Best golf irons for the money

Thinking about buying a new set of golf irons but don’t want to get taken to the cleaners?

It is SOOOOOO easy to overspend when it comes to buying new golf equipment. You get excited. You start to justify.

Finding a golf iron that’s affordable and has all the good features of a “top-notch” iron, can be quite tough. It is similar to buying a car where the price increases as you add different features and performance.

When buying new irons, you also want to choose the features that will PERSONALLY IMPROVE YOUR GAME.

The iron needs for a mid-handicapper will be different from what a low-Handicappers would want his perfect iron to be. Also, there are so many other facts that need to be considered than just the money side of it.

When deciding to buy golf clubs, there are two things it all comes down to, the price and quality. If your irons are worth the money spent on them, then that deal can be labeled as perfect without a doubt. But if you are buying a particular golf iron because it’s cheaper than the rest, without considering its performance, that deal isn’t worth it at all.

A low priced deal isn’t always a good steal. A ‘well-crafted’ golf iron under or equal to your budget is the kind of deal that you must consider. Sometimes buying irons from the big manufacturers does attract many golfers but if there is a similar kind of golf iron produced by a comparatively small manufacturer, then there is no harm in trying it out.

In this review and buyer’s guide, we will help you pick a golf iron that will not only meet your golf needs such as performance, accuracy, distance, and feel, but will also be valued at a fair and competitive price. Before we head over to our top options, let’s find out what to look for in a golf iron that’s worth your money and meets all your expectations.

 Best irons for the money

Best Overall: TaylorMade Golf M6 Irons

The best golf irons for the money are the TaylorMade Golf M6 irons. Since the release of the TaylorMade M6, there have been two new additions to the TaylorMade family. However, this does not take away from the fact that the M6 was still one of the best irons that TaylorMade put out.

When it comes to distance, the M6 showed the golf world that there was much more that companies could do to give players the distance they need. The new Speed Bridge combines with the Speed Pocket Technology to provide players more ball speed. The higher ball speed leads to increased distance and accuracy as well.

The M6 irons are a forgiving cavity back design. The Inverted Cone Technology helps to make the sweet spot much larger. This means that even if you miss the clubface’s center, you can still get some great distance with these irons.

When golfers shop for the best golf irons for the money, they also need to consider the value they are getting in the golf shafts offered. The TaylorMade M6 comes with the Steel KBS Max and the graphite Fujikura Atmos. These are high performing, high-end golf shafts that will last for years to come.

Mid to high handicappers will get the most benefit by adding a set of these M6 irons to their game. The great feel, impressive distance, and forgiving clubface make them a perfect choice, especially at the price they are now offered.

What We Like

• A large drop in price since the release
• Built for both forgiveness and feel
• Effortless distance
• Easy to launch, even being delofted for distance
• Speed Bridget and Speed Pocket combine for incredible ball speeds

What We Don’t Like

• The top-down look is a bit thick

Callaway Rogue Golf Iron Set

The Callaway Rogue golf irons are a bit older than the Mavrik, and therefore the pricing has decreased quite a bit. There are, however, plenty of features to the Rogue irons that were continued into the brand new technology from Callaway.

Our favorite feature in the Callaway Rogue iron set is the 360 Face Cup technology. With the Face Cup technology, players get a more flexible face that works a bit like a trampoline. As the ball compresses the face of the club, it will flex and then expand. This gives golfers an extra jump of the clubface that previous Callaway irons did not have.

The Rogue irons feature tungsten weighting and a perfectly positioned center of gravity. This center of gravity helps golfers get plenty of height even though the Rogue irons’ lofts are a bit low.

Even though the Callaway Rogue is a cavity back iron, they feature the revolutionary Urethane Microspheres to get better sound and feel. We like the sound and feel of the Rogue, but it is one of the features that was improved on future iron releases from Callaway.

