16 Best Golf Irons for Mid Handicappers 2022 Review

Irons can make or break any golfer’s game. How many times have you found yourself in a situation disappointed in your shots?

Though having the best golf club irons won’t work as an instant solution, it is important to have a set that suits your game. Just like any beginner dealing with an ill-fitted gear, he right iron will help you reach your full potential.

For golfers with a handicap of maybe 7, 10, or even 18, we’ve come up with a list that many consider as the best golf irons for mid-handicappers.

Best Golf Irons for Mid Handicappers Review

Cleveland Golf 2018 Men’s Launcher CBX Iron Set

If you are in the market for the best irons for low handicap or mid-handicap players, then you might want to turn your attention to the Cleveland Golf2018 Launcher CBX Iron Set. The Cleveland Golf 2018 Men’s Launcher CBXIronSet is believed by many as one of the best golf club irons in the market for mid handicappers.

It feels quite similar to the RTX-3 wedge with its Dual V sole grind. This iron is known for having the center of gravity closer to the middle of the face which can overall improve the consistency and the feel.

It has included what is called a microcavity that reduces the weight on the iron’s hossel and place it right in the middle of the face.

The shaft material used for the Cleveland Golf2018 Men’s Launcher CBX Iron Set is made of graphite with three flex’s available ranging from stiff to senior.

But is it a perfect product? Though it comes with an eye-catching design and is something that mid-handicap players can bank on, the Cleveland Golf2018 Men’s Launcher CBX IronSet is not exactly budget-friendly.

It’s one of the best cavity back irons you will ever get to play with. Known for its forgiveness and great feel, users mentioned that it allows them to get the ball a beautiful flight.

Pros:

• Consistent feel
• Progressive V design
• Versatile design

Cons:

• Not the most affordable in its category

TaylorMade Golf M5 Iron Set

TaylorMade Golf M5 Iron Set is designed especially for those who are having a difficult time hitting specific distances. It has been designed with a stiffer structure by the head that answers many of the players’ concerns.

Taylormade used the patented Inverted Cone Technology that comes with an ultra-thin face design that allows you to hit faster speed plus experience a distinct sound as you use the M5 golf irons. It even has the application of Speed Bridge Technology. This is the one responsible for enhancing overall energy transfer from your swing to the golf ball which makes every shot efficient.

As for the shaft, you can also choose a less stiff version for the TaylorMade Golf M5 Iron Set. You also have two options as to the materials of your shaft. It comes either in steel or graphite.

It made use of a flutted hosel plus a 360° undercut that helps in lowering the center of gravity to be able to increase the launch angle. Plus, it also contributes to your ball speed.

It’s one of those good golf irons that have tungsten as weighting that allows maximized power and forgiveness. And though it comes in a small package, players will not have a difficult time using the golf iron.

Face vibration is a concern for many golfers because it can somehow affect their game in the long run. The advanced HYBRAR compression damper can help filter unwanted face vibrations that contribute to its overall great playability.

Though it is one of the best Taylormade irons for mid handicap players, it is also a favorite by advanced players and beginners. And why? That’s because it has the Cone Technology that allows golfers to have a straighter shot.

It has a good combination of forgiveness and power. However, one of the biggest considerations of novice golfers is the price of their gear. Unfortunately, this isn’t quite cheap. And for those who already used top golf irons before the Taylormade M5 Irons, you will notice that control isn’t exactly its strong suit.

Pros:

• Designed for those who want to hit the ball at a greater distance
• With tungsten weighting
• With HYBRAR compression damper to filter unwanted face vibrations

Cons:

• Lacks control
• A bit expensive for beginners

TaylorMade Golf M6 Iron

If you’re looking for the best offset golf irons, you might want to consider the Taylor Made Golf M6 Irons.

What makes the M6 different from the M5 irons? If you are going to ask the TaylorMade senior manager of product creation Mat Bovee, he’d tell you that the M5 and the M6 weren’t exactly designed for the same golfers.

