Updated January 27, 2023. This article was thoroughly audited by multiple golf experts and coaches for its accuracy. You can read more about our rigorous testing protocol here.
If you are a golfer who has found that your game has plateaued, causing your dream of becoming a single-digit handicapper to stall, then upgrading your equipment to include forged irons is a choice that could set your game free.
Forged irons are the clubs you typically see on Sundays played by the top professionals on the PGA Tour.
Molded from a single piece of metal, forged irons are for golfers that want more from their game. Whether it be to assist in shaping shots from the fairway or improving contact, forged irons can significantly enhance the game of an experienced golfer.
Here’s our list of the ten best forged irons that could take your game to the next level.
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Table of Contents
How to Choose the Best Forged Golf Irons
Distance
When judging the quality of an iron it is crucial to understand how it affects the golfer’s baseline distance with each club. Now, this takes a little math and previous work, but every golfer should have an understanding of how far they hit their 7-iron, for example.
When testing, we want to judge the distance of the new club against the baseline average of the golfer’s usual 7-iron strikes.
Questions to ask during testing include if the club goes further with less launch angle or does it lift the ball higher shortening the distance but perhaps improving accuracy.
Knowing how the distance of your shots will be affected by the new clubs goes a long way in determining the set’s worth to the golfer.
Accuracy
For an iron set, in particular for a forged iron set, accuracy is everything. The point of using an iron is to shape a shot of a particular distance to either get the ball close to the hole on the green or place it perfectly in a spot for an upcoming shot.
How the club responds from an accuracy standpoint is vital in knowing if the club set will improve your overall game because this is the point of buying new equipment.
By running the irons through testing, we are able to detect how accurate the iron is to players of all skill levels.
Feel
Although the term “feel” might be a little vague for some golfers, the way the club feels in the hands of the golfer at impact with the golf ball is a very important feature of a forged iron.
Golfers love irons that respond well to their most accurate hits on the center of the clubface.
When the feel is right on an iron set, the golfer gains a better sense of confidence with their shotmaking.
On the range, we test for feel by hitting shots without using markers. By that we mean we simply hit the iron for the sake of understanding its response to being used.
This is the best way to push away the noise of other testing elements and just see how the club feels when it comes into contact with the golf ball.
Durability
Durability is very important in an iron set because the clubs must be able to last throughout the years after the golfer makes the purchase. When judging the club’s durability, it is wise to look at three different areas; the clubhead, the shaft and the grip.
For an iron set to get high marks from the durability category, the clubs must maintain their performance over the lifespan of the club.
During testing, it is essential to notice if the repeated use of the iron shows deterioration in the physical makeup of the club or via the performance.
Value
Value can be found in multiple ways when purchasing a set of golf irons. Golfers can look for either a lower price providing savings for their wallet, or they can find clubs that will last longer providing more value via the lifespan of the set.
Another area that iron sets can provide value to the buyer is by providing more in the way of extra clubs in the set or through higher quality construction or materials in the creation of the clubs.
Best Forged Irons of 2023
TaylorMade P770 Iron
Best All-Around Forged Irons
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Pros
- Excellent design with chrome finish
- Compact hitting area delivers powerful distance and precise accuracy
- Hollow body lightens the club head to ramp up swing speed
Cons
- Not as workable as other TaylorMade forged irons
- Not as long as the P790s
TaylorMade’s latest version of their popular P770 irons amps up the forged iron game with a dazzling set of features. Not only does this premium set of irons offer seam-bursting muscle, but the workability you’d expect from a forged set is here with the P770.
What’s most impressive about the TaylorMade P770 irons is their distance. Rarely have we seen forged irons tailored for golfers that want the workability of blade irons without sacrificing distance.
During our time with these superb TaylorMade irons, our testers routinely found the P770s delivered precise shotmaking with extended carry that leaped off the club face.
Regarding forgiveness, our testers felt that the P770 offered excellent redirection of the golf ball when the strike point leaks toward the toe. Also, we felt that ball speed did not see a significant loss on these off-center strikes.
While most forged irons tend to offer very little forgiveness, the P770’s high marks in this category make it an excellent option for golfers transitioning from game-improvement irons to blades.
The P770 set provides advanced golfers with one beautiful set of forged irons. From the sleek chrome finish to the razor-sharp design, these TaylorMade irons are ready to tear up the golf course from the moment they leave the box.
