What works for one golfer might not work for another and a common debate is whether forged irons are better than cavity-backed irons. Today we will discuss the pros and cons of forged irons and then take a look at the 5 best forged irons sets currently available.
At a glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Best Forged Irons
What Are Forged Irons?
Forged irons are manufactured from a single piece of metal and position more weight in the center of the clubhead. These provide maximum feedback and a soft feel which experienced and better players will require.
The Difference Between a Forged Iron and a Regular Cavity Backed Iron
| Forged Irons | Game Improvement and Other Irons |
| The club head is forged from a single piece of metal | The club head is made in a cast and/or with additional inserts |
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The process of manufacturing forged irons is quite different and more expensive than the process used in manufacturing cavity-backed irons.
This is because cavity-backed irons are manufactured by putting several components together. Furthermore, it enables manufacturers to position the weight around the perimeter of the club thereby reducing side spin and creating a larger sweet spot for more forgiveness for new players.
Benefits of a Forged Iron
There are plenty of reasons to choose forged irons, like how they:
- Enable you to exercise more control and achieve more accuracy
- Are thinner than cavity-backed irons
- Have a more compact shape behind the clubface and smaller club heads
- Make it easier to hit a variety of ball flights, draws, and fades
Disadvantages of a Forged Iron
- More expensive
- Less forgiving
Who Should Use Forged Irons?
Forged irons are aimed at low handicappers. This is especially true if they’re blade-shaped as well. Most forged irons are not suitable for high handicappers as they don’t provide enough game-improving qualities. On the other hand, they provide plenty of control for more experienced players.
How to Choose the Best Forged Irons
While it’s virtually impossible for forged irons to provide as much forgiveness as cavity-backed irons, you should still consider just how forgiving you need the irons to be when shopping. You can often find a set that provides the best of both worlds to be a little forgiving but still provide control.
Some forged irons and biased for players who naturally draw or fade so make sure you find an ideal set for your swing style.
Vibration control is another selling point for certain forged irons. Many golfers want the satisfying feedback without the potential joint issues.
Quick Overview: Our Top Picks for 3 Best Forged Irons
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
OUR RATING: 4.3/5 | Wilson Staff D9 Golf Irons Best Value Forged Irons |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
OUR RATING: 4.9/5 | Callaway X Forged CB Irons |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
OUR RATING: 4.6/5  | TaylorMade P770 Iron Set |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
Our Research Parameters
Golfspan is independent and not pressured by manufacturers to recommend products. We were not paid for the reviews in this article. These forged irons were selected by our team, who have over 100 years of experience playing golf and thousands of hours reviewing products. We may earn an affiliate commission when you purchase something through our retail links.
Review of The 5 Best Forged Irons
If you consistently and confidently strike the ball well, you might want to consider playing with forged irons. We look at 5 of the best options to consider.
1. Most Forgiving Forged Irons – Wilson Staff D9
Pros
- Forged heads
- Power hole technology
- Weight optimization for more consistency
- Eye please aesthetics
- Durable
- Affordability
- Very fairly priced
- Reduced vibration at impact
Cons
- Perimeter weighting negates the true forged iron characteristics
Wilson is one of the biggest names in the world of sport covering nearly every sport you can think of. They have been active in golf for many decades and continue to produce quality equipment that can compete with most brands.
The company offers a wide range of cavity-backed irons as well as some forged irons. The best-known forged irons in their stable are the D9 Forged irons.
They do not compete with the most expensive forged clubs but offer good quality forged irons at an extremely affordable price making it a great option for mid-handicap golfers that want to experience the feel and benefits of forged clubs before investing a huge amount of money.
Designed to be a forged iron using forged carbon steel, the D9 offers perimeter weighting and power holes for more ball speed and distance. The perimeter weighting adds to the distance and forgiveness while retaining the feel of a forged club.
Power holes aid in reducing the amount of vibration often found on mishits off a forged iron.
Sets come with an option of seven or eight pieces with either steel or Wilson Graphite shafts and Tour Velvet grips. Shaft flex available in regular, stiff, and senior shaft flexes
2. Best Approach Shots – Srixon Z-Forged Iron
Pros
- Pure feel
- Stunning looks
- Easy to hit
- V-Sole technology
- More forgiving than expected
- Accurate distance control
Cons
- Not for golfers that do not strike the ball pure
Srixon is renowned for creating some of the most strikingly beautiful, forged irons that promote confidence in players of all levels. This combined with exceptional feel and impressive performance makes it ideal for good ball strikers that want added workability.
The irons are forged from a single billet soft 1020 carbon steel for an exceptional feel and a sleek design that promotes pure and consistent ball striking from a classic muscle back blade shape.
From the first time you lay your eyes on the Srixon Z-forged, you will know that these irons are aimed at a better player. The thin topline, fairly small offset, and compact length will remind you that this is a forged blade built for performance.
