Our Improvement Irons Reviews

Our Pick for Top Golf Irons for Improvement

TaylorMade Sim 2 Max Irons

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Review

The Sim 2 Max irons are TaylorMade's latest contribution to the game improvement irons category. With a feature they call the "speed bridge" along with a low center of gravity, these irons will do wonders in helping improve your golf game.

The speed bridge is a metal support that connects the top line to the sole of the club head, floating over the back of the sweet spot. This extra support to the top line creates a slimmer speed pocket, which provides observable distance gains. The speed bridge also contributes to an awesome sound on impact with the ball, more audible and better sounding than other clubs.

These irons had the lowest center of gravity of all the irons we tested. This allows for greater forgiveness, including better height and spin, on shots hit a little thin. This forgiveness, along with hitting some of the longest distances of all the clubs we tested is why these clubs are our top pick for intermediate golfers.

4.7
Driver & Woods
4.8
Irons
4.8
Wedges
4.7
Putter
4.9
Quality
4.8/5
Overall Score

Category

Score

Distance

4.9

Accuracy

4.7

Feel

4.8

Value

4.8

Overall Score

4.8 / 5

Cell
Cell

Pros

  • One of the longest distance clubs we tested
  • Low center of gravity for better forgiveness
  • Fantastic sound and good feel on impact

Cons

  • Difficult to clean (big crevice from speed bridge)

Runner-up Best Iron Set for Overall Game Improvement

Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Irons

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Review

The Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Irons are a very versatile set that will act as a game improvement iron for a wide variety of golfers. They come with a thick sole that really helps lift-up the ball for a very nice trajectory. We really like how simple looking the iron is – it has an understated elegance, yet packs plenty of technology.

The large sweet spot provides good forgiveness, and Cleveland's well-known Zip Groove technology offers a ton of spin for softer shots onto those greens. Then the perimeter (heel to toe) weighting makes sure no distance is lost. With a really nice combination of forgiveness, distance, and control, this set of improvement irons is one of the best all around iron sets we've ever tested.

Category

Score

Distance

4.7

Accuracy

4.7

Feel

4.7

Value

4.8

Overall Score

4.7 / 5

Cell
Cell

Pros

  • Great all-around club
  • Increased spin for better control
  • Nice trajectory and carry

Cons

  • Slim top line not suitable for more beginner skillsets

Best for Forgiveness & Game Improvement

Callaway Rogue ST Max Golf Irons

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Review

The Callaway Rogue ST Max is a set of game improvement irons that is really good looking and carries a lot of technology. Some of the features included are Variable Face Technology, 360 Face Cup, and Tungsten construction.

Variable Face Technology offers maximum forgiveness by making the sweet spot bigger through cleverly slimming out the middle of the face and then fattening the face at the edges. The 360 Face Cup works with the sweet spot to help improve the distance. And the Tungsten construction improves the trajectory by forcing the center of gravity down.

These irons provide among the best forgiveness of the irons we tested. The large sweet spot and improved trajectory made getting the ball up cleanly a breeze. The tungsten does detract a bit from the feel, but we were very impressed with the results.

Category

Score

Distance

4.7

Accuracy

4.7

Feel

4.6

Value

4.8

Overall Score

4.7 / 5

Cell
Cell

Pros

  • Very forgiving
  • Surprisingly good distance
  • Sharp looking

Cons

  • Stiff feeling

FAQ

What are game improvement irons?

Game improvement irons are clubs designed to help the average intermediate golfer improve by offering better performance and greater versatility.

What are the best game improvement irons for 2020

Great question! The answer is found by scrolling up this page. (Hint: Check out our review on the TaylorMade M6 Irons)

When should I switch from game improvement irons?

First off, most players are content in the mid to low-mid handicap range, and making the switch isn't necessary or particularly beneficial. Only if you really want to lower your handicap and are committed to advancing your skillset should you even consider making the switch. If this is the case, you know it's time to make the switch from game improvement irons when your focus has shifted from consistently clean contact with greater distance towards dialing in the accuracy and shaping the ball.

Do any tour players use game improvement irons?

The short answer is yes. While you are not likely to see a pro with an entire set of game improvement irons, it isn't uncommon for PGA players to replace the 3 and 4 irons in their set with game improvement 3 and 4 irons. They'll do this for the same reason an intermediate golfer would use game improvement irons: lower center of gravity, better forgiveness, and higher launch angle.