Best Irons for Beginners and High Handicappers

Are you looking for the best irons for beginners or the best irons for high handicappers?

As you probably know in your golf journey, this crazy, yet incredibly rewarding game isn’t easy. But if you’re playing the wrong clubs, especially the wrong irons, you’re making golf much harder on yourself.

Here’s the thing, at this point, you know you can play golf. Maybe it’s not always perfect, but as they say, “There aren’t any pictures on the scorecard.”

Maybe you’re getting better, little by little, round by round. If it wasn’t for that long winter layoff, or the aerated greens, or the cement sand traps, or, well, the dozen other events that happen during a round, you would be winning tournaments on TV (well, almost).

Of course, consistent practice would help but, who has time for that with a job, family, and busy life? Plus, you might not want to spend money on lessons with no guarantee of actually improving your game.

So what’s the answer? Well of course, it’s having the right golf clubs!!

Our Picks for Best Irons for Beginners and High Handicappers

1. Cleveland Launcher XL Irons (Best All-Around Irons for a High Handicap)
2. Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Irons (Easiest Golf Irons to Hit)
3. Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Irons
4. TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Irons
5. Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal Irons (Best Irons for a High Handicap trending Down)
6. Cobra F-Max Airspeed Irons (Best Value Irons for High Handicaps)
7. Callaway Strata Golf Set (Best Complete Iron Set for Beginners)
8. Wilson Golf SGI Set

Take advantage of all the new updates that golf club manufacturers make. Keep it simple and buy the right clubs for your game. In 2023, they make different clubs for every age group, men, women, and every skill level from beginner to professional. 

Yet, so many golfers play clubs for pros instead of amateurs, thus, making the game 100X harder. As you can imagine, the best irons for a beginner golfer look and play much differently from the irons that a professional player uses. 

Finding the Best Beginner Golf Clubs

While you might agree with everything I’ve said so far, it’s still a crapshoot out there. Now, there are so many clubs to choose from that sometimes it feels like you need a golf degree to figure it all out. With so much golf jargon like “MOI“, “speed pocket” and “360 face cup technology,” it’s hard to pick the right high handicap irons.

Here’s the thing, while the best irons for beginners and the best irons for the high handicappers have most of the same game improvement features, even they can be somewhat different.  So, to put a little focus on all of this and help make your decision easier, here’s a quick primer on golf club basics, and a list of the top irons for beginners and high handicappers. 

Before moving ahead, forget any skill level designations and give some thought to what properties in a club would improve your game the most. Beginners usually struggle with getting the ball in the air, while high handicappers may need more distance and precision from their iron play. 

Think about the usual outcome of your iron shots. If the ball rarely gets high in the air, runs along the ground, or takes off in a line drive fashion with the shorter irons, look for clubs designed to help beginners. 

If, however, you make good contact with your irons, are just missing the greens, or frequently coming up a little short, consider clubs that target mid handicappers.

So without further ado, here are the best game improvement irons for beginners and high handicappers.

Best Irons for Beginners and High Handicappers

1. Cleveland Launcher XL Irons – Best Golf Irons for High Handicappers

These are great irons for high handicappers as they adjust the look and feel based on the type of iron. The long irons are hollow and much more forgiving. While the mid to short irons are more precise and have a slightly smaller cavity. Both are forgiving but catered to the specific shots as most golfers struggle with long irons. 

The longer irons also have wider, flatter grooves while the 8-DW have more closed space, deeper grooves to help with spin. Paired with a V-shape sole that changes as the set progresses, mishits have never been better! 

Another reason the Launcher XL Irons are great for beginners is because they have an XL head design. In fact, they are the biggest ever from Cleveland, making them the easiest to hit game improvement iron. As they said on their website, “It’s maximum distance with maximum fun.” 

Taking a page out of Callaway’s book, these irons were also designed using A.I. technology. The new “Mainframe” design helps deliver more ball speed while also improving forgiveness across the clubface. 

Additionally, you can always “Accuracy Build” your clubs through Cleveland as well. This makes them one inch shorter and doesn’t offer their “Counterbalance” to improve accuracy. 

