Best Men's Iron Sets
From Callaway to TaylorMade, our Iron Set reviews are designed to help you weigh tradeoffs to find the best fit. We collaborate with players and gear experts to review each Iron Set based on durability (how well the set holds up against heavy play), forgiveness (the ability to mitigate negative effects of off-center hits), distance (potential distance with a well-struck shot), and playability (how easy and enjoyable the set is to hit). Rankings are updated weekly based on SidelineSwap sales data.
Meet Our Experts
Owen has spent his whole life golfing and previously managed operations for the New England PGA, Junior Golf Tournaments.
Jonathan is the founder of Warrior Golf Academy, where he offers free golf fittings, clubs, lessons, and caddie training for veterans, helping them find solace and camaraderie on the green.
The TaylorMade P790 Golf Iron Set combines distance, forgiveness, and feel for discerning golfers. Featuring refined SpeedFoam technology for enhanced ball speed, these irons have a forged hollow body and a thin 4140 stainless steel face for explosive distance. Advanced tungsten weighting optimizes the center of gravity for higher launch and improved stability, ensuring consistent performance.
The P790 iron set is aimed at more skilled golfers with a budget for quality clubs. They're not as forgiving, so you'll need to be an accurate ball striker. The P790s allow players to draw to the right and hit cut shots from left to right. And these clubs are workable around the greens as well. You can spin it and not have to aim towards the center of the green. For golfers who like to aim for the pin, spin it, and land in one spot.
Owen Harding
The TaylorMade Burner Golf Iron Set is ideal for golfers seeking explosive distance and enhanced forgiveness. With SuperFast technology for lighter weight and faster swing speeds, these irons feature a multi-functional sole for better turf interaction and cleaner strikes. The inverted cone technology expands the sweet spot for consistent ball speeds, while the dual cavity design optimizes weight distribution for a higher launch and greater forgiveness.
The Burners are powerful. They generate a lot of distance. Huge heads with huge cavity backs that make them insanely forgiving. This set is great for hitting the ball right down the middle. It's not great for shot-shot shaping, though. They're on the older side, so prices will be more affordable. They're a good game improvement iron for beginners who don't need to worry about spin.
Owen Harding
The Callaway FT Irons offer a classic design with modern performance features, making them ideal for mid-handicap golfers. The thinner topline, reduced offset, and higher toe provide a more traditional appearance, while the perimeter weighting and TPU insert deliver exceptional forgiveness and a solid feel. With the FT Irons, golfers can enjoy a blend of classic aesthetics and modern performance.
Callaway's FT Golf Iron Sets combine modern technology with classic styling. These irons feature a compact head design with a thin top line, offering a balance between distance and control. They're particularly appealing to golfers transitioning from blades to cavity-back irons. The set provides excellent forgiveness and consistency, making them suitable for both beginners and experienced players looking to refine their technique. A great option for players who want to up their game without losing that traditional edge.
Jonathan Sessa
The Ping Eye 2 Golf Iron Set features a legendary design celebrated for its blend of forgiveness, distance, and control. Introduced as a pioneer in perimeter weighting, these irons feature an expanded sweet spot and increased stability, making them exceptionally forgiving on off-center hits. The signature cavity-back design optimizes the center of gravity, promoting higher launch angles and more consistent ball flights. Crafted from durable stainless steel, the Eye 2 irons provide a solid, reliable feel and long-lasting performance. The unique, more compact head design and narrow sole offer exceptional versatility and precision, particularly from difficult lies.
The Ping Eye 2 is a classic iron set released in 1982. They have stood the test of time. They revolutionized the golf industry and are known for having a soft, light feel. These irons are designed for ease of use. The pre-worn leading edge helps with turf interaction, making it easier to get the ball airborne. While primarily designed for forgiveness, they offer decent workability for more skilled players. As a classic model, Eye 2 irons can often be found at an excellent price point. It's a great set for below-average golfers or those just getting into golf.
