Best Golf Iron Sets
Our golf iron set rankings are built on real-time SidelineSwap sales data, showing which sets players pick most often. Updated weekly, these rankings reflect what’s popular right now and help you weigh tradeoffs like forgiveness, feel, and distance to find the best irons for your game.
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 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 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 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 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 Ping G425 Iron Set is designed for golfers seeking a perfect balance of distance, forgiveness, and feel. Featuring high-density tungsten toe and heel weighting, these irons provide an expanded perimeter-weighting design, resulting in extreme forgiveness and stability even on off-center strikes. The multi-material construction combines a Hyper 17-4 stainless steel head with a cascading sole design, allowing for increased flex at impact and generating faster ball speeds. The innovative COR-Eye Technology provides an excellent rebound effect, promoting higher launch and consistent distance. The hydropearl chrome finish reduces friction and improves performance in wet conditions.
The G425s are known for providing a lot of ball speed and spin, but that also comes with forgiveness in flight. These are very well-rounded and versatile irons among mid to high-handicappers and even some lower-handicap players who prioritize consistency. And even though the distance performance is solid, the G425s offer consistent gapping between clubs, which players may find more valuable than maximum distance.
Owen Harding
The Callaway MAVRIK Golf Iron Set is engineered for players who demand precision, power, and forgiveness in every swing. These irons are built with innovative AI technology that optimizes the clubface for an exceptional combination of speed and spin control. The unique Flash Face Cup design delivers remarkable ball speeds across the face, while the custom tungsten-infused weights provide an optimal center of gravity for enhanced launch and flight characteristics. Urethane microspheres are incorporated to absorb unwanted vibrations without sacrificing feel, ensuring a smooth and responsive experience with every shot.
The Mavriks are heavy with distance. It feels like the ball explodes off the face. You will often have to club down with these irons, meaning when you think you should hit a seven iron, you should hit an eight iron instead. These irons will offer a massive boost in distance but also lack control with spin. The Mavrik Irons are geared towards beginners who aren't really worried about spinning on the green.
Owen Harding
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 Titleist T100 Golf Iron Sets are a precision-engineered masterpiece designed for serious golfers. Crafted with a fully forged construction, these irons offer exceptional feel and control. The new variable bounce sole design ensures optimal turf interaction, while the refined face design promotes consistent performance and precise shot-shaping. Strategically placed tungsten weights enhance forgiveness and stability. With the T100 irons, you'll experience precision and control on the course.
The Titleist T100 Golf Iron Sets are the Ferraris of the iron world. These compact, precision-engineered clubs are for the player who wants total control over their shots. Tailored for low-to-mid handicappers, they offer superior accuracy and reduced spin, giving you a sense of mastery over your game. If you’re willing to put in the practice and have the swing speed to match, these irons will reward you with unparalleled performance and confidence.
Jonathan Sessa
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.