We have gathered the list of 10 best golf irons. They are certainly guilty of repeating this every spring. There has never been a better time to buy a new set of irons. Many of us will have spent the first three months of the year counting down the days until the golf courses reopen. but we are back in full swing today. You have undoubtedly spotted a new pair of irons or two if you have been to a golf store. Then you take a look around your pro shop. The urge to buy a new set of sticks is too strong – you have to scratch the itch.
Here, we examine the finest best golf irons of 2021 to help you narrow down your search for a model that will fit. There are several great models to select from, whether you are new to the game and need a model with lots of forgiveness or a scratch player who demands exceptional feel and distance control. Let us have a look at them.
Best Golf Irons
No.1 TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons
The focus for TaylorMade with this year’s irons is, as you would imagine, distance, forgiveness, and improved performance. All of which are prevalent among the target demographic of high handicappers.
If you have been paying attention to golf equipment in recent years. You will know that TaylorMade is not afraid to be aggressive with its marketing of goods. and the SIM2 line seems to be no exception. The SIM2 Max sports the phrase “Don’t just want better shots, expect them.”
An all-new multi-material Cap Back Design combines high-strength stainless steel with lightweight plastics to reduce CG and promote maximum distance, forgiveness, and feel. The design covers the whole cavity to offer stability from heel to toe, and it works in tandem with the Thru-Slot Speed Pocket to enhance flexibility and ball speed.
The SIM2 Max has a thinner and faster face that offers more flexion for hotter outcomes. It has been developed as near to the legal limit as possible.
TaylorMade has also worked to improve the Echo Damping System. Which was first seen in last year’s SIM irons, with a more concentrated ‘Hybar’ material for 2021. A softer feel with fewer vibrations, and TaylorMade claims that this gives you the feel of a forged iron but with more flex for faster speeds.
Finally, an upgraded Progressive ICT technology is claimed to offer a 10% increase in the sweet spot. This progressively shifts towards the toe in the longer irons to encourage a neutral ball flight. Assist in preventing the ‘big right miss’ without the need for a lot of offsets.
No.2: Titleist T200 Irons
The T200 irons are designed for players looking for distance. Still, they are also one of the most flexible sets in Titleist’s lineup, providing various advantages to a wide spectrum of golfers.
The Max Impact Technology and forged L-Face in the head construction provide a better feel and maximum ball speed performance, while a polymer core dampens vibration for improved sound and feel.
The T200 irons are smaller and have somewhat less offset than the T300, which will appeal to better players. They are certain to appeal to the developing player looking for game-improvement performance in a small package.
A few changes have been made to accomplish this. Including a little shorter blade length, a very comparable offset to the T100 and T100s irons. A narrower topline, and a somewhat thinner sole than we saw in 2019. All of this, in my opinion, contributes to the T200 looking better than it did before. They are now great-looking golf clubs, while they were previously a bit crowded – particularly in the cavity.
The rear of the head now seems to be much cleaner. The cavity is now virtually non-existent, giving the irons a more contemporary Mizuno/TaylorMade P790 appearance.
The tungsten weighting is no longer visible since it is buried under the polymer casing – dare we say the T200s are a bit blade-like?
Overall, it looks more like a T100 than a T300, which is excellent for those who want to play blades but do not have the speed or strike. Whereas the T200 was a bit lost in the pack in 2019, they definitely stand out on their own in 2021.
No.3: Callaway Apex MB Irons
The Apex MB irons were one of five new sets released by Callaway at the start of the year and were designed for the top players in the game. They have a conventional, narrow top line, refined sole, compact blade length, and a gorgeous chrome finish, and they have a classic form and style.
Precision grooves enhance the high degree of control and consistent spin that muscle back players need. Furthermore, a new weight in the clubhead’s center enables swing weights to be precisely dialed in without compromising performance.
The Callaway Apex MB irons may be ideal for the better golfer looking for the utmost feel and shot-making.
These blades have a distinct focal point in the bag: the weight in the middle of the head. As blade players tend to be conventional, I can see this being a little controversial. The branding is modest enough for me that this one departure from the usual is excellent. I also like the brushed finish over chrome since it will last longer.
The pleasure of a clean stroke is a big part of the attraction of playing with a blade. By that standard, the 2020 Callaway Apex MB irons are excellent. Centered shots are rewarded with a sturdy feel that is just soft enough to delight your hands. Sweet strikes have an impact sound that I would describe as firm.
