Unlike tour players and low-handicap, fast-swinging amateurs, most golfers are looking for irons that easily launch the ball higher. That’s particularly true when we get to the game-improvement (GI) and super-game-improvement (SGI) iron categories. If you can’t get your irons launching high enough, you’re going to have a hard time getting approach shots to stay on the green.

That’s why we ask our Hot List player-testers to rate launch (lower to higher) as part of their feedback during iron testing days. In the “Launch” rating, our players assess trajectory on a “1” (“Lower”) to “5” (“Higher”) scale. In terms of what we want them to think about, “Low” is like a stinger—below optimal height but with the velocity of a line drive up the middle—and “High” rises surprisingly quickly and floats well above expected height.

It’s worth noting that across the long irons to the short irons within the same set, the optimal peak height or apex of every iron is largely the same. In other words, your 4-iron is not going to fly lower than your pitching wedge. They will reach almost the same point above the ground. However, it is also true that for a variety of reasons that encompass everything from the loft and construction of the irons to the shaft, some irons will yield a different launch angle and the perception of a higher flight. As well, irons that generate extreme spin may appear to launch higher—and often carry shorter. That ease of creating a high, rising trajectory versus a lower, flatter one is what we’re after when we ask our players to rate launch from “Lower” to “Higher.”

Clearly, our ratings are largely an assessment of what our players see. In practical terms, though, the numbers on a launch monitor can give an indication of what you should be expecting for optimal results. Trackman averages tell us that on the PGA Tour, the average launch angle with a 7-iron is just a shade over 16 degrees (see chart, below), and on the LPGA Tour it’s closer to 19 degrees (see chart, bottom). That can be a function of technique, but mostly it’s about swing speed. At Hot List testing, the range of launch angles for good hits varied with speed, getting as low as the 16s for the fastest swingers and low 20s for the slowest. In short, more speed allows for a lower launch. Our data was measured by the Rapsodo MLM2 Pro launch monitor.

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The technology makeup of irons has an impact, too. It’s not surprising that in our testing, SGI irons launched on average a degree higher than GI irons. SGI irons feature lower centers of gravity thanks to wider soles and use of multiple materials. They’re also often designed with lighter shafts to help average golfers increase swing speed. As we’ve seen, more speed makes it easier to launch shots optimally. (The Trackman averages above show PGA Tour players hit shots almost eight yards higher than LPGA players with a landing angle that's four degrees steeper. That means PGA Tour approach shots will stop quicker than LPGA Tour shots.)

One other point that's especially worth understanding for average golfers: Many of the higher-launching SGI irons also feature more loft, sometimes 4 or 5 degrees more than some of the lower-lofted irons in those categories. Loft is especially valuable to average-speed players looking to generate higher flight. (In other words, you might want to have a clubfitter see if weaker lofts might produce better carry distances for you.)

The key aspect of higher-launching irons is a steeper landing angle. The more vertical an iron shot drops from the sky to the green, the more likely it is to stay on the putting surface. And, of course, more greens hit will lead to better scores.

Here’s a list of the GI and SGI irons from the 2025 Hot List that our player-testers called the highest-launching. (Clubs are listed in alphabetical order.)

Game-Improvement Irons

Callaway Apex Ai300 $200 per iron | Golf Galaxy 5.0 GD SCORE GD HOT LIST SCORE Hot List Gold $200 per iron The Apex Ai300 replaces the Apex DCB and targets golfers who are early in their journey or are looking to step up from the super-game-improvement category. The forged 455-steel face was designed with the help of AI analysis of everyday player impact data in which the topology behind the face is different for each iron—thinner and thicker in areas where it needs to be to create maximum consistency. The tungsten core has urethane with “microspheres”—tiny air bubbles encased in glass—that lowers the center of gravity to help with launch despite slightly strong lofts. Compared to the Apex DCB, the topline is thicker, the sole width wider and the blade length longer. Top 5 in Performance, all handicaps. SPECS: 7-iron: 29 degrees, PW: 42 degrees BUY NOW DETAILS

Callaway Elyte HL $143 per iron | Golf Galaxy 4.5 GD SCORE GD HOT LIST SCORE Hot List Gold $143 per iron Designed for players with moderate to average swing speeds seeking a higher launch with more carry. As with the standard Elyte model, a high-strength stainless-steel cupface—in which the sole wraps around part of the sole and topline—provides Formula-1 speed off the face. The irons feature the RCH S2H2 short hosel that Callaway’s late R&D chief Dick Helmstetter was famous for designing. The shorter hosel saves six grams that were used to lower the center of gravity to achieve higher launch. The sole design—inspired by tour-player input—is efficient to the point that it can add one mile per hour ball speed, according to Callaway. The design of the club’s frame enables more use of microspheres to produce the sound of a one-piece iron in a two-piece club. Top 5 in Performance, high-handicaps. SPECS: 7-iron: 30 degrees, PW: 43 degrees BUY NOW DETAILS

