Best Golf Irons For Mid Handicappers – top 5 highly rated irons

Finding the best golf irons for mid-handicap players can be challenging. But these are the clubs you will play most of every game with. So you need to be comfortable with your choice. Below are some recommendations for you. We will help you look at your requirements, how to evaluate options and where to find out more.

We reviewed five golf iron sets, all highly rated by other mid handicapped players:

• Cleveland Golf Men’s Launcher HB Iron Set: For mid to high handicapper.
• TaylorMade M4 Irons Set: For golfers looking for extra distance, forgiveness, and feel. 
• Callaway Golf 2018 Men’s Rogue X Irons Set: A must-try for mid to high handicappers looking for max distance.
• Cobra Men’s F-Max One Length Iron Set: Excellent value and performance for players with slow swing speeds.
• Japan WaZaki WL-IIs 4-SW Mx Steel Hybrid Irons Golf Club Set: Highly rated for distance, accuracy, and handling.

Before we compare these clubs, let’s take a brief moment to discuss some key considerations.

When Is It Time to Get New Irons?

Even if you have a set to play with, you’ll know when it’s time to replace it. Perhaps your play is stagnating and your achievement is low despite consistent practice. But above all, if your enthusiasm falls by the wayside and maintaining your form becomes a chore, it’s time for new irons.

Can you imagine what a new set of clubs could do for your game? So, let’s work out what you need.

How to Choose the Best Golf Irons for an Intermediate Golfer

Traditionally, players elevate aspects such as consistency, feel, and forgiveness over distance.

However, what they’re really saying is that distance is mandatory, but they want the rest too. The good news is that golfers can have their pudding and eat it. Game improvement irons today deliver greater distance than ever before.

What Is a Game Improving Iron?

A game improving iron allows you to hit with more precision and improve control and distance. There are certain design elements that manufacturers use. Enclosed or open cavities are common because they increase the iron’s moment of inertia, making them more tolerant of off-center hits.

Adding weight to lower the center of gravity helps lift the ball higher. And larger clubheads means a better chance of getting the right angle. Other features to look out for include offset clubfaces and softer shafts.

Ever thinner face constructions with flex are used. And, thanks to low weighting, these can launch the ball higher. Stronger iron lofts yield even more energy transfer resulting in better distance. Aerodynamic design is used to accelerate the clubhead.

How all these features work together without drawbacks falls to designers and engineers. But golf clubs in 2020 are feature-rich little marvels of modern materials and construction that can make a real difference to your game.

Are You a Mid Handicapper?

As an intermediate golfer, you can get the ball underway and pick it up again from the fairway. But you can do better than that. What you need is clubs that sharpen your stroke, deliver a resounding hit, and are forgiving enough to keep the ball going in the right direction.

While there’s no technical definition, it’s generally understood that a mid handicapper is a golfer with a handicap between 10 up to about 24. That means you usually break 90 or at least shoot in the 80s every round. Either way, the goal is always the same: break 90 or break 80 consistently.

The Best Golf Irons for Mid Handicappers

Iron sets typically come as numbers 4 to 9 irons plus a pitching wedge. With that choice at hand, you can pick up the ball at any angle desired and drive it towards the green on a straight trajectory.

So, what are the best iron clubs for a mid handicapper? We picked five iron sets to compare. These have consistently positive feedback. And owners have reported major improvements in distance and control after switching.

Cleveland Golf Men’s Launcher HB Iron Set

Designed for the average mid handicapper, these clubs should boost distance and offer forgiveness. The Launcher clubs make it easy to hit with long irons and have more control over the shorter clubs.

Cleveland has hollowed the center of each clubhead. The weight is distributed around the perimeter. Off-center points stay straight and with the same punch a normal hit would make.

Weight is also redistributed low and deep in the clubhead to optimize forgiveness. The shaft is made from graphite, expect regular flex.

Users rave about this set, crediting it for distance, being forgiving and simply easy to hit. Highly recommend for all handicaps or ability.

Pros

• Suits players who hit toward the toe
• High-launching and slides through the grass
• Crisp sound at contact
• High-strength steel face
• Very high launch angle off the clubface
• Hollow clubhead for a light and fast swing
• Good forgiveness because of perimeter weighting 

Cons

• Matte finish accentuates scratches
• Difficult to shape the ball’s flight

Our verdict: A mature design combining key elements with visual appeal. Targets mid to high-handicap players who want easy-to-hit, hybrid-like irons.

Tip: Take the time to adjust because these clubs will feel different.

TaylorMade M4 Irons Set 

This offering from TaylorMade brims with technology and design. The M4 irons, promoted as next-generation, focus on distance, consistency, and accuracy.

Along with Ribcor tech, a Speed Pocket, Face Slots, and an off-center Inverted Cone has been integrated. It’s safe to say these clubs are optimized for greater distance and forgiveness.

Weighting in the heel and toe significantly increases energy transfer. The Speed Pocket and leading-edge design combine to increase speed. Face slots protect ball speed. The fluted hosel with an undercut cavity moves the center of gravity low in the clubhead. Resulting in better launch, distance, and consistency. Meanwhile, multiple shaft choices increase adjustability.

TaylorMade has a stellar reputation for blending myriad technologies seamlessly and this set is proof of that.

