What are the best mid-handicap irons for average golfers? It depends… on you.
We’ve tested every iron on this page on the range and the course
There has never… ever been a better selection of great iron sets for mid-handicappers to choose from. So it will come down to your personal taste and experience with the clubs.
For best results, get your hands on the clubs that most appeal to you and test them.
- Test more than one set.
- Then, consider getting fitted for the ones you like. (You’re good enough at this point for it to make sense)
In this review of the best irons for mid handicappers, I detail my experience with the clubs, unique features and benefits, my recommendations, and any deals I’ve been able to work out.
Our Top 3 Recommendations for 2024
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For Most Mid Handicaps
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For Better Mid Handicaps
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For Most Mid Handicaps
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Primary Rating:
4.8
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Primary Rating:
4.8
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Primary Rating:
4.9
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~$200/club
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~$200/club
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~$150/club
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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- Superb Sound & Feel
- Plenty Distance & Forgiveness
- Easy Launch & High Trajectory
- A little pricey
- Superb Sound & Feel
- Easy Distance & Plenty Forgiving
- Long irons a breeze to hit
- Launch Easily with High Trajectory
- A little pricey
- Superb forgiveness & distance
- Best sound & feel in golf
- High launch
- Best clubs for the price
- Nada
Full List – Best Irons for Average Golfers in 2024
- Callaway Apex Ai300 Irons (Editor’s Pick – Most Mid Handicaps)
- Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro Irons (For Better Mid Handicaps)
- Callaway Apex Ai200 Irons (Player’s Distance Irons for Mid Handicaps)
- 2023 Titleist T200 Irons (For Better Mid Handicaps)
- Srixon ZX5 MK 2 Irons (Best for Better Mid Handicaps)
- Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Irons (Former Editor’s Pick)
- Taylormade Qi Irons (Great for 10ish to 20ish Handicaps)
- Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro Irons (8ish – 15 Handicaps)
- Callaway Ai Smoke Irons
- Cobra Darkspeed Irons (Longest w/ Great Feel)
- Srixon ZX5 Irons
- Ping G425 Irons (Former Editor’s Pick)
- Ping G430 Irons
- Taylormade Stealth Irons
Reviews Of Our Best Rated Irons For Mid Handicappers
#1 Callaway Apex Ai300 Irons
- Superb Sound & Feel
- Plenty Distance & Forgiveness
- Easy Launch & High Trajectory
- A little pricey
Another new addition to our list and our new #1 Recommendation for Callaway game improvement irons.
What we like:
- Stellar sound and feel.
- Loads of distance and forgiveness.
- Excellent out of the rough.
- Hittable long irons.
- Launch the ball quickly and fly high and straight.
What we don’t like:
- Nada – they hit the mark for their target audience.
Like the i200s, I figured the i300s would be good irons and have the same “clicky” sound and feel from all of last year’s Apex lineup.
Again, wrong.
The i300s performed exceptionally well for me. I especially appreciated them out of the rough. They launched the ball on nearly the same high trajectory as from the fairway and they held the greens beautifully.
This was an unexpected bonus and will be much appreciated by their target audience – mid and high handicappers.
Customer Reviews:
- None yet.
Bottom line: Callaway nailed it.
Recommendation: Put them on your list to test if you’re in the market. You won’t regret it.
#2 Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Irons
- Superb forgiveness & distance
- Best sound & feel in golf
- High launch
- Best clubs for the price
- Nada
The new JPX 925 Hot Metals are our #1 recommendation for Mizuno game improvement irons.
What we like:
- Still the best sound and feel in golf.
- Loads of forgiveness and help with distance.
- Helps you get the ball up quickly, even with marginal contact.
- Really hittable long irons.
What we don’t like:
- Nada.
JPX 925 Hot Metal Iron Specs
- Set: 4 iron – GW
- Shaft: Nippon NS Pro 950 NEO
- Shaft flex: Stiff
Club | Loft | Lie Angle | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
4 | 19* | 60.5* | 38.75″ |
5 | 22* | 61* | 38.25″ |
6 | 25* | 61.5* | 37.75″ |
7 | 28* | 62* | 37.25″ |
8 | 32.5* | 62.5* | 36.75″ |
9 | 37* | 63* | 36.25″ |
PW | 42* | 63.5* | 35.75″ |
GW | 48* | 64* | 35.25 |
Launch Monitor Data (Average #s)
Notes about the data:
Yardage gaps between long irons are likely off due to inconsistent ball striking. But, those are the averages I got.
Club | Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance (yds) | Peak Height (ft) | Spin Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GW | 77 | 93 | 119 | 83 | 8355 |
PW | 78 | 102 | 138 | 93 | 6586 |
9 | 80 | 109 | 154 | 87 | 5755 |
8 | 83 | 113 | 173 | 94 | 4278 |
7 | 83 | 120 | 188 | 71 | 3458 |
6 | 84 | 123 | 194 | 75 | 3729 |
5 | 85 | 127 | 198 | 60 | 2905 |
4 | 89 | 131 | 204 | 64 | 3057 |
I started testing Mizunos with the 921s and they’ve been at the top of all my lists since then.
Dollar for dollar you can’t beat their performance, and no other manufacturer matches their sound and feel.
They tick every game improvement box and do it at a reasonable price.
You can read the full review here.
Conclusion: Another winner from Mizuno for the mid and high handicapper.
Recommendation – Performs with the best of them and at a better price.
#3 Callaway Apex Ai200 Irons
- Superb Sound & Feel
- Easy Distance & Plenty Forgiving
- Long irons a breeze to hit
- Launch Easily with High Trajectory
- A little pricey
Callaway Apex Ai200 irons are player’s distance irons that are easily playable by many mid handicaps.
What we like:
- Stellar sound and feel.
- Loads of distance and forgiveness.
- Excellent out of the rough.
- Hittable long irons.
- Launch the ball quickly and fly high and straight.
What we don’t like:
- I prefer smaller, sleeker clubheads, but I’m nitpicking.
I figured the Apex i200s would be good irons with the same “clicky” sound and feel from all of last year’s Apex lineup.
Wrong.
The i200s perform exceptionally well and Callaway massively improved sound and feel. It’s now soft, solid, and refined. Among the best in the game at this point.
Customer Reviews:
- 4 reviews as I write this. All 5-star and all say they would recommend the i200s to a friend.
Bottom line: Callaway nailed it.
Recommendation: You owe it to yourself to try these if you’re looking for all the game improvement attributes in an ever-so-slightly smaller clubhead.
#4 Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro Irons
- Best Feel In Golf
- Easy to hit - Easy to launch
- Ample Forgiveness
- Long & Accurate
- Bargain Price
- Good, not Great cosmetics
Our new favorite player’s distance iron from Mizuno.
What we like:
- Exceptional feel – Best in golf.
- Compact head.
- Easy to hit and launch.
- Accurate and consistent.
- Good distance and can add or subtract yardage as needed.
- Best price in premium player distance iron category.
What we don’t like:
- Good, not great, cosmetics.
JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro Iron Specs
- Set: 4 iron – PW
- Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 Mid 115g
- Shaft flex: Stiff
7-iron Launch Monitor Data
Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance | Peak Height | Spin Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
85 | 119 | 178 | 76 ft | 4505 |
Club | Loft | Lie Angle | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
4 | 19* | 60.5* | 38.75″ |
5 | 22* | 61* | 38.25″ |
6 | 25* | 61.5* | 37.75″ |
7 | 28* | 62* | 37.25″ |
8 | 32.5* | 62.5* | 36.75″ |
9 | 37* | 63* | 36.25″ |
PW | 42* | 63.5* | 35.75″ |
JPX 925 Hot Metal Pros do everything well, but in a more compact clubhead. I think these may take the place of the “Forged” irons from years past.
They are a touch more demanding than the Hot Metal Pros I’ve tested in the past, but they allow for minor mishits. Just not to the degree I was used to.
The heads, though more compact, frame the ball beautifully at address and offer zero intimidation.
You can read more about my experience with the 925s here.
Recommendation: 10ish handicaps and lower should give these a try if you’re in the market for premium players distance irons and you don’t mind saving money.
#5 2023 Titleist T200 Irons
- Gorgeous Refined Look
- Long & Forgiving
- Fly High & Straight but Workable
- Good Sound & Feel
- Pricey
The 2023 T200 irons are next on our of best mid handicap irons.
- They’re player distance irons, but we think they’re forgiving enough for better mid handicaps with strong ball striking.
What we like:
- Outstanding upgraded premium design.
- Great feel and sound through impact.
- Quick launch & high trajectory with good contact, but can be flighted and worked either way if that’s part of your game.
- Good distance and a splash of forgiveness.
- Accurate and consistent.
What we don’t like:
- The price…kind of.
I just finished my review of the 2021 T200s (a little late, I know). So, I was fortunate to be able to get my hands on the 2023 T200s so quickly.
The playability of the new 2023 T200s is outstanding, much like the 2021s. But, the new design is to die for.
They must have decided it was time for a serious upgrade and they done it good. They look premium and remind me of the T100s. In fact, all T-Series irons got an upgraded design.
You can check out our full review for more details, but you have to give these a try to at least see what I’m talking about.
Recommendation – Superb player distance irons and serious eye candy. Must be on your list to try if you’re in the market.
#6 Srixon ZX5 MK 2 Irons
- Long & Forgiving
- Improved Sound & Feel
- Stable, Accurate & Consistent
- Nada
Srixon ZX5 MK 2 irons are our new #1 recommendation for better mid-handicappers.
What we like:
- Long & forgiving.
- Improved sound & feel. (2nd only to the Mizunos)
- Accurate, solid, & consistent for better scoring.
- Player iron looks with game improvement features.
What we don’t like:
- Nada.
Srixon says the MK 2s are for low to mid handicaps – I agree…up to about a 10 handicap or so. (Wouldn’t hurt to test them if you’re a little above a 10)
They have game improvement features, but they’re understated, so they don’t look like pure game improvement irons.
They’re easy to hit and hit consistently. They’re stable through impact and show off on slight mishits.
The ZX5 MK 2s are second only to Mizuno Hot Metals in feel.
Conclusion: Player iron looks with game improvement tech hidden away.
Recommendation: You will not be disappointed in their performance and the looks are among the best in class, if not the best.
#7 Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Irons
- Exceptionally Soft & Solid Feel
- Loads of Distance & Forgiveness
- Absolute Eye Candy
- Great Price
- Nada
Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal irons are a former #1 recommendation for mid-handicappers.
What we like:
- Buttery, marshmallowy, unbelievably soft (yet solid) feel.
- Incredibly forgiving and easy to hit. Great contact is not needed for good results.
- Exceptional distance.
- Exceptional value – You get a whole LOT of club for the price.
- You can play any shot you want if you’ve got the game.
What we don’t like:
- Nada.
For this year’s JPX 923s, Mizuno combined Chromoly and Nickel to form Nickel Chromoly which allowed them to make the clubface 8% thinner, yet 35% stronger than last year’s JPX 921s.
- So, the sweet spot is bigger for more forgiveness and distance over a larger portion of the face.
I found them exceptionally forgiving, loaded with distance, with exceptional feel – the best in golf.
Conclusion: Continued exceptional feel, performance, forgiveness, distance, and value from the JPX line.
Recommendation: Just try them. You’ll thank me.
#8 TaylorMade Qi Irons
- Solid forgiveness & distance across the face
- Launch well w/ good trajectory
- Good sound and feel
- Looks...Ok, but not great
- Not a big improvement over recent Taylormade models
The Qi irons are a solid choice for the average mid-handicapper and deliver exactly what you want and expect from game improvement irons in this category.
What we like:
- Good distance and forgiveness across the face. (Little to no loss of distance with strikes towards the toe.)
- Well-struck shots launch the ball well.
- Sound and feel are a little “clicky”, but good overall.
What we don’t like:
- Looks are more refined than the Stealths, but they are still lacking.
- Not a big improvement over recent
Taylormade game improvement models.
7-iron Launch Monitor Data
Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance | Vertical Launch | Peak Height | Descent Angle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
82.6 | 113.6 | 168.3 | 13.2 * | 51ft | 29.2* |
I’m well familiar with
I tested the Qi Combo Set because I wanted to try the new Qi10 hybrids too. (Love them)
The lofts are quite strong—up to 5 degrees stronger than my everyday set. But you can still launch the ball with quality contact. I was able to hit them high, low, and in between when I needed to.
Low-ball hitters should test these before you put your money down.
Conclusion: Solid game improvement irons. I’d be surprised if you’re disappointed in their performance.
Recommendation: Should be on your list to test if you’re in the market.
#9 Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro Irons
- Unbelievably Soft & Solid Feel
- Plenty Distance & Forgiveness
- Premium Looks
- Outstanding Value
- Nada
The Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pros are our next pick for best mid-handicap irons for average golfers.
What we like:
- Exceptionally soft and solid feel.
- Exceptional distance.
- Exceptional forgiveness.
- Premium looks.
- Bargain pricing
What we don’t like:
- Nada.
The Hot Metal Pros have a more compact head, thinner topline, and thinner sole so they have more of a “player” look.
Same feel, same performance, same forgiveness. Same everything as far as I could tell.
Conclusion: Awesome-feeling and performing irons in a slightly, very slightly, more compact package than the JPX 923 Hot Metals.
Recommendation: Have to be on your list if pure feel and performance are important to you.
#10 Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Irons
- Good distance, especially noticeable on mishits
- Good forgiveness
- Good sound and feel
- Elevates the ball easily with high trajectory
- No noticeable improvement over prior model - Paradyms
The new Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke irons are next on our list.
What we like:
- They launch easily and carry on a high trajectory.
- Solid sound and feel with good impact.
- Good forgiveness.
- Mishits got full distance nearly every time.
- Accurate, consistent, and workable.
What we don’t like:
- Nada – they deliver.
7-iron Launch Monitor Data
Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance | Vertical Launch | Peak Height | Descent Angle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
78.5 | 115.8 | 178.1 | 14.8 * | 60.7 ft | 31.9* |
I’ve played three rounds with the Ai Smoke irons, and they get better the more I get used to them. They flew sky-high and far with good contact.
But, they really stood out when I mishit long irons – which is common for me. (I usually hit them a little fat and towards the toe.)
I got every inch of distance on these every time it happened. I wasn’t on the green, but I ended up pin-high repeatedly.
Conclusion – I don’t see any downside to these irons. They perform well and are priced fair.
Recommendation – Solid game improvement irons that perform as advertised. Worth a look if you’re in the market.
#11 Cobra Darkspeed Irons
- Incredible feel
- Tons of distance & forgiveness
- Chews through the turf
- Low ball flight
Cobra Darkspeed irons are next on our list. (I wish I could recommend them more enthusiastically)
What we like:
- Crazy long with ample forgiveness.
- Surprisingly good sound and feel. (I’d never hit Cobra irons before)
- Exceptional turf interaction. Slightly fat shots seemed to lose nothing.
- Great price.
What we don’t like:
- Low ball flight thanks to strong lofts (2 clubs more than my set of Hogans) Low-ball hitters should probably avoid these. (Never hurts to test, though)
7-iron Launch Monitor Data
Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance | Vertical Launch | Peak Height | Descent Angle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
80 | 113 | 173 | 14 * | 57 ft | 31* |
The Darkspeeds are beefy irons with a thickish topline and thick soles. The heads are game-improvement size, but they aren’t overly big. They look hittable.
They are game improvement clubs, and the target audience is likely looking for help with launch and distance. They’ve got distance figured out…for sure.