Cleveland ZipCore XL $130 per iron | Golf Galaxy 4.0 GD SCORE GD HOT LIST SCORE Hot List Silver $130 per iron This game-improvement set uses two constructions: a hollow body for the 4- through 7-iron and a cavity-back design for the 8-iron through sand wedge. Golf Digest’s academic panel has seen a lot of interesting technology over the years and isn’t easily impressed. An exception is Cleveland’s ZipCore tech in which a lightweight aluminum silicate compound replaces steel in the hosel to better position the center of gravity. ZipCore saves nearly 15 grams of weight that is redistributed to reduce ball-speed loss on off-center strikes. A cool thing about having affiliated companies is that you can borrow their technology. For the face, the ZipCore XL uses Srixon’s face design in the 4- through 7-irons—a system of channels and cavities milled into the backside of the face to maximize flexibility. The face is not just about creating speed. A proprietary face blast and laser-milled lines create roughness to enhance friction for consistent spin. SPECS: 7-iron: 29 degrees; PW: 43 degrees BUY NOW DETAILS

Ping G440 $157 per iron | Golf Galaxy 4.5 GD SCORE GD HOT LIST SCORE Hot List Gold $157 per iron The face is shallower and thinner compared to the G430 for increased ball speed and a more player-preferred look at address. The size reduction saves four grams per iron that is placed lower and farther back in the head to drop the center of gravity and assist launch. The shaft length of the 4-, 5-, and 6-irons were extended three-quarters of an inch to help golfers launch those irons higher. The four-piece molded ABS badge is more flexible than previous G-series iron badges. It expands and contracts to support the thinner face and enhance feel. The set wedge features the iconic Eye2 shape. The bounce profile, sole design and hosel contours help those less skilled around the greens. Plus it’s just a pretty cool club. Top 5 in Performance, middle-handicaps. SPECS: 7-iron: 29 degrees; PW: 42 degrees BUY NOW DETAILS

Titleist T350 $200 per iron | Golf Galaxy 5.0 GD SCORE GD HOT LIST SCORE Hot List Gold $200 per iron The T350 is the company’s most aggressive approach to forgiveness and ball speed with its larger size and wider sole. The high-strength, variable-thickness steel face features the same alloy as the T200 as well as the L-shape that overlaps into the sole for extra rebound at impact. Healthy chunks of super-dense tungsten in the heel and toe foster sumo-wrestler stability on off-center hits. The hollow design houses the polymer-core structure (previously on the back of the T300), moving it closer to the face for better performance and feel. When designing a sole, who better to lean on than Bob Vokey and his wedge team at Titleist. Their work inspired the variable-bounce sole used on these irons. Top 5 in Performance, all handicaps. SPECS: 7-iron: 29 degrees; PW: 43 degrees BUY NOW DETAILS

Wilson Dynapower $128 per iron | Golf Galaxy 4.0 GD SCORE GD HOT LIST SCORE Hot List Silver $128 per iron The most common miss by amateur players is on the toe. To combat that in the Dynapower 4- through 8-irons, Wilson uses a two-piece construction in which the face is welded on around the topline and the upper part of the toe area. This provides a larger area of the face that is unsupported, which leads to more ball speed. The face is made from 17-4 stainless steel, like the body of the iron, but is created from a forged/stamped process. This manufacturing approach allows for a stronger and thinner face and maintains high strength and durability. The iron also has changing thicknesses on 27 points on the face, ranging from 2 millimeters to 2.5 millimeters for zippy ball speeds. The polymer-filled holes on the sole that are designed to enhance face flex have been rearranged to target areas for faster ball speed. The hosel is longer but thinner. This helps the look and keeps the center of gravity near the center-toe area while making it easier to bend for custom builds. Top 5 in Performance, low-handicaps. SPECS: 7-iron: 27 degrees; PW: 42 degrees BUY NOW DETAILS Super-Game-Improvement Irons

