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The following is a review of several top rated golf game-improvement irons from reputable brands such as Callaway, TaylorMade, Cobra, Nike, PING and others, released for the 2015 golf season or any year prior.
The great thing about these irons is that because of their age, you can typically find them at very low prices, even in new condition.
Considerations
Below the comparison chart (which compares the prices, features, pros and cons), I will list the irons according to my personal rating from highest to lowest and talk about their features, benefits and overall reception.
Any reviews of irons listed here that exist on Golfstead will be linked to in the appropriate sections.
What are game-improvement irons?
The irons that follow are game-improvement irons, which typically have wide soles, thicker top lines and larger heads overall.
They usually have limited workability, great forgiveness and are designed for higher handicap players.
If you prefer a thinner head with more workability (shot shaping ability), you should look at some available better-player options.
Reviews and discussions of these other types of irons will eventually be posted to Golfstead if they haven’t been already.
Note that exact prices depend on the set configuration, shaft material, shaft flex, and a few other factors, and are subject to change.
Specifications for the iron, stock shafts and/or stock grips can be found in the provided individual reviews or on the manufacturer’s official website.
| Iron | Price of a set in USD (subject to change) | Strengths and Weaknesses | My Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Callaway XR Buy on eBay  | Less than $300 on eBay | Strengths: • shots tend to fly high and straight • forgiveness is excellent across the face • length is outstanding • easy to swing • great feel and stability Weaknesses: • feedback could be better -- mis-hits and center hits feel similar • workability is limited • hot face is sometimes inappropriate for certain shots off the green • golfers with quick swings may experience consistency issues and trajectories that are too high | 4.9/5 |
| 2. Cobra Baffler XL Buy on eBay  | Less than $300 on eBay (with free shipping options) | Strengths: • very good forgiveness; resists sidespin • easy to get up in the air whether from the rough or a tight lie • solid and reliable distance • easy to swing and hit • cool profile • a ton of value for the money Weaknesses: • weight of the iron is a little uncomfortable for some • some struggle with trajectories that are too high • not the longest iron | 4.8/5 |
| 3. Callaway Big Bertha Buy on eBay  | Around $500 or less on eBay | Strengths: • top quality construction and build • distance and forgiveness are both among the best on the market • a tendency for a high and straight ball flight helps suppress slices/hooks and allows soft landings into the greens • impact feel is very soft and smooth Weaknesses: • relatively expensive • shot shaping ability is limited, particularly out of trouble lies (rough, etc.) • very chunky clubhead may be unsightly for some • feedback could be a bit more distinct | 4.8/5 |
| 4. Callaway Apex Buy on eBay  | Around $300 on eBay | Strengths: • good workability (shapes and trajectories) for a game-improvement iron • long with great distance control and accuracy on solid strikes • very good forgiveness • nice minimalist look • impact feel is crisp and satisfying Weaknesses: • not quite as forgiving as some other game-improvement contenders • balls can tend to fly a bit lower than desired | 4.8/5 |
| 5. Nike Vapor Speed Buy on eBay  | $350 or less on eBay (with free shipping options) | Strengths: • does a good job of handling tough lies • easy to shape shots with • ball flight is consistent • soft impact and stability through the ball • plenty of useful hit feedback Weaknesses: • some may find the iron to be a little too light • forgiveness is decent but could be better • thinner sole and relatively small amount of offset can make solid strikes a little more difficult to pull off, particularly with long irons | 4.7/5 |
| 6. PING G30 Buy on eBay  | Less than $300 on eBay | Strengths: • incredible forgiveness, both in terms of distance and direction • distance results are long, reliable and consistent • impact feel is crisp and consistent across the face -- what we've come to expect from PING Weaknesses: • a little on the expensive side • the large offset heads are disliked by some • less workable than many other irons | 4.7/5 |
| 7. TaylorMade RSi 1 Buy on eBay  | $200 or less on eBay | Strengths: • very playable; fairly easy to control ball height and curvature • superb forgiveness; minimal dispersion and great distance retention on mis-hits • non-slotted irons, in particular, feel very solid Weaknesses: • sound and feel for the slotted irons are questionable -- can be described as "hollow" or "clicky" • some might be distracted by the black lines on either side of the hitting area | 4.6/5 |
| 8. Cobra Fly-Z XL Buy on eBay  | Around $300-$350 on eBay | Strengths: • great accuracy and overall forgiveness • solid shots fly a consistent distance and direction • easy to get height on shots from almost any lie Weaknesses: • may not be ideal for golfers with strong swings and a high ball flight • not the longest iron on the market • can be difficult to engineer low-trajectory shots | 4.6/5 |
1. Callaway XR Iron (2015)
Prices & Where To Buy Online
You can get a set of XR irons for less than $300 on eBay. Another place to find really great prices is Callaway Golf Pre-Owned.
