Most “best golf irons” guides organise their picks by handicap range. We’ve done something different — because handicap alone doesn’t tell you which iron you should be playing. A 14 handicapper who strikes it consistently needs a very different iron to a 14 handicapper who sprays it everywhere.
This guide ranks nine of the best irons available right now across three tiers based on ball-striking ability: inconsistent strikers who need maximum forgiveness, developing strikers who want feel and distance as their game improves, and confident strikers who want control and precision above everything else. Every iron has been personally tested.
Use the finder tool below to go straight to your best match, or use the summary table to compare all nine irons at a glance before reading the full reviews.
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| Iron | Category | Handicap | Score | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 — Inconsistent Striker | ||||
| Ping G740 | Max forgiveness | 16–28 | 8.3 | |
| Ping G440 | Best all-rounder | 12–22 | 8.3 | |
| Srixon ZXi4 | Best feel in Tier 1 | 8–20 | 8.4 | |
| Tier 2 — Developing Striker | ||||
| Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal | Best for feel & distance | 10–22 | 8.5 | |
| Srixon ZXi5 | The Goldilocks iron | 4–16 | 8.5 | |
| TaylorMade P790 | Best for distance | 4–16 | 8.2 | |
| Tier 3 — Confident Striker | ||||
| Mizuno Pro M13 | Best for feel & control | 0–8 | 8.9 | |
| Srixon ZXi7 | Best all-rounder in Tier 3 | 0–10 | 8.8 | |
| Ping i540 | Best for distance in Tier 3 | 4–14 | 8.4 | |
You miss the sweet spot more often than not. You need an iron that keeps the ball in play, gets it airborne, and gives you a fighting chance even when contact isn’t perfect. Forgiveness is the priority here — everything else is secondary.
Looking for a full guide to this category? See our best game improvement irons roundup →Ping G740 Irons
The Ping G740 is Ping’s most forgiving iron to date — and it shows. The wider sole, extreme perimeter weighting and lower centre of gravity are all engineered around one goal: keeping the ball in play when contact isn’t perfect. For golfers who miss the sweet spot regularly, or anyone buying their first proper set of irons, this is the iron that will make the biggest difference to your scorecard.
The draw bias is worth knowing about before you buy. The offset and heel cutaway promote a powerful draw, which is excellent news for golfers who slice — it will genuinely straighten your iron shots. If you already hit a draw or hook, the G440 further down this list is a better fit.
Distance is strong, helped by the strong lofts and high ball speed from the face design. The trade-off is stopping power — less backspin means shots run out more on firm greens. For most golfers at this level playing on typical parkland courses, that’s not a meaningful concern. The G740 does what it promises better than almost anything else on the market.
Golf Insider Verdict: The G740 is the right iron for a specific golfer — someone who struggles with consistency, loses too many shots to mishits, and wants maximum help from their equipment. Ping have engineered a genuinely impressive iron here and the performance backs up the claims. The golfer this isn’t for: anyone who already draws or hooks the ball, or anyone who is starting to strike it more consistently and would be better served by the G440. If you’re in any doubt, get fitted — the difference between the G740 and G440 will be immediately obvious on a launch monitor.
The G740 is exactly what it looks like — the most forgiving iron Ping have ever built. The wide sole is very visible at address and won’t appeal to everyone aesthetically, but it serves a real purpose: it prevents the club from digging on heavy contact and keeps the face working through the ball. Ball speed is very impressive, the draw bias is strong and real, and for golfers who struggle with carry this is a genuinely exciting iron. The trade-off is less backspin and less control into greens — but for the golfer this is built for, that’s a very good trade.
Ping G440 Irons
Where the G740 is built around maximum forgiveness at all costs, the G440 is built around balance. It is the iron that suits the widest range of golfers in Tier 1 — forgiving enough to rescue mishits, refined enough that it doesn’t feel like a beginner’s club, and improved enough over the G430 that existing Ping users should pay attention.
The key upgrade from the G430 is feel. Ping adjusted the face geometry and materials to produce a noticeably better response on well-struck shots — the one area previous G-series irons had room to grow. Forgiveness remains excellent, the progressive offset helps through the set, and ball speed holds up consistently across the face.
