Callaway has been a leading manufacturer of golf clubs for many years.
They make some of the best golf clubs for the mid handicap golfer.
Some of the Callaway models are also geared to lower handicap golfers as well.
The Callaway product is known for being very forgiving and having lots of distance.
This is a club you can put in your bag, and it will remain there for many years.
Here are the top ten best Callaway irons available on the market.
There are options on our list for handicaps of all ages.
Top 10 Best Callaway Irons
1. Callaway Golf 2020 Mavrik Iron Set
- Due to unprecedented demand across the industry, causing a shortage of shafts and grip, we may need to substitute for an equivalent premium shaft/grip.
- With MAVRIK, we’re using Artificial Intelligence for the first time in an iron. Ball speed is further enhanced by our 360 Face Cup that flexes and releases at impact.
- We’ve created a sophisticated face architecture that’s unique to every loft, so we can create a significant boost in ball speed and increased spin robustness off of every iron.
- The custom tungsten-infused weights in each iron allow us to locate the position of the CG in each iron with extraordinary precision while still maintaining ball speed in the Flash Face Cup.
- This is how we can provide optimum launch and ball flight through the set.
- We’ve implemented our patented urethane microspheres to comprehensively absorb unwanted vibration for pure feel, while also maximizing COR for incredible ball speed.
- Included Components: Irons Set
Key Features
- 360 Face Cup Technology
- Optimized center of gravity
- Incredibly fast ball speeds
For the first time, a golf manufacturer has used artificial intelligence to develop a set of golf irons.
This has made the Mavrik irons some of the most technologically advanced golf clubs that we have ever seen.
With this Mavrik iron set, Callaway combined many of its best technologies from the last few years to create a very high performing iron.
The Mavrik features the 360 Face Cup technology that helps with both distance and forgiveness.
Each part of the Mavrik set is created to optimize loft and ball speed.
They also placed the center of gravity perfectly in each iron.
In other words, the eight iron is built like a unique club to the seven iron.
Flash face technology is something that Callaway put on their woods last year, and it was very well received.
It merely means that the clubface on a club is faster than it has ever been before.
As far as feel is concerned, Callaway included the urethane microspheres that help to improve overall feel at impact.
The microspheres work to absorb vibration.
One of the problems with the Rogue irons from last year was that the feel was not as good.
This has been worked on and changed for the 2020 release of the Mavrik.
This club will be best suited for the mid to high handicapper looking for the ultimate forgiveness and distance.
Pros
- Lots of distance
- Improved feel from earlier releases
- 360 Face Cup Technology
Cons
- A bit expensive since it’s a new release
Mavrik Iron Set Video Review
2. Callaway Golf 2019 Apex Smoke Irons Set
- The Callaway Apex 19 Smoke is the ultimate forged players distance iron with a stunning new Smoke PVD Finish.
- Extremely soft feel comes from a forged 1025 mild carbon steel body, and for the first time Callaway has put Urethane Microspheres into a forged iron.
- The 360 Face Cup creates fast ball speeds for consistent distance, and the spin control VFT Face in the short irons promotes aggressive shot-making.
- The tungsten-infused, multi-material construction allows us to locate the Center of Gravity with extraordinary precision for optimum ball flight and control.
- Apex is expertly crafted with a beautiful players shape, a platinum chrome finish and a new smoke True Temper Elevate 95 Shaft.
Key Features
- Forged players iron
- Great feel
- Clean and sleek finish on the irons
The Callaway Apex Smoke irons are some of the best looking golf clubs that Callaway has ever released.
Luckily they are also very high performing as well.
The Apex Smoke is going to be a bit more of a players iron that has some incredible distance.
Most times, players need to choose between distance or feel.
Luckily with the Apex Smoke, they can have both.
The new smoke PVD finish on the irons makes them not only look great but very resistant to glare as well.
When you look down at these irons even on the brightest of days, you should not have any trouble seeing the club.
The Apex Smoke iron is made from 1025 mild carbon steel.
This gives a very soft feel in addition to the great looks.
The Apex Smoke irons also come with the same 360 Face Cup technology that the new Mavrik irons have on them.
This technology will likely stay in the Callaway irons for quite some time.
The Apex Smoke comes standard with a True Temper Elevate 95 Shaft.
The shaft will work for the mid to high swing speed players looking to work the ball.
The Apex Smoke allows you to hit fades, cuts, and draws whenever you feel the need.
The center of gravity in the Apex Smoke is located in a position that gives you a perfect balance of ball flight and control.
Pros
- Great for the lower handicap player
- Incredibly soft feel
- Good distance for a players iron
Cons
- Not as forgiving as other options
Apex Smoke Irons Set Video
3. Callaway Golf 2018 Men’s Rogue X Irons Set
- 360 face cup + vft for more ball speed
- Mim'D internal standing wave for optimal flight and control
- Urethane microspheres for great feel
- The ultimate distance iron
Key Features
- Lowered lofts for distance
- 360 Face Cup Technology
- Urethane Microspheres for feel
The Men’s Rogue X Irons are a perfect fit for the higher handicap player.
