Best Driving Irons For High Handicappers 2023
What Matters In A Driving Iron For A Beginner
Before you purchase your driving iron, you will want to make sure that you consider the club and make sure that it is a perfect fit for you.
Driving irons are not always easy to hit; however, if you find one that matches your swing, body type, and skill set, you will likely succeed.
Length
Driving irons are naturally going to be longer than the rest of the clubs in your bag. As clubs decrease in the loft, they are also going to increase in the distance. You will notice that the length of your driving iron will be very similar to that of your four iron.
If you are an average height player, then you should not worry about custom length on the driving iron. However, if you are taller than 6’0” or shorter than 5’6”, you may want to get custom fitted for your new driving iron.
Shaft
The shaft in the driving iron can be either steel or graphite. Some golfers will see a graphite shaft in a driving iron and think that it isn’t for them because they are using steel shafts. This just isn’t the case. You can use a graphite shaft in a driving iron even if you play steel in your irons.
The reason behind this concept is that you want to try and generate as much speed as possible with your driving iron. That speed is going to translate into distance off the tee directly. Don’t worry about switching to a graphite shaft in the driving iron.
Flex
Driving irons will have flexes that are similar to your irons or current driver. The flex that you choose should be directly related to the speed of your golf swing. Fast swingers need to choose a stiffer shaft than the slower swingers.
Head Thickness
Some driving irons are made to look like another iron in your set, and they will have a very thin top-down look. Many golfers are going to prefer this and consider a more traditional style.
Other driving irons are going to look a bit more like a hybrid. This is done to help get more forgiveness and to increase the launch of the club as well. You will have to decide for yourself where your game is at the time and what appeals to you more.
Grips
Driving irons are going to come with standard golf grips. It is effortless to replace a grip on a driving iron should you have large or small hands and need a new grip. We don’t recommend going with a midsize grip on your driving iron unless your hands are rather larger.
With That Being Said, Let’s Jump Straight Into Our List
1. 2020 Cobra Golf King Utility Iron
Who Is It For
A golfer of any handicap can play with the new Cobra Golf King Utility Iron. Players with low handicaps love the feel, while higher handicaps love the consistency. With adjustability, a ton of forgiveness, and performance, this is a perfect first driving iron.
Selling Points
- Adjustable lofts
- Cobra Connect Technology
- Classic looking golf club
- Forged Face
Technology
- My Fly 8 adjustability
- Hollow Construction
- Tungsten Weighting
Shaft Type & Flex: Choice between KBS Steel or Catalyst 80 Graphite
Grip: Cobra Lamkin Crossline
Performance & Accuracy
Cobra is always known for its forgiveness, but with the Cobra King Utility, they will be known for distance as well. You can hit these utility irons a long way, and they don’t feel nearly as difficult to hit as a traditional long iron.
Pros:
- Easy to hit
- Large, forgiving face
- Hollow construction for extra distance
- Available in several shaft options
- Fairly priced considering technology
Cons:
- Forged clubhead look can be intimidating to higher handicappers at first
Overall Rating: 99/100
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2. TaylorMade GAPR LO Golf Driving Iron
Who Is It For
The TaylorMade GAPR Lo Gold Driving iron is the best premium driving iron for high handicappers and beginners. These TaylorMade clubs were designed to fill the gap between the hybrids and the irons. They were made in several different models that will appeal to a wide range of players. The loft sleeve helps golfers to ensure that they have the perfect setup and loft for each swing.
Selling Points
- Long-distance
- Tour Proven profile
- Workability
Technology
- Speed foam technology
- Larger sole width
- Loft sleeve for perfect loft gapping
Shaft Type & Flex:KBS Hybrid Shaft-Several Lofts Available
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Performance &Accuracy
TaylorMade prides itself on distance. The longer you can hit the ball, the happier that TaylorMade is. If you still need distance off the tee but don’t want a driver, try this GAPR.
Pros:
- Tour proven shape
- High quality graphite shaft
- Allows golfers to work the ball
- Adjustable sleeve for a custom fit
Cons:
- Slightly smaller profile than other GAPR
- Premium pricing
Overall Rating: 97/100
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3. LAZRUS Premium Golf Driving Iron
Who Is It For
If you have never played with a driving iron before, you may not want to break the bank on a brand new one. If that describes your situation, than the Lazrus is a great choice to consider. The Lazrus is a true and traditional one iron. You won’t find many of these in the game of golf anymore. The club is built like the rest of the Lazrus irons with forgiving cavity back construction.
Selling Points
- Use from the tee or the fairway
- Priced better than other choices
- Very low loft with long distance
Technology
- Deep grooves for spin
- Control and consistency
Shaft Type & Flex:Steel Shaft Regular Flex
Grip:Custom Lazrus Grip
Performance &Accuracy
The Lazrus 1 iron is all about control. If you feel as though you lack control in your golf game, this club will help you gain it back.
Pros:
- Very low price
- Good quality
- Very few 1 irons still sold
Cons:
- Not all that forgiving
- The steel shaft is a bit heavy
Overall Rating: 88/100
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4. Titleist 716 T-MB Utility Individual Iron Right
Who Is It For
If you are a golfer that cares about feel and precision, then the 716 T-MB is for you. The T-MB is going to be considered a bit more of a players club but even high handicappers will recognize the performance that it offers.