For starters, the M6 was for the mid and the high-handicappers. If you’re someone looking for forgiveness and distance, then this is something that you might want to have. On the other hand, the M5 was simply for mid handicappers of 15. If you will look at M5 and the M6 irons, you will notice that the M5 has a more compact design than the M6.

As for the M6, it has mimicked a lot of things found in the M5 but it has some tweaks in it. It is slightly larger, which can be a bit of a turn off for some users too. It offers more offset, wider sole, and a stronger loft designed for both mid and high handicappers.

It is important to dissect the features of the Taylormade M6 Irons to know whether it’s a good fit for your needs or not. It comes with a Speed Bridge technology that helps optimize the energy transfer from your iron to your ball. The Speed Bridge is also the one responsible for the fastest thru-sot speed pocket from Taylormade.

And when it comes to forgiveness, the M6 has been combined with a high moment of inertia plus the ability to launch high. And lastly, you get a massive sweet spot across the entire face of the M6 iron.

No doubt that it’s one of the best irons for high trajectory and speed. However, what are the things that you might not like? Just like the M5, it is a bit expensive.

Pros:

• High accuracy
• Allows better distance
• High trajectory
• With Speed Bridge Technology

Cons:

• A bit pricey

Callaway Golf 2020 Mavrik Max Iron Set

The Callaway Golf 2020 Mavrik Max Iron Set is known for having a bit more spin and allows user to fly their shot a bit higher making it an ideal mid-handicapper iron for a lot of individuals. It offers great stopping power once the ball hits the greens. For the first time, Callaway made use of artificial intelligence in designing this iron set. The result is an enhanced 360 Face Cup that tends to flex once it hits the ball. This is responsible for the overall great spin consistency and speed.

It also has the tungsten energy core wherein the iron has been infused with tungsten weights that allow users to experience optimal center of gravity giving optimal launch, trajectory, and spin.

It is also popular for its urethane microspheres that are responsible for the iron’s ability to absorb unwanted vibration giving users that great sound and feel.

If you are going to compare the standard iron from the brand, you will notice that this has a better overall launch and spin rate. However, it this enough to get people to buy it? If you look closely, though it offers decent distance, the standard Callaway golf irons tend to offer better distance. It could be due to the softer loft.  Plus, the Callaway Mavrik Max irons are a bit on the bulky side which may or may not appeal to some golfers.

Many consider the Callaway Mavrik Max golf irons as a game-changer. Despite the small things that you might not like about this, there is no denying that it can be considered the ideal golf irons for mid handicapper players. If you are having a problem getting the ball up in the air, we highly recommend that you give the Callaway Mavrik Max a chance. It even gives you decent stopping power.

Pros:

• Great sound and feel
• Has tungsten infused weights for added launch, trajectory, and spin
• 360 face cup technology

Cons:

• Softer loft that affects the distance of the ball

TaylorMade M4 Combo (Hybrid/Iron) Set

The TaylorMade M4 Combo Iron Set is a good deal for a wide range of players considering the forgiveness that it offers. Many golfers consider the M4 as one of those top choices for best golf irons for mid handicappers. The Twist Face Technology that assisted the club with forgiveness that made it popular among those who tend to miss the center of the face. This helps the shot to be straighter and have less spin.

Compared to an M3, the Taylormade M4 allows you to make more mistakes as it comes with a redesigned hammerhead slot. It is broader than the one you see on the M3. It has a wider sweet spot keeping the ball straight. Plus, when the M4 was released, these were noticeably thinner and lighter than the older models that came before it.

And once the iron comes in contact with the ball, it is easy to recognize if the ball made contact with the M4’s sweet spot. One of the reasons why the M4 has a thinner design is to add volume to the M4’s head. With increased clubface size, it has a 67% more sweep spot than the M3.