Cleveland offers two shaft options with these easy to hit irons:

• Project X Catalyst Graphite Shaft: These are mid-launch, mid-spinning irons that are available in R, S, or S flex. 
• True Temper Elevate 95 Gram Steel Shaft: The other option is steel shaft from True Temper. The Elevate series is designed to increase launch and is available in R or S flex. I switched to these from a heavier, Dynamic Gold and can say 100% they help increase launch.

Overall, these are a great iron set for high handicappers and don’t break the bank either. 

PROS

• Two stock shaft options. 
• Lightweight, easy to hit irons. 
• Iron soles changed based on the type of iron to maximize performance.
• Can accuracy build which makes the irons shorter for more control. 

CONS

• No hybrids or combo sets.
• A good amount of offset in the longer irons might not visually appeal to all players. 

You can order the Cleveland Launcher XL here or here.

2. Cleveland Launcher XL Halo – Best Irons for Beginners

Think of this as selection #1B instead of #2 on our list.

If you’re looking for maximum forgiveness, then you’ll love the Cleveland Launcher XL Halo set. Unlike the original Launcher irons, these are more of a hybrid set than traditional irons. They are much larger, easier to hit, and all about distance!

Known as a hybrid performance iron, these clubs have a large head design. The look of the irons don’t change either, all of them (long or short) offer hollow construction for maximum distance. 

While the cavity design doesn’t change with these irons, the sole does adjust from long to short irons. The Glide rail in the long irons morphs into a V-shape sole for the short irons. Then, a 3-tiered sole for the wedges. This adds extra feel in the shorter clubs to help with feel from close range.

The irons also come with Action Mass CB weighting in the grip. This is an extra eight gram weight inside the end of the grip that helps increase control on every shot. 

The Launcher XL Halo irons also have two great stock shaft options to choose from. The True Temper XP steel shaft for mid to high launch is available in R or S flex. While the lighter, graphite shaft is the Project X Cypher option that is available in A, R, or S flex. This is a high launch, high spinning shaft that compliments these irons perfectly. 

These also offer loft specific grooves and accuracy build options as well. 

PROS

• Graphite or steel shafts available.
• Accuracy build option for max control.
• Loft specific grooves to help scoring clubs.
• Mainframe technology helps improve forgiveness.
• Sole design changes with irons to maximize performance. 

CONS

• XL head design might be too large for more experienced players. 

Order your Launcher XL Halo irons here or here.

3. Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Irons

The new Callaway Rogue ST Max OS irons look great! Despite being a game improvement iron, they won’t stick out in your bag making you look like you need some extra help from your clubs.

These irons already made the Golf Digest Gold Hot List in 2022 thanks to their high launch and easy to hit wide soles. They have a thicker topline than the Rogue ST Max, wider soles, and more offset to make them easy to hit. For mid to high handicap golfers, these are a great option to make your mid-game a lot more consistent.

Thanks to the new 450 steel (using AI technology), they deliver more speed and consistency than ever. The AI face optimization also helps create more consistent spin rates, so your shots are more likely to hold the green. 

But the biggest upgrade from the Mavrik irons is the 49 grams of high-density tungsten. This is a 188% increase that helps improve launch and maximize speed. The result is a high-flying, soft landing iron to give yourself more birdie putts than ever.  

You also get a wide selection of shaft to choose from as well:

• Project X Cypher Black: The lightest of the shafts offered (50 grams) offer a low kick point which means it’s the highest launching. Only available in lite flex. 
• Mitsubishi Tensei AV Blue: These graphite shafts are available in 65 or 75 gram options. The lighter option is a mid-torque, mid-launching shaft while the 75 gram is a lower torque and only available in stiff. 
• True Temper Elevate MPH 85 Steel: This final option is great if you prefer steel vs. graphite but still made to help you launch any iron high. Available in regular or stiff flex. 

PROS

• Easy to hit and very forgiving.
• Decently priced for a full set of new, oversized irons. 
• High quality stock steel and graphite shaft options to match any player’s swing. 

CONS

• Heavy compared to the Rogue ST Max OS Lite.  
• Thick topline but that is to be expected from game improvement irons. 

