Updated March 3, 2022. This article was thoroughly audited by multiple golf experts and coaches for its accuracy. You can read more about our rigorous testing protocol here.
The Rundown:
Best Overall: TaylorMade M6 Irons
“The TaylorMade M6 offers extraordinary distance. It also has good forgiveness on thin shots. Ideal for golfers looking for pure performance who don’t mind the price tag.”
Best Option for Mid Handicappers: Check Other Models on Global GolfNo products found.
What are the game-improvement irons? Will they be suitable for beginners? How do I choose the best iron set for me? Those are the typical questions I will answer in this article.
We tested and reviewed 15 of the best game improvement irons on the market today. You can skip the trial and error because we already did that for you!




Featured Recommendations
Last updated on 2023-01-11. The links are affiliate links. Product images are served from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Table of Contents
- The Rundown:
- Featured Recommendations
- Best Game Improvement Irons
- TaylorMade M6 Golf Iron
- Ping G425 Iron Set
- TaylorMade M4 Iron Set
- Cobra Radspeed Iron Set
- Wilson D9 Iron Set
- Cleveland Launcher UHX Iron Set
- Orlimar Intercept Single Length Iron Set
- Cleveland Launcher HB Iron Set
- Honma T/World GS Iron Set
- Cobra King Speedzone Iron Set
- TaylorMade SIM2 Max OS
- Mizuno JPX921 Hot Metal
- Ping G410
- Ping G710
- Callaway Mavrik Irons
- TaylorMade M6 Golf Iron
- Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Game Improvement Iron
- Questions & Answers
- What are golf irons?
- What Is The Number In An Iron’s Naming?
- What Is The Game Improvement Iron Category?
- Are There Prerequisites To Using A Game Improvement Iron?
- What Are The Qualities Of A Great Game-Improvement Iron?
- What Type Of Player Should Use Game Improvement Irons?
- Should A Game Improvement Iron Replace The Golf Irons Currently In My Bag?
- Can I Use Game Improvement Irons With Any Golf Balls? If Not, What Are The Best Golf Balls For Game Improvement Irons?
- Should I go for graphite or steel shafts on my game improvement club?
- Do all clubs come with a headcover?
- What are golf irons?
- Conclusion
Best Game Improvement Irons
TaylorMade M6 Golf Iron
Best Game Improvement Irons Overall: Great feel and distance with a price tag to match
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PROS
- Extraordinary distance
- Great sound and feel
- Good forgiveness on thin shots
CONS
- Expensive
TaylorMade’s newest offering in the game improvement category is the M6 iron set.
They’re a lovely set, reminiscent of recent Titleist irons, with a distinctive “Speed Bridge” that links the sole and topline to reinforce the clubface and allow for a deeper Speed Pocket. This results in a long, excellent feeling game improvement iron that any player would be happy to play.
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Ping G425 Iron Set
Best Game Improvement Iron for Mid Handicappers
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PROS
- Better trajectories than Orlimar
- Includes 4-iron and sand wedge
- Solid option for beginners
CONS
- Very short distance-wise
Mazel Single-Length irons are another budget option for players interested in single-length irons. However, I’d recommend them to those just starting: the price is right, and the irons are easy to hit with excellent trajectories, making them one of the best game improvement irons on the market today.
The distance you get from them isn’t very good, but beginners won’t know that. Instead, they’ll be pleased with the ease of using one swing for all shots and hitting the ball straight every time.
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TaylorMade M4 Iron Set
Runner-Up Choice: forged feel and elite technology
PROS
- Lively face provides great feel
- Good forgiveness
- Shafts feel great
CONS
- Very strong lofts
- Not as long as some other clubs
The TaylorMade M4 iron set is an excellent choice for players who value great feel and may want to work the ball just a little bit.
If you’re not quite ready for blades, but you may want to bridge the gap between game improvement irons and blades, the M4s are worth a look. They provide solid performance and an elite feel.
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Cobra Radspeed Iron Set
Best Game Improvement Iron for Low Handicappers
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PROS
- Extreme heel and toe weighting increases speed and stability
- Low CG with 10-gram weight positioned deep in the sole
- 3D printed medallion reduces head weight for increased speed
CONS
- Overly firm feel
Cobra’s Radspeed Iron Set provides mid handicappers with an upgraded collection that focuses on increasing their distance with exceptional accuracy. Features for the Radspeed Irons include Radial Weighting, a forged PWRSHELL face, and a 3D printed medallion to produce one of the company’s best innovative club sets.
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Wilson D9 Iron Set
Best Distance Game Improvement Iron
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PROS
- Power Holes behind the face increase speed and dampen vibration
- Low center of gravity creates easy launch with consistent spin
- Player’s iron design with the game-improvement performance
CONS
- Great for higher launch but reduces the overall distance
- More emphasis on power than delicate shot-making
Classified as game-improvement irons, the Wilson D9 Iron Set is designed to increase distance. With a low, deep center of gravity, the D9 utilizes the urethane-filled Power Holes to produce flex across the hitting area for better forgiveness and more spring at impact.
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Cleveland Launcher UHX Iron Set
Best Distance Game Improvement Iron from Slice Correcting Driver
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PROS
- Seamless integration with gradual transition in shape and forgiveness
- Fast steel face produces the strength for more distance and power
- Exceptional spin rates from inside 150-175 yards
