Irons are an incredibly difficult category of golf clubs to make recommendations on. Different strokes for different folks. Handicap cannot be the determining factor because we have slow swing speeds with game improvement irons that play to a single-digit index. Conversely, we have the weekend warrior that insists on playing a blade because it “fits their eye.” Yes, the muti-verse of iron madness is alive and well.
While I’m not here to tell you what you should be playing, I will inform you of the models that are at the top of the AmateurGolf.com list that we think are worthy of your attention. We’ll call them our “favorites” and hopefully you’ll concur or be curious enough to give them a demo.
Speaking of testing, I’ve had the pleasure of taking just about every current model for 2023 either to the range or on the golf course. Let me say, there is an abundance of irons from every major OEM and beyond designed to help us amateurs get to the next level. Technology is ever-advancing, and it’s clear that R&D teams are hard at work to see what stones are left unturned and what limits can be pushed just a bit further.
What We're Looking For
With so many sub-genres of irons out there, it’s tricky to find models to stamp as your favorite. Super game improvement, game improvement, player’s, player’s distance, cavity back, muscle back, blades, we've tested them all. Ultimately, testing came down to three major factors:
Distance/Loft: Both sound obvious, but a healthy balance between the pair is crucial. There’s truth to lofts being “jacked.” For example, the 7-iron in many 2023 models is closer to a 6 or 5-iron from just a decade ago. Distance is great and we want to see the ball jump off the face, but we want to see shots hold for those precious GIRs.
Cost Worthiness:Golf clubs are expensive. There’s no getting away from it, especially with material costs continuing to rise. Are the results (performance) worthy of the cost the consumer is paying?
Generational Improvement:For those that are brand loyalists, the common question, “Is this better than last year's model?” is more than fair. The answer to all of the models below was a resounding, “yes.”
Titleist T100
Titleist T100
One of the premier Titleist irons in the company’s current lineup. The T100 has the world “tour” attached to it in many ways, including on the Titleist website where Jordan Spieth’s quote reads, “I don’t know why anyone would play another iron.” This model is the more player-preferred shape of the “T” family which includes the T100S, T200, T300, and T400. It’s not intended for high-handicap players, but mid-handicaps and below should feel more than comfortable giving these a stab as the benefits are clear as day. As expected, a great build from a reliable name.
Top Tech Feature
Dual cavity construction. The back of the iron makes you look twice, but it’s all part of the superior construction that pairs with D18 tungsten weighting for optimal CG.
Price
$1,299.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
Why We Dig Them
As mentioned, Titleist has a lot of “tour” verbiage surrounding the T100 irons, which might be the reason you haven’t tried them yet. What I found as an amateur player that’s not destined for life on tour is that the T100 is a great choice even if your name isn’t Spieth, Homa, or Zalatoris.
I found the T100 to be a very fair test, meaning, if I mishit a shot and it deserved to be offline, it was. This model isn’t going to give you forgiveness as you’d find in the T300, but that’s kind of the point. The massive benefit is how the ball cooks off of the face with a mid-high ball flight. I purposely took a few hacks from sidehill lies and the variable bounce that Titleist touts with these irons is the real deal. I also experienced it out of the rough as my shots came out clean with little grab at impact.
I can safely say that the T100 is the most advanced iron I’ve hit from Titleist. I say that as an amateur that has at least attempted to hit all of their blades with little success. Those just are not meant for me, but the T100 fits the bill perfectly for my skill set. All that said, I’m licking my chops to see what Titleist has in store for the newly announced “T” series which hits the market later this season.
Callaway Paradym
Callaway Paradym
Callaway debuted the Paradym series this year and it’s been one of the company’s most successful launches to date. The sheer number of offerings under the Paradym umbrella is welcomed, and in the iron category, you have two. The Paradym and Paradym X. While the latter is intended for higher handicaps, the standard Paradym fits a wide range of players with a smaller profile and big distance. It doesn’t venture into the tour-level area, that’s more of a job for the Apex family. It only takes a few swings to figure out that the Paradym is one of the best forged irons in the game today.
Top Tech Feature
A.I. Designed Forged 455 face and SpeedFrame allows for the clubhead to remain stable while also providing spin, ball speed, and ideal loft.
