Whether you're joining the game for the first time or you're simply looking your first proper set of irons, finding the right set to use is the first important step to get you off to a fast start. To help you with your search, we've narrowed down the wide range of irons available into a short guide of the best irons for beginners.
Irons designed for beginners aim to get the ball airborne, with higher launch equalling longer distance both from the tee and the fairway. Forgiveness is also a big thing with irons for beginners, with these sets considered to be some of the most forgiving irons available on the market. Some of these iron sets will include the option of switching out the 3, 4 and even 5-irons for easier-to-hit hybrids, which could help your performance at the more difficult end of your bag to master.
We also recommend taking a look at our other iron guides on the best distance irons, best game improvement irons, or also the best budget irons if you want great value.
VIDEO: Joe Ferguson test the latest irons aimed at beginner golfers
The Quick List
The Ping G430s have impressive stopping power coupled with consistent forigveness for shots that miss the center of the clubface - a regular occurrence for beginners and higher handicaps.
A considered iron offering that caters for golfers with slower swing speeds from a brand on the top of the game when it comes to making irons.
Looks match performance on the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke irons, with impressive distance and fantastic forgiveness creating an excellent iron.
These hybrid-style irons are effortless and we found them extremely long. Great for players who struggle to get the ball into the air easily.
With the FX77 irons, you get a lot of performance for the price. The user friendly iron promotes great levels of forgiveness while giving higher handicapped players an eye-catching iron for their golf bag.
An easy-to-hit iron set that progresses nicely from long to short iron. Looks will divide opinion, but the Launcher XL combines forgiveness and distance to create a great option for beginners.
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The Stealth HD iron is built for maximum launch and consistent height, while strong draw bias is included in the technology to help players who miss the ball to the right.
With a large chassis to offer confidence at the address, the Wilson Launch Pad irons are particularly good for players who tend to hit the ball fat or have steep attack angles into the back of the ball.
Best Golf Irons For Beginners
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Top pick
Replacing the excellent G425 irons, the Ping G430 clubs are an upgrade to an already stellar golf iron that continues to offer forgiveness and distance in buckets.. It's no secret that the best Ping irons on the market are renowned for their forgiveness, a feature that extends into Ping's drivers and and fairway woods. The G430 is an excellent club that delivers great looks and performance that will suit less experienced players.
The G430s differ from the G425's through a PUR Flex badge insert behind the club face that enhances the performance of the iron. The insert adds seven new 'flex zones' to the back of the club to help generate more flexibility on the face as well as greater ball speed - making it easier than ever to get the ball in the air.
The insert delivers softer feel and a lower audio pitch on impact, a feature of some of the best game improvement irons. In testing, we were impressed how easy it was to launch these into the air, while distance was improved from previous Ping models with more consistency for those missed shots. Ultimately, we found it to be a very enjoyable club to play with; approach shots seemed easier to execute and the sensation on impact will be favorable to a range of players.
- Read our full Ping G430 Irons Review
Best feel
Excellent for lower swing speeds, this iron set delivers greater forgiveness for lower handicap golfers. Helping you produce greater ball flights and extra distance, this is a very forgiving game-improvement iron perfect for force-limited golfers. Plus they deliver a lot of shaft lean at impact that will help you achieve a more optimum ball flight for more distance and better stopping power.
The forgiveness Mizuno offer here is superb, with consistent ball flight and extra distance on offer for those with higher swing speeds. The JPX923 Hot Metals deliver shaft lean at impact too, helping beginners achieve optimum ballflight and longer, straighter flight.
These irons also feel wonderful, with lovely feedback on well struck shots as well as a high quality feel with club in hand standing over the ball like the best Mizuno irons - these don't feel like game improvement irons.
Aesthetically this iron looks great and has a wider sole, offering a deeper CG and greater forgiveness compared to the standard Mizuno Hot Metal iron. In testing, the ball launched higher compared to other Mizuno JPX923 offerings but is certainly suited less experienced players who are looking for a confidence inspiring iron that will help them play more consistently.
- Read our full Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal HL Iron Review
Best distance
Part of the Callaway family for 2024 are the Paradym Ai Smoke irons which attempt to sit amongst the best distance irons and also the most forgiving irons. The chief technology to mention is the all-new Ai Smart Face which optimizes iron performance using swing data from thousands of real golfers. The face therefore promotes closer dispersion without losing out on distance.
In testing we loved the visual and audio feedback from these irons. They sounded great and felt nice in hand through contact, while distance was evident on well hit efforts but the drop of from off-center hits was not as much as it should have been.
Out of all the best distance irons we have tested this year. the Ai Smoke was right up there with the best in a number of categories. As mentioned, they look and feel great and the distance games will prove invaluable for golfers new to the game. If you are after some distance-enhancing irons that will really look the part in your golf bag and feel softer than most game improvement irons, then this may well be the set for you.
- Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Iron Review
Best for confidence
The T400 irons are the designed to be the most forgiving and longest irons amongst the T series produced by Titleist. These particular irons also have the strongest loft of the series, but during testing we found launch is not compromised.
Titleist produce some of the best irons in golf, so when it comes to the technology, they know what they're doing. The split sole design on the T400s means turf interaction feels great, while the thin face and hollow head are combined with high-density tungsten weighting to deliver a powerful but forgiving iron set. The thicker topline and overall size of the head means these irons feel really easy to hit while looking appealing at impact. The offset is visible from 7-iron and upwards, which may not be to the taste of every golfer, but the set does come with progressive blade lengths, sole widths and hosel lengths decreasing towards the shorter irons.
Overall, we think the T400 is a great game improvement iron that could really help beginners and high handicappers get the most from their games.
- Read our full Titleist T400 Irons Review
Best looks
A game improvement iron that looks like a one of the best bladed irons? Sign us up. On the lower scale of the price range for irons comes the Ram FX77, a cost-friendly avenue into a sport that can be pretty expensive. These irons retail for under $400, and the looks alone are worth the price tag. The finish is very elegant and delivers a premium look at address.
The price tag doesn't portray the performance, with the FX77 irons delivering solid feel and forgiveness compared to more expensive options. The heat treated stainless steel faces on this club make it lively and that helps to deliver a lot of stability on off-center strikes.
This makes these irons a great option for beginners, but it's worth noting the blade design means shots will naturally come out lower compared to other, thicker headed options. Pleasing looks, lots of power and consistency all combine in this club, to make the Ram FX77 one of the best value clubs on the market right now.
- Read our full Ram FX77 Iron Review
Most forgiving
With the size of the head on the Launcher XL Halo irons, it feels like you can't miss a shot when standing at address. Gliderails on the irons deliver nice turf interaction and better, more consistent contact, while the mid-to-shot irons have V-Shaped Soles to cut through the firmest of turf for cleaner strikes. An 8g weight placed in the end of each grip helps promote balance and control for players in the early stages of their golfing career who are still honing a signature swing.
If precision is what is desired above all else, Cleveland is offering a new Accuracy Build, a custom configuration that is half an inch shorter without counterbalancing to focus on maximum control. Overall, much like the Wilson Launch Pad, this iron is noticeably easy to swing fast and each good distance and accuracy - something beginners crave.
- Read our full Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Iron Review
Best high launch
Less experienced golfers tend to come over the top of the ball, meaning they slice across it and cause the ball to leak out to the right. If you have this problem, the Stealth HD could be the perfect forgiving iron for your game.
This bigger-headed iron is the best TaylorMade irons on the market and offers some lovely visuals, with a cool carbon fiber on its head that is surrounded by a stainless steel head. It is a chunky iron at address, suiting beginners and higher handicaps, but the chunkiness is where this club creates forgiveness while creating easy launch for longer distances.
In testing, we had no issues getting it up in the air, with it delivering distances just short of the original Stealth iron. It's also a workable club, with mid-handicappers able to move the ball either way if they have the ability. The sole of the iron is the best feature, featuring a step down design which makes it feel and play a lot narrower than it actually is. We found the Stealth HD to be consistently forgiving, whether from the rough or a tight lie in the fairway, and it doesn't feel to clunky at impact despite the looks.
- Read our full TaylorMade Stealth HD Iron Review
Best for consistent strike
The Wilson Launch Pad combines the distance of a hybrid with the consistency of an iron to create a club primed for speed and forgivness.
The wider sole helps achieve smaller, more shallow divots and glides through the turf by keeping the leading edge risen. The back wall of the iron is thinned out for optimal weight distribution, adding it lower in the head and thus promoting higher loft.
It's an ideal iron for the beginner and high handicapper that is inconsistent with where they contact the ground and ball. It's the ideal starting point for a player who has just joined the game of golf and struggles to get their iron shots airborne, a few strikes with this iron and that problem will be a thing of the past.
- Read our full Wilson Launch Pad 2022 Iron Review
How we test irons
All golf irons, and golf gear, goes through a thorough and comprehensive testing process at Golf Monthly. Before testing, the Golf Monthly team will usually attend product launches and meet with the manufacturer’s R&D experts to understand the new technology. Usually, when it comes to hitting the clubs, we use an indoor simulator at Foresight Sports so we can hit in a controlled environment using premium balls and a launch monitor.