These irons are a great upgrade for any player who wants as much help in their long game as possible. Thanks to wide soles and offset design, these clubs get the ball up high from the fairway, rough or tee. Both great attributes for beginner and high handicap golfers.

You can order your Rogue ST Max OS Irons here or here.

4. TaylorMade Sim 2 Max Irons

2020 was the year of the SIM Max woods and irons, so 2021 is the year of the SIM Max 2 irons and woods. Aesthetically, these irons got a nice upgrade and have less of a cavity back but still provide tons of forgiveness. 

While they have a lot of similarities to the previous model, they also have some nice upgrades too. One of them is the emphasis on a neutral ball flight and they also help the right misses too. Not to mention, they’re priced very well among others on this list, especially if you opt for steel shafts as well. 

PROS

• Extremely high launching. If you struggle to get your irons to hold the greens, you’ll love the Sim2 Max irons. Thanks to an optimized CG design, you’ll get longer carry and more stopping power thanks to a higher launch pattern.
• Two high quality shaft selections. If you want steel, you can get the KBS Max 85 MT shaft and for graphite, you get the Fujikura Ventus blue shafts. Both options come standard with Crossline 360 grips. 
• New Cap Back Design makes these super game improvement irons easier to hit than ever before. Not only do they help with forgiveness but also increased feel and distance as well. This technology has also helped yield a better sound with each iron as well. 
• Thru Slot technology. This is the same technology that is used in their SIM drivers and helps golfers hit much better shots with mishits. These irons have a sweet spot that covers the most common impact points for higher handicap players for ultimate consistency.  
• ECHO Damping System. This is the biggest change from the SIM Max irons of 2020. The irons are more fully enclosed but still help with unwanted vibrations and allow for maximum forgiveness on mishits. This makes them look more like a mid handicap iron instead of a higher handicap, game improvement iron. Plus, they feel better when you hit it in the sweet spot. 
• Combo set available. You can pair these amazing irons with a few hybrids to make your club seven more forgiving. Available in 3, 4, and 5 rescue clubs (19-22-25 degrees) which are the same as the irons. 

CONS

• Sticking the tradition of 2020, these lofts are incredibly strong. For example a PW is 43.5 (standard is 46) so you might need to adjust your wedges to gap accordingly. 

Click here to learn more about the SIM 2 Max irons or you can find more here. 

SIM 2 Max OS Irons & Combo Set 

Let’s not forget about the SIM 2 MAX OS combo irons as well. As TaylorMade said on their website, “SIM2 Max OS is the longest and most stable iron in the TaylorMade family, delivering incredible distance and forgiveness.”

Not to mention, the set is also available in iron and combo sets with several hybrids to replace those pesky long irons. The face is more oversized and launch is designed to help players hit it even higher. So even if you have a slower swing speed, you’ll still be able to get the ball high and stop it quickly.

But the hybrids are what separate it from most iron sets. You can replace your 3, 4 or 5 iron with a hybrid of the same loft. Each hybrid has an ultra-strong c300 steel face with twist face technology. This means straighter shots on off center hits and more distance than a long iron.  

The only downside is that this combo set isn’t available for left-handed players and only offered in a senior flex. But if you played the SIM irons in the past and want some extra forgiveness and hybrids, this is an awesome option. 

Click here to purchase the OS version of the SIM 2 Max irons or you can pick up a set here.

5. Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal Irons

When it comes to irons, one of the best looking brands on the market is Mizuno. The only problem is that they’re normally geared toward lower handicap golfers. But over the past few years, they’ve expanded their product line to make some amazing irons for beginners too. 

The one downside to so many beginner irons is their appearance. So many are massive in size compared to allow maximum forgiveness but aren’t the best to look at. 

Luckily, Mizuno created the JPX 921 Hot Metal irons, giving you the best of both worlds. Not only do they look great but they’re designed for the high handicap player as well. They even made the Golf Digest Hot List award! 

These third generation clubs are absolutely gorgeous and extremely forgiving. As Mizuno said on their website, “The JPX921 Hot Metal irons pair Mizuno’s fastest ever ball speeds with a piercingly straight ball-flight and controllable landing angles.”