On the other hand, these irons will plainly inform you when you miss a stroke. Anything that is not directly in front of you feels considerably firmer than a direct hit. The feedback is exact and demanding – even little errors may be noticed.
No.4: Taylormade Rocketbladez Irons
The Speed Pocket – the “little thing” that encourages significantly increased speed and distance – drives the TaylorMade RocketBladez Tour, which is available in 3- to 7-iron. These irons are the ideal blend of the feel that pros like Sergio Garcia need and the explosive distance that amateurs like myself want.
The lie angle of the 6-iron was the first thing I wanted to examine since the regular RocketBladez 6-iron I tested earlier this year compared to a 5-iron at an astonishing 26.5-degree. As a consequence, I was pleased to discover a more reasonable loft of 29.5 degrees this time.
With its medium sole and broad top edge of the club head, this player iron looks great at address, and just looking at the back of the club inspired me to put the clubhead behind the ball confidently. I also like how the Speed Pocket is located in the middle of the sole rather than the front. There is also much weight in the back to help me get the ball into the air.
Despite my reservations about RocketBladez iron’s loud crack, this Tour version is much more attractive. A well-designed built-in polyurethane provides a much softer sound and a highly acute, springy feeling when touched. The KBS shaft combination also works well for my quick swing speed.
TaylorMade SpeedBlade Irons
Taylormade SpeedBlade irons are a fantastic set that has really survived the test of time.
They originally appeared in 2013, and we are still talking about these incredible game enhancement irons in 2021!
In general, most golfers work hard to improve their clubhead speed. Furthermore, makers of drivers and fairway woods focus on increasing distance while maintaining forgiveness.
The Taylormade SpeedBlade irons, on the other hand, are aimed primarily at players who want to enhance their launch trajectory to get more distance and height on their iron shots.
Personally, I have a very steep swing plane. Thus the Taylormade Speedblade irons would be a poor match for me. (I believe I would need the inverse.)
However, if you have a shallower swing and the ball does not acquire enough height, these irons may significantly enhance your ball flight.
No.6: Wilson Staff D9 Irons
Wilson Staff D9 Irons
Amazon: Starts at $112.80When the Wilson Staff D7 iron was released at the end of 2018. It quickly became one of the finest pound-for-pound distance irons on the market. So we were eager to see whether the new D9 iron could equal or even outperform it in terms of performance.
Wilson has returned to only two Power Holes on the sole this time, led by computer modeling tools to create the most efficient design in terms of length and placement.
The lofts are now a degree higher than D7 (the 7-iron is now 27°), and we tested it on the Foresight Sports GCQuad. Launch a monitor outdoors at Burghley Park Golf Club to evaluate the feel, flight, and forgiveness.
At first glance, it has a clean, conventional appearance with a wide topline width and offset to encourage confidence. It also has a broad sole, and up to the 7-iron, the rear of the sole is visible in the playing position on the heel side, which is not for everyone.
However, the sole has a fair degree of camber, so it will play a bit narrower than it seems and provide excellent forgiving through the grass.
The lightweight feel is the first thing that hits you. It comes equipped with the KBS Max Ultralite shaft, the lightest steel shaft available from KBS, and as a consequence, it feels straightforward to swing quickly.
This also adds to a more powerful launch. In fact, given the lofts, the peak height of this iron was surprisingly high. Although the spin was lower than other irons we have tested of a comparable loft. The steep fall angle should offer adequate stopping power.
No.7: Mizuno MP-20 Irons
No hunt for new blades is complete without a look at Mizuno’s options. Some of Mizuno’s best blades inspired the design of the MP-20 irons, and input from Mizuno’s Tour players led them to develop one of the narrowest top lines ever.
The tapered topline and cambered sole allow for more even weight distribution. Which improves vertical stability and forgiveness on strikes from high and low on the face. Meanwhile, a smart combination of satin and chrome on the clubhead has been added to reduce glare.
Only the most accurate ball hitters can profit from the increased distance consistency. However, if you are that kind of player, the MP-20 irons should be on your must-try list.
The overall blade length has risen, although the actual striking area seems to be less than the previous MP-18 model. The most noticeable difference is a smaller sole with greater camber. It is a nice combination that enables the head to travel rapidly over the grass with little hindrance.
The MP-20 MMC has replaced the MP-18 SC as the intermediate model. It features tungsten weights to support the face on off-center strikes and is somewhat wider than the blade in sole width and topline. It also has more loft down at 32° at the 7-iron vs. 34° in the MB.
