Best Golf Irons For Women 2024
In this equipment piece we look at some of the best golf irons for women.
A set of irons make up the bulk of the clubs you’re allowed to carry in your bag, so it’s important to make sure you get the best golf irons for you. Most women’s models are designed to suit slower swing speeds and come with a graphite shaft with a ladies’ flex and smaller grips. Additional weight is also distributed in the head which combines to produce faster ball speeds, easy launch and greater distance.
Oversized cavity-backed clubheads generally suit beginners and mid-high handicappers more, as the wider sole and a low centre of gravity make it easier to get the ball airborne with maximum forgiveness. However, forgiveness is often sacrificed at the expense of workability and precise distance control, so better players who strike their irons more consistently will veer towards shallower cavity designs or a mix of both.
So what are some of the best golf irons for women on the market? Well, after thorough testing, we have set out some of our favorite models below and we also recommend taking a look at some of our other irons guides too so you are well informed when it comes to purchasing a full set. For example take a look at our most forgiving irons guide, the best distance irons, or the best game improvement irons too.
The Quick List
Top pick
Players with a slow to moderate swing speed can’t go wrong with this super forgiving set of irons that are not only easy on the eye, but effortless to swing to consistently.
Best high launch
These irons certainly seem to make the game easier. The ball comes off the face fast and with high launch. They felt easy to swing and were noticeably stable and forgiving off center.
Best draw-bias
The Stealth HD iron undoubtedly delivers on its promise of maximum height and draw bias for the slower swinger, but the looks will divide opinion.
Best looking
A user-friendly, game-improvement iron that's long and accurate on approach shots of different lengths. The elegant styling and beautiful blue coloring should appeal to a variety of tastes among women.
Most lightweight
The Air-X is an impressive lightweight iron set that is easy to launch and forgiving. It produced a high draw-biased ball flight along with a springy, stable feel off the face.
Easiest to swing
In testing we found the 13 irons from XXIO effortless to swing, whilst they look and feel good too. Nor will women be disappointed in the higher ball flight and consistency either.
Load the next 2 models
Best distance
For women with a slow to moderate swing speed, this set will give them the confidence to easily pop the ball up into the air with pleasing accuracy and distance.
Best for confidence
We found the T400 irons from Titleist effortless to hit and extremely long. Good for players looking to get the ball in the air easily, and featuring a forgiving and wide sole design.
Best Golf Irons For Women
Why you can trust Golf Monthly
Top pick
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
We start with the Ping G Le3 irons, suitable for women with slow to moedrate swing speeds. The iron/hybrid combination is designed to give women consistent gapping throughout their bag, with the technology that helps them to generate faster clubhead speed and ultimately greater distance.
Compared with its predecessor, G Le2, for starters, the color scheme has changed to navy with a tad of gold and silver, which we found very attractive. We also thought they were slightly lighter too which aided the ease of use during the swing.
In testing, it was the forgiveness of these irons that was most noticeable, you can really get away with off-centre strikes. Additionally the ball flight was noticeably high and generous distance was the result too. For women that struggle in sand, the updated design of the sand wedge makes for a real confidence booster.
- Read our full Ping G Le3 Irons Review
Best high-launch
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Rogue ST Max OS Lite irons are lighter and have more loft than the equally-impressive Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Irons. Endeavouring to make the game easier for slower swinging players, these were a joy to swing and offered a lot of forgiveness off center. Visually, the styling on offer here is pretty safe. They boast a classic black and silver design that isn't as jazzy as the new Paradym irons but is certainly still a winner as a minimal and fantastic looking club.
Performance was also a winner here too. These irons felt hot off the face and travelled long distances. The traditional lofts and sizeable tungsten weighting inside the head that helps to add more loft and forgiveness to the club. On our testing sessions, we enjoyed the consistency and distance on offer here compared to some of the other best game improvement irons out there. And these are definitely aimed at those progressing in their game, with Callaway specifically designing these clubs to help deliver decent shots from all around the club face.
- Read our full Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite Iron Review
Best draw-bias
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Because the Stealth irons aren't suited to the slower-swinging golfers, perhaps the Stealth HD iron will be more to your liking. TaylorMade has gone to fairly drastic measures to achieve a high, draw-biased flight, with the company creating a very low profile head with a shallow face height and a wide sole. It is nearly as wide as it is tall!
