Best Callaway Irons For High Handicappers 2023

1. Callaway Rogue Irons

Selling Points

• 360 Face Cup
• VFT technology
• Tungsten weighting

One thing that high-handicappers don’t need is excess vibration from their clubs. The Callaway Rogue irons have very thin faces which delivers great ball speed but usually means increased vibration. But Callaway has solved that problem with urethane microspheres which give these iron a soft feel.

And each iron in this set has progressive CG thanks to the Tungsten weighting. For each iron, the center of gravity is focused where it needs to be for maximum performance and player assistance. This is definitely an iron set for beginners who want to emphasize great feel.

Shaft Options:

• Synergy 60G
• True Temper XP 95 Steeples Steel

Lofts:

• 3 Iron – 18
• 4 Iron – 20.5
• 5 Iron – 23
• 6 Iron – 26
• 7 Iron – 30
• 8 Iron – 34.5
• 9 Iron – 39

Pros:

• Great sound and feel
• Incredible face flex
• Great ball speed

Cons:

• Small head size
• Not super long

Overall Rating: 94/100

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2. Callaway Mavrik Max

Selling Points

• Oversized heads
• Super game improvement irons
• Flash Face Cup

Now these are really more for mid-handicappers but beginners would still be able to get good use out of them. The Flash Face Cup technology makes the Mavrik Max’s incredibly forgiving. If you have trouble making contact near the sole or the crown, these irons will help you get the distance you need.

Once again, we see the proprietary urethane Microspheres in the heads of the Mavrik Max’s. That coupled with the Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 Soft grips effectively dampen excess vibration.

Shaft Options:

• True Temper Elevate 95 – Steel
• Project X Catalyst – Graphite

Lofts:

• 4 Iron – 18
• 5 Iron – 21
• 6 Iron – 24
• 7 Iron – 27
• 8 Iron – 31.5
• 9 Iron – 36

Pros:

• Easy to play
• Very forgiving
• Comfortable

Cons:

• For 15-36 handicaps
• Pricey

Overall Rating: 87/100

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3. Callaway Steelhead XR Irons

Selling Points

• 360 Face Cup
• Polyurethane layer
• Bore-thru hosel

The Steelhead irons became favorites for casual and high-handicap players because of their seamless combination of soft feel and accurate weighting. The steel-infused polyurethane bar in each iron provides progressive CG without harshing the feel.

The short irons get great spin thanks in part to the hollowed out hosel joint which allows more strategic weight to be placed in the head. The result is irons that interact with the turf very smoothly. These would be great irons for any player that wants more greenside spin control.

Shaft Options:

• Project X SD (graphite)
• True Temper XP 95 ST15 (steel)

Lofts:

• 3 Iron – 18
• 4 Iron – 20.5
• 5 Iron – 23
• 6 Iron – 26
• 7 Iron – 30
• 8 Iron – 34.5
• 9 Iron – 39

Pros:

• Very accurate
• Available in women’s sets
• Various flex options

Cons:

• A bit hard to find
• Shallow cavity back

Overall Rating: 91/100

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4. Callaway Big Bertha B21 Irons

Selling Points

• Tungsten Energy Core
• A.I. design
• Wide sole

If you are looking for an iron set that is easy to use and provides a massive sweet spot, these irons will be a dream for you. The Big Bertha’s are all about user-friendliness. The head profile is larger than your average irons making them incredibly easy to hit with.

There is also more offset in the head as opposed to other Callaway irons which helps squaring the the face at impact a lot easier. The Big Bertha’s come with Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 Soft grips.

Shaft Options:

• Callaway RCH Irons – Graphite
• KBS Max CT80 – Steel

Lofts:

• 4 Iron – 19
• 5 Iron – 22
• 6 Iron – 25
• 7 Iron – 29
• 8 Iron – 33
• 9 Iron – 38

Pros:

• Straight flight
• Easy launch
• Soft feel

Cons:

• No 3 iron
• Not very workable

Overall Rating: 93/100

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5. Callaway 2019 Apex Irons

Selling Points

• 1025 mild carbon steel design
• Tungsten infused
• Platinum chrome finish

These irons also feature the renowned 360 face sup technology which employs a shallow rim that allows the face to flex more at impact. Again, this means faster ball speed and less energy loss at impact.

The progressive weighting makes these great scoring irons for beginners. You get very predictable launch angles and straight ball flight. These would be ideal if you are ready to start attacking pins more often.

Shaft Options:

• Project X Catalyst 60 Graphite
• True Temper Elevate 95 Steel

Lofts:

• 3 Iron – 19
• 4 Iron – 21
• 5 Iron – 23.5
• 6 Iron – 26.5
• 7 Iron – 30.5
• 8 Iron – 34.5
• 9 Iron – 38.5

Pros:

• Consistent flight
• Regular, stiff or light flex
• Forged face

Cons:

• Only available in right-handed
• Limited offset

Overall Rating: 95/100

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6. Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Irons

Selling Points

• Smoked black finish
• Suspended energy core
• 360 Face Cup

The 2019 Big Bertha’s have a lot of the same features that the B21’s have. But they look totally different thanks to a smoked PVD finish that makes them look, well, cooler. They also come stock with Lamkin Z5 Genesis grips.