CONS
- Could be more forgiving
- Thin topline may be intimidating for poor iron players
When shopping for game-improvement irons, the most essential feature that golfers need is their ability to easily hit the golf ball. Most golfers at this skill level need consistency, and iron sets like the Cleveland Launcher UHX Iron Set are more than capable of helping weekend warriors achieve this goal.
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Orlimar Intercept Single Length Iron Set
Best Budget Game Improvement Iron: for those curious about single-length irons
PROS
- Lower cost option if you’re interested in trying out single-length irons
CONS
- Overly high ball flight in short irons
- Poor grips
If you’re interested in single-length irons but don’t want to spend the money to get a premium brand like Cobra, Orlimar has offered the Intercept Single-Length Irons at an affordable price.
They’re well-made best game improvement irons that serve as a decent introduction to the single-length concept. However, some technological limitations keep them from performing as well as the Cobras.
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Cleveland Launcher HB Iron Set
Best Game Improvement Iron: ideal for most golfers
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PROS
- Hybrid-style is very easy to hit
- Very forgiving
- Good lift for slow swing speeds
CONS
- Subpar distance
- Not workable at all
This Iron Set can change your game overnight – these are some of the longest, highest, and most forgiving best game improvement irons we’ve ever played.
The Cleveland Launcher HB is a set of all-hybrid clubs that give the feeling of hitting a wood, even with the high-lofted short irons. It’s very forgiving.
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Honma T/World GS Iron Set
Best Luxury Game Improvement Iron Set
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PROS
- Variable iron construction increases speed and spin based on iron number
- Flip Slot technology along the sole enhances turf interaction and adds forgiveness
- Deep cavity body increases CG with high MOI for less twisting
CONS
- Feels thin and less forgiving on off-center strikes
- Very high price point does not correspond with performance
While Honma has long stood as one of the best luxury golf club manufacturers on the market, the company has recently begun to create moderately priced club sets for amateurs.
Their latest creation, the T/World GS Iron Set offers terrific playability with a stylish design that will impress your playing partners.
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Cobra King Speedzone Iron Set
Best Game Improvement Iron for High Handicappers
PROS
- Progressive head shape increases launch with high-grade spin rates
- PWRSHELL Technology provides golfers with a thin pocket from toe to heel for boosted ball speed
- Carbon topline provides lightweight feel with low CG and fast ball speed
CONS
- High launch reduces workability and shot-shape control
- Blocky head shape looks strange at the address
One of the biggest obstacles 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.
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TaylorMade SIM2 Max OS
Best Oversized Game Improvement Iron
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PROS
- Oversized hitting area offers exceptional distance and shot height
- Cap Back Design provides impressive power to the golf ball for more length
- High-grade forgiveness on off-center contact keeping the ball toward the target
CONS
- Heavier clubhead reduces distance for slow swing speeds
- Oversized head shape delivers high and straight shot with no workability
TaylorMade’s latest iron set, the SIM2 Max OS, offers a broad hitting area that boosts forgiveness, length, and shot quality. It provides high handicappers the ultimate tool for lifting their shots for more distance and increased accuracy with a host of exciting features.
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Mizuno JPX921 Hot Metal
Most Accurate Game Improvement Iron
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PROS
- Incredibly fast ball speeds off the inviting sweet spot
- Seamless Cup Face provides impressive forgiveness and flexibility
- Dazzling feel with the smooth response that golfers crave
CONS
- Higher price point could force casual golfers away from the set
- Built more for advanced golfers
One of the most underrated golf equipment companies, Mizuno, has created another winner with their JPX921 Hot Metal Irons. With piercing ball flight, the JPX921 offers dazzling game-improvement performance that guarantees to add more distance and accuracy to your golf bag.
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Ping G410
Best Distance Game Improvement Iron for Mid Handicappers
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PROS
- Reshaped head design provides golfers with higher MOI for better accuracy
- High launch angle increases distance with greater carry
- Improved sound and feel with damped vibration
CONS
- Strange futuristic, unappealing appearance
- Higher launch may turn away golfers wanting more length
From Ping, one of the top golf equipment manufacturers globally, comes the G410, a delightful game-improvement set that delivers the goods in all aspects of the game.
Anything you want for your game, you’ll find it with the G410 irons. From increased distance to better feel and forgiveness, these Ping irons offer an exciting way to shave the rough edges from your game.
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Ping G710
Best Distance Game Improvement Iron for Low Handicappers
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PROS
- Stunning hydropearl chrome finish offers stylish look in your golf bag
- Arccos Caddie Smart Grips records and analyzes every shot
- Boosted MOI provides better accuracy and more forgiveness
CONS
- Higher price point due to the Ping name
- Better for serious golfers that play often
