Sam Tremlett
Getting the best golf irons for your game is imperative if you want to shoot lower scores and we think the same can be said of getting the right bag setup too. It seems many players just plump for the old fashioned three-wood, five-wood configuration without thinking about the possibility of using a utility or driving iron. We think is potentially a big mistake in some cases, particularly if you play to a decent standard.
The best driving irons can help you to find more fairways, avoid disasters and produce lower scores. Finding the right “go-to” fairway-finding club is vital and it will give you great confidence, help you to relax and enjoy your game. For many golfers, the tee shot is the most daunting in golf and that feeling is exacerbated when facing a narrow fairway or a hole where trouble lurks on either side.
On those tee boxes, driver may well not be the right play. Even a fairway metal might be too much of a risk if you lack consistency with it. When you absolutely must find the fairway without sacrificing too much distance, the driving iron can be your savior. Bearing this in mind, after testing a boat load of driving irons we have collated our top picks below, which are split into several different categories.
We also recommend taking a look at our guides on the best golf hybrid clubs currently on the market or the best golf irons. We have also produced a guide on the best utility irons golf clubs too.
The Quick List
This is the complete utility iron for the better player. The looks are outstanding, the feel is sensational, and it is incredibly easy to vary trajectory both high and low, and left to right. It ticks every box.
The premium aesthetic, combined with a generous and confidence-inspiring address profile will please many. Exceptionally high levels of forgiveness make the P-DHY a real standout product.
This is one of the most complete utility iron releases of recent times. Shaping has been dramatically refined from models such as Crossover and iCrossover, and the feel is nothing short of sensational.
The Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi utility iron is a clean looking, no-nonsense utility iron with a good range of loft options for those who prefer to use long irons.
A well-thought-out utility iron that should offer a wide range of players plenty of usability. The removal of the adjustability hosel is a shame but there's no denying this is a forgiving and easy-to-control utility both off the tee and the ground.
Ball speeds are impressive, as is the buttery feel, and the addition of the Tour V.T. sole for the first time will please those looking to use this utility iron from the ground as well as the tee.
Load the next 3 models
Solid all-around performance is complemented by a rugged, industrial look. This model sits significantly better at address than its predecessor, which will definitely help to put it into more players' bags.
Refinements in the UDI head shape provide a much-improved address profile and the subtle internal weight changes have boosted playability of this iron.
The U505 is a good option for players seeking more launch at the top end of the bag, but who don’t want to look at the hybrid or lofted fairway wood market. The feel is strong, and it offers excellent carry numbers.
Top pick
My top pick in this guide is the new Titleist T250U iron which features a plethora of technologies, high-strength steel and a new forged face, resulting in five-star performance. It is a stunning looking iron from shaping, finish and shelf appeal standpoints, whilst the playing position aesthetic is great as well.
Feel wise, once again, the T250U was faultless, it is far from harsh, just a nice solid feel with plenty of feedback. Then this performance continued throughout my testing, from the tee to the ground as well, which is crucial for a driving iron. From a short tee or the turf, my spin, launch, and carry distances were exceptionally tight.
My stock shots flew with a beautiful, consistent, mid-height trajectory, only ever deviating by around 200rpm of spin at most, but when I wanted to hoist one up a little more or knock one down, I have never hit a utility iron where this felt easier.
- Read our full Titleist T250U Utility Iron Review
Most forgiving
Alongside the UDI model below, I have picked TaylorMade's DHY driving iron for this guide as well because the forgiveness is outstanding, thanks to a new internal weighting structure, and TaylorMade's tried and tested SpeedFoam Air and Thru Slot Speed pocket technologies. In my testing sessions the club gave high ball speeds, strong distance and as I said, the forgiveness and playability was off the charts. Wherever I struck the DHY on the face, I didn't notice any significant drop in ball speed and my dispersion remained tight. I enjoyed the wide sole as well because it slid effortlessly through the turf.
You could be forgiven for thinking a club as forgiving as this won't be nice to look at but it isn't the case. The visual is extremely premium, with the pearl satin finish contrasting beautifully with the black ridge on the back of the head. Down behind the ball, I was surprised by how much I liked this club. Normally one of my biggest turn-offs in a utility iron is being able to see too much of the back sticking out at address, but for some reason, despite that being very much the case, I still really enjoyed this profile.
- Read our full TaylorMade P-DHY Utility Iron Review
Best feel
Next up I have picked the Ping iDi iron which I must say has a lot going on from a technical standpoint. In the three lofts you can get in this iron, Ping has individually optimized each loft for launch and spin to produce different flight characteristics. This is obviously why a proper custom fitting is important but across all three lofts the iron has been engineered for higher ball speeds with things like the maraging steel face and a lower CG position.
But the star of the show technology wise for me is the inR-Air technology, which is essentially an air pocket strategically placed inside the club behind the face to eliminate any unpleasant frequencies at impact. Not only has this helped the club from a looks perspective, aiding the shelf appeal with its smooth, satin finish, but also from a feel perspective.
