Whether you're a weekend warrior or a new golfer trying to find your groove, there's one thing that can make the game infinitely more enjoyable: irons that are easy to launch. These are the sets that help you get the ball airborne with less effort, forgive mishits, and inspire confidence from the fairway, rough, or tee box.
At Next Round Golf, we've asked our team to name their favorite iron sets designed for easier launch—and they've delivered a stellar lineup. From vintage legends to modern marvels, every pick in this collection has earned its spot thanks to real-world performance.
Explore our Staff Picks – Easy Launch Irons collection to find a set that fits your swing and budget, all available as premium secondhand clubs at unbeatable value.
Michael’s Pick: TaylorMade P790 – "Distance Meets Forgiveness"
Michael's favorite irons blend cutting-edge tech with a sleek, Tour-ready look. The TaylorMade P790 irons are engineered with a hollow-body construction and SpeedFoam, allowing them to deliver explosive distance without sacrificing feel.
“These irons look like blades, but they play like game-improvement clubs,” Michael says. “They’re great for mid-handicappers who want help launching the ball higher and further.”
The low CG (center of gravity) and fast faces help average players get easy height, especially on long irons—making them a dream set for players looking to improve carry distance.
Shop TaylorMade P790 iron sets at Next Round Golf
Josh W’s Pick: Ping Eye 2 – "Old School, Still Effective"
Few irons have a cult following like the Ping Eye 2, and Josh W is all in. These clubs may date back to the 80s and 90s, but their perimeter weighting and wide soles still help players get the ball in the air with ease.
Josh explains: “Ping Eye 2s just work. You can find them in the bags of players who haven’t bought new irons in decades—and that’s because they’re incredibly easy to hit.”
If you're nostalgic for that classic Ping look and want irons that deliver high launch and forgiveness in a timeless package, Eye 2s still stand tall.
Shop Ping Eye 2 iron sets at Next Round Golf
Isabella’s Pick: Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal – "Feel + Forgiveness"
The JPX 921 Hot Metal irons are Mizuno’s answer to golfers who want forgiveness without giving up that buttery Mizuno feel. Isabella chose these because they cater to a wide range of skill levels, especially those who struggle with low ball flight.
“These irons launch high with minimal effort,” she says. “And they feel amazing—pure, even when you don’t hit the center.”
With Chromoly construction and a seamless cup face, the JPX 921 Hot Metal irons deliver a mix of ball speed and high launch that’s hard to beat.
Shop Mizuno JPX 921 iron sets at Next Round Golf
Ryan’s Pick: Titleist 718 AP3 – "Blended Performance"
Ryan’s choice, the Titleist 718 AP3, was designed to bridge the gap between the better-player AP2s and the more forgiving AP1s. It’s the ideal pick for players who want modern launch and distance but prefer a compact shape at address.
“These irons get up in the air fast and go forever,” Ryan says. “They don’t look like game-improvement irons, but they play like them in all the best ways.”
Thanks to a hollow-blade design and high-density tungsten weighting, the AP3 irons deliver a high, penetrating flight with plenty of forgiveness.
Shop Titleist 718 AP3 iron sets at Next Round Golf
Brian’s Pick: Callaway Apex 19 – "Luxury Meets Launch"
Brian’s favorite, the Callaway Apex 19, is a forged iron that somehow blends soft feel with game-improvement performance. These irons feature a 360 Face Cup in the longer clubs and precise control in the shorter ones.
“What I love is that you get a forged feel and premium look, but they’re still so easy to launch,” Brian says. “They make you feel like a better player, and they help you play like one too.”
If you want a confidence boost without giving up aesthetics, Apex 19 irons are a top-tier choice.
Shop Callaway Apex 19 iron sets at Next Round Golf
Bob’s Pick: Callaway Rogue – "Point-and-Shoot Simplicity"
The Callaway Rogue irons are Bob’s pick for their consistency and effortless launch. They’re built for mid-to-high handicappers who want straighter shots and better turf interaction.
“These are the irons I recommend to friends who are just getting into golf,” Bob says. “They’re so easy to get airborne, and they don’t punish you for off-center hits.”
With wide soles, strong lofts, and urethane microspheres for feel, the Rogue irons offer a ton of help without being bulky or intimidating.
Shop Callaway Rogue iron sets at Next Round Golf
Sam’s Pick: TaylorMade R7 – "Forgiveness You Can Still Find Today"
The TaylorMade R7 irons were a game-changer in their era, and Sam believes they still hold up for beginners and value-seekers. With their oversized heads and low CG, they make it simple to get the ball in the air, even from tough lies.
“They’re old, but they just perform,” Sam says. “For the price, it’s hard to find an easier set to hit.”
If you’re new to the game or just want a set of irons you can trust to get airborne, the R7s deserve a second look.
Shop TaylorMade R7 iron sets at Next Round Golf
Chase’s Pick: Ping G10 – "The Ultimate Game-Improver"
The Ping G10 irons are a classic for golfers who want durability, forgiveness, and easy launch in one package. Chase picked them because of their dependable high flight and consistency across the set.
“They’re super easy to hit. Just swing and the ball takes off,” Chase says. “They’re great for anyone who doesn’t want to overthink their irons.”
With perimeter weighting, wide soles, and Ping’s reputation for quality, the G10s are perfect for players chasing more fun and less frustration.
Shop Ping G10 iron sets at Next Round Golf
Why Easy Launch Matters for Your Game
The average golfer doesn’t need muscle-back blades—they need irons that help the ball fly high, land soft, and go where it’s supposed to. Easy-launch irons offer a host of benefits:
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Higher trajectory: Launching the ball higher helps it stop faster on greens and carry hazards.
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More forgiveness: These irons minimize distance loss and direction issues on off-center strikes.
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Better confidence: Knowing your clubs can help you get the ball up and out makes every swing less stressful.
Whether you're looking to lower your scores or just enjoy your rounds more, an easy-launch iron set can make a huge difference.
Shop the Staff Picks – Easy Launch Irons Collection at Next Round Golf
All of the sets mentioned here are available as part of our Staff Picks – Easy Launch Irons collection. Each set has been handpicked by our team and is available secondhand at a fraction of the retail price.
If you’re ready to upgrade your iron game, start with a set that does more of the heavy lifting. These clubs don’t just help you hit better shots—they help you have more fun doing it.
Shop the Staff Picks - Easy Launch Irons collection at Next Round Golf