Cavity back irons make up the largest iron category in the game. However, with so many options out there, it can be challenging to narrow down which ones may be best for your game.
If we are totally honest, some of the cavity back irons on the market only have subtle differences.
Luckily, that’s where we come in. Having hit all of these irons, we know which ones can help you with distance control, ball flight, ball speed, or forgiveness.
So if you need new cavity back irons in 2023, you are in the right place.
The best cavity back irons on the market right now are the TaylorMade SIM 2 Max irons. Although these are cavity back irons, they perform almost like a forged iron, and it moved them to the top of our list.
However, there are still several other great choices out there. We picked out a few golf club iron sets that kept price in mind for our budget-conscious readers.
If you still have trouble narrowing down what is best for you, check out our buyers guide.
No Time? Here’s our Rundown!
Best Overall
Rating
For the first time, TaylorMade has figured out how to make a cavity back that responds like forged irons.
Most Consistent
Rating
Ping has always made unique golf clubs that offer high MOI and very low dispersion rates. Those that switch to Ping irons often have a hard time ever playing with anything else.
Best For
Feel
Rating
If you want to hit a draw or a fade from time to time, the T300 is a great golf club to have in your bag. They have a slightly smaller sweet spot than others in our review but feel fantastic when you hit them well.
Best For Beginners
Rating
The Big Bertha B21 Irons were designed specifically with forgiveness in mind. If your iron game is inconsistent, these are the best cavity back irons that you can find.
For Average Golfer
Rating
For the first time in your golf game, you have a chance to play with a golf iron that was created using 3D printing technology.
Best
Value
Rating
The Cleveland UHX is a great-looking golf club with a progressive design. These are game improvement irons with a wider look in the long irons and a more players look in the short irons.
Best For Distance
Rating
The brand new JPX 921 Hot Metal irons have a very straight ball flight and still allow for some control from the golfer.
Best Overall Golf Irons: TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Irons
When TaylorMade released the TaylorMade SIM series of irons last year, we were very impressed with the ball speed that the clubs produced.
Not only were they some of the most forgiving irons that we had seen from TaylorMade, but they also had some great distance capabilities.
However, the one issue was that the feel and sound were still not quite perfect.
In the TaylorMade SIM 2 Max, the shaping with the Cap Back Design and the new and improved ECHO Damping System and Tungsten weighting have changed how these cavity back irons perform.
For the first time, TaylorMade has figured out how to make a cavity back that responds like forged irons.
In addition to the fast and forgiving face of the TaylorMade SIM Max, there is also minimal sidespin on this iron set.
This means that you are still getting great launch and ball flight when you miss the center of the clubface.
The Speed Pocket technology is what helps the golfers with the slower swing speed. With Speed Pocket, you will generate maximum ball speed, regardless of shaft flex or natural golf ability.
If you think you should be hitting the ball further, the SIM 2 Max will help you do it.
Key Features
- Golf irons perfectly designed for the average golfer
- Low center of gravity
- Great feel in the short irons
- Cavity back golf irons that feel and sound like forged irons
Best For Consistency: Ping G425 Irons
Are you one of those golfers that feels like you have one great round and one horrible round?
Consistency is one of the hardest things to achieve as a golfer; however, it is something that you can eventually obtain. One of the first steps is to choose the right golf irons.
The Ping G425 are game improvement irons built for the mid to high handicapper. One of our favorite things about the Ping cavity back iron is that it has a much better feel than other golf clubs on the market.
Ping has always made unique golf clubs that offer high MOI and very low dispersion rates. Those that switch to Ping irons often have a hard time ever playing with anything else.
The iron set offers a unique level of performance that is hard to match.
The new Ping G425 is faster than the G410, and we found it to be a bit more forgiving in the long irons.
This could be related to the new perimeter weighting with the Tungsten Toe weight. The overall performance of this cavity back iron is certainly worth checking out in 2023.