The golfer who picks the G440 over the G740 typically strikes it more consistently, prefers a slightly cleaner profile at address, or already draws the ball and doesn’t want the extra bias the G740 promotes. It’s a more versatile long-term iron — as your ball striking improves, the G440 will keep up with you in a way the G740 won’t.
Golf Insider Verdict: The G440 is the safest recommendation for most inconsistent strikers — balanced across every metric, improved on feel, and versatile enough that it won’t feel like the wrong choice in two years’ time. If you’re buying irons and aren’t sure whether the G740 or G440 is the right fit, get fitted and hit both. The difference will be clear on a launch monitor and the right answer will depend on where you typically miss the face. For most golfers in the 12–22 handicap range, the G440 is the one.
A big step forward in feel from the G430 — the G440 sounds and responds noticeably better on well-struck shots. Forgiveness is excellent across the face and the progressive offset works well: the longer irons give you the launch help you need without the short irons feeling unwieldy. The G740 has more maximum forgiveness, but the G440 is the better all-round iron for most golfers in this tier — more balanced, more versatile, and a cleaner look at address.
Srixon ZXi4 Irons
The Srixon ZXi4 closes out Tier 1 as the pick for the higher handicapper who refuses to play an iron that feels like a beginners’ club. At first glance it looks like a players iron — clean topline, sensible heel-to-toe length, no visual bulk. Strike it and you understand immediately why it’s earned such strong reviews: the forged HT1770 face insert delivers feel that belongs in a completely different category to anything else at this forgiveness level.
The ZXi4 is Srixon’s bridge iron — cast body for structural forgiveness and perimeter weighting, forged face for feel and ball speed. The combination works remarkably well. Forgiveness is above average for the head size, distance is strong, and the neutral ball flight means it suits a wide range of swing types without over-correcting.
If you’re a higher handicapper who has ever hit a Mizuno or Srixon players iron and thought “I wish I could play these” — the ZXi4 is probably your answer. It also blends seamlessly with the ZXi5 and ZXi7 further up this list, making it an excellent starting point for a combo set as your game develops.
Golf Insider Verdict: The ZXi4 is the most interesting iron in Tier 1 — a cast GI iron with a forged face that genuinely delivers the feel its spec sheet promises. If you’re a higher handicapper who has been putting up with uninspiring GI irons because you thought that’s what your game required, hit the ZXi4 before you buy anything else. The forgiveness is real, the feel is exceptional for the category, and the blend potential with the ZXi5 gives you a natural upgrade path without having to change iron brand. Damn good.
This is the most GI Srixon iron on the market, but I think the big thing about it is how unbelievably good it feels. If you are a high handicapper who needs forgiveness but wants a class-looking golf club — this is an awesome pick. Forgiveness is pretty damn good given how it looks, distance is above average, and it offers a neutral ball flight that lets you shape shots as your game develops. The blend potential with the ZXi5 in the short irons is a really smart option for golfers on the way down in handicap.
You find the middle of the face most of the time but still need forgiveness in the longer irons. You want distance and feel as well as reliability — and you’re starting to care about what the ball tells you on a well-struck shot. These irons grow with you.
Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Irons
The Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal is the iron that defines Tier 2. It sits in a gap the market rarely fills well — a genuine game improvement iron that sounds and responds like something from a players range. For golfers who find the middle of the face most of the time and want to feel every strike, no other iron at this level comes close.
The Hot Metal face generates exceptional ball speed and keeps carry competitive with anything in this tier, while the internal design preserves the Mizuno feedback that makes these irons worth the premium over lesser alternatives. Forgiveness is strong for the head size — not the maximum on this list, but meaningfully better than a players iron of similar dimensions. Where it falls short is on extreme mishits, where the G440 and ZXiR from Tier 1 will keep the ball more playable.
The developing striker who picks the JPX 925 Hot Metal is choosing to feel their way to improvement rather than be rescued by equipment. That is a smart approach — and Mizuno have built the perfect iron for it.
