You’ve been bitten. You’ve hit a few balls at the driving range, or maybe played a few rounds on the course, and you’ve got the golfing bug, so much so that you’re in the market for a set of irons of your own, your first set. For a beginner, selecting a set of irons can be a daunting task, especially nowadays, with such variety available. So, what are the best golf irons for beginners?
What does a beginner need from a set of irons?
The first thing for beginners to understand before buying a set of irons, is that not all golf irons are created equally, nor are all irons suitable for all players. For example, there are models out there designed for seasoned players, players who despite being amateurs, play the game to a high level. Such irons aren’t really suitable for inexperienced players just starting out. Similarly, there are golf irons out there that have been built with the beginner in mind.
OK, so what does a beginner need from a set of golf irons? First and foremost, as a beginner, unless you’re incredibly talented, you’re going to hit lots and lots of bad shots, that’s just part and parcel of starting golf. This means that you’ll need irons to be forgiving, meaning that even shots not hit with optimal contact can turn out OK. A large sweet spot, often found as a result of a larger club face and oversized club heads, is also something that is likely to help a player who is at the very start of their golfing journey. Many beginners also struggle to get the ball airborne on a consistent basis, so a set of irons designed for high launch will really help too. Many brands have started to release irons known as “game improvement irons”, so be on the lookout for those if you’re just starting out.
Cheap vs expensive
There are a few things to consider for the beginner before purchasing a set of irons, one of which being is it better to go down the cheap route or fork out more for a premium product. First things first, is budget. If you’re working with a limited budget, then the cheaper option is for you, but don’t worry, as there are plenty of more affordable iron-sets that are perfect for beginners. If you’re fortunate enough to be in a position where you can spend more on a first set of irons, you should first consider how much you;re going to play. If you really want to improve, and put lots of time into the game, then the expensive route is fine, as you’ll get a premium product. If you’re not sure how serious you want to take the game, or if you think you’ll likely play just once in a while, then even if it is financially viable, the expensive option may not be worthwhile.
It’s also worth remembering that as a beginner, you’re going to want to purchase a set of irons that fit a beginner, the sort of irons which may not be ideal for a more seasoned player. Therefore, even you’re serious about developing as a player and want to play long-term, going down the less expensive route may still be the best option, as it may not be too long before you’re in the market for another set of irons, and perhaps that is the point to spend more money obtaining premium quality.
What are the options?
Below are some of the best available to the new golfer. The most all-round beginner-friendly golf irons if you will.
Cobra F Max Golf Irons
Built with offset technology that aids with both slices and hooks, making such shots less severe, Cobra’s F Max Golf Irons have clearly been designed with the improving player in mind. The low centre of gravity promotes forgiveness, making them ideal for beginners, while the price-tag won’t make your eyes pop out either.
Cleveland Launcher XL Irons
These lightweight irons from Cleveland are perfect for the inexperienced player. They’re not too expensive, and are easy to hit. One particularly impressive feature is the fact that the longer irons in the set are hollow to allow for greater forgiveness, while the shorter irons offer more precision. Last but not least, the larger head design, which happens to be Cleveland’s largest ever, is just perfect for a beginner.
TaylorMade SiM 2 MAX OS Irons
If you’re lucky enough to be able to shell out quite a bit on your first set of irons, then a set of high-end irons that are hard to ignore at the SiM 2 MAX OS Irons from TaylorMade. They’re high-launching, which helps players on approach, while the new Cap Back Design makes them both forgiving and easy to hit.
Callaway BIG BERTHA B21 Irons
The big-name brand has delivered a set of high irons that suits both the high-handicapper who has been playing for some time and then complete beginner. There’s added offset, which makes forgiving, plus the use of A.I. technology promotes increased ball speeds. If you want a stylish set of irons that look great but are still beginner friendly, then the B21’s could be the answer, though they’re not the cheapest.
Benross Aero X Steel Irons
Perfect for the beginner not looking to spend too wildly, the Aero x Steels from Benross rate as an excellent introductory set. Something called a CT-Face design helps achieve high ball speeds, which is ideal for the beginner who is struggling to hit the sweet spot on a regular basis, while the club’s centre of gravity has been built in such a way to aid with getting the ball airborne, again perfect for a beginner.
Inesis 500 Irons
Another option at the cheaper end of the scale comes from Inesis, who with the Inesis 500 Irons, have delivered a great looking set. Perfect for either the beginner or the inexperienced high handicapper, the 500’s offer a generous amount of forgiveness, have been described as being easy to hit, while the slimmer club face allows great ball speeds to be achieved.
Final word on the best golf irons for beginners
We can see that there are lots of viable options for the beginner, and depending on your budget and whether or not you want a first set of irons that you’ll be able to use comfortably even once you become a more advanced player, there are plenty of premium products to choose from. If we narrow it down to a single option for the best golf irons for beginners, one that offers everything a beginner needs without being completely high-end in terms of price, then the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are hard to beat. They’re built completely with the high handicapper/beginner golfer in mind yet are still more than suitable for those players that manage to outgrow their beginner status and start shooting scores in-keeping with those of a mid-handicapper.