Best Driving Irons and Utility Clubs 2024
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Not every golfer carries a driving iron, but those that do tend to love them for their ability to hit fairway-finding missiles. Today’s Golfer reviews the best golf driving irons and utility clubs available in 2024.
Jump To: Best Driving Irons & Utility Clubs | Buying Guide | FAQs
Golfers who are comfortable hitting long irons often prefer driving irons to hybrids and fairway woods, and they’re particularly popular among players with high enough swing speeds to get the most launch out of their relatively low lofts.
On links courses, with firm fairways and often a fair bit of wind, driving irons tend to be a fantastic option and a very popular choice. You’ll typically see a lot of tour pros adding driving irons to their bags around the Scottish Open and The Open, for this very reason.
Best At A Glance
Best players’ driving iron: TaylorMade Stealth UDI Driving Iron | Buy Now – US | Buy Now – UK
Best for hybrid feel driving iron: Titleist U505 Driving Iron | Buy Now – US | Buy Now – UK
Most forgiving driving iron: Cobra King Tec Utility Iron | Buy Now – US | Buy Now – UK
Plus, the best driving irons these days aren’t anywhere near as hard to hit as an old-fashioned 1-iron or 2-iron would have been a few decades ago. Modern driving irons pack in plenty of technology to aid with launch and forgiveness in the same way as the most forgiving drivers, helping you find the fairway when you don’t fancy pulling off a headcover.
If you are not convinced that a driving iron is the right club to add to your bag right now, then perhaps checking out our best hybrids page is a worthwhile exercise. But if you’re still keen, then read on as we review the best driving irons and utility clubs available in 2024.
Best Driving Irons and Utility Clubs 2024
Ideal for better players looking for a blend of control and workability
Best players' driving iron
The Stealth UDI offers a traditional look at address with Tour-inspired shaping, a narrower sole width (compared to DHY), and less offset than its predecessors. It’s built to suit the eye of better ball strikers but offers an enhanced level of forgiveness compared to standard long irons.
The weight placement is right behind impact, thus the Stealth UDI’s center of gravity (CG) has been positioned for a lower ball flight while creating the spin required to shape shots. The CG of Stealth UDI is comparable to that of P790, but Stealth UDI has a wider sole for better playability.
Pros
- Good balance of distance and forgiveness
- Excellent workability for better players
- Great looking club
Cons
- Not a significant upgrade on the SIM model
| Lofts | 2-18°, 3-20°, 4-23° |
| Stock shaft | Aldila Ascent Black 100X |
| Stock grip | SuperStroke S Tech Black |
A high-flight crossover iron for those less comfortable with a fairway wood in hand
Best driving iron for shot tracking
This club will appeal to those who feel more comfortable with a long iron in their hands than anything with a headcover. The G425 Crossover also features in-built Arccos tracking inside the grip which is great for those who are data driven.
Pros
- Produces a high-ball flight
- Creates high levels of spin
- Premium dark finish look
Cons
- Crossover concept might add confusion
| Lofts | 2-18°, 3-20°, 4-22.5° |
| Stock shaft | Ping AWS 2.0 steel, PING Alta CB 70 Slate, PING Tour 85 graphite |
| Stock grip | Golf Pride Lite 360 Tour Velvet (Arccod Caddie Smart) |
Looks like an iron, but feels like a hybrid says Titleist
Best driving iron for hybrid feel
Titleist designed the U505 to help players reclaim their iron game, drawing on input from Tour pros. The internal tungsten weighting and wide sole draw the CG to the back of the head to help get the ball airborne. This driving iron will appeal to those looking for something that reflects half iron, half hybris.
Pros
- High launching
- Wide sole and large head
- Retains iron-like looks
Cons
- May feel too much like a wood for some
| Lofts | 1-16°, 2-18°, 3-20°, 4-22° |
| Stock shaft | Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black Graphite |
| Stock grip | Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 White Flat Cap |
A great-looking, high-launching utility iron with excellent feel
Best looking utility iron
This utility club will particularly appeal to better golfers who are less likely to be intimidated by more minimal head profiles. It could easily blend into your regular set of blades.
Pros
- Easy to launch
- Good level of forgiveness with distance
- No overly chunky head
Cons
- Not as confidence-inspiring for less consistent strikers
| Loft | 2-18°, 3-20°, 4-23° |
| Stock shaft | UST Mamiya Recoil 95 Graphite |
| Stock grip | Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 |
Precision, power, and accuracy, with a classic blade profile
Best driving iron for workability
The P790 UDI head design promotes low spin shots with a piercing trajectory and is built for golfers who want control without sacrificing distance. This driving iron is better suited to high-level players who possess good ball speed, and seek a long-distance utility club that's great for shaping ball flight.
