The Rundown:
Best Overall: TaylorMade SIM MAX OS Irons
“This Iron Set can change your game overnight – these are some of the longest, highest and most forgiving irons we’ve ever played for mid handicappers.”
Most Forgiving: TaylorMade M4 Iron Set
“With patented technology, the M4 will increase distance, boost your launch angle, soft entry shots, and provide max forgiveness for less side spin.”
Best for Accuracy: TaylorMade M6 Iron Set
“The M6 is an exceptional set that brings a needed boost in distance and accuracy to golfers with low-to-mid handicaps. If you are looking to continue your improvement as a golfer, the M6 really delivers excellent shot-making ability.”
One of the best areas that mid handicappers can attack to push their golf game to that next level is finding a new set of mid handicap irons that fit their game by improving accuracy and extending distance.
For golfers who have handicaps that sit between 10 and 18, the best irons have several characteristics that will help boost ball height on shots as well as dramatically decrease the length of birdie putts.
Here are nine of the best golf irons for mid-handicappers that offer a variety of features that will delight and upgrade their golfing experience.




Featured Recommendations
Last updated on 2021-02-25. The links are affiliate links. Product images are served from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Table of Contents
- The Rundown:
- Featured Recommendations
- Best Irons For Mid Handicappers
- What Should I Look For When Buying the Best Golf Irons For Mid Handicappers?
- What makes an iron set forgiving for mid handicappers?
- Questions & Answers
- Which part of the game can irons for mid-handicappers help me with the most?
- Which head design should a mid-handicapper go for between cavity-back irons and muscle black/blade irons?
- What’s a mid-handicapper?
- What’s the difference between golf irons for mid and low handicaps?
- What golf irons should be avoided as a mid-handicapper?
- When is it time to upgrade?
- Which part of the game can irons for mid-handicappers help me with the most?
Best Irons For Mid Handicappers
TaylorMade SIM MAX OS Irons
Best Golf Irons for Mid Handicappers
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PROS
- Oversized face provides larger sweet spot for better forgiveness and higher launch
- Deep, low center of gravity offers higher launch with more carry for boosted distance
- Elevated spin with high irons for outstanding shot-stopping from inside 150 yards
- Speed Bridge bar stiffens the head for more power directly to the golf ball
CONS
- May take an adjustment period for golfers who are used to irons from the fairway
For new to the club mid handicappers, the TaylorMade SIM MAX OS Irons are a great entry set. Featuring several of TaylorMade’s patented innovations, the SIM MAX OS set is an absolute delight.
Starting with the front of the iron, the face on each SIM MAX OS Irons offers a huge sweet spot. Since the “OS” on the clubs means oversized, these game-improvement irons capture the ball on every swing. Even on off-center hits, these irons keep the ball along the golfer’s intended target line.
Very forgiving, the SIM MAX OS set works very hard to reduce side spin to keep the punishment from a wayward shot, like a slice, to a minimum.
Each iron also features a Speed Bridge bar across the back of the head. The bar stiffens the face by connecting the sole and top edge of the iron. The feature creates staggering distance with increased ball speed.
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TaylorMade M4 Iron Set
Most forgiving iron set: most forgiving set we’ve seen packed with latest technology
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PROS
- Speed pocket at the bottom of the club keeps shots straight and long
- Face slots behind the clubface aid in boosting ball speed
- RIBCOR Technology help correct off-center strikes through flexible clubface
CONS
- Beginning golfers may want to find a less expensive starting iron set
TaylorMade has created an impressive set with the M4 irons.
Showcasing a host of features that help the golfer keep the ball long and straight, the M4 irons utilize patented TaylorMade technology to provide a golfing experience that will vastly improve the game of mid-level players.
With RIBCOR technology, the M4 iron set will increase distance, boost your launch angle for higher and softer entry shots into the green and provide maximum forgiveness for less side spin. All of these features result in one of the best upper-tier iron sets we’ve hit in a long time as the M4 irons delivers the goods.
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TaylorMade M6 Iron Set
Runner up choice: Well-crafted with exceptional playability
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PROS
- The Speed Pocket technology imparts maximum swing speed onto the golf ball
- Very forgiving club that keeps ball straight by minimizing side spin
- The club face has the patented Twist Face Technology for high launch angle and increased distance
CONS
- Not for mid-handicappers that are inexperienced with shaping shots
The M6 irons from TaylorMade are an exceptional set that brings a needed boost in distance and accuracy to golfers with low-to-mid handicaps.