The sharp angular components found on most cavity-backed irons are replaced with muscular rounded curves. Possibly to remind you to keep your tempo smooth throughout and not to rush your swing.
Well-struck shots produce a comfortable thud sound off the face and contact is soft and muted. Once you get accustomed to the Z-forged irons you will soon realize where contact was made on the face of the club.
You can expect quality from the Srixon Z-forged with little forgiveness. After all these clubs are meant for the better ball strikers. Any mishits will immediately show in the distance and trajectory of the ball.
As with most other blades, you can expect to generate more spin with the Z-forged irons. This increases the workability of the clubs.
Srixon’s V-sole design is incorporated into the design of the Z-forged irons. This design stops the clubhead from digging into the turf for a smoother transition after impact.
The Z-Forged comes standard with Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 shafts.
Not all golfers will find the Srixon Z-forged to their liking as it requires you to have the rights skills and ball striking abilities to appreciate the qualities that it offers. These irons have been crafted for Tour players and highly skilled amateurs.
The classic muscle-back blade irons offer extreme versatility anywhere on the course.
3. Best Value – Callaway X Forged CB Irons
Pros
- 1025 forged mild carbon
- 360 Face Cup and VFT
- Precision optimized center of gravity
- Good for shot shaping and control
- Ample distance
- Multi-material construction
- Great feel
- Lightweight and playable golf shaft
Cons
- Expensive
- Not ideal for fast swing speed
Callaway has perennially produced quality irons that have found their way onto many professional tours. The Callaway X Forged CB is a set of irons that broke with the traditional way and set a new standard in the construction of forged irons and is generally accepted as the best forged golf irons available.
Forged from a 1025 mild carbon steel body with Urethane Microspheres into a forged iron. This provides an awesome feeling at the impact on one of the softest irons without having to sacrifice distance.
Variable face technology (VFT) allowed Callaway to produce a club with the feel of a forged club while retaining a hint of forgiveness. This enables low-handicap players to work the ball and shape their shots at will.
The face is constructed using multiple materials to assist you in getting extra ball flight without sacrificing control. The face is geared to create the ideal launch angle off any iron in the set. This enables you to generate a generous spin to land the ball softly on the green.
Callaway engineers designed the renowned 360 Face Cup to deliver tour performance and consistency for pinpoint accuracy on approach shots to the green.
Fifty grams of tungsten is infused into every clubhead to promote better shot-making, ball trajectory, and ultimate control.
Callaway’s X Forged CB is extremely competitive in the looks department with its shape influenced by what tour players prefer. It is designed with a classic look offering a straight leading edge, higher toe line, thin top line, and a smooth hostel transition.
Although these are forged irons that offer good workability and precision, their center of gravity is placed low to generate a great launch angle and ball flight.
True Temper Elevate 95 Steel shafts are standard which are suitable for the mid swing speed player.
Backed by the Callaway brand you can rely on the quality and durability of the X Forged CB range.
If you feel ready to move up to forged irons from your cavity-backed irons, the Callaway X Forged CB is as close as possible to perfection.
Configuration:
- Available in left and right-hand orientation
- The shaft is available in either steel or graphite
- Shaft flex available in Stiff, Regular, and Extra Stiff
- Standard set configuration available
- 3-9 Iron, PW
- 4-9 Iron, PW
- 4-9 Iron, PW, AW
- 5-9 Iron, PW
- 5-9 Iron, PW, AW
4. Best for Distance – TaylorMade P790 Iron Set
Pros
- Workability
- Forged hollow body construction
- SpeedFoam
- Low profile tungsten weighting
- Speed Pocket
- Versatility
- Impressive feel
- Long-distance
- Durability
- Accurate
- Consistent launch and ball speed
- High launching
Cons
- Price tends to be in the upper levels
TaylorMade has delivered some of the top forged irons and cavity-backed irons over the last decade. The TaylorMade P790 only just shades the TaylorMade P770’s in looks and performance.
A soft 8620 carbon steel hollow body design is linked to a high-strength forged 4140 carbon steel WrapFace. The design combines the muscle back styling with an internal cavity that is filled with TaylorMade’s SpeedFoam ultra-light urethane foam injected inside the head.
The internal cavity and SpeedFoam offer forgiveness that is more often found on perimeter weighted clubs.
A new design provides a thinner forged face with progressively located ICT. This innovative design allowed the engineers to maximize COR area while improving accuracy thus pushing the limits of face speed without sacrificing feel.
The P790 is designed for better golfers that appreciate quality, looks, and high performance. A well-rounded design provides everything you want in a forged iron, and some more. The P790 was designed to offer the look, feel, and feedback of a true blade iron.
A low-profile tungsten weight promotes a lower center of gravity and higher launch.
Shafts come as either Dynamic Gold Steel or the TM Dual Feel steel options.
A combination of the TaylorMade technologies, including their Speed Pocket technology, offers you some of the best golf clubs that TaylorMade has ever produced. It offers remarkable distance and accuracy.
