Best Golf Irons For Mid Handicappers

If you’re worried about that yourself, then you’re in luck. Below is a list of some of the best golf irons for mid handicappers.

Being a mid-handicapper isn’t so bad. Sure, you’ll have a few hits and misses. But other than that, your golfing career will be relatively smooth and fun.

Now one of the struggles most mid handicappers face is finding the right golf irons for their play. If you’re worried about that yourself, then you’re in luck. Below is a list of some of the best golf irons for mid handicappers.

5 Factors to Consider Before Getting Mid-Handicap Golf Irons

But before you dive straight into the list, you have to keep a few pointers first. The best golf irons for mid handicappers can get the ball high into the air with minimal effort, land softly on the ground after each shot, and be very forgiving in case of mishits. To ensure these, you need to consider five factors, including:

Shaft

The right club shaft will ensure consistency, and it will impact how well you do in the course. So best choose the right shaft for your irons.

Now shafts for golf irons come in two types: steel and graphite. Graphite shafts are great if your swing speed is low since its light weight helps increase your distance. Meanwhile, steel shafts add extra weight to the irons, giving you a better feel.

Both steel and graphite shafts are suitable for mid handicappers depending on their style. However, to truly determine which one is best for you, better get tested or get advice first.

Club Head Design

There are two types of club head designs for golf iron: Muscle Back and Cavity Back. Muscle back or blade irons are best for low single digit handicappers. On the other hand, cavity back irons are more forgiving for mid handicappers. This is mainly because it can provide increased perimeter weighting.

Cavity back irons are hollowed out at the back, and most of the metal is distributed around its edges instead. As a result, they have more weight in their perimeters (hence the term) compared to muscle back irons. This helps you hit the ball straighter and higher.

Moreover, increased perimeter weighting adds force behind the ball when you do off-center strikes. This allows you to avoid the pain that occurs when you miss the sweet spot on a muscle back.

Sole Size

Mid handicappers like you should always go for irons with moderately wider soles. That way, you’ll not only add more weight to every shot, but also produce arching ball flights even on mishits.

Additionally, that extra beef on the sole enables it to bounce off the ground rather than dig into the earth. This allows you to improve your shots in case you hit the ground before the ball.

Offset Hosel

Under normal circumstances, a golfer need not worry about hosels. But if you’re a mid handicapper, your golf clubs need to have offset hosels.

Using irons with offset hosels allows you to increase the height of your shots. This is especially great for any golfers having a hard time getting the ball up in the air. Furthermore, the offset encourages a draw, as well as reduces workability of the golf club to hit fades.

Tungsten Infused

To add more weight to their shots, some mid handicappers prefer irons infused with tungsten. While you’re not required to follow suit, it should be noted that heavier clubs allow you to correct a shot in case you make a mistake during a game.

Since tungsten is heavier than steel, getting clubs infused with this metal is a great option if you want more weight.

Golf Irons Every Mid Handicappers Should Avoid

At the same time, you shouldn’t go for golf irons that have ‘Tour’, ‘Tour Preferred’, and ‘Pro’ on their labels. These clubs are more suitable for professional or low handicap golfers, and mid handicappers will find them very unforgiving.

Best Golf Irons for Mid Handicappers

So now that you know what makes a great mid handicap golf iron, you can proceed with checking out some of the top ones available in the market. As you’ll see below, the clubs on this list are included based on the factors mentioned above.

Callaway Golf 2021 Apex DCB Individual Iron

Callaway’s Apex DCB 21 iron takes the cake as one of the best golf irons for mid handicappers. Combining Apex’s slim look and soft feel with more forgiveness and easy launch, it’s definitely a club all golfers can appreciate.

As far as forgiveness goes, the Apex DCB beats even the ther Apex Irons. Its deep cavity back and wide sole enables you to launch the ball high and far, while simultaneously maintaining solid turf interaction.

This product is also one of the first Callaway irons developed using artificial intelligence. Every iron is engineered to give mid handicappers impressive distance and more control. Additionally, the A.I. face architecture in the club allows it to produce high ball speeds and boost spin robustness.