Overview & Features
See the relevant section in our full XR irons review for details.
Ratings
At the time of writing, the XR irons have a 4.7/5 on Global Golf and a 4.9/5 rating (97% recommended) with hundreds of reviews (amazing!) on the CGPO website.
These are best-selling irons and one of Callaway’s biggest successes.
Reviewers have lauded them for their great feel, relatively large sweet spot and crazy long distance. They’re also a noticeable improvement over the previous X Hot and X2 Hot irons.
My rating: 4.9/5
2. Cobra Baffler XL Iron
Prices & Where To Buy Online
You can get a set of Baffler XL irons for $300 or less on eBay, with free shipping options.
Overview & Features
See the relevant section in our full Baffler XL irons review for details.
Ratings
The Baffler XL irons have been superbly received by customers. They have a 4.9/5 (100% recommended) on the DSG website.
What People Like
- easy-to-hit
- cool-looking profile
- very generous mis-hit forgiveness
- reliable distance
- fantastic value for money
- easy to get up in the air from a variety of lies
What People Don’t Like
- some golfers find the weight of the iron to be uncomfortable
- some find the trajectory to be too high for their tastes
My rating: 4.8/5
3. Callaway Big Bertha Iron (2015)
Prices & Where To Buy Online
You can get a set of Big Bertha irons for around $500 or less on eBay. Another really great place to look is CGPO.
Overview & Features
See the relevant section in our full Big Bertha irons review for details.
Ratings
The Big Bertha irons have been received extremely good; perhaps this isn’t surprising given the fact that, well… it’s Callaway!
They have glowing reviews on the CGPO website (4.9/5 stars and 95% recommended).
What People Like
- amazingly good distance (many have reported gaining 15-20 yards or more with their mid irons)
- amazing feel even on off-center strikes
- solid trajectory (a tendency for a straight shot or slight draw)
- excellent forgiveness
What People Don’t Like
- some are a little bothered by the substantial offset
- some feel that the workability (shot shaping ability) of the irons could be better
My rating: 4.8/5
4. Callaway Apex Iron
Prices & Where To Buy Online
You can get a set of Apex irons for around $300 on eBay, depending on the exact configuration. I also strongly recommend you look at this CGPO page.
Overview & Features
See the relevant section in our full Apex irons review for details.
Ratings
The reception for these irons are tremendously positive.
They have a score of 4.9/5 (96% recommended) on Callaway’s website with hundreds of reviews.
Almost all golfers have lauded these irons for their excellent soft feel, extra distance (in part due to strong lofts) and mis-hit forgiveness. Relatively speaking, though, it doesn’t appear to be the most forgiving iron on the market.
My rating: 4.8/5
5. Nike Vapor Speed Iron
Prices & Where To Buy Online
You can get a Vapor Speed iron set for $350 or less on eBay.
Overview & Features
See the relevant section in our full Vapor Speed irons review for details.
Ratings
The Vapor speed irons have been received extremely well. They have a 4.5 rating on Nike’s official website and a 4.7/5 on Global Golf.
What People Like
- great feel
- great aesthetics
- great distance and height
- a big improvement over the previous year’s Nike Covert 2.0 irons
What People Don’t Like
- some feel that the forgiveness isn’t quit up to par with other irons in the game-improvement class
- some feel that the look at address isn’t very confidence-inspiring
My rating: 4.7/5
6. PING G30 Iron
Prices & Where To Buy Online
You can get a set of G30 irons for less than $300 on eBay. Also take a look at the stock on Global Golf (call for the price).
Overview & Features
The Ping G30 irons offer progressive lengths and lofts, as well a thin face that will help you launch the ball high and long without sacrificing control.
Faster ball speeds are provided by the “Custom Tuning Port” (CTP) which sits very low and supports a thin face.
The low-back center of gravity (CG) optimizes launch and forgiveness while contributing to a solid feel.
Slightly longer heads also boost the moment of inertia (MOI), and a new sole design ensures solid contact.
Ratings
The G30 irons have received great ratings from consumers and professional critics alike. For example, they have a 4.8/5 rating on Global Golf.
They are generally regarded as being very versatile with top-of-the-line forgiveness, amazing feel, and a plenty high trajectory that still results in very satisfying distance results.
Drawbacks mostly come down to personal preferences and tastes.