Finally, there is the MP-20 HMB, a ‘hybrid muscle back with a hollow structure and twin 12g tungsten weights for more forgiveness. To enhance ball speed, a robust, thin Chromoly face is bonded onto the stainless steel body. The HMB model’s 7-iron loft is likewise 32°.
No.8: Ping G425 Irons
Ping has made significant changes to the shape of the G425 iron compared to the G410. It has a smaller head than the G410 but maintains the same sole and bounce. Because of the slimmer shape, it is easy on the eye behind the ball and improves shelf appeal. Ping has gone to great lengths to make the G425 appear expensive and well-made.
The head is made of Hyper 17-4 steel, which has been strengthened by 10%, giving the G425 the greatest flex deflection from a cast design that Ping has ever created.
Ping has updated the previous core design in the head with the same technology found in its metal woods. Also known as Metalwood VFT. Ping is pursuing even greater distance and ball speed than ever before by adding this rather significant change.
Multi-material badging has also been added to enhance the overall sound and feel of the G425 irons. This is an aluminum design with ABS material for a more consistent feel and fewer vibrations upon contact. The G710 irons fell a bit short in this category, in our opinion. Furthermore, it should improve the appearance of the back of the skull by making it less empty and filling up the cavity beautifully.
‘Extreme weighing’ is also mentioned. This is essentially a pair of high-density tip weights in the toe (the visible screw) and another concealed within the hosel on the shaft’s end. Ping claims that this iron has a 3% greater moment of inertia than the G410. These enhanced weighting locations.
No.9: Titleist T300 Irons
The Titleist T300 irons are designed for maximum speed and forgiveness, with a hot feel and fastball speed. As a result, they are ideal for game enhancement.
Through using a silicone polymer insert. Titleist’s Max Impact technology enables the face to be thinner, increasing launch, speed, and feel. A dampener behind the face softens the sensation. A sole with greater camber is intended to enhance grass contact and maximize forgiving.
If you are a developing golfer looking for greater distance and consistency, these irons may help you take your game to the next level.
The 4-7 irons now include an upgraded version of the Max Impact technology, including a cantilever core support structure, a strong polymer core, and a changeable face design, all of which contribute to improved ball speed and feel.
Titleist has gone all-in on the tungsten weighting in these long irons, with the 4-7 irons having the greatest density for more effective use of total mass. In layman’s terms, this implies that the clubface is weighted to be more stable during the strike, which means that it will twist less when the ball is hit from the toe or heel.
The face has a variable face thickness (VFT) design, which we have seen from Callaway and Ping in previous years. It is thinner at the heel than at the toe to assist keep ball speeds up and provide forgiveness on the ‘weaker’ parts of the face, where you would normally see greater drop-offs in distance and accuracy.
The basic steel and graphite shaft choices are engineered with high launch, high spin characteristics, which contribute to the irons’ forgiving, game-improvement feel. The lofts are around 2 degrees higher than the T200 irons, and this combination should give the extra distance that Titleist claims you will notice.
No.10: Callaway Apex Pro Irons
Callaway’s complete line of irons for 2021 caters to every level of golfer. The Apex Pro irons are targeted at the better player and single-figure golfer.
In an all-new forged 1025 hollow body structure, these irons feature an Artificial Intelligence-designed Flash Face Cup and urethane microspheres. A Tungsten Energy Core, on the other hand, contains up to 90 grams of tungsten per iron. That enhances launch characteristics while also increasing forgiveness.
It checks all of the boxes in terms of control, flight, and playability – and if you want all of that in a classic-looking club, you should try the Apex Pro irons.
There is not much technology on show, as you can undoubtedly tell from the basic but contemporary design of these irons. There are the following characteristics:
They are the first Apex irons to be developed with AI. As is the remainder of the Apex line for 2021. The A.I.-designed Flash Face Cup in each iron creates high ball velocity and enhanced spin resilience using a unique A.I. Face architecture. They have been designed for both distance and control.
The tungsten energy core, which I described before, is probably the most significant new feature of the Apex irons. Each head in the Pro model weighs up to 90 grams. Callaway was able to accurately place the center of gravity to encourage a strong launch. Throughout the set and greater forgiveness on off-center strokes.
The forged 1025 mild carbon steel body and unique urethane microspheres provide excellent sound and feel upon impact, while the enhanced shape aids increased feel through the grass.
A premium set of irons comes with quality shafts and grips. The irons I tested have True Temper Elevate ETS 115g shafts and are also available in 80/90/105g. They were also equipped with Golf Pride Z grips.