To top it off, the Apex DCB enjoys Callaway’s trademark Tungsten Energy Core. Up to 50 grams of tungsten is infused in the irons, resulting in increased forgiveness and consistent launch.

Pros	Cons
Product available to everyone Consistent launch and spin Crisp sound at contact More hollow sound with longer irons Stronger lofts but higher flights	No SW included in the set Price at the upper end of the market

Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Iron

For a lot of mid handicappers, forgiveness is the only thing that keeps them going. Luckily, the Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Iron Set is as forgiving as forgiveness gets. This iron not only helps you improve your game, but also grants maximum forgiveness with every shot.

The Launcher HB Turbo Iron comes with a progressive hollow shaping to ensure smooth transition from hybrid-like long irons to iron-like short irons. This seamless changeover allows maximum forgiveness and better control.

Alongside this hollow cavity back construction, the Launcher HB Turbo Iron has internal stabilizing ribs to increase forgiveness even further. Each club sports a turbocharged, high-strength steel face, too, allowing you to swing a ball at higher speeds and longer distances.

Additionally, the clubs feature the redesigned HiBore Crown, allowing mid handicap golfers to produce easy hits and higher ball flights.

Pros	Cons
Ideal for players who tend to hit toward the toe Guaranteed straight ball shot Reduced shot shapes, baby fades and draws High-launching ball flights Glides through the turf Crisp sound at contact Lofts available in several wedges and hybrids	Prone to pronounced scratches due to matte finish Not suitable for golfers who want shaped ball flights

Mizuno Golf JPX921 Wedge Series

Engineered for full swings and short game precision, the Mizuno Golf JPX921 Wedge Series can give mid handicapped golfers a softer feel and better control. This makes it one of the best golf irons for mid handicappers who seek a softer feel in their clubs.

This product utilizes X30 Soft Stainless Steel, a soft yet durable alloy that gives each club that signature outstanding feel. This metal is malleable enough to produce customized irons. To ensure better protection from the elements, it comes with premium chrome plating.

Aside from these, the JPX921 features face milling lines to increase surface roughness and increase ball spin. Long-lasting pearl brush finish is further added to soften these lines in sunlight.

But what makes the Mizuno Golf JPX921 Wedge Series so special is the butter soft feel the irons bring. Back then, this feature was exclusive only to professional golfers. But with the JPX921 clubs, you’ll enjoy this perk as well.

Pros	Cons
Soft buttery feel and sound Increased perimeter weighting More forgiveness and ball speed Classic design and look Suitable for shot-shapers Amazing Mizuno golf iron	Not as forgiving as other golf irons Classy matte finish will wear off over time Small depressions can appear on the soles if lofts are bent

TaylorMade M4 Combo (Hybrid/Iron) Set

If you’re an older player with diminished golfing skills or a novice golfer still learning the ropes, the TaylorMade M4 Combo (Hybrid/Iron) Set is the perfect choice for you. As one of the best golf irons for mid handicappers, it’s suitable for golfers who tend to miss the center when making shots.

The irons utilize RIBCOR technology, enabling you to reach your targets and stick pins with improved consistency. RIBCOR will localize face flexibility as well, adding more power to the ball to increase its speed and ensure straighter shots. Other featured iron technology includes face slots to improve flexibility in the toe and heel areas, and a low-CG design to boost launch, spin, and forgiveness.

The TaylorMade M4 Combo Set also takes advantage of various hybrid technologies. It comes with Speed Pockets technology to preserve ball speed during low-face shots, maintain consistent distances, and increase forgiveness. And it features geocoustic technology to enhance the feel and playability of each club.

Pros	Cons
Twist Face Technology to increase forgiveness Good sound after contact 67% more sweet spot than the M3	Tends to spin when you miss a shot Stock shaft is too lightweight and whippy

Srixon ZX5 Irons

If the Srixon ZX5 irons aren’t on your radar yet, then this will come off as a pleasant surprise. This golf club combines pioneering ball speed technology with quality forged feel. These make it great for mid handicappers who want irons that provide extra distance, additional forgiveness, and exceptional feel.

Each club comes with a semi-encased cavity back design that helps shift the center of gravity lower, moving its sweet spot down in the face to achieve a crisper contact with the ball. And while its V-shaped sole is not as bulky as those in other golf irons, it’s still formidable enough to let you get through turfs easily.