The secret of the M6 lies behind the company’s patented Speed Bridge technology. The Speed Bridge is a bar that binds the upper portion of the clubface while allowing the lower half of the face to twist with freedom and provide more energy to the golf ball.
If you are looking to continue your improvement as a golfer, then the M6 really does deliver fantastic gameplay and excellent shot-making ability. We recommend it for serious golfers.
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Callaway X Hot Iron Set
Runner up choice: Best mid-handicapper iron set for feel and response
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PROS
- The undercut cavity backing creates one of Callaway’s longest irons ever
- Feel Management Technology fine tunes the iron set for more feel and better response
- Speed Frame Face increases ball speed for long and consistent distance
CONS
- Great game-improvement iron, but don’t expect the clubs to help you shape shots
The Callaway X-Hot Iron Set is a terrific option for a mid handicapper as the collection provides excellent forgiveness, long distance, and a balanced feel throughout the swing.
The best feature of the X-Hot set is Speed Frame Face technology. Callaway borrowed the innovative advancements used in their drivers and transferred them to their irons.
The result is better forgiveness, longer and more consistent distance, plus better launch angle for higher and softer shots that stop dead on the green.
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TaylorMade M2 Iron Set
Best for distance: low center of gravity with state-of-the-art technology
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PROS
- The lower center-of-gravity on the M2 irons forces shots to soar higher for greater distance and softer landings
- Face Slot technology is coupled with TaylorMade’s speed pocket for a thinner clubface that increases distance and forgiveness
- One of the cleanest looking game-improvement irons on the market
CONS
- There are a lot of options available on the M2 irons, and that could potentially overwhelm an inexperienced golfer.
The TaylorMade M2 iron set is ideal for players looking to dip their toe into the lake of shot shaping. Most entry-level clubs are sledgehammers in that they have one single function; to get the ball up into the air and with distance.
But the M2 irons have moved weight lower behind the clubface to provide incredible launch and dynamic control. TaylorMade’s Face Slot technology also corrals those errant tee shots that start on the toe or heel for exceptional forgiveness. Without a doubt, these M2 irons will boost your entry game into the green in considerable ways.
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Callaway Apex CF16 Iron Set
Forged Feel and Consistency
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PROS
- Beautiful design, one of the best available in the market
- Great, loud sound
- Excellent and consistent feel throughout the set
- Very responsive with excellent feedback
CONS
- Not very forgiving with compact head and no cavity back design
In the world of golf clubs, the brand Apex can be considered a legend, known for its high-end quality and beautiful design.
The brand Apex was recently re-launched under the Callaway brand, and Callaway has combined their touch of technology with the premium looks and overall quality, giving birth to a beautiful iron set that is not only good-looking, but also excellent in performance.
The Callaway Apex CF16 Iron Set features a multi-material forged head made of six different pieces, mainly a 17-4 stainless steel face, a 1025E forged carbon steel body, and other supporting parts to improve sound and feel.
The CF16 adopts Callaway’s Cup Face technology in the 3- to 7- irons, which was first introduced in their 2015 fairway woods.
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Callaway 2018 Rogue Iron Set
High-Tech Forgiveness
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PROS
- Excellent forgiveness with the updated Cup Face and cavity back design
- Great looks with chrome silver finish and classic Callaway design
- Great sound
- Excellent feel with a lot of feedback
CONS
- Relatively modest on shot-shaping ability
Being a newer club, the Rogue features an updated, thinner 360 Face Cup technology, allowing the face to flex even more during impact compared to the Apex CF16.
It also features a cavity back design, moving the weight distribution of the face along its perimeter, which will give you more forgiveness.
The thing about cavity back clubs is that the sound and feel are often compromised due to the specific design.
Callaway tackled the sound issue by utilizing Urethane Microspheres in the cavity back, and as a result, the Rouge irons sound very similar to forged blade irons.
A minor downside, however, is that as the cavity goes bigger in the longer irons, causing the sound to be louder.
The Rogue is Callaway’s current flagship model for high and mid-handicappers.
It is worth noting that the main difference between the standard Rogue and Rogue Pro is the weaker loft on the Pro due to the more compact, deeper head.
It is still reasonably easy to launch the ball with the Rogue Pro clubs, however, especially when compared to the even weaker Epic Pro.
So, the Rogue Iron set is an ideal match for high-handicappers with around 12 to 20 handicaps, while those with slightly lower handicaps will benefit more from the Rogue Pro set with its better shot-shaping playablity.
