Best Golf Irons for 2021
If you are looking to improve your game on the course, it is critical to appreciate some of the most impressive irons on the market. So, what is the best golf irons for you? The answer to this question might be a bit more complicated than you think, so it is a good idea to break the topic down into several key sections.
TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons
Callaway Apex 21 Irons
OUR Choice
Ping G425 Irons
Cobra Radspeed Irons
Srixon ZX5 Irons
Choosing the best golf irons for 2021 to use
There are some major considerations that should be taken into account before purchasing best golf irons for 2021.
THE EXACT STYLE OF IRONS
Golf drivers can be broken down into three separate designs: blades, game improvement models and cavity backs. Each is associated with a unique intention. Blades offer straight-line benefits and are generally considered to be the best for more experienced golfers, as they are not associated with a high level of forgiveness in regards to off-centre shots.
On the other hand, game improvement models boast a wider sole and therefore, a great deal of forgiveness if you wish to work on your swing and form. They are also associated with slightly higher lofts when compared to blades. If you are new to golf or should you be less than satisfied with your current levels of performance, these drivers could represent the best choice.
Finally, cavity drivers can be thought of as the "middle of the road" in comparison to the other two. While they offer a moderate level of forgiveness, they are also not as flexible when referencing off-centre hits. In other words, cavity back models could be perfectly suited for players with a moderate level of experience.
FORGED OR CAST? IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?
Depending upon the manufacturer, golf irons can either be forged or cast. However, is there really that much of a difference between these two techniques? In the past, many experts felt that cast irons were associated with lower quality clubs due to the fact that the steel was not as responsive to the actions of the player (molten metal was simply poured into a preformed mould). On the other hand, forged irons are essentially billets of steel that have been stamped with the use of a series of hydraulic presses. This process tends to remove many of the impurities from the metal and it also results in a harder driver head thanks to molecular changes that take place. Many golfers preferred the "feel" of stamped heads over their forged counterparts in previous years.
Having said this, technology has come a long way in recent times. Top-quality golf drivers which are cast will employ treatments after the initial process and the steel is much more pure than when compared to previous years. This is the reason why many cast irons offer the same feel as forged clubs. Still, it is a good idea to experiment with each variety in order to determine which is the best suited for your personal tastes.
THE SOLE OF THE IRONS
Wider soles tend to be favoured by many players, and for good reason. First and foremost (and as mentioned in the first section), wide soles offer a higher level of forgiveness if you happen to make an off-centre shot. It is also important to point out that wide soles are not as likely to dig into the ground upon impact. Finally, this configuration ensures that the centre of gravity is located at the bottom of the head; providing an extra degree of balance as well as momentum during the bottom half of your swing (equating to more accurate shots and longer distances).
WHAT ABOUT LOFT?
The loft of the driver is another important consideration to quickly address. One of the most common mistakes to avoid is associated drivers with a lower loft with a longer distance. In reality, the exact opposite tends to be true. This arises from a bit of physics. Lower lofts will often produce less backspin while the ball is in the air. So, the ball will fall back to the green more quickly. Higher lofts produce more backspin upon impact; allowing the ball to "float" in the air for longer periods of time. If you have been struggling with distances when using your current drivers, the chances are high that you need to choose a model with a higher degree of loft.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAJECTORY RATINGS
Trajectory ratings will primarily depend your swing style. Those who have a tendency to hit the ball lower to the green should obviously choose a driver that offers a higher trajectory rating. It should nonetheless be stressed that the centre of gravity will also play a role here. Let's imagine for a moment that you choose a driver with a front-facing COG and it is associated with a trajectory rating of 10 degrees. Due to the position of the COG, this angle will likely be lessened to between 7 or 8 degrees. In other words, the best way to increase your trajectory is to choose a driver with a higher centre of gravity and a COG towards the bottom and rear of the face.
TRICKS OF THE TRADE: IMPACT TAPE
One of the lesser-known ways to determine which set of drivers is the best for your needs is to utilise impact tape. As this YouTube video points out, impact tape that is placed over the face of the driver will provide you with a clear indication of where this surface makes contact with the ball. This is one of the best methods to determine which driver is the most forgiving for your swing style. When contemplating where to buy the best golf irons, it is a good idea to enquire whether or not the supplier will provide impact tape during an on-site club evaluation.
THE SHAFT
Similar to choosing any other type of golf club, it is important to take the shaft into account. The best way to find the right configuration is to pick a number of different drivers with shafts of different weights and degrees of flexibility while keeping the same blade each time. This will enable you to feel the contrast between each different combination. Still, the majority of golfers tend to prefer lighter and stiffer shafts as opposed to those with a high level of flexibility.