Here’s why they made our list for 2022.  

PROS

• Pearl brush finish. Much less glare than previous models. Not only do they look great, they sound and feel great thanks to harmonic impact technology. It’s hard to argue how great any irons look from Mizuno. 
• Thinner face using Chromoly technology to push distance and forgiveness to the limit. Since this is their third iteration of irons using this technology, each design gets better and better. In this case, it means more ball speed and more distance with each club in the bag. 
• Sturdy stability frame. With extreme perimeter weighting on the heel and toe, your off center hits just got a lot better. It’s nice to see Mizuno create more forgiving irons for the everyday player. 
• Seamless cup face design. This new design means a thinner top line without giving up any forgiveness. 
• Three models available. Hot metal (most forgiving), forged (more compact design), and tour version (for lower handicap golfers). 

CONS

• No hybrid mixed set available at this time.
• Not as forgiving as some irons on this list. Nor do they have the distance of some as well. Higher handicap golfers should opt for the hot metal while mid-handicappers should check out the forged option instead. 

Click here or here to learn more about the 921 Hot Metals. 

Note: If you are trying to save a few dollars, it may still be possible to find the 919 Hot Metals. You can read our full review of the 919 hot metals here.

Note 2: Mizuno just released the new Mizuno Pro irons. These are definitely player’s irons. However, it is possible the Mizuno Pro 225 might be used by a improving player that would currently be using the JPX 921 Hot metals. Go here to read our hands on review of the Mizuno pros.

6. Cobra F-MAX Airspeed Combo Irons

If you’re looking for a club with a light feel that swings easy, consider the Cobra F-Max Airspeed combo irons. These are some of the best irons for high handicapper golfers.

The F-MAX Airspeed Combo Set features Cobra’s lightest hybrids and irons that are designed to help golfers with moderate swing speeds swing faster, easier. As with any max game improvement iron, they get the ball up quickly, forgive mishits, and send the ball far enough to satisfy even the most distance challenged players. 

To do this, Cobra employs a low profile design that moves the center of gravity to the bottom and back of the clubhead. Plus, the shaft material with these clubs is graphite options only, making them a top beginner’s choice.

A deep undercut cavity provides flex that creates good ball speed across the entire face. As with many of their prior offerings, Cobra employs an offset head to help players minimize their slice.

PROS

• Players on a budget will appreciate the reasonable sticker price.
• The Cobra offset head helps take the edge of a slice or hook (see the cons section).
• The hybrids have high launch and are easier to hit than most of the competitors.
• The shorter irons fly straight, launch high, and land soft.
• The low center of gravity yields plenty of forgiveness on left to right and fat to thin mishits.
• The F-Max irons sport good looks throughout.
• Contact, even on mishits, feels solid and they provide a fair amount of feedback that isn’t usually associated with max-game-improvement irons.

CONS

• Shaft material makes it easy to improve your golf swing and increase your ball speed.
• The lighter overall design that makes them easy to swing on the fairway, works against them out of deep rough or hit from bad lies.
• While easy to hit, and launch the ball nicely, the long irons tend to fly low and long.
• Cobra built these clubs to help golfers with the dreaded slice. Players that hit the ball straight will find an unintended draw bias on some shots.

While Cobra doesn’t have the brand share of Taylormade or Callaway, they are very high-quality clubs that all beginners can benefit from. As a combination set of hybrids and irons, you can buy them as you want to make them some of the best golf irons for high handicapper.

Plus, these game improvement clubs are a lot cheaper than the models before it. With such a good price point, these are effective irons that fit almost any range of budgets.

Buy the new Cobra F-Max irons here.

7. Callaway Men’s Strata Ultimate Complete Golf Set

If you’re brand new to the game and don’t even have a golf bag or anything, invest in this complete whole set from Callaway. The Strata Ultimate is high quality and designed with ultimate distance and performance in mind using modernized golf technology to cover you from tee to green.

This beginner golf club set is made for beginners who are just learning how to play this great game. The set has everything you need and includes driver, 3 wood, 4 & 5 hybrid, 6 – 9 Iron, PW, SW, Putter, stand bag and four headcovers.