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TaylorMade Golf 2018 P790 Men’s Iron Set
Forged-Cast Hybrid Head
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PROS
- Excellent ball speed with low spin, producing excellent performance in carry distance
- Very beautiful clubs, if not some of the best available today
- Excellent forgiveness for mid-handicappers
- Forged face with hollow head combining the feel of the forged iron with the lightness of cast irons
CONS
- Muted sound and feel
- Lack of consistency due to the less responsive feel
While the TaylorMade P790 is marketed as a forged iron set, it is technically not forged, at least not all of it.
Most of the body is made from cast carbon steel, except for the face and the perimeter which uses forged carbon steel.
So, the part that hit the ball is forged, and you will feel it during impact, especially on well-struck shots. But that’s not the only special thing about the P790 head.
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What Should I Look For When Buying the Best Golf Irons For Mid Handicappers?
Clubhead Size & Design
Forged Irons
The term ‘forged’ refers to how the metal material is shaped into the clubhead: a single piece of metal is heated into a rough shape, and then is hammered, ‘forged’ into the desired club-head shape.
A forged iron is generally better suited for low-handicappers looking for shot-shaping feature and trajectory control.
Cast Irons
With ‘cast’ irons, the material that was heated into liquid shape is poured into a mould, allowing more complex head designs and the combination of different materials.
Casting a club head is far more affordable and easier than forging, and allow a bigger club head with intricate, more forgiving design.
Offset Hosel
Using a club with an offset hosel is all about correcting a slice.
By limiting the opportunity of leaving an open face at impact, the offset hosel gives the club head a fraction more time to return the face to strike the golf ball squarely. It may not seem like much of an advantage, but most slices hit by golfers are usually created because the club needs a split second more to return to square.
Shaft
For mid-handicappers, there is an advantage to playing graphite shafts. Players with higher averages typically have slower swing speeds. The math is simple on this one as slower ball speed off the tee box means longer second shots into the green.
Graphite shafts help mid-level players because they are lighter than steel shafts. Lighter clubs translates to increase swing speed. This is why you’ll always see graphite shafts in woods and hybrids.
Sole Design
For mid-handicappers, a good rule of thumb is to find a club sole that is wider than your largest finger. Larger soles on golf clubs promote forgiveness but sacrifice control. But this is a sacrifice worth making for golfers who need more time to work on their swing.
Wider soled clubs are considered to be game-improvement irons. The best golf irons for mid are specially made by equipment manufacturers to help higher handicap players obtain maximum height on their shots as well as increasing ball speed.
Tungsten infused
Tungsten Infused weighting places a weight into the sole of the iron to lower the center of gravity in the club. By lowering the CG, the club can produce higher launch for better carry and more distance. The weighting also decreases vibration and improves feel for a more pleasing overall experience.
Extra sweet spot
An extra wide sweet spot provides better contact quality, forgiveness, and distance to help mid handicappers improve their overall performance. A sweet spot on the face of the iron designates an area where the golfer will see the best production on each shot. Shots that go off-center of the sweet spot will fall shorter with less accuracy.
Set composition
Mid handicappers should consider how set composition affects their overall score. Since golfers can only carry 14 clubs during a round, each one must help to enhance their game. By crafting a set that maximizes distance and helps improve control, the golfer covers every situation they’ll face on the course.
Leading edge
The leading edge of an iron is the point on the club where it first enters the ground. Shots where the golfer hits the ball with the leading edge first are thin, low, and rather weak. Instead, golfers want the best golf irons for mid with a leading edge that moves into the soil easily, so the ball can meet the sweet spot.
Weighting
The iron has several areas where weighting plays an important factor for a mid handicapper. Perimeter weighting around the edge of the iron’s head helps balance the club with enhanced forgiveness. Weighting in the sole of the iron produces launch, carry, and distance with improved turf interaction.
What makes an iron set forgiving for mid handicappers?
Shaft
Mid handicappers need a shaft for their irons that fit their swing speed. Since most mid handicappers have moderate swing speeds they use regular flex shafts. Finding the right shaft flex allows the golfer to return the iron to square at impact for accurate shotmaking.
Clubhead design
For a mid handicapper, the shape of an iron head should be moderately sized. Rather than an oversized face like with a super game-improvement iron, an iron for mid handicappers should have a mid-sized shape for more distance with the ability to work shots from side to side.
Questions & Answers

