Finding the best irons for beginners can be challenging, especially when you’re new to the game.
Golf is a sport that takes plenty of time, dedication, and practice to master- which is why it’s so important to get every bit of help you can, especially if you’re just starting out.
That’s why picking up a great set of beginner irons can really help give you an edge and make the game much more enjoyable.
However, it’s not as easy as walking into your local pro shop and picking out the best-looking set. There’s a lot to consider when choosing which forgiving set of irons is best for you.
We’ve reviewed the best irons for beginners of 2020 and made our top picks available for you along with an additional guide on what to look for when making your selection.
Our Picks for the Best Irons for Beginners in 2020
| Our Top Pick For The Best Irons for Beginners | Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Irons |
| Best Irons for Beginners with Slower Swing Speeds | TaylorMade M4 Irons |
| Best Long Term Irons for Beginners | Mizuno JPX 919 Irons |
| Best Irons for Beginners Seeking Maximum Forgiveness | TaylorMade SIM Max Irons |
| Best Premium Irons for Beginners | Callaway Mavrik Max Irons |
| Best Precision Irons for Beginners | Callaway Rogue Irons |
| Best Irons for Beginners on a Budget | Wilson Staff D7 Irons |
Our Top Pick for Best Irons for Beginners: Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Irons
The “HB” in the Cleveland Launcher HB Iron Set stands for Hybrid. That’s important, because EVERY iron in this set features a hybrid construction. Full-hollow construction provides even better forgiveness than cavity-back irons, which is saying something.
The club face is a high-strength thin steel which delivers faster ball speeds, resulting in more distance, and the HiBore Crown helps to produce better high launch ball flights.
Bottom line is that the Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Irons feel great to hit, and what’s really cool is that the full-hollow hybrid shaping of these irons transitions from the traditional look of hybrids at your long irons down to more of a “typical” look as you approach your short irons.
All around, the Launcher HB Turbo Irons are designed to give you increased accuracy and longer shots – and this set delivers on these promises in a great-looking package.
What’s Included:
- 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 9 Irons
- Driving Wedge
- Sand Wedge
Pros:
- Look and feel fantastic
- Great launch angle
- Accurate and very forgiving
- Competitively priced
Cons:
- Some players may be turned off by the full hybrid concept of this iron set
- Challenging to stop the ball on the green
TaylorMade M4 Irons
TaylorMade usually gets their name in a top spot on what seems like every list out there, but this is for good reason. TaylorMade makes high quality drivers, hybrids, irons, and other quality golf equipment.
The TaylorMade M4 Irons were specifically engineered with a high MOI (moment of inertia) and construction that allows them to distribute mass perfectly – resulting in better ball speeds and increased forgiveness – all of which are perfect for beginners.
These irons are extremely forgiving and fantastic. We recommend them to nearly any golfer regardless of their stage in the game.
What’s Included:
- 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Irons
- Pitching Wedge
- Approach Wedge
Pros:
- Extremely forgiving irons with a huge sweet spot
- Hard to beat consistency and accuracy
- Great-feeling irons
Cons:
- Some golfers may find the gaps between the irons a bit big
- The bottom of these clubs can dull quickly (but you’ll enjoy swinging them so much you probably won’t care!)
Mizuno JPX919 Hot Metal Irons
Mizuno took what everyone loved about their JPX900 Irons and somehow managed to improve upon them in the JPX919 Hot Metal Irons. Using a combination of unique materials and some really slick design, Mizuno came up with a very powerful – yet forgiving – iron set that is also great to look at.
Mizuno claims that players will see an increase of about 5 yards on average compared to their previous irons. Long story short, if you’re looking for a set of irons you can play with for a long time while you continue to develop your skills, you’ll love this set.
What’s Included:
- 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Irons
- Pitching Wedge
- Gap Wedge
Pros:
- The finish looks fantastic
- Great ball speed
Cons:
- More of a traditional iron style construction and feel compared to others on this list
- Shafts not offered in a graphite version (steel only)
- No options for hybrids
TaylorMade SIM Max Irons
TaylorMade set out with the intent to create very forgiving irons when they created the SIM Max line. We’ve got to say- they overachieved their goal!
These wide-soled irons feature oversized heads and some high-level technology (such as ultra-thin club faces and inverted cone designs in the club heads) to bring you a set of irons that feel, look, and even sound fantastic, making them a great set of beginners irons.