Ping’s most sophisticated game-improvement irons are the G710. With advanced features that stiffen the club head and boost power to the golf ball, the G710 irons remain one of the best premium options for golfers looking to improve their shotmaking into the green.
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Callaway Mavrik Irons
Best All-Around Game Improvement Iron for High Handicappers
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PROS
- A.I-aided design provides golfers with distance, accuracy, and piercing ball flight
- Wide sweet spot increases forgiveness while boosting power to the golf ball
- Marvelous feel throughout the swing with minimal vibration
CONS
- Not as muscular as more defined cavity-backed irons
- Offers a more moderate launch when compared to other game-improvement sets
With Callaway’s Mavrik irons, golfers seeking high-quality game-improvement irons will find that the clubs continually raise their confidence after every swing.
With the assistance of Artificial Intelligence, Callaway has crafted these irons to provide more ball speed and forgiveness. Whether you are on the tee box or sitting in the fairway, you’ll quickly discover that the company was very successful in its pursuit of creating clubs that produce better shotmaking.
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Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Game Improvement Iron
Many factors can determine an iron’s strengths or weaknesses, even more than other club types.
However, for a general rule of thumb, here are several essential qualities you should focus on before making your purchase:
Forged VS Cast, and The Materials
Which one is better, forged irons or cast irons? What materials should I look for?
These two questions are often treated as two separate ones, but the truth is, they should be asked together. Forged is a better method with certain materials, as do cast irons.
To answer the question, we should first understand the basic principle behind the two:
Forged Irons
In forged irons, the roughly-shaped metal material is hammered into shape, just like we often see from medieval blacksmiths in the movies. The hammered, commonly carbon steel clubhead is then finished by grinding, milling, and polishing.
Thus, the forged method is better for an iron with a singular, one-piece material. Purists will claim that forged irons have a better feel, and to some extent, it’s true.
Cast Irons
In this method, the liquid metal is poured into a mold. This method allows for a more complex shape and uses multiple materials at once. Not to mention, cast irons are also cheaper to make.
Thus, cast irons are typically better if your club is multi-material in nature.
However, as with many technologies today, casting technology has rapid development, allowing cast irons to close the gap in feel to forged irons.
The basic principle, however, still stands. If you are looking for a solid, one-piece iron, forged is the way to go.
You should also consider that multi-material technology today allow new ways to improve forgiveness and distance. I bet in the near future, cast irons will reach their perfection and will be better, as well as more affordable.
Sole and Offset Size
The general rule of thumb is the wider the sole, the lower the center of gravity. This is because a lower center of gravity will translate to a higher natural trajectory of your shots and bounce more than dig at impact.
On the other hand, a narrow sole translates to a better feel and control.
The offset is the face behind the hosel, and the larger the offset, the more forgiving the club will be. The smaller the offset, however, will give you more shot-shaping ability.
It’s crucial to find the right balance between both sizes to suit your overall playstyle and needs.
Shaft Flexibility
Choosing a proper shaft suitable for your current ability will benefit your overall game. However, if you’d like to go deeper, we’ve written an in-depth guide on picking the best golf shafts.
Here are some pointers:
- If your 6-iron swing speed is 90mph or higher and carry distance 175 yards or more, go with X flex.
- If your speed is 80-90mph and carry 155 to 175 yards, go with S flex.
- For 70-80mph and 130 to 155 yards, go with R flex.
- For 60-70mph and 100 to 130 yards, go with A flex.
- And for speeds under 60mph and carries less than 100 yards, go with L flex.
Cost
When choosing a suitable game improvement iron, it is crucial to understand the difference between cost and value. Many game improvement iron sets, including those on our list, offer incredible performance and terrific value. By finding the right set for your game while saving money, you accomplish two goals that allow you to reallocate funds onto other aspects of your equipment.
Although the cost of an iron set is high, it should not be the final reason to discard a set of clubs. At times, spending a bit more on the ideal set of game improvement irons will save you money in the long run because the clubs last longer and perform better.
Distance vs. Forgiveness
There are game improvement irons that offer either more distance or forgiveness for golfers. In the perfect world, players would find sets that ultimately improve both of these aspects of their game, but since equipment manufacturers vary in their design, it is up to the golfer to find the set that works best for their game.
Irons that offer more forgiveness may have wider soles along the bottom of the club and perimeter weighting that balances the club head. Irons that focus on distance usually have a lower and deeper center of gravity to increase the launch angle for better carry.
Set-make-up
The set make-up is another essential factor to consider when choosing your clubs. Specifically, the iron set’s make-up will affect how many hybrids or wedges the golfer carries in their bag.
Many amateurs love to use hybrids in place of their long irons because they are easier to hit. These clubs also offer a distance and shot shape advantage over long irons.
For the short game, golfers need to determine how many wedges they plan to carry in their bag and how that corresponds with their iron set.
Questions & Answers