Who should be buying the M4? If you’re an older golfer with diminished skills to hit the sweet spot, then this is the right choice for you. On top of that, this is also perfect for novice golfers who are still trying to learn the sport.

Though there is no denying that the M4 is a better choice than the M3, the M5 and M6 are considered by many as the better option than the M4. Though the M4 has geocoustic sole design that signals whether you hit the right spot or not, the sound you get from the M6 is still better.

There are a few things that we’ve noticed while playing with the M4. For one, the stock shaft feels too light and a bit whippy. It becomes too difficult to control the shot at times when you are coming in with a high swing speed. You also have to deal with more spin as you miss your shot. Though the Twist Face Technology tends to reduce dispersion, you’d still notice that the distance will be greatly reduced in case you did an error.

Pros:

• Twist Face Technology contributes to its forgiveness
• Gives you a good sound once you hit the spot
• Has 67% more sweet spot than your M3

Cons:

• Tends to spin when you miss your shot
• Lightweight and whippy when using the stock shaft

TaylorMade Golf P790 Iron Set

The Taylormade Golf P790 iron set is a popular choice among golfers to the point that it was updated. Visually, it hasn’t changed a lot. The new version looks a bit cleaner.

Probably, you’d say that the updated version has a thinner face than the 2017 version plus it gives you a slight edge against the older version in terms of distance. It gives you a noticeable faster ball speed which is something that you’d notice right off the bat.

The P790 has a low profile tungsten weighting that allows you to hit harder giving you the launch that you want thanks to a lower center of gravity. It also has a 4140 face that has been forged with a soft carbon steel body gives you the distance that you need plus decent forgiveness that a lot of mid-handicap players want. The head is also specially designed with an ultra-light urethane foam that helps improve overall feel.

If you already have the 2017 version, the 2019 P790 model might not be worth it given the price jump plus the improvements aren’t exactly something that will make you want that upgrade so bad.

Pros:

• Can hit a faster ball compared to the older P790
• Lowered center of gravity
• Head comes with an ultra-light urethane foam that improves feel

Cons:

• More expensive than the first P790

Mizuno MP-20 Golf Iron Set Series (MP-20, MP-20 MMC, MP-20 HMB, MP-20 SEL)

Mizuno made its name as a Japanese brand in different sports. And yes, golf included. If you’re in the market for some of the best irons for mid handicapper, then you may have considered the Mizuno MP-20. These irons are known for precision, good forgiveness, and decent speed.

From the M-18, the MP20 is unique with the addition of a soft layer of copper behind the face. This allows users to have a better feel.

It has a dual tungsten weighting that allows the user to have a low center of gravity that can increase the MOI. It is also the reason why you can have a decent launch when you are using the M20.

Next, you will also notice the Grain Flow Forged Chromoly used on these irons. This technology is known to provide the strongest forged material that allows a consistent feel for users. But apart from the feel, you can also take advantage to cover a great distance with the MP20. And even if you hit a bit off-centered, your shot won’t suffer that much.

Though it is designed for a mid-handicapper, some advanced players love the MP20 making it difficult to classify the iron. However, this can also be a problem since it is hard to classify a specific golfer.

Pros:

• Decent launch
• Good distance
• More control
• Good forgiveness

Cons:

• Hard to be recommended just for mid handicappers

Cobra Golf 2019 F9 Men’s Speedback One Length Iron Set

Forgiveness combined with great ball speed—these are things that you can expect from the Cobra Golf 2019 Men’s Speedback. It has a low center of gravity speed back sole that allows the user to launch the ball higher and farther. Plus, you also have a forged E9 Power Shell Face that expands the sweet spot on the face allowing better accuracy.

It also made use of a technology that can reduce the vibration thanks to the combination of aluminum, Thermoplastic Polyurethane, and acrylic foam. These are lightweight materials that made it possible to give the iron a softer and more responsive feel than most irons out there.

