Best iron for High-Handicap golfers in 2024?

After a winter rammed full of club testing TG Test Pro and Equipment Editor Simon Daddow reveal the best High-Handicap Irons of 2024.
We narrow nine sets down to our favourite three models and show comparison data for all the leading options.
Timestamps:
0:31 Should you look at High Launch or Hybrid irons?
2:36 How did we create our data?
4:00 Who are High-Handicap irons aimed at?
4:50 How do High-Handicap models compare to other iron categories?
6:37 How all the models tested compare in terms of dispersion
8:44 How all the models tested compare in data
11:18 Our best High-Handicap/Moderate Speed irons of 2024
See the full test results on our website here: rb.gy/4gkgim
Get more information about our winning clubs below:
Callaway Paradym AI Smoke HL - tinyurl.com/yfs8zapj
Cleveland Halo XL Full Face - tinyurl.com/4zhdfej6
For more equipment tests and reviews, Top 100 golf courses rankings, tour news, insight, interviews and loads more, visit the Today's Golfer website: www.todays-golfer.com
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[@frednugent8068]

I was hitting the Halo Xl at the PGA store near me. Club Speed 90.3 Ball Speed 125.2/ Smash 1.39/ Launch 18.5/ Spin 6423/Land 51.9/ Carry 174.2/ Total 179.2.

[@todaysgolfer]

Nice numbers Fred. 👍

[@ecliqxse9591]

Cleveland halo full face is something to consider my next iron..

[@josephtyrrell8894]

Which club due you recommend for a player with a slow swing speed?

[@todaysgolfer]

The Callaway AI Smoke HL and Eleven hybrid in this test would be very good options, the Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal HL would be good if you really want a desirable head shape and profile rather than all out forgiveness.

[@throwingdartsandbreakinghearts]

When Simon asked why we make the game more difficult, I yelled out ego before Neil could respond. Lol. We are idiots aren't we? I'm a mid handicapper. Looking to get a new set this year. And I've been sitting here contemplating getting the p7mcs 😂. Why? Cuz I don't want to look like a chopper. Which is what most of us are.

[@todaysgolfer]

@@throwingdartsandbreakinghearts Love your honesty. Most of us have been there at some point.

[@goaski474]

Great job guys, one point though. High handicappers don't use PV-1's, probably use balls in the $20-$25 range. Thanks again!

[@melwalker2135]

I thought the Cobra Air X produced some great numbers from a loft of 31.5 degrees, they didnt get a mention.

[@todaysgolfer]

Completely agree, but we knew the model we tested was to go off sale very soon after the testing had taken place and video produced so they were a really tough model to recommend. Hope that helps explain our thinking.

[@AVDFI1961]

Great summary as always from Simon and Neil and fortunately I have the previous generation of the Clevelands which I think you were a little bit keener on than the current generation!

[@todaysgolfer]

Thanks for your feedback, appreciate you taking the time.

[@tommeyer5991]

I'm looking to buy again since I now know my game after 3 years playing Calloway Rouge. You nailed it with the ego getting in the. I'm going to look at the Eleven.

[@todaysgolfer]

Lovely to hear Tom, we've all let the ego in the way at one time or another.

[@gsr2222]

Thanks for recognizing that the results you get are not the same as people like me that have a slow swing speed. I haven't come across any other testers so far who do that so their reviews have little value. I'm looking for a set of irons and can get my driver up to 73 mph. Would you recommend the AI Smoke Fast? Thank you!

[@todaysgolfer]

Thanks for the feedback, really appreciate you taking the time. Absolutely give the Max Fast a try but do it alongside the HL so you can see the difference between the pair. The Max Fast should launch and fly higher with more spin and a steeper descent angle, without giving up tons of distance. Hope that helps?

[@toadamine]

o;ok so im a new golfer with a high handicap but also a fairly high swing speed of about 100 and ive barely even started and never had a lesson yet... will a high swing speed be bad with the hybrids? so far in order ive shot a 104, 102, 114 (no lunch), and then 87 the next day after a good lunch and practicing a few swings at the range before my round, and using my three wood instead of a driver... ive only played four rounds so far... i bought a Nike VRS forged sand wedge and an Odyssey two ball ten putter... i still need irons, woods and a driver... i can actually hit irons and wedges fairly straight most of the time... even the fairway woods... but the driver im still really wild with...