What We Like

• Lightweight and longer distance
• Low center of gravity
• Wider sole helps increase confidence
• Urethane microspheres provide a better feel

What We Don’t Like

• The sound is a bit dull when these irons are hit

Cobra Golf F-Max Irons (7 Iron Set)

The Cobra Golf F-Max irons are a great club choice for the higher handicapper or senior golfer that is looking for a deal on a set of irons. The Cobra F-Max irons are built to be some of the most lightweight and forgiving clubs on the market.

In addition to making the clubhead lighter, Cobra was also able to make the shaft and the grip lighter on the F-Max. The F-Max allows players that lack the speed to get some extra distance. A lighter club is easier to swing faster and is generally more forgiving as well.

Perhaps the most essential feature of the F-Max is the loft and launch. These are high launching irons that help golfers get the ball flight they need. So many of the game improvement golf clubs on the market have lower lofts to increase distance. This is not always a positive feature for golfers that struggle with launch. With the F-Max you will not have issues getting the ball in the air.

For an affordable mix of high launch and reasonable distance, the F-Max is an excellent choice.

What We Like

• Lofts are not too low for players to get better ball flight
• Very lightweight to help increase swing speed
• Cavity back with a confidence-inducing shape

What We Don’t Like

• Ball speed is not as high as other options on our list

Callaway X HOT Iron Set

Golf irons are not cheap. It’s hard to find an iron that is just good enough while staying cheap. The most economical irons lack performance. Callaway X Hot iron is, fortunately, a rare iron set that has great quality and is also quite affordable. Callaway is known as the brand that most golfers trust, so you don’t have any excuse to not go for this iron set.

With Callaway X hot iron set you can expect great speed and distance because this iron does offer that. This makes this iron kit great for those who have just started playing golf. The presence of an undercut cavity helps in enhancing this iron’s ability to achieve a great ball speed. This is great when compared to other irons who are not only expensive but lack performance when it comes to the speed of the ball.

Another excellent feature of this iron is its club head’s size. The heavy clubhead improves trajectory and lowers the center of gravity, adding distance to the shots made. This iron is great for players who are not strong and fast with hitting swings.

This iron kit also comes with another remarkable feature, the Speed Frame Face Technology. This technology enhances the efficiency in which the energy is transferred from iron to ball. This again contributes to a fastball speed and long-distance. This iron also creates a great sound when a ball hits the iron head. The playability and feel it offers is also what most golfers go for.

What we liked

• This iron is a great choice for players who are high-handicappers
• The grip of this iron is great which builds confidence in golfers
• This iron is perfectly designed to achieve speed and distance
• It is very much affordable
• This iron offers forgiveness and a good feel

What we did not like

• This iron doesn’t provide good feedback which reduces the probability of learning from the game.

Srixon Z-765 Irons

Srixon is popular for making golf irons that are affordable yet have the quality of an expensive blade. Their irons are usually awarded for the quality they offer but sadly, in the USA, these irons are always available in a limited amount. The Z-765 iron provides more value and performance than similar irons manufactured by big companies and sold at an unimaginable higher price.

The Z-765 iron is a forged iron and has a forged steel shaft that offers forgiveness without compensating for the feel and sound of the iron. Interestingly for many golfers who are looking to buy iron on a budget right now, the Z-765 is available at an unavoidable price because of the launch of its newest version, the Z-785 irons.

The sole of Z-765 irons is very well modified to make it move swiftly through a turf. The Z-765 irons are made from carbon steel and are crafted in a process that uses great heat treatment. The material and forging of this iron helps to give it a consistently soft and smooth feel. All irons in this set have large grooves that help develop great contact in wet situations. The double laser milling of irons helps develop great control and spin for the user.

What we liked

• The Z-765 offers a great shot-shaping feature
• The iron is made from smooth steel which provides a great feel and sound
• The price f the iron is pretty affordable now because of a new iron launch from the same series

What we didn’t like

• The production of this iron is pretty low around the USA and are almost always scarce

TaylorMade M2 Iron set

This iron set came into existence in the year 2017, so definitely not too old. Packed with great technology and wonderful features, the TaylorMade M2 Iron set is available at a great value now. The thing with buying iron sets that are a little old is that the price they offer for their value and quality, after a few years, makes them affordable for many golf players.

