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Golf Irons

5 Best Callaway Irons for 2024 – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Last Update: December 25, 2023

Unlike most other sports, only having the right kind of skills and experience won’t make you the next Tiger Woods. Golf – as a sport – depends as much on the quality of the equipment as the expertise of the players.

To achieve greatness, not only will you have to keep up with the latest technological innovations in this sport but invest in the right kind of gear according to your playing style. We all know there’s no cheat code or easy way to succeed but if there were any, it would be starting your journey with the best golfing equipment out there.

Callaway is one of the leading brands in golf accessories. With the finest designers and craftsmen on board, they come up with fresh ideas every year. For the premium feel and top-notch build quality, most pros of the game lean towards them.

However, Callaway is not just a brand for the pros. They make excellent game improvement and super game improvement irons that rule the market. Speed, distance, accuracy-you name it! These irons are capable of improving any aspect of your game.

Though most Callaway irons are awesome, that doesn’t mean just any of them will work for you. Finding the iron that’ll suit your expertise and playing style can be very difficult, especially if you’re a beginner.

Today, we’re going to review the 5 best Callaway irons for beginners. We’ll elaborate on our experience with these amazing products so you can guess how good they actually are. We’ll also include a buying guide for Callaway irons that’ll help you choose the right set for yourself.

Top 5 Best Callaway Irons for Beginners

01 Callaway Golf 2019 PM Grind Wedge (Editor’s Pick)

Why It Stands Out to Us

Our top pick is one of those irons that you can’t but admire. This exceptionally well-built iron is built especially for beginners in mind. This model can help you master different techniques like the flop or knockdown. The 2019 PM wedge comes with an abundance of forgiveness, which is the most important element in any beginner irons. Callaway used steel shafts to focus more on accuracy rather than distance with these wedges.

However, you can achieve a fair amount of distance with them. If you’re a beginner and looking for something that makes you better at the game almost instantly, make sure to go for the 2019 PM Grind Wedge.

Our Experience with the 2019 PM Grind Wedge

  • The 2019 PM Grind Wedge looked a lot like the original PM Grind from 2015 at first. However, they featured a higher toe and more offset compared to the original model.
  • The wedges seemed extremely soft and made a good amount of kick on contact with the ball. This makes them perfect for specific shots like the flop.
  • Though Callaway didn’t include the option to choose graphite as the shaft material, steel wasn’t half bad either. We could swing them without any problem.
  • We noticed that the wedges performed best in the rough. The high toe and the increased offset helped massively in getting the ball out of the rough.
  • Callaway included four variants depending on the loft and bounce. All four of them were very forgiving. Besides, the huge sweet spot reduces the chances of miss-hits. We didn’t miss a lot of shots with them during our tests.
  • All the irons came with an almost identical length. This helped us massively in getting used to them. It didn’t take much for us to be comfortable with the 2019 PM Grind Wedge in our hands.
  • The UTX grips included with the wedges were great in quality. Though they weren’t anything fancy, we were very happy with the comfort they provided.

What We Didn’t Like

  • The amount of spin wasn’t the best
  • There wasn’t an option to choose a graphite shaft.
  • Performance in the sand wasn’t out of the world.

What Could Be Improved

  • Callaway could include graphite as a shaft material.

Our Recommendations

  • The wedge is made for almost any kind of swing and playing style. So, make sure you stick to your original action.

Specifications

  • Flex: Regular
  • Color: Chrome/ Tour Grey
  • Shaft Material: Steel
  • Available For: Men
  • Available Lofts: 54°, 56 °, 58°, and 60°

Pros

  • Attractive design
  • Exceptional forgiveness
  • Great pricing
  • Huge sweet spot
  • Perfect for beginners

Cons

  • Graphite shafts not available

02 Callaway Golf 2020 Mavrik Max Individual Iron (Best for Seniors)

Why It Stands Out to Us

Being the gold medalist in the 2020 Golf Digest Hot List, the Mavrik Max is simply one of the very best. You can expect a solid performance in any aspect of the game from these game improvement irons. With a pinpoint weight balance and suitable loft angles, each iron offers outstanding forgiveness. You can choose a graphite or steel shaft but no matter which one you choose, the Mavrik Max will offer a very fast swing. These irons can improve any part of your game without a doubt. They’re a great choice for any senior golfer.

