What are the best 2022 irons for a mid handicap golfer?
Irons make up the majority of the golf clubs in any given bag and golfers use them on every hole. For the mid handicap player, that means finding the right irons that provide a balance between workability with some distance and forgiveness.
What golf irons should a mid handicapper use?
There are plenty of options out there so TGW picked the latest options from the top names in golf and took the time to review and test them. With the help of TGW’s testing panel and our Master Fitter, we rounded up the best mid handicap irons of the year to see how they compare.
2022 Mid Handicap Irons Testing Winners
Our winners for the best mid handicap irons for distance were:
- Cobra LTDx Irons, average 7.8-yard increase
- Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons, average 6.1-yard increase
- Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal Irons, average 3.2-yard increase
Mid handicap irons offer a variety of performance benefits for a large population of golfers as well as come in many different shapes and sizes. If you prefer the look of a larger, more game improvement style club head, we recommend the Callaway Rogue ST Max and Wilson Launch Pad 2 options. If you like a sleeker, more compact club head and a thinner topline, check out the PING G425 or Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal models.
Many golfers in this segment also pay close attention to sound and feel. For golfers who like a more resonating feel and a higher “crack” when they hit the golf ball, they will want to check out the Titleist T300 irons or the Wilson Launch Pad 2 irons. Players who like a softer feel and more muted sound, we recommend the PING G425 irons or the Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal irons.
2022 Mid Handicap Irons
The irons we tested this year are:
How We Tested Our Irons
All of the data was collected in the controlled indoor environment of the TGW Wichita Pure Performance Center. Testing was conducted under the guidance of Rick Hatfield, TGW’s Master Fitter; who used a Foresight GC2 launch monitor to record numbers and had all of the golfers use the 2021 Titleist Pro V1 golf ball to keep variables constant. We recorded data on more than 1,200 swings from our 10 testers. The data presented is an average of a minimum of 8 swings for each club using the 7 iron from each set compared to their current 7 iron.
Who Tested The 2022 Mid Handicap Irons
Our irons testing was conducted by 10 members of TGW’s customer review panel who are considered mid handicap players. Their average score is typically in the range of 85 to 95 and their club head speed ranges from 81 to 84 mph.
- Mike is a 15-handicap golfer who plays 25+ rounds per year and currently uses Titliest 718 AP1 irons.
- Chris is a 22-handicap golfer who plays 25+ rounds per year and currently uses Cobra F8 One Length irons.
- Trent is a 14-handicap golfer who plays 25+ rounds per year and currently uses Cobra Forged TEC irons.
- Brady is a 6-8 handicap golfer who plays 25+ rounds per year and currently uses TaylorMade RSi1 irons.
- Ted is an 15-handicap golfer who plays 1-2 times per week and currently uses Titleist AP3 irons.
- Michael is a 13.3-handicap golfer who plays 25+ rounds per year and currently uses Callaway Apex irons.
- Clint is a 15-handicap golfer who plays 2-4 times per week in season and currently uses Cobra irons.
- Shane is a 15-handicap golfer who plays 1-2 times per month and currently uses Titleist AP3 irons.
- Sasha is a 20-handicap golfer who plays 3 times per month in season and currently uses PING G2 irons.
- Pete is a 13.5-handicap golfer who plays 3-5 times per week in season and currently uses Cobra One Length irons.
2022 Mid Handicap Irons Distance Test Results (Average Yards Gained)
Tester Name
Callaway Rogue ST Max
Cobra LTDx
Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal
PING G425
TaylorMade Stealth
Titleist T300
Wilson Launch Pad 2
Mike
5.7 yards
18.9 yards
10.8 yards
11.5 yards
14.6 yards
13.8 yards
12.0 yards
Chris
12.7
16.2
4.3
2.8
6.6
0.9
-6.7
Trent
11.0
11.3
10.9
1.6
5.2
-2.2
-33.5
Brady
13.6
14.1
7.3
-5.1
5.5
-6.0
-2.0
Ted
8.7
8.1
4.8
-13.6
6.0
-9.0
6.2
Michael
1.7
-2.6
2.2
-10.3
-3.7
-0.5
4.2
Clint
2.0
-0.7
5.8
-1.1
0.5
1.7
5.1
Shane
11.5
15.8
9.3
2.4
10.6
7.7
13.3
Sasha
-5.1
-5.5
-20.6
-4.2
-3.2
9.7
14.4
Pete
-1.3
2.9
-2.8
-17.4
-15.9
-14.5
-9.2
Total Averages
6.1
7.8
3.2
-3.3
2.6
0.1
0.4
Mike
Callaway Rogue ST Max
5.7 yards
Cobra LTDx
18.9 yards
Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal
10.8 yards
PING G425