What are golf irons?
The name iron originated from the material golf irons used to be made with.
Back then, drivers and fairway woods were made from, as you may guess, wood materials, and thus they were (and are) called woods, with the driver also often deemed as 1-wood.
Thus, we can guess that irons were made with steel materials.
They are typically smaller, clubhead size-wise, and shorter in shaft lengths than the woods and are designed to propel the ball towards the hole, anywhere after your tee shots and before roughly 200-yards to the hole, where you will switch to your putter.
While wood clubs, especially the driver, are designed with the emphasis on distance, irons are designed to be more well-rounded, with accuracy and control on the green being the emphasis.

What Is The Number In An Iron’s Naming?
The number in front of the iron indicates the relative angle of its loft, with 1 being the steepest and 9 being the highest.
The higher number represents a higher loft angle, and the higher the loft angle, the ball will fly in a shorter distance but higher launch trajectory.
Generally, Irons come in sets that include six to eight individual irons.
The typical iron set consists of, but is not limited to, the 3-,4-,5-,6-,7-,8-, and 9-irons. A Gap/Approach Wedge (AW) and/or a Pitching Wedge (PW) are also included in the set.
Thus, when shopping for an iron set, you will see them listed as something like 3-PW, 5-PW, AW, or 4-PW.
PW or AW indicates whether a Pitching Wedge (PW), Approach Wedge (AW), or both is included. The number upfront means the smaller iron included in the set and will always include every number until the 9-irons. For example, a 3-PW would include all irons from 3- to 9- and have a Pitching Wedge.

