GolfWRX has assembled an expert panel to help you choose the best 2023 irons for your game. New technology is being introduced to clubs, allowing for more consistent technology across the face. We also see more models that are well-suited for large sections of the fitting bell curve.
Working with a professional fitter who uses a launch monitor is the best way to determine your own iron set. It’s difficult because not everyone has easy access to launch monitors and fitters. GolfWRX does a lot of the hard work for them.
The era of maximising distance and minimising the penalty for common misses is here. This applies equally to irons as any other bag club. To maximize your results, custom fitting is crucial.
We want you to be able to make the best choice for yourself. This is why we offer recommendations to suit your needs and provide feedback and insight from people who are constantly working to improve the performance of golfers’ equipment.
The 2023 Best Irons: How We Did It
Before we started the process of creating our best iron survey, our trusted fitters were contacted to discuss how they sort the infinite number of options for golfers. It was unanimously agreed that the best fitters can see all available options, analyze them, and draw from their internal database of knowledge and experiences like a supercomputer when working with golfers.
It is essentially a large decision tree that has been compiled from experience. It can be boiled down to a starting list of options.
Modern iron sets are designed to fit into different player categories. GolfWRX believes it is important to ask more than just “what’s my handicap?” to get the right questions. We also want to know what the key performance elements that fitters consider to help players choose the best set of irons. We tried to get the right questions, from overall performance to shotmaking to helping players achieve better trajectories, speed and trajectory,
These are the top iron categories that we have created to help you, the reader, decide which rankings are most important to your game and swing.
These are the top 2023 irons: The categories
- Performance overall
- Launching is the easiest
- Pure enjoyment
- Shotmakers
- Technology-packed most
- Best blade
Meet the Fitters: The 2023 Best Irons
- Nick Sherburne, Founder, Club Champion
- Clare Cornelius: Fitter, Cool Clubs
- Shaun Fagan – Fitter, True Spec Golf
- Kirk Oguri – PGA Professional/ Club Specialist Pete’s
- Scott Felix: Owner, Felix Club Works
- Mark Knapp, Fitter, Carls Golfland
- Ryan Johnson: Fitter Carl’s Golfland
- BradCoffield: Fitter Carl’s Golfland
- Matthew Sim, Director of Operations, Modern Golf
- Scott Sikorski: Fitter, Club Champion
- Ryan Grimes – Fitter, Club Champions
- Ben Giunta, Owner, Tour Van
- Alex Dice, Fitter, Carl’s Golfland
- Gus Alzate – Fitter, True Spec Golf
- Marc Roybal – Fitter, True Spec Golf
- Carmen Corvino – Fitter, True Spec Golf
- Bobby Ennis, Club Champion
- Dane Byers – Fitter, Club Champions
- Blake Smith: Fitter True Golf
- Shaun Fagan – Fitter, True Spec Golf
- Mark Hymerling, Fitter, Club Champions
- Joey Simon – Fitter, Club Champions
- Dean Fry: Fitter, TXG
- Jim Yenser, Fitter, Club Champions
- Dan Palmisaro: Fitter, Club Champion
- Mike Martysiewicz, Director of Club Building & Fitting TXG
- Rob Gallagher, Fitter, Club Champions
- Alex Praeger – Fitter, Club Champions
2023 The Best Irons: Simple to Launch
This type of irons is for players with a higher height. Technology can help players create proper spin and flight widows with today’s modern golf balls. These irons all do their best to create shot-stopping trajectories regardless of the clubhead speed.
Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal HL
Their story: Mizuno’s JPX923 Hot Metal introduced “4355 Nickel chromoly,” a 35% stronger material than the original Hot Metal and allowing for a thinner clubface of eight percent. Cup face construction is done in conjunction with a deep center gravity to provide high launch and stopping power. Mizuno created Hot Metal Pro, Hot Metal, and Hot Metal (High Launch) using 175,000 real swings that were recorded with Mizuno’s Swing DNA software. JPX923 Hot MetalHL is a cavity with a high launch speed that provides a better launching option for players who have moderate swing speeds and/or aggressive shaft lean. It’s ideal for high handicap golfers.
From the fitters
- Mizuno is Mizuno, making another great iron for high handicappers and improving their ball flight with lower lofts. Mizuno is a great club to use in fittings. It has great ball speed and feels great.
- “Excellent ball speed for an iron that is designed to lift the ball in the air with Mizuno feel. This iron is great for those who need to swing slower and require more height. I love the CG position; it’s low and back from where the club faces. These are great for increasing forgiveness, launch, and static loft.
- Mizuno asked what we thought about their game improvement side. We replied that players don’t hit it high enough. Your lofts are too strong. This club is suitable for a wide variety of players. There have been fittings in which we are 2 degrees below standard.
- “This was a club we pleaded for someone to start. A game improvement iron with loft. We wanted it to have all the technology, but make it half as weaker. This allows players who are unable to get the ball up in the air to have a 5- or 6-iron in their bag, rather than relying on a hybrid.
- “The low spins we’re seeing in so many players means that the higher we can launch the ball, the better it will hit. This is an excellent option for many women. This is a great option for players who need launch more than anything. This is a great product that we are using a lot and is performing extremely well.