If there is any reason why you may not like the F9, it’s because there wasn’t any noticeable difference to the F8. But overall, it offers great technology that can get mid handicappers interested. You can’t remove the fact that it is one of the highest-rated golf irons out there today.

Pros:

• Expanded sweet spot
• Offers good distance and a higher launch
• Reduces vibration

Cons:

• Overall not so many changes made from the F8 to F9

Callaway Golf 2018 Men’s Rogue Irons Set

The Rouge Iron Set from Callaway combines good distance and forgiveness. It made use of the Face Cup and VFT technology that included a flexible rim around the edge of the face. The company claims that this will allow the ball to reach great speed even if you weren’t able to hit the center. On top of that, you also get a tungsten weighting that provides additional forgiveness to the iron.

Next, the Urethane Microspheres are also worth mentioning. This made it possible to lessen vibration and give a good feel. Unfortunately, this can also lead to a decrease in both ball speed and distance. So don’t think that there is no payoff.

So what are things that we didn’t like? In reality, there aren’t. It could arguably be the best iron golf clubs that you could invest in. Perhaps, the only negative thing about this is that you still hear a click upon impact despite the vibration dampening technology.

Pros:

• Allows the user to maintain speed despite hitting off-center
• Tungsten weighting that provides additional forgiveness
• Known for good distance and speed

Cons:

• Vibration dampening is not that effective

Callaway Golf 2019 Apex Individual Iron

Considered as one of the best-forged irons, Callaway Golf 2019 Apex Individual Iron is a perfect choice for those who like to hit good distance consistently with less spin. It comes with a soft feel as it has a forged 1025 mild carbon steel body. It is tungsten infused that allows a lower center of gravity and optimum flight. And to top it off, it even has a beautiful platinum chrome finish.

Since it is a high-tech club, it comes with a hefty price. If you want it bad enough, you might as well just have to pay more.

Pros:

• Forged 1025 mild carbon steel body
• Has a beautiful finish
• Offers soft feel and a good distance

Cons:

• Pricey

Callaway Golf 2018 Men’s Rogue X Irons Set

Callaway Golf 2018 Men’s Rogue X iron set offers notable changes from the Callaway Rogue Irons. For instance, the Rogue X is longer and deeper compared to the original giving more forgiveness because of its deeper center of gravity. It even has a greater offset and the sole has a trailing edge. It isn’t surprising if it is considered as one of the best mid-range golf clubs.

However, some things were maintained such as the 360 face cup that allows the ball to hit great speed despite hitting a bit off-center. Then, you have the introduction of the Urethane Microspheres that modified the vibration.

But overall, it offers great distance especially when you compare it with the other Callaway Rogue models. And since it comes with a similar price point as the other Rouge irons, it is something that has become popular over the years.

But just like any Rouge X, the only thing that you might not like about it is the price. Some users also mentioned that they were able to hit farther distance trying cheaper options.

Pros:

• Minimizes vibration
• Allows you to hit great distance
• More forgiveness compared to other Rouge iron sets

Cons:

• Pricey

Callaway Golf Men’s Apex CF16 Irons Set

The Callaway Golf Men’s Apex CF16 Iron Set is a favorite among players who are looking for a good iron set for the intermediate golfer. It combines both playability and distance. It comes with a cup 360 technology that has changed the way people address ball speed. You can still hit the good speed and distance even if you are a bit off-center, making it the right option for many mid-handicap players.

It has high tech construction that allows great feel thanks to its advanced forging. It made use of 1025 mild carbon steel to be able to produce a soft feel for its users. And on top of that, it is arguably a very beautiful iron set. It is probably the best golf irons for 10 handicap or even 12 handicap players.

Unfortunately, the long irons are a bit difficult to use. You want to swing hard if you want to be using the longer irons.