So much so I hope Ping even rolls it out to some of its players' distance irons soon, as it is superb. Hot and springy without feeling harsh, providing feedback on mishits but not punishing them unduly in terms of dispersion of ball speed retention, I can’t speak highly enough of the iDi here. As a result, this iron is one of my favorites at the moment because of the improved looks, exceptional feel and of course the speed is top-notch.
- Read our full Ping iDi Utility Iron Review
Best looking
The Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi bridges the gap to the woods from the irons and is more of a distance club than a precision approach iron. The head is cast from 431 stainless steel and not forged. This allows a 21g tungsten weight to be placed in the sole of the club to drop the CG and improve the launch.
At impact the feel was very good for a cast club and the internal ribs helped create a pleasing sound that will not disappoint, but is not quite the same as forged. It is equally at home from the tee and the fairway and is one of the better Fli-Hi style clubs that Mizuno has created in recent times.
Needless to say the other feature I liked was the black finish which some players will love, some may think it is a touch intimidating. The grey face and top line helps you align the club at address, but this color scheme might not appeal to blade purists and for many a chrome and brushed steel look would have been just as good.
- Read our full Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi Utility Iron Review
Best value
Throughout the past few years we have been seriously impressed with a number of Cobra utility irons. It's no different with the Cobra King Tec Utility Iron providing users with a forgiving club with solid distance performance.
Extremely forgiving on off centre strikes, out of the middle this iron is a rocket. Much like the other new equipment in the King range, Cobra has worked hard to improve its H.O.T face. The variable thickness across the face delivers more efficient speed from non-optimal strikes and loads of speed from middle strikes, something that was immediately visible in testing. As much as I think there is scope for a higher handicapper to enjoy this club, it is worth noting there isn't a lot of offset.
Finally I should mention that clubs like this often come in at slightly lower price points than the other models in this list, and when you acknowledge the performance, there is clear value to be had with the King Tec Utility.
- Read our full Cobra King Tec Utility Iron Review
Best turf interaction
Next we have the ZXiU from Srixon which replaces the ZX Mk II, an iron I really liked. The story with the new model though is feel and I am pleased to report that it felt out of this world goof. The ball seemed to melt into the face like butter before exploding back out like a spring at very impressive speeds. This is thanks to the two different types of steel used in the ZXiU, S20C is condensed forged to form the body, while a softer SUP10 is utilized for the face to enhance impact.
Additionally the introduction of the Tour V.T. sole really stood out to me because the turf interaction was superb, whilst I really enjoyed the towering ball flights I was producing.
From a look standpoint I liked this iron as well. It oozes shelf appeal from the back and the chrome finish glistens nicely. With Srixon the iron had simple, minimalist branding as well and I should say down behind the ball the clubhead looks excellent, although the club does protrude out past the top edge slightly which may divide opinion.
- Read our full Srixon ZXiU Utility Iron Review
Best for elite players
Replacing the Apex UT, this new version from Callaway is a strong contender in the driving iron market, promising a tour-inspired shape with incredible versatility. As you would expect from the brand, the technology package is pretty extensive, featuring a multi-material Flexcore Technology, designed to promote more face flexure and faster ball speeds across the face, even on off-center hits. An Ai Face Design has been engineered specifically for utility irons, focusing on superior distance control and spin consistency. But how did it perform?
Starting with the looks, at address it is very clean and compact which will suit the better players out there. Admittedly there have been some comments on the back section of the iron with it looking bolted on, but it didn't bother me in the slightest.
Then when it came to hitting shoes, I really enjoyed the feel of this utility iron; it feels like it is just that, an iron. Additionally the data I got was excellent as well, whilst the ball flight was strong with a controllable mid-launch. And despite my selection as the best for elite players, I do think there is enough forgiveness here for slightly higher handicap players to get performance out of it as well.
- Read our full Callaway 2025 Apex UT Utility Iron Review
Best ball flight
The latest version of the UDI iron from TaylorMade also deserves to be on this list. I loved the premium looks with the pearl satin finish contrasting well with the black ridge on the back. There is also noticeably less offset when compared to the previous model whilst is did look slightly thicker on the topline.
From a technology perspective there is a new internal weighting structure which helps forgiveness and enhanced consistency. Additionally the SpeedFoam Air and Thru Slot Speed pocket tech remain.
As a result the club tested very well indeed. I thought the feel was just about perfect, not too firm or harsh, and not too soft either. You get a real sense that you have struck a powerful shot, without any unwanted vibrations through the hands. We also enjoyed the balanced acoustics as well and the ball flight was outstanding. I thoroughly enjoyed piercing some crisply struck shots through a decent headwind and watched on as the wind barely affected it. I was also able to manipulate the ball flight easily with this iron.