What Is The Game Improvement Iron Category?
To answer this question correctly, we should first discuss the three different categories for irons available on the market:
- Cavity Back: Also often known as the Max Game-Improvement Irons, and is characterized by a large hollow cavity in the back of the clubhead. The sole and toplines are significantly larger, to allow easier and more forgiving hits. Designated for beginner and those with higher (25+) handicaps.
- Game Improvement Irons: The most popular type of the bunch can fit a wide range of players from 5 to 25 handicap. The cavity is smaller, and the sole and toplines are more compact and thinner.
- Blades: Also called Player’s Irons, Cavity Muscle Back (CMB) or simply Muscle Back (MB), blades are designated, and used, by professionals and single-digit handicap players (below 5). Blades have a flat back with no cavity, making them less forgiving, yet producing better feeling and control when hit properly.
Today, our focus is the game-improvement irons, suitable for players with a handicap ranging from 5 to 25.

Are There Prerequisites To Using A Game Improvement Iron?
The best game-improvement irons will truly be beneficial for players with 25 handicap or below.
If you currently have a handicap above 25, you are better off with cavity-back irons, as the higher forgiveness will help you improve your game.
On the other hand, many players with the handicap of 5 and below chose to stay with the best game-improvement irons rather than upgrading to blade irons.
The reason is simple, in the past, blades tend to have a better overall feel, control, and shot-shaping abilities. However, newer technologies, especially in the past few years, allow game-improvement irons to close that gap.
As a result, many professional players opt to have the better consistency and forgiveness of the game-improvement irons today, with fewer sacrifices over feel and shot-shaping compared to, say, a decade ago.
With that being said, your game-improvement iron set could be a sustainable investment, even after you went below 5 handicaps.

What Are The Qualities Of A Great Game-Improvement Iron?
To answer this question, let us take a look at how the three different categories of irons are classified:
- Cavity Back: or often known as Super Game-Improvement Irons are designed for maximum forgiveness. We can often see an overly large club head designed for big sweet spot and MOI.
- On the other end of the spectrum, the Blade irons, or Player’s Irons are designed for maximum responsiveness, control, and shot shaping
- Then, we can understand that the Game-Improvement Irons are designed to sit in the middle and to have the balance between both worlds, and that is the exact quality you should look for.
The ideal best Game-Improvement Irons should have maximum forgiveness and maximum control. We also recommend checking out Ping’s irons. They have some great game-improvement irons.

What Type Of Player Should Use Game Improvement Irons?
The game-improvement irons will be suitable for many players with handicap ranging from 5 to 25.
That is a very broad range, and we can imagine a wide array of different types of players within the range.
Players striving for a well-rounded, balanced game will definitely benefit from game-improvement irons.
Do any PGA tour players use the Game-Improvement Irons? Yes! Based on PGA Tours’ official report, there is an increasing trend of using game-improvement irons on tour, especially the long irons.
Keegan Bradley, Graeme McDowell, Brian Harman, and Sean O’Hair are notable examples of such players using Game-Improvement Irons.
Let us see Keegan Bradley’s statistics during 2016, for example. Bradley is exceptionally strong on the Tee-to-Green game, ranked 17th overall for Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green.
Using a game-improvement iron for his 3-iron helped him achieve such a feat, boosting his overall flight height and reducing mistakes.
To summarize, if you are looking for a balanced and well-rounded game, especially between the tee and the greens, the game-improvement irons might improve your game further.

