2 Irons, also known as driving irons, are common features in the bags of professional players. On the contrary amateur golfers prefer the forgiveness of either a fairway wood or a hybrid. Recreational golfers have a misconception around the 2 iron, 2 irons aren’t just for the pros, they are for every golfer and the right 2 iron can be a valuable tool to have.
After many hours of research, several tests, and a lot of comparisons, we believe the Taylormade P790 is the best 2 iron currently on the market.
The 5 Best 2 Irons:
Below we review 5 of the best 2 irons on the market and we will also look at how you can turn a 2 iron into a valuable asset in your golf bag.
1. Taylormade P790 UDI 2 Iron
Loft | 17 degrees |
Lie | 60 degrees |
Adjustable | No |
Material | Forged iron |
One of the best driving irons currently available on the market is the TaylorMadeP790 UDI 2 iron. The P790 UDI features TaylorMade’s signature SpeedFoam technology, this technology promotes maximum distance and exceptional forgiveness.
The sleek topline design of the P790 UDI was inspired by feedback from TaylorMade staff players. This 2 iron looks like a regular long iron when you stand over the golf ball, but it feels and performs more like a hybrid at impact in terms of distance, forgiveness, and accuracy. The exceptional feel of this 2 iron is as a result of it’s forged hollow body construction and the Thru Slot Speed Pocket that is visible on the bottom of the club.
2. Titleist U-150 Utility 2 Iron
Loft | 18 degrees |
Lie | 59.5 degrees |
Adjustable | No |
Material | Cast iron |
Titleist is a household name amongst golfers. One of their latest releases, the U-510 utility iron is a must-have if you are in the market for a 2 iron that delivers exceptional distance and accuracy.
The U-510 design features a low center of gravity (COG) high-density tungsten weighting system which ensures high launch numbers and maximum distance. The super-thin forged SUP-10 l-face insert utilized in the design of this driving iron further maximizes distance and it also ensures an exceptional feel.
The U-510 with it’s muscle back profile offers a slightly fuller profile than that of a regular blade iron, looking down at this profile will be much more comforting than looking down at a blade 3 iron.
3. Cobra Golf KING Utility Black 2 Iron
Loft | Adjustable between 18 and 20.5 degrees |
Lie | Will differ depending on loft setting |
Adjustable | Yes |
Material | Forged iron |
The KING utility black iron by Cobra is packed with technology. The sleek look of this 2 iron features a stylish black finish and it comes with Cobra’s MyFly technology. MyFly technology allows you to adjust the loft of this driving iron, with 8 different settings you will be able to set it up so that it fits perfectly into your current set.
The hollow body of the clubhead combined with the ultra-thin face design promotes exceptional ball speeds which in return maximizes distance. The clubhead of the KING utility iron features a tungsten weight that is positioned in the toe of the clubhead, the positioning of this weight increases MOI (moment of inertia) which in return delivers exceptional forgiveness.
Another great feature of this 2 iron is the fact that it features Cobra’s Connect system. The Cobra Connect system is powered by ARCCOS and it allows players to track shot data on every shot that they hit with that particular club.
4. PING G410 Crossover 2 Iron
Loft | 17 degrees |
Lie | 58.1 degrees |
Adjustable | No |
Material | Cast iron |
PING is selective when it comes to the release of new clubs, but with the G utility club, they created a new crossover category. The G410 Crossover is the latest utility iron release from this category and it features all of Ping’s latest technology.
The design of the G410 Crossover combines the workability and precision of a long iron with the speed and forgiveness of a hybrid. At address, the G410 features the look of a long iron but in terms of performance, it delivers the height and performance that one would expect from a hybrid.
The G410 Crossover features a slightly forward center of gravity that promotes exceptional accuracy and a consistent ball flight in terms of trajectory. This high-quality 2 iron features a C300 maraging steel face, this clubface design flexes at impact to produce faster ball speeds and maximum distance. The G410 Crossover also features an internal rib design, this design feature delivers exceptional sound and feel at impact.