Iron is considered a major asset by any golfer and the M2 iron set is indeed a choice worth going for.

TaylorMade has made M2 iron sets quite forgiving. The design and structure is given lots of attention by the makers. The top lines on the club are thin to ensure it attracts low-handicappers. The Geocustic tuning technology used in this iron set, helps increase the quality of feel and sound. The iron also offers a great distance with a good ball speed. Thanks to its carbon steel body, this iron set is extremely lightweight yet pretty strong. It offers an ultra-low center of gravity which is another wonderful attraction that most golfers look for.

Most of the M2 features are carried into TaylorMade’s newly developed irons. This implies that M2 is a great option to consider as its technology is being passed on to its newer versions.

What we liked

• The design and structure of this iron makes it a great purchase for low-handicappers
• Almost three years old, this iron has all the qualities and technologies that are passed on to other irons developed in the M series.
• It is very pretty affordable.
• The carbon steel body gives it a strong body.

What we didn’t like

• The iron is three years long which some golfers might consider too old to trust its technology.

Cobra Golf Men’s King Forged Rickie Fowler Iron Set

The KING FORGED Rickie Fowler Iron set is again an iron from the year 2017. This set has tour irons that are ideal for a golfer who wants a tour-like performance. This iron has a great shot-making ability, and a soft feel that most expert golfers demand. This iron set promises to provide accuracy and feel and speed consistency to the player on even the hardest of games and tours.  This iron set being three years old is very much affordable now.

The iron set is made by a five-step forging process that has allowed a great iron shape and a refined structure for super performance and feel. The tungsten weights placed on the sole of the iron has helped lower the center of gravity to deliver lots of precision and forgiveness.

The Thermoplastic Polyurethane located inside the iron helps reduce vibration which contributes towards a good feel. The grooves present in the structure helps deliver trajectory control and contribute towards a great spin every time.

What we liked

• The forging process that this iron set has gone through makes it extremely soft and refine for a superior performance
• The playability and control it delivers is loved by mostly all tour players
• It offers lots of forgiveness and precision
• The trajectory control of this iron set is great which contributes towards a great launch.

What we didn’t like

• The iron is only suited for experienced players because of its muscle back.

Callaway Women’s Strata Set

This set has one of the best iron sets for women at an affordable price. These irons are almost overlooked by many because they come as a part of a complete set that is known as the Callaway Women’s Strata set. The golf irons in this set offer a great amount of feel, distance, and forgiveness at a price that is way lower than many other iron sets.

This set is designed while keeping females with a slow swing speed in mind. The set comes in a good-looking black and pink bag. This set has 11 pieces which make it convenient to carry along anywhere. The 11 pieces include Driver, 5 Wood, 5 Hybrid, 7 & 9 Iron, SW, Putter, Stand Bag, and 3 Headcovers. The woods are designed to give lots of distance, forgiveness, and feel to the women players.

The iron shafts are made of graphite which makes all irons in this set pretty lightweight. The irons have a stainless steel body which offers a lot of forgiveness, control, and sound. The high launch angle that these irons offer is also what most women golfers love. This iron set will suit those women players who are beginners or are high-handicappers.

 What we liked

• The set has everything from irons, pitching, gap, and Sand wedges which makes it a great buy for golfers who are on a budget
• The irons are designed perfectly for golfers who are just about to enter the world of golf
• The shafts are made up of graphite making them super lightweight
• The irons in the set provide lots of forgiveness, sound, and control to the player
• This set is available at a great price which is quite affordable for beginners.

What we didn’t like

• This set will suit those women players who are “well-experienced” and are looking for shafts with premium quality.

PING G400 Black Dot Irons

Ping can never go wrong with their golf irons. G400 provides a performance as great as irons that are used on tours. The G400 iron offers a neutral angle to its users to help golfers enjoy a balanced turf.