What’s Included:
- 4 Iron (depending on package)
- 5 6, 7, 8, and 9 Irons
- Pitching Wedge
- Approach Wedge (depending on package)
- Sand Wedge (depending on package)
Pros:
- Better priced than many competitors in its range
- Oversize head and club face provide better forgiveness
- Slight offset helps to reduce slice
Cons:
- Lacks the feel of traditional irons (although if you’re a beginner this will likely not be an issue)
Callaway Mavrik Max Irons
Callaway calls their Mavrik Max Irons their “easiest to launch” irons, and we’ve got to agree. Callaway used AI to optimize each of the club faces in this iron set for extreme performance. Heck, they even engineered the sound of each club to sound powerful.
These irons feature a larger head with extra offset and a lower center of gravity for better forgiveness. Most beginners and mid-to-high handicappers tend to hit the ball lower on the face of their club – so Callaway went ahead and specifically designed these irons to give more speed when shots are hit there.
What’s Included:
- 4 Iron (depending on set)
- 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Irons
- Pitching Wedge
- Approach Wedge (depending on set)
- Sand Wedge (depending on set)
Pros:
- Designed with forgiveness and a large sweet spot in mind
- These irons feel and sound great
- Each club in the set is capable of producing great ball flight
Cons:
- Higher cost than others on this list, depending on the setup you choose
- Better suited for lower handicapped golfers
Callaway Rogue Irons
The Callaway Rogue Irons are no longer being produced, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pick them up if you can find them. Callaway improved upon their fantastic XR Series Irons with updated tech and better looks with the Rogue Series.
Callaway lowered the lofts in these cavity back irons to help increase distance and promote strong ball flight. These clubs look as great as they feel and sound, and incorporate a progressive offset that results in an easy-to-hit, versatile, and accurate set of irons for beginners and beyond.
What’s Included:
- 4 Iron (depending on set)
- 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 Irons
- Pitching Wedge
- Sand Wedge (depending on set)
- Approach Wedge (depending on set)
Pros:
- Precision and Consistency
- Distance and height in a single club
- Very forgiving
- Great-looking, well-designed irons
Cons:
- Some golfers are finicky about the sound of these irons
- The bottoms can scratch somewhat easily
Wilson Staff D7 Irons
Don’t let the budget name fool you: Wilson’s Staff D7 Irons play great, combining the look of traditional irons with the forgiveness and playability of game improvement irons.
These irons feel great when ball contact is made and are designed to promote the greatest amount of control and forgiveness. The long irons and short irons are specially weighted differently to give players the feel and precision they want, while an ultra thin face provides the distance that players need.
The verdict here is that if you have a mid to high handicap or a slower swing speed – and as a beginner, the chances of both are high – the Wilson Staff D7 Pro Irons are going to match you great without breaking the budget.
What’s Included:
- 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 Irons
- Pitching Wedge
- Gap Wedge
Pros:
- Best value for golfers looking to improve their game
- Excellent quality and looks
- Very forgiving while maintaining ball speed
Cons:
- Stops can be a little challenging due to low spin
Best Irons for Beginners: Buyer’s Guide
There’s a lot to consider when buying golf clubs of any type, and the same can be said when you’re looking for the best irons to improve your game. Don’t worry – we’ve got your back! Take a look at the following guide of what to look for in your new set of irons and you’ll be sure to know everything you need ahead of making your selection.
Why Does Getting The Best Irons For Beginners Matter?
Don’t get us wrong: every club matters. However, consider for a fact that out of the 14 clubs you’re legally allowed to carry, irons account for at least half or more of those clubs. You’ll also make roughly half of your shots with your irons, and you’re going to be using these as you approach the green, so the stakes are high. The question really is, why would you not be concerned about getting max forgiveness from your irons?
What Makes the Best Beginner Set of Irons?
Manufacturers have come up with the term “game improvement irons” as an alternative to forgiving irons, both of which are contrasted by “player irons”. (More on that in a minute.)
For game improvement irons, there are usually a set of specific features you’ll see through most sets, such as cavity backs, clubs featuring an offset hosel, and the omission of the difficult-to-master 3-Iron.
Beginner Irons versus Player (or Pro) Irons
Game improvement irons are typically geared toward mid and high handicap golfers, as these players struggle to hit the sweet spot consistently. To remedy that, game improvement irons feature a larger club head, more perimeter weighting, and additional technology to provide maximum forgiveness and the biggest sweet spots possible.