- Read our full TaylorMade P-UDI Utility Iron Review
Best launch
Not only have I included the T250U from Titleist above but also the U505 iron as well because of my testing. A lot of the same technology is present, such as the Improved Max Impact Technology which promotes consistent launch, speed, spin, and carry. Speaking of which that first point about launch is definitely the case from what I experienced. It felt incredibly fast off the face, and I found it very easy to launch both high and far, even from the turf. My peak height was noticeably higher on average versus the T250U version with stock shots. Admittedly because this club has clearly been designed with launch in mind this did make it harder to control the flight somewhat, but many golfers will like this launch help.
At impact the feel was solid and responsive. Powerful as well without being too harsh, and I thought there was good feedback on strike too. Even when I missed the middle, sound, and feel were not unduly punished, which dramatically enhanced playability.
Looks-wise, from the ‘in the bag’ angle, the U505 generally presents a very clean, modern design that I believe will appeal to many. It certainly looks like an iron, which is the intention, blending beautifully with the best Titleist irons, and the finish is superb.
- Read our full Titleist 2025 U505 Utility Iron Review
How we test driving irons
When it comes to testing driving irons we use the same kind of process for most clubs but have to cater it slightly for each club in the bag as they all do different things.
To start we will attend product launches and speak to R&D experts to gain an understanding of the new technology and then once we have samples we will put them to the test. This usually starts with indoor testing so we can have a controlled environment with premium golf balls and a launch monitor. From there we take the clubs outside to hit on the range and out on the course. We think it is vital to do both.
This iron testing is overseen by PGA Professional Joe Ferguson, someone with decades of experience testing golf equipment.
In terms of driving irons, we would use them in a variety of situations applicable to the club. That means hitting them off the tee, from the ground into par-4's, in the wind and sometimes we put them to the test on links courses because that is where the advantages of a driving iron really come to the fore.
We would then collate the information and write comprehensive and honest reviews. Finally it should be said no manufacturer can buy a good review because our team tells it how it is.
How to choose a driving iron
What are some of the factors you need to consider when looking to buy a driving iron? Let's take a look.
Driving iron vs long iron vs hybrid?
For a start it is good to work out which club out of driving iron, long iron, or hybrid would be the best for you. Each has a different set of positives and negatives - the hybrid is a little more versatile as you can use it well from light rough and around the greens. However, there are plenty of golfers out there who prefer an iron-like profile. In which case, the driving iron is a great option. A long iron in the bag in all likelihood signifies a player who is consistent with strike.
Course
What kind of course do you play on? We think this does play a part in the world of driving irons because if you play on a links course from day to day, then a driving iron is perfect for those low shots below the wind. Whereas if you play on a parkland, chances are a driving iron will not be as impactful in the bag.
Gapping/Loft
One of the most important things to know is how far each club in your bag goes. For example if you know there is a large gap between your three-wood and first iron then a driving iron will fit in there perfectly.
Therefore knowing the gap you need to fill at the top of the bag will give you an indication of what loft the driving iron should be as well.
Distance
Obviously a driving iron has to deliver good distance whilst also not compromising on workability. Both are important because not only only do you need to fill that gap at the top end of the bag, but you should also be able to flight the ball and move it with a driving iron as well.
Forgiveness
They may have iron club-head's but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be forgiving. Some models are better than others as we have shown above and you should be aware of which model will suit your game and ability to strike the ball better.
Versatility
It is important to be able to use a driving iron off the tee and from the ground when needed so when trying out models be sure to hit both shots. A model that can do one and not the other is pointless really. Also have a go at chipping with them too.
Looks
How do you want the driving iron to look down by the ball? Do you want it to have a sleek, small profile or look larger and more confidence-inspiring? Additionally do you want it to blend with the irons you have in the bag, or maybe you want it to match the brand of iron you have in your setup. These are all things you need to consider in terms of looks.
Budget
Finally have a think about how much you want to spend on a driving iron. There are models at most price points these days as every brand makes a utility iron so be aware of how much you want to spend.
For more golf irons buying advice, check out our guides on the best game improvement irons, most forgiving irons, or best irons for seniors.
FAQs
What is a driving iron in golf?
Driving irons are essentially bulked up irons that are designed to help players hit the ball higher and further compared to standard long irons. As a result, and because of the materials used in construction, driving irons tend to be more forgiving than long irons, and whilst their trajectory might be lower than fairway woods or hybrids, the lower launch and landing angles mean you get more roll. This is why we often see a lot of professionals put driving irons in the bag during The Open Championship, because links golf lends itself to keeping the ball low to the ground.
Are driving irons for high handicappers?
Not necessarily. Whilst hybrids are very forgiving at the longer-iron end of the bag, driving irons are as well these days. This is all about personal preference really. Regardless of level, if you are a player who wants as much help as possible, but still wants to look down on an iron profile, then a driving iron could be the way to go. Whereas if you want a club that is more similar to a wood, then hybrids will suit you more.
What are the alternatives to a driving iron?
As we mentioned above, the alternatives to a driving iron tend to be hybrids, long irons or even more lofted fairway woods. The hybrid is probably the most versatile club because of the ability to use it off the tee, from rough and around the green. The lofted fairway wood is similar in this regard. A longer iron is the most difficult alternative to hit so tend to be suited to better players.