Selling Points
- High launch
- Some of the best feel on the market
- A classic looking driving iron
Technology
- Muscle back shaping
- Tungsten weighting lowers the center of gravity
- Thinner top-down look
Shaft Type & Flex:True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT S300 Steel
Grip:Golf Pride Half Cord
Performance &Accuracy
Although golfers should choose clubs based on what feels and looks good, they need to be careful with that. The T-MB is one of the better-looking golf driving irons, but it is not as forgiving as some other choices out there. The lower tungsten weighting does help to provide some launch but be aware there may be a learning curve with this iron.
Pros:
- Great feel
- Fair price for Titleist
- Higher launching driving iron
Cons:
- Not as forgiving as something like the Cobra
Overall Rating: 90/100
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5. 2020 TaylorMade SIM Max UDI Utility Iron
Who Is It For
The technology does not get much more recent than it does with the SIM MAX UDI. This is a new addition to the SIM Line of products, and if you like high performing technology and lots of distance, this could be the club for you. The SIM Max works well for a wide range of handicaps and beginners as well.
Selling Points
- Tour-inspired shape
- Hollow body construction
- Lots of ball speed
- Easy to hit from a variety of lies
Technology
- Speed foam
- Hollow body construction
- C300 Forged Face
- Speed pocket
Shaft Type & Flex:Graphite or Stiff Shaft Available in many flexes
Grip:Lamkin Black and White Grip
Performance &Accuracy
This driving iron does the best job of combining distance, feel, and forgiveness into a club that is traditionally very difficult to hit. You will be very surprised by the easy power and control you get from the SIM.
Pros:
- Perfect replacement for a driver
- Lots of ball speed
- Tour proven shape
- Easy to hit
Cons:
- Priced considerably higher than other options out there
Overall Rating: 96/100
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6.Mizuno Mp20 HMB 2 Iron
Who Is It For
You may be surprised to see a Mizuno driving iron on a list for high handicappers. The Mizuno HMB irons have a classic muscle back shape but lots of high launch capability as well. It’s hard to find a true 2 iron in a set for beginners or high handicappers, but this Mizuno MP20 HMB will do the trick.
Selling Points
- Lower center of gravity
- Great looking golf club
- Almost no glare when looking at the club head
- Great feel, among the best in golf
Technology
- Grain flow forged from 4135 Chromoly
- Tungsten weighting
- Full stain brush finish
Shaft Type & Flex:Nippon NS Pro Modus 3 120
Grip:MCC Classic White Black
Performance &Accuracy
The Mizuno MP20 HMB was built for the lower handicap player, but it has plenty of performance for the high handicappers. If you care about feel but still need help with the long game, this is a great choice.
Pros:
- Very good feel and performance
- High performance golf shaft
- Wider sole for a softer feel
- Great turf interaction
Cons:
- A 2 iron is not all that forgiving
- Sweet spot is a bit small
Overall Rating: 94/100
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7. Ram Golf FX Hybrid Driving Iron Men’s Right Hand
Who Is It For
The Ram FX Driving iron is another value driving iron that is perfect for a beginner who wants to keep the driver in the bag for a while. This club looks just like another iron in the bag but has a low loft and lots of distance enhancing qualities.
Selling Points
- Lots of forgiveness
- Looks like another iron in the bag
- Black club head for low glare
Technology
- Very high moment of inertia
- Low center of gravity
- Performs like any other iron in the bag
Shaft Type & Flex:Steel Stock Shaft
Grip:Standard Ram
Performance &Accuracy
If you want the consistency and controllability of an iron but need the distance of a driver, this is a great choice. The Ram is also very fairly priced.
Pros:
- Very forgiving
- High ball speeds
- Affordable
Cons:
- Feel will not be as good
- Distance does not compare to something like the SIM UDI
Overall rating: 92/100
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8. Taylormade P790 UDI Single Iron 2 Iron
Who Is It For
The TaylorMade P790 irons are some of the best selling on the market. They have a look and feel of a forged club with the forgiveness of a cavity back. The SpeedFoam technology used in the P790 will make it, unlike any club you have ever hit.
Selling Points
- Updated design
- Very forgiving for a 2 iron
- Works very well from the fairway as well
- Impressive turf interaction
- Great top-down look
Technology
- Hollow construction
- High ball speeds
- Speedfoam
Shaft Type & Flex:Dynamic Gold ONXY 105 S300 (Stiff)
Grip:Golf Pride
Performance &Accuracy
The TaylorMade P790 is going to go down in history as some of the highest performing irons ever made. These clubs give golfers of all levels the performance they need. The only problem with getting involved with the P790 is you will want the whole set.
