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
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.
The Ping iCrossover adjustability combined with the visual changes and improvement in sound and performance from the sleeker head create a hybrid iron that combines hybrid forgiveness with proper iron playability.
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.
The U505 is a very playable utility iron that looks surprisingly inviting to hit without looking overly clunky behind the ball. The feel is fantastic and the flight on offer can be tailored to suit your needs. Versatility is arguably its strongest suit, with competitive distance not far behind.
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 2 models
The Callaway Apex UT has a compact look and reduced offset, suiting elite players. Additionally performance is strong, producing a very penetrating ball flight with no excess spin..
Refinements in the UDI head shape provide a much-improved address profile and the subtle internal weight changes have boosted playability of this iron.
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 adjustability
The Ping iCrossover combines excellent forgiveness with superb visuals, making it one of the most functional clubs on this list. It is the latest in a long line of driving irons that started in 2016 with the G Crossover. Since then Ping have perfected their craft, producing hybrid driving irons to the point where we now have this exceptional offering that delivers superb playability, covering the gap between your longest iron and shortest hybrid. What differentiates this model slightly is the adjustable shaft, in which you can vary the loft and/or the lie by 1° or 1.5° up or down.
The iCrossover is more of an iron than a hybrid as the hollow head has a maraging steel face that is supported by an EVA polymer in the cavity that delivers an excellent sound and feel off the clubface. The sole is a little narrower than the Ping G425 Crossover below, meaning it plays a little more like an iron, cutting through the turf better on tighter lies. Overall the adjustability this club offers, combined with its excellent visuals, feel and sound means this club has several big improvements on the G425.
- Read our full Ping iCrossover 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
Most versatile
The Titleist U505 is an iron that looks surprisingly inviting to hit without looking overly clunky behind the ball. Using Tour feedback it now has a slightly shorter blade length and shallower face when compared to the previous model. Additionally I loved the minimalist, clean branding and classy chrome finish too.
Versatility is arguably its strongest suit, with competitive distance not far behind. Well struck shots offer a solid feel and towering ball flight and provided the right loft is chosen, will fill a crucial spot in a lot of golfers bags.
As such it comes with a wide range or lofts combined with plenty of steel and graphite shaft options so you should get a specification that is worthy of the investment.
- Read our full Titleist 2023 U505 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 feel
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
Noticeably smaller and with slightly less offset than the previous iteration, the Apex UT from Callaway strikes all the right cords aesthetically. Whilst this new smaller profile could potentially prove prohibitive to the masses looking for a bit more of a confidence inspiring footprint, the top line has just enough substance to show the player that they are still getting some level of playability. This iron performed really well in testing and I am a big fan of it.
This certainly isn’t what you would call an “all-rounder”, it knows exactly what it was designed for and delivers that specific performance in bucket loads. Quick off the face, penetrating and low spinning, the Callaway Apex UT is a rocket ship of a driving iron that I think better, elite players will absolutely love as a tee shot alternative when the course tightens up a bit.
- Read our full Callaway 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
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.
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.
