Golf is a complex sport, good equipment will significantly impact your game. Irons are the clubs you often use the most, so a good set is essential. But with so many options, which will suit your game AND budget?
Unless you are a pro, you will find some benefits in the Callaway X-20 irons review.
So, are the Callaway X20 irons worth it? Spoiler alert, yes. We found them to be great value for money, durable, superb all-around irons, and they are a solid choice of game-improvement irons. They suit serious beginners wanting to put money towards a quality set of irons.
But the Callaway X-20 irons aren’t for everyone. Read on to learn all the pros, cons, features, and pricing of these great irons.
The Callaway X-20 irons were released over 10 years ago, though, so they can be hard to find.
For more recent irons, check out: The Best Callaway Irons
Callaway X-20 Irons Review
- Great value for money
- Extremely accurate
- Good balance and feel
- The low center of gravity improves stability and reduces errors
- Uniform impact across the face
- The irons do not have the Callaway Tru-Bore® Technology
- Not quite as forgiving as comparative irons
- Longer irons tend to launch rather high
| Total Score | 75.5 |
| Star Rating | 4-stars |
| Distance | 74 |
| Forgiveness | 82 |
| Feel | 72 |
| Workability | 64 |
| Aesthetics | 69 |
| Price | 92 |
Callaway X-20 Irons: Key Features
The key features of the Callaway irons are that there is notched perimeter weighting, a larger cavity on the back of the irons increases forgiveness, and a slightly lower center of gravity improves stability and reduces error thanks to the progressive wall reduction system.
Callaway X-20 Irons: Specs
| Shaft Material | Steel/True Temper/Graphite |
| Flex | Uniflex/Stiff/Regular |
| Lie | Standard |
| Iron Length | Standard |
| Grip | Golf Pride Multi Compound/Black Widow Tour Silk |
| Shaft | Callaway |
| Length (6 iron) | 37.25 inches |
Who Are the X-20 Callaway Golf Clubs for and Not For?
As the X-20 Callaway clubs are best described as game improvement irons, they most suit mid to high-handicap golfers thanks to their consistency, accuracy, and easy launch. They are one of the best clubs for serious beginners wanting to invest in irons to last.
For pros or those with a low handicap, they could pick up some better clubs to suit the range of shots they are wanting to pull off. The X-20 irons aren’t for them.
What’s The Callaway X-20 Release Date?
The golf clubs were released more than a decade ago. The Callaway X-20 irons release date was in 2008. Despite the Callaway X-20 irons release date being so long ago, the irons are still popular among golfers looking to get their handicap down.
How We Tested the Callaway X-20 Irons
Golfspan is independent and not pressured by manufacturers to recommend products. We were not paid for the reviews in this article. These clubs were selected by our team, who have over 100 years of experience playing golf and thousands of hours reviewing products. But we may earn an affiliate commission when you purchase something through our retail links.
What’s A Similar Callaway X-20 Irons Set?
Callaway Golf Men’s X-20 NG Irons
A slight variation of the X-20 is the x-20 NG set of irons. The main difference is the groove design that conforms to the latest USGA requirements.
This is only necessary if you will be playing on tour otherwise, it need not be a concern.
The other notable difference is the undercut channel. The X-20 has a 360-degree undercut, while the NG set has a 180-degree undercut.
Apart from that, there is nothing much between the two sets.
Click here to view the best deals on the Callaway X-20 NR Irons
Alternatives To The Callaway X-20 Irons
You always want to compare a few options when investing in a set of irons. Here are 3 other options that compare well to the Callaway X-20 Irons.
Ping G700 Irons
- Easy launch
- Great distance
- Forgiving
Ping claims their G700 Irons to be their “longest, highest-flying iron to date” something that will appeal to most golfers.
These irons are designed with a hollow body and a relatively thin face. It is well weighted on the perimeter and designed for forgiveness, power, and lift.
The hollow design gives the irons a decent sound on impact and the feel is great. Aesthetically, the clubs look the part and most players enjoy the design.
They are easy to hit and launch and will deliver impressive ball speeds for greater distances. The irons are suitable for a wide range of golfers but are probably more suitable for mid to high-handicap players.