Pros
- Fairly forgiving for a blade
- Highly workable
- Sleek-looking blade design
Cons
- Not the easiest to launch for average players
| Loft | 2-17° |
| Stock shaft | Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Rescue Graphite |
| Stock grip | Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 |
Forgiving and workable for players with higher swing speeds
Best driving iron for versatility
If you're skilled enough and have the swing speed to get the most out of it, the PXG 0311 X GEN5 will offer excellent performance and versatility.
Pros
- Offers a good level of forgiveness
- Shot shaping ability for better players
- Distinctive styling
Cons
- Compact face size may intimidate some
| Loft | 18° |
| Stock shaft | True Temper Elevate MP |
| Stock grip | PXG Z5 Black |
Offers pure distance with total control for high-level players
Best driving iron for control
The hollow head is forged from 1025 mild carbon steel and features urethane microspheres inside to dampen vibration, improving sound and feel. The external tungsten weights allow the center of gravity to be placed in a way that helps launch and trajectory.
Pros
- Promotes high ball speeds
- Good launch characteristics
- Balance of distance and forgiveness
Cons
- Only better players will be able to maximize the benefits
| Loft | 2-18°, 3-21°, 4-24° |
| Stock shaft | Project X U 6.0 |
| Stock grip | Golf Pride Z Grip Chev Black |
A super powerful driving iron for those wanting faster ball speeds
Best driving iron for power generation
With Mizuno’s first-ever Maraging MAS1C face in an iron, delivering vastly increased ball speeds, the Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi is a powerful driving iron. Like the Mizuno Pro irons, the Fli-Hi isn't cheap, but those buying a set of Mizuno Pro 221, 223, or 225 irons and wanting a powerful driving iron will love this.
Pros
- Generates high ball speeds
- Super powerful
- Easy to launch
Cons
- The black finish won't be to all tastes
| Loft | <meta charset |
| Stock shaft | Fujikura or Mizuno MFusion |
| Stock grip | Golf Pride Tour Wrap Black |
A high-performing utility iron that will work for a wide range of abilities
Best driving iron for high launch
It looks inviting at address with a longer blade length and wide sole that create a large strike zone that inspires confidence. The rounded heel/toe enhances playability and turf interaction. Stealth DHY has weight positioned in the sole of the club to create a lower CG, which makes it more playable and easier to launch than a traditional iron. That lower CG creates a higher launch than the Stealth UDI.
Pros
- Large sweet spot inspires confidence
- Easy to launch for a driving iron
- Solid distance
Cons
- Might launch too high for players looking to keep beneath the wind
| Loft | <meta charset |
| Stock shaft | Aldila Ascent Graphite |
| Stock grip | Golf Pride Z Grip 360 |
A versatile utility club with excellent forgiveness for off-center strikes
Most forgiving driving iron
The hollow body construction of the head has been filled with a softer and lighter foam for added distance and an improved feel. The CG location has been lowered to reduce spin and increase overall distance through the use of a 61g tungsten weight. While this latest offering in the utility iron department from Cobra does not offer adjustable loft ability, the club is easy to launch and is well worth considering.
Pros
- Extremely forgiving for off-center hits
- Easy to launch
- Strong distance performance
Cons
- No adjustable hosel like previous models
| Loft | 2-17°, 3-19°, 4-22°, 5-22° |
| Stock shaft | KBS $-Taper Lite |
| Stock grip | Lamkin Crossline |
Best Driving Irons and Utility Clubs: Buying Guide
With being such an individualized club, the driving iron will not feature in the bag of every club golfer. That said, for consistent strikers of the ball, or for those who play on courses where the wind gets up, the driving iron will be an important and valuable companion. Here are some of the things worth considering before making your purchase.
Gapping / Loft
Some golfers have a setup that features a driving iron as well as a hybrid or fairway wood, so don’t think you have to choose one or the other. The most important thing to know is how far you hit the longer clubs in your bag and establish where exactly your gaps in yardage exist. This will give you an indication of the loft the driving iron should be.
Usability
Even though the best driving irons nowadays are packed with technology to help make them easier to launch and provide the versatility to hit high, soft-landing shots when required, they still won’t typically fly as high as fairway woods or hybrids. That can make them more difficult to use on approach shots when you need to hold a green. Many golfers find fairway woods or hybrids easier to hit.