We then look to test the clubs outside and this usually takes place at West Hill because of the awesome practice facilities available. When it comes to actual reviews, we should say that no company can buy a good review because our testers tell it how they see it. There's no better member of our team to test irons at Golf Monthly than Technical Editor Joel Tadman - Joel has tested hundreds if not thousands of clubs over the years, so he knows a thing or two about them.
We pride ourselves on our experience and longevity in the field of testing a reviews - our tests are done for golfers, by golfers. This means we know exactly what the average player wants from a club, and give you a fair testing and review on how each piece of equipment performs. Whether it is reviewing the best drivers, best fairway woods or the best putters, we know what we're talking about.
Manufacturers can't simply 'buy' a review - we are impartial we testing equipment. If we tell you a club is good, it's because it is!
How to choose irons
Given the number of options out there, choosing the right set of irons can feel like a difficult task. Chances are, as a beginner, you're doing this for the first time which can make the process feel even more overwhelming.
The fact of the matter is, no matter your handicap, finding the right irons can be difficult for everyone. That's why we've put together this list on factors to keep in mind when searching that will help narrow down your potential shortlist:
1. Budget
Golf is expensive, especially when you're starting out. It's worth having a think of what your budget is - are you on the lower scale of things or is price not an issue. If so, why not get custom fitted?
When working out how much spend it's worth asking yourself the following - How committed are you to playing golf? Are you recently retired and will soon have a lot of time on your hands? Are you only going to start out by going to the range once a week? Are you only going to play twice a year with work? There isn't much point spending over $1000 on clubs you can only use once a month!
This also helps if you don't know how committed you are to golf yet. The last thing you want to do is spend thousands on clubs only to find them collecting dust in the garage six months later.
2. Custom Fit
Maybe unsurprisingly, stock clubs may not suit your game if you're very tall or small. Clubs that have been made for a golfer of average height won't be best for a 6ft5 giant.
A custom fitting will allow a fitting professional to finely tune clubs to your game, which could be well worth it in the long run. Again, it may be a daunting task as a total beginner having a custom fit session, but getting clubs that are the correct size will help you in the long and short run to enjoy the game and learn the correct fundamentals from the get go.
If you don't need a custom fit, then why not look at our list of the best golf club sets as a way to get a quality beginners set of clubs.
3. Shape
If you don't like how your clubs looks behind the ball as you prepare to hit it, chances are you won't have a great relationship with said club and the resulting shot will suffer as a result. Especially with clubs for beginners and game improvement irons, some heads can be particularly big as manufacturers chase the upmost forgiveness. Some are shaped in what we would consider a conventional iron head (see Ping G425 and Callaway Big Bertha) and others with a much wider, more forgiving sole (see Wilson Launch Pad and Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo).
If you feel like you're a decent beginner who doesn't struggle to get the ball in the air, a regular shaped iron may be best for you game. Adversely, if you're a complete beginner or struggle with the normal type of iron head, the less conventional head shapes of the Wilson Launch Pad and Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo irons are a great place to start as they offer ample forgiveness and will help you get the most enjoyment out of golf as early as possible. It can also be as simple as which you like the look of the best!
4. Shafts
This is a particular area custom fitting can be vital. Beginners will have swing speeds that vary drastically, so finding the right shaft to suit your swing characteristics can prove critical to how you perform with your new sticks.
If you're brand new to the game, it would be worth getting graphite shafts aimed at slow swing speeds, while steel shafts will suit those who swing harder and faster at the ball. Weight is also a big factor, especially if you're an older player.
Flexes of shaft are also dependent on how quickly you swing the club. Senior flex is self explanatory and is aimed at senior golfers who have a slow swing speed, stiff flex is for those who swing the club quickly and regular flex sits somewhere in the middle.
For more buying advice on golf clubs, take a look at our guides on the best golf club sets for beginners, or best women's golf sets.
FAQs
What kind of irons should a beginner use?
A iron that will provide stability across the face through perimeter weighting. This offsets the quality of strike by keeping distance levels consistent through resistance to twisting at impact. A golf iron for the beginner may also need to feel relatively lightweight and therefore easy to swing while also being forgiving through the turf via a wide sole design.
What are the easiest irons to hit for beginners?
Ping G-Series irons, like the G430, are know for being easy to hit but also consider hybrid-like irons, including the Wilson Launch Pad and Cleveland Launcher XL Halo, which bring metalwood style speed and forgiveness to the table in an iron set. Cobra also makes excellent irons for the beginner at a reasonable price, including the Air-X iron that really impressed us.
Should beginners use blade irons?
Generally, beginner players should avoid using blade irons. Muscleback clubs are generally a lot less forgiving than standard cavity backed clubs and that means they are a lot harder to hit. Beginner players, with less experience playing golf, should look to use more forgiving clubs like cavity-back irons that help them get the ball up in the air with more speed and distance.
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