The complete guide to buying a second-hand golf iron

Whether you’re brand new to golf and are looking to invest in your first set of used golf clubs, or you’re a seasoned player wanting to upgrade your equipment to better your game, one of the most important considerations is the types of golf irons you decide to use.

The good news is that the most expensive irons aren’t necessarily going to be the best choice for you, and the even better news is that when you buy second-hand golf irons you will be getting a whole lot more bang for your buck!

So read on to find out more about the factors to take into account when buying used golf iron sets. We’ll answer some of your burning questions and help you feel more confident in the iron set you choose. And if you still have questions, we’re on hand to help guide you through your options and help you find the perfect set of used golf irons for you - don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need a little extra help.

Irons - the basics

Let’s start by covering the basic information that you need to know when it comes to buying second-hand golf irons. Once your pre-loved driver has hit your ball off the tee, you’ll then rely heavily on your golf irons to take you closer to the hole. (Some players can even use an iron to hit the ball off the tee in certain scenarios). Because you have a range of irons to choose from, you’ll be able to use your irons for a variety of shots.

In any standard golf bag, you’ll find 14 golf clubs - that is the maximum number of clubs any one player is allowed (check out our post on the top three golf clubs to focus on). Of those 14 clubs, around 7-11 of them will be your irons - which also includes your wedges. Irons are sorted by a number from 1-10 but more commonly this is 3-9. This number indicates the (relative) angle of loft on the clubface, but they may also vary in terms of clubhead size, and length of the shaft.

Irons that have a higher loft than the numbered irons in your golf bag are also called wedges, pitching wedge (PW) and sand wedge (SW) - being the most common). But let’s not worry too much about wedges in this article, because you will find that most used golf iron sets contain at least one wedge.

So, when you’re looking at the description of an iron set online, it’ll say something along the lines of ‘3-PW’. This means that you will get a full set of irons starting from a ‘3’, and also a pitching wedge. Likewise, ‘5-SW’ means you will get a set starting from a ‘5’, going through to a sand wedge. You may also come across gap wedges (GW) and attack wedges (AW).

Golf irons are made - as the name would suggest - of metal. They have a large, flat and angled face, and they are usually scored with deeper grooves from toe to heel that help generate more ball spin and therefore control your shot better. They can be used in all sorts of different situations and are particularly handy for getting you out of a tight spot like a bunker or perhaps even shallow water. For better accuracy with close shots, golf iron club heads are thinner than some of the other clubs such as woods and hybrids.

Irons are, without a doubt, one of the most useful clubs for your game, so it’s important to get a set that is perfect for you. (Left-handed? We’ve got you covered with a huge range of left-handed used golf irons from all the leading brands).

Looking for a new Iron? Browse our latest stock below £250

When should I upgrade my iron?

If you’re an occasional player, perhaps getting out on the course up to a couple of times a week, then there’s no reason why a good quality set of golf irons shouldn’t last you from 5-10 years. But obviously, if you’re playing more regularly you might start to notice signs of wear and tear a little sooner than that.

When you buy used golf club irons from golfclubs4cash we can guarantee that they’re in tip-top shape using our condition guide, meaning you’ll be able to enjoy them for many years to come before you need to consider replacing them.

If your game is improving and you’d like to upgrade your clubs to a better spec, your existing golf clubs will still hold some value and you may be able to trade them in. As with all other types of clubs, things change and improvements are constantly being made. While traditional forged irons haven’t changed much in terms of specification in decades, the newer thin-faced irons tend to change every 3-5 years.

How much does a good used iron set cost?

The price of a used golf iron set varies quite a lot, depending on the spec and brand that you’re looking for. However, it’s possible to get a starter set of used irons for between £50 - £100. On the higher end of the range, professional irons sets can fetch over £1000 in some cases - but this is because they are of such high quality that they hold their value really well.

For amateurs, we would recommend that you budget at least £150 - £300 for a decent set of preloved golf irons. You’ll be able to choose from a wide range of clubs for that price and can always look at trading them in and upgrading them when you start to feel your game improving.

Choosing your iron set

Choosing the perfect used golf iron set for you might take a little time and research, but it’s worth putting the effort in to find the right golf clubs that can help you take your game to the next level. Playing with sub-quality golf clubs will hamper your progress and this can often lead to players giving up on golf altogether.