Pros

• More distance with fluted hosel and 360 undercut to redistribute mass 
• Clean sound on contact
• Ribcor technology inside the club localizes flexibility to aid energy transfer 
• A speed pocket sole, undercut top edge, fluted hosel, and face slots create a low center of gravity and better forgiveness
• Carbon fiber cavity badge means less unwanted vibrations and an improved sound and feel

Cons

• Good for power and accuracy but perhaps not finesse

Our verdict: TaylorMade’s new M4 irons are designed for golfers looking for extra distance, forgiveness, and feel.

Tip: If you’re not ready to work on your clubface and swing when buying these, you might be better off with another set.

Callaway Golf 2018 Men’s Rogue X Irons Set

Callaway describes the Rogue X Irons as “a total distance overhaul.”  The 360 Face Cup, multi-material construction includes urethane microspheres for a great feel. And other components are designed for maximum distance.

Physically, the Rogue X is lighter, longer, and stronger than its predecessors. It’s also longer in length with stronger lofts. A wide sole and heavy tungsten weighting pull the center of gravity low and deep for easy, high launch and long carry.

The Rogue irons are the kind of clubs that prompt discussions on whether the hunt for distance has gone too far. But until that debate is settled, you want a Rogue X to feel the difference it can make.

Pros

• 360 Face Cup + Variable Face Thickness tech for more ball speed
• Urethane microspheres for incredible feel
• Lighter and longer
• Distance, distance, distance …

Cons

• You’ll need skill to launch the irons high enough to maximize carry

Our verdict: A must-try for mid to high handicappers looking for maximum distance.

Tip: Practice launch skills to get the distance these clubs offer.

Cobra Men’s F-Max One Length Iron Set

The Cobra F-Max was already on the best irons 2018 hotlist for good reason. Labeled the ‘Lightweight Champion,’ owners report the integrated technology works well for golfers with moderate and slow swing speeds. When big swing speed takes too much effort, you want a club that maximizes momentum to lift the ball high with a cut to keep it there as long as possible.

These irons use speed-enhancing techniques like lighter shafts and swing weights. Possessing larger grips and a deep undercut, they employ a low-profile design and use different constructions for loft.

The undercut cavity also increases forgiveness and gives more heel bias weighting. Lastly, the offset hosels square the clubface so the impact results in longer and straighter shots.

Progressive hosel lengths and offset design across the set of irons emphasize the different flight trajectories of each club.

Pros

• An offset hosel design for higher launch for straighter, more accurate shots
• Low profile and deep undercut create a lower profile clubhead
• Premium nickel chrome for better aesthetics and durability 
• Specialty wedge designs provide added versatility and shot control around the greens
• Designed for the slower swing speeds of older players

Cons

• If you can get swing speed up, there may be more suitable irons for you.

Our verdict: If your swing is not well-developed or not what it used to be, these irons (which were rated best golf irons for mid handicapper 2018) are for you.

Tip: These are forgiving clubs, but you can work on keeping the contact angle optimal for the chosen iron.

Japan WaZaki WL-IIs 4-SW Mx Steel Hybrid Irons Golf Club Set

Wazaki is a Japanese company that specializes in hybrid clubs. If you like hybrids, you’re going to love this. With a new shape for more forgiveness and faster ball speeds, you’ll find this is a remarkable hybrid iron. The advanced technology creates a responsive club that connects well with the ball.

Featuring a proprietary speed face as well as a new casting body, the iron offers a low center of gravity. This club competes with the models introduced above for great launch stability, admirable ball speed, and maximum forgiveness.

The club’s speed face is the thinnest so far and has different thicknesses created with robust, thin, and light material. The face means speed, so increased distance. And the enlarged sweet spot gives better forgiveness for imperfect hits.

Made in Japan, these irons can be equipped with regular or stiff graphite shafts—super-light or a pro version. If you’re an older person, your swing speed is slow, or have a higher handicap, the light shaft is best. But if you play with a higher speed or a lower handicap, go for the pro.

Pros

• Great looking clubs 
• Very flush speed face made of a robust but thin and light material 
• Models available for players with different skill sets: choose between the 65 pro shaft and the 55 light shaft. You are safe because both can be exchanged within 30 days of purchase
• Very durable construction

Cons

• You really need a 90 mph swing speed to appreciate these clubs

Our verdict: Buyers and users surveyed were very pleased, rating the WaZaki high for distance, accuracy, and handling. And for taking several strokes off scores.

Tip: Some owners recommend playing on the range before the course because it will take you a little time to adjust to this club.

Conclusion: Best Irons for Mid Handicappers

We looked at the five recommended iron sets and found it hard to choose the best mid handicap irons 2019. Every one of these clubs has users attesting to a positive impact on both distance and control.

A large sweet spot, well-balanced weight, and a forgiving face add up to more enjoyment all round. Especially when you know you’re holding good value for money in your hands.

If you’ve come this far, and haven’t yet selected a club, then we can send you away with some clear advice. Look closely at the Cleveland Golf option. These are very long, high, and forgiving irons, especially for the mid handicapper. Across the golf world, this brand and model are highly rated.

It’s not only more sophisticated than your typical game improvement iron. The Launcher set is also a terrific option for golfers breaking into the mid-handicap level. High-quality construction and clever engineering push this club set to the fore.