The TaylorMade P770 irons are great for mid handicappers looking to enter into forged irons. They are also compact enough to provide scratch golfers with everything they love about playing with forged irons.
Check our in-depth TaylorMade P770 irons review.
Ping i230 Irons
Best Low Launch Forged Irons
Pros
- Tour-level irons with reliable distance and control
- Outstanding feel with low, deep CG
- Rounded lead edge offers terrific turf interaction
Cons
- Less forgiving than comparable forged irons
- Low launch makes them ideal for advanced golfers
Ping’s i230 irons offer amateurs an entry into PGA Tour-level clubs that demand precision and muscle. If you are a single-digit handicapper, the Ping i230 offers enough sophistication and reliability to become a true weapon out of your golf bag.
The i230s offer a low center of gravity that helps lift the golf ball. Still, these irons, designed for low, reliable launch, provide golfers with dependable yardages they can confidently play from either the fairway or the rough.
A rounded leading edge on the sole also increases turf interaction, creating crisp, uniform divots that encourage exceptional ball contact on shot after shot.
During our testing, our best golfers were blown away by the feel and responsiveness of this Ping set. The set produced minimal vibration on shots that went off-center and maintained a pleasing sound throughout our time with these dynamic forged irons.
Ping has also installed precision-milled MicroMax grooves onto each i230 iron. With the wedges and short irons in this set, our testers produced excellent spin rates, helping them easily hold the green within 150 yards of the pin.
Unlike the TaylorMade P770 irons, for example, the i230 irons are not as accessible for mid handicappers.
By creating low launch and carrying a very compact face, these forged irons are valuable for highly skilled golfers looking for a premium set that offers high-grade workability.
The Ping i230 irons’ dependability and reliable yardages made them an easy choice for the best low-launch forged irons on our list.
TaylorMade P7MC Iron
Best Feel and Sound Iron
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Pros
- Delivers pure feel, making one of the best striking forged irons
- Cavity back design offers mid-launch with power
- Minimal offset creates outstanding workability
Cons
- Not as forgiving as other TaylorMade forged irons
- Not as long as P770s
The TaylorMade P7MC irons offer high-grade workability and reliable shotmaking for advanced golfers.
Featuring several advanced features, the TaylorMade P7MC irons provide mid to low launch height and predictable distance that helps you precisely craft the shots you want from anywhere on the course.
Our testers enjoyed the look of the P7MC irons. Although they qualify as forged irons, TaylorMade included a cavity back shape to help increase launch, although the P7MC set offers mid-range height on all their shots.
Arguably, the best feature of the P7MC iron is the feeling of hitting the ball directly along the sweet spot.
TaylorMade has called this sensation provided by the P7MC irons as “buttery,” and it’s hard to argue that these clubs don’t produce one of the best responses we have ever felt from a forged iron.
The P7MC irons also carry a rounded sole that helps improve turf interaction. With forged irons like these, you want crisp divots that don’t snag into the grass, and the sole of the P7MC ensures that every time you hit the golf ball, you’ll feel a pure, clean strike.
Along the face of each P7MC iron, TaylorMade has machine-milled each groove to create an exceptional grip on the golf ball.
From inside 175 yards, the P7MC delivers high spin that golfers can exploit to hit shots beyond the pin and then watch the shot reliably roll back to the cup.
Although the P7MC doesn’t offer the forgiveness of its brother, the P770, these irons deliver exceptional workability and predictable launch levels that make them a dream to hit into greens.
Cobra LTDx Iron
Best Distance Iron for Mid Handicappers
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Pros
- Impressive spin rates from within 175 yards
- Extremely balanced with premium turf interaction
- Forged Pwrshell Face produces powerful distance
Cons
- Doesn’t carry the workability of other competitors
- Offers higher launch than most advanced golfers want
Cobra’s exciting and fun LTDx iron set offers mid handicappers an entry into the forged iron game. By producing jaw-dropping power, the LTDx irons provide golfers with a dynamic option for increasing their accuracy while not losing an inch of their distance.
Cobra has increased the flexibility of this year’s version of the LTDx irons. As a result, golfers can expect more forgiveness and increased ball speed.
During our time with the Cobra LTDx irons, we were impressed with the high MOI design that keeps the face square longer through the impact zone.