Course
The lower flight offered by driving irons tends to be particularly effective in the wind, where you don’t want the ball ballooning into the air, which is more likely with a fairway wood or hybrid. Driving irons are particularly popular on links courses, with their wind and firm fairways, offering a lot of roll thanks to the piercing trajectory of a driving iron.
Looks
It’s important that you are comfortable with how your driving iron makes you feel when sitting behind the ball. For less confident ball strikers, a larger more confidence-inspiring head may be preferable to a smaller sleek profile more typically seen in the hands of Tour pros and high-level club players. Also, you may wish to consider the aesthetics of the club in your bag next to your regulation irons, or even matching up the brands.
Budget
As with all golf clubs, particularly specialist clubs, driving irons can cost upwards of $200/£200. Therefore it’s vital as always that you hit sufficient balls with it before making a financial commitment you might regret. Of course, you will find models of driving irons at varying price points so you’ll be sure to find something that fits your budget.
If you want to experiment by adding a driving iron to your bag without purchasing from new, perhaps have a look with our friends at Golfbidder to see if there is a good second-hand option to get you up and running without breaking the bank.
Best Driving Irons and Utility Clubs: FAQs
What is a driving iron for?
Driving irons or utility irons are primarily used as long-distance alternatives for a shot that would otherwise be hit with a driver, fairway wood, or hybrid. The heavier set nature of the driving iron head allows golfers to hit the ball higher and further than a standard 2 or 3-iron for example. They are lower launching with shallower landing angles meaning the ball should roll further. Golfers who play regularly on links courses or courses prone to strong winds are more likely to include driving irons in their bag.
When should you hit a driving iron?
Typically a driving iron will be hit off the tee on a long par 3, or if you need to find the fairway on a narrow par 4 or 5, where a driver would potentially be too much club. Due to their additional head weight compared to regular irons, they can be effective when trying to get distance out of the rough. When the wind gets up, driving irons are also a popular shot selection from better players trying to keep the flight of their ball down.
What is the longest, most forgiving driving iron?
The answer to this question will vary from player to player, and if possible you should try a few different models on a launch monitor so you can make the most informed decision. It is unlikely that the longest model will also be the most forgiving and therefore finding a balance based on your specific needs is key. All the top brands including TaylorMade, Titleist, Ping, Mizuno, and Srixon offer strong options.
What are the alternatives to driving irons?
Substitutes for driving irons tend to be long irons, fairway woods, and hybrids. Longer irons such as 2-irons are regarded as the most difficult to hit and will usually only be carried by high-level players. Fairway woods and hybrids are a little easier to loft for mid to high-handicappers and inspire more confidence due to their larger head size.
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About the author
Ross Tugwood
Golf Equipment Writer
Ross Tugwood is a golf equipment writer for todays-golfer.com, specializing in data, analytics, science and innovation. He’s also an expert in golf apparel and has a keen interest in sustainability.
Ross is passionate about optimizing sports performance and has a decade of experience working with professional athletes and coaches for British Athletics, the UK Sports Institute and Team GB.
He has post-graduate degrees in Performance Analysis and Sports Journalism, enabling him to critically analyze and review the latest golf equipment and technology to help you make better-informed buying decisions.
Ross lives in Snowdonia National Park with his wife and 40 kg Bernese Mountain dog! He is a member of Porthmadog Golf Club with a handicap index of 15.4.
Away from golf, Ross enjoys hiking, trail running, and supporting the mighty Bristol Bears.
Ross uses a Cobra King SZ Speedzone driver, Titleist TSi2 3-Wood, TaylorMade Sim2 Rescue, Callaway Apex Pro irons (4-PW), Cleveland 588 RTX wedges (52°, 58°), Odyssey White Hot Pro-1 putter, and a TaylorMade Tour Response golf ball.
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Best Driving Irons and Utility Clubs 2023
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We review the best driving irons and utility irons.
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Callaway X Forged UT driving iron
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Callaway X-Forged UT Utility Iron
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Cobra King Tec Utility Iron
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Mizuno Pro Hi-Fli Driving Iron
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Ping G425 Crossover Driving Iron
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PXG 0311 X GEN5 Driving Utility Iron
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PXG driving irons
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Players often use a driving iron on links courses
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Srixon ZX utility iron
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TaylorMade P790 UDI Driving Iron
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TaylorMade Stealth DHY Utility Iron
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TaylorMade Stealth UDI
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Titleist U505 driving iron