The design of this iron makes it quite suitable for players on tours. The performance and forgiveness it offers is quite commendable.

This iron is made up of stainless steel that’s treated in a special heat-treatment process. The material that steel is, it helps provide a crisp feel to this iron and a lot of strength in its structure. The shaft of this iron is also made of steel which gives this iron a firm grip and a mid-trajectory flight.

This iron is made with COR-Eye™ Technology that produces a greater ball speed and an added distance. This iron has an Undercut Cavity which expands to increase ball speed and also helps with a high launch. With so many things it has to offer, Ping G400 Black Dot Iron is an excellent iron for Mid-Handicappers.

What we liked

• This iron is made from stainless steel that delivers quality and performance like any tour-like golf irons.
• It offers great performance and forgiveness
• The iron shaft is super light and firm
• This iron is great for Mid-Handicappers

What we didn’t like

• The brand name isn’t much popular
• This iron is a little pricey when compared to the features it offers

Cleveland Golf Launcher HB Iron Set

Considered as the best hybrid iron set available in the market, Cleveland Golf Launcher HB is a clear choice for golfers who are looking for irons that offer great help and are also very affordable. Launcher HB Iron can help a golfer in many ways.

This iron has a large clubhead which is convenient to hit from. Golfers who are looking for irons that are extremely forgiving should definitely go for Launcher HB without giving a second thought. The hollow construction of this iron delivers more forgiveness than a cavity back iron.

This iron also offers a great launch with a fast swing speed because of its HiBore feature.

The steel face of this iron is ultra-thin which helps generate a longer distance. The thin structure of this iron’s face also allows better weight distribution which again contributes to better performance.

What we like

• This iron has a progressive design which makes it usable even after 10 years
• This iron is quite affordable
• The shaft is pretty lightweight which is great for ball speeds and launch
• The structure of this iron is very strong.

What we didn’t like

• The sound and feel that it delivers is not as great
• Experienced golfers might not go for this iron

What are the different types of irons?

To buy a great golf iron for the money, there are a few things you need to understand and the type is one of them. There are three different types of iron and each iron has its performance level. Each iron is crafted for a different level of player so make sure you are pretty clear whether you are a low-Handicappers, a mid-handicapper, or a high-handicapper.

Type 1. Muscle Back Irons

Muscle back irons are known for their designs, precision, and feel. They offer good forgiveness and the player does get to learn his mistake from every wrong shot even before the ball lands on the ground.

Muscle back irons have thin clubhead and offer small sweet spots. This iron is also known for producing a distributed weight through the whole clubhead. This reduces the sweet spot, significantly.

While playing with muscle-back irons, if the golf ball is hit in the middle of the iron’s head, the ball will end up traveling a long distance creating a straight trajectory. This is why, with these irons, the rule is to avoid the ball from hitting any off-center part of the clubhead. This will sadly result in the ball taking a short flight and not covering enough distance.

A muscle back iron offers more feel as compared to other types of irons. Low-Handicappers who are looking for precision, class, excellent feel, and a traditional outlook usually go for muscle-back irons. Players who love some control also fall for the performance this iron promises to offer. Players who are just beginning to start playing golf will find this iron way more advanced and difficult to hold.

Type 2. Cavity Back Golf Irons

It won’t be wrong to say that cavity back golf irons are what most golfers go for. This iron is perimeter weighted which offers a large sweet post when compared to a muscle back iron. The large sweet post, therefore, results in more forgiveness and a lot less feel than a muscle back iron. Cavity back irons are mostly used by mid-handicappers and high-handicappers. There are so many advanced tour players as well who go for cavity back irons.

Type 3. Hybrid Iron

This is comparatively the latest addition to the family of irons. Hybrid Irons are crafted for golfers that fail to hit the lower number of irons such as 5, 3, and 4. A hybrid iron is a mixture of iron and wood. A hybrid iron offers the strength and control of iron and the distance of the wood. A hybrid iron is perfect for mid-handicappers which are considered average golf players.