Golf Insider Verdict: The JPX 925 Hot Metal is Mizuno’s answer to a question the GI market rarely asks — what if a game improvement iron actually felt good? The answer is impressive. Forgiveness and distance are both strong enough to justify the Tier 2 placement, but the feel is what makes this iron special. If you’re a developing striker who has ever hit a Mizuno and thought “I wish I could play these” — you probably can. Go and get fitted.
Every time you hit a Mizuno you know it will feel good, and the Hot Metal is no different. The real achievement is packaging that feel into a genuine GI iron — ball speed is strong, forgiveness is solid for the head size, and you get more feedback from every strike than any other iron in this tier. This is not the iron for golfers who need maximum mishit protection, but for developing strikers who want to feel every shot and improve through feedback, it’s the standout pick.
Srixon ZXi5 Irons
The Srixon ZXi5 occupies the middle ground of this entire list with confidence. It’s not the most forgiving iron here, and it’s not trying to be. It sits between the ZXi4 and ZXi7, offering the developing striker a genuinely balanced package — enough forgiveness to stay out of trouble on the occasional mishit, enough feel and control to reward improving contact, and enough distance to compete with any iron in this tier.
The i-FORGED process using softer S20C steel is what makes the ZXi5 stand out. The feel on a well-struck shot is exceptional — comparable to the Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal and arguably ahead of it on pure responsiveness. The neutral profile and minimal offset also make this an iron that won’t feel outdated as your handicap falls. MyGolfSpy placed it in their top 5 players-distance test, and Plugged In Golf described it as hard pressed to find a more consistent iron at this price.
For the 4–16 handicapper who wants a single set to carry them through the next several years of improvement, the ZXi5 is the natural choice. It also blends seamlessly with the ZXi4 in the longer irons for golfers who want extra help where they need it most.
Golf Insider Verdict: The ZXi5 is the iron I’d recommend to the widest range of developing strikers on this list. It’s genuinely hard to find fault with — the feel is exceptional, the forgiveness overdelivers for the head size, and the distance is competitive without relying on extreme loft. If you’re a 4–16 handicapper looking for one set of irons to carry you through several years of improvement, start your fitting here. The blend potential with the ZXi4 in the long irons is a smart option worth asking about too.
This is unbelievable in terms of how it feels — really is a cool club that will appeal to a lot of golfers. Slightly thicker topline than some other players-distance clubs but it looks really cool, not too long heel to toe, and sits very neutral at address with no offset. Forgiveness is so impressive for the size — when you do hit it in the heel, toe or low down it really does its best to keep it there. The balance of feel, forgiveness and distance is what makes this iron so hard to argue against for the developing striker.
TaylorMade P790 Irons
The TaylorMade P790 is the iron that keeps winning best iron tests — Today’s Golfer named it the best iron of 2026 across an 81-iron test — and it’s not hard to understand why. The hollow body construction and SpeedFoam Air technology combine to produce ball speeds that have no right to come from a head this compact and refined. It looks like a players iron. It performs like a distance machine.
The forgiveness story is the surprising one. The hollow body allows TaylorMade to push mass to the perimeter of a smaller head, meaning off-centre hits hold their distance and direction better than a traditional players iron of similar dimensions. A progressive sole design in this version adds extra stability in the longer irons where developing strikers need it most. You won’t find G440-level forgiveness here, but for a 4–16 handicapper who strikes it reasonably well most of the time, the P790 will rarely let you down.
Where this iron sits in the context of Tier 2 is clear: it’s the distance pick. If you hit the ZXi5 and the P790 back to back and the extra carry from the P790 makes a meaningful difference to how you play, it’s worth the premium. If you care more about feel and consistency than outright carry, the ZXi5 or JPX 925 Hot Metal are the smarter choices.
Golf Insider Verdict: The P790 keeps winning iron tests for good reason — no other iron in Tier 2 delivers this much carry distance from a head this refined. The improvements in feel over previous versions are genuine, and the forgiveness overdelivers for the profile. The honest caveat is value — the ZXi5 gets very close to this performance level at a lower price point and with better feel feedback. If you’ve tried both and the P790’s distance advantage is meaningful to how you play, it’s worth the premium. If not, the ZXi5 is the smarter buy.
