Buying Guides: Best irons for mid handicappers

Eager to lower that handicap to single figures? Check out these compact mid handicap irons

Irons are typically the most expensive purchase when it comes to golf equipment, so knowing what to go for becomes even more important than ever before if you’re looking at getting a new set.

The average global golf handicap clocks in at around 16, so brands look to target this range of players with compact game improvement irons that will suit their requirements.

Mid handicap irons have a slightly larger profile, a lighter shaft and stronger lofts to improve ball speeds and carry distance – even when shots aren’t hit in the centre of the face.

As there are so many options on the market that fit this criteria, choosing a new set can be a difficult task for mid handicap players, so knowing what to go for to maximise your return on investment is key.

Below we take a look at the best mid handicap irons on the market that will give you the best chance of lowering your handicap into single figures. Alternatively, if you’re a high handicap golfer in need of some fresh irons, take a look at the best forgiving irons for high handicappers. Or if you’re shopping on a budget, check out the best budget irons that are currently on offer.

Best irons for mid handicappers

TaylorMade P790 Golf Irons

The almost blade-like appearance and forged face belied the fact that this iron was remarkably easy to use, with excellent forgiveness on off centre hits. It also produced amazing speeds off the clubface and as a result was extremely long with towering iron shots that soared through the air the order of the day. The current generation of the P790 iron was released in September of 2019 and whilst there were some subtle changes, TaylorMade didn’t stray too far away from the original design.

Pros:

Great distance
Exceptional forgiveness in small package
Beautiful looks at address

Cons:

Slightly unusual sound and feel off the face

Titleist T200 Golf Irons

With streamlined Max Impact technology and denser tungsten weighting packed into a compact, player-preferred design, the T200 evolution represents the biggest advance within the T-Series. Its maximum speed, coupled with Tour-proven feel and distance control, results in an iron that excels on all fronts. T200’s long, constant range is due to every component of its multi-material hollow body structure. An upgraded polymer core has been added to the Max Impact technology, which improves both off-centre speed and mass efficiency during impact. The forged L-Face inserts feel robust while playing rapidly.

Pros:

Distance in a compact package
Good forgiveness
Tight shot dispersion

Cons:

Won’t suit those looking for max feel and workability

Ping G425 Golf Irons

Ping’s new G425 Irons deliver groundbreaking distance, forgiveness and feel in a more compact shape to become one of the best irons for mid handicappers. ultimate game-improvement. The face employs a metal-wood style variable face thickness construction which greatly increases flexing at impact even on off-centred strikes for dramatic increases in ball speed. The entire head has been meticulously crafted with innovative geometry techniques to ensure an overall shorter blade length than G410 while also boasting an increase in MOI of 3% compared to its predecessor.

Pros:

Produces a more consistent, draw-biased flight with a powerful feel
Lower spin than G410 creates a stronger trajectory
Incredible Distance Control

Cons:

Some will deem it to lack shelf appeal

Callaway Rogue ST Pro Golf Irons

The Callaway Rogue ST Pro is a stunning new iron for the mid to low handicappers that prefer the look of a smaller head, but still require some of the help that a game improvement iron can offer. It is a truly majestic looking golf club both behind the ball at address and when resting in your golf bag with minimalistic aesthetics that give it a wonderfully clean and classy appearance. The ST Pro irons benefit from a traditional players style compact head that could almost been mistaken for a muscle back blade.

Pros:

Soft yet powerful feel
Surprisingly forgiving
Compact size

Cons:

Mirror chrome finish will split opinion

Callaway Apex 21 Golf Irons

The release of the next generation of Apex irons promises to be the best version of it yet, as it is the first version to be created with Callaway’s A.I. designed Flash Face Cup technology. This face architecture creates fantastic ball speeds and spin consistency across the whole face and the all-new Tungsten energy core makes this the most forgiving Apex iron yet. Callaway have also redesigned the shape of the Apex iron to allow for superior levels of turf interaction.

Pros:

Will suit wide range of players
Good looking iron in the bag
Forgiving on off-centre strikes

Cons:

There are softer feeling models in this list

Cobra King Forged TEC Golf Irons

The new and improved KING Forged TEC irons provide golfers with the ideal balance of precision, distance and forgiveness. Designed with a sleeker and more compact player profile with a thinner topline appearance.

Pros:

Sensational feel
Consistently long
Near faultless looks

Cons:

Nervy players may not appreciate the slimmed down size

Cleveland Launcher XL Golf Irons

The Cleveland Launcher XL iron set offers something as standard that many golfers try and achieve when purchasing split sets of golf clubs with the longer irons offering more help with ball striking and forgiveness, and the shorter irons offering much more in the way of control. Cleveland have achieved this by producing the 4-iron through to 7-iron in an easy-to-use hollow headed design whilst the 8-iron to Gap-Wedge are precise cavity backs.

Pros:

Inspires confidence
Easy to launch
Stable from a wide area

Cons:

Srixon ZX5 Golf Irons

The Srixon ZX5 is undoubtedly one of the finest looking sets of irons you ever lay eyes on and look superb when resting in your bag and when placed behind the ball. The topline is relatively thick for a club of this type and should instill more confidence in those off a slightly higher handicap whilst also being one of the best irons for mid handicappers. There is a slight amount of offset which will promote more of a draw bias to shots and the sole is slightly wider than on previous models. The sole is a new Tour VT design and has a clear ridge running down the middle. This works wonders at preventing the club from digging in on slightly heavy shots and offers superb overall levels of turf interaction.

Pros:

Good distance and consistency
Soft feel and stability
Beautiful appearance

Cons:

Wider sole visible on longer irons

Wilson D9 Forged Golf Irons

The Wilson D9 Forged irons are aimed at low to mid handicapper golfers that require an injection of power to compliment their precision and have been designed using a generative process that compared hundreds of power hole layouts. The result is an iron that provides the delightful feedback that only a forged head can offer, along with high launch angles that deliver the ultimate in stopping power. If you are an aggressive golfer that likes to go flag hunting, then these irons are one of the best irons for mid handicappers and they will give you the confidence to do just that.

Pros: