Best Irons For Beginners in 2023

The first and foremost step to improving your game will be the equipment you play with. Irons make up the vast majority of the clubs in our bags, so finding the right set for you can make a considerable improvement to your game. For instance, if you are new to the game, you need the best golf irons for beginners. It should be forgiving and consistent, designed to unleash the full potential of any novice in golf.

In this article, we will take a look at the Key Features, Pros, and Cons to consider when making your selection and take you through 10 of the best irons for beginners on the market right now. If you want a little more background information on choosing the right ones, check out the Guide Section below.

1 - Taylor Made Men's RBZ Fairway, Black

The Taylor Made Men's RBZ Fairway, Black is the ultimate test of skill on the fairway. The legendary speed pocket for high launch and increased carry distance, strategically positioned mass pad for optimal launch, sound, and feel, and shallow profile to further improve playability from the fairway are all features designed with your golf game in mind. With lightweight 55 RocketFuel shafts for increased speed and distance paired with a satin black finish that increases alignment precision we know you'll love this club's magnificent performance while also being without a doubt not only one of the best but--without question--the most beautiful club, TaylorMade makes today.

Since the creation of the first metal wood in 1979, the TaylorMade Golf Company has established a legacy of breaking from tradition to reach new thresholds of performance. Driven to lead the industry in product innovation, TaylorMade is committed to exploring new frontiers, pushing the limits of product manufacturing, and constantly pursuing the next great breakthrough in golf.

Key Features:

• Color: Black
• Golf Club Flex: Regular
• Hand Orientation: Left
• Golf Club Loft: 15 Degrees
• Brand: TaylorMade

Pros

• Legendary Speed Pocket in the sole of the club to promote higher launch and reduce spin for even more distance
• Strategically positioned mass pad to optimize launch, sound, and feel
• A shallow profile lowers the center of gravity to increase playability from the fairway
• New satin black finish with details on the crown to improve alignment
• Stock Shaft: TaylorMade Rocketfuel 55
• Stock Grip: TaylorMade Textured Black/Gold, 43 grams
• Includes headcover

Cons

• High launch not for lower handicapped

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2 - Callaway Golf Men's Chrome Mack Daddy 4

The Mack Daddy Irons are carefully crafted to provide the ultimate performance, consistency, and satisfaction from head to the ball. Our engineers at Callaway Golf looked for a new way to maximize our patented Sole Grind variations and found it in a 4-sole geometry that's been engineered with all your playing styles, attack angles, and course conditions in mind. Choose your loft (a choice of 26° or 21°) as well as your desired bounce - strong or weak. Each sole features an optimized CG location glued to both steel faces for an easy launch on iron approach shots while providing crisp turf interaction during iron shots across the green. Surprise! You get the option of either platinum chrome or black matte finish so whether you want traditional classic appeal or bold modern design.

The MD4 wedges have the versatility and selection for every shot, every course condition, and every swing. By leveraging 4 unique sole grinds (S-Grind, C-Grind, X-Grind, and the W-Grind). Callaway's new Groove-in-Groove technology and Micro-Positive surface optimize spin for each loft, and the soft carbon feel ensures you can tailor your wedges to suit your game.

Key Features:

• Style Name: S-Grind
• Size: 48.0 Degrees
• Golf Club Flex: Wedge
• Hand Orientation: Right
• Golf Club Loft:  46 Degrees
• Brand: Callaway

Pros

• More Spin from Groove-In-Groove Technology: A unique suite of features and technologies promotes enhanced spin and control
• Four Sole Grinds: Grinds to suit a variety of playing styles, attack angles, and course conditions. Multiple options to easily execute numerous types of shots from the fairway, rough and sand
• Satisfying Feel: From soft carbon steel, precise CG locations, and crisp turf interaction. All three elements work together to deliver to remarkable feel at impact.
• Chrome or Black Matte Finish: Premium appearance and high durability from elegant Platinum Chrome or sleek Black Matte finishes

Cons

• Limited availability for left-handers and women

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3 - TaylorMade M3 Iron Set

The TaylorMade M3 Iron Set features the Triple Crown Technology and Redesigned shaping for a whole new ball striking experience. The award-winning TaylorMade M3 set combined with Triple Crown technology will add more distance, forgiveness, and consistency to your shots. And when you're ready to tee off to a new level in golf equipment, be sure to get your hands on this industry-changing innovation that has just been released!

TaylorMade's new M3 irons are a product that aims to deliver distance, while simultaneously retaining accuracy and workability in a more appealing, compact head shape preferred by better players.

Key Features:

• Golf Club Flex: Stiff
• Hand Orientation: Right
• Material: Steel
• Brand: TaylorMade
• Shaft Material: Steel

Pros

• RIBCOR localizes face flexibility in the hitting area, transferring more energy to the ball to increase distance and forgiveness.
• RIBCOR stiffens the perimeter of the head creating a more rigid structure, and enhancing sound and feel. RIBCOR mitigates toe flexibility for tighter dispersion.
• Improved shaping: increased sole Radius and leading-edge ski for proper turf interaction and Cleaner address view
• The max-cor design increases ball speed to produce distance & consistency from heel to toe. Ultra-thin leading edge works in conjunction w/the speed pocket to increase speed on low-face shots

Cons

• Might not appeal to players who put a premium on distance control.

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4 - Cleveland Golf Men's Launcher HB Iron Set

Cleveland Golf Men's Launcher HB Iron Set is perfect for golfers who love to open their bags and find the perfect combination of lightweight, high-performance clubs. Each Cleveland Launcher HB Iron is forged to provide you with deadly accuracy on every swing!

Buying iron sets for beginners is not only more economical than buying one at a time but also ensures that you have all the irons that you need in a single package. Cleveland takes things further with this set by making the irons progressive to ensure that each of the 8 clubs will be useful for something.

Key Features:

• Golf Club Flex: Stiff
• Hand Orientation: Left
• Brand Cleveland: Golf
• Shaft Material: Graphite

Pros

• Full-Hollow Construction
• HiBore Crown: HiBore Crown features low, deep weighting for an easy-to-hit, high ball flight.
• High Strength Face
• Progressive Shaping
• Dynamic Gold 98 Steel Shaft

Cons

• Relatively expensive when compared to iron sets from other brands.
• Some of the irons seem a little too easy to draw.
• Shots are still not straight enough for some golfers.

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5 - Callaway Golf 2018 Men's Rogue Individual Iron

The Callaway golf 2018 Men's Rogue Iron is a great product for individuals who want to get the maximum power out of their shots and grab extra yards. It comes with an impressive number of features including 360 Face Cup, VFT Technology, Microspheres, and much more. You'll be getting a high-quality iron that offers increased precision while being equipped with lightweight materials. With all these benefits it will make hitting the ball easier than ever before and provides even better control over your shots than some other similar leading options currently on the market. The Callaway Shield ensures top quality without sacrificing anything important which makes this one worth considering if you're in search of something new!

What’s not to love about this club? Rogue Irons are the best combination of distance, accuracy, and playability ever in a Callaway iron with our 360 Face Cup and VFT, multi-material construction, and Urethane Microspheres.

Key Features:

• Golf Club Flex: Regular
• Hand Orientation: Left
• Material: Urethane
• Brand: Callaway
• Shaft Material: Synergy, 60G

Pros

• 360 Face Cup and VFT:
• Tungsten Weighting for Optimal Flight and Control
• Urethane Microspheres for Phenomenal Sound and Feel

Cons

• Absolutely Nothing!

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6 - TaylorMade Golf M6 Iron

TaylorMade Golf has a reputation for providing high-quality equipment to help golfers achieve their best game. Introducing one of the most improved irons in our lineup, the M6 Iron, which is available at an affordable price point. This iron features Speed Bridge technology that unlocks our players' ability to optimize shape-flex profile for higher ball speeds and greater distance with forgiveness. Our proprietary HYBRAR™ damper helps produce a solid feel on all shots while it filters unwanted vibrations. Experience technological innovation from TaylorMade Golf today!

There is a piece of good news for the golf players who look forward to more and more in a single product. It may be forgiveness, the feel, sound, long-distance, top-notch engineering, and much more. The M6 Irons have all the qualities of M5 Irons and the additional offers. The M6 Irons have a larger size, yet the TaylorMade has been able to conserve its classic look and really feel. The engineering that goes into M6 Irons seems to be from the future. For instance, the sweet spot has been engineered in a way that makes it equally suitable for golfers of all ages with different experiences and skillsets.

Key Features:

• Color: Chrome
• Golf Club Flex: Regular
• Hand Orientation: Right
• Golf Club Loft: 1 Degree
• Material: Other

Pros

• Speed Bridge Structure: Speed Bridge enhances energy transfer and produces a fusion of distance, sound, and feel like you've never experienced in a game-improvement iron.
• Our Fastest Speed Pocket: Speed Bridge enables the use of our fastest thru-slot Speed Pocket for incredibly high ball speed, even on a mis-hit.
• Forgiveness, Redefined: With Speed Bridge and the strengthened iron structure, M6 combines high MOI, high launch, and a massive sweet spot for ultimate forgiveness across the entire face.

Cons

• Being a little lengthier and has a lower than expected difference from its earlier M5 Irons.

Wrap-up

TaylorMade M6 irons are ideal for golfers who are looking to improve their game through distance and forgiveness. It is highly recommended that this is the TaylorMade irons for beginners.

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7 - TaylorMade SIM MAX Irons

TaylorMade's new, revolutionary Speed Bridge technology strategically supports the topline of the iron "to unlock explosive distance and forgiveness with improved sound and feel." ECHO Damping System is designed with energy channeling geometry in order to quickly eliminate harsh vibrations. Now you can enjoy long-distance shots without sacrificing face flexibility on less-than-perfect strikes! With patented Speed Pocket TaylorMade Technology you'll find even more ball speed than ever before! The ultra-thin 1.5 mm faces are engineered using Progressive Inverted Cone Technology that delivers extreme performance. Improved sound and feel, plus a longer off-center strike = more velocity!

Not just for professionals: now there's a club design that ENHANCES your game whether you're an amateur or professional.

Key Features:

• Color: Chrome
• Golf Club Flex: Regular
• Hand Orientation: Right
• Golf Club Loft: 1 Degree
• Material: Other

Pros

• Speed Bridge: Revolutionary Speed Bridge technology strategically supports the topline of the iron to unlock explosive distance and forgiveness with improved sound and feel
• ECHO Damping System: Designed with energy channeling geometry to quickly eliminate harsh vibrations at impact delivering a better feel without sacrificing face flexibility
• Speed Pocket: Patented TaylorMade technology engineered to maximize face flexibility for increased ball speed and forgiveness on low-face strikes
• Ultra-Thin Face: Ultra-thin 1.5mm face design with Progressive Inverted Cone Technology delivers extreme ball speed across the face with an enhanced sweet spot designed to promote a straighter ball flight
• Progressive Inverted Cone Technology: Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) is now uniquely positioned on each iron face to both increases the sweet spot and minimize sidespin on mishits promoting a straighter ball flight

Cons

• Reviewer complaints of durability issues with chrome finish.

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8 - Cleveland Golf Launcher Turbo HB Iron Set

The Cleveland Golf Launcher Turbo HB Iron Set is made with a new, thinner, and hotter turbocharged face that sends your ball soaring through the air with explosive distance. Fully hollow construction provides ultimate forgiveness, while the redesigned HI Bore Crown produces a high ball flight for increased accuracy. It’s crafted to provide seamless transitions between long irons and short irons for incredible consistency—all this at an unbelievable price!

The latest materials innovation in aggressive-looking headcovers is designed to protect clubs from accidental bumps and scrapes during transport or storage. From visible progressiveness of progressive crown angles to high bore center weighting, these remarkable irons help golfers launch their shots into orbit.

Key Features:

• Color:  Silver/Black
• Golf Club Flex: Regular
• Hand Orientation: Left
• Golf Club Loft: 20 Degrees
• Material: Other

Pros

• Forgiveness Made Fast
• The Launcher HB Turbo Irons: they’re big, fast, and forgiving as forgiveness gets.
• Hollow is better
• A faster face goes farther
• Progressive shaping is the best of everything
• Lower the crown, raise the launch

Cons

• Absolutely Nothing!

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9 - Callaway Golf 2020 Mavrik Max Iron Set

The new Callaway 2020 Maverick Max Iron Set not only demonstrates the distinct innovation that is available in our products but also innovates for those looking for top-of-the-line performance. For a more seasoned golfer who needs supreme ball speed and high precision shots, this iron set is perfect. With many features added to give you accuracy and control, there's no one better than Maverick.

Calloway's in the number on iron Brendan Golf for over five years and counting because we continue to push the boundaries of what's possible. For the first time, Flash Face Technology is designed by Artificial Intelligence to create a sophisticated and unique face architecture for every loft, in every model. By implementing a different Flash Face architecture they created a significant increase in ball speed and spin robustness in every club. MAVERIK MAX is built for total distance with a larger body and deeper CG for increased forgiveness and easy launch.

Key Features:

• Golf Club Flex: Light
• Hand Orientation: Right
• Material: Graphite
• Brand: Callaway
• Shaft Material: Graphite

Pros

• Industry-leading Ball Speeds: For the first time, we’re using Artificial Intelligence in an iron. We’ve created a sophisticated face architecture that’s unique to every loft, so we can create a significant boost in ball speed and increased spin robustness off of every iron.
• Optimal Launch: The custom tungsten-infused weights in each iron allow us to locate the position of the CG in each iron with extraordinary precision while still maintaining ball speed in the Flash Face Cup. This promotes optimum launch and ball flight through the set, from strong lofts and player-preferred trajectory, spin rates, and land angles
• Unprecedented Feel: We’ve implemented our patented urethane microspheres to comprehensively absorb unwanted vibration for pure feel, while also maximizing COR for incredible ball speed.

Cons

• Standard distance
• Marks appear on the head too easily

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10 - Cobra Golf 2020 T-Rail Combo Set

The Cobra Golf 2020 T-Rail Series has the newest generation of innovative technology and a sleek design. Let your game be paired, effortlessly gliding through any situation with the power to reach the green in one shot. With Hollow Construction and Baffler Rails, there are no obstacles that this series can't overcome on its way to victory. The Oversized T-Rail design aids these clubs with distance control and consistency hoping for a better swing every time you play.

Distance and forgiveness join forces in a unique hybrid-iron set featuring 4 hybrid and wide-soled hollow irons with an ultra-low CG to help you experience the easiest golf of your life.

Key Features:

• Color: Black/Blue
• Golf Club Flex: Regular
• Hand Orientation: Right
• Golf Club Loft: 44 Degrees
• Material: Other

Pros

• Forged E9 Face: Forged E9 Face-A high strength steel face is designed with variable thickness E9 Technology to ensure no distance is left behind, even on off-center hits.
• Baffler Rails: Baffler Rails-Baffler Rails allow the club to glide effortlessly through any turf condition, making a great shot outcome always possible.
• Hollow Construction: Hollow Construction-A hollow design though the set gives every club the superpower of hybrid-like launch and distance.

Cons

• Limited availability for left-handers

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Do I need to buy a 3 or 4-iron?

No, is the short answer. Most golfers find these clubs tough to use, and actually, only require them one or two times around. These days you’ll find 5-woods, 7-woods and hybrids are better replacements, as they are easier to hit.

Your woods and hybrids don’t have to match your irons or other woods, so feel free to mix and match these when adding to your golf club set at a later date.

What is a normal budget to buy a beginner golf club set?

A great set of golf clubs will set you back between $300 – $1,100 (£250 – £1,000). You can buy a beginner club set for more and that is not a problem, they will likely be of great quality.

If you buy a golf club set below this price they will work, you sure will have fun, but be aware that the build quality may be a little low. This can lead to clubs not performing as well and possibly breaking.

What handicap is a mid handicapper?

A mid handicapper is someone who plays with a handicap that is between 11 and 20, although there are no official level definitions. This generally means that you can shoot in the 80s in each round and break 90 in every other round.

Picking golf irons can be an overwhelming task, especially if you are a novice. However, with a great set of irons, your golf game is going to take the next step in your game.

All ten of these sets offer something unique to the beginner golfer, whether it be high-quality construction or wonderful value for the money. And if finding a name-brand set is important for your search, then there are several sets on the list that will check that box and provide you with a high-performing collection of clubs.

No matter what set you choose from the list, finding a complete set rather than grabbing one club at a time, provides a convenience that will help you get off the computer and onto the course to begin the journey of posting your lowest scores ever!