You could argue a case that they rank amongst the best golf irons for beginners, such is the ease to get them airborne. What's more, it works very well for those that struggle to flight the ball or suffer with a slice and this iron will certainly help overcome these tendencies. Visually, it's profile will divide opinion and does look akin to one of the best golf chippers, but it's size gives it a commanding presence behind the ball which some slower swinging players may enjoy.
A real standout is the sole of the iron, which features a step down design that means it plays much narrower than it looks while offering forgiveness through the turf. That helps you launch the ball into the air, but doesn't feel to clunky when you strike the ball. In our testing session, it fell only 10 yards short of the standard stealth iron, and flew slightly higher too. Ultimately, it is a fantastic club for any slower swinging player, and would also make a great option for any senior golfer.
- Read our full TaylorMade Stealth HD Iron Review
Best looking
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Kalea Premier women's irons not only look fantastic but, thanks to a clever Cap Back design, perform superbly. The Cap Back Design also works in conjunction with a fancy Speed Pocket, which provides the firepower you don't often experience among the best golf irons for women.
This is not necessarily an iron for the purist, so don't expect a buttery soft feel. Instead, be wowed by the distance gains you'll likely achieve. In testing, we were around one club longer and, best of all the high, towering ball flight meant we could really pepper the pin accurately with approach shots and get the ball to stop quickly.
- Read our full TaylorMade Kalea Premier Women's Irons Review
Most lightweight
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
When it comes to irons, most women want something that’s lightweight and really easy to use while visually instilling feelings of confidence. The Cobra Air-X women’s irons deliver here. Not only are they very lightweight, with weight savings being made in both the head and the grip, but they also feature bespoke ‘ultralite’ women’s 48-gram shaft to give you an iron that is totally effortless to swing. What's more, they there is a lot of club head stability, with the main highlight being the distance on offer. This is down to a large, cavity-back head that is akin to many of the fantastic options you'll find on the best irons for high beginner players.
- Read our full Cobra Air-X Women’s Irons Review
Easiest to swing
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The ladies XXIO 13 irons are part of the latest generation from the Japanese brand, including a driver, fairway woods, and hybrids, designed for women with moderate swing speeds.
Visually, the XXIO 13 irons offer an updated aesthetic with a shift from the darker blue of the XXIO 12 to a light blue/turquoise color scheme, extending to the 35g graphite shaft. Coupled with a comfortable grip, they have a luxurious look and feel.
Technologically, these irons stand out with a mass in the butt-end of the shaft, functioning as a counterweight to enhance swing ease and consistency. Combined with XXIO’s unique Rebound Frame technology, the clubface behaves like a spring within a spring, and we found this helps to increase ball speed, high launch and tight dispersion, as well as being one of the most forgiving irons.
Overall, the XXIO 13 irons deliver effortless power and forgiveness, instilling confidence in players, so are a worthwhile long-term investment.
- Read our full XXIO 13 Ladies Golf Irons Review
Best distance
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Designed for game improvement golfers in an attractive blue and black color scheme, women cannot help but feel confident over the ball with a Big Bertha Reva iron in their hands. The noticeably wider sole is designed with a significant amount of tungsten weighting for a deep center of gravity.
Combined with Callaway’s Flash Face Cup technology, which encourages and maintains ball speed, women can launch the ball easily with lower spin and hit longer and straighter shots with ultimate forgiveness. This iron also sounds as solid as it feels thanks to the use of urethane microspheres that absorb unwanted vibration. If you're after more clubs that deliver great distance, why not check out some of the other clubs on our guide to the best distance irons in golf.
- Read our full Callaway Big Bertha Reva Irons Review
Best for confidence
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Women with moderate swing speeds can get better performance with the T400 irons and enjoy an effortlessly high launch and greater distance. A smooth and easy strike is achieved as a result of the wide body shape with a Split Sole design that provides optimal turf interaction, at the same time as high-density tungsten weighting creates a low center of gravity and works with a super-thin face insert to produce an explosive launch.
The lightweight graphite shaft further enhances higher ball speed, whilst the hollow head construction maximizes forgiveness on off-center shots. One of the best Titleist irons in the current range, you should definitely consider the T400's because of the incredible overall performance on offer.
- Read our full Titleist T400 Irons Review
How we test golf clubs
Here at Golf Monthly, our testing for golf irons is built upon a comprehensive process combined with the knowledge and expertise of the entire Golf Monthly test team, headed up by Women's Golf Editor Alison Root, while contributor Katie Dawkins assists with reviews. As far as the specific procedure goes, prior to testing, the team will usually attend product launches and meet with the manufacturer's R&D experts to understand the new technology.