What are the Different Types of Shafts in Irons?

Doing some homework on different kinds of iron shafts is very important if you want to get yourself a perfect iron on a great deal. To get the very best irons for the money, it is vital to take a look at two different types of shafts that are available in the market.

Type 1. Steel Shafts

A majority of golfers, irrespective of their playing standards, go for steel shafts. Steel shafts are strong and offer great flexibility to irons. Steel is also very cheap and highly durable. This feature of this material again attracts many golfers who are into buying irons that can last a long time.

Some players, however, expect steel shafts to give them an advantage if an added distance. This is just a misconception. Steel shafts are only good to transfer the power and control that a player puts in from the iron to the golf ball. These shafts are great to make successful spins. Women or senior golfers find these shafts a little heavy so they usually go for other types of shafts.

Type 2. Graphite Shafts

These shafts are not very commonly crafted by iron manufacturers as steel shafts are. Graphite is a much lighter material than steel. Graphite shafts are extremely lightweight so players who do not have a fast swing can opt for graphite shafts to make the ball travel a long distance. This shaft works for any golf player but to buy it one needs to have enough money in their pockets. Graphite shafts are more expensive than steel shafts. This is because their production is expensive and that reflects on the prices these iron shafts are sold.

What to look for in an iron’s material?

It’s very similar to buying any other sports equipment. The material of the iron matters a lot. The durability, softness, and overall value of iron must be considered before putting your money on it.

Which material for an iron’s head should be preferred?

It all comes down to quality. A traditional clubhead is made up of wood but with advancements in technology, materials such as steel, Tungsten, copper, and titanium have also been used for clubhead. Irons with compact heads are considered for better performance but sadly, the more compact and thin the clubhead gets, the pricier it becomes.

How important are Forgiveness and Comfort?

Very important! If you are a golf enthusiast, you might know the factor that how forgiving an iron is, is pretty crucial. The best irons under budget should have a large sweet spot to give you more forgiveness and decrease the possibility of any mis-hit.

With comfort, we mean good grip, minimal vibration, and minimum fatigue. All these factors are crucial to build your performance and help you gain confidence in your game.

Now that you are aware of the different kinds of shafts and irons that there are, here are a few tips and tricks that will help you find great irons for the money you have in your budget.

1. If you are looking for forged irons then any iron that falls below the $800 mark in price is great enough to buy.
2. If you are a beginner, go for iron sets that are selling just the most important irons that you need at that moment. Buying an iron kit with all kinds of irons will obviously hit your pocket hard.
3. If you are into the thinnest of irons and want them to feel great too, be prepared to pay a hefty amount to the manufacturers. While looking for iron on a budget you need to understand that you will have to make some compromises on your purchase.
4. Technology changes every year, but most new irons released are very similar to their old versions except for the price. Always compare the older version of iron with a new one to get a clear picture of any updates made. If not, try buying the older version because it will be far cheaper than the new one.
5. Steel shafts are always cheaper than graphite. Try choosing a steel shaft if you can.

If you think there are no golf irons available for you because maybe you are too short or too tall, save your money and get yourself a customized iron made.

Conclusion

Anything, be it a golf iron or any other sports equipment, is loved only when it is purchased within the buyer’s budget and meets all the quality requirements. A golf iron that offers great quality and is available for the money, is indeed a ‘worth-making’ purchase.

Golf equipment is expensive, and when you can find a set of irons that are a great value, it is certainly worth taking advantage of. The better the deal you can find, the more rounds of golf you can play with the money you save! The TaylorMade Golf M6 is the best golf iron for the money. With the M6, you will not sacrifice on distance or forgiveness, even though you will be saving money. You will want to act quickly on the M6 purchase as these will eventually start to sell out.

The Callaway Rogue would be the next best choice as they were released at the same time as the M6. You will get modern distance and launch technology at a very fair value. Keep in mind that value golf irons are going to sell out much quicker than the new releases.