Finding the right irons is key to playing your best golf. If you’re playing clubs that aren’t forgiving enough or shafts that are too heavy, you’re making this challenging sport even more difficult.

Buying irons is a little different from selecting a driver or fairway woods because there are so many variables. From the type of clubhead, whether you want to use long irons, lie angle, and shafts (graphite or steel) will all make a big difference.

This was a big mistake I made earlier in my own career and definitely cost me a lot of money and higher scores. After playing for 20+ years and becoming a scratch golfer, I’ll help you understand what to look for, regardless of skill level.

Today, I’ll help simplify this process so you can buy the right set based on your skill level.

When shopping for irons, you want to consider three main aspects of the club.

Design

The first is the design and type of clubhead. Iron sets for higher handicappers are either hybrid-like irons (part hybrid, part iron) or game improvement irons, which have a bigger clubhead. These clubs are meant for distance, launch, and forgiveness - not playability.

Mid-handicappers will want slightly smaller clubs, as a more compact shape makes it easier to hit to shape shots (e.g., hit a fade or alter trajectory). But they still want some forgiveness on off-center strikes. Lower handicap golfers want the smallest design, as it allows them to hit the most shots and doesn't need much forgiveness.

Set Makeup

Aside from the clubhead, you'll also want to consider the set makeup, which is the type of club in the set. In the past, most iron sets were 3-PW, but now, very few golfers choose a traditional 3 or even 4-iron. Now, most clubs are 4-PW, 4-GW, 5-PW, or 5-GW.

After playing this game for 20+ years, I can say that 90% of golfers should not play many long irons. Opting for a driving iron, hybrid, or lofted fairway wood is the much better option.

Shaft

The final aspect when choosing a set of irons is the shaft. Picking the right material (graphite vs. steel) and weight makes a big difference in your overall flight, distance, and accuracy.

Now, let’s get into the best picks, starting with high handicappers, working our way down to mid and then low handicap irons.

Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Irons - High Handicap Players

Starting off our list is arguably the most forgiving irons in golf. The Cleveland Launcher XL Halo irons are part hybrid, part iron, making them extremely easy to hit and launch high. These are distance irons that work well for beginners, seniors, and less experienced golfers.

The huge, hollow design makes them easy to swing fast, while the mainframe variable face technology helps forgiveness across the face. Even if you catch it on the toe or heel, you won’t notice much of a difference. The clubs transition soles throughout the set, making the longer clubs easier to hit, while the shorter clubs are more for precision.

These hybrid irons come in a 98-gram True Temper XP steel shaft or a 60-gram graphite shaft. The heavier option is better if you have a faster swing, while the lighter graphite one is best for slower swings. They’re ideal if you’re a recreational golfer who wants to have fun, easy-to-hit clubs.

Titleist T400 Irons - Mid to High Handicap Players

If you want a traditional iron design but still a set in the game improvement category, the Titleist T400 is a perfect choice. They are the most forgiving, easy-to-hit irons in their lineup and offer tons of distance with plenty of forgiveness. However, they have a smaller clubhead than a lot of competitors, making them a lot more appealing overall at address.

This Titleist iron is built for golfers with a moderate swing speed who want effortless distance. The stronger lofts will likely add some distance to your average shot, but you’ll still have good stopping power. These irons have up to 100 grams of high-density Tungsten in the heel and toe of the 5-7 iron, making these mid-long irons much easier to hit than similar irons.

The Super Thin-L face also helps maintain ball speed, even if you catch it low on the face - aka catch it thin. They have two stock shaft options - a graphite or steel, with the graphite shaft being high launch, which is ideal for slower swinging golfers. Learn more about the best Titleist irons here.

TaylorMade P790 Irons - Mid-Handicap Players

TaylorMade makes some of my favorite irons, and it's easy to see why they’re played by guys like Tiger, Rory, and countless other professionals. Whether you’re a low, mid, or high handicap, they have tons of great options.

For mid-handicappers, I’d suggest the TaylorMade P790 irons, as they’re slightly larger and more forgiving than the P770 series. Despite a slightly larger design, they are still very aesthetically pleasing and don’t look like some big, clunky distance iron.

