Best Game-Improvement Irons (2022 Buying Guide)

Lightweight

Mazel’s best game improvement irons come with lightweight graphite shafts, which you’d think would help with the swing speed. I think that we’ve just become used to irons with ultra-thin, cupped faces that have trampoline-like sweet spots. These, being a budget option, don’t have that type of tech built in. But the light weight makes it possible to swing the long irons fast enough to get a great, penetrating trajectory.

Low CG Long Irons

The 4 and 5 irons are hollow-bodied with very low center of gravity, allowing them to launch the ball high enough to be useful. Many players are concerned that the short length won’t let them generate enough speed to give the ball lift, but the Mazel clubs are definitely hittable.

Wide Soles

The Mazels have a nice wide sole, which will help beginners who may have issues digging the club into the ground and hitting it fat. The thick sole is very forgiving and encourages good contact even on poor swings. It also helps for chipping around the green, which is something beginners often have difficulty with.

Overall

Experienced golfers who try these out may be soured on the single length concept if they lose yardage with the Mazel irons. That’s why I recommend these for beginners: they’re easy to hit and they do a good job of keeping the ball in play. That should be the primary concern for someone just starting out.

Once they’ve been hooked and are willing to make an investment in their game, then it may come time to upgrade to a single-length set that provides better distance. A beginner golfer won’t have any problem making the transition, and they’ll be pleased to suddenly be hitting the ball a lot further.

Buttery

I don’t know how TaylorMade did it, but these M4 Irons are a cast set that feels awfully close to forged. They’re soft and buttery, with a large sweet spot that really sends the ball. While overall distance and accuracy are good-but-not-great, they make up for it in feel. The sound, which is a major and underrated aspect of feel, is excellent: a good strike is rewarded with a click that sounds like it was produced in a studio.

RIBCOR

TaylorMade’s version of a springy, large sweet spot is called RIBCOR technology. It reinforces the perimeter of the club, making the hitting area large and lively. The weighting is spread out nicely to the heel and toe, giving the irons a high moment of inertia, which transfers more forward motion to the ball and gets it started in the right direction. A high moment of inertia means good forgiveness and ball speed.

Strong lofts

But some of the distance found in the TaylorMade M4s is simply achieved by them making the lofts exceptionally strong. What used to be a 5-iron is now called a 6-iron. A 43-degree loft, formerly known as a 9-iron, is called a Pitching Wedge. So some of this distance is a sort of ill-gotten gain. Long irons will be a bit harder to hit because of the stronger lofts, but with the proliferation of hybrids replacing long irons, that may not be an issue for many golfers.

The hosel

If you want confirmation about how much thought TaylorMade put into the M4, look no further than the fluted hosel. They’ve shaved a tiny bit of metal off of each hosel, giving them a few more grams to use to provide a better center of gravity. This minor detail shows how far the engineers are having to go to maximize every bit of technology available to them. It’s a small but impressive detail.

Overall

The TaylorMade M4 irons are a great option for players who have started breaking 90 regularly and are looking for irons that’ll help them elevate their game. With excellent feel and good all-around performance, they’ll stay in your bag a long time.

Radial Weighting

Each iron in the set features extreme toe and heel weighting. With a 10-gram weight that rests in the sole and a 3-gram weight in the heel. The combination of the two weights increases speed, lowers spin, and provides optimal stability.

A 10-gram weight sits low in the toe to center the club’s CG and help stabilize the quality of contact for longer distances with each swing.

Forged PWRSHELL Face

A forged PWRSHELL face insert represents the hitting area on each Radspeed iron. Made from thin stainless steel, the insert increases flexibility along the sweet spot for high launch and faster ball speed.

In addition to the insert, these irons also feature a carbon fiber topline that helps lower CG and increase the club’s MOI. At address, these irons dazzle with a clean look.

Oversized Head Shape

With exceptional forgiveness, the oversized head shape of the Radspeed irons are a great asset for mid and high handicappers. Along with the previously mentioned balanced weighting, the head shape also increases the shot quality with confidence.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a new, modern set of irons, the Radspeed set gives golfers more workability with exceedingly long distance. With several innovative features that reduce weight along the entire clubhead, including the 3D printed insert, the Radspeed offers cutting edge technology that gives amateurs a serious advantage in obtaining the next level in their game.

Extended Distance

Along with the Power Holes, the design of the D9 promotes exceptionally long distance when finding the sweet spot.

One of the big reasons why these irons offer extended length is due to the low CG. With more carry that translates into more yardage, the D9 Irons take full advantage of the deep center of gravity when lifting shots into the air.

Impressive Accuracy

From the fairway, the D9 Irons are assassins with a keen eye for the pin. If you are in the market for irons that will tighten shot dispersion for a more predictable shot shape, the D9 delivers with gusto and swagger.

