When it comes to irons, golfers often find themselves caught between looking for something which fits their eye, but also gives them the performance that they need to play their best golf.
If you're a better player who doesn't struggle with ball-striking, then the focus is on looks, feel, workability and consistency so that you get the results that you expect, in a package which you're proud to look down on in your bag.
We've put together our favourite irons for low-handicap golfers that we've tested this year. If you're a better player looking to switch out your irons in the near future, these should be on your list.
Released: 11/02/21
RRP As Reviewed: £1099
Quick Hit: Players cavity irons that look fantastic, but are reserved for only the best ball-strikers. As used by Jon Rahm to win the US Open.
The Tech: There isn't much of it! The head is crafted from a forged 1025 steel, with lofts, bounces, blade lengths and COR specifically designed to suit the needs of better players. Internal and external MIM tungsten weighting helps to promote precise shot control and a soft feel.
Golfalot Says: They may be ideal for someone who doesn't quite want to take the plunge and use a set of blades, as they feel just as good but with a touch more help in the strike.
Read the FULL REVIEW here
Released: 26/08/21
RRP As Reviewed: £1148
Quick Hit: Titleist's tour iron gets a cleaned up look, and the numbers back it up, in one of the hottest irons of the year.
The Tech: The lofts are 2 degrees stronger than in the T100 iron, and they feature a new Muscle Channel which frees up weight and allows for a unique centre of gravity for each iron. A continuous cradle construction creates a 'seamless striking surface' and more uniform leading edge.
Golfalot Says: I was really impressed by the upgrades to the model and it ended up being my favourite iron of the whole T Series range this time around.
Read the FULL REVIEW here.
Released: 01/2021
RRP As Reviewed: £849
Quick Hit: Great looking and feeling better-player irons which offer excellent value for money.
The Tech: Twenty grams of high-density tungsten placed in the toe of the mid and long irons enhance stability at impact, whilst lowering the CG for more consistency. The forged carbon steel face gives a muscle-back feel, while the cavity back design gives more consistency on all shots.
Golfalot Says: These are great irons that tick a lot of boxes and I really believe that they will stand the test of time too.
Read the FULL REVIEW here.
Released: 19/09/2021
RRP As Reviewed: £899
Quick Hit: Brooks Koepka's new irons look and feel fantastic, and are more forgiving than you might think...
The Tech: A Tour Cavity is used to reposition mass to the perimeter and centre of the head, giving it a larger sweet spot. A V-shaped Tour VT sole is added to the sole of the iron, helping to improve turf interaction.
Golfalot Says: The Srixon ZX7 irons are pretty close to faultless if you're in the market for a 'better player' option. They look fantastic, feel great and perform brilliantly.
Read the FULL REVIEW here.
Released: 01/01/2021
RRP As Reviewed: £1099
Quick Hit: Stunning looking irons are built for the best players in the game. Feel, feel, feel.
The Tech: High performance 20V grooves promote control and consistent spin levels that better players expect, whilst also working to reduce fliers from the rough. A new weight in the centre of the clubhead is designed to dial in swing weights without sacrificing the CG location.
Golfalot Says: The gains in precision and feel are massive, I really enjoyed creating ball flights and seeing the outcome I expected from the strikes I put on the ball.
Read the FULL REVIEW here.
Released: 10/08/20
RRP As Reviewed: £1299
Quick Hit: You might not be able to hit your irons like Collin Morikawa, but at least you can pretend with these sleek, great-feeling beauties from TaylorMade.
The Tech: Compact Grain Forging provides optimal precision and consistent performance across the entire set. Machined milling on the grooves and face provide the right levels of spin and control for shot shaping. The irons take inspiration from Dustin Johnson's Tour Proto model with a thin topline, minimal offset and narrow sole.
Golfalot Says: TaylorMade has produced a stunning iron for elite players that performs exactly as you'd expect it to, so if you are in the market for new blades then I would suggest giving these a go without question.
Read the FULL REVIEW here.
Check out the rest of our Best Of articles here:
Best Drivers of 2021
Best Golf Shoes of 2021
Best Golf Tech of 2021