Key Features
- Re-engineered face to perform a bit like a Metalwood
- Variable Face Thickness
- High MOI and very low dispersion
- Impressive feel in the short irons
Best For Feel: Titleist T300
There are two golfers that we would recommend the Titleist T300 irons for.
Those whose handicap is headed down and those who have always been great players need more forgiving golf clubs.
Maybe golf was once your thing, but now life gets in the way, and you only get to play every few weeks.
The Titleist T300 still gives you that impressive Titleist feel, ball speed, and ball flight without you having to spend hours at the range.
In addition, for mid-handicap golfers thinking they are almost ready to transition out of the cavity back irons, the Titleist T300 could be a great fit.
The irons have a better feel than most other cavity back irons on the market.
The T300 is a progressive set design and a shorter blade length on the shorter irons. The short irons will have a bit more workability than the long irons.
This is perfect for getting the golf ball up in the air and directed at your target.
If you want to hit a draw or a fade from time to time, the T300 is a great golf club to have in your bag. They have a slightly smaller sweet spot than others in our review but feel fantastic when you hit them well.
Key Features
- Mid-sized cavity back iron
- Great for a golfer trying to work the ball
- Improvement in ball speed from previous Titleist models
- More forgiveness against off-center strikes
Best Cavity Back Irons For Beginner: Callaway Big Bertha B21 Irons Game Improvement Irons
Cavity back irons are almost always the best choice for a beginner. Hitting muscle back irons or forged irons can make it quite difficult for beginners to get the forgiveness they need in a club.
Typically speaking, the center of gravity in blade irons is not in the right location for those that need forgiveness and extra distance.
The Big Bertha B21 Irons were designed specifically with forgiveness in mind. If your iron game is inconsistent, these are the best cavity back irons that you can find.
Callaway is very good at producing game improvement irons, and this Big Bertha line of clubs has been in play for many years.
The Callaway Mavrik Irons is another cavity-back choice that you will see on the market. As much as we like the Mavrik, the SIM Max Irons, Mizuno irons, and even these Big Bertha B21 irons had some unique features that really stood out.
Each time the Big Bertha set is released, it gets a little better than the previous set. This most recent option has the patented urethane microspheres to help absorb vibration and improve feel.
Less vibration at impact makes for a more forgiving clubhead. This helps you on these off-center strikes and makes it easier to get the golf ball traveling. Combine that with the lower center of gravity, and you get yourself a very forgiving set of irons.
In addition, golfers can get straighter shots, higher launch, and a bit of help straightening out their iron shots, with the B21 in play.
Key Features
- Better spin for higher handicap golfer
- One of the most forgiving iron choices on the market
- A great choice for golfers truly in need of game improvement irons
- One of the longest-lasting lines of cavity back golf irons on the market
Best Cavity Back Irons For Average Golfer: Cobra RadSpeed
Each golf manufacturer has things that they specialize in. If Callaway golf irons are known for forgiveness, and TaylorMade irons are known for speed. Where do Cobra golf irons stand?
For many years people believed that Cobra was specifically for high handicappers.
This is just not true.
The Cobra irons feature a tremendous feel, more distance than previous releases, a clean leading edge, and an ultra-thin face.
In addition, these brand new Cobra Radspeed iron sets have an entirely new weighting technology that really sets them apart from the crowd.
For the first time in your golf game, you have a chance to play with a golf iron that was created using 3D printing technology.
Cavity backs are known for vibration at impact and an inconsistent feel. With this new weighting system, golfers can shape shots and feel much less vibration at impact.
The speed spot is large enough that slower swing speeds and higher swing speeds will find that these irons give them more distance.
Overall, the iron design differs from the traditional ball speed Speedback shaping we have seen from Cobra in the last few years.
Honestly, it was time for a change, and these are much more clean-looking golf irons. In addition, you will notice that the shape is more appealing to the golfer’s eye.