My quibble is with their lofts. They are about 2 clubs stronger than my set – so you’ll be looking down at straighter faces than you’re used to. And I had trouble getting the ball up, which isn’t usually a weakness of mine. I’m a high-ball hitter.
Their low trajectory didn’t affect green-holding for me. But, I’m not sure this would be the case for their target market – 12 to 20 handicaps.
Conclusion: I like these clubs, and I love how they feel. I’m not sold that they’re a good option for the game-improvement market.
Recommendation: Test these before you put your money down. Especially if you have trouble getting the ball in the air.
#12 Srixon ZX5 Irons
- Excellent Distance & Forgiveness
- Great Sound & Feel
- Highly Accurate & Consistent
- Candy for the eye
- Nada
Srixon ZX5 irons are our former pick for best mid handicap irons for better mid-handicappers (and a strong contender for best-looking irons) and need to be considered for a few reasons:
What we like:
- Excellent distance & forgiveness.
- Great sound & feel.
- Accurate, solid, & consistent for better scoring.
- Great looking.
What we don’t like:
- Nada
The ZX5s are supposed to be player distance irons, but the clubheads are generous, packed with forgiveness, and help a ton with ball launch and distance.
- In other words, these are also game-improvement irons for better ball-striking mid-handicappers. Say, up to about a 12-ish handicap.
They’re easy to hit and earn their money when your swing isn’t at its best.
Center contact is heavenly, but off-center contact still gets you on or around the green. Exactly what a good mid-handicap iron should do.
Thus, they’re on this list.
Did I mention feel? You get soft & solid player feel in a game improvement iron. Second only to Mizuno Hot Metals.
Conclusion: “Player” level feel and performance with game improvement iron forgiveness & distance.
Recommendation: Give these a try if you like a “player” look and performance but need game improvement forgiveness.
#13 Ping G425 Irons
- So... so easy to hit
- High trajectory
- Great distance & forgiveness
- Nada
Ping G425 irons are our former Editor’s Pick for best mid handicap irons for average golfers.
What we like:
- Supremely easy to hit and elevate.
- All the distance you need.
- Can hit good shots all day long without needing perfect contact.
- Awesome feel and sound for a mid handicap iron.
- You can play any shot you want if you’ve got the game.
What we don’t like:
- Getting harder to find.
I was not expecting the G425s to perform as well as they did. I play soft carbon-steel low handicap irons and I thought the 425s would feel harsh and wooden. No sir. I’m a low handicap ball striker with my irons and these did anything I wanted.
Center contact feels great and slight mishits feel about the same, with very little loss of distance. There’s a ton of forgiveness built into these irons.
The lofts are already jacked, but Ping offers even stronger lofts if that suits your game.
Conclusion: The G425s are one of the best irons for the average golfer I’ve tested in recent years.
Recommendation: You’re going to want to at least test these. My money is on you keeping them if you do.
#13 TaylorMade Stealth Irons
- Long & Forgiving
- Good Sound & Feel
- Elevates ball easily
- Easy to hit
- Looks...not the best
The Taylormade Stealths irons are our 2nd Runner up for best mid-handicap irons.
What we like:
- Easy to hit and elevate.
- All the distance you need.
- Minor mishits don’t lose much distance.
- Good feel and sound for a mid handicap iron.
- You can still play any shot you want if you’ve got the game.
What we don’t like:
- Not the best looks.
Stealth irons feel great in my hands. Look great at address. And, hit the ball a ton. You can hit ’em high. You can flight them down. You can play any shot you want with these irons.
TaylorMade Stealth irons are money and exactly what you want out of game improvement irons. They happen to be better looking than the SIM or SIM2 irons too.
Conclusion: Neck and neck with the G425s. Ever so slightly behind in feel and looks.
Recommendation: Need to be on your shortlist if you’re in the market for new mid-handicapper irons.
#14 Ping G430 Irons
- Easy to hit & Elevate
- High trajectory & Straight Ball Flight
- Great distance & forgiveness
- Can shape & flight the ball as well
- Looks, not the best
Ping G430s have all the playability, performance and feel of the G425s, but in an updated package
What we like:
- They’re easy to hit and elevate.
- They want to fly high and straight.
- You can still work them left or right, flight them down, or take off distance if that’s part of your game.
- Same great feel.
- Same forgiveness.
What we don’t like:
- The looks…not so good.
- Not much, if any, improvement over the G425s in my experience.
The lofts are stronger in the G430s and they’ve added more tech for distance. Well-struck shots were about half a club longer for me on the course and I got a couple of crazy-long numbers on my launch monitor.
As with the G425s, center contact is stellar, but slight mishits will get you good results too. I was on or around the greens all day.
Conclusion: Not a significant improvement over the G425s. I don’t think that would be realistic. The G425s are too good.
Recommendation: Keep your G425s. Test both sets if you own neither and you’re in the market.
#15 Callaway Mavrik Irons
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- Good Distance ALL over the face
- Tons of forgiveness
- High & straight ball flight
- Good sound & feel
- Looks...not the best
The Callaway Mavriks are next on our list of best mid handicap irons.
Prepare for some serious “pop”…You do not have to catch these to get tons of performance. I got surprising distance and accuracy out of my mishits.
I found the Mavriks set up well behind the ball, were easy to make good contact with, got the ball up fast and required no extra effort to get the distance I needed.
My by-the-numbers assessment:
Looks: I like cavity-backed irons, but I’m not in love with the color scheme and club head design for these. Head and clubface size are moderately big, but not gaudy. The top line and sole are a bit thicker too, but not bad at all.
Feel / Sound: Great feel with a nice “click” on contact. Pleasing overall.
Forgiveness: If you have any ball-striking skill whatsoever, you will be good to go with the Mavriks.
Center strikes yield killer results, but the whole face is working in your favor. I didn’t lose much with slight mishits. The Mavriks are easy to hit through the bag.
The scoring irons and long irons get up easily and carry for days.
We also can’t forget the offset hosel to give you just another instant to square your club face.
Distance: Looong. Superior distance and accuracy through the bag
Shaping / Flighting: You can dial up any shape or trajectory you want, assuming you can already dial up any shape or trajectory you want.
Recommendation: Still a solid choice, especially if you want to save a little money.
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#16 TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons
New & Used clubs available
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Who are the Taylormade SIM2 Max irons for
- Mid handicappers or any player needing ample help with forgiveness and distance. SIM2 Max irons fit the bill beautifully.
SIM2 Max irons are the upgrade to one of our prior favorites, the M6s, also from Taylormade.
- We are still talking about a slightly oversized head with a thicker top line and sole.
- We are still very forgiving on slight mishits
- We are still talking about speed bridge technology, an ultra-thin face and the speed pocket and inverted cone technology…
- Just a better version of each.
- For even more distance and forgiveness across the face.
SIM2 Max irons get the ball up easily, launch your golf ball a long way, and land softly so you can hold the green.
Recommendation: The SIM2 Max irons are worth a try if you want help with distance and added forgiveness.
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Are you a mid handicapper? What is a mid handicap golfer?
Good question and good luck getting a definitive answer. I’ve tried.
Here’s my definition: Anyone that breaks 90 on a regular basis and anyone that averages sub-90 rounds and can occasionally break 80 (very occasionally).
OR A golfer with a 10ish handicap to a 17ish handicap.
I don’t have strong feelings on the matter. We all kind of know where we belong. It isn’t exact, but neither is any other definition I’ve found.
Here’s the USGA’s stats on handicap index so you can see where you fall.
You can be sure golf equipment manufacturers think they know and spend a ton of money producing and marketing golf clubs just for this segment of the golfing public. Think “game improvement iron”.
What are best irons for average or intermediate golfers? It depends… on you
There has never, ever been a better selection of great iron sets for mid-handicappers to choose from, so it will come down to your personal taste and experience with the clubs.
For best results, get your hands on the clubs that most appeal to you and test them.
- Test more than one set.
- Then, get fitted for the ones you like.