Our Experience With the 2020 Max

  • In terms of appearance, there are very few irons that can go toe to toe with the 2020 Mavrik Max. We were delighted with the design and the build quality. The build material seemed solid enough to last a few years at least.
  • They come with both iron and graphite shafts. After testing both of the variants, we can confirm that both shafts work great with the irons. Callaway did an excellent job in making these shafts.
  • The weight was perfectly distributed in the Mavrik Max. Not even a single ounce of weight seemed to be out of place.
  • Unlike most senior irons, the Mavrik Max specializes in accuracy instead of speed or distance. Within the first few shots, we started to look better as golfers just because of the game-improvement features of the irons.
  • Regarding speed and distance, the performance was outstanding. Especially when coupled with graphite shafts, the swing speed was extraordinary. This will benefit the senior golfers the most. Besides, we managed to achieve more distance than most game improvement irons we tested.
  • We were impressed with the forgiveness. It’s a great feature to have in a game improvement iron. We missed so many shots and the irons took them as if they were nothing.
  • The grips were as good as you’d expect them to. The premium grips were very comfy and the irons didn’t slip from our hands even once.

What We Didn’t Like

  • With the name “Max”, you’d expect them to achieve more distance than the standard Mavrik. Sadly, the distance was almost identical to the Mavrik individual irons.
  • They’re expensive.

What Could Be Improved

  • Hybrid shafts could be added to the irons as an option.

Our Recommendations

  • If you’re a senior golfer, make sure to pick the “light”flex.

Specifications

  • Material: Alloy Steel
  • Shaft Flex: Light/ Regular/ Stiff
  • Shaft Material: Graphite/ Steel
  • Available For: Men
  • Available Clubs: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, AW, PW, SW

Pros

  • Premium design and materials
  • Enhanced Accuracy
  • Great game improvement features
  • Large sweet spot
  • Exceptionally forgiving

Cons

  • Relatively expensive

03 Callaway Golf 2018 Men’s Rogue X Individual Iron (Most Forgiving)

Why It Stands Out to Us

Irons from the Rogue X series offer the finest game improvement features among all Callaway irons. They are made especially for beginners and high handicappers. The Men’s Rogue X comes with an incredibly light construction that helps increase the swing speed. You’ll also get an extra few yards of distance with them. Each iron of the series comes with a suitable loft angle that makes it way easier to hit the ball with perfection. Besides, they’re the most forgiving irons of the famous manufacturer. Overall, if you’re looking to improve your game, the 2018 Men’s Rogue X is the best that Callaway offers.

Our Experience With the 2018 Men’s Rogue X

  • We were very satisfied with the appearance and build quality. You get exactly what you pay for in the Rogue X 2018. You can tell that it’s a super game improvement just by the tactile construction.
  • Both steel and graphite shafts were available for this model. Callaway did a wonderful job in dealing with the shafts because the irons felt very natural with the type of shafts.
  • There were three flex options- senior, regular, and stiff. We tested all of them and noticed a significant difference in the swing speed.
  • There are very few models that can compete with the Rogue X regarding forgiveness. It’s particularly made for high handicappers and players who haven’t completely mastered the swing yet. We missed quite a few shots with them and surprisingly, they took them like a champion.
  • Each iron had a suitable loft angle starting from 18.5 ° (4 iron) to 56° (SW). Also, hitting the sweet spot seemed fairly effortless with them. We hardly missed the spot after a few days of practice with the Rogue X.
  • Callaway included Lamkin Grips with the irons. We tested the irons for about three weeks and they didn’t slip from our hands even once.
  • The lengths of the irons ranged from 33.25-39 inches depending on their functionalities. They all seemed to have the perfect height for an adult man.

What We Didn’t Like

  • The irons may be too lightweight for some golfers.
  • The quality of the sand wedge wasn’t as good as the other irons.

What Could Be Improved

  • Callaway could have made the sand wedge a little stiffer.

Specifications

  • Material: Utherene
  • Shaft Material: Steel/Graphite
  • Flex: Stiff/ Regular/ Senior
  • Available For: Men
  • Available Irons: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, AW, PW, GW, SW

Pros

  • Offers amazing distance
  • Lightweight
  • Enhanced swing speed
  • Extremely forgiving
  • Three flex designations

Cons

  • Sand wedge lacks quality

04 Callaway Golf 2018 Men’s Rogue Individual Iron

Why It Stands Out to Us

For starters, the 2018 Men’s Rogue irons come with an eye-catching design and world-class build quality that’ll impress you any day of the week. But what’s really breathtaking about this model is its ability to lift your game. These amazing irons combine the variable face thickness technology and 360 face cup technology to provide an all-around and enhanced performance.

Callaway did a perfect job in distributing the weight throughout the irons. You can choose from steel or graphite for your shaft material. Besides, an increased swing speed and spot-on accuracy will provide you tons of support especially if you’re a mid or high handicapper. If you want your irons to look premium and help you get to that next stage, make no mistake and choose the 2018 Men’s Rogue Individual Irons.

