This is Golfer Geeks’ review of the best game improvement irons on the market in 2024.
I’m an avid golfer, 8ish handicap on my way to a 2 (been a 5.6) and frequent tester of golf clubs and equipment since 2015. (and longtime user of game improvement irons – though, not anymore)
I’ve personally tested every iron on this page on the range and on the course.
Note – Newest models don’t get preferential treatment on our lists.
In this best game improvement irons review, I detail my experience with the clubs, unique features and benefits, my recommendations, and any deals I’ve been able to work out.
Our Top 3 Recommendations for 2024 (so far)
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Best for 8 - 12ish Handicaps
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Best for Beginners & High Handicaps
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Good for Better Mid Handicaps
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5.0
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5.0
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4.8
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~$137/club
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~$200/club
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~$142/club
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- Exceptionally Soft & Solid Feel
- Loads of Distance & Forgiveness
- Absolute Eye Candy
- Great Price
- Nada
- Launch the ball High & Straight
- Forgiving & Long
- Beautiful Clubs
- Pricey
- Good distance, especially noticeable on mishits
- Good forgiveness
- Good sound and feel
- Elevates the ball easily with high trajectory
- Nada
Full List of Best Game Improvement Irons in 2024
- Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Irons (Best for 8ish to 12ish handicaps)
- Titleist T350 Irons (Best for Beginners & High Handicaps)
- Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Irons
- Taylormade Stealth Irons (Best for Mid to High Handicaps)
- Ping G430 Irons (Former Editor’s Pick – Beginner & High Handicaps))
- Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro Irons
- Srixon ZX5 MK 2 Irons (Best for Better Mid Handicaps)
- Srixon ZX5 Irons (Best for Better Mid Handicaps)
- Ping G410 Irons
#1 Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Irons
- Exceptionally Soft & Solid Feel
- Loads of Distance & Forgiveness
- Absolute Eye Candy
- Great Price
- Nada
Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal irons are our #1 recommendation for best game improvement irons.
Ideal for better ball-striking mid-handicaps to high single-digit handicaps – 8ish to 12ish.
What we like:
- They’re the best feeling irons in the game. Incredibly soft (yet solid) feel.
- Incredibly forgiving and exceptionally long.
- Exceptional value – You get a whole LOT of club for the price.
- You can play any shot you want if you’ve got the game.
What we don’t like:
- Nada.
For this year’s JPX 923s, Mizuno combined Chromoly and Nickel to form Nickel Chromoly which allowed them to make the clubface 8% thinner, yet 35% stronger than last year’s JPX 921s.
- So, the sweet spot is bigger for more forgiveness and distance over a larger portion of the face.
ALLL the good things I had to say about the 921s apply to the 923s.
Conclusion: Continued exceptional feel, performance, forgiveness, distance, and value out of the JPX line.
Recommendation – A LOT of club for the price. They need to be on your list to test if you’re in the market.
#2 T itleist T350 Irons
- Launch the ball High & Straight
- Forgiving & Long
- Beautiful Clubs
- Pricey
The new Titleist T350 irons are next on our list of best game improvement irons.
- We recommend them for 13ish handicaps up to beginners.
What we like:
- Easy to launch and elevate. (crucial for high handicappers)
- Loads of forgiveness and help with distance.
- Great-looking irons. Large forgiving clubheads without being cartoonish or awkward-looking.
What we don’t like:
- The price – Very expensive for beginner and high handicapper irons.
I’m always worried when I test game improvement or super game improvement irons like the T350s. They usually come with light whippy shafts because they cater to higher handicaps with slower swing speeds.
The T350s come with a host of good shaft options that will serve you well as your game progresses.
The clubheads are large, but their design blends this in well. They’re about as sleek as you’ll see in this iron category. (Titleist knows how to build attractive irons)
They feel and sound “clicky” with solid contact, but have zero harshness
Conclusion: Neck and neck with the G425s. Ever so slightly behind in feel and looks.
Recommendation – Our favorite game improvement iron for beginners and high handicaps. Make sure to test them if you’re in the market.
#3 Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Irons
- Good distance, especially noticeable on mishits
- Good forgiveness
- Good sound and feel
- Elevates the ball easily with high trajectory
- Nada
The 2024 Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke irons are next on our list for game-improvement irons.
What we like:
- They launch easily and carry on a high trajectory.
- Solid sound and feel with good impact.
- Good forgiveness.
- Mishits got full distance nearly every time.
- Accurate, consistent, and workable.
What we don’t like:
- Nada – they deliver.
I’ve played 3 rounds with the Ai Smoke irons, and they get better the more I get used to them. They flew sky-high and far with good contact for me.
But, they really stood out when I mishit long irons – which is common for me. I usually hit them a little fat and towards the toe. I got every inch of distance on these every time it happened. I wasn’t on the green, but I ended up pin-high repeatedly.