PROS

• Full titanium driver gives you a large sweet spot and more forgiveness to bomb it off the tee.
• A very forgiving 3-wood that is built to hit long, high flying shots in more aerodynamic head shape.
• The set comes with two hybrids to help beginners hit from the rough and not have to deal with the stress of hitting long irons.
• High flight technology and lightweight shaft in the irons and wedges provide distance, forgiveness, and control from stainless steel irons.

CONS

• Minimal technology as they’re a very low-priced set that is easy to use.
• Can’t tweak the woods or hybrids to achieve as much control which hurts performance.
• Great beginner clubs, but if you can break 100, invest in a set that you can grow into from the ones mentioned above.

This is one of the best beginner golf sets made by a brand that is constantly creating the best for beginners to PGA Tour pros. At such a low price, you can grab this beginner set that also comes with a bag to help you get started. Make sure to read our full review of the Callaway Strata Golf set.

8. Wilson Golf Profile SGI Men’s Complete Golf Set

The Wilson Profile  SGI complete golf set is the only “Custom fit in a box” system in the world. It features thirteen options — with various lengths, lofts, flexes, bags, and grip sizes so you have a ton of options based on your size.

Men’s Tall Version: Height: 73 to 77 inches / 6’1” to 6’5” / 185 to 196 cm. The fingertip to ground measurement: 30.5 to 32.25 inches / 77 to 82 cm.

Men’s Standard Version – Height: 65 to 73 inches / 5’5” to 6’1” / 165 to 185 cm. The fingertip to ground measurement: 26.5 to 30.5 inches / 67 to 77 cm.

Here are what’s included in each set: 10.5° driver with graphite shaft, #5 fairway wood with graphite shaft, #5 hybrid, irons: 6, 7, 8, 9, pitching wedge, sand wedge, putter, carry bag and three headcovers.

PROS

• Low-cost option.
• Extreme forgiveness and increased performance.
• Exceptional launch and distance making them good beginner clubs.
• Men’s standard and men’s tall versions available. Also available in a women’s, senior, and teen version.
• Lightweight, premium Carry bag features Air Flow™ adjustable shoulder straps, rugged handle top, numerous pockets and self-activating stand
• “Easy Launch” ™ Sand Wedge features very low weighting and a wide sole for better greenside control and improved shotmaking.

CONS

• No 3 wood, only two woods in this set.
• Only one bag color choice but does come with a stand if you prefer walking instead of riding.

FAQs: Best Golf Clubs for High Handicappers

I’m a beginner, what should I look for in a set of irons?

The main things to evaluate are forgiveness and distance. If you look at most amateurs, they struggle to hit off the fairway because the clubs aren’t forgiving enough.

Plus, they almost always end up short of the green. Golf club designers realize this and intentionally build most of the trouble (ex. hazards, water, deep rough) short of the greens.

Some of the best golf irons for beginners will help you get the ball in the air, curb any slice you might have thanks to an offset design, and provide reasonable, and consistent distance from club to club. Plus, they will also forgive slight to moderate mishits making your bad shots still playable to improve accuracy. 

Also, look to buy starter golf clubs with oversized heads. You may want to look at a full set of clubs that includes irons, woods, wedges, and a putter. With any beginner clubs, the larger clubhead will promote confidence, (a good feeling for any golfer) when you look down at the ball. As you progress in your golfing journey, you will most likely evolve to a smaller clubhead and different shaft options as your swing will likely improve.

I’m a high handicapper, what should I look for in a set of irons?

If you’ve progressed from a new golfer that isn’t whiffing it anymore and consider yourself a high handicapper, first off, congrats. Now is where golf gets really fun as you can start improving which tends to make the game addicting (in a good way, of course).

While you’re not ready for your first set of “player’s irons,” you will probably want something with more feel and better feedback, clubs that still offer a solid level of forgiveness, but maybe a little less automatic. 

Most manufacturers brand these clubs as “game improvement irons” or “super game improvement irons” depending on the manufacturer. Consider a set that has more traditional sized heads that still incorporate game improvement technologies.

Should I get the three, four, and five irons, or the hybrids?