What’s more, the ZX5’s toe is infused with tungsten to increase its inertia, stability, and forgiveness. The backside also has a milled pattern to maximize COR, increasing ball speed and longer distance with each shot.

Pros	Cons
Consistent performance High-quality steel club Light and easy to swing Low center of gravity Low sweet spot Crispier contact with ball	Sweet hits tend to overshoot the mark and travel further

Tour Edge Golf Hot Launch 4 HL4 Iron Set

Best known for its soft stainless steel, the Tour Edge Golf Hot Launch 4 HL4 Iron Set can give mid handicappers a great feel.

This iron comes with an undercut cavity back design to ensure consistent power and extra forgiveness whenever you hit the ball. It also features a toe weight technology that helps enlarge its sweet spot as well as provides stability the moment the iron touches the ball. Additionally, its super thin forged face provides more distance and gives off a pleasant spring-like effect.

Other features offered by the Tour Edge Golf Hot Launch 4 HL4 Iron Set include a rear inverted crown, a wide weighted sole, and state-of-the-art shaft tech.

Pros	Cons
High arching ball launches Gives golfers a larger sweet spot Increased forgiveness	Makes a tin sound

Taylormade SIM Max Irons

Taylormade has always strived for excellence when making golf clubs. But with their SIM Max Game Improvement irons, it’s clear that they’ve gone an extra mile. With a thinner face, the Taylormade SIM Max Irons are capable of achieving more speed and longer distances. But more importantly, it’s highly suitable for mid handicappers.

Taylormade’s SIM Max is specifically crafted to boost the height of your shots. The set’s short irons can get it up quickly, while its mid irons offer a large amount of forgiveness. Through this increased ball flight, the golf iron can guide the ball and enable it to land softly on the green.

Aside from these, the SIM max sports a wide sweet spot that almost covers its entire groove area. This allows you to shoot a ball long and straight even with mishits. Moreover, offset on these irons is significantly more moderate compared to other game improvement irons. This makes swinging the club practically effortless.

Pros	Cons
Massive sweet spot Easy to hit the ball Helps the ball fly high up Mishits can go long, straight distances Low stress clubs Easy to use for mid handicappers	Prone to chipping with bump Springy face makes the runs a bit tricky Reduced feel Bag is lacking due to strong lofts

Cobra Radspeed Irons

Lastly, you have the Cobra Radspeed Irons. Its delivery may not be as chunky as those achieved by other game improvement irons, but it’s nevertheless the best club for low hitting mid handicappers.

One of the most notable features displayed by the Cobra Radspeed Iron is its Radial Weighting Technology. This tech widens the distance between the weights of the iron’s toe and heel, resulting in faster ball speed, more forgiveness, and improved flight direction.

Aside from this, the golf iron comes with a 3D printed nylon medallion. This add-on has a lightweight and intricate lattice structure, reducing the club’s weight and damping its vibrations for softer feel and better feedback.

Finally, the Cobra Radspeed Iron offers the Arccos Caddie GPS system with sensors. This game tracker allows you to record every shot you hit, as well as enable you to create a winning strategy while golfing.

Pros	Cons
3D-printed cavity back filling Palatable mid-sized club head State-of-the-art weighting technology Increase ball launch and speed More forgiveness Best highest flying golf iron Arccos Caddie GPS system	Very strong lofts Extreme length on shots

Get the Right Mid Handicap Golf Irons

Irons can make or break any golfer’s game, so it’s important for mid handicap players to use the right clubs while at the course. But with so many mid handicap golf irons out there, it might get challenging for you to find (much less buy) the best golf brands. So if you’re having trouble narrowing down your list, better stick with the eight irons listed above.

Isaias

Isaias Lijauco (Ice for short) is one of the content writers for Let's Golf Better, a website that aims to help golfers improve one swing at a time. He loves golf, and he loves writing about golf even more. Ice himself is new to the game of golf, but he's determined to get better. As a high handicapper, he knows all too well the struggles of being one. By honing his skills (and writing about it), he aims to improve at the game and help others do the same.