The P790 forged irons are aimed at the better golfer, but with all the technology included it is possible for mid to high handicap golfers to experience the feel of a forged golf club.
Irons are available in left-handed and right-handed orientation with graphite or steel shafts. Shaft flex availability in Regular, Stiff, and Extra Stiff.
Sets can be configured as:
- 3-PW
- 4-PW
- 4-PW, AW
- 5-PW
- 5-PW, AW
5. Premium – Mizuno Pro 225
Pros
- Has the look of a players’ iron
- Generates consistent ball speeds
- Nippon Steel Modus shaft is standard
- Performance, feel, & accuracy
- Grain flow forged
- CNC milled from the sole up
- Impressive groove technology
- Stability frame
- Pearl brush finish
Cons
- Priced at the upper end of the pricing spectrum
Mizuno has a long history of producing excellent forged irons. The Mizuno JPX 921 grain flow forged irons follow the phenomenally successful JPX900 and JPX919 irons and now the even new range of Pro models like the 225 at the peak of their forged irons range. As you can image from the prestige, these are some of the best forged irons of all time.
A slightly longer blade offers you the ultimate in hitting straighter shots, but you may lose a little of the workability.
The use of Harmonic Impact Technology provides a fine-tuned head profile that delivers an impressive feel and feedback at the point of impact.
Mizuno’s use of their Stability Frame opens the heel of the club for a more stable launch while it produces tour preferred vibration and sound.
The use of CNC Back Milling from the sole up creates minimum face thickness over a bigger area for consistency and increased ball speed.
The clubheads are finished off in a durable Pearl Brush chrome plating to soften the Pro 225’s precise lines in sunlight.
The standard issue is the Nippon steel modus shafts for enhanced consistency and control.
Mizuno Golf Pro 225 Forged irons are highly rated in the premium class and suitable for the better player requiring some distance and forgiveness in their iron.
The pro 225 forged irons come with one degree stronger loft than the older JPX919 Forged and offers eleven percent less backspin. These changes have resulted in a 0.8 percent increase in ball speed, a 6 percent higher launch angle and ball flight, a 0.9 percent steeper landing angle, and an increase of six yards in distance.
Solid contact generates the feel of a well-struck Mizuno blade.
It is no secret that Mizuno golf clubs are priced in the upper end of the spectrum. Yet, the quality, durability, and playability make it worth every penny.
A standard set configuration consists of four iron through a gap wedge. Nippon shafts are available in steel with a regular or stiff flex.
Best Forged Irons 2023 FAQ
What Are the Best Forged Irons of 2023?
While it’s hard to go wrong with any set of premium forged irons from a reputable manufacturer, our favorite is the Wilson D9 Forged series. They offer fantastic value for money and still have slight game-improvement qualities.
Are Forged Irons Really Better? / Are Forged Irons Better Than Cavity Back Irons?
Forged irons are only better for controlling your shots. They allow you to draw and fade your shots easier rather than striving to keep your shots straight.
What Are the Easiest Forged Irons to Hit?
If you’re looking for easy-to-hit irons you’d be better of with cavity-backed. But, if you’re sold on forged irons, check out the Wilson D9’s.
What Handicap Should Use Forged Golf Irons?
Low handicap players of 10 or less are the target market for most forged irons. Yet, you can still find forged irons that are more suitable for golfers with a handicap of up to 20, like the Wilson D9 irons which are among the best forged irons for mid handicappers.
Can High Handicappers Use Forged Irons?
Yes, but without the game improving qualities of cavity-backed irons, high handicapped players will be more likely to accidentally slice their shots.
Why Are Forged Irons Harder to Hit?
Forged irons are harder to hit as their center of gravity is in the center of the clubhead. This means that sweet spot is smaller than on other irons and they are therefore less forgiving.
Do Forged Irons Last Longer?
Irons are the longest-lasting clubs in a golf bag. While forged irons do technically usually last longer, most golfers would never notice the difference.
What Are the Characteristics of a Great Forged Iron Set?
That depends on your swing, but you should generally look out for:
- Milled soles or faces
- Accuracy
- Response
- Shot shaping
- Vibration control
Final Thoughts
Selecting a forged iron is normally only in the scope of better ball-strikers with a healthy budget. This offers them the benefit of being able to work the ball as the distance is not a problem.
We have offered you a few alternatives in the article at a range of prices and aimed at various levels of ability. You don’t necessarily have to be a low handicap golfer to experience the feel of playing with forged irons. Wilson D9 Forged irons will provide the entry-level experience at an affordable price from where you can upgrade if it is compatible with your ability.
It is extremely difficult to single out any of the premium branded forged irons as they are extremely competitive. Brand loyalty may drive you to select a set from your preferred brand.
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Chris's love for golf is only rivaled by his wanderlust. A globetrotter at heart, He’s played courses throughout Europe and Asia and at home in NSW, Australia. With a writing style as smooth as his golf swing, he’ll help you find the right gear to match your skill level and style. You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn.