Our shotmaking with these irons provided a reliability you could count on when playing challenging courses, a feature we enjoyed.
Regarding workability, our testers felt the LTDx irons did not carry the proficiency of comparable irons on this list.
But by emphasizing ball speed and launch, the LTDx irons make a grand entry into the forged iron market for mid handicappers looking to reach the next level in their game.
The best feature about these Cobra irons is the precision milled face. The CNC Milled Grooves grab the outer layer of the golf ball and create the friction that sends the back spin high, long, and directly toward the target.
If you want to generate more spin on shots from the fairway, Cobra’s LTDx irons offer some of the highest spin rates on the market.
While low handicappers might be frustrated with the lack of workability in these irons, skilled mid handicappers should find that the Cobra LTDx irons advance their game in subtle but powerful ways.
Check our in-depth Cobra LTDx irons review.
TaylorMade Stealth Iron
Best Accuracy Iron for Mid Handicappers
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Pros
- Booming distance with a predictable landing angle
- Excellent feel and responsiveness
- Precise shotmaking with steady workability
Cons
- Doesn’t offer the workability level of top-tier forged irons
- Made for distance, less ideal for control-seeking golfers
TaylorMade’s Stealth irons offer a lethal combination of distance and precision on the golf course.
Fueled by the company’s new Cap Back Design, the Stealth irons offer lightning-fast ball speed with a generous sweet spot that consistently keeps your golf ball along the target line.
When it comes to feel, the Stealth rivals the best-forged irons on the market. TaylorMade has equipped the Stealth irons with their patented ECHO Damping System. Placing the system along these irons’ entire face minimizes vibration, even on off-center strikes.
Regarding forgiveness, the Stealth irons also received high regard from our testers. On shots that leak toward the toe or heel, the irons’ forgiving face redirects the shot toward your intended target line while maintaining high ball speed.
Our testers also loved the high, predictable launch of the Stealth irons. The Stealth offers a high launch and a reliable landing angle with plenty of spin to help you dial in precise shotmaking that routinely places the ball where you want onto the putting surface.
While some advanced golfers prefer a low-launch forged iron for their game, players that want more distance will find that the Stealth irons fit the bill.
Ideal for mid handicappers wanting more accuracy, the TaylorMade Stealth doesn’t sacrifice one inch when it comes to getting the most out of each swing.
By providing clean, crisp turf interaction and high launch, these Stealth irons rank among the best at creating booming shots from the fairway that will leave your playing partners in disbelief.
Check our in-depth TaylorMade Stealth irons review.
Callaway Rogue ST Pro Iron
Best Accuracy Iron for Low Handicappers
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Pros
- Built for speed, it generates a staggering distance
- Very precise with reliable ball flight
- Optimal launch for predictable yardages
Cons
- Lacks top-tier workability
- Shiny chrome finish can be distracting at address
The Callaway Rogue ST Pro irons pack a punch on the golf course, delivering jaw-dropping distance with superior workability. These Callaway irons offer low and mid handicappers an iron set that produces stunning accuracy from inside 200 yards.
The Rogue ST Pro irons offer a hollow body construction that keeps the iron feeling light in your hands, ready to craft the perfect shot you need on the course. The hollow body improves feel and responsiveness, especially on longer iron shots.
We also liked the compact but powerful shape of these Rogue ST Pro irons. Balls that strike the sweet spot come off the face with zip, providing an exceptional feel and response directly to the golfer’s hands.
With mid-launch and top-tier forgiveness, our testers enjoyed these forged irons’ reliability. While not a player’s iron by definition, the Rogue ST Pro irons are a cut above your generic game improvement iron.
Not only does this set off high-grade workability, but the length certainly keeps golfers within striking distance of the pin no matter where they sit on the fairway.
Callaway also utilized tungsten weighting along the bottom of the face to increase launch without sacrificing distance.
After spending time with the Rogue ST Pro irons on the range and golf course, we can confidently say that the company successfully provided a reliable launch with far-reaching length.
Great for mid handicappers but accessible for low handicappers, the Rogue ST Pro irons from Callaway provide golfers with a reliable forged iron set that produces stunning results on the links.
Check our in-depth Callaway Rogue ST Irons review.
Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro Iron
Best Distance Iron
Pros
- Produces fast ball speed with a solid feel
- Cup Face Construction generates high spin
- Minimal vibration improves response
Cons
- Offers less workability than authentic blade irons
- Built for mid handicappers looking for an entry forged iron set
The Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro irons offer speed, and plenty of it, to amateur golfers. With a sleek, sophisticated design, the JPX923 Hot Metal Pro gives low to mid handicappers a players’ iron that increases shot quality with booming distance and workability.
Mizuno has equipped the JPX923 Hot Metal Pro irons with their patented Nickel plating, making the face much stronger than previous versions of this series.
The company also placed its new V-Chassis feature in the JPX923 Hot Metal Pro irons, helping golfers get more feel with far less vibration.
Also, Mizuno utilized their innovative seamless cup face construction with the JPX923 Hot Metal Pro irons to lower their center of gravity for higher launch with a predictable landing angle that helps you hit your target with precision.
Our testers loved hitting these irons because they were muscular on the range and course. The ball zips off the face with high exit velocity, no matter which iron of the JPX923 Hot Metal Pro set you are playing.
This reliability certainly helps you find the suitable iron regardless of the situation or yardage you face on the course.
Although these are, by definition, forged irons, Mizuno has kept the average amateur in mind when designing these players’ irons.
Not only do the JPX923 Hot Metal Pro irons offer higher launch than other competitors on this list, but they also offer a more forgiving hitting area that rivals what we’ve seen from the best game improvement irons on the market.
Callaway Apex Iron Set
Most Forgiving Forged Irons
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Pros
- Wonderful feel at impact with unbelievable distance
- Experienced golfers will love the control on the Apex irons
- Ideal launch angle with any club, proven to land soft and with spin
Cons
- One of the more expensive forged iron sets on the list, but the value comes in the performance of the club
If you are looking for a forged iron set that pulls out all the stops, then the Callaway Apex Iron Set are the showstopper you’ve been looking for on this list.
With these irons, Callaway wanted to break the mold of their previous models and create a new standard of forged iron and after hours of testing these clubs on the range and course, we can confidently say that they have succeeded.
The irons play with a softness that we didn’t expect, created distance that had us delirious with joy and kept our off-center strikes moving down toward the target instead of sailing off into the rough.
The Apex irons have been designed to take advantage of the company’s 360 Face Cup technology that assists with forgiveness by flexing at impact. The technology also creates a hot face that ramps up the ball speed off the face for exceptionally long distance with each iron.
Another aspect that drew raves from our testing group is the unique look and finish of the irons. The Apex set instills confidence at address that certainly kept us coming back to this collection when testing.
Our admiration for this set grew with each round of testing because we loved the response and feel the Apex irons continually delivered at impact.
There are several combinations of the Apex iron set to choose from as the golfer can add or subtract any number of clubs whether they be the higher irons or wedges.
Wonderful to experience, the Apex irons top our list as the best available iron set on this list. We can’t imagine that you’ll find a better set to own for your jump into the forged iron category.
Check our in-depth Callaway Apex Irons review.
TaylorMade P790 Iron Set
Best Distance Irons for Low Handicappers
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Pros
- Smartly-designed hollow iron that has exceptional feel and distance
- Incredible shot shaping with the higher irons in the P790 set
- Tungsten weighting in the 3-through 7 irons give the golfer flexibility and control
Cons
- Not an inexpensive set, but one of the best forged iron set on the market
The first thing you’ll notice when handling any of the irons in TaylorMade P790 Iron Set is how solid they feel at address.
This forged iron set means business and once you hit that first shot with these clubs, you’ll see what we mean as each shot is fired from the club face with incredible distance.
The P790 set is like its brother, the P760 and the P770 in that its profile is slim and efficient. There is no wasted space on the clubheads of this set as each club is specially designed to give the expert level golfer a smaller sweet spot with tons of shot control on each swing.
The irons take advantage of the company’s patented SpeedFoam technology to give the 3-through 7-irons a trampoline effect when the ball is compressed on the clubface. The hollow iron is given an advancement in the SpeedFoam filling that increases the speed of the clubhead.
Another advancement the company has made with the release of the P790 is a thinner and hotter face on the iron that maximizes the sweet spot area in this slighter club.