Price
$999.99 - $1,599.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
Why We Dig Them
These irons are currently in my bag despite some stiff competition. The Paradym iron met or went beyond many of the same numbers from other irons in this article. Distance, ball speed, left/right dispersion, and many more. Where it stood out from the pack though was spin. I’ve never had the ability to generate enough backspin to have to account for it on approach shots, but the Paradym changed that. I love hitting to the number on my rangefinder and then seeing where my ball mark is in relation to where the ball settled. The lofts are strong, but the True Temper Elevate 95 shaft is a perfect marriage for my game to keep the launch angle right where I want it.
I don’t mean to speak ill of the Rogue ST lineup, because it was a good release for Callaway. I would not categorize it as great, at least in terms of a fit for me. The Paradym is a clear upgrade over its predecessor in my opinion. At address, they have a reassuring shape without feeling like a game improvement iron. I’m skilled enough to shape shots a little. So if you’re in the same boat as me, the Paradym is going to help you hit draws and fades as needed with an added dose of forgiveness should you get a little wristy.
Cobra KING Forged Tec
Cobra KING Forged Tec
Cobra came out blazing with its Forged Tec series of irons. With a game improvement version in the Forged Tec X and a One Length design, the standard Forged Tec is the model that most likely suits the mid to lower-handicap player. The design is a more sleek approach to any Cobra iron that they’ve released in previous generations. A continuation of Cobra’s PWRSHELL face is thinner and leads to better overall distance and feel. That goes along with 20 g of tungsten for added stability.
Top Tech Feature
All irons in the Forged Tec series are forged five times to create a soft, player-preferred feel.
Price
$1,199.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
Why We Dig Them
Forged Tec is a coming-out party for Cobra, in my opinion. Along the way, Cobra has produced some fantastic equipment including some cult classics such as the AMP and BIO Cell families. The Forged Tec, however, is the iron I’ll look back at 10 years from now and note that this is when things changed for the brand.
The hollow-body construction of the Forged Tec is consistent with the process many OEMs are following these days, but the forging process and incredibly soft feel tricked me into thinking this wasn’t a Cobra iron. That feel comes across in all shots, from full 4-irons to knock-down gap wedges, the Forged Tec accomplishes so much in one set.
I also appreciate the simplicity in the design of the Forged Tec in that Cobra refrained from any flashy graphics or colors and instead, we get a very muted silver/black makeup that basically begs to be tested. Aesthetically, I’d put it up there with the likes of a Mizuno or a Srixon iron, both draw my attention. When I tested the Forged Tec I took them out on a somewhat blustery day which allowed me to play some shots both forward and back of center. I really enjoyed the versatility and consistency, no matter where in my stance I positioned the golf ball. For players that are loyalists to some bigger names, I’d dare them to try the Forged Tec and not be pleasantly surprised by the feel and results.
Srixon ZX5 Mk II
Srixon ZX5 Mk II
Srixon’s ZX family of irons is turning naysayers into believers in 2023. The ZX7 is for the better player, the ZX4 is intended for the higher handicap, and the ZX5 is the happy medium. The ZX5 is also a solid answer for those that are looking to stay ahead in the distance game while also looking for forgiveness that’s typically found in irons a bit wider. The ZX5 Mk II falls into the player’s distance category, with a cavity back that the better player will appreciate but it shouldn’t deter mid-handicap players because it produces some solid numbers, especially paired with the right shaft.
Top Tech Feature
Superior flex at impact thanks to variable thickness patterns of grooves, channels, and cavities per club called MainFrame.
Price
$1,199.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
Why We Dig It
Each year Srixon irons bring a bigger smile to my face. The number of amateur players that I see switching over to the brand becomes greater, and my level of surprise becomes less. This new lineup of ZX irons is outstanding and I feel that Srixon has hit the bullseye by appealing to a broad spectrum of golfers. I tested the ZX7, but I didn’t have the consistency to game them. The ZX5 landed right where I needed them. Just workable enough that I don't get myself in trouble, and a large enough sweet spot that balances precision and forgiveness.
Everything with the ZX5 Mk II is well thought out, at least in my opinion. It appeals to the mid-handicap player that’s more comfortable with a moderate sole width as opposed to a blade. The amount of offset is easy to look down at and doesn’t come close to a game-improvement iron. The top line is narrow and the edges are sharp and sleek, making this iron a work of art.
