5 of the Very Best Game-Improvement Irons for 2021

For many mid-high handicappers, the key decision-maker when buying a new set of irons is the level of forgiveness they can offer. When you're so focused on lowering your handicap and beating your playing partners, you'll want every little bit of help possible from your equipment.

To help you find more greens and shoot lower scores, we've been taking a look at the best game-improvement irons in 2021. If you're looking to upgrade, you have plenty of quality options.

Ping G425

Ping's G-series irons have been a hugely successful addition to their family of irons since their introduction in 2003. While the main focus has remained on producing an iron with maximum forgiveness, Ping's engineers managed to design a much more flexible, free-moving face in the new Ping G425 irons leading to higher ball speed and added distance.

The aesthetics are worth mentioning with their sharper and crisper look, mainly due to a slightly shorter blade. If you're in the market for a new set of irons in 2021, you will do well to find a better option.

TaylorMade SIM2 Max

As with the new Ping irons above, TaylorMade's new SIM2 Max irons are among the longest and straightest game-improvement irons on the market today.

The focus here is, once again, on speed. To achieve incredible ball speeds in the hollow-body construction - without compromising feel - TaylorMade replaced the clubhead's steel back with a composite badge.  The badge also lowers the club's mass since it is lighter than the steel it replaces.

Also, to minimise two common misses, the cone-shaped variable-thickness pattern behind the face is located differently in each iron. It's closer to the toe in the long irons to decrease the chance of a fade. The weight moves towards the middle and heel to minimise a pull in the shorter irons.

If you're a mid-high handicapper, take a look at these latest irons from TaylorMade.

Callaway Apex DCB

Callaway has extended its Apex family to include an iron option in the game-improvement category. The forged, carbon-steel body has a cavity-back that is a little deeper and a little wider than the regular Apex, but it's jam-packed with many shared technologies.

The Callaway Apex DCB delivers the look, feel and performance of a forged players club with the forgiveness of a deep cavity back design.

The A.I. designed Flash Face Cup wraps around part of the topline to maximise rebound effect and overall distance. At the same time, tungsten encased in microsphere-filled urethane allows for centre-of-gravity positions that produce launch angles you'd expect to see in a game-improvement iron.

As if we'd expect anything less, the Apex DCBs are a great game-improvement option from Callaway.

Srixon ZX4

The all-new Srixon ZX4 irons feature a completely hollow, face-forged design that provides the Srixon iron family with a game-improvement option that retains the brand's signature look and feel.

ZX4 irons, hollow from short-to-long iron, give you the freedom to hit the ball across the face while still enjoying high shots that start straight and find their target.

High-density tungsten in the long and mid-iron base greatly reduces their centres of gravity, creating a high-launch profile. For improved speed and distance, the forged HT1770 Steel face is strong and light, increasing face flex at impact. And, for a smoother feel, the 431 Steel body absorbs all noticeable vibrations.

Cobra RADSPEED

The Cobra RADSPEED irons are built to help golfers get the height, distance and feel they want. They're also sleeker and slimmer than last year's SpeedZone irons, while the 3D-printed medallion helps maintain the lowest CG in the game-improvement category.

The Cobra RADSPEED irons have three grams of additional weight in the heel and 10 grams – in the form of a screwed-in weight – in the toe. This offers greater stability and forgiveness than ever before.

As you would expect, the irons also come in a ONE Length option which features even lower and deeper CGs for improved launch.