The same iron at heart as the version before it — a players-distance iron that sends the ball out there a very good distance. Forgiveness is impressive for the size thanks to the hollow body design and the progressive sole in the longer irons. These feel nicer than the older P790s — softer and more controlled — and the occasional flier that plagued earlier versions has largely been addressed. A great set for someone who wants good forgiveness and great distance in a refined club head that looks exceptional.
You strike the ball consistently and you know it. Forgiveness is no longer the priority — feel, workability and control are what matter. These irons will tell you exactly what you did with every shot, and reward you when you get it right.
Mizuno Pro M13 Irons
The Mizuno Pro M13 replaces the MP-243 and does much of the same — just slightly better. It is a players cavity iron built around one overriding priority: feel. The grain-flow forging process that Mizuno use for the Pro range produces a response on a well-struck shot that nothing else on this list matches. If you’ve hit a Mizuno blade and loved it, the M13 is where that feeling lives in a more forgiving package.
The micro-cavity in the back is doing more work than the blade-like profile suggests. Forgiveness is meaningfully better than a true muscle back, and for a confident striker who finds the face consistently, it provides enough protection on the occasional slight mishit to keep the round on track. This is not an iron for golfers who miss the middle regularly — but for the 0–8 handicapper it’s designed for, it delivers everything they need.
Control is the other standout. The M13 lets you shape the ball both ways, flight it low into the wind, and work with different trajectories in a way that the irons in Tiers 1 and 2 simply don’t allow. For golfers who have reached the point where controlling ball flight is part of how they score, this is the iron that opens that door properly.
Golf Insider Verdict: The Mizuno Pro M13 is the finest feeling iron on this list — and for the confident striker it’s designed for, that feel is the point. The micro-cavity provides enough forgiveness to make this a practical choice rather than a vanity pick, and the control and workability are in a different league to anything in Tiers 1 and 2. If you’re a 0–8 handicapper who has been looking for an excuse to move into a proper players iron, the M13 is a compelling answer. Get fitted, hit it back to back with the ZXi7, and the right choice will be immediately obvious.
These replace the MP-243 and do much of the same — superb feel, a small micro-cavity in the back that offers really good forgiveness for the head size, but nothing to match larger club heads. They feel amazing and offer brilliant control for golfers who want the look and feel of a bladed iron but want more forgiveness. Not much of a step change from the 243, but if you’ve never played a Mizuno Pro iron and you’re a consistent ball striker, this is the iron to try first.
Srixon ZXi7 Irons
The Srixon ZXi7 is the iron most confident strikers on this list should probably be playing. Where the M13 is the purist’s choice, the ZXi7 is the pragmatist’s — delivering outstanding feel and workability at a price point that makes the step up to the Pro range hard to justify for the majority of golfers in this tier.
The i-FORGED construction using S20C carbon steel produces a response on a well-struck shot that rivals anything in the Srixon range. The compact head sits neutrally behind the ball with no offset, the topline is thin without being intimidating, and the cavity gives you just enough structural forgiveness that a slight miss doesn’t immediately punish you. It’s the kind of iron that experienced golfers describe as feeling “right” — difficult to pin down precisely, immediately obvious when you hit it.
The value story is also worth noting. The ZXi7 is priced below the M13 and the P790 while delivering feel that matches or beats both. For the 0–10 handicapper who wants a proper players iron without paying a premium iron price, the ZXi7 is an outstanding pick.
Golf Insider Verdict: The ZXi7 is the iron I’d recommend to most confident strikers on this list before they commit to spending more on the M13. The feel is outstanding, the workability is excellent, and the value is the best in Tier 3. If you hit the ZXi7 and M13 back to back at a fitting and can genuinely feel a difference that justifies the price gap, buy the M13. For most golfers the ZXi7 will be the smarter buy — and blending the ZXi5 in the longer irons is worth asking your fitter about too.