You are good enough, as a mid handicapper, to benefit from a proper fitting. Not mandatory by any means, but not a bad idea.
Get your hands on some clubs and hit some shots. Besides, it’s fun.
FAQs
How To Choose The Best Mid Handicap Irons
There’s a lot that goes into this choosing new clubs, even before you ever take a swing.
- Do I like the looks?
- Is the club head too big, too small, too thick, too thin, too short, too long?
- Do I like the finish?
- Am I confident when I look at the clubhead behind the ball?
That’s just aesthetics…There’s more. Depending on how serious you are.
How do you want your irons to perform?
- Do you like to flight your irons?
- Is shot shaping a part of your game?
- Do you need help getting the ball up?
- Do you fight a slice?
- Do you want traditional lofts or stronger lofts?
- Etc.
Price
All major manufacturers that produce golf irons for mid handicappers and the lower categories price a set of irons anywhere from $800 to $1400 or so.
Ben Hogan (not a major manufacturer, but a known brand), being the lone stand out with a max price of just over $770 for a full set.
Brand
Mizuno, Cobra, Callaway, Ping, and
When looking to purchase a new set of game improvement irons, it will come down to personal choice and idiosyncrasies in your own swing and game. (I believe variation in quality and performance is a much smaller factor than ever.)
Forged, Cast, Muscle-back, Cavity back
Once upon a time the best golf irons were forged irons from a single chunk of metal. All irons were blade irons. Then Ping came along…
Casting, the cavity back, and perimeter weighting were introduced. Now, lower center of gravity and higher MOI are making better scores accessible to a whole new group of players.
The forging process is being used more these days in golf irons for the mid handicap player to improve shot-making ability. Callaway, Taylormade, Mizuno, and Ben Hogan, are just a few examples of companies making a forged cavity back iron.
They’ve managed to introduce more playability and great sound and feel without sacrificing forgiveness in a forged iron.
Mid handicap golfers should stick to cavity back irons, forged or not.
How To Pick The Best Shaft for My Set
So, we’ve got two choices when it comes to shaft material and many when it comes to stiffness. I’m not going to give a full treatment on all the variables that “can” go into picking a shaft.
If you really want to dig into this stuff, I suggest a fitting.
I’ll give you some general guidelines that I always want you to supplement with testing for yourself before you pull the trigger and buy your set.
Shafts are made of either steel or graphite. For a time in the 2000s, there were shafts that were roughly half graphite shaft and half steel shaft.
I haven’t heard a thing about those in years, though I see they still do exist.
When it comes to shaft flex, there is no industry standard and manufacturers can label their shafts whatever flex they want.
Anything I put below is from my observations, fittings, and what I’ve read on the subject.
In general:
- Slow swing speeds = weaker flex
- Fast swing speeds = stiffer flex
Shaft Flexes: Weakest to Strongest
- Ladies Flex: you can guess who this flex caters to
- Senior Flex: see above
- Regular Flex: the bulk of beginners and high handicappers will do fine with this flex. Even lower handicap seniors will likely find these work fine.
- Stiff Flex: better players with driver swing speed approaching 100mph are probably best served with this flex
- Extra Stiff: start getting past 105 mph driver swing and you can start considering these.
**Disclaimer- There are varying opinions between fitters and manufacturers on who should swing what flex.
TEST FOR YOURSELF
How To Pick Shaft Material
Steel vs Graphite:
- In general, graphite shafts are a bit more flexible, lighter, less durable, and allow you to hit the golf ball farther.
- In general, steel shafts are a bit stiffer, heavier, more durable, and offer more stability and consistency.
Graphite shafts are usually a little more expensive, but when ordering brand-new iron sets directly from manufacturers, you will often pay the same for steel or graphite.
I’ve played both and played well with both. I’m currently using extra stiff steel shafts and have for the last 13 years. I was fitted for these shafts and they’ve performed beautifully for me.
Should a mid handicapper get custom fit for irons?