These are some of the longest irons that Callaway ever released.
To get this increase in distance, the Rogue X irons have very strong lofts.
If you are used to traditionally lofted irons, these clubs will feel a bit different.
When you hold a six iron in your hand, it will have the loft of a five iron.
There were certain adjustments that Callaway had to make to these clubs to make them more forgiving.
Lower lofts are usually hard to hit, so the Rogue X irons have a very low center of gravity.
This will help increase launch.
The result is that you get a very long hitting iron that still allows the ball to launch high enough to stop and spin on a green.
Just like the other Rogue releases, Callaway installed the Urethane Microspheres to improve the feel of the Rogue X irons.
A lower handicap player will probably find that the Rogue X irons are a bit too long and don’t offer enough feel.
However, the higher handicap slower swinging player will be happy to put this club in their hands.
Pros
- Lots of distance
- Forgiving clubface
Cons
- Lower lofted, can be harder to stop and spin
Callaway Golf 2018 Men’s Rogue X Irons Set Video
4. Callaway Golf 2020 Mavrik Pro Iron Set
- With MAVRIK, we’re using Artificial Intelligence for the first time in an iron. Ball speed is further enhanced by our 360 Face Cup that flexes and releases at impact.
- We’ve created a sophisticated face architecture that’s unique to every loft, so we can create a significant boost in ball speed and increased spin robustness off of every iron
- The custom tungsten-infused weights in each iron allow us to locate the position of the CG in each iron with extraordinary precision while still maintaining ball speed in the Flash Face Cup.
- This is how we can provide optimum launch and ball flight through the set.
- We’ve implemented our patented urethane microspheres to comprehensively absorb unwanted vibration for pure feel, while also maximizing COR for incredible ball speed.
Key Features
- Great for the lower handicap player that still needs forgiveness
- 360 Face cup
- Better feel than regular Mavrik
The Mavrik Pro Iron set is designed with the lower handicap golfer in mind.
Although this is not a real blade, the Mavrik Pro has some excellent feel.
If you feel as though the regular Mavrik is a bit too forgiving and does not have as much playability as you would like than the Mavrik Pro is a great choice.
Callaway used Artificial Intelligence when they created this option.
The made sure that every face is a perfect fit for each loft.
The lofts on the Mavrik Pro irons are going to be much more traditional than the regular Mavriks.
The combination of the Flash Face and the Face Cup are what give you the distance, not lowered lofts.
This allows players to be able to hit high launch and have increase spin on their iron shots.
The only complaint that some lower handicap golfers have had is that the irons themselves are a bit thick.
The top-down view is wider than something like the Apex Smoke that we reviewed.
Just like the other high performing Callaway irons, the Mavrik also has the urethane microsphere technology.
This allows you to have a better feel and less vibration at impact.
The Mavrik Pro comes stock with a KBS steel shaft.
The shaft is a slight bit heavier in the stiff than it is in the regular, and it will have a bit lower spin and launch than the standard Mavrik set.
One final positive about the Mavrik Pro is the fact that you can get a three-iron.
Many golf clubs are not offered in the three-iron option anymore, but there are still players that use them.
The three iron is a difficult club to hit, and only faster swing speed players will find success with it.
With the lofts being adjusted on most of the game improvement sets, there is almost no need for a three-iron.
Since the lofts on the Mavrik Pro are traditionally lofted, you get the option to hit a three iron if you want.
Pros
- An excellent option for the lower handicap player
- Affordable for a high performing iron
- Forged feel
Cons
- The top-down look is still a bit thick for a performance iron
Callaway Mavrik Pro Iron Review Video
5. Callaway Golf 2019 Big Bertha Iron Set
- Easy Launch, Distance, and Incredible Sound and Feel From the Suspended Energy Core
- Long, Consistent Distance From Our 360 Face Cup
- New Suspended Energy Core
- Unforgettable look with a clean, Smoked PVD Finish
Key Features
- PVD finish
- Great launch
- Amazing feel with a suspended energy core
If you love the black PVD finish on the clubs, but your game is not quite ready for the Callaway Apex Smoke irons, the Big Bertha Iron set is a great alternative.
These irons were priced quite high when they were first released, but luckily this has become a perfect time to purchase them.
The Big Bertha iron set is a mid to high handicap iron set for the player who prefers feel.
The Big Bertha Iron set comes with a suspended energy core.
This core helps them look and sound better, as well.
It’s not often that a set of irons for the higher handicap player can feel quite like this.
If you struggle to launch the golf ball at all, you will be impressed with the Big Bertha’s ability to get the ball in the air.
As far as distance is concerned, the Big Bertha irons have plenty of lengths.
They are not going to be quite as long as something like the Rogue X or the Mavrik, but they will not hold you back.
If you like to try and hit shots of varying heights or hit a draw or a fade from time to time, you will love the Big Bertha set.
For some players, visual appeal on an iron set is just as important as the actual performance.
We honestly believe that the Big Bertha irons may be the best-looking iron that Callaway has out at the moment.
Pros
- Amazing feel
- Easy to launch
- Black PVD finish
Cons
- Will not be as long as some other iron choices
Callaway Golf 2019 Big Bertha Iron Set Video Review
6. Callaway Golf 2020 Mavrik Max Iron Set
- Due to unprecedented demand across the industry, causing a shortage of shafts and grip, we may need to substitute for an equivalent premium shaft/grip.
- With MAVRIK, we’re using Artificial Intelligence for the first time in an iron. Ball speed is further enhanced by our 360 Face Cup that flexes and releases at impact.
- We’ve created a sophisticated face architecture that’s unique to every loft, so we can create a significant boost in ball speed and increased spin robustness off of every iron.
- The custom tungsten-infused weights in each iron allow us to locate the position of the CG in each iron with extraordinary precision while still maintaining ball speed in the Flash Face Cup.
- This is how we can provide optimum launch and ball flight through the set.
- Included Components: Irons Set
Key Features
- Oversized club head
- Great for increased launch and forgiveness
- 360 Face cup technology
The Callaway Mavrik Max Iron set is very similar to the Mavrik but with a few key differences.
Where the Mavrik is considered a game improvement iron the Max is considered a super game improvement.
This is more of an oversized iron face, and it is built for both increased launch and forgiveness.
Where the Mavrik standard has some lowered lofts, the Mavrik Max does not.
The Mavrik Max is going to be more of a traditionally lofted iron, so the distance might not appear to be the same as the standard Mavrik.
However, the launch and spin should be even better.
For beginners or high handicappers that feel like all of their iron shots run through each green, the Max can help.
You will get enough loft on these clubs that the ball can land softly and actually stay on a green.
The center of gravity on the Mavrik Max irons is perfectly positioned to help make this iron about as forgiving as they can be.
The same 360 Face cup technology was used on the Mavirk Max that was used on the Mavirk irons.
The only difference is that the sweet spot on the Max is even bigger.
The Mavrik Max also has a slightly lighter golf shaft in it to help the slower swinging player.
The Mavrik Max is offered in lofts down to a sand wedge.
If you like some consistency throughout your set, the Mavrik Max is a good choice.
Pros
- Easy to launch
- Lightweight shaft
- Low center of gravity
Cons
- Not as long as the standard Mavrik
- Won’t appeal to the lower handicap golfer
Callaway Golf 2020 Mavrik Max Iron Set Video Review
7. Callaway Golf 2019 Apex Individual Iron
- The Callaway Apex 19 is the ultimate forged players distance iron.
- Extremely soft feel comes from a forged 1025 mild carbon steel body, and for the first time Callaway has put Urethane Microspheres into a forged iron.
- The 360 Face Cup creates fast ball speeds for consistent distance, and the spin control VFT Face in the short irons promotes aggressive shot-making.
- The tungsten-infused, multi-material construction allows us to locate the Center of Gravity with extraordinary precision for optimum ball flight and control.
- Apex is expertly crafted with a beautiful players shape, a platinum chrome finish and a new True Temper Elevate 95 Shaft.
Key Features
- 360 Face cup
- Forged Feel
- Additional Urethane Microspheres for feel
Last year the Rogue irons were built for the player looking for forgiveness.
The Apex Pro were for the low handicappers.
The Apex filled in the gaps.
These clubs were built for players that still need a bit of forgiveness, but they also need something with a better feel than a cavity back.
This is a forged distance iron that is built for a good golfer.
Higher handicap players that want to use the Apex will find that there is not much room for error.
However, when you hit these irons right, you will be rewarded for it.
The Apex 19 has a very soft feel and is made with a 1025 mild carbon steel body.
These irons were the first to feature the urethane microspheres in a forged iron.
Previously this was a technology that you would only see in a cavity back iron.
The addition of the microspheres has made this club even more soft feeling.
There is almost no vibration when the Apex is hit solid.
The short irons on the Apex set are built for scoring.
If you like to attack pins and be able to work the ball, the Apex will allow you to do that.
The clubhead itself is not quite as thin or sleek as the Apex Pro but certainly not as thick as the Rogue either.
The stock shaft is a True Temper Elevate 95 shaft.
Most mid to high swing speed players will be able to work with this golf shaft without any issues.