A game-improvement iron at its heart with the look of a player’s iron, the D9 provides moderate workability from mid-range distances to help customize the shot shape you are looking to achieve. 

Power Holes

Behind the face rests three Power Holes. Filled with urethane, these Power Holes are positioned to the center of the face to help create maximum flexibility across the hitting area. 

The Power Holes, a popular feature in recent Wilson irons, are utilized here to also broaden the sweet spot with dynamic forgiveness on off-center strikes.

Results

On the course, the Wilson D9 irons promote extra distance with terrific accuracy. For golfers that want tighter shot dispersion in a game-improvement package, the D9 irons meet this threshold with style and flair. 

Progressive Iron Transition

One of the features of a well-crafted set is progressive transition down through the iron set. Rather than every iron providing the same response, the Launcher UHX set progressively modifies the shape and weight of their irons to provide more lift, better distance, and higher spin as the golfer moves toward the pitching wedge.

The fast steel face on each Launcher iron offers high strength with extensive balance. For golfers struggling with a slice, the irons have additional weight in the heel to help get the face to a square position.

Forgiving Sweet Spot

Another feature that game-improvement irons must carry is a large sweet spot that offers forgiveness with high consistent launch, something that the Launcher UHX irons provide with style.

Along with outstanding control, the UHX irons offer straight, accurate ball flight that improving golfers can depend upon. While they might not offer the workability of blade irons, the Launcher UHX set does give the gift of reliability resulting in more birdie putts. 

High Spin Inside 150 Yards

The Launcher UHX Irons dial up the spin from inside 175 yards. With a 7-iron, golfers will notice the high launch helps stick golf balls to the green with impressive shot-stopping power. 

Same holds true for the 9-iron and pitching wedge as both clubs are very accurate, easy-to-hit, and deliver marvelous spin rates.

Conclusion

A wonderful set for high handicappers and beginners looking to launch the golf ball, the Cleveland Launcher UHX set delivers staggering yardage along with a very forgiving sweet spot.

Hybrids or woods?

To be honest, these are more like high-lofted woods than hybrids. The design is that of a set of fairway woods with increasingly higher lofts. They’re forgiving but not very long, and I found that the design of the 9-iron and wedges wasn’t conducive to the high, soft shots that you usually look for from short irons.

They’re also very difficult to hit out of the rough, as the sole is just too broad to dig through thick grass.

Who are these for?

These are clubs made for beginners or seniors who have trouble getting the ball up into the air. Very slow swing speeds will find a good ball flight, but anyone swinging 80 mph or faster will just hit pop-ups. It’s hard to review these properly as they’re made for a very narrow subset of golfers.

The bottom line

For senior golfers who can’t get the ball into the air any more, these clubs are ideal. And beginners who can’t hit irons but don’t want to spend the money for the Cleveland Launcher HB hybrid irons may find these to their liking. Otherwise, I wouldn’t recommend these.

They do come with a full set of headcovers. They’re glossy and a little tacky-looking, but they’re necessary as these aren’t very durable without protection.

Moonshots

Cobra’s clever center-of-gravity adjustments with the hosel and weighting help to keep ball-flights low with short irons, but Orlimar doesn’t have that feature. The intercept irons all have the same weight and center of gravity, so the short irons and wedges give you extremely high trajectories.

Some players may hear this and say “I wish I could hit the ball higher, this sounds great!” but believe me, the trajectories are almost unmanageably high. If there’s even a breath of wind, the ball flies so high that the wind effects are magnified. A 9-iron that normally flies 140 will balloon into the wind and come up under 100 yards. When you try to choke down and flight the ball down, it still flies super high.

No 4-iron

One of the advantages of single-length irons is that long irons are easier to hit, but unfortunately Orlimar doesn’t offer a 4-iron. I’m guessing that the reason behind this is that the center of gravity and short length made the 4-irons too hard to get up off the ground. Without the hosel adjustments of the Cobras, the 4-iron of the Orlimar would probably be unhittable. So you’ll need to carry a hybrid to replace the 4-iron, which starts to defeat the concept of single-length clubs and just one swing needed.

Get a grip

The grips included on the Orlimar Intercept are not very good. They feel slick out of the box and wear down quickly. I’d suggest re-gripping them soon after purchasing them, but that starts to mitigate the fact that they’re a low-cost option.

The good

Having gotten all the nitpicking aside, these are decent-feeling irons that provide very good distance and decent forgiveness on mis-hits. I can see why golfers would be hesitant to pay a steep price for what’s essentially an experimental set of clubs, so these are a good option that provide decent performance at a great price. Curious golfers may well find enough to like here to stick with them and become single-length devotees.

