The Best Utility Irons of 2021

Traditionally, longer irons have been difficult for amateurs to strike effectively. Moreover, a 1 or 2-iron? Forget about it. However, through the advent of utility irons, we have been able to reach further distances with much more ease. Typically, a utility iron would replace a traditional longer iron. They are completely designed around forgiveness and offer an attractive alternative to conventional longer clubs. Below, leaning on the knowledge of Golfshake Equipment Expert Ryan Rastall, we list several utility irons that we feel can help take your game to the next level. 

TaylorMade SIM DHY, £199

TaylorMade Sim DHY (Driving Hybrid) will relieve the pressure of feeling like you need to take driver off every par-4 or 5. Naturally, for the average amateur golfer, long irons are not our friends. The guys at TaylorMade know this, and that knowledge has resulted in this utility iron. This superior driving hybrid has been designed for versatility and forgiveness – meaning more fairways. Moreover, the technology packed into this club gives you the ability to utilise it off the tee, from the fairway or even tricky lies. 

SpeedFoam technology features within the utility, which is an ultra-light urethane foam injected inside the head that’s engineered to push design limits of face speed whilst concurrently improving feel. Additionally, the versatile clubhead shape features a wide yet playable sole which has been designed for all conditions. From address, you will get a clean look which should bolster your confidence for the all-important imminent shot. If you’re someone who struggles with their driver and longer irons, then TaylorMade may have made of friend of you. 

Specs:

• Lofts – 17 °, 19 °, 22 °, 25 °
• Launch – Mid, Spin – Mid-Low 

What Golfshake Say:

“It has a slightly wider sole, it has SpeedFoam in the head and there’s a slightly bigger profile when it’s sat behind the ball as well. It really helps that player who doesn’t like hitting a hybrid golf club but still needs that help getting something in the air and moving it forward a considerable distance. It feels smooth when you’re hitting it and the club is so easy to launch – the distance is absolutely phenomenal.” 

For more, see Ryan's Full Review!

TaylorMade SIM UDI, £199

TaylorMade’s Sim UDI (Ultimate Driving Iron) is here to rival your driver. However, both have their own place in your bag. The UDI has been designed from the game’s best players and it will give you the confidence to attack greens from great distance – or to start the hole off in perfect fashion. It can supplement the upper end of your bag as a compliment to fairway woods, rescues or even long irons. Precise CG placement promotes a penetrating ball flight – stingers have never been so easy to execute. 

The shaping of the club has been Tour-inspired with a refine, straighter leading edge and a moderate sole width for improved turf interaction. Minimal offset and a thinner topline means that this club is marketed towards better players, but it will encourage great confidence and unseen workability. The Thru-Slot Pocket is the most flexible in TaylorMade’s history and has been designed to maximise ball speeds whilst refusing to trade in forgiveness on shots struck lower on the face. TaylorMade have released two very strong utility irons and for a relatively cheap cost, you’ll do well to find a better price or choice anywhere else on the market. 

Specs:

• Lofts – 18 °, 20 °
• Launch – Mid-Low, Spin – Low 

What Golfshake Say:

“When I’ve been out on the course with the UDI, it has been awesome. You’re going to get a little bit less spin with the UDI and not quite as much height but the distance remains the same, brilliant. Both have performed fantastically well and both are very easy to hit. I’m probably going to stick the UDI in the bag, which is the best compliment that I can give this club.”

For more, see Ryan's Full Review! 

Srixon ZX Utility, £189

Slightly cheaper is the Srixon ZX Utility Iron. They are smaller, more compact and blade-like at address compared to previous models and even Srixon Tour players love the forgiveness that has been crafted into the construction of these clubs. The A-designed pattern increases flexibility so you can enjoy exhilarating distance and ball speed on each and every strike. Whether you’re hitting from the tee or attempting to reach the green from distance, the ZX Utility will make these efforts seamless.

The MainFrame technology showcases a one-of-a-kind design which has been developed by human intelligence blended with artificial intelligence – these clubs have been repeatedly tested to produce Srixon’s fastest irons to date. The Hollow Design adds forgiveness from fully hollow construction, which will also greatly assist with puring the irons, adding distance, control and a high launch from the tee or the fairway. 

Specs:

• Heads – 2,3,4
• Loft - 18 °, 20 °, 23 °

What Golfshake Say:  

"This iron looks great and extremely forgiving. Classic shaping and I really like the finish. It also blends perfectly with all of the iron range."

For more, see Ryan's Full Review!

Cobra King Utility Iron, £169

The Cobra King Utility Iron blends a classic look with modern technology to create a contemporary utility iron that is designed to execute every shot with distance, accuracy and precision. A forged Pwrshell face, hollow construction and an adjustable hosel help to deliver penetrating distance, immense feel and reliability from both the tee and off the fairway. The Pwrshell face is a forged face insert that wraps around the sole, further increasing a larger sweet zone for better launch and quicker ball speeds. 

A hollow design creates a more unsupported face that can flex easily to deliver faster speeds across the club face. A 66 gram tungsten weight positions the CG right behind the hitting zone to further increase speeds for a better, penetrating ball flight. Finally, the MyFly adjustable lofts gives the user more customisation than ever. There are 8 easily adjustable loft settings to choose from, allowing you to fine tune launch angles and spin rates to find your perfect gapping and trajectory. 

Specs:

• Heads – 2,3,4
• Loft - 16 °, 18 °, 21 °

What Golfshake Say:

"A slightly thicker topline which may not be to liking but with a lot of weight behind the ball – it really inspires confidence at address. You can adjust the loft which is a great addition from Cobra. I’ve enjoyed a really consistent performance with this club and if you’re looking for something really easy to hit – with an aggressive ball flight – this could be the club.” 

Titleist U500 + U510, £219

It’s no secret that Titleist are one of the most successful club manufacturers in the modern game. So, when their R&D team ventured off to develop a high-performance utility iron, it should come as little surprise that they released two. Both of these utilities are extremely versatile, low-loft which has been designed for superior shot selection. Maximum speed has been formed through a super thin forged Sup-10 L-Face insert. This series of utility irons will finally put to rest the nerves that come when addressing a long-iron approach.

Both models feature high density tungsten weighting to control CG and produce a consistent, easy to launch power. Moreover, both models have quickly become firm favourites amongst those on the Tour. The U500 is a player’s utility whereas the U510 is a power utility, where you can launch it high and long yet it remains easy to control. The latter performs similarly to a hybrid but it’s presented in a muscular iron shape. 

Specs:

U500: 

• Loft - 17 °, 20 °, 23 °

U510:

• Loft - 16 °, 18 °, 20 °, 22 °

What Golfshake Say:

"There is something for everyone here! Whether it’s sleek, traditional looks and penetrating flight or more forgiveness and a larger profile at address, Titleist have all the bases covered."

Keep an eye on the Golfshake Gear Section for more content OR visit our YouTube Channel for the latest videos and reviews!

Related Content

The Best Drivers of 2021

The Best Budget Drivers of 2021

The Most Forgiving Drivers of 2021

The Best Fairway Woods of 2021