Cleveland Halo XL Full-Face $130 per iron | Golf Galaxy 4.5 GD SCORE GD HOT LIST SCORE Hot List Gold $130 per iron The hollow-body, hybrid-style iron is designed to help golfers get the ball in the air. The irons feature a variable-thickness face and oversize heads. Grooves that stretch across the face improve launch conditions for shots hit outside the typical groove area by providing more spin consistency. Also on the face is a blast called “HydraZip” along with a laser-milled-line system designed to create additional roughness to enhance friction. Combined they increase the launch-angle benefit, which this player type needs. Rails on the bottom of the 4- through 7-iron prevent digging on shots where distance is needed. Paint fills on the bottom grooves assist golfers with alignment at address. 7-iron: 29 degrees; PW: 43 degrees BUY NOW DETAILS

Cobra T-Rail $143 per iron | Golf Galaxy 4.0 GD SCORE GD HOT LIST SCORE Hot List Silver $143 per iron An excellent choice for players more concerned with how many good shots they hit during a round than their score. Designed using AI, the forged face insert uses stainless steel in a variable-thickness pattern that increases the area of the sweet spot. Fifteen zones range in thickness from 2 to 2.2 millimeters. The result is a face that is slightly larger but doesn’t weigh more. The hollow, hybrid-iron shape has the company’s famed hollow Baffler split rails on the sole. The rails help move the club more easily through the turf and combine with the wide sole to foster a low, deep center of gravity to help get the ball airborne. Because the front portion of the rails are hollow, they boost face flex at impact. They also create more effective bounce to prevent the club from digging. Getting the sound right in a hollow iron can be challenging. Cobra used thicker ribs inside the clubhead on this version of the T-Rail, resulting in a more pleasing audio. Top 5 in Sound/Feel, high-handicaps. 7-iron: 29 degrees; PW: 44 degrees BUY NOW DETAILS

Mizuno JPX925 Hot Metal HL $150 per iron | Golf Galaxy 5.0 GD SCORE GD HOT LIST SCORE Hot List Gold $150 per iron High-strength chromoly 4140M steel is used for the face. The hitting area is thinned around the perimeter, increasing rebound for maximum ball speed. The wide sole teams with tungsten weighting low in the head of the 4- through 7-iron to help golfers get the ball up in the air. Internal ribs are used to provide a softer feel yet explosive sound at impact. Mizuno used data gathered from its shaft optimizer to determine that golfers with slower swings had difficulty achieving sufficient height on iron shots. Consequently, the lofts on these irons are up to 3 degrees weaker than the standard and Pro models. Balanced weighting of the iron’s frame improves control while maintaining forgiveness. Top 5 in Performance, high-handicaps. 7-iron: 31 degrees; PW: 45 degrees BUY NOW DETAILS

PXG Wildcat $150 per iron | Golf Galaxy 4.0 GD SCORE GD HOT LIST SCORE Hot List Silver $150 per iron The set uses a 6-hybrid then 7-iron through sand wedge. All are designed with a large amount of offset and a bigger overall profile—perfect for the beginner or occasional player looking for a club that’s easy to hit. The irons have a hollow body filled with a polymer for feel and rebound. The outer cavity badge has a weight-saving insert. The mass saved is relocated to the perimeter for improved forgiveness. As with all PXG irons, the face insert is made from HT1770 maraging steel and is razor thin at just .05 of an inch. That and the channels around the perimeter provide a chest-puffing trampoline effect. The soles are NBA-sneaker-like wide with a moderate amount of bounce, allowing for forgiveness on steeper swings. The lightweight of the irons coupled with the weakest lofts of any super-game-improvement iron on this year’s Hot List leads to higher-flying shots. Top 5 in Sound/Feel, high-handicaps. 7-iron: 32; PW: 48 degrees BUY NOW DETAILS

TaylorMade Qi HL $143 per iron | Golf Galaxy 5.0 GD SCORE GD HOT LIST SCORE Hot List Gold $143 per iron The multi-material cap back is lighter than the steel it replaces and wraps around the high-toe area. The reduced weight in that area makes it easier to square the club at impact, reducing the chance of hitting a slice. The center of gravity is lower in the long irons to boost trajectory and progressively rises, allowing for controllable short-iron shots that don’t balloon. The irons feature extreme heel-toe weighting to provide stability across a wide swath of the clubface. Slots on the sole allow the face to bend, particularly on shots hit low on the face. A “hybrar” compression damper helps get rid of those nasty, unwanted vibrations that typically come with shots struck off-center. Top 5 in Performance, high-handicaps. 7-iron: 30 degrees; PW: 44.5 degrees BUY NOW DETAILS