HIGH-HANDICAP / MODERATE SPEED IRONS

CALLAWAY ROGUE ST MAX OS LITE

£1,049 (g)

Stock shaft: Project X Cypher

7-iron loft: 31.5°

Forgiveness rating: 4/5

The Lite are lighter, bigger and more lofted as everything in their design is aimed at maximising air-time at slower speeds. The model may be a year old now, but Callaway insist they’re staying around for 2023. A very good easy-launch, moderate speed option.

PING G430 HL

£150 (s), £160 (g) per club

Stock shaft: Ping Alta Quick

7-iron loft: 29°

Forgiveness rating: 3.5/5

If you’ve played golf for years and are seeing shots no longer launch as high, fly as far, or stop as quickly as they used to, then Ping’s new High Launch set-up will be right up your street. Watching your club speed ebb away is not a pleasant experience. Ping’s new model will redress the balance.

TAYLORMADE STEALTH HD

From £899

Stock shaft: KBS Max HT (s), Fujikura Speeder NX (g)

7-iron loft: 30°

Forgiveness rating: 4/5

For the first time, Taylormade now have a HD (High Draw) driver, fairway, hybrid and iron, which goes a long way to spelling out how important slower speed players have become to the brand. This super forgiving, low profile model will help average golfers hit better shots more often.

WILSON LAUNCH PAD

£600 (s), £699 (g)

Stock shaft: KBS Max Ultralite (s), Project X Evenflow (g)

7-iron loft: 30°

Forgiveness rating: 5/5

Hybrid irons are brilliant for putting a smile on your face as they are the easiest irons on the market to hit. We all like to think we’re better golfers than we are, but when you’re ready to accept reality and focus on enjoying the game, the Launch Pad are waiting for you.

MIZUNO JPX923 HOT METAL HL

From £135 per club

Stock shaft: 20 premium options

7-iron loft: 31°

Forgiveness rating: 3.5/5

Golfers swinging a 7-iron below 75mph are just the type who will see benefits from switching to Mizuno’s slightly more lofted HL. Anybody who makes the transition won’t ever have been offered such an attractively shaped iron in this category before.

CLEVELAND LAUNCHER XL HALO

£499 (s), £599 (g)

Stock shaft: True Temper XP 90 (s), Project X Catalyst (g)

7-iron loft: 30°

Forgiveness rating: 5/5

A brilliant maximum forgiveness hybrid iron that will see you have more fun on the golf course in 2023. No matter what your speed or ability, hybrid irons will help you find more greens, keep shots out of lakes and bunkers, and shave shots from your game.