Hollow construction

The Launcher HB has faces that look like normal irons, with hollow bodies that resemble woods or hybrids. You can tell by looking at them that they’re designed with a low center of gravity and they’ll have no trouble popping the ball up into the air. Like most drivers and fairway woods, the hollow bodies offer a good amount of forgiveness. Heel and toe shots fly straight and nearly as far as contact on the middle of the clubface.

However, the hollow bodies also mean the ball won’t curve at all. If you’re used to playing a bit of a slice or a draw, you’ll need to adjust to these. The ball flies straight with very little curve, so make sure you’re getting that clubface square at impact. Wherever it’s facing, that’s where the shot will go.

High launch sacrifices distance at mid-to-high swing speeds

For higher swing speed players, the high launch of the Launcher HB will tend to mean less overall distance. They start out high and tend to float before deflating towards their target.

Slower swingers, however, may actually find that these increase the yardage they’re able to achieve. They’re great for beginners as well, as the forgiveness level is very high. As you start to get better, though, you’ll likely want to find more workable irons.

Bag chatter

Since these are painted, hybrid-like clubs, you’ll probably want to use headcovers for all of these or they’ll get seriously scratched up. With most iron sets, headcovers aren’t necessary, but with these hybrid irons they’re important.

Variable Iron Construction

One of the more impressive features of the GS Iron Set is the variable iron design that modifies each iron based upon its number. For long irons, think 4-iron through 7-iron, Honma utilizes its L-Cup Face to maximize ball speed across the sweet spot increasing forgiveness.

On short irons from 8-iron to the wedge, the variability helps increase the face flexibility along with dramatically increasing the size of the sweet spot.

Flip Slot Technology

Along the sole of each iron in this set, you’ll find a speed-inducing feature known as the Flip Slot. 

This technology helps increase ball speed, even on off-center strikes. The GS iron delivers solid forgiveness that does not minimize exit velocity when the ball is impacted away from the sweet spot.

Deep Cavity Body

The unique head shape helps players increase stability through the impact zone, due mainly to the wide, deep cavity body. 

The irons also boast high MOI for reduced twisting as the head comes in contact with the turf. With clean divots, the crisp contact produced by these irons certainly make these irons a worthwhile investment.

Results

Available in either stainless steel or graphite shafts, the T/World GS Iron Set offers plenty of variety to help create the shot shape and distance you want from your game.

Low CG, High Launch

One of the biggest obstacles that inexperienced golfers face when starting their golfing journey is getting the ball into the air. More shot height translates to the extended carry that equals distance.

The Speedzone irons offer premium shot speed across the entire hitting area along with a high arcing shot shape that lands softly on the green with moderate spin, great for distance control.

PWRSHELL Technology

One of Cobra’s newest features is PWRSHELL Technology. The new innovation creates a larger sweet spot area, up to 35% larger than previous Cobra models, according to the company. The expansive hitting area provides more forgiveness on off-center strikes while maintaining exit velocity for impressive distance.

The technology also expands the undercut to increase ball speed and launch angle after impact.

Carbon Fiber Topline

Cobra also included a carbon fiber topline, reducing the overall weight of the club head for more speed that translates into staggering distance. The lighter topline also lowers the CG for higher shots with plenty of backspin for total control inside 150 yards.

The iron also features extreme toe and heel weighting to balance the entire hitting area with high MOI to keep the clubface stable throughout the impact zone.

Overall

If you are a beginner, high or mid handicapper, the Cobra King Speedzone Irons offer premium game-improvement iron performance. With exceptional distance and very solid forgiveness, the Speedzone irons offer a solid set of clubs that help lower your scores.

Cap Back Design

Rather than stick the old cavity-back design on the Max2 OS, TaylorMade has created the Cap Back Design, solidifying the entire sweet spot for more power directed straight to the golf ball. Running a bar through the back of the club head that attaches from the topline to the sole, the Cap Back improves feel and response.

Thru-Slot Speed Pocket

Just behind the face, TaylorMade has included their patented Thru-Slot Speed Pocket. The pocket provides golfers with more face flexibility that helps with forgiveness while increasing distance.

The Speed Pocket also reduces the overall weight of the club head, increasing swing speed for more energy directed straight to the golf ball. The feature boosts length, for higher, straighter shots that find the green with more regularity.

ECHO Damping System

When it comes to vibration absorption, the ECHO Damping System on the Max2 OS irons remains the best on the market. When a ball strikes off-center, the ECHO system stiffens the club head and dramatically reduces the vibration, so your shotmaking always feels clean and pure.

Overall

One of the best game-improvement sets on the market, the SIM2 Max OS Irons offer exciting performance. Rather than other game-improvement irons that feel thin and hollow in your hands, the SIM2 Max OS offers a muscular feel and solid sensation.