A really impressive players cavity iron and the best value option in Tier 3. The i-FORGED S20C steel gives you that classic Srixon response — immediate, informative, deeply satisfying on a well-struck shot. The compact head sits cleanly with no offset and the thin topline gives you the look a confident striker wants. Control and workability are excellent — you can genuinely shape and flight the ball here in a way that Tiers 1 and 2 don’t allow. For the golfer who wants a proper players iron without paying Pro range prices, start here.
Ping i540 Irons
The Ping i540 closes out Tier 3 as the distance pick for confident strikers — and it makes a compelling case. Where the M13 and ZXi7 prioritise feel and control above all else, the i540 adds a different dimension: metal-wood-like ball speed from a maraging steel C300 face in a head that still looks and plays like a proper players iron.
The i540 builds on the already impressive i530 with a face that is 9% thinner, supported by Ping’s i-Beam Technology to maintain structural integrity without adding weight. The result is a small but meaningful step forward in distance and forgiveness — and the i530 was already a strong performers. Three loft specifications (Standard, Power and Retro) add a fitting flexibility that most irons in this category don’t offer, making it easier to dial in the exact trajectory and distance gaps you need.
Feel is good and the forgiveness overdelivers for the head size, though the ZXi7 and M13 edge it on pure responsiveness. The i540 is the right pick for the 4–14 handicapper who wants players-iron precision but feels like they’ve always given up too much distance moving away from GI irons. Here, they don’t have to.
Golf Insider Verdict: The i540 is the right iron for the confident striker who has always felt like they sacrifice too much distance in a proper players iron. The maraging steel face closes that gap significantly — this is a genuinely long iron for the category. Feel and workability are both good, though the ZXi7 edges it on pure responsiveness and the M13 on workability. The three loft specifications are worth exploring at a fitting — the Power loft in particular is worth hitting if you want more carry without changing your swing. A very impressive iron and a worthy closer to this list.
The three loft specifications are a genuine differentiator here and worth spending time on at a fitting. The Standard spec suits most confident strikers with average swing speeds. The Power spec (26° 7-iron) is worth trying if you want maximum carry and play on longer courses. The Retro spec (30° 7-iron) brings the loft closer to traditional and suits golfers who want the i540’s speed technology with more stopping power. The i540 also carries some offset in the longer irons — worth checking at address if you prefer a completely neutral look.
Frequently asked questions when buying irons
In this section, we’ll cover some of the questions golfers have when looking for new irons.
Set make-up
Should you opt for a 3-iron to pitching wedge or drop a long iron or two and opt for more wedges? For most golfers, and with modern iron lofts, I would rarely recommend a 3-iron or 4-iron for most golfers, and instead opt for hybrids, fairway woods or another wedge or two.
For more on wedge setups, loft and bounce check out this article.
Shaft options when buying golf irons
Shaft options go far beyond steel or graphite – flex, torque, kick point and weight are just a few of the important variables to consider. You’ll need a custom fitter for these, but there are different options that you can select from when purchasing new irons.
The correct shafts aren’t just about maximising distance, they can also help reduce your shot dispersion and improve the feel of your iron shots.
Should a 20 handicapper get fitted for irons?
Players of all standards can usually benefit from custom fitting. A great custom fitter can create a set of irons that suits you now, but also grow with you as your game improves.
If you are a 20 handicap golfer, we recommend going to a custom fitter and getting fitted for clubs that suit your current level of play as your main priority. You have been previously fitted, however, if there have been some major changes in your swing over time then this may be an indication that you need to go through a revamped fitting process.
Is custom golf club fitting worth it?
I’m likely biased as a golf pro, however, in many cases, custom fitting is worth the investment.
The best golfers are always looking for any edge they can get by finding a suit of clubs that perfectly complements their games and swings. After all, it’s your game right? Why not spend some time getting fitted with irons that will give you maximum benefits on every shot.
Even if you end up with a standard set up at least you’ll have the confidence when playing that the irons are perfectly suited for you.
What are the best golf irons for a 10 handicapper?