Conclusion – I don’t see any downside to these irons. They perform well and are priced fair.
Recommendation – Solid game improvement irons that perform as advertised. Worth a look if you’re in the market.
#4 Taylormade Stealth Irons
- Long & Forgiving
- Good Sound & Feel
- Elevates ball easily
- Easy to hit
- Looks...not the best
The Taylormade Stealths irons are next on our list of best game improvement irons.
- We think they’re ideal for most mid-handicaps (say, down to a 10ish)…and even some high handicaps.
What we like:
- Easy to launch and elevate.
- Good distance and forgiveness.
- Good sound and feel.
What we don’t like:
- Looks, not too good.
Stealth irons feel great in my hands. Look great at address. And, hit the ball a ton. You can hit ’em high. You can flight them down. You can play any shot you want with these irons.
Taylormade Stealth irons are money and exactly what you want out of game improvement irons. They happen to be better looking than the SIM or SIM2 irons too.
Conclusion: Neck and neck with the G425s. Ever so slightly behind in feel and looks.
Recommendation – Need to be on your shortlist if you’re in the market for game improvement irons.
#5 Ping G430 Irons
- Easy to hit & Elevate
- High trajectory & Straight Ball Flight
- Great distance & forgiveness
- Can shape & flight the ball as well
- Looks, not the best
Ping G430s are next on our list of best game improvement irons.
- We think they’re ideal for mid to high handicaps & beginners.
What we like:
- They’re easy to hit and elevate.
- They want to fly high and straight.
- They’re ALL about forgiveness.
- You can still work them left or right, flight them down, or take off distance to a degree if that’s part of your game.
What we don’t like:
- Don’t look so good.
They have some of the same playing characteristics of the G425s but in a larger – more forgiving package.
The lofts are stronger in the G430s and they’ve added more tech for distance. Well-struck shots were about half a club longer for me on the course and I got a couple of crazy-long numbers on my launch monitor.
As with the G425s, center contact is stellar, but slight mishits will get you good results too. I was on or around the greens all day.
Conclusion: Not a significant improvement over the G425s. I don’t think that would be realistic. The G425s are too good.
Recommendation – Keep your G425s. Test both sets if you own neither and you’re in the market.
#6 Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro Irons
- Unbelievably Soft & Solid Feel
- Plenty Distance & Forgiveness
- Premium Looks
- Outstanding Value
- Nada
The Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal Pros are our next choice for best game improvement irons.
- Ideal for better ball-striking mid-handicaps to mid-single-digit handicaps – 6ish to 10ish handicaps.
What we like:
- Exceptional feel.
- Loads of forgiveness and distance.
- You can still play shots of that’s part of your game.
What we don’t like:
- Smallish heads for game improvement category.
The 923 Hot Metal Pros aren’t made to be or advertised as game improvement irons. They just happen to be very forgiving, plenty long, and launch high. These are all attributes the game improvement iron seeker looks for.
They play remarkably similar if not exactly the same as the 923 Hot Metals. During my rounds, both sets gave me the same feel, performance, and forgiveness—the same everything, as far as I could tell.
Conclusion: Awesome-feeling and performing irons in a slightly, very slightly, more compact package than the JPX 923 Hot Metals.
Recommendation – A LOT of club for the price. Do yourself a favor and test them at you local golf store.
#7 Srixon ZX5 MK 2 Irons
- Long & Forgiving
- Improved Sound & Feel
- Stable, Accurate & Consistent
- Nada
Srixon ZX5 MK 2 irons are our next choice for best game improvement irons. And, they’re our new favorite irons for better mid-handicappers.
- We think they’re ideal for better ball-striking mid-handicaps to mid-single-digit handicaps – 6ish to 10ish. (Srixon agrees – Wouldn’t hurt to test if you’re a little above a 10)
What we like:
- Long & forgiving
- Improved sound & feel
- Still accurate, solid, & consistent for better scoring.
- Player iron looks with game improvement features.
What we don’t like:
- Nothing
They took everything good about the ZX5s and improved on it. We found they have game improvement features without the look of pure game improvement irons.
I found them easy to hit and hit consistently. They’re stable through impact and show off on slight mishits.
The ZX5 MK 2s are second only to Mizuno Hot Metals in feel.
Conclusion: Player iron looks with game improvement tech hidden away.
Recommendation – Better ball-striking mid-handsappers should give them a try. You will not be disappointed in their performance and the looks are among the best in class if not the best.
#8 Srixon ZX5 Irons
- Excellent Distance & Forgiveness
- Great Sound & Feel
- Highly Accurate & Consistent
- Candy for the eye
- Nada
Srixon ZX5 irons are next on our list of best game improvement irons. (and a strong contender for best-looking irons).
- We think they’re ideal for better ball-striking mid-handicaps to mid-single-digit handicaps – 6ish to 10ish.