The downside of game improvement irons is that you’re going to sacrifice shot control and feedback when compared to pro irons. Feedback is very important to experienced players, as it helps them determine instantly if they had a good hit or not.
Pro irons (also called player irons) give excellent control, but offer a very small sweet spot. This results in very unforgiving performance, which is why we only recommend them for the most experienced players.
Forged Irons vs Cast Irons
Forged irons are made out of a single piece of material and provide great feel and control, and are more expensive. You’ll typically find cast irons in more budget-friendly and forgiving irons sets, as they blend iron and other metals and are poured into a mold during the manufacturing process.
Hybrid Clubs- What Are They and Who Should Use Them?
Hybrids blur the line between fairway woods and irons, giving you excellent distance and performance with the shorter game that irons can offer. Hybrids (in our opinion) are a great addition to your bag and can bring great performance and versatility to your game. This is ultimately a personal decision. Many manufacturers (including our top picks for most forgiving irons) also offer hybrids in the same series of clubs to complement their sets. Take a look, stop by your local shop and swing a few – chances are you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Blade Irons (or Muscleback Irons) versus Cavity Back Irons
Blade Irons (also called Muscleback Irons) are commonly found in Player or Pro sets, as they offer a very small sweet spot and increased control.
Cavity back irons have a hollow (or cavity) in the back that allows their weight to shift to the bottom of the club, giving them a lower center of gravity. This results in a bigger sweet spot, which means more forgiveness on mishits – this is what you want! Most game improvement irons are cavity backs.
Iron Sole Width – It Matters!
A wider-soled iron has a lower center of gravity, allowing more weight to get behind and under your ball on shots. This results in a better ball flight – even if you’re a bit off the center of the sweet spot.
The sole also helps if you happen to hit the ground before the ball, as the extra weight actually bounces off the ground instead of making a divot like a blade iron or thin sole might. Wide soles are also better for hitting off of more types of surfaces – and if you’re a beginner or high-handicapper, chances are you’ll be playing from a wide variety of them (roughs, sandtraps, and hard-pan alike).
Steel Shaft Irons versus Graphite Shaft Irons
You’ll commonly see steel shafts available and standard as opposed to graphite shafts.
Steel shafts are cheaper, yet provide the strength and flexibility that can work well with many different swing speeds.
Pros of Steel Shafts:
- Consistency
- Durability
- Stiffness (leads to better control and accuracy)
- Lower cost
Graphite shafts are lighter (up to 50% lighter!) than steel shafts, which allow players with lower swing speeds to get higher clubhead speeds, resulting in longer shots. Graphite shafts are also more flexible, lending additional assistance to those longer shots.
Graphite shafts also have better vibration dampening, providing an improved overall feel and playability compared to steel shafts. This all comes with a catch however, as graphite shafts are more expensive.
Pros of Graphite Shafts:
- Lower weight
- Increased flexibility
- Better performance for players with slower swing speeds
- Better feel and less vibration than steel shafts
The bottom line: if you’re not a mid- to low-handicapper and your budget allows, go for the graphite shafts when selecting the most forgiving irons – they’ll help you increase your distance.
Shaft Flex
Shaft flex refers to the ability of a golf shaft to bend during your golf swing. This is important to you because selecting the right flex can positively improve your game!
To choose the proper flex you’ll need to know either your swing speed or your average driving distance. If you don’t have access to a launch monitor or data from a club fitting, don’t worry – this calculation is pretty easy.
To calculate your swing speed without a launch monitor, simply take your average driving distance (either estimated from your practice sessions at a driving range, or more specific using a rangefinder), and divide that by 2.3.
Swing Speed = Average Driving Distance / 2.3
Using your swing speed, refer to the following shaft flex recommendations below to find your best bet.
- X Flex (Extra Stiff) – Swing speed 110 mph or higher, or a driver carry distance 270 yards or more
- S Flex (Stiff Flex) – Swing speeds from 95 mph to 110 mph, or a driver carry distance ranging from 240 yards to 270 yards
- R Flex (Regular Flex) – Swing speeds from 85 mph to 95 mph, or a driver carry distance ranging from 200 yards to 240 yards
- A or M Flex (Amature or Mature/Senior Flex) – Swing speeds from 75 mph to 85 mph, or a driver carry distance ranging from 180 to 200 yards
- L Flex (Ladies Flex) – Swing speeds 75 mph or lower, or a driver carry distance 180 yards or less
Again, these are recommendations and not a hard and fast rule, so be sure to experiment with different flex shafts when making your selection if you haven’t before.