- Ping G425 (all-round performance)
- Mizuno HMB (great feel & forgiveness)
- Ping i500 (great distance, high launch)
- TaylorMade P770 (exceptional distance)
- Mizuno MP-20 MMC (looks & feel)
As a 10 handicapper, you best fit into the mid handicap player range. Check out our article on the best mid handicap golf irons for more information.
The Ping G425 was our top pick in this category due to its excellent balance of forgiveness and control, along with fantastic feedback from players who rated it highly. The Mizuno MP-20 HMB irons were also a great option if you want an iron that provides an exceptional feel and a neutral ball flight.
What are the best irons for a 20 handicapper?
- TaylorMade Sim Max (Best all-round performance)
- Mizuno HMB (Best for forgiveness and feel)
- Ping G410 (Best control and performance)
- Wilson D7 (Best value)
- Callaway Mavrik (Great for distance)
- Mizuno JPX 921 (Great for feel)
As a 20 handicap golfer, you best fit into our game improvement range. The top pick in this category is the TaylorMade Sim Max for its forgiving design, excellent distance and feel. The Mizuno HMB irons were also a great option if you want an iron that provides forgiveness without sacrificing control or feel.
Who makes the best golf irons?
The best golf irons depend on your individual game and needs. For some golfers, they need the most forgiving and longest iron to help them get the ball in the air and on the green. Others might prefer a smaller clubhead for more control and workability.
These days all manufacturers create a wide range of options to suit a variety of needs and budgets, including Callaway, TaylorMade, Mizuno, Ping, Cobra, and others.
Who makes the best-looking golf irons?
Looks are a personal preference, however for a classical design, Mizuno are regarded as the benchmark. For a more colourful and brash look, Callaway and TaylorMade both have ranges which will turn heads on the course.
What golf irons are best for me?
We hope this article gives you a great insight into the best golf irons in various categories. However, go test them yourself and get fitted! If you are not getting fitted you are likely leaving 5-10% of potential performance gains out there.
If you are wanting to know more about the difference between blades, cavity backs and muscle backs, then please click here for our detailed article outlining the differences and pros and cons of each type of iron.
What irons are the easiest golf irons to hit?
The best golf irons for easy hitting are going to have a few key characteristics. They will likely have a wide sole, deep cavity back design, and large sweet spot. This combination of factors will help the golfer get the ball in the air with ease and also promote more forgiveness on off-centre hits.
What are the most accurate irons?
The most accurate golf irons are the clubs that will allow you to hit near the centre of the face and square up the clubface to your swing path. For this reason, there is no one iron that will be most accurate, rather you’ll need to find a club head and shaft combination that best suits your golf swing and impact factors.
How much should I spend on irons?
This is a difficult question to answer as it depends on your individual circumstances. A new set of blades might cost you $2000 while beginner irons could be as little as $500.
What we would suggest is that you consult with a qualified club fitter who can help you understand what type of iron will suit your game and how much you should be spending. Ultimately, getting properly fitted for new irons can help you improve your game and make the most out of your investment. So don’t hesitate to spend a bit more if it means getting better performance on the course!
Are oversized irons easier to hit?
Oversized irons are easier to hit, as larger clubheads result in a larger sweet spot, which helps to reduce the risk of off-centre shots. However, oversized irons may not be the right choice for all golfers, so it’s important to consult with a qualified club fitter who can help you find the best clubs for your game and swing.
How often should you change your golf irons?
Every 3 – 5 years is a general rule of thumb. However, you should look to change your golf irons when technology or your golf game sees a considerable shift. Either factor will result in some easy performance gains and make the game more fun!
What’s the difference between irons for mid-handicap and low handicap?
Mid handicappers are golfers who have handicaps in the range of 8 or 18. So you’re gonna break 90 shots frequently. It covers a broad spectrum but a constant objective is to beat 91 consistently or easily beat 80 recurringly. It’s impossible for us to know where the difference falls on a scale from high to low.
Summary
That wraps up our article on the top best golf irons available. We covered everything from iron sets for 20 handicappers to game improvement irons for pros, so you’ll have no problem finding the perfect set of clubs that suit your needs and level of play.