Each iron is designed for the right forgiveness, distance, and accuracy. The longer irons have a lower CG (center of gravity) for higher launch. While the shorter irons and wedges are built for more precision. You can also get a heavy graphite shaft or a mid-weight steel based on your average swing speed.

Callaway Apex Pro 24 - Mid to Low Handicap Players

I’m a big fan of Callaway golf gear, as I have the Paradym driver and 3-wood in my bag. Not to mention, I played the previous Callaway Apex Pro 19 irons for several years.

The newest Apex Pro irons are some of the best looking clubs in golf. They have a clean design with a perfect mix of forgiveness and playability. If you’re a mid-handicapper, they can definitely help you hit more greens in regulation and hopefully improve your scores.

First off, they look amazing and keep getting better with every update. This is the first time Callaway has combined a forged face with a forged carbon steel body for incredible feel and high ball speeds across the face. Basically, this means they look and perform well, even if you miss the sweet spot.

Like other sets, the technology changes based on the type of iron you’re hitting. The longer irons are built for distance and forgiveness. While the short irons and wedges are engineered for more control in a smaller design.

What’s great about these Callaway irons is that you can build a combo set as well. If you’re a lower handicap player, you can comb them with the Apex CB or the Apex MB.

Titleist T150 - Mid to Low Handicaps

Another set of Titleist irons I can’t recommend enough is the new T150 series. This is a new lineup of irons in the Titleist series that are more forgiving than the T100, but a smaller design than the T200.

Titleist said this about their newest T150 irons: “T150 is designed for the player who wants the exact precision and feel of T100 with increased speed, distance, and forgiveness.”

This tour iron has a player-refined shape to hit all the shots you want - high, low, left or right, this club is very versatile. It has an optimized topline that inspires confidence, while the slightly larger shape adds just enough forgiveness.

The engineers also improved the Variable Bounce Sole technology to soften the trail edge for better turf interaction. Paired with the extra Tungsten in the head, they’re fast and forgiving in a forged design. Not to mention, there is a huge mix of stock shafts so you can find one that is right for your swing.

Mizuno JPX 923 Tour - Low Handicap Players

Mizuno is no stranger to making great iron sets - especially ones for low handicappers. The Mizuno JPX 923 Tour is the most played iron model in pro golf thanks to its one-piece Grain Flow Forged design. All of these irons are built from one piece of steel in their home base of Hiroshima, Japan.

They’re some of the more expensive clubs on the market, but worth every penny. Mizuno irons are built to last thanks to their incredible production process, and it’s easy to see why Tiger played a similar set before he turned pro.

The JPX 923 Tour has a narrow top line and more rounded trail edge for a clean turf interaction. If you like to shape shots in both directions or hit a lot of knockdown (controlled) shots, these are a top choice. If you need a little more forgiveness but love the look of Mizuno irons, the JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro is an awesome alternative. The longer irons are a lot more forgiving and have a thin clubface for faster ball speeds.

Wilson Staff Model Irons - Low Handicap Players

If you’re an elite amateur with a very consistent swing, it’s hard to beat the blade irons from Wilson. The Staff Model has a clean look but has very minimal forgiveness, so make sure you have the game to back it up.

These irons are precision milled with a fluid feel hosel design. This eliminates extra weight in the hosel for a slightly larger head and wider sole than previous designs. These blade-style irons come in a 3-PW with a heavy steel shaft that faster-swinging golfers will love.

If you want a little extra forgiveness, opt for the Wilson Staff Model CB irons. These irons are easier to hit with slightly stronger lofts, which can help add a few more yards. Don’t worry, they still offer tons of workability too.

Connect with a Golf Expert to Find the Best Irons for Your Game

The right club with the right specs will make a huge difference in your game. Better players need smaller clubs, while beginners and high handicappers need wide sole irons with more forgiveness.

Also, you should consider getting a matching gap or sand wedge. Each complete set comes with a pitching wedge but adding matching wedges can help your short game too.

If you have more questions about finding the right clubs or different configurations, reach out to a Curated Golf Expert today.