View more photos/information in ‘s launch piece.
TaylorMade Stealth HD
Their story: This new addition features a low profile head shape for the long irons. It is designed to lower the ball’s CG to aid in airborne flight. Progressive head sizes (each iron has a unique shape and becomes incrementally larger as it goes from 5-iron to pitching wedge) are intended to optimize each iron’s performance. The new shape features an increased sole radius and a step-down design at the bottom. TaylorMade’s testing showed that increasing the sole radius from heel to tip resulted in more shots being launched higher on the face. This translates into higher launch and helps the golfer get the ball to the air. Step down soles are designed to improve playability by decreasing the surface area that touches the turf.
From the fitters
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These are great for players who struggle with launch.
“I knew of a man who couldn’t hit it through the second-story window. But the first swing with this iron, it flew 60 feet in the air. It’s straight up in the air and has all the distance and tech TaylorMade irons are famous for. This iron will do well as we move into the season.
“Higher handicappers need higher shots and shots that draw. TaylorMade’s HD — high draw — is the perfect tool to deliver this. It’s a new club. It’s similar to how hybrids were 20 years ago. They do their job, and I appreciate the ability to think outside the box. - “The face-wrapped design makes it super hot and forgiving. The hollow body is great for speed and stability. The HD changes the CG, giving golfers the freedom to hit high-flying shots with more forgiveness and height.
- “The new sole design makes it easier to navigate the turf with the extra weight in the back. This allows players who struggle with launch to reach the height they need with more forgiveness.
View more photos/info in Read our launch piece
Ping G430 HL
Their story. The G430 irons are Ping’s longest iron. They combine a lower center of gravity with stronger lofts and a thinner face, which delivers up to 2 mph more ball speed. PurFlex cavity badge is at the core of this new addition. This innovation features seven Flex Zones that allow for more freedom in design and ball speed. The badge, which has a lower CG and a solid feel, aims to make a pleasant impact sound. To ensure adequate gapping options, a 41-degree PW was added to the set. This allowed for standard lofts in traditional scoring wedges (45, 50, 54, and 58 degrees).
From the fitters
- These are hands down the most attractive game improvement irons on the market. This club can be used by players who are slower and need more launch support. For players with higher handicaps, the compact and lightweight shape is ideal. We can help players achieve the ball flight they desire with retro spec and Power spec adjustments. These irons might be the best ever made!
- “With the 45g stock shaft option, players can accelerate and launch the ball, making it softer.
- It’s not much different from the G430 standard, which is fantastic, but it comes in a lighter package. This is the perfect choice for the player who needs to use the G430, but doesn’t want to carry a lot of weight.
- “Light, fast and easy to elevate. Ping irons are still a hit with slower-swinging golfers.
- “Great for height, spin, and forgiveness. Ping put a lot of technology into the G430 with the Pureflex Badge and helped players hit it higher by offering a HL version of an already high-launching iron.
View more photos/info in ‘s launch piece.
Callaway Paradym X
Their story: A.I. that is industry-leading Callaway’s strongest forged iron face is created by applying face technology to a Forged 455 Face. Each face is optimized for speed, greater launch and better spin consistency. The all-new Hollow Body design includes Speed Frame construction to provide stiffness and support for Forged 455 Face Cup. This unique design is what stabilizes a thinner face for extremely fast ball speeds. ParadymX irons were designed for golfers looking for an iron with a premium forged feel and long reach.
From the fitters
- It just happens. Amazing ball speed. It’s amazing to me how fast this iron is hitting the ground. This iron is for those who want to get distance.
- “Numero uno is for me for getting the ball in the air and getting a person some distance. This will be pulled 10 times out of 10. A cannon.”
- “Launches high with hollow CG design and super hot AI designed faces that get the ball moving up and quickly, which leads to great speed and forgiveness even for slower players.”
- “Launches great and goes straight.”
- “Long, steady, and great forgiveness. It is extremely easy to hit. This is the most powerful distance iron in this category.
View more photos/info in ‘s launch piece.
XXIO X
Their story: Made from special steel, the new High-Strength face plate allows for a thin face of 2.1mm. This allows for greater ball speed and improved performance when shots are struck low. In order to improve ball speed and swing speed, the clubs have a heavier shaft and clubhead. Manufacturers placed mass behind the hands to aid players in finding the perfect spot on their downswing to maximize consistency.
From the fitters
- “We do a lot XXIO and I don’t really reshaft them. They have the right kick point. They are hot in stock and can go to the moon. They still have a sleek profile and almost look like an old Srixon. This and other fittings can be up to 25 feet apart, I have seen it.
- “Continues being the best overall performer of the category.”
- “A great iron for slower swing speed players.”
- “XXIO is our lightest head, and we love pulling it for slow swing speeds. This combination of shaft and head is amazing, and I have seen incredible results for those who hit all their irons the same distance.
- This iron is easy to reach height. You can throw it in the hands of players who have difficulty launching it or need speed. It will immediately make a difference.
View more photos/information in ‘s launch piece.