If you’re really unsure, you can always seek the help of a PGA Pro who will be able to help you narrow down your options and point you towards a second-hand golf iron set that brings value for money according to your budget and matches your skill level. Make sure you’re clear on your budget before you start looking, and take time to compare brands and specifications.

Buying second hand golf irons is always a great idea - often they’ve barely been used and have a whole lot more life left in them meaning you’ll get far more for your money.

When should I upgrade my fairway wood?

As with all your clubs, it’s important to keep an eye on the condition of your fairway wood to ensure it’s in an optimal state for your upcoming games. Largely speaking, you can expect your fairway wood to last at least 3-6 years with standard usage, but shaft wear might be a consideration if you’re using it on a lot of shots.

By maintaining your clubs and keeping them in tip-top condition, you can extend the life of them considerably. And if you’re saving money on your clubs, think of all the extra rounds of golf you can justifiably squeeze in! Read our guide to looking after your golf clubs here.

What material is a golf iron made from, and how are they made?

Golf irons are made of metal and are made in two different ways - they can either be forged irons or cast irons.

Forged irons

Forged irons are made in a similar way to how a blacksmith might approach the task - by taking a piece of soft steel and sinking it into a rough shape before hammering or beating it into the perfect shape. A carbon steel clubhead is then added before it’s milled, ground and polished.

Advanced players tend to prefer forged golf irons, and they say that they offer a better feel - knowing instinctively when the ball has been hit off-centre. Because forging irons requires more time and skill, this is reflected in the price and they are always more expensive than cast irons.

Cast irons

Cast irons are made by pouring the liquid into a mould to make a golf iron head (which is great for making more complex designs). This is an easier process, and therefore cheaper to produce and buy. So it’s no wonder then that it is estimated that the vast majority (around 90%) of golf clubs sold worldwide are cast irons.

Some irons have steel shafts while others have graphite shafts, and players often prefer one over the other when it comes to this. For example, a graphite shaft is generally lighter and able to absorb more vibration, so this could be a good choice of iron for someone suffering from arthritis.

A graphite shaft boasts a further distance than steel because it is lighter and gives faster swing speeds, but this is often reflected in the higher price. You can also find multi-material shafts, but these aren’t easy to come by.

Types of golf iron

There are two main types of golf iron, and at golfclubs4cash we stock a range of both. If you’re unsure which type of used golf club iron is best for you then we recommend you get in touch with our experts. They’ll be happy to advise you on the best type of golf iron for you - blade or cavity-backed.

Blade iron

Until recently, professional and/or experienced players tended to prefer to use a blade iron which features a thin face, top line and a very compact hitting area. But this is changing now, with more and more players switching to a cavity-backed iron (apart from Tiger Woods, who still swears by his blades). The blade of the iron is able to distribute weight evenly across the whole clubhead, giving a satisfying sweet spot right in the centre. Sometimes blade irons can also be referred to as ‘muscle backs’ because of the extra weight placed behind the sweet spot.

Cavity back iron

Also known as perimeter-weighted irons, cavity back irons have a gap, or cavity, at the back of the club head. This means that weight is more concentrated on the perimeter enabling manufacturers to increase forgiveness or the MOI (Moment of Inertia) of the club.

The cavity back iron is a choice favoured by more inexperienced players with higher handicaps, mainly because of the benefits that the larger sweet spot can bring. As mentioned above, cavity-backed irons are even getting more popular with professional players now.

What about hybrid irons?

Hybrid golf irons are a regular addition to most golfers’ bags, and that’s because they bring incredible versatility. They combine all the best features of a fairway wood and an iron, so make sure you leave room in your bag for one of these - you won’t regret it.

Loft and lie

Loft and lie angles are important considerations for your golf irons. If you feel that one or the other may be slightly off, it is well worth taking it to a local supplier who will be able to make the adjustments needed to suit you and your swing.

Loft

The loft, sometimes called the ‘loft angle’, or your golf iron is the angle at which the club face lies (relative to a vertical face). This is measured in degrees, and the higher the angle, the higher the trajectory.

Irons all tend to have a medium loft (wedges have a higher loft and drivers have the minimum loft).

Lie

The lie, or ‘lie angle’ of a clubhead simply means the angle between the middle of the shaft and the sole. If your lie angle isn’t quite right, you’ll notice that the face will point in a slightly wrong direction, If the lie angle is too upright the face will point towards the ‘hook side’ of the target, and if it’s too flat it’ll point towards the slice slide of the target line.