Which part of the game can irons for mid-handicappers help me with the most?
There are two areas that new golf irons can help the mid-handicapper lower their scores.
The first is with the lower irons, such as the 8 or 9-iron, where accuracy is vital from shots from inside 150 yards.
Mid-handicappers need to have confidence in these lower irons because shots closer to the hole result in more birdie chances and increase the ability to save par on wild shots.
The other areas that irons can improve the mid-level player’s game are with mid-range irons such as the 5 or 6-iron. These irons, especially when found in game-improvement sets, have larger soles and perimeter weighting for better forgiveness and control.

Which head design should a mid-handicapper go for between cavity-back irons and muscle black/blade irons?
A mid-handicapper should try to find the best cavity-backed irons that match their swing.
The primary reason is that cavity-back irons are very easy to hit. For mid-to-high handicap golfers, cavity-back irons with wide soles usually fit under the game-improvement umbrella of clubs.
With the weight redistributed around the perimeter of the club head, cavity-back clubs bring more stability and forgiveness to the golf ball. As a result, golfers who are not consistent with each swing can bring a level of consistency to each shot because of the advantages of the equipment.
Blade irons are strictly for low-handicap golfers looking for control in their iron game. Golfers who play at this advanced level, love playing blades because it enhances their above-average skill set. Professionals prefer bladed irons because of the feedback they feel through the impact zone as well as the ability to shape shots on demand.
Without the skill set of an advanced golfer, a mid-handicaper will find bladed irons challenging to hit and should avoid until they are ready.

What’s a mid-handicapper?
A mid-handicapper is a golfer with a handicap that ranges from 8-18. This level of golfer typically cards a final score in the 80s to lower 90s, based on the golf course’s difficulty.
For golfers that own closer to an 18 handicap, the usual problems are consistency to create repeatable results. For example, a mid-handicapper in this range will typically struggle with reaching the fairway, difficulty hitting greens in regulation, and three-putting on the green.
Some golfers with 18 handicaps consider themselves to be “bogey golfers.”
Golfers at the higher end of the mid-handicapper scale are just a few tweaks away from being a low handicapper that regularly scores in the 70s. These golfers could need refinement with their putting or chipping, more accuracy on shots from the fairway, and additional distance from the tee box.

What’s the difference between golf irons for mid and low handicaps?
Mid-handicappers typically play with game-improvement irons. These irons offer a wider sweet spot, cavity-back look with wide sole, and larger oversized head. The point of playing with game-improvement irons is to improve the quality of the shots from the golfer.
Low-handicappers play with forged or blade irons. These irons are preferred by professional golfers due to their workability and consistency. Blade irons have a smaller sweet spot with a shallow, compact face.

What golf irons should be avoided as a mid-handicapper?
A mid-handicapper should avoid utility irons and blade irons.
Utility irons usually have a very difficult learning curve due to their shallow loft. Most utility irons have loft that measures around 15-18 degrees on the face. This loft is roughly the same as a 3-wood. But since the face is much smaller, the mid-handicapper has a higher degree of difficulty to find consistency with the club.
Blade irons are similar to utility irons because they also offer a smaller sweet spot and are made for low handicappers who have higher skill levels and can work the ball in any direction. Blade irons do not have large sole grinds forcing the golfer to hit the ball crisply to achieve maximum distance and launch angle.

When is it time to upgrade?
- When your irons are more than 5 years old and outdated.
When your irons are older than 5 years of age, you are losing distance and accuracy due to the technological advancements of new clubs. Since equipment manufacturers work to streamline and innovate with their new irons, the latest clubs on the market will offer maximum distance, accuracy, and more consistent contact.
2. When you don’t love your irons anymore.
Losing confidence in your irons can be a huge burden on your golf game. When you fall out of love with your irons, you typically find that the quality of your shots begins to suffer, costing your game yardage and accuracy from the fairway.
A new set of irons can offer excitement by increasing yardage or creating a new shot shape that allows for more control and spin.
3. When you are better than the irons you are playing with.
One of the biggest problems that improving golfers face with their current equipment is overcoming the club’s limitations.
For example, let’s say a beginning golfer now starts to score in the 80s on a regular basis. Instead of playing with super game-improvement irons that lack sophistication, the golfer chooses a set of higher-end game-improvement irons.
The new irons allow the golfer to work the ball either from the left or right and raise or lower the shot height. With more options, the golfer can now expand their game in ways that the old irons would have prevented.