The Best Game Improvement Irons 2023

Game improvement irons are designed to help golfers improve their accuracy, distance, and overall performance on the course. In 2023, there are several top brands to consider when searching for the best game improvement irons.

In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at some of the most popular game improvement iron brands in the industry, including Ping G430 Irons, TaylorMade Stealth HD Irons, Callaway Paradym Irons, Cobra Aerojet Irons, and Srixon ZX4 MKII Irons. Each brand offers unique features and benefits to help golfers at all skill levels improve their game. 

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Best game improvement irons 2023

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Reviewed by Hannah Holden

This club almost looks unrecognisable. Although it has that typical high square-toe Ping shaping, the back of the club head is really different. I love how they have designed the Pwrflex in the back of the club head to give this product a completely new more modern feel.

The most important thing about game improvement clubs is that they are easy to hit. These definitely tick all the boxes in this area. They are high launching, easy to strike and consistently go in the right direction.

I really like the fact these are fairly neutral down the target line and balance forgiveness with a decently high spin rate and launch so you can still control the golf ball.

Overall these are some of the most consistent game-improvement irons I have tested this year. Ping has done it again and produced an exceptional game improvement iron that will only aid performance.

PROS

• Extremely consistent irons
• Easier to hit than other models
• Controllable

CONS

• Not as long as other models on the market

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• RELATED: Read our full Ping G430 irons review

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Right-handed lofts: 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°

Ping stock shafts: Hzrdus Red CB, Tensei AV Blue with XLink Tech, Hzrdus Black, Tensei 1K Black

Fitted shafts (no upcharge) Graphite Design Tour AD UB, Tour AD DI, Tour AD IZ

More information: Ping Website

Reviewed by Hannah Holden

These look as much like a hybrid as an iron, but I think that oversized design is really comforting and confidence-inspiring for a higher handicap golfer. They’re also the ideal golf irons for senior players. I really like the design continuity from the original Stealth irons to these.

Straight away, once I started hitting these, it was easy to see how effortless it was to get high-launching shots across the set. They also felt a lot better than I expected. Yet off-centre strikes feel slightly harsh but the tech in the head to dampen vibrations certainly made those centre strikes feel nice and soft.

My longest shot carried up at 184.7 yards which is pretty impressive for me with a 5-iron. I think the longer you used these and the more you got used to the size and shot shape the more distance you would get out of these

The whole point of this club is to have something easy to launch and just really easy to hit, this was clear throughout the range. These have to be some of the easiest-to-hit products on the market.

PROS

• Super forgiving on off-centre strikes
• Very hard to hit heavy
• Improve consistency
• Draw Bias

CONS

• Big-looking club head

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RELATED: Read our full TaylorMade Stealth HD irons review

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Stock shafts: KBS Max 85 MT (steel) & Fujikura NX Red/Silver (graphite

Grip: Lamkin Crossline 360 Black/Red 47g 0.600 Ribbed

More information: Taylormade Website

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Reviewed by Hannah Holden

These irons are so attractive. Callaway have done such a great job with the styling. When you look at them on a shelf they really stand out. I love the navy and gold colourway and think the whole club looks premium and smart.

These irons are extremely hot from the centre of the club face and I had increased distances throughout the bag. The 162-yard carry distance with a 7-iron is over 7 yards longer than with my current irons.

The average spin rate with the 7-iron was 5434. This is clearly lower than the 7000 rpm that you might expect from a blade or smaller players 7-iron. But the height was high enough to get the ball to stop on the green with a good level of control.

Overall these are a really impressive set of irons. They are exceptionally long, so they are perfect for players who have lost distance or who want to hit the golf ball further. But the big thing that impressed me is just how well Callaway has balanced having more ball speed and distance without losing control. I think Callaway have nailed it with the Callaway Paradym irons

PROS

• Long carry distances
• Fast ball speeds across the face
• Forgiving on off centre strikes

CONS

• Not as workable as other models

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• RELATED: Read our full Callaway Paradym irons review

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Lofts: 4 20°, 5 23°, 6 26°, 7 29°, 8 33°, 9 37°, PW 42°, AW 47°, 52 52°

Stock shafts: MCA Aldila Ascent PL Blue, Project X Hzrdus Silver, True Temper Elevate MPH 95

Grip: Callaway Universal

More information: Callaway website

Reviewed by Hannah Holden

These are some of the longest irons on the market, perfect for players who are looking to pick up extra yardage.

What was pleasing was I didn’t give up any dispersion in return for that distance. In fact, my 5-iron had the tightest dispersion of the test, with under 10 yards front-to-back dispersion and just over 5 yards left-to-right dispersion. All the data with this 5-iron is absolutely ridiculous.

Overall, I really enjoyed testing these irons. The stand-out factor is definitely the distance, but I think these are a real all-rounders and are contenders to be the best game-improvement irons this season.