Our Experience With the 2018 Men’s Rogue

  • The first thing that we noticed about the 2018’s Rogue irons was that they looked very well-balanced and well thought. We loved the design and the build materials were top-notch as well.
  • The 60g Synergy graphite shafts were absolutely on point. They were sizable, which will come in handy for high handicappers. There was a 90g steel shaft available as well for those who like a bit of weight in their irons.
  • There were three flex profiles available; senior, regular and stiff. We tested all of them and figured that they would be perfect for golfers with different needs.
  • Callaway did an amazing job in putting the center of gravity to the right spot in this iron. This makes these irons even better for beginners. We noticed a good amount of spin on the ball, which kept it for longer in the air and eventually added about 5-10 yards of distance in different irons.
  • Forgiveness in these irons was outstanding. We missed about 50 shots during our time with the irons and surprisingly all of the irons stood up very well.
  • The loft angles on the different irons were very well managed. Also, the difference in the lofts wasn’t irregular. The sweet spot on them was huge and very easy to find.
  • We loved the grips that came with the Rogue irons. They weren’t the best we used but they were certainly usable. We had no troubles using them and so wouldn’t you.

What We Didn’t Like

  • The individual irons are expensive.
  • They can be a bit too heavy for some players.
  • The sand wedge isn’t as good as the other irons.

What Could Be Improved

  • Being a 2018 model, Callaway could lower the price a little.
  • The sand wedge could be better in quality.

Specifications

  • Flex: Regular/ Senior/Stiff
  • Shaft Material: Steel/ Graphite
  • Available For: Men
  • Available Irons: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, AW, SW

Pros

  • Enhances distance
  • Great forgiveness
  • Suitable for mid-high handicappers
  • Eye-catching design
  • Fantastic build quality
  • Longer shafts

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Too heavy for some players

05 Callaway Unisex’s Edge 10 Piece Golf Set-Right Handed, 10525 cm

Why It Stands Out to Us

Our final pick is a complete package for any beginner golfer. Like every Callaway golf set, the Edge also comes with marvelous outlooks and amazing build quality. Both graphite and steel shafts have been used in this set. Graphite shafts are used in the hybrid and 3 wood for an enhanced distance. On the contrary, steel shafts are coupled with the irons to maximize accuracy. This means you get both distance and accuracy covered.

Apart from that, there’s also a quality putter that feels great in the hand. Overall, the Edge 10 piece golf set does wonder for a beginner’s game. If you want a perfect set that you can trust as a companion in your early golfing days, make sure you pick the Edge golf set from Callaway.

Our Experience With the Edge Set

  • The Edge combo seemed like the complete package for beginner golfers. Each component of the set was made with quality material and the design looked fantastic as well.
  • Callaway paired a nice set of graphite shafts with the hybrid and the wood. These shafts produced a fast swing no matter which clubs we were using. Steel shafts were used in the 6-9 irons. They offered amazing accuracy.
  • The shafts came with a regular flex designation. The flexibility helped achieve an additional few yards of distance in most of the irons.
  • In terms of the 3 wood, we were very satisfied. They were designed to enhance the distance and not accuracy. The low center of gravity allowed us to achieve 10-20 yards compared to some 3 irons.
  • Though they all had good forgiveness, the 5-hybrid seemed like the most forgiving one. It took the miss-hits like they were nothing.
  • We loved the 6-9 irons very much. They didn’t use the lightest of shafts but the performance was flawless. They gave a premium feel to the hands and helped us improve our accuracy in just two weeks.
  • Callaway included quality head covers with the Edge set. They worked nicely for us. During our time reviewing the set, we didn’t feel the necessity to use any third-party covers for protecting the club heads.

What We Didn’t Like

  • You can’t adjust or custom-fit them. This can be a red flag for some golfers.
  • This set is designed only for beginners.

What Could Be Improved

  • Graphite shafts could be added to the 6-9 irons as well.

Pros

  • Eye-catching design
  • Perfect pricing
  • Forgiving irons
  • Large sweet spot
  • Enhanced distance and accuracy

Cons

  • For beginners only
  • No graphite shaft for the irons

Best Callaway Irons for Beginners: Buying Guide

best callaway irons

1. Muscle Back vs Cavity Back

A muscle back iron features solid and rigid construction that distributes weight equally throughout the head. They’re usually heavier than their cavity-backed counterparts. This extra amount of weight gives the muscle back irons edge over the cavity back irons in distance and spin. Players (especially low handicappers) who have their accuracy figured out often lean towards these irons for the additional power.

On the flip side, a cavity back iron features a much more complex construction. They come as hollowed or scooped out on the backside of the head. This omitted portion does two good things for the iron- cutting down a good chunk of weight and putting more weight on the area where it is needed (front side and edges). This allows the cavity back irons to be lightweight and forgiving at the same time. Most mid/high handicappers choose these irons because of the fast swing and the enhanced control they offer.