Pros
- Great feel
- Clean players look with added forgiveness
- No vibration at impact
Cons
- Pricing was higher than the Rogue set
- Not the most forgiving iron on the market
8. Callaway Golf Men’s XR Combo Set
- Revolutionary Ball Speed From Cup 360 Our improved face cup technology even acts like a spring on shots hit low on the face to increase ball speeds; The speed is higher at every other impact location on the face too
- Lower CG, More MOI and Ball Speed The Internal Standing Wave is the ultimate team player; It's refined the way that we lower CG, increased MOI and gives the face cup the freedom to flex for more ball speed
- New Construction And Shape An iron built for speed needs a different level of refinement and attention, in this case a 2-piece construction that includes a dual heat treatment; It's precise, meticulous craftsmanship that XR deserves
Key Features
- 360 Face Cup
- Low center of gravity
- Lightweight
The Callaway Golf Men’s XR Combo set is a few years old.
However, the technology is still relevant, and the pricing is hard to beat.
These irons were the first time that Callaway started introducing their 360 Face Cup technology.
If you happen to miss the center of the clubface, you can rest assured that you will still get plenty of distance with the XR iron.
These clubs will not be as long as some of the new Mavrik equipment, but they certainly offer plenty of ball speed.
They also have a higher MOI than most previous versions of Callaway irons.
This club is built more for the mid to high handicap player.
The clubhead itself is a bit bulky, and the face is huge.
If it has been a long time since you have upgraded your irons, you will be impressed with this Callaway set.
This particular set happens to be a combo set that comes with the hybrids and the irons.
Choosing something with a four and five hybrid is the ideal set makeup for the player looking to lower their scores.
The hybrids will make a great addition when trying to hit the ball out of the rough.
Pros
- Easy to launch
- Higher MOI than previous models
Cons
- Bulky club head
- Not as long as the new releases
Callaway Golf Men’s XR Combo Set Video Review
9. Callaway Epic Forged Iron
- Epic Forged Irons are an ultra-premium, stunningly beautiful iron, developed from precision engineering and meticulous craftsmanship for incredible forged performance.
- For the first time ever in a forged iron, we've implemented our Suspended Tungsten Core. We've suspended the tungsten weight using our Urethane Microspheres for controlled launch and distance.
- Our renowned 360 Face Cup employs a shallow, flexible rim around the perimeter of the face that flexes and releases at impact to promote fast ball speed.
- To provide spin and control in the mid and long irons, we've applied a new VFT pattern which promotes consistent ball speed and spin rates.
- To complete the performance package, Epic Forged is available in stock Aerotech Steelfiber FC and Mitsubishi Tensei AV Silver Shaft options, and Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grips.
Key Features
- Premium Iron
- VFT Patter
- Suspended tungsten core
The Epic Forged irons are probably the most expensive irons that you have come across in your golf career.
Before you write these off because of their price, isn’t it worth understanding the technology behind them?
Everything about this iron is premium.
The shaft, the clubhead, the design, the grip are all high performing and impressive.
This is a great looking golf club that has some incredible, forged feel and performance.
The Suspended Tungsten Core is new for a forged iron.
However, the introduction of this core allowed for the addition of the Urethane Microspheres.
These were added to eliminate any vibration at impact.
The 360 Face Cup that seems to be a common theme on all of the Callaway irons was also used in the Epic Forged iron.
The 360 Face cup provides a flexible rim around the perimeter of the clubface that helps to promote ball speed.
You can think of it as a trampoline for the ball to jump off of.
Pros
- Incredible forged technology
- Very lightweight
Cons
- Most expensive iron set that Callaway offers
- Clubhead itself is a bit large
Callaway Epic Forged Iron Video Review
10. Callaway X HOT Iron Set
- Long, fast & forgiving
- Designed for fast ball speeds and more distance
- Great feel and satisfying sound
- Made with best materials
Key Features
- Great for forgiveness
- Lightweight steel shafts
- Large sweet spot
The last iron on our list is the Callaway X Hot Iron Set.
The only reason this set ends up near the bottom is that it is a bit older in technology.
As far as pricing is concerned, the X Hot is going to be the best deal that you can find.
If you are a beginner golfer that does not want to purchase a complete beginner, set the X Hot is a great choice.
These irons have a large sweet spot and plenty of ball speed.
They will not go as far as the Mavirk iron, but they are plenty long enough.
The feel on the X Hot irons is not as great as some of the clubs that incorporate the urethane microspheres, but it is undoubtedly fine, especially for a higher handicapper.
Pros
- Excellent pricing
- Great distance
- Easy to hit club head
Cons
- Not as long as some of the other options on the market
- Feel is a little more hard
Callaway X HOT Iron Set Video Review
It’s not hard to find a solid set of Callaway golf irons.
It’s a bit harder to narrow down which Callaway golf iron that you need for your game.
Callaway, as a company, does a great job of creating irons for all handicap levels.
Just make sure to find a set that works well for your skill level.
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