I’m going to give you a brutally honest answer here. If you can’t break 90, don’t even think about having a 3-5 iron in your bag. In fact, we’ve got a full post on do you still need a 4 iron. Most golfers lack the power, swing, and higher ball speeds to hit these clubs. Instead, learn the ropes first before choosing the hardest clubs to hit.

So many golfers make the game harder by trying to hit clubs that pros even find the most challenging.

Opt to use hybrids for a huge increase in distance and forgiveness. Hybrids go further than corresponding irons. These clubs will help your shots get closer to the green and allow you to get the ball up and down more often.

Hybrid golf clubs, a.k.a. “Trouble Woods” combine the best features of irons and fairway woods. They have the same length shafts, but more loft than their iron counterparts, which in turn, increases the forgiveness.

Hybrids have the feel of an iron, but a compact fairway-wood-like-head that yields the distance of a fairway wood. Hybrids also work well out of deep grass and fairway bunkers.

Almost every club maker today offers a hybrid substitution for the three, four, and five irons. Even most mid-handicappers use hybrids, and you should too. For a complete rundown of the best hybrids on the market, check out our roundup of the best hybrids on the market right now.

What about gap and sand wedges?

Unless you already have a gap and sand wedge that you love, it makes sense to get both with the set. Because many beginners tend to opt for wedges that look good (like the Titleist Vokey) but aren’t good enough to play them. Instead, you want to play wedges that are similar to your high handicap golf clubs and keep things easy around the green.

While hybrids and fairway woods are important, wedges are more important as you tend to use them much more often during a round. Remember, a gap wedge fills in the yardage gap between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge. 

A sand wedge is more lofted than your gap wedge and is used for hitting shots from the sand and around the green. A lob wedge is something you almost always have to buy separately.

For example, most beginner golfers hit their pitching wedge around 100 yards. A gap wedge would normally go around 85-90 yards and a sand wedge between 70 and 80 yards. You will also find the gap wedge invaluable on pitch shots where a sand wedge won’t quite reach or long bunker shots.

While many players think of the sand wedge as a specialty club that should be purchased separately, almost every manufacturer makes top-notch sand wedges nowadays. The matching sand wedge will give you better performance from the fairway, and of course, help you get the ball off the beach. Also don’t forget the shaft material and use one that similar to your iron set.

Keep in mind though, not all sets have a matching sand wedge and almost none have a lob wedge. If you find yourself in this situation, let us recommend the Cleveland CBX 2 wedges.

If you really want to improve your short game and lower your handicap, check out our guide to wedge selection for beginners and high handicaps.

Should I get graphite or steel shafts?

Assuming you’re not a scratch player who stumbled upon this article, I can safely say that you want to play graphite shafts as a beginner. They will help improve your accuracy, control, and overall performance with irons.

In general, most professionals and low handicappers prefer steel shafts, and beginner golfers and high handicappers benefit much more from graphite shafts. Steel-shafted clubs send more vibrations up the shaft to the hands so any mishit, especially in cold weather, you will feel in a less than fun way.

Skilled players use this feedback to analyze their contact. Also, the stiffer shaft provides more control.

Players, who swing too fast, also benefit as the heavier weight of steel-shafts, tend to reduce swing speeds and lead to a smoother and more consistent swing. The shaft material plays a big part in the overall performance so don’t skip this step.

The lighter graphite shafts result in about a 4 M.P.H. increase in swing speed and ten more yards of distance. Graphite shafts flex more than steel shafts, and the extra “whip” they provide can also add a few more yards. 

While a player with a well-grooved swing will appreciate this, it also exaggerates a poor swing and could affect accuracy. Graphite shafts typically cost 15 – 20 percent more than steel shafts. Most buyers automatically think that graphite shafts play better because they cost more. 

Let your swing speed determine your choice and don’t be afraid to spend less. The choice comes down to what works best for you. Sometimes ten extra yards are ten yards further into the woods. Make sure to read our full article on graphite vs steel shafts.

What shaft flex is right for my game?

Here’s a quick rundown on club flex that manufacturers recommend based on swing speed. First, to determine your swing speed, divide your average driving distance by 2.3. 