Stability Frame

Behind the company’s innovative Stability Frame, the JPX921 irons offer perimeter weighting that keeps your shots on target. Rather than imparting distance-killing sidespin, these Mizuno irons offer more toe bias, keeping your face square through impact. The resulting shots are high and soft with stunning distance.

Faster Ball Speed

All golfers seeking game-improvement irons want faster shot speed and these Mizuno irons are happy to oblige. On shot after shot, the ball cannons off the club face producing that sweet sound that turns heads on the range.

Mizuno has worked hard to reduce the thickness of the club face, all in an effort to boost ball speed. After one swing you’ll notice they were successful, producing those high arcing shots that land softly on the putting surface.

Seamless Cup Face

Along with the other features, Mizuno has given these irons a Seamless Cup Face. Although the JPX921 irons do not qualify as forged, the spirit of that style of craftsmanship lives on with these clubs.

Contained in one complete metal piece, the cup face works like a hinge, helping to increase overall face flex for impressive ball speeds that translate into better forgiveness and more length on every swing.

Overall

If you are looking for a premium game-improvement set that will grow with your progress, the Mizuno JPX921 offers tour-level craftsmanship that will carry your game for many years to come.

Greater Face Flexibility

More flexibility across the face translates to better forgiveness and shot accuracy. With the G410 irons, Ping has dramatically increased the flexibility of the face helping to ramp up ball speeds without losing precision in your shotmaking.

The increase in distance also allows you to club down on most holes, offering better accuracy with every shot, something most game-improvement irons cannot do for your game.

High MOI, Terrific Accuracy

With a more compact blade length and greater offset, the G410 irons provide golfers with a more refined club head shape. Along with its visual appeal, the smaller head shape provides excellent forgiveness that keeps shots along the target line without a reduction in shot speed.

COR-Eye Technology

Ping also included their innovative COR-Eye Technology that expands the sweet spot, lowers CG, and improves the overall balance of the club head for smoother impact. The COR-Eye increases power on every swing, improving distance without sacrificing accuracy.

Overall

Always incredibly hard to beat, the Ping G410 irons provide a performance level that remains unmatched in most clubmaking circles. If you are looking for an entry-level game-improvement iron that will dazzle you on the range and course, the G410 is well-equipped for the challenge.

Faster Maraging Steel Face

Using aerospace-grade alloys, Ping provides golfers with one of the strongest club heads they’ve ever created. Although the steel offers strength properties, it does not skimp on the flexibility, providing mid handicappers with the ability to craft shots from the fairway and green.

For high handicappers and beginners, the G710’s club head features helps easily lift the ball into the air for more distance with staggering reliability.

Higher MOI, Exceptional Forgiveness

The high-density tungsten toe and heel weights lift the MOI, reducing the twist that causes slices and hooks. Along with being exceptionally forgiving, the G710 irons provide more muscle for golfers with slower swing speeds.

When you are evaluating game-improvement irons, the ability to swing harder without worrying that the ball will dramatically go off-course is a huge benefit. 

Arccos Caddie Smart Grips

The Arccos Caddie Smart Grips are included here with the G710 irons. Working with the Arccos Caddie app, the sensors in the grips automatically record a bevy of important statistics that help you gauge where your game is growing and, alternatively, where it needs improvement.

Overall

If you compare the G710 to any other iron on this list, you’ll find that although their performance might be comparable, it remains incredibly hard to beat the craftsmanship of these Ping irons. Delivering impressive results from the fairway and tee box, the G710 will continually delight you on the links.

Flash Face Cup Technology

Behind the innovative Flash Face Cup Technology, the company has specifically targeted the hitting area to handle this task of raising the level of golfer’s shotmaking. When looking at the performance of the longer irons, the technology helps golfers maintain distance without losing accuracy.

With the shorter irons, the Flash Face Cup Technology boosts spin rates to help you hold the green with more precision and accuracy.

Tungsten Energy Core

The addition of Tungsten Energy Core weighting, golfers will receive more launch with impressive precision, especially on shots within 150 yards to the pin. The weighting, located toward the sole of the club head, optimizes launch and ball flight for extended carry and improved ball speed.

Trajectory from the Mavrik irons is another plus feature here as the ball penetrates the air with authority. For mid and high handicappers, the ball flight translates to better accuracy and tighter shot dispersion.

Urethane Microspheres

The irons also utilize Urethane Microspheres that absorb vibration creating the pure feel that golfers want from their clubs. The microspheres also solidify and boost ball speed for more distance.

Overall

When it comes to game-improvement irons that are accessible by every golfer, no matter their skill level or age, the Callaway Mavrik offers a fun and exciting option that provides a perfect marriage of playability and performance.