1. What do you want to get out of your irons?

In terms of playing, most people want to shoot further, be safer and develop as a golfer. Can a new set of irons be the difference that determines your performance? Absolutely. If you’re considering replacing your irons with a new set, it’s worth thinking about what you don’t like about your current clubs and what you hope to get out of the new ones. Would you like some more help? Or to try to have the chance to shape your shots? Specify what you’re looking for and it’ll be easier to find it.

2. Level of ambition

Do you play a lot of golf? And most of all, how much do you practise? If you play a lot and your handicap is improving, then look at irons that suit your game right now but which you can also develop with and keep for many years. Or if you’re at a time of life in which golf is proving more challenging than before, it might be worth looking for more forgiving properties which give you as much help as possible when you play.

3. Dare to challenge your favourite brand

Most people have a favourite brand which they look to first when they want to update their bag. But why is that? Unless you’re a sponsored tour player, why not see it as an opportunity to choose exactly what you want? Our advice would be to have an open mind when choosing new irons. Different models perform differently for different players. Be guided by what actually works for you and don’t focus too much on what it says on the clubs.

4. Loft

It’s no secret that irons today produce stronger and stronger (lower) loft, to help you hit further – but also because modern technology allows it. It also means that you may find different gaps in your distance out on the course compared to your previous clubs. Keep an eye on the loft, particularly which loft your pitching wedge has, because you may have to readjust your wedge set up a bit to cover all distances perfectly.

5. Find the right grip

Obviously, the grip is the only part of the club you actually feel. This is where you and the club become one. Maybe the standard grips that come with the clubs are just fine. But keep in mind that these can be customised too. You might think the grip you’re holding feels nice, but bear in mind that the thickness of the grip can affect your swing too. If you’re going to replace your irons anyway, it’s worth getting the grip right in the first place.

6. Budget

The trick here is to find something that suits your playing level and your wallet. There’s quite a wide range to how much a set of irons can cost. It’s worth bearing in mind that there are almost always bargains to be had if you can live with buying a model that’s 1-2 years older. And we promise, even if there’s a red price tag on the clubs, they can still be really good.

7. Set up

Today, most standard sets sold include 5-PW for men and 6-SW for women. In the past, irons came with a couple more clubs when you bought them, but since the hybrids broke through and the loft on the irons became stronger (lower), some clubs have been removed. The key thing here is to address your own needs. Maybe you’d like to add a 4 iron? It’s usually not a problem to order one. Or do you feel that you hardly ever hit with your 5 iron and it’s just taking up unnecessary space in the bag? If so, you might prefer to order the set without the 5 iron. This will bring the overall price down.

8. Combo sets

Looking into what kind of different clubs you need in your set up a little further, it’s become much more common to combine one or more different models in a so-called combo set. For example, you can choose a more easy going and forgiving model for your 5, 6 and 7 irons, and then go for a more precise control club for your 8 and 9 irons, and your PW, to get the best of both worlds. This is something the suppliers have adopted, so they keep their models quite similar to each other visually. This all helps them come together seamlessly in a combo set if you so wish.

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9. Appearance

It’s an advantage to visually appreciate what you’re holding in your hand and looking down at when you’re about to hit the ball. Quite simply, if you think your clubs look good, we think you’ll play a little better with them.

Hanna Munck af Rosenschöld

Dormy World of Golf

"At Dormy’s test centre you get the luxury of an expert’s full attention in order to help you find the best option for you."