Pros:

• Can give you good distance despite hitting off-center
• Good feel
• Combines playability and distance well

Cons:

• You need to swing hard if you are using the longer irons

TaylorMade 2017 M2 Men’s Golf Iron Set

There’s the M3, M4, etc, so why still bother getting the TaylorMade 2017 M2 Men’s Golf Iron Set? Though it’s been three years since the M2 hit the market, this is still a good option, especially when compared to the other golf clubs. It can even compete against some of the best new irons that you see in the market.

The M2 is a distance focused iron set and is known for having the longest in the game. Unfortunately, it is only for those with a good swing. However, the good thing about the Taylormade M2 is that it is very forgiving and it allows you to hit decent distance even if you weren’t able to hit the sweet spot.

But overall, it is still just categorized as one of the best golf clubs for the weekend golfer. Though it is forgiving, it is not as forgiving as other products in the market.

Pros:

• Allows beginners to still hit good distance despite hitting a bit off-center
• Has some of the longest irons in the game
• Good at launching the ball high

Cons:

• Not as forgiving as other clubs

TaylorMade Golf 2018 P790 Men’s Iron Set

The Taylor Made Golf 2018 P790 Men’s Iron Set is quite popular among golfers that it had an updated version. Between 2017 and the 2018 version, the latter had a thinner face. It made use of improved technologies that made it popular among golfers.

It is considered to be one of the best intermediate irons given its ability to help improve distance. It even has tungsten weight to optimize the weight distribution of the club.

What you might not like though is the fact that it is a bit pricey. And also, it is not exactly something that novice golfers can enjoy. If you are looking for your very first iron set, then look somewhere else.

Pros:

• Allows you to get more distance
• With tungsten weighting
• Improved version of the 2017 P790
• Thinner face

Cons:

• Pricey

Titleist 718 AP3 Irons – (Steel) (Stiff Flex-4-AW, Right)

If you have used the Titleist AP2 and AP1, you’d appreciate the AP3 mixing both feel and forgiveness. It allows mid handicappers to enjoy a set that looks classy and has a compact design. When using the AP3, expect generous launch and great forgiveness. It also gives you a great feel and better playability compared to the AP2 because it is easier to hit with this iron. And overall, it offers great distance even if you don’t get an outstanding ball speed.

The only thing we noticed is that it makes a dull and hollow sound when you start using the AP2 longer irons.

Pros:

• Great forgiveness
• Allows you to hit great distance
• Decent launch

Cons:

• Dull sound on the longer irons

Tour Edge Golf Hot Launch 4 HL4 Iron Set

The Hot Launch 4 Iron set is known for its soft 431 stainless steel that offers a great feel for all players. This iron features an undercut cavity that gives you a consistent power whenever you hit the ball. This is also the reason why the Tour Edge Golf Hot Launch 4 HL4 Iron Set is known for its great forgiveness.

The toe weight technology allows users to enjoy a much larger sweet spot and even provides stability once the ball hits the iron. And if you are looking for an iron that will help you launch the ball higher, it has a shallow face that offers just that. Though it is a nice overall iron set, it makes a tin sound upon impact.

Pros:

• Launches the ball up
• Allows users to have a much larger sweet spot
• Great forgiveness

Cons:

• Makes a tin sound

How to Buy Good Golf Irons for Mid Handicappers

So what is a mid handicapper iron? For any advanced player, the goal is to hit the shot with better precision and control. On the other hand, mid handicappers want irons that will help them get the ball in the air. Though it sounds simple, there are many things that any mid handicap golfer should look into.

We are going to discuss things that you need to consider in case you are in the market for the best-rated golf irons.

Shaft

Do you choose steel or do you choose graphite for your intermediate golf irons? It all boils down to preference whether to choose a shaft made of steel or choose something that is made of graphite.

Irons with shafts made of steel can help give you that extra distance for your swing. It’s something that you might want if your swing speed is a bit low. And because mass multiplied to velocity equals force, let the weight compensate for the lack of speed.

On the other hand, reduced weight on your shaft can help you swing faster and would equal to better distance. And that’s what graphite offers to the table.