A player that hits the ball 230 yards, for example, has a swing speed of 100 M.P.H. (230/2.3). A player that drives the ball 180 yards off the tee has a swing speed of about 78 M.P.H. and so on.

Once you’ve calculated your average swing speed, consider the following based on driving swing speed and distance:

The Simple Guide to Selecting the Right Shaft

The great question for most players; regular or stiff flex?

Here’s a quick guide for the ball speed and distance needed for each shaft to help you understand how to pick the right irons to help you achieve the best results.

• X Flex (Extra Stiff) – For swings of 110 mph or higher and a driver carry distance around 270 yards
• S Flex (Stiff Flex) – For swings of 95 to 110 mph and driver carry distance between 240 to 270 yards
• R Flex (Regular) – For swing speeds of 85 to 95 mph which should carry a driver from 200 to 240 yards. Ideal to use for beginners.
• A or M Flex (Amateur or Senior) – For swing speeds of 75 to 85 mph and a driving distance between 180 to 200 yards.
• L Flex (Ladies) – For swing speeds of 75 mph and below with average driver distance less than 180

Don’t think of these numbers as something that is set in stone, but more of a general guide to point you in the right direction.  For a deeper dive, head over to our full article on stiff vs regular flex shafts.

Swing tempo and the quality of your swing also play a big role in choosing a shaft flex. 

(Shafts are important for every golfer, but especially for seniors. Here are some of the best senior irons on the market with shafts made for seniors.)

What are irons made of?

With so much technology, each new set of irons has different materials and technology but most are made of steel. A lot of them are forged, some are twice as heavy as others, some have carbon fiber and others have Tungsten weighting.

How many irons are in a set of clubs?

Back in the day, a standard set of clubs was 3-PW. But now, golfers aren’t using long irons nearly as much so the sets have changed to include hybrids.

Instead, some clubs now come standard with adjustable hybrids instead of 3-6 irons as they are a lot easier to hit. Switching to hybrids doesn’t just usually improve your game but also helps give you confidence. With effortless launch, they are much more likely to get near the green and reduce the skulls and chunk shots that sabotage confidence.

What is the easiest iron to hit?

With all the irons reviewed in this post, the iron that seems the easiest to hit is Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo irons. They deliver maximum forgiveness and a higher trajectory than every other club out there. They completely eliminate hard to hit long irons making them one of the best golf club sets for beginners.

These game improvement clubs will help you higher, straighter, and farther than any other club out there. Definitely some of the best golf clubs for beginners!

Buy the Launcher Irons today.

After reading all of this, I’m sure you are exhausted. Below is a quick infographic to summarize:

Final Thoughts

As you can tell, each golf iron set is very different from one and another with plenty of selections for beginners. Some are more hybrids than irons, forgiving irons, and some are complete golf sets for beginners.

Our Choice: Iron Sets for an Absolute Beginner

If you’re a brand new player that isn’t breaking 100 yet, I would suggest the beginners golf clubs from Wilson or Callaway. Many beginners will benefit from the control and ease of use, plus they are very low cost. Personally, I think the Callaway Strata is the best beginner golf set for 2022. You would be surprised at how much you can get selling your old golf clubs, after you improve you can always move up to the next level of irons without a gigantic financial hit.

Our Choice: Best Irons for High Handicap

Most high handicappers would be well served with the Cleveland Launcher XL irons. The launcher XL still looks like an iron and gives you a tremendous amount of forgiveness. If you are simply looking for the easiest irons to hit on the market period and don’t mind the hybrid look, then I’d highly suggest the Cleveland Launcher XL Halo.

Finally, if you are a high handicap and your golf game is trending down (in a good way), I would hit the Taylormade Sim 2 Max, Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metals or Callaway Rogue ST Max OS. All three are very similar in terms of technology, plus the Taylormade and Callaways have four variations to find the right one for your game. For very ambitious players, the Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metals give you a lot of room to grow into a set of irons.

If you are a better player and just read this article because you were bored, head on over to our review of TaylorMade P790s or Mizuno’s MP20 Irons.

Got another set you love that isn’t included? Please leave a reply down below!