Pros:
- High performing
- Easy to hit
- Plenty of launch
- Very high ball speeds
Cons:
- Priced a bit high
- New SIM MAx UDI seems a bit more forgiving
Overall Rating: 96/100
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9. MacGregor Golf MacTec X Driving Iron 21°, Men’s Right Hand
Who Is It For
MacGregor Golf MacTex Driving Iron is built for the golfer that wants a modern look and feel without having to pay for it. This is a very affordable driving iron, but it provides some incredible performance. This is one of the better choices if you are concerned about forgiveness.
Selling Points
- Lots of great control
- Lightweight and great for slower swinging players
Technology
- Engineered thin face
- Very lightweight shaft for added speed
- Perimeter weighting
- Low center of gravity
Shaft Type & Flex:Macgregor Graphite Regular or Stiff Flex
Grip:Golf pride standard
Performance &Accuracy
With the anti glare finish and the low center of gravity, you can get the look and the feel of a premium club for a very low price. This is a club that will give you both distance and forgiveness.
Pros:
- Forgiving
- Great look
- Control of an iron
- Forgiving out of the rough as well
Cons:
- Shaft is not as high end as other options
- Not available in steel
Overall Rating: 92/100
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10. Callaway Golf 2018 Men’s X Forged Utility Individual Iron
Who Is It For
The X Forged Utility irons are probably the cleanest looking utility on the market. You will get plenty of performance and distance from a club with a very thin top down look.
Selling Points
- Forged construction
- Control and power
- Designed for a lower ball flight
Technology
- 360 Face cup
- Tungsten infused insert
- High MOI
Shaft Type & Flex:Steel or Graphite Shaft Options In a variety of flexes
Grip:Golf Pride
Performance & Accuracy difficult
The X Forged Utility Iron is built for golfers with high swing speeds that want to hit stinger type shots to their target. If you love the low ball that runs for miles, this is a great choice to consider. If you slice your shots or hit hooks here and there, you may want something more forgiving.
Pros:
- Great top-down look
- Low and penetrating ball flight
- 360 Face Cup for some forgiveness
Cons:
- Not all that forgiving
- Thin and intimidating look for beginners
Overall Rating: 90/100
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Whats A Driving Iron Good For
A driving iron can be a great addition to the golf bag of a new player. For many golfers, the tee is a scary part of the golf game. When playing golf from the tee, you will notice that there are more and more players taking their fairway wood or a long iron out of the bag. The driver is a club that many people just can’t get the hang of.
Luckily there are driving irons on the market. There are some great things about driving irons that make them an excellent addition to your set of clubs. Let’s look a bit deeper into what a driving iron is and why, as a beginner or a high handicapper, you may need one in your golf bag.
Benefits Of Driving Irons For Beginners
More Control From The Tee
A driver is a difficult club to hit. It looks nothing like the other clubs in your golf bag, it has very loft, and it is hit in a different way than an iron shot. When you swing a driver, you will need to hit it as part of your upswing, not your downswing.
For a beginner golfer, this is going to be very confusing and difficult to understand. Luckily the driving iron can get things a bit more consistent.
Consistency In The Game
If you are taking up the game of golf, chances are you are learning to hit an iron. If you have hit one iron, you can hit another iron. This is part of the reason behind why the driving iron is so effective for the beginners and higher handicappers.
If you learn a swing that will work with your seven iron, you can adjust your stance a bit and get it to work with all of your irons. This is a simple concept, but it is one that will certainly help you hit a driving iron a bit better.
Pricing
Have you seen the pricing on a new driver? Most of these drivers are going to cost close to $500, if not more. For a person who is just starting the game or only plays occasionally, this is undoubtedly a lot of money to spend.
When you look at the pricing of driving irons, you will see that they are much fairer. This difference in price to get more accuracy and almost as much distance from the tee seems worth it for many golfers.
A driving iron is also more versatile, which means you will get more for your money. If you want to hit a driving iron from the short grass, you can absolutely do so; it does not need to be from a tee. However, if you try and hit a driver off the fairway, it is going to be very difficult to do.
Establishing Fundaments
Part of why golfers struggle to hit a driver is that they do not have the fundamentals in place just yet. It takes some time to establish how to hit a golf ball and how to hit it the right way. When you introduce the driver and the specific driver swing, things can get confusing.
This is where a driving iron can help. With the driving iron, you are work on establishing great fundamentals and then pick up a driver when you are ready. When the time comes to grab a driver and learn how to hit it 300 yards, your fundamentals will be strong and in place.
Many people make the mistake of going to a driver before their golf game is quite ready for it. This usually leads to quite a bit of frustration, and sadly it can be enough for people to quit the game of golf.
CONCLUSION
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the best driving irons for beginners and high handicappers in 2020. Driving irons can make the game of golf fun again. You will be able to compete off the tee and keep the ball in the fairway much easier than you will with a driver.
The Cobra Golf King Utility stands out as the best overall choice not just because of its great look and the pricing but the feel and performance as well. This club you can purchase as a high handicapper and use it until you start breaking 80. The Cobra Utility Irons are adjustable, feel great, and will be with you for the long haul.
Aidan Lehane is a serial entrepreneur and scratch golfer who loves to get out on the course as often as possible. Aidan loves testing out new golf products and bringing his views to the public. I am not a pro yet but my handicap is improving every year and the new equipment always helps!