The 2019 iteration of the Big Bertha irons also features the suspended energy core which places a Tungsten weight bar deep in the head and surrounded with a layer of urethane microspheres. This deep CG gives these irons incredible launch almost effortlessly.

Shaft Options:

• UST Mamiya Recoil ZT9 Graphite
• UST Mamiya Recoil ESX Graphite

Lofts:

• 4 Iron – 20
• 5 Iron – 23
• 6 Iron – 26
• 7 Iron – 30
• 8 Iron – 34
• 9 Iron – 38

Pros:

• Striking looks
• Deep CG
• Good profile at address

Cons:

• Hard to find a new set
• Limited shaft options

Overall Rating: 92/100

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7. Callaway Mavrik Irons

Selling Points

• Flash Face Cup
• Individual face architecture
• A.I. design

The Mavrik series irons are the first on our list that feature Callway’s A.I. club design. Each club in this set has been precision manufactured for performance at every level. For high handicappers, the Mavrik series offers better face flex for faster ball speeds.

This means more distance in the notoriously difficult long irons. So if distance seems to be your arch enemy on the course, the Mavrik irons would be a great choice.

Shaft Options:

• True Temper Elevate 95 Steel
• Project X Catalyst Graphite
• KBS Max 80 Steel
• KBS TGI Graphite

Lofts:

• 4 Iron – 18
• 5 Iron – 21
• 6 Iron – 24
• 7 Iron – 27
• 8 Iron – 31.5
• 9 Iron – 36

Pros:

• Great distance
• Moderate head shape
• Tungsten energy core

Cons:

• Not the most accurate
• No 3 iron in the standard set

Overall Rating: 94/100

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8. Callaway X Hot Irons

Selling Points

• Deep undercut cavity
• Speed Frame Face
• Feel management technology

When these irons came out they were some of the longest and most forgiving. Using the Speed Frame Face, which was essentially the precursor to Callaway’s Flash Face technology, the X Hot irons increased flex at moment of impact to produce impressive ball speed across the face.

The X Hot irons also sport a deep cut cavity which makes it easier to get under the ball and launch it higher. These would be great irons for any beginner who often finds themselves in tough lies.

Shaft Options:

• TT Speed Step 85 Steel (PTIP)
• Callaway X Hot Iron Graphite

Lofts:

• 3 Iron – 18
• 4 Iron – 20
• 5 Iron – 23
• 6 Iron – 26
• 7 Iron – 30
• 8 Iron – 34.5
• 9 Iron – 39

Pros:

• Effortless distance
• Good rescue irons
• Comfortable swing weight

Cons:

• They no longer make new ones
• Only available in right-handed

Overall Rating: 92/100

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9. Callaway XR OS Irons

Selling Points

• Wider sole profile
• Internal Standing Wave
• 17-4 stainless steel design

The Callaway XR OS irons are great for beginners because they impart good swing mechanics. The internal standing wave technology sets the center of gravity as deep and low as it can possibly be. The result is very high MOI and irons that feel like they swing themselves.

While we wouldn’t rave about the accuracy of these irons, they are a high-handicappers dream because they make it easier to get good distance and apex height from the longer, more unruly irons.

That coupled with the wider sole profile which improves turf interaction (and high handicappers tend to interact with the turf a lot) makes these forgiving game improvement irons. They come stock with Callaway Universal grips.

Shaft Options:

• True Temper Speed Step 80 Steel Shaft

Lofts:

• 4 Iron – 22
• 5 Iron – 25
• 6 Iron – 28
• 7 Iron – 31.5
• 8 Iron – 35
• 9 Iron – 39.5

Pros:

• They come in left and right-handed
• Strong topline instills confidence
• Sounds crisp

Cons:

• Limited shaft options
• Not the most accurate irons

Overall Rating: 88/100

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10. (A Taylormade Set Worth Mentioning) TaylorMade M4 Iron Set

Selling Points

• RIBCOR technology
• Heel and toe weighting
• Fluted hosel

We know; these aren’t Callaway irons. But we thought we’d end our list with a little variety. After all, Callaway isn’t the only manufacturer making quality irons for high handicappers.

The M4 series features Taylormade’s RIBCOR technology which uses a more rigid material around the perimeter of the face for tighter shot dispersion and enhanced feel. It also increases flex in the sweet spot.

The fluted (essentially hollow) hosel saves on weight so that it can be redistributed low in the head. Again, this would help impart good swing mechanics to beginners and help them launch the ball higher and further.

Shaft Options:

• KBS Max 85
• Fujikura Atmos Red

Lofts:

• 3 Iron – 18
• 4 Iron – 20
• 5 Iron – 23
• 6 Iron – 25
• 7 Iron – 32
• 8 Iron – 35.5
• 9 Iron – 39

Pros:

• Very high MOI
• Leading edge helps correct low face shots
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Hard to find
• Not the best for taller players

Overall Rating: 89/100

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Final Thoughts

Our list features a lot of different irons but one thing they all have in common: they all have what beginner players need.

You would do well with any of these iron sets but it always helps to keep your own preferences and biases in mind. So take a look at the irons on our list and start enjoying better rounds.