At impact, the ZX5 Mk II feels as good as anything else on this list. A very muted, yet crispy sweet spot delivers instant response. Off-center hits though still have a really good feel and the added forgiveness on this model compared to the ZX7 was instantly noticeable. As we see more tour pros with Srixon clubs in their bags in addition to some of the top amateurs in the world, you might be wondering why you haven’t tried these yet. Good question.
Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro
Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro
Of all golf equipment brands, Mizuno might have the most repeat buyers. The feel of a Mizuno iron is unique, unmistakable, and carries on from generation to generation. This JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro is unique in its own right, being an iron that fits in the player’s distance category. Better players can be seen with this Mizuno model as a 4-iron, or in Brooks Koepka’s case, he carried a Hot Metal Pro 3-iron at one point. For the amateur player, this iron has a deep CG which helps produce a high launch and a controllable landing area.
Top Tech Feature
Mizuno brought Chromoly to the market with its original Hot Metal line. Now, they give us 4335 Nickel Chromoly which is 35% stronger and 8% thinner. Bigger ball speeds, faster clubhead speeds, more distance, and more control.
Price
$962.99 - $1,099.99 at PGA Tour Superstore
Why We Dig Them
In 2019, I tested the original Hot Metal irons and felt they were too bulky. Likewise, my game wasn’t consistent enough for the tour-level model. Then later that year came along the Hot Metal Pro and a set instantly found its way into my bag. To this day, I still own them and love the way they feel. When I tested the JPX 921 Hot Metal Pro I didn’t see any statistical gains so I opted to stay with my set. The new 923 model, however, provides the big jump I was hoping for. I find these irons to be about a full club longer in distance with my launch angles being virtually identical across every iron, which is impressive.
The JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro is already a very forgiving iron, so I didn’t have higher expectations in that category. I would say the mid-handicap player will find them to be very rewarding in the dispersion category, and if you want a little extra help you can always explore the standard Hot Metal.
I give a big nod to the Mizuno R&D team, I always expect more offset with a club like this and it’s simply not there. The irons are really sleek looking but also promote a bit of the right-to-left ball flight that I crave. More than any other iron, I feel like I’m swinging the same club from a gap wedge all the way to my longest irons. I don’t know if Mizuno can make a sizable difference in its next generation of Hot Metal Pro, but I’ll be first in line to find out.
Edel SMS
Edel SMS
Edel Golf has quite the track record of producing innovative products that make even the most experienced golf fanatics look twice. From performance wedges to custom-feel putters, Edel clubs are anything but boring. The latest example is the new SMS irons which have the look and feel of a boutique club manufacturer. After all, Edel clubs are anything but mass-produced. The SMS irons were designed for the mid-handicap player and showcase12 g of moveable weight to give the player a truly individual feel per iron. At impact, the SMS feels as good as anything released this year thanks to a plasma welded maraging steel face cup.
Top Tech Feature
The aforementioned adjustable weighting is the hallmark of the SMS irons as well as the SMS Pro model.
Price
$250 per club at Edel Golf
Why We Dig Them
In what goes down as one of my pleasant surprises of 2023, the Edel SMS irons are spectacular. I wasn’t shocked, however, based on how much I enjoyed my testing experience with the SMS wedges. Edel’s crazy-accurate Swing Match System plus five grind options is easily one of my most “geeked out” fitting experiences to date. Going back to the irons though, the SMS model is gameable for so many levels of players and should be considered along with all of the previously mentioned models from the big companies.
These irons are built for speed but leave nothing on the table when it comes to forgiveness. They have a buttery soft feel at impact with just enough visual offset to put me in my comfort zone. It’s the best of all worlds when it comes to a forged iron, at least in my opinion. You can read more about my SMS testing in
our complete overview, but at first glance, these irons look so sleek. The edging and detailing strike me as a set that costs more than $250 per stick.
The undeniable advantage of the Edel SMS is the adjustable weighting. I tend to fade the ball, particularly with my longer irons. The fact that I can use the provided wrench to move the heavier weight toward the heel compensate is like nothing I’ve hit before. Likewise, I preferred to leave the heavier weight in the middle of my mid-irons and even positioned it at the toe of the pitching wedge. If customization is your thing, the Edel SMS irons should be in your bag. And if you’re a single-digit handicap, check out the SMS Pro which has all of the same technology but in a compact body.