What we like:
- Excellent distance & forgiveness
- Great sound & feel
- Accurate, solid, & consistent for better scoring
- Great looking
What we don’t like:
- Getting harder to find.
The ZX5s are supposed to be player distance irons, but the clubheads are generous, packed with forgiveness, and help a ton with ball launch and distance.
They’re easy to hit and earn their money when your swing isn’t at its best.
Center contact is heavenly, but off-center contact still gets you on or around the green. Exactly what a good mid-handicap iron should do.
Thus, they’re on this list.
Did I mention feel? You get soft & solid player feel in a game improvement iron. Second only to Mizuno Hot Metals.
Conclusion: “Player” level feel and performance with game improvement iron forgiveness & distance.
Recommendation – Give these a try if you like a “player” look and performance, but need game improvement forgiveness.
#9 Ping G410 Irons
New & Used clubs available
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- Easy to hit and elevate
- Good trajectory & playability
- Excellent distance & forgiveness
- Not the best looking
Ping G410 irons are next on our list of best game improvement irons.
- We think they’re ideal for most mid-handicaps (say, down to a 10ish)…and even some high handicaps.
What we like:
- You get great results without great contact
- Playable and forgiving all over the face
- Exceptional sound and feel for a mid handicap iron
What we don’t like:
- Looks, not so great.
- Getting harder to find.
I tested the G410 irons at the same time as the G425s. They are remarkably similar in every way, except for a few cosmetic differences.
Ball flight between the two were identical. The sweet spot is generous and delivers beautiful trajectory shot after shot.
I didn’t want to stop hitting the G410s. And don’t sleep on distance, either. They have excellent carry numbers and should hold any green a mid handicapper plays.
Conclusion: Play and feel EXactly like the G425s – Just different cosmetics.
Recommendation – Give them a try if you’re in the market. You won’t return them because of performance. I almost guarantee it.
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#10 Callaway Mavrik Irons
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- Good Distance ALL over the face
- Tons of forgiveness
- High & straight ball flight
- Good sound & feel
- Looks...not the best
The Mavriks are next on our list of best game improvement irons.
- We think they’re ideal for most mid-handicaps (say, down to a 10ish)
What we like:
- Loaded with forgiveness and easy distance.
- Solid feel at impact.
- You can still play shots if that’s part of your game or it will be there waiting for you when playing shots becomes part of your game.
What we don’t like:
- Looks, not so good.
- Getting harder to find.
Prepare for some serious “pop”…You do not have to catch these to get tons of performance. I got surprising distance and accuracy out of my mishits.
I found the Mavriks set up well behind the ball, were easy to make good contact with, got the ball up fast and required no extra effort to get the distance I needed.
Recommendation – Still a solid choice, especially if you want to save a little money.
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#11 Taylormade SIM2 Max Irons
New & Used clubs available
Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek
SIM2 Max irons are next on our list of best game improvement irons.
- We think they’re ideal for mid to high handicaps & beginners.
What we like:
- Max forgiveness and help with distance.
- Easy to elevate with good carry and soft landing.
- Ultra-forgiving looks behind the ball at address.
SIM2 Max irons get the ball up easily, launch your golf ball a long way, and land softly so you can hold the green.
Recommendation: The SIM2 Max irons are worth a try if you want help with distance and added forgiveness.
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FAQs
What are the more forgiving irons?
Cavity back irons are more forgiving. We like the Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal irons.
What is super game improvement irons?
Super game improvement irons have the largest clubheads. The thickest toplines and soles. They have the most offset and the most perimeter weighting to increase forgiveness, help you get the ball in the air quickly, and keep it there for more distance.
Are game improvement irons good for beginners?
Yes, game improvement irons are good for beginners. That’s the whole reason they make them.
Can you shape golf shots with game improvement irons?
Yes, you can shape shots with game improvement irons. I did with mine for years and years and years.
The Verdict
The Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal irons. They do everything well and at a bargain price
- Superior forgiveness and distance.
- Best-in-class feel and sound.
- Easy launch and nice high trajectory.
- Great price.
My #1 suggestion is to test before you buy. Either at your local golf store or take advantage of Global Golf’s Utry trial program. I use it and recommend it.
Thanks for checking our review of the best game improvement irons in 2024.
|
Best for 8 - 12ish Handicaps
|
Best for Beginners & High Handicaps
|
Good for Better Mid Handicaps
|
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
4.8
|
|
~$137/club
|
~$200/club
|
~$142/club
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Exceptionally Soft & Solid Feel
- Loads of Distance & Forgiveness
- Absolute Eye Candy
- Great Price
- Nada
- Launch the ball High & Straight
- Forgiving & Long
- Beautiful Clubs
- Pricey
- Good distance, especially noticeable on mishits
- Good forgiveness
- Good sound and feel
- Elevates the ball easily with high trajectory
- Nada
