t match my swing.

I often let ego cloud my judgment and hold me back from using the right types of irons, so I want to help you avoid that mistake. Keep reading to learn what you should consider when buying irons and the best picks for a 10-handicap golfer so you can hit all the shots on the course.

Best Golf Irons for a 10 Handicap

As a 10-handicap and mid-handicap range, you want to consider a few things when buying irons.

• Type of Iron: The first thing to consider when buying a set of irons is the type - meaning cavity back, muscle back, blade, or game improvement iron. If you’re a mid-handicapper, you likely don’t need game-improvement clubs, as you’ll sacrifice playability, and blades will only make golf harder. If you need a little extra distance, a set of muscle back irons can help too.
• Shafts: The shafts in your irons are nearly as important as the clubs themselves. If you have an average swing speed, chances are you’ll want lightweight steel or heavy graphite shafts. If you’re above average, you’ll want to use steel shafts for the most precision.
• Set makeup: The type of clubs is just as important as the clubs that make up your set. If you’re a mid-handicap golfer, chances are you don’t need more than a 5-iron or possibly a 4-iron if you’re a good ball striker. More often than not, it’s better to have a hybrid or utility iron instead of hard-to-hit long irons. This is why it’s a good idea to buy a set of 4-PW, 4-GW, or even 5-GW if you don’t plan on using a 3 or 4-iron.
• Wedges: You also want to consider adding matching wedges as well. Most sets have a gap wedge you can include, while others have a sand and lob wedge too. Just like it's a good idea to match fairway woods with the same type as your driver, the same goes with wedge to irons.

Now that you have a few things to think about with your set, let’s get into the best irons for a mid-handicap golfer.

1. TaylorMade P770 Irons

The TaylorMade P770 irons are one of the top-rated picks for mid-handicappers thanks to their clean design, distance, and forgiveness. The P770 from 2021 was a bestseller, and the latest versions are even more impressive.

First, they keep the thin topline and less offset than the P790, which are geared toward high handicappers. The compact look should inspire a ton of confidence, especially in shorter clubs.

Second, they have new progressive launch and spin control, which changes the center of gravity for each club in the set. The longer irons are built for easier, higher launch, while the shorter clubs produce a better trajectory and more precision.

These TaylorMade irons also offer Thru-Slot Speed Pocket Technology and Inverted Cone Technology, improving ball speed. Even on mishits, you won’t notice nearly as big of a distance loss, which should make it easier to score every round.

If you want more forgiveness, you should consider the TaylorMade Stealth irons.

2. Titleist T200 Irons

Titleist has a new lineup of irons with the T series, which includes the T400, T350, T200, T150, and T100. For a mid-handicap golfer, the T200 is the best pick, and if you're trending toward single digits, consider the T150. Or, if you're trending the other way, consider the T350, as they're more forgiving with a larger club head design.

They offer the perfect mix of distance with a thin topline that doesn't feel like a distance iron (most are clunky and much bigger). The T200 irons have a re-engineered chassis to create a stiffer structure for better feel and performance on all strikes.

The shape of these irons remains constant from previous models and has less offset than many of their competitors. Paired with the new Variable Bounce Sole, these clubs are faster through the turf (aka better turf interaction), which also helps deliver a more consistent strike.

Additionally, these irons have more tungsten, which shifts the CB for every club in the set. This makes the long irons easier to hit and short irons more accurate and precise.

3. Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Irons

When it comes to irons - regardless of your handicap - Mizuno is hard to beat. They aren’t known for drivers or putters, but their irons are constantly rated as some of the best in the world. Their extensive forging process makes them some of the most reliable clubs, however, they were typically geared toward elite players.

Luckily, over the past decade, they’ve added to their product line new irons that are easier to hit and geared toward mid-handicap golfers. The JPX series has three sets in the lineup including the Hot Metal, Hot Metal Pro, and Hot Metal HL.

The Hot Metal Pro is a more compact shape for elite golfers, while the XL is better for golfers with slower swing speeds. As a mid-handicapper, I think the Hot Metal series is your best bet… Here's why.

The strong loft in each iron makes it easier to hit longer and gain distance. This forgiving speed cavity iron is fine-tuned for better feel and sound, even on mishits on the toe or heel.

These irons use 4335 Nickel Chromoly, which is 20% stronger than previous models and reduces face thickness while improving ball speeds. Not only does it look better, but it performs better than the previous Mizuno JPX iron.

Additionally, they have a white satin brush finish, which is extremely durable and has a non-glare finish.

4. Callaway Apex Pro Irons

The latest Apex irons from Callaway are absolutely phenomenal. I’ve played the previous model (2019) and used them for years. I didn’t switch to the 2021 model, but the 2024 model is their best-looking and highest-performing one yet.

These clubs are a little less forgiving than some of the others on this list, and I would advise only buying these if you’re a solid ball striker. If you’re a 10 handicap now but trending down and have plenty of swing speed, though, these are hard to beat.

So, what makes them such a top pick? First, they’re the only Apex iron to have hollow body construction, which improves feel, dampens sound, and allows for higher ball speeds across the face.

Second, the new Apex Pro 24 iron offers a progressive face design, which makes long irons much easier to hit, while the mid to short irons are more about precision and control. These irons also have Dynamic Sole design with a pre-worn leading edge. This helps the clubs cut through the turf more effectively for better contact on every swing.

The final benefit of these irons is that you can combo them with other Callaway irons. You can add in the Apex CB or the Apex MB if you want even more precision with scoring clubs. Lastly, they have a couple of solid stock shafts in both graphite and steel.

5. Wilson D9 Irons

The final option is the Wilson D9 irons. These are the most affordable set of irons on this list and one of the best deals in golf. Wilson has expanded their product line substantially (check out my guide to the best Wilson irons here), and the D9 is one of the more forgiving models.

The Wilson Staff CB and MB irons look great, but are geared more toward low handicaps and even professional golfers. The D9 is a much more forgiving, easy-to-hit set that should inspire confidence through the bag.

These golf clubs offer a great mix of distance technology to optimize ball speed alongside a more compact shape. They’re some of the most forgiving irons on this list and great if you want to add a few yards with each club in the bag.

These irons are also available in a combo set to replace the longest iron with a rescue club. Not to mention they have graphite and steel shafts, available for RH or LH golfers, and multiple set options. Finding the sweet spot is easy in these cavity back irons.

Let Us Help You!

One of these sets might be just what your game needs to play more consistent golf. If you have more questions about finding the right iron set, make sure to reach out to a Curated Golf Expert today.