Offset Club Head Design
Offset clubs position the neck – or hosel – of the club slightly in front of the club head, which moves the center of gravity of your clubhead back. This increases the height of your shots, which is a big benefit for golfers who struggle with getting their ball up in the air consistently. It also encourages a draw, which is helpful for mid to high handicappers.
You’ll find that most of the best forgiving irons sets have offset hosel designs, and we recommend this design style for nearly all golfers who are looking for max forgiveness.
Wedge Selection
Nearly all of the best forgiving irons we reviewed included a pitching wedge, and some will even include a gap wedge, approach wedge, or sand wedge.
If you’re serious about improving your game and your selected set offers different packages, choose the expanded versions that offer the expanded wedges if your budget allows for it.
This will ensure you’ve got a wide arsenal at your disposal when facing different types of shots, and the practice you’ll get from these different wedges will make you a better player over time.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Best Irons for Beginners
When Should I Buy New Irons?
There’s a suggestion commonly floating around in the golf world that amateur and casual players should replace their clubs every two to three years, but that’s probably overkill unless you’re leveling up at a very fast rate (or abusing your clubs).
We find it’s best to replace your clubs when your skill level has outgrown your clubs or if your existing set is damaged. But don’t let that be the only thing stopping you – if you’ve got a wad of cash burning a hole in your pocket, or having some shiny new irons will get you on the course more often, then go for it!
What Should I Avoid When Looking for The Best Beginner’s Irons?
Look out for (and steer clear of) the following characteristics when selecting your new set of beginner irons:
- Any set that has “Tour”, “Pro”, or “Tour Preferred” in the name
- These irons are geared toward professional and low handicap golfers, and require a very precise swing and have a very small sweet spot.
- Blade Irons
- As we covered earlier, blade irons are very unforgiving. Choose these only if you absolutely feel you must.
- Heavy-shafted Irons
- Unless you’ve got a screaming-fast swing, lean towards lighter shafts such as graphite when choosing your set.
- Forged Irons
- You can probably get away with using forged irons, just understand that they’re not going to provide as much forgiveness as cavity backs.
How Many Irons are In a Set of Golf Clubs?
Most modern irons sets include an average of 7 clubs. With the rising popularity of hybrids, you’ll see most sets of irons starting at the 4 or 5-Iron, including a Pitching Wedge. (So in a common set, the 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9-Irons + Pitching Wedge = 7 Clubs).
You’ll see some sets swap out the 4-Iron to include a Gap Wedge, Approach Wedge, or even a Sand Wedge in some cases.
If your existing set or future plans include hybrids, we’d recommend choosing a set that excludes the 4-Iron in favor of a specialty wedge like one listed above.
Which Set of Irons is Easiest to Hit?
Our top pick for most forgiving irons are the Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Irons. Their hybrid design and all the technology they pack results in a very easy to pick up set of irons that will give you a huge sweet spot and the ability to consistently get the ball up in the air with improved levels of control.
If your goal is to hit straighter, higher, farther shots, there’s no better option than the Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Irons, period.
Do I Need Covers for my Irons and Wedges?
You’ll notice that most manufacturers don’t include club head covers with modern irons sets.
Whether or not to use club head covers for your irons really comes down to personal preference and budget. Some golfers don’t like the sound of clubs clanging around in their bag and use covers to stop it, while others love to protect their shiny new clubs from scratching or chipping. Heck, some golfers just like the look of a full bag of club covers.
Alternatively, iron covers are an added expense and can slow down your pace of play. Just be sure to wipe down and dry your irons after each round – this will keep them in great shape for years to come.
Wrapping Up the Best Beginners Irons of 2020 Reviews and Buyer’s Guide
We hope our reviews and guide will serve you well in your selection process for the best irons for beginners. Keeping your personal preferences, playing style, and swing speed in mind while measuring against our selections will ensure you find the best possible irons to improve your game.
Looking for a full set of clubs rather than just irons? Be sure to check out our reviews of the best golf clubs for beginners and our guide to the best golf balls for beginners while you’re here!
Want to know what to steer clear of? Read through our guide of the worst golf club brands and what to avoid.