Key Features
- Weight insert in the toe for more stability
- Will work for a mid and high golf handicap
- Clean leading edge
- Some of the best irons for a consistent feel
Best Value: Cleveland UHX Iron Set
Luckily, cavity back irons are known for being a bit less expensive than blade irons. Truthfully, making cast irons requires more time, which causes a difference in the pricing.
The Cleveland UHX Iron set is one of the best cavity back irons for golfers on a budget.
The Cleveland UHX is a great-looking golf club with a progressive design. These are game improvement irons with a wider look in the long irons and a more players look in the short irons.
There is no question that the UHX is a distance iron; the hollow construction allows for a very powerful sweet spot.
The variable HT1700M Steel Face insert that the Cleveland UHX Irons feature helped give the ball speed, even on off-center strikes.
When golfers describe feel with a cast iron, they are often talking about the turf interaction. With the V-Shaped Sole of the Cleveland UHX, you will notice that your turf interaction is more consistent and feels better overall.
Lastly, the tour zip grooves make this a great cavity back iron for the approach shots into the green. The same great technology that Cleveland uses on their wedges is in the shorter irons of this set.
Key Features
- Large and forgiving sweet spot
- Lightweight steel shafts as a stock choice
- It looks like a forged cavity back iron
- Hollow back construction for more distance
Best For Distance: Mizuno Hot Metal JPX 921 Golf Clubs
Although the Mizuno irons are typically known to stand out as the best for feel, we really were impressed with the ball speeds that the Hot Metal iron set produced.
The brand new JPX 921 Hot Metal irons have a very straight ball flight and still allow for some control from the golfer.
If you have never had a Mizuno iron in your golf bag, you may not be sure of what you are missing out on.
The Mizuno cavity back irons are very highly advanced when it comes to technology. The Chromoly 4140M is what helps the face of the Mizuno Hot Metal be very fast.
In addition, the Harmonic Impact technology allows for a much better feel throughout the entire set.
Most will say that these feel like a forged cavity back irons. However, with the added perimeter weighting, you will find that the Mizuno iron set takes the game improvement technology to another level.
The weighting allows you to launch the golf ball higher by lowering the center of gravity. Perfect for players with a slow swing speed as you’ll still be able to produce high, piercing ball flights and attach pins if you want to.
Being able to control launch angle, feel the clubhead and shape your shot is something that all golfers should want to do in their game.
Key Features
- Best cavity back Mizuno irons for high handicappers and mid handicappers
- Impressive weighting and feel technology
- Pearl brush finish for less glare and a better overall look
- Some of the fastest ball speeds in the game
Buyers Guide
Now that we have narrowed things down for you, there may be options on our list that are starting to stand out as front runners.
In 2023 there is no shortage of options for cavity back irons on the market. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can help narrow this list down and find something that works for you.
Shaft & Shaft Flex
Cavity back irons are available in everything from lightweight graphite shafts to heavy steel shafts. You can get any type of shaft in the cavity back iron that will work for your needs.
A faster swing speed player will need a heavier and a bit more stiff shaft.
Golfers that have a slower swing speed will want cavity backs with a graphite shaft. You will often find that the irons with graphite shafts are more expensive. This is because the manufacturing process of a graphite shaft is a bit more complicated.
When choosing a shaft, pick something that will work for you on the first tee and the eighteenth tee. Too often, players push themselves into a golf shaft that is much too difficult to hit.
This is done simply because they are capable of a few fast swings early in a day.
Choose a golf shaft that performs all day long.
If you’re not sure which shaft flex is right for you, use this table. I also recommend you to visit a club fitter who can make these recommendations for you.
Offset
Many cavity back irons are also offset. The offset design is to help golfers eliminate the right side of the golf course. If you are a player who slices the ball, you will lose distance and have trouble keeping the ball in play.
Some of the best cavity back irons on the market are going to have a fairly sizeable offset. This offset is used to help golfers straighten their shots out and close the clubface at impact.