11.5 yards
TaylorMade Stealth
14.6 yards
Titleist T300
13.8 yards
Wilson Launch Pad 2
12.0 yards
Chris
Callaway Rogue ST Max
12.7
Cobra LTDx
16.2
Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal
4.3
PING G425
2.8
TaylorMade Stealth
6.6
Titleist T300
0.9
Wilson Launch Pad 2
-6.7
Trent
Callaway Rogue ST Max
11.0
Cobra LTDx
11.3
Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal
10.9
PING G425
1.6
TaylorMade Stealth
5.2
Titleist T300
-2.2
Wilson Launch Pad 2
-33.5
Brady
Callaway Rogue ST Max
13.6
Cobra LTDx
14.1
Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal
7.3
PING G425
-5.1
TaylorMade Stealth
5.5
Titleist T300
-6.0
Wilson Launch Pad 2
-2.0
Ted
Callaway Rogue ST Max
8.7
Cobra LTDx
8.1
Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal
4.8
PING G425
-13.6
TaylorMade Stealth
6.0
Titleist T300
-9.0
Wilson Launch Pad 2
6.2
Michael
Callaway Rogue ST Max
1.7
Cobra LTDx
-2.6
Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal
2.2
PING G425
-10.3
TaylorMade Stealth
-3.7
Titleist T300
-0.5
Wilson Launch Pad 2
4.2
Clint
Callaway Rogue ST Max
2.0
Cobra LTDx
-0.7
Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal
5.8
PING G425
-1.1
TaylorMade Stealth
0.5
Titleist T300
1.7
Wilson Launch Pad 2
5.1
Shane
Callaway Rogue ST Max
11.5
Cobra LTDx
15.8
Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal
9.3
PING G425
2.4
TaylorMade Stealth
10.6
Titleist T300
7.7
Wilson Launch Pad 2
13.3
Sasha
Callaway Rogue ST Max
-5.1
Cobra LTDx
-5.5
Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal
-20.6
PING G425
-4.2
TaylorMade Stealth
-3.2
Titleist T300
9.7
Wilson Launch Pad 2
14.4
Pete
Callaway Rogue ST Max
-1.3
Cobra LTDx
2.9
Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal
-2.8
PING G425
-17.4
TaylorMade Stealth
-15.9
Titleist T300
-14.5
Wilson Launch Pad 2
-9.2
Total Average
Callaway Rogue ST Max
6.1
Cobra LTDx
7.8
Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal
3.2
PING G425
-3.3
TaylorMade Stealth
2.6
Titleist T300
0.1
Wilson Launch Pad 2
0.4
- The numbers presented in the distance results chart are the raw, unbiased data for each tester’s average distance with each iron.
- The top performers were picked based on which irons had the highest average yards gained over our testers’ current irons.
#1 Distance Winner – Cobra LTDx
Why It Won:
- The Cobra LTDx irons offered the largest average gain in distance compared to our testers’ current 7 irons at 7.8 yards.
- 3 testers averaged increases of 15+ yards over their current club.
- 5 testers averaged increases of 10+yards over their current irons.
- Testers averaged ball speeds of 100+ mph with the Cobra LTDx irons.
#2 Distance Winner – Callaway Rogue ST Max
Why It Won:
- Our testers gained an average of 6.1 yards with the Callaway Rogue ST Max when compared to their current 7 iron.
- 4 testers averaged increases of 10+ yards over their current irons.
- 6 testers averaged increases of 5+ yards over the 7 iron they currently play.
- Players averaged ball speeds of 99.7 mph, just shy of that big 100 mph mark.
#3 Distance WInner – Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal
Why It Won:
- Our testers gained an average of 3.2 yards with the JPX 921 Hot Metal when compared to their current 7 iron.
- 5 testers averaged yardage increase of 5+ yards versus their current 7 iron.
- Our panel averaged a 2 mph increase in ball speed with the JPX 921 Hot Metal irons.
Best Mid Handicap Irons of 2022
Following our testing, the customer panel did have additional comments about several irons feeling or sounding good, although it may not have given them the best numbers. While our findings are data-driven, we highly recommend all golfers get fitted and test the irons themselves when possible – after all, golf is very much an individual sport.
Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons
Cobra LTDx Irons
Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal Irons
PING G425 Irons
TaylorMade Stealth Irons
Titleist T300 Irons
Wilson Launch Pad 2 Irons
Very informative, I have been leaning towards the Callawy DCB irons, and your test data confirmed my decision to purchase them. I have one question, why didn’t you test the graphite shafts?
I had the same question.
Larry, I agree with you on testing graphite shafts. I use them now and wonder if I should switch back to steel
Really like my Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal.
I agree with Stuart Levy seniors don’t get much to chose from.
Tour Edge for seniors!!
Stuart Levy is right.
I don’t believe with a swing speed of 82 mph that the ball will carry 170 yes. Won’t Happen!!!