Should A Game Improvement Iron Replace The Golf Irons Currently In My Bag?
In this modern era of golf, with seemingly you will get new technologies and new trends in club developments every few months, it’s true that the clubs in your bag can be outdated faster than half a decade ago.
It’s hard to judge whether it is time for an upgrade, but as a consideration, here are some questions you should ask yourself.
Are Your Golf Irons At Least 3-years old?
Three years of a club age has been deemed the average benchmark for obsoleteness. If your irons are at least 3-years old from when it was released, you will feel the upgrade in buying new ones.
Has Your Game Changed?
Do you have a significant increase in your swing speed or accuracy in hitting the sweet spot? (Hey, congrats!)
If you feel you are hitting a wall to improve more as a player, then it’s time for a change.
On the other hand, you might be hitting your ‘senior’ year, and your swing speed is simply not what it used to be. It’s maybe time to switch from that blade to game-improvement irons with more flexible shafts.
Are Your Irons Still in Good Conditions?
It may be obvious, but if you see too much wear and tear, then it’s time to buy new ones.
You might want to check Golf Digest’s obsolete list and see whether your current iron set already deserved the upgrade.

Can I Use Game Improvement Irons With Any Golf Balls? If Not, What Are The Best Golf Balls For Game Improvement Irons?
Yes, If you are using high-quality game-improvement irons, you will benefit from using any golf balls.
Golf balls have different qualities and will suit different types of players. As mentioned, game-improvement irons can cater to those with 5 to 25 handicap, a very broad range.
Golf Balls
And within that range, we can expect all sorts of different types of players. For example, some might have a problem with straightness and will need the ball to help them with that issue. Others might need more distance to improve their overall game.
Check out our previous guide on the best golf balls for high handicappers. Although the article mainly focuses on high-handicap players, any player can get some insights on choosing their golf balls.

Should I go for graphite or steel shafts on my game improvement club?
Both graphite and steel shafts are viable options in game improvement irons. Traditional knowledge dictates that faster swing speeds and better players will prefer the accuracy of stiff or extra stiff steel shafts. Indeed, you see most professionals using steel iron shafts. Graphite is typically for slower swingers looking for lighter, more flexible shafts.
However, current graphite shafts such as the UST Recoil combine the best of both worlds, with steel-like weight and accuracy but the soft feel and vibration absorption of graphite shafts.
If you typically hit your 5-iron longer than 175 yards, I’d go with steel or a steel-like graphite shaft. If you’re hitting 5-iron less than 175, I’d suggest graphite shafts get more distance.

Do all clubs come with a headcover?
Most of the best game improvement irons neither include a headcover nor do they need them. Perfectionists may purchase headcovers to keep their clubs looking brand new, or people just trying out clubs who might want to re-sell them might as well. But most players don’t use head covers on their irons. The minor marks, known as “bag chatter”, don’t affect performance and add a bit of character to the clubs’ look. And even if you do use head covers, they’ll still get marked up from regular use. So it’s mostly just an unnecessary expenditure that slows play down.
The exception will be if you use hybrids or hybrid-style irons such as the Cleveland Launcher HB reviewed above. These have black paint that will get scratched up and look bad if you don’t use headcovers. But for 99% of iron sets, they’re unnecessary.
Conclusion
Our choice for the best game-improvement irons for 2022, the TaylorMade M6 Irons, produces an exceptional feel with unbeatable distance. For golfers looking to improve their accuracy and consistency, the M6 delivers on all fronts.
We were blown away by the M6’s ability to easily launch the golf ball and keep along your target line during our evaluations. For high and mid handicappers, the M6 irons produce high arcing shots that land softly on the green with plenty of spin.
With a generous sweet spot that encourages forgiveness, the M6 irons come at an affordable price if you want to stay within a budget.