The last feature to highlight on the TaylorMade set is a low profile Tungsten weighted bar that is injected low inside the clubhead to lower the center of gravity in the iron and promote a higher launch angle that will dazzle your playing partners.
The set is on the high end of the pricing scale for forged irons but for the performance, you’ll receive, the P790 is a fabulous choice.
Questions & Answers
What are the easiest forged irons to hit?
Our choice for the easiest forged irons to hit is the TaylorMade P770 irons. Although forged irons can be difficult to hit, TaylorMade has included some top game improvement features here to boost distance and offer advanced shot shaping.
Such features as the hollow body construction, lower center of gravity, and their patented Thru-Slot Speed Pocket produce a more accessible forged iron.
Although the hitting area is far more compact than their premium game improvement irons, the P770 offers an outstanding combination of explosive distance and forgiveness, a rarity for a forged iron of this caliber.
Do professionals use forged irons?
Yes, professional golfers use forged irons for their versatility in working the ball from side to side.
With their skill level, pro golfers don’t need game improvement irons as forged irons provide a more compact hitting area that requires the precise striking of the golf ball.
The extra accuracy and control provided by forged irons, or blades as some golfers call them, allow pro golfers to create the ideal shape for each shot.
With game improvement irons, amateurs are hoping for high, straight shots that stay along a target line, but forged irons provide more workability that, in the hands of highly skilled golfers, can create customized shotmaking from anywhere on the course.
Are forged golf irons better?
Forged irons are better if you are an advanced golfer. If your handicap is somewhere outside the single digits, forged irons could create problems.
Not only are forged irons more challenging to hit when compared to game improvement irons, but for golfers that struggle to produce a repeatable swing, these clubs can wreak havoc when it comes to finding consistency.
Game improvement irons offer a larger hitting area and more forgiveness. In comparison, forged irons are more compact and used by advanced golfers to craft shots that meet their needs on the course.
What is a forged iron and how does it differ from a regular iron?
A forged iron differs from your typical cavity-backed iron because it is made from one piece of steel. In comparison, cavity-backed irons are usually made from a mixture of composite materials with steel that makes the clubhead lighter for improved clubhead speed.
Forged irons are thinner with smaller sweet spots on the face because they are used primarily by advanced golfers who don’t need the help of a game-improvement iron like most mid-level handicappers.
By playing with a forged iron, the golfer is given far greater control on their iron shots. This feature allows them to shape their shots with more input, rather than having irons that simply get the ball into the air and down the fairway.
Forged irons are played by some of the best golfers in the world, but they are not for everyone. Amateurs with single-digit handicaps and years of golfing experience find that forged irons give them a benefit that larger irons cannot replicate.
What are the different types of irons?
There are a couple of types of irons that golfers can choose from to play the great game.
First, is the forged iron made for expert-level golfers. This type of iron is thin and made to help experienced golfers create shots that they could not usually accomplish with other irons.
The next type is a cavity-backed iron that is typically referred to as game-improvement irons.
The purpose of these irons is to help the amateur golfer get the ball into the air with a larger clubhead that has a broad sweet spot to reduce side spin and promote launch angle after impact.
Game-improvement irons are not built to help shape shots or allow the golfer to input spin upon the swing. They are blunter instruments that are made solely to promote better contact with the golf ball for better results than high-handicappers are used to seeing from their game.
Then dry the clubhead and replace it in your golf bag for its next use.
Are forged irons scratch-resistant?
The heads of forged irons are not scratch resistant. As you play multiple rounds with the clubs, you may notice that there are dings or slight scratches that have accumulated on the metal of the iron head.
This type of wear and tear is typical for a golfer who is playing a new set of clubs. These small scratches are usually insignificant to the overall playability of the forged iron.
We also suggest you check our detailed guide on How to Clean Golf Clubs.
Conclusion
Our award for the best-forged irons goes to the TaylorMade P770. Tiger Woods plays an alternative of these blade irons as they provide additional forgiveness with all the control and accuracy he’d expect from a professional tour-ready iron.
Golfers can also expect the P770 to shape shots with the best-forged irons today. A thin topline and minimal offset put the golfer in the correct position to hit the shots they want on the course.
TaylorMade has worked overtime to lower the weight of the P770 iron without compromising power.
The P770 offers total control with impressive distance and high-grade accuracy for the single-digit handicapper.