Happy golfing – Will @ Golf Insider UK
Hi Will,
Long time reader and have read most of your blog posts on multiple occasions…Thanks for the consistently great content.
I started playing golf in January 2018 with a set of Ping G15 irons bought from eBay. My initial handicap of 23 has come down to 14 and I’ve been wondering whether a new set of irons might help me reach my initial goal of a 12 handicap. Do you think the irons mentioned in this post are worth upgrading to…Has the tech really improved that much since the G15s came out (2011)? Also, is getting fitted worth it? I feel as though my swing is constantly evolving so have doubts that a fitted club today would fit me a couple of months down the line. Your thoughts would be most appreciated.
Thanks again,
Llew
Good afternoon Llewelyn,
Firstly, so sorry it has taken me a while to reply – there was quite the backlog after a couple of weeks away. On to your question:
Firstly, great work with your progress! I doubt you are far away from your goal and then moving towards single figures. In terms of tech, there have been small improvements, particularly with forgiveness, but nothing you are missing out on.
Rather than worry about your handicap and when to change clubs I would focus on your swing mechanics. If you feel you want to make some big changes (grip, posture, improve swing path) to get down to 7 or 5 in the next couple of years then hold off until you are working through those changes. If you are planning to stick with your current swing and slowly refine it then you can update your clubs as and when you wish.
Yes – if you can, head to a club fitter, ideally with a launch monitor. I think the numbers are worth it just to give you the confidence in knowing you’re buying the right clubs. I realise this isn’t possible for all golfers.
I hope that helps.
Will
Thanks for getting back to me Will. I really appreciate it.
All the best,
Llew
Hi Will,
Great advice as always.
I’ve got down to 6 and recently decided on new irons. I moved from Callaway XR Pro’s to Ping i210’s.
Was fitted by Ping and been happy with my new set. Would you think these would make the difference in future, or is it all psychological?
Also, I feely I have a gap at around the 200 yard mark.
What clubs should I think about? I have Driver (270+), 4 wood (235+), hybrid (200, but very inconsistent), XR Pro 5 iron (@185+) then Ping 5 iron (175).
Keep up the great work,
Cheers
Matt
Good afternoon Matt,
How are you sir? Great to hear of your progress. I’m starting to worry I’ll be the worse performer on the Golf Insider mailing list soon. Custom fit clubs will make a small, but really beneficial improvement when you get to 9 and below. Just ensure that as you keep improving your technique the shaft flex and lies are still suitable (possibly once a year).
In terms of you gap it is a common problem. You’re spot on to highlight the distance you need to fill. Keep that in mind with what comes below. Loft is what you should take note of. You 4 wood loft is probably around 16.5, your 5-iron around 26 degrees. That is a big 10 degree gap. Your options would be any long iron, hybrid or even a 7 wood around 20-21 degrees of loft. Consider if at this distance you need low running shots (opt for a long iron), medium flight (hybrid), or high shots into the green (fairway wood).
No rush is making a decision, just waiting until you find something that really fit. For me it is a 2-iron as a play a lot of links golf. However a pro I work with on the Europro and Challenge tour has a 7-wood, because there are so many par 5s that require a high-soft 2nd shots.
I hope that helps.
Will
Will its Graeme from Battleback.
You will kill me. I bought the JPX 919 Tour irons.
Had them two weeks. Trading them in on Monday. Impossible to hit well at my handicap of 23.
My club pro said he wouldnt even dream of using them and was disappointed that a pro sold me them knowing my handicap. Typical rash, shiny object decision from myself.
Looking at the Callaway Rogue or the i500s. Will see how it goes Monday.
Hope you are well. Your performance diary is coming out over the winter.
Graeme, great to hear from you!
Ahh that is less than ideal, I don’t think I’d fancy hitting them, but glad you are getting them exchanged.
How is the golf going? Are you still making fine progress?
I sure hope the performance diary is of use. More skills games coming over the winter on this site for you to try out – however, I am manically trying to finish this PhD and lecturing starts next week, so we’ll see where I get to by xmas.
Will