PROS

• Exceptionally long
• Relatively compact shaping
• Forgiving on off centre strikes

CONS

• Not as workable as other models

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RELATED: Read our full Cobra Aerojet irons review

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Lofts: 18.5° 4, 20.5° 5, 23.5 ° 6, 26.5° 7, 31° 8, 36° 9, 41.5° PW, 47.5° GW, 54° SW

Stock shafts: KBS PGI 85, KBS PGI 75, KBS PGI 65, KBS Tour Litese

Grip: Lamkin Crossline

More information: Cobra website

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Reviewed by Jack Backhouse

The first strike of the ZX4 MKII blew me away. I was expecting the fairly common feeling of an explosive, low-spinning strike but I was surprised by a feeling of a forged player’s iron in my hands that left me wondering whether I’d picked up the right clubs or not.

These irons were bonkers long but I do wonder how well I or another player who naturally hits the ball low would find the long irons.

I do think that these irons have a great potential to help short hitters gain some much-needed distance, or for a mid to low handicapper to play in a split set. They look so similar to the ZX5 MKII and ZX7 MKII irons that you could seamlessly blend them into a split set for more control with the short irons and more forgiveness with the longer clubs.

PROS

• Forged face feels so soft
• Crazy long ball speeds
• Forgiving on off-centre strikes

CONS

• Super strong lofts produced a pretty low flight for me which may not suit everyone

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• RELATED: Read our full Srixon ZX4 MKII irons review

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Lofts: PW 43°, 9i 39°, 8i 33°, 7i 28.5°, 6i 25.5°, 5i 23°, 4i 21°

Shafts: KBS Tour Lite (steel) Diamana ZX Graphite (graphite)

More information: Srixon Website

The Best Game Improvement Irons 2023

Choosing the best game improvement irons can make a significant difference in your golf game, and it’s important to consider the top brands in the industry, including Ping, TaylorMade, Callaway, Cobra, and Srixon. With features like advanced face technologies, adjustable weighting, and improved ball speed, these game improvement irons can help you hit your best shots on the course in 2023.

Consider your own skill level and preferences to determine which brand and product will help you achieve the results you’re looking for. 

How do we test irons?

At National Club Golfer we are passionate about producing accurate and thorough reviews and make sure our testing process is rigorous so we get a good understanding of how each club performs.

Each iron is hit with Pro V1 golf balls to allow us to collect launch monitor data with our in-house TrackMan and Flightscope. After this it is time to head out onto the golf course and test the clubs in practice and competition play. We do this across a variety of golf clubs in our base of Yorkshire.

What is important when buying a new iron?

When buying a new set of irons it is important to know what you want from that club to help you improve.

Most people are looking for more distance, each iron model is optimised for different things. Depending on your swing and your impact conditions, you may not actually hit the model that is advertised as the longest, the furthest. So if you want more distance it is always worth giving different models a hit before you make a decision.

For most golfers, especially high handicappers, something that is more forgiving is going to yield the best performance. Most forgiving golf irons have a slightly bigger club head with perimeter weighting for high MOI. They also have a center of gravity that is further back to help players get more height on their shots.

Do you want something that is draw bias? There are so many models out there to help with slice correction, it would be silly not to take a look if you see your ball disappearing into the right trees too often. A closed face and draw bias weighting can get you hitting straighter shots in no time at all.

Don’t forget about the shaft either. Getting the correct shaft can help dial in your spin, launch angle and can also give you some extra distance. Having a club fitting or trying different options with your local pro can really improve the performance of your new driver.

The Best Game Improvement Irons 2023: FAQ’s

What is a game improvement iron?

Game improvement irons are designed to help players hit the ball straighter, higher and further. They’re also the most forgiving of any type of irons available, whilst even including some of the longest irons you can get your hands on. This is generally achieved with a lower centre of gravity and stronger lofts. Distance AND forgiveness? Yes, please.

What handicap are game improvement irons best suited for?

These type of irons are ideal if you’re a high handicap golfer. Typically, if you’re shooting above 85 or only occasionally hitting a shot in the sweet spot then they’re also the go-to. Handicap-wise, mid-to low handicappers will benefit most from these clubs. And as we know, the average handicap is between 14 and 20, hence why they’re so popular on the shelves!

They are also great for players with slower swing speeds as they can help with higher launch, which these golfers can struggle with, especially in longer irons.

What brand produce the best game improvement irons?

All of the products in this best golf game improvement irons 2023 article are picked from the brands that offer the best-performing game improvement irons.

Do any pros use game improvement irons on tour?

Unsurprisingly, most PGA Tour pros don’t opt for game-improvement irons. As we covered earlier, the sort of irons are best suited for mid-handicap golfers looking to – quite literally – improve their game.

The most elite golfers in the world tend to game players’ irons or blades. These forged irons are thinner, have a smaller sweet spot and therefore are much harder to hit consistently than game improvement irons. From time to time some pros do add game improvement clubs in as driving irons for a more forgiving option off the tee.

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