However, the majority of users still prefer to use the steel shafts on their choice of mid-handicap irons. Steel is known to provide a better feel among golfers. It is heavier and is preferred by more experienced golfers because it gives you better control when you swing. Though there is no clear cut answer since we see top-rated golf irons in both graphite and steel versions, it becomes a matter of preference at the end of the day.

Tungsten Infused

Since weight has been mentioned already, there are those mid-handicap players who prefer iron sets that are heavier than steel. And because of this, it is common to see a mid handicap golfer to be using tungsten-infused clubs. This makes it even easier to correct the shot once you made a mistake on your shot.

Clubhead Size and Design

When you start asking questions like what irons are best for me, better start considering the clubhead design. And why should you take a closer look at clubhead designs when looking for the best irons for mid handicap golfers?

Over the years, club heads have a variety of sizes. Pros prefer to have the small club heads. On the other hand, you have the larger sized club heads designed for the novice golfer. As for an average golfer like a mid-handicapper, you might want to choose the medium-sized club heads.

Next, let’s take a closer look at the design of the clubhead. If you are going for the best mid range golf clubs, might as well stick with cavity back irons than the muscle back or blade irons. What’s the difference between the two?

Muscle back/blade irons are used mostly by pros. It’s not as forgiving as the cavity back irons. And the reason for this is the additional perimeter weighting on the cavity back irons.

Extra Sweet Spot

What’s perimeter weighting and why is it important for anyone in the market for the best mid handicap irons? It is a term used when you put a spare metal right around the border of the back of your club. What it does is add weight behind the ball when you hit an off-center shot. A lot of irons used by pros have weight found behind the sweet spot. As for a cavity back iron that uses perimeter weighting, expect a large sweet spot that can minimize the missed shots.

Offset Hosel

As a rule of thumb when it comes to choosing irons for mid handicappers, the more offset offered by the iron, the farther the head’s center of gravity is on the shaft.  And the farther is the center of gravity is from the golf club’s shaft, the higher the trajectory of the ball is.

It means that if you are encountering shots that make it difficult to get the ball up in the air, you want something that offers more offset. If you check some of the most forgiving forged irons, you’d notice that these have offset hosels.

Set Composition Based on Wedge Type

Unlike high handicappers that are looking for something that offers great distance and control, it is important to go for something that offers high forgiveness and something that will allow the ball to launch easily.

Now, choosing irons that will make up your set can be a bit difficult. It used to be standard some time ago where a set includes a pitching wedge and sand wedge. In reality, there is no generic answer if you are thinking of having a set that fits the gameplay of a mid-handicapper.

You just have to know the difference between each wedge to make a good decision. Sand wedges, have a loft from 54° to 58° and can get the ball to travel from 110 to 125 yards.

Have a loft range from 59° to 65° and you get the lob wedge, which is something that became popular because of Phil Mickelson. Its design was meant for obstacles and allows users to have a high trajectory shot. However, it can only get your shot up to around 80 to 100 yards max.

But if you are going to ask mid handicappers, a lot would say that one of the best golf irons for average golfer is a pitching wedge that has a loft angle of 44° to 49°. This is also a favorite by those who are starting to learn golf. This can get the ball to travel from 110 to 125 yards.

And if you want to check all the boxes in your set selection, you might also want to have an in-between option. If you want something that looks like a hybrid of a pitching wedge and a sand wedge, then you can go for the gap wedge that has a loft angle of 50° to 54°.

Leading Edge

There are those mid handicappers who would specifically look for an iron’s leading edge. The leading edge is the club’s bottom edge. What it does is help in blading the golf ball or better known as skulling. It’s a good option if you are going to do a lob or a flop shot.

Conclusion

Which golf irons should I be playing? Even for mid-handicappers of 20, the choice is going to be based on your preference and your skill level. Given the options that we’ve provided, you can find the right iron for different scenarios. Try to compare similar clubs before you make up your mind. This way, you can have the best iron set that matches your needs.