The G410 Crossover features a 30-gram dual-density tungsten weight in the sole of the club towards the toe. This weight expands the perimeter weighting of this 2-iron to ensure maximum forgiveness on every shot.
The G410 Crossover is jam-packed with technology and it is the perfect utility iron for players that are looking for a utility iron that has the look of a long iron but the feel of a hybrid.
5. Callaway X Forged Utility 2 Iron
Loft | 18 degrees |
Lie | 59.5 degrees |
Adjustable | No |
Material | Forged iron |
Callaway has always been a leading club manufacturer, but over the last few years they have raised the bar to new heights. The Callaway X forged UT irons are currently some of the best driving irons available on the market. The X forged UT irons feature a clean sleek look that resembles the profile of a standard long iron. The X forged UT might look like a long iron, but they feel and perform more like a hybrid.
The X forged UT irons features Callaway’s 360 Face Cup technology, this technology produces high ball speeds and greater efficiency on off center hits. The X forged UT irons feature a tungsten infused insert that increases MOI, the result is a forgiving club that feels more like a hybrid and less like a hard to hit long iron. The Callaway X forged UT is the perfect 2 iron to add to your bag if you are looking for an easy to hit driving iron that will offer exceptional distance and control off of the tee.
2 Irons Buying Guide
The addition of a 2 iron to your golf bag can potentially save you a couple of shots per round, but there are some important factors to consider before buying just any 2 iron.
Clubhead / Design
As is the case with normal irons 2 irons are available in different shapes and sizes. Driving irons with a blade profile will be much harder to hit than a cavity back 2 iron. Cavity back irons feature bigger clubheads, bigger sweet spots and they also offer exceptional forgiveness on mishit shots. Unless your name is Tiger Woods or Brooks Koepka you should probably opt for a cavity back 2 iron.
Shaft
The shaft makes the golf club. Many amateur golfers don’t realize this but the correct shaft that compliments your golf swing can make a massive difference. 2 irons are notorious for being difficult to hit clubs, with the correct club head and shaft combination that myth goes flying out the window.
Shafts are available in a variety of different options. Graphite or steel? Light or heavy? Torque? Kick point? These are all questions that need to be answered to ensure that you go with the shaft that is best for your game. The majority of amateur golfers know what the difference between steel and graphite shafts are and that’s where their knowledge stops. A visit to your local PGA professional or qualified area club-fitter is recommended to ensure that you are fitted with the correct 2 iron clubhead and shaft combo.
Swing speed
Your average swing speed will determine which shaft weight and flex you should use in your 2 iron, it will also be a good indicator of if you should be adding a 2 iron to your bag at all. Golfers with below-average swing speeds such as senior and female players won’t gain anything by adding a 2 iron to their golf bags.
Speed is required to get the maximum benefit out of a 2 iron. Without adequate swing speed to compress the golf ball optimally at impact you will struggle immensely with getting any results in terms of trajectory and distance. Take a look at this chart, this will give you a good indication as to which shaft flex you require based on your swing speed if your swing speed is above 85 mph you have the go-ahead to start shopping for a new 2 iron.
To learn more about the difference in shaft flex click view this video:
2 Iron vs. 3 Wood
2 Irons and 3 woods are very different types of golf clubs, one of the only things that they have in common is that fact that they are the alternate club of choice off of the tee for many golfers. The standard loft of a 3 wood is 15 degrees compared to the 19 degrees of loft on a 2 iron. In general 3 woods are easier to hit, they feature a bigger profile, larger sweet spot and they are designed to launch the golf ball into the air with ease, 3 woods will also hit the ball considerably further than a 2 iron.
2 Iron vs. Hybrid
Hybrids have essentially replaced long irons in the bags of many golfers. Senior and female players, in particular, are opting for hybrids instead of long irons. Hybrids feature big profiles, large sweet spots and they launch the golf ball into the air with ease.
Golfers with slow swing speeds benefit greatly by opting to add a hybrid into their bag, it is different however for players with fast swing speeds that can compress the golf ball with ease. Pros in particular still opt for a 2 iron over a hybrid since they can keep their golf ball low when playing in windy conditions.
