How to buy a used iron set

Set makeup: count the clubs

A 4-PW set is 7 clubs, 5-PW is 6, 6-PW is 5, and 5-SW or 4-GW adds wedges. Modern game-improvement sets often start at 5 or 6 because their lofts are strong (a 7 iron can be 28° where it used to be 34°), so the long irons are replaced by hybrids. That's why we price every set per club: a cheap 6-PW