I’ve got a simple philosophy on custom fitting that I’ve expressed in other reviews on this site.
- Mandatory: N0
- Potential to help you play better, a lot better.: Yes
The mid-handicapper can start seriously thinking about getting a custom fitting.
It’s ALL up to you. Do you just want to get on the golf course have fun and drink a few beers during a round? (That’s a “NO” for me, by the way.)
Are you competitive and want to improve, play your best, or at least, well when you play golf? (Yes, for me)
I’ve had lessons and been fitted. I can tell you my misses miss less since my fitting and I can set up to the golf ball more comfortably instead of having to manipulate things to try and hit a shot.
Up to you.
What clubs should a mid handicapper or average player carry?
The mid handicap golfer should carry the following clubs…
- Driver (9.5 – 10.5 degrees of loft) nearly all driver lofts are adjustable these days
- 3-wood (15 or 16) degrees of loft
- 5-wood or 2-hybrid (18 or 19 degrees of loft)
- 4-hybrid
- 5-iron through gap wedge (as part of your set)
- Sand wedge (54-56 degrees of loft)
- Lob wedge (58-60 degrees of loft)
- Putter
This set makeup isn’t gospel, but you can’t go wrong with this as a starting point. You can tinker with the loft of your fairway woods and hybrids a bit. (This is my current set make up and has been for about 15 years)
Should a mid handicapper play blades?
Let me say this about that: There are MANY elite players on all the pro tours that do not play blades. See Jordan Spieth and Xander Schauffele, for example.
I know they are pretty (trust me, I know)
I know you MAY hit them well on occasion (we all flush irons on occasion)
You will always play better with an iron that is designed for your handicap. And they won’t be blades.
So, no. A mid handicapper should not play blades. Wait until you are a low handicap..
What are the best irons for mid handicapper?
The best irons for mid-handicappers are Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal irons. They’re our #1 Recommendation for 2023. They feel unbelievably good, are loaded with forgiveness, look awesome, and are as long as any game improvement iron on the market. Mid handicappers are so lucky to have an iron like this available to them.
What irons should a 20-handicap play?
A 20 handicap should play cavity back irons with large heads, thick soles and toplines, and a good amount of offset. Forgiveness is the name of the game for you.
What’s considered a mid handicap golfer?
A mid-handicap golfer is a golfer with a handicap anywhere from the low mid-teens to a 9 or 10. Though, there is no standard definition.
What irons should a 9-handicap play?
A 9-handicap should play irons that they can consistently hit on or around the green. Emphasis on “around”. Usually, some sort of smaller-sized cavity back will serve you just fine.
What handicap should play blades?
Scratch to 5ish handicap should be able to play a full set of blades.
What does a 10-handicap shoot?
A 10 handicap shoots in the mid-80s on average. They can break 80 every once and a while and also jump into the high 90s on occasion.
What irons should an average golfer use?
The average golfer should use cavity-back game improvement irons.
What is the easiest iron to hit in golf?
The easiest iron to hit in golf is a super game improvement iron. They’re going to be large-headed cavity back irons.
Our Verdict
Narrowing this list down was no easy task. But, we’ve got a little something for everyone. (see below)
My #1 suggestion is to test before you buy. Either at your local golf store or take advantage of Global Golf’s Utry trial program. I use it and recommend it.
Thanks for checking our review of the best irons for mid handicappers and average golfers in 2024.
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For Most Mid Handicaps
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For Better Mid Handicaps
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For Most Mid Handicaps
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Primary Rating:
4.8
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Primary Rating:
4.8
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Primary Rating:
4.9
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~$200/club
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~$200/club
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~$150/club
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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- Superb Sound & Feel
- Plenty Distance & Forgiveness
- Easy Launch & High Trajectory
- A little pricey
- Superb Sound & Feel
- Easy Distance & Plenty Forgiving
- Long irons a breeze to hit
- Launch Easily with High Trajectory
- A little pricey
- Superb forgiveness & distance
- Best sound & feel in golf
- High launch
- Best clubs for the price
- Nada