Owen Harding
The Callaway Big Bertha Golf Iron Set features Callaway's revolutionary 360 Face Cup Technology, which employs a flexible rim around the face to generate faster ball speeds and increased distance, even on off-center hits. The Suspended Energy Core, a pioneering construction, lowers the center of gravity, promoting higher launch and enhancing feel. With a wide sole design, these irons offer outstanding turf interaction and shot stability. Combined with high-density tungsten weighting for optimal balance and enhanced control, the Big Bertha irons cater to golfers of all skill levels.
The Big Berthas come at a great price point. Whenever people message me and ask for a good beginner iron set, I always point them in the direction of the Big Berthas. They are distance-heavy, and the forgiveness and low spin will help players hit the ball straight. They are built for average to below-average golfers. If you're a beginner not wanting to make an investment in your first iron set and just want to figure out if you like the game or not, these are for you.
Owen Harding
The Callaway Apex iron set encompasses several different models aimed at specific golfer preferences. Generally, they are designed to deliver a blend of distance, feel, and control. These irons feature a forged 1025 mild carbon steel body that provides a soft, responsive feel with every strike. Incorporating Urethane Microspheres, Apex irons also enhance sound and dampen vibrations without sacrificing ball speed. The Face Cup technology generates faster ball speeds and consistent distance, even on off-center hits. Tungsten-infused weighting precisely optimizes the center of gravity in each club, ensuring perfect launch and spin characteristics. Sleek and stylish, the Apex irons offer a classic design with modern performance, making them ideal for golfers who demand the best in both aesthetics and functionality.
The Callaway Apex Pro Golf Iron Set is designed for discerning golfers who seek a precise blend of playability, control, and tour-level feel. Crafted with a forged 1025 mild carbon steel body, these irons offer exceptional softness and responsiveness. The advanced Tungsten Weighting optimizes the center of gravity in each iron, enhancing launch conditions and forgiveness while ensuring pinpoint accuracy. Unique to the Apex Pro, the innovative Face Cup Technology boasts a thin, flexible face insert, delivering increased ball speeds and distance without compromising control. The sleek, compact head shape is tailored for better players who demand workability and a clean, confident look at address.
The Apex Pros strike a good balance between the workability of blades and the forgiveness of game-improvement irons. The forged construction and Tour-influenced design allow skilled players to shape shots. And the forgiveness is surprisingly good for a player's iron. While not as forgiving as game-improvement models, they offer more consistency on slight mis-hits than traditional blades. The Apex Pros are a premium offering in Callaway's lineup and will have a higher price tag. However, if you're looking for performance benefits and a quality set, these are for you.
Owen Harding
The Tommy Armour 845 Irons are designed for game improvement, featuring a cavity back design with perimeter weighting for increased forgiveness, a low and deep center of gravity for higher launch and penetrating trajectory, larger clubhead profiles for confidence-inspiring appearance, and various shaft options for personalized performance.
Ah, my trusty old friends! The Tommy Armour 845 Iron Set may have been my first set, but they still hold up remarkably well after all these years. If these irons could talk, they’d tell stories of simpler times. These classic-looking irons offer a traditional feel and playability that many golfers appreciate. While they may lack some of the modern technology of newer sets, they compensate with consistent performance and durability.
Jonathan Sessa
The Ping Zing Golf Iron Set is renowned for its exceptional forgiveness, consistency, and playability. Featuring an innovative perimeter-weighted design, these irons provide an expanded sweet spot and enhanced stability, ensuring consistent performance even on off-center hits. The unique, slightly offset hosel helps to square the face at impact, promoting straighter shots and improved accuracy. Crafted from durable stainless steel, the Zing irons deliver a solid feel and long-lasting performance. The wide sole design allows for optimal turf interaction, making it easier to achieve clean strikes from various lies.
The Zing, introduced in the early 1990s, is a classic game-improvement set that has maintained a loyal following among golfers for its forgiveness and consistency. This set is very wide in the blade. It's super forgiving and super straight. You'll get less distance than with a newer set, but the Zing is fun to play and nostalgic for Ping lovers. The Zings are an excellent option for anyone on a budget or who wants to buy a classic Ping set.
