Irons are the clubs you end up using most often on the golf course so it is essential that you have the right set for your game. That’s why we gathered a group of golfers together to test the newest, most popular irons on the market so you can see firsthand how they stack up. Watch the testing for yourself in our exclusive videos and see who came out on top.
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How We Tested
We had nine golfers test 15 sets of irons. We split up the players into groups of three based on their identification as high, mid, and low handicap golfers. Each of the three groups tested five different irons from golf club makers like PING, Callaway, Titleist, TaylorMade, Cobra, and Mizuno. Each player hit each 7 iron 10 separate times using 2019 Titleist Pro V1 golf balls to collect data on which irons performed the best. All of the data was gathered on the practice range at Flint Hills National Golf Club using a Foresight GC2 launch monitor under the direction of head golf pro Rick Hatfield. Conditions were sunny and windy, hitting into a 15 mph wind.
Low Handicap Iron Testing
First, we tested the players’ irons with our low handicap golfers. This group of players have no problem making solid contact, shot after shot, and usually have an average score of 70 or less. What they want is the ability to hit the ball exactly how they want it, often playing a classic, blade-style club. We measured distance, ball speed, peak height, and launch angle then asked each player to rate each club for control and workability on a scale of 1 to 5. These are golfers who like a players’ iron. Players’ irons are identified by their compact shape, narrow lines, and blade-like styling. Designs often prioritize sound, feel, and feedback where good shots feel great but mis-hits can be punished. If this is you, then you need to see the results in this video.
- PING i500 with TT Dynamic Gold steel shaft
- TaylorMade P760 with TT Dynamic Gold 120 steel shaft
- Titleist 718 AP2 with Dynamic AMT White steel shaft
- Callaway Apex Pro 19 with True Temper Elevate Tour steel shaft
- Mizuno JPX 919 Tour with TT Dynamic Gold 120 steel shaft
Mid Handicap Iron Testing
The next group of golfers, the mid handicap players, tested a group of irons that offer a mix of distance and forgiveness with workability. Mid handicap golfers generally prefer to be able to control their shots while still wanting some of those distance and forgiveness benefits. They want to be able to flight the ball high or low as the shot calls for, as well as play shots with skill when they need to avoid an obstacle. Mid handicap golfers typically have an average score of 80-90. In addition to gathering stats on distance, ball speed, peak height, and launch angle, we asked each golfer to rate every iron for control on a scale of 1 to 5. See how these five irons stacked up in our testing.
- PING i210 with TT Dynamic Gold steel shaft
- TaylorMade M5 with True Temper XP 100 steel shaft
- Titleist 718 AP3 with Dynamic AMT Black steel shaft
- Callaway Apex 19 with TT Elevate 95 steel shaft
- Mizuno JPX 919 Hot Metal Pro with KBS C-Taper Lite steel shaft
High Handicap Iron Testing
Finally, the group of high handicap golfers tested the game improvement irons. These golfers usually have an average score of 90+ and are looking to gain some distance. Game improvement irons are generally larger and feature a cavity back that pushes more weight to the perimeter of the club head, making it more stable and forgiving on mis-hits. They also feature deeper center of gravity locations to help launch the ball easier. We gathered the same stats for this group: distance, ball speed, peak height, and launch angle. Then each player was asked to rate each iron for forgiveness on a scale of 1 to 5. See the results and hear their feedback in this exclusive video.
- PING G410 with AWT 2.0 steel shaft
- TaylorMade M6 with KBS Max 85 steel shaft
- Titleist 718 AP1 with TT Dynamic Gold AMT Red steel shaft
- Callaway Big Bertha 19 with KBS Max 90 steel shaft
- Cobra King F9 with KBS Tour 90 steel shaft
The Winners
Low Handicap Irons
PING i500 Irons
Our low handicap testers unanimously chose the PING i500 irons as the best. It was the longest and fastest iron for two of the three golfers while all three ranked it high in control and workability. Our first golfer gave them a 4.5 for both, the next gave them a 4 for both, and the third golfer gave them a 5 out of 5 for both categories. PING’s blend of pleasing shape, satisfying sound and feedback, as well as high marks for control and workability make the i500 our customers’ pick for best low handicap iron.
Mid Handicap Irons
TaylorMade M5 Irons
TaylorMade’s M5 irons made it another unanimous winner, this time for the mid handicap category. M5 rated first or second for all three golfers in ball speed and distance as well as providing solid height for each player. All three golfers rated them the highest in terms of control with two testers giving them a 5 and the third rating them at a 4.75. Our mid handicap testers were able to control the ball the way they wanted to while TaylorMade technologies like the Speed Bridge and Speed Pocket provide distance and forgiveness benefits for that perfect combination this group of golfers is looking for.
High Handicap Irons Winner
Callaway Big Bertha 19 Irons
Two of our high handicap golfers chose the Callaway Big Bertha 19 irons as the best in class. In a testament to what high handicap golfers are looking for, these were chosen as favorites even though they didn’t produce the longest or fastest shots. But these golfers had no trouble finding the fairway with the Big Bertha. Callaway’s offering earned the highest forgiveness rating for each of these two testers with one giving them a 5 and the other rating them a 4. One tester even noted the pleasing, solid sound and feel of the Big Bertha, as well as the appeal of the black finish.
High Handicap Irons Runner-Up
Titleist 718 AP1 Irons
Our third high handicap customer selected the Titleist 718 AP1 as his winner, creating a split decision and a clear runner up in the category. Again, this was not the longest or fastest iron this player hit during our testing. The strength of these irons for our golfer was in the launch and height of the shots. The Titleist iron launched higher and reached a higher peak height than all the others. He also rated them a 5 on the forgiveness scale, making for a pleasing all-around performance. While more distance is a plus, these results prove that sometimes golfers in this category want a more forgiving club so they are hitting more shots from the fairway and holding more greens.
Why only steel shafts
A sample size of three….really? Why not just one.
Great review but it would have been nice if you mention the lofts of each club tested….next time….Thanks…
I would think TaylorMade p790 would get some love
What about use guys that shoot 75-82? Which irons fit what catagory? And I agree – why no women’s ratings? All you hear is ‘ expand the game’ – but then you exclude half the population.
Not really
what flex were the shafts, and where is the kick point in the shafts? I could look all that up but why not include that info in the test results?
Flex doesn’t really have anything to do with it that’s all based on how hard a player swings
Swing “hard” is not necessarily swinging fast.
Flex has a GREAT deal to do with the performance of the club driven by how “hard” one swings and the resulting speed of the club.
A hard swing does not necessarily mean a fast swing.
The shaft is T H E most component of the golf club and often not considered properly by the less informed.
Word
Great pros and cons with the comparisons gives you alot to think about thanks!