The Best Mid-Handicap Irons of 2021

Fancy yourself as a bit of a player but still wouldn't mind a touch of extra forgiveness? If so, then the following mid-handicap irons could be for you this season, chosen by Golfshake Equipment Expert Ryan Rastall.

Srixon ZX5, £899 (6 Irons - Steel)

Srixon’s ZX5 Irons are designed for mid-handicappers who can typically strike the ball well but would also benefit from that little bit more forgiveness. These irons feature Srixon’s new Main Frame technology, which is a one-of-a-kind face design that promises enhanced ball speed with every shot. The technology is presented through the club’s artificially intelligent design, where the thickness of the clubs have been reworked into the backside of the iron faces. 

These irons are a product of both machine and human development and after two years of robust testing and refining, the final product are the ZX5s. If pure striking and explosive distance is what you are looking for, then the ZX5 can provide just that. Similarly to the ZX7, the grooves from 8i to PW are sharper, narrower and deeper for increased spin and stopping power on greens. Finally, a forged SUP10 face further increases speed and distance while a forged 1020 Carbon Steel body absorbs vibrations through impact which results in an extremely soft feel. 

What Golfshake Say:

“They are very good, I am impressed. The ball flight that I am getting with them is quite powerful and I’ve found I’ve been able to control the flight effortlessly. They come off the face nicely, I love the way the sole interacts with the ground and it is definitely an iron I would recommend to anyone who wants a little bit of forgiveness - or an iron that looks great behind the ball as well.” 

For more, see Ryan's Full Review!

TaylorMade P770, £859 (6 Irons - Steel)

Everything that makes the P790 perform has been implemented into the P770 – it’s up to the user to decide what product they prefer. They share the same DNA, notably in dominating distance and premium performance. The P770 is a compact players iron that has no issues keeping up with the heavy hitters, delivering immense power and unrivalled distance. The secret is the forged hollowed-body construction and ultra-thin face, that are designed for improved feel, distance and forgiveness. 

A combination of Thru-Slot Speed Pocket and Progressive ICT have been engineered to protect ball speeds across the face, improving playability on poorly struck shots. SpeedFoam technology has been injected into the head to push the design limits of face speed whilst concurrently improving feel. The P770 holds all the technology that the P790 does, just in a smaller package. The same hollow body construction and advanced tungsten weighting have been introduced for precise CG placement. 

What Golfshake Say:

“This is the most forgiven iron in this family. It looks great behind the ball and the feel is fantastic. Also, the distance is absolutely unreal. This iron looks great, performs fantastically and it does not disappoint when it comes to the technology either.” 

For more, see Ryan's Full Review!

Callaway Apex, £859 (6 Irons - Steel)

Callaway Apex Irons have been designed for the mid-handicapper. They deliver an extraordinary level of forged performance and craftmanship that Callaway haven’t produced prior. The collection are the first forged iron design with A.I., which produces faster ball speeds and improved spin consistency. Increased forgiveness comes from the massive Tungsten Energy Core – with 5x the amount of Tungsten used compared to the Apex 19 models. 

These clubs have been specifically engineered for impressive distance and pinpoint accuracy. When you couple that with Tungsten Energy Core, you’ve got a set of forged blade irons that are ready to change iron production forever. The body of the iron is 100% forged from 1025 mild carbon steel, and Callaway’s patented urethane microspheres result in remarkable sound and feel at impact. Finally, the improved shaping helps to enhance the feel through the turf, resulting in less vibrations.

What Golfshake Say:

“Apex is the second most forgiving in the family and the player’s distance iron. It looks really nice and it holds all the performance and forgiveness that you want in these kind of irons. The CG is able to move around and lowered in this club, which will further help its target market.” 

For more, see Ryan's Full Review!

Cobra King Forged Tec, £769 (6 Irons - Steel)

The Cobra King Forged Tec Irons are a classic look that is fused heavily with modern technology. The result? A blend of distance and playability in a compact muscle back shape that’s preferred by better players. For the first time in Cobra’s player iron’s history, a forged pwrshell face will expand the sweet zone for faster ball speeds and higher launch in a compact shape. The classic, muscle back shape conceals a hollow core that delivers low CG and controlled distance. 

The hollow cavity is infused with foam microspheres which fine-tune acoustics and create a softer feel through impact. Moreover, tungsten toe weighting has been strategically placed behind the hitting zone to further maximise distance and precision – even from off-centre strikes. These irons are also available in one length. So, if you do struggle hitting certain clubs, this is certainly a viable option for you. 

What Golfshake Say:

“The tungsten, that has been relocated, has helped to make these irons react well out of the centre of the face. The technology that they have employed in the different levels of hosel, including moving the weight around in the head too, has resulted in both the variable and one length producing similar, good results.”

For more, see Ryan's Full Review!

PING G425, £689 (6 Irons - Steel)

The PING G425 have been highly praised since their release – and their affordable price keeps the reviews raving. These irons have an expanded perimeter weighting in the smaller head design, which equates to a new standard of forgiveness for an iron its size. If a bit of mucky weather doesn’t deter you from the course, then you’ll directly benefit from the hydropearl chrome finish - which repels moisture to improve performance in wet conditions. 

A well-struck iron into a green means nothing if you can’t get the ball to stop. If you’re struggling, PING’s Stopping Power may provide a handy solution. A patented cascading sole and top-rail undercut combine to perform like a hinge, which will flex to launch the ball faster and higher, with green-holding precision consistent and predictable. The blade length is shorter than the G410 Irons, but the head has a higher MOI, and the compact design results in ultimate comfort and readiness when at address. A three-piece multi-material cavity badge covers more of the face to dampen undesirable frequencies – leaving a satisfying sound as you see your ball target-bound. 

What Golfshake Say:

“What PING have actually done with this iron, was to introduce a bit more tungsten into the toe and the heel to make the iron slightly more forgiving. When you sit these clubs down in the playing position, they look so nice. When I normally fit PING irons in the past, you never really notice the distance – the same cannot be said here, they are very long.”

For more, see Ryan's Full Review!

If you want to hear more from Ryan and the Golfshake Team on the latest equipment releases, check out the Golfshake Gear Section for more content OR visit our YouTube Channel for new videos and reviews!

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