When it comes to testing, we often head indoors first to try clubs in a controlled environment. Therefore we use simulators, launch monitors and premium golf balls to get consistent data. We also test golf clubs outdoors on real courses to simulate real conditions and get a feel of how these clubs perform in genuine conditions. We think it is vitally important to do both and continue to test the clubs so they have been comprehensively put to the test in many different conditions. Finally we should mention that no manufacturer can pay for a good review because we make our conclusions from the testing and our experiences.
What to consider when buying a new set of golf irons
As golf irons are the most used clubs in your bag, there are several things you need to think carefully about when purchasing your next set of clubs.
Type
The first consideration you need to take into account is what kind of golf irons you want to purchase. This is perhaps the most crucial thing to take into account when buying a new set of irons, as there are many kinds of irons that cater to different types of golfers. The most common irons are cavity-backed irons, bladed irons and forged irons. Cavity-backed irons are perhaps most suitable for beginners and high handicappers. Bladed and forged irons are much harder to use and are typically designed for more experienced golfers who are looking for more control and workability. Ultimately, you need to make an assessment of your skills as a golfer before choosing which iron set you want to purchase.
Size
Club size is another important factor to consider when purchasing your next set of irons and it is one that many golfers can get wrong easily. The best way to establish what size of golf clubs you want to buy is by attending a golf club fitting session. Here you can spend some time with professional club fitters who can help you purchase the right size of clubs for your height. Purchasing a set of irons that are too long will see you strike the turf before the ball, but too small and you're more likely to top the golf ball. Therefore finding the right middle ground is very important to helping you strike fluid and full golf shots.
Shaft flex
Whatever club you have in your bag, the stiffness of your shafts will impact how much distance you're getting on the golf ball, depending on your swing type. Generally speaking, golfers with slower swing speeds should opt to purchase clubs that have more flexible shafts. That allows them to generate more whip on the club helping them to power through the golf ball and create greater club head speeds. Stiffer club shafts are better for players who can generate greater clubhead speeds on their own, with stiffer shafts providing them with greater control over the shot. You can buy an iron set in any type of shaft. So, assess your needs as a golfer and purchase the shaft that is best for you.
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a huge factor to consider when buying any golf club. As you will be striking your irons from many different lies though, it is important to keep in mind how easy it is to play with your irons and how much assistance they offer you when you miss-hit the ball or even hit a shot a little fat. Modern golf club technology means that manufacturers are able to cram a lot of technology into their clubs that can help less experienced players with ball-striking. From larger sweet spots to wider sole grinds, there are a variety of golf clubs out there with many different features that can help you hit better golf shots. We recommend trying them all out and seeing which is best for your swing.
Club lofts
When buying a set of golf irons, you will often get the chance to pick and choose what clubs you want. Typically an iron set will come with a group of clubs ranging from a five iron down to a sand wedge. But depending on your game, you may want to consider getting a couple of extras. For example, you might prefer to use a four iron or a three iron over a hybrid and add those clubs to your iron set too.
While your irons may be one of the most important clubs in your bag, you may also want to check out our guides on the best women's fairway woods, best women's golf shoes, and best women's golf bags.
FAQs
How do I know what size of golf clubs to buy?
We always recommend getting fitted properly by a club professional at your nearest club shop. Here they can help you pick out the right type and length of club that will help you strike the ball better. Before you head down to your fitting session, you should take note of your height and the distance from your wrist to the floor. You can then use our guide on what size of golf club to select for your height to help you find the best club for you.
Can women play with men's golf clubs?
Absolutely yes. While women's golf clubs are designed specifically for female golfers and their swing types, women golfers can also play with clubs that are designed for male players.
What's the difference between women's golf clubs and men's golf clubs?
Generally, women's clubs are slightly lighter than men's clubs, have more flexible shafts, slightly thinner grips and are sometimes a little shorter.
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Alison Root has over 25 years experience working in media and events, predominantly dedicated to golf, in particular the women’s game. Until 2020, for over a decade Alison edited Women & Golf magazine and website, and is now the full-time Women's Editor for Golf Monthly. Alison is a respected and leading voice in the women's game, overseeing content that communicates to active golfers from grassroots through to the professional scene, and developing collaborative relationships to widen Golf Monthly's female audience across all platforms to elevate women's golf to a new level. She is a 16-handicap golfer (should be better) and despite having had the fantastic opportunity to play some of the best golf courses around the world, Kingsbarns in Scotland is her favourite.
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