Shaft length

Deciding on the correct shaft length for you means knowing a bit about your posture such as how tall you are, and also the distance from your wrists to the floor! The standard ratio to use as a rule of thumb is that for every 6 inches of height you need a 1.5-inch difference between your irons. If you’re unsure, you can opt for a standard length of shaft and look to upgrade your iron shaft if you want to customise it.

Shaft flex

Next, you’ll need to choose the right shaft flex for you. This means the amount of bend that the club has. It’s easy enough to pick a shaft flex type such as ‘Ladies’, or ‘Senior’, but when you’re just starting out it may be difficult to know if you’d prefer ‘Regular’, ‘Stiff’ or ‘Extra Stiff’. The rule of thumb for shaft type is - the faster your swing speed, the stiffer you need your shaft to be. You may need to try out a variety of shaft types before you settle on the best type for you

Which irons do the top players love?

According to PGA Club Tracker, the most popular irons used by professionals worldwide is currently Titleist, with the T100 coming out on top in 2022 and the 620MB coming close behind. PING and Callaway also feature heavily, as you would expect.

It’s hard to know what’s next for golf irons, but you can be sure that all the leading brands are constantly working on small modifications that will make big differences to your game. That said, the standard specifications and design of a standard golf iron haven’t changed much in decades, so whatever you buy you can be sure that it will serve you well for years to come without becoming outdated on the course.

What to do next?

Now you’ve learned a little more about finding the perfect used golf club for you, it’s a great idea to use our handy feature filter facility to narrow down your options. You’ll be able to choose between Men’s and Ladies’, left or right-handed, search by brand and by flex type and price. And you’re not limited to sets either - we stock an extensive range of individual used golf irons, too.

If you’ve narrowed it down to two or three options and you still can’t decide, give our friendly sales team a call. They’ll take you through a series of questions and advise on the perfect preloved golf club iron set for you. You may also find our FAQ section helpful.

Buying second hand clubs online with confidence

Buying second hand golf irons online is easy with golfclubs4cash. We offer worldwide delivery and a full returns policy, meaning you can buy all your used golf clubs online with 100% confidence. And because opting for a preloved golf club market means helping the planet too, you can shop safely in the knowledge that you’re helping to keep perfectly good clubs out of landfill.

And for the real bargain-hunters among you, keep an eye on our bargain basement, which is regularly updated with new items at a fraction of the price you’d pay for a new golf club.

All our second hand golf clubs are 100% authentic and genuine, and have had their condition appraised by an experienced golf club expert.

Local customers can visit our Edinburgh or Warrington golf store to try out our range and benefit from custom fits. Our pros are on hand whether in-person or by phone, and they’ll use their years of experience to help you find the perfect used fairway wood for you.

We’re proud to be Europe’s largest supplier of second hand golf clubs and equipment, and with over 24,000 clubs in stock at any given time, we’re the go-to online store for players of all abilities looking to find the best golf clubs at bargain prices.

Browse our extensive range of second hand golf fairways from the brands you love, and check out our 40,000+ 5* reviews on Trustpilot from happy customers!

More blogs and guides

The Ace Series: Your complete, in-depth guide to irons The Ace Series: Your complete, in-depth guide to irons
Blog

The Ace Series: Your complete, in-depth guide to irons

One of the questions we hear a lot (seriously, a LOT) at golfclubs4cash is “How do I choose the right golf iron for me?”....
Read more
Everything you'll ever need to know about drivers. The Ace Series Everything you'll ever need to know about drivers. The Ace Series
Blog

Everything you'll ever need to know about drivers. The Ace Series

The complete guide to drivers in golf. From the history of the driver to how they're made, whatever it is you need...
Read more
The complete guide to buying a golf driver The complete guide to buying a golf driver - GolfClubs4Cash
Blog

The complete guide to buying a golf driver

Choosing a new driver can be a confusing task with a number of factors to consider and lots of options on the...
Read more
The 10 best-selling golf brands at golfclubs4cash The 10 best-selling golf brands at golfclubs4cash
Blog

The 10 best-selling golf brands at golfclubs4cash

Which are the most popular golf club brands at golfclubs4cash? Let’s take a look at the best-selling golf brands – who do...
Read more

SIGN UP AND STAY IN THE KNOW

Subscribe to our mailing list for insider news, product launches, and more.