Read More: Ping G700 Irons Review
Wilson C300 Irons
- Very forgiving
- Good distance
- Great playability
- Look great
These are seriously good-looking irons that are great game improvers. They are slightly more reasonably priced than the Ping G700 sets and are super forgiving.
Having said that, they still offer a fair amount of playability, so they are not just for the high handicappers.
Apart from forgiveness, you will get a great feel and good distance with these irons. The main technology in these irons is the Wilson is their exclusive FLX Face™ Power Hole technology.
This has been further enhanced by the new Power Holes, which form a double row on the sole of these irons. These will help with forgiveness and distance while still allowing for playability.
The flex maximizes power across the face of the irons for forgiveness, accuracy, and distance.
Some golfers were not crazy about the wedges in the set, but these days, most people buy separate wedges specific to their needs and swing.
Read More: Wilson C300 Review
Mizuno JPX 900 Forged Irons
- Speed and distance
- Accurate
- Versatile
- Good spin for playability
Another great set of game-improvement irons is the JPX 900 set from Mizuno. They have used variable face thickness to reduce weight of these forged club head irons. Boron steel improves ball speed and, therefore, distance.
The MOI is greater, thanks to the perimeter weighting. Mizuno has also used variable face thickness to reduce weight on these forged head irons.
Boron steel, along with the design, allows for faster ball speeds and, therefore, greater distance.
The MOI is greater, thanks to the perimeter weighting. This improves accuracy and reduces twists while minimizing the negative impact of off-center strikes.
The design makes these irons more versatile, and while they are game improvers, they will still find favor with several lower-handicap players.
Good spin is achievable for those that want to work it.
Read More: Mizuno JPX 900 Review
Final Thoughts on the Callaway X20 Irons
Don’t rush into your decision to purchase a new set of irons. While all of the options we have looked at are serious game improvers that are bound to lower your average score, find the right set for your style, requirements, and budget. Whatever you take from the Callaway X20 review, that message is key.
While many golfers spend a lot of time and money investing in their drivers and possibly their putters, most golfers will use their set of irons more than anything else.
Quality irons are essential, and if you are trying to shave a few strokes off your game, then a set of game improvers will be a good start.
With their tight club head and the cavity having notched weighting, the Callaway X20 irons are largely forgiving, well-priced, and durable. That is a very good combination of qualities.
Following the Callaway X20 iron review, we can vouch for them for the golfers that might have a mid to high handicap, but they are very keen to take golf seriously and get it down. They are well worth the investment.
Read Next: The Best Places To Buy Used Callaway Golf Clubs
Things to Consider Before Buying a Quality Set of Irons
One of the aspects of golf that makes it such an amazing sport is that each player is unique. As such, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to equipment.
Fortunately, we are spoiled for choice and a wide range of options are available.
For those fortunate or skilled enough to drive the green, the rest of us use our irons a fair amount.
Here are a few things to look out for when selecting a set of irons…
Type
Game Improvers
These irons are more forgiving and will help reduce off-center hits and mishits. They are designed to be forgiving and help most golfers get around 18 holes with fewer issues.
Players Irons
These are normally blades and are for more experienced golfers with greater accuracy. They are way less forgiving.
Hybrids
These have become popular and are generally purchased separately. They have a large profile for additional forgiveness and most have a good launch. High-handicap players might enjoy these but they lack the playability of good irons. They are particularly useful for those who battle with long irons.
Loft
This is something that many mid to high handicappers struggle with and these irons will all help with that. They are designed for an easy launch and decent loft.
Shaft
This is something that is often only analyzed with drivers but is equally important with irons. Shafts can be graphite, steel, or multi-material. Each has its advantages and disadvantages so find the one that suits your game best.
Also important when selecting irons is the weighting as well as the loft of the individual irons.
Here’s a video to guide you in your iron choice:
FAQs
What Year Are Callaway X-20 Irons?
The Callaway X-20 irons release date was over a decade ago. The Callaway X-20 irons year of release came back in 2008, and the clubs were marketed until the 2010 mark. The forgiving irons are still regarded as great value-for-money clubs to this day and are still commonly used by golfers.
Is Callaway Coming out with New Irons in 2023?
In short, yes. They’re still to be announced. Callaway has released plenty of new irons in 2022. They include the Rogue ST irons, which come with steel and graphite shafts. The market price for Callaway’s longest irons ever is more than $1,000.
Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