[@todaysgolfer]

Think about how quickly you want to improve. If you have speed and plan on putting in time to strike shots more consistently more often irons rather than hybrid irons might well be a better choice. Hope that helps.

[@toadamine]

@@todaysgolfer I've been practicing a lot... I went with mostly game improvement irons, with blade wedges... I really like the blades more... they seem a lot more consistent and much easier to control... I think im gonna get some mizuno blades to match my wedges... a d sell my nike VRS forged set... its ok but has little feedback and are hard to shape shots with...😁👍

[@todaysgolfer]

@@toadamine Great to hear, thanks for feeding back. Enjoy the new irons and wedges.

[@DollarDogs]

Really wish I could understand what they saying seems like a great vid

[@todaysgolfer]

What don't you understand @DollarDogs

[@devanehill6141]

What would you recommend for a 95+ swing speed?

[@todaysgolfer]

Gut feel is we would probably look at the Callaway AI Smoke HL and Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal HL and see how both compare at your speed to the non HL models within their respective families, then you'll have a great idea of whether HL irons are optimal for you. Hope that helps?

[@bryanlemontm]

Just like hybrid irons probably make the game easier, I’m suspicious that one-length irons may do the same. An idea for a test would be to select a set of irons that offer both and do a club-by-club comparison.

[@todaysgolfer]

Hi Bryan, we've done quite a bit of testing before around One-Length models. From everything we've seen the idea just squeezes the set at both ends. So the long irons fly shorter, while the short irons fly longer which in our opinion makes it tough to see a benefit.

[@roblancaster2036]

What irons/hybrids would you recommend for ultra high handicapper (33) with very high swing speeds. Fats, thins, tops, big slice, cant close club face, lessons and countless drills arent working. Swing goes back to old swing even after 1000's of reps. I'm actually getting worse with more practice. I have game improvement clubs. When i do strike them well i have no problem sticking greens. My spin and launch angle is a bit too high and landing angle on the top end of acceptable with my clubs. In the end distance makes no difference to me. I want to hit the ball im play and lower my scores. Is there a magic club? I dont care at all about how it looks. Im oretty giod with 8 iron thru gap wedge and two putt a lot. Short game is good but anything 7 iron and over is just out of control in all ways.

[@todaysgolfer]

There isn't a magic club out there Rob, sorry. But if you have plenty of speed, you don't need to worry about playing strong or standard lofts you certainly don't need HL models. If we were spending our own money we'd be looking models like the Ping G430, TaylorMade Qi and Callaway AI Smoke, all of which are good forgiving models. Hope that helps.

[@zazhou]

Good detailed review based on lots of data. Golfing world is finally starting to understand the realities of physics and launch angle, spin rpm and descent angle. Well done!

[@todaysgolfer]

Thanks for your feedback and input, appreciate you taking the time.

[@No_Fear_33]

Screen shot features the G430 but the data is no where in sight in this vid

[@todaysgolfer]

Not sure where you're seeing the G430, it's not on the thumbnail as it sits within the Mid-Handicap not High-Handicap Iron category. Link to the video here kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZ_Wan2ZhLarqqc&t

[@rickcudmore8156]

Looking at 4:08 of the video, golfers would be better off to move one category to the right. If you fall into No.2 move to irons in No.3, etc. My clubs shouldn't be based on a perceived ranking because of my hcp. If I'm an 11 hcp, I wouldn't use category 2.5, I would look at clubs in category 3, 3.5 or even 4.

[@todaysgolfer]

Nicely put Rick, thanks for taking the time.

[@cynt1111]

I’m that golfer, lost all my pride got he turbo irons never played such good golf. Formerly a 3 handicap golfer. Got a mate off scratch who plays cobra t rails.

[@todaysgolfer]

You do you! Finding what works for you is a really important step that many egos get in the way of.

[@miguelitoaniceto5882]

It’s fun taking people’s money with ugly golf clubs. 😂