A LOOK AT THE TOP GOLF IRONS FOR 2021
There is no doubt that all of the suggestions mentioned above will come in handy when determining the best golf irons to use in order to improve your game. However, there are many different brands on the market and each claims to offer the best drivers available. How will you be able to cut through the hype in order to come to the right conclusion? We have attempted to take the guesswork out of this process by providing a review of what many consider to represent the top irons of 2019. Let's now take a closer look at each.
1
Ping G425 Irons
It seems that length and forgiveness are set to dominate the world of modern golf irons and the Ping G425 series is certainly no exception. While not much was heard from this company in 2020, things are about to change. The introduction of this new iron brings much to the table. For instance, the G425 boasts a smaller head than the 410 and yet, the sole and bounce have not been radically altered. The addition of Hyper 17-4 steel is said to increase strength by up to 10 per cent and a technology known as Metalwood VFT within the head will further augment ball speed and distance on the green.
PROS
Other changes include dampened vibrations upon impact, high-density tip weights for an increased moment of inertia and a hard-wearing outer surface dubbed "Hydropearl 2.0". All in all, Ping offers an extremely well-rounded set of irons. Here is what makes the G425 series stand out:
CONS
In terms of any downsides, keep this in mind:
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2
Cobra RADSPEED Irons
Cobra has also become a well-known manufacturer within the golfing community and once again, they have chosen to set the bar higher through their new line of RADSPEED irons. Perhaps the main takeaway point here is that this series has been fashioned with 3D printing techniques. Not only does such an approach speed up the design process, but it allows numerous iterations to be made in order to see which is the most successful.
PROS
The RADPSEED series has also modified the internal weights so that they can work in synergy with the centre of gravity (COG). This increases stability; ideal if you have been struggling with accuracy. Furthermore, a carbon fibre strip has been added along the top of the club. This is said to help enhance both loft and spin. A sleeker look at the point of address is also a nice touch. All in all, here is what we enjoyed about the RADSPEED series:
CONS
The be fair, the RADSPEED irons could still suffer from faults including:
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3
TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Irons
In terms of distance and forgiveness, TaylorMade seems to have the market cornered. In fact, these are the same two qualities which the company has used to promote their SIM2 Max series of irons. The main point is to increase distance while retaining the forgiveness that the previous series was known for. Furthermore, TaylorMade has decided to engineer a narrower face; allowing a greater degree of flexion immediately after the address.
PROS
We should also point out that the SIM2 Max has been designed with a softer overall feel in mind. This is great for players who enjoy the sensation of a forged iron and still want increased flex in order to maximise ball speeds. Here are a handful of features which many golfers should enjoy:
CONS
Some cons can include:
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4
Callaway Apex 21 Irons
What are the top 5 irons for 2021 likely to be. It only makes sense that Callaway has made our list due to their past success. The Apex 21 series brings much to the table in terms of flexibility, as there are five different irons to choose from. Whether you are a professional or struggling with a frustrating handicap, the chances are high that one of these models will do the trick.
PROS
Some features which have allowed the Apex 21 series to stand out include varying levels of forgiveness, vibration-dampening technology, the use of True Temper shafts, and lofts as high as 34 degrees. Here are some additional amenities which we liked:
CONS
Some possible drawbacks include:
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5
Srixon ZX5 Irons
The ZX5 series is said to be ideal for golfers with an average swing speed and a moderate handicap; offering a "middle-of-the-road" option. While the mechanics of the ZX5 are impressive, many feel that its more streamlined and uniform look add to the appeal of the entire package (especially the minimal offset and slim topline). This series also offers better precision thanks to a softer and more dialled-in feel upon contact.
PROS
The ZX5 is equipped with MainFrame technology; a grooved club face that offers a combination of high trajectories, an ample amount of flexion and impressive ball speeds. When these are combined with a 1020 carbon steel body, a tungsten insert to increase the MOI and a user-friendly feel, the ZX5 certainly aims to please. We particularly liked these elements:
CONS
Some potential pitfalls could include:
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Ping G425 Irons
All of these irons are impressive in their own right. We have witnessed a uniform pattern of loft, forgiveness and ball speeds across the boards. This is why it was somewhat difficult to choose which model offers the best of all worlds. After much deliberation, we have concluded that the Ping G425 series is the ideal solution for the majority of golfers.
The G425 picks up where the 410 series left off. It offers a more refined head and yet, the designers have somehow been able to maintain the dimensions of the sole within a smaller package. Let's also not fail to mention that the G425 boasts enhanced strength thanks to the presence of Hyper 17-4 steel alongside an improved MOI upon impact. If you consider yourself to be a moderate handicapper and should you be looking to improve ball distances in synergy with accuracy, the Ping G425 could be the ideal solution.
Of course, feel free to research all of the irons mentioned above and to check back regularly, as we provide constant updates so that you can make an informed decision.
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