Owen Harding
The Tommy Armour 845s Silver Scot Iron Set is legendary for its blend of forgiveness, precision, and playability. Crafted with a classic cavity-back design, these irons feature perimeter weighting that enhances stability and expands the sweet spot, ensuring consistent performance and distance, even on off-center hits. The multi-material composition incorporates a high-quality stainless steel body, providing durability and a soft, responsive feel with every strike. The optimized center of gravity promotes higher launch angles and improved trajectory control, making it easier to achieve accurate and consistent shots. With a timeless, sleek look that inspires confidence at address, the Tommy Armour 845s Silver Scot Iron Set is perfect for golfers of all skill levels.
The 845s Silver Scot Irons are a classic set with near-legendary status among golfers. First introduced in the mid-1980s, these irons offer perimeter weighting and a cavity back design, which helps maintain ball speed and direction on mis-hits. This feature was groundbreaking at the time and still benefits golfers today. Distance-wise, they're not up to par with modern irons, but they were still considered excellent for their era. Many players still find the distance okay, especially given the consistency and control these irons offer.
Owen Harding
The Callaway XR Golf Iron Set is engineered for golfers who demand top-tier performance and forgiveness. Featuring Callaway's innovative 360 Face Cup Technology, these irons employ a flexible rim around the face to deliver explosive ball speeds and exceptional distance, even on off-center hits. The multi-piece construction combines a soft heat-treated body with a tempered steel face, ensuring an optimal blend of feel and durability. Internal Standing Wave technology precisely positions the center of gravity, promoting higher launch angles and more controlled ball flights. With a wider sole and advanced perimeter weighting, the XR irons significantly enhance stability and forgiveness.
The XR irons excel in distance, which is their standout feature. The Face Cup tech delivers on its promise of increased ball speeds, which can result in distance gains. They have a modern, somewhat chunky look typical of game-improvement irons. The topline is moderately thick, and there's some offset, which may not appeal to lower-handicap players but inspires confidence in some. These are an older model which means you can often find them at a really affordable price.
Owen Harding
The TaylorMade M2 irons feature the revolutionary Face Slot Technology, maximizing ball speed and ensuring consistent distance, even on off-center hits. The unique Geocoustic engineering combines advanced geometric shaping with innovative acoustic management to deliver superior sound and feel. With a redesigned Speed Pocket, the M2 irons offer increased flexibility and forgiveness, making them ideal for players of all skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a dedicated amateur, the TaylorMade M2 Golf Iron Set provides the perfect balance of power, precision, and playability, helping you achieve lower scores and more enjoyable rounds.
The M2 Irons have an explosive feel and mid-to-low spin. They are designed to make your shots go straighter. These irons are perfect for beginners who are looking to increase their distance and accuracy, and for players who aren't worried about shaping their shots. The wide sole and forgiveness are standout features, making the M2s incredibly easy to use. The perimeter weighting and face tech work together to minimize distance loss on off-center hits, ensuring consistency throughout your round.
Owen Harding
The Ping G5 Golf Iron Set features a wide sole and perimeter weighting, enhancing stability and expanding the sweet spot for consistent performance on every swing. The Custom Tuning Port technology optimizes the center of gravity, promoting higher launch angles and improved accuracy. Constructed from 17-4 stainless steel, the G5 irons deliver a robust feel and exceptional durability. The cavity back design ensures excellent shot-making capabilities, while the elastomer inserts dampens vibrations for a softer, more responsive feel.
The G5 irons are older clubs, and the set will be more affordable compared to the newer ones. The G5s have a deep cavity back, which translates to more forgiveness. Their large head gives players lots of room for miss hits to still be hit straight. This is your set if you're a beginner golfer on a budget. They have exceptional build quality and longevity. Players report using these irons for over a decade with minimal signs of wear.
Owen Harding