2. Center of Gravity

The Center of gravity determines the amount of loft a player will get with a Callaway iron. Callaway puts the center of gravity in different spots in different irons based on their functionality.  In long irons, the center of gravity is on the rear side of the clubhead that makes them (3-5) suitable for long-range shots while in case of short and mid irons, the center of gravity lies somewhere between the middle and the front. This gives the 6-9 irons great control over the swing and enhances the accuracy.

3. Shaft Material

a) Steel

Steel is the heaviest material used in the shafts. So, steel shafts are heavier and offer less speed and flex than the other types. However, the stiff build of steel shafts gives them a great boost in accuracy compared to the other two. You’ll see a lot of pros using Callaway irons with steel shafts.

b) Graphite

Being the lightest material used in shafts, graphite also offers the most flex and swing speed. Regardless of the level of expertise, you’ll find them very easy to maneuver. Most beginner and intermediate golfers prefer graphite for the additional speed and distance they offer. Keep in mind that these shafts will cost you more than the steel ones.

c) Hybrid

The idea behind a hybrid shaft is to combine the accuracy of steel shafts and the flex and distance of graphite shafts into one single shaft, Typically, steel is used in the lower part of these shafts and graphite on the tips. Callaway has implemented this method in a few of their irons.

4. Shaft Flex

Shaft flex resembles the flexibility of a golf shaft. Typically, more flex means more swing speed, and a faster swing guarantees a greater distance. So, the flexibility of the shaft pretty much dictates the distance. Normally, there is no fixed way of measuring the shaft flex. However, it’s often determined by the CPM (cycle per minute) ratings of the shafts.

There are a lot of flex designations in golf shafts. They come with different names – extra stiff, stiff, regular, senior, ladies, and so on. Each of these designations offers different flexibility in shafts. The shafts with senior and ladies flex generate maximum swing speed. On the flip side, stiffer shafts like stiff or extra stiff offer less swing speed. Shafts with a regular flex fall between the stiff and senior flex.

Each flex designations are made for different groups of players according to their skill level and requirements. Golfers who struggle with their swing speed often opt for regular or senior flex. On the contrary, players with a good swing speed lean towards x-stiff, stiff or regular flex.

Keep in mind that shafts with higher flex aren’t as accurate as their stiffer counterparts. Callaway, like most golf equipment manufacturers, uses all of the flex designations we mentioned. Just choose the one that suits your skill level and playing style.

5. Hybrids

If you’re starting as a golfer, you’re likely to find the long irons (3,4) the most difficult to maneuver. This is where the hybrids shine. They work as a substitute for the long irons while offering much more forgiveness than them. Hybrids allow the players to have more control over the swing. With a hybrid in your hand, you’ll feel more confident than ever.

However, it’s not an absolute necessity to start with hybrids instead of the long irons. Depending on your stance, swing speed, and playing style, even long irons can work better for you. So, to be on the safer side, try both of the options and figure out which one suits you more. You can find numerous Callaway sets that facilitate hybrids.

6. Grips

The swing movement of any iron depends highly on the way it is held. This makes the grip a very crucial component of the iron. Almost all golf equipment brands include grips with their iron sets but very few of them pay enough attention to their quality. That’s why golfers often lean towards the third-party grips that cost extra.

Callaway is one of those manufacturers that ensure excellent quality in all of the components including the grips. Callaway uses different materials in their grips depending on the shaft material, flex, club head, and weight. Besides, you can just go ahead and choose any grip you like from the Callaway store.

7. Price

Callaway makes flagship irons each year and they’re easily one of the biggest names in the world of golf. So, it’s evident that their products don’t come cheap. An individual iron will set you back $100 – $300 depending on the model while an iron set could cost up to $1600.

FAQs

Q. 1: Which Callaway irons are the easiest to hit?

A: The X Series from Callaway offers extreme forgiveness and distance gains for most high handicappers and beginners. They can be considered as the easiest Callaway irons to hit.

Q. 2: How many irons to get as a high handicapper?

A: A high handicapper should carry at least one 3 wood, 4,5, and 6 hybrids, short irons (7,8,9), a putter, and a pitching wedge. This takes the total number of irons to a minimum of 9.

Q. 3: What is a good handicap for beginner golfers?

A: A handicap of 10 or less is considered a good handicap in golf and the average handicap is around 16. So, anything less than 20 should be a good handicap for beginner golfers.

Q. 4: Does Callaway make game-improvement irons?

A: Callaway’s Rogue series features some of the most popular game improvement irons on the market. So, not only do they make game-improvement irons but they’re also considered to be the leading game-improvement iron manufacturers.

Q. 5: How often should you get new irons?

A: If you notice tears or scratches on your clubhead or the iron doesn’t deliver as much distance or accuracy as before, you should consider going for a new one.

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