My rating: 4.7/5
7. TaylorMade RSi 1 Iron
Prices & Where To Buy Online
You can get a set of RSi 1 irons very cheap at $200 or less on eBay. Also take a look at what’s available on Global Golf.
Overview & Features
See the relevant section in our full RSi 1 irons review for details.
Ratings
As you might expect for a set of irons that started in the higher-end price range, the TaylorMade RSi 1 irons are generally rated very positively.
They have a 4.9/5 customer score on Global Golf with over 100 reviews, which is impressive.
What People Like
- outstanding mis-hit forgiveness
- consistent ball flight and long distance
What People Don’t Like
- some find the black lines around the hitting area at address to be distracting
- not everyone enjoys the feel at impact, which can be described as hollow or “clicky”
My rating: 4.6/5
8. Cobra Fly-Z XL Iron
Prices & Where To Buy Online
You can grab a set of Fly-Z XL irons for around $300-350 on eBay, and possibly even cheaper on Global Golf.
Overview & Features
See the relevant section in our full Fly-Z XL irons review for details.
Ratings
The Fly-Z XL irons have been received very positively. They have a solid 5/5 rating on Global Golf.
What People Like
- solid workability (best for hitting a draw, but can be shaped any way)
- great forgiveness
- exceptional accuracy, look and feel
- has nearly everything one would look for in a good iron
What People Don’t Like
- some golfers tend to have difficulty engineering lower trajectory shots
- some golfers have been dissatisfied with the carry distance of the irons and the clarity of mis-hit feedback
My rating: 4.6/5
Conclusion
Because these irons have succeeding models currently on the market, their prices have fallen substantially. This is great for those who want to get in on the action without paying a premium for the latest club.
If you’re a beginner or intermediate golfer and are on a tight budget, something like the Cobra Baffler XL or Fly-Z XL would be an excellent choice. However, none of the irons listed are expensive these days.
Like most things, which irons are best for you depends on your specific needs, preferences and budget.
Best of luck shopping for a game-improvement iron set!
Have you tried any of these game-improvement irons? Are you looking for an older and cheaper model? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
As a casual golfer I really appreciate all the information you provided. I bought my clubs several years ago and know that I should upgrade. But I really wonder if a new set of irons will help my game. Do you think that going to one of the many golf stores in my city and getting a fitting is important? Can they really determine what might be the best set for me? Thanks!
Thank you for the comment. It’s likely that a new set of irons will help your game, but it depends on a huge number of factors — your skill level, your comfort level with your current irons, how old your current irons are relative to the new ones, your needs, your swing, etcetera. I would really need more information to be able to better help you in that regard.
If you’re serious about getting the absolute most out of your irons, I’d say it is an excellent idea to test the ones you’re interested in at your local golf retailer. Various methods have been developed for fitting clubs to golfers, and it has been shown that it is almost always beneficial for their games. Not everyone will find it worth the extra cost, however.
On the other hand, if you’re someone who just likes to have a good time on the course and only goes out once in a blue moon, it may not be that important. If you really want to try out your irons before you buy them, you can certainly go to your local golf store and see if they have them available for you to test in simulators and the like. Do remember that you can almost always find lower prices for off-the-rack irons online, and I link to several such locations in the article.
Nice reviews. I used to work on a golf course as a caddy in CASA De Campo, Dominican Republic, and I have a preference for Ping irons myself.
Thanks for the nice words. PING certainly does make exceptional golf equipment. If you are considering the PING irons, I would recommend going through their online fitting process here so you have a better idea of what configuration you should be getting. Please feel free to ask me anything as you go through the buying process.
Thanks for this, I’m in the market for a new set of irons, I have a mid-range budget and i can’t decide between the XRs and the RSi 1s. I’m going to do a little more research but I’ll probably end up getting the XR. I have had a lot of success with off-the-rack irons, usually steel with a regular flex. That Amazon price is awesome, cheaper than on the Callaway website. Thanks for the link!
It is indeed, sameera. Amazon is great for clubs; they often have the best prices aside from eBay.
These irons are quite expensive. I suppose for a golf enthusiast the price is worth it. With these prices, I would certainly hope the quality would be good and that the longevity of use is maximized.
Thanks for the comment. As you probably know, iron sets are generally the most expensive component of the bag; I try to include game-improvement irons that I believe provide the best value for the price, and this can include mid-range, low-end or high-end pricing. Any of these irons are excellent choices, even for someone who isn’t a golf enthusiast. If your budget is tight, consider something like the Cobra Baffler XL — as I mentioned, you can get a full set for less than $300. The most expensive ones have prices north of $1000, but that’s when you typically (not always) lose some value per dollar.