The problem with too much offset is that some golfers find it to be difficult to look at. This is why it makes it very important to check the top-down look of every club that you purchase.
Top-Down Look
The top-down look on a cast cavity iron will be a bit thicker than a forged iron or a blade iron. The way that the golf iron is made and its intended to perform the club’s top line is quite a bit thicker.
With the thick, top-down look, players can typically feel confident about the launch and direction of their shots.
If you are picky about the top-down look of a golf iron set, the best cavity back irons for you would be the Titleist and Mizuno.
Even though these are cast irons, they are made by companies that specialize in blades. Therefore the overall look and design are going to look a bit more like the blade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few of the questions that we are asked about cavity back irons and their performance. Some golfers get very hung up on choosing cavity back or forged instead of looking at the equipment that works best for their game.
Do Any Tour Players Use Cavity Back Irons?
Most amateur players think that a professional wouldn’t be caught dead with a cavity back iron in their bag. However, this is not the case.
Golf clubs on the PGA Tour are changing daily, but there could be about 20% of players using cavity back irons at any given time. Now, don’t expect that the clubs they have in their hands are super game improvement irons, but they are certainly cavity backs.
When standing on the other side of the ropes, you have to realize that these players are still human. At the end of the day, they are competing for wins but to feed their families as well. If the best way to get the golf ball around the course is with a cavity back iron, then that is what they will play.
Who Needs Cavity Back Irons?
Typically speaking, mid to high handicappers are going to be best suited with the cavity back irons. With the amount of forgiveness that the cavity back irons feature, players can have a much more enjoyable golf course.
The only real downside to some cavity back irons is that they can make it difficult to work the ball. If you are trying to hit shots that draw or fade, you may have some trouble.
With the addition of the tungsten weighting technology, this has gotten a bit better.
Overall, anyone can play with a cavity back iron, but those that need help with distance, launch, and accuracy will find them to be the best match for their game.
Are Blades Better Than Cavity Back Irons?
Trying to determine if blades are better than cavity backs is a bit like trying to determine if Tiger Woods is better than Jack Nicklaus.
You are going to have people that are on the side of the blades and those that are on the side of the cavity back.
Golf technology is changing every year. Players realize that they can use a golf club that has a large sweet spot yet still enjoy the way it feels at impact.
With the introduction of AI and 3D printing, golf technology is remarkable.
The debate of blade vs. cavity back is likely going to fall apart after some time. Blades will be made with more forgiveness, and cavity backs will be made with a better feel.
In the end, golfers will be left with many golf irons that all have extremely impressive technology.
Try not to get so hung up on whether or not the cavity back or the blade is better. Instead, choose the golf iron that is the best compliment for your game. This is truly the only way to see success in the game.
Are Cavity Backs And Cast Irons The Same?
We all know there is plenty of lingo in the world of golf. If you hear terms like a cavity back and cast getting thrown around, it makes sense to know the difference.
Essentially a cavity back iron is the result when you use a cast to make a club.
Cavity backs are made in a mold and not from one piece of forged metal. This is why people say that the feel is not quite as good; there are small spaces between the solution that is poured into the mold instead of having one solid block.
The manufacturing process between forged and cavity back (or cast) irons is quite different.
However, the cavity back has changed so much for the better that the differences between these irons are not nearly as noticeable.
Conclusion: The Best Cavity Back Irons
The best cavity back irons on the market are the TaylorMade SIM 2 Max irons. This new release is impressive, and it brings some great improvements from the original TaylorMade SIM Max irons.
Golfers from a wide range of handicap ranges will see benefits in using the SIM Max.
We were very impressed with the way the Speed Pocket technology has developed. In addition, the new Cap Back Design on the SIM 2 gives them almost a forged cavity look.
With the low center of gravity and premium shaft choices, it’s hard to find a better cavity back iron than the TaylorMade SIM 2 Max.