2 Iron vs. 3 Iron
Standard golf iron sets normally start out with a 3 iron, a 2 iron is essentially an additional long iron with a similar profile to that of the 3 iron with the only difference being that it has less loft.
Not all 2 and 3 iron golf clubs are similar in design, a variety of 2 irons are available with advanced design features which include bigger profiles, added forgiveness and the use of a more advanced graphite shaft.
2 Iron vs. Driver
2 Irons and drivers are very different types of golf clubs. Drivers feature big bulky heads that are packed with features that can be adjusted to achieve optimal distance and accuracy off the tee. 2 irons sport a sleek look and they can be utilized from both the tee and the fairway or even the rough if you manage to draw a good lie.
Popular 2 Iron FAQs:
What is a 2 Iron?
The majority of golf sets start with a 3 iron, a 2 iron is an additional iron that can be added to your golf bag. Nowadays amateur golfers prefer either a fairway wood or a hybrid instead of long irons (2, 3, 4 and 5 iron).
What Degree is a 2 Iron?
2 irons feature 20 degrees of loft, this number can be adjusted however if the clubhead is forged or if the design allows for adjustment. 2 irons feature similar lofts to that of either a 5 wood or a 3 hybrid.
When to Use a 2 Iron?
Professional players use a 2 iron for a variety of reasons but the main reasons are accuracy and trajectory. 2 Irons are designed to hit the golf ball low, pros that play in windy conditions regularly rely on their 2 irons to keep the ball low off of the tee when they are playing into the wind. 2 Irons are designed to minimize spin, the absence of spin on the golf ball as it flies through the air doesn’t just affect the trajectory, it also ensures accuracy and control.
Do pros use 2 irons?
The pros don’t make use of 2 irons, as they prefer to hit a fairway wood or a hybrid.
How to Hit a 2 Iron
Driving irons with small clubheads are notoriously difficult to hit, but with a few basics in place, you will find the middle of the clubface regularly. Let’s take a closer look at how to hit good shots with a 2 iron.
1. Ball Position
Ball position is a simple but very important golf fundamental. When you pull your 2 iron out of the bag it is important to remember to move the golf ball forward in your stance. Ideally with a 2 iron your golf ball should be positioned about 2 inches inside of your left heel if you are a right handed golfer and vice versa for lefty’s.
The correct ball position is vital to ensure that your angle of attack is correct and that your clubface has enough time to square up through the hitting zone.
2. Posture
Good posture is very important regardless of what club you are hitting with. Longer clubs tend to be harder to hit than shorter clubs, when your posture is good though you will be able to turn your shoulders effectively and hit consistent good shots with your 2 iron.
Good golf posture requires a strong athletic stance. Think of a boxer and the stance that they take when they are in the ring, that is a very good picture to mimic when thinking about good golf posture.
3. Rhythm and Balance
Amateur golfers have the tendency to try and hit the golf ball too hard, yes it is important to make a positive swing at the ball, but it has to be rhythmic and balanced. Rhythmic swings ensure that your body and the clubhead work in sync. Golf swings that are in sync ensure both maximum distance and accuracy.
A good drill to ensure rhythm and balance in your golf swing is to take the club by the clubhead and to take a few practice swings with the club upside down. This drill forces you to use your big muscles (shoulders and hips) in order to swing the club back and through. Golf swings go out of sync and lose their rhythm when the arm’s take over as a result of swinging too hard.
To learn more about how to hit a 2 iron read these tips by a former Open Champion.
Conclusion
2 Irons are versatile golf clubs that can offer great benefit to both amateur and professional players, the story that 2 irons are just for pros is exactly that, a story. If you do decide to add a 2 iron to your bag ensure that it has the correct setup for your abilities and swing speed, the correct shaft can make the world’s difference.
All of the top manufacturers in the industry offer a 2 iron option, with so many options to choose from finding one that fits both your eye and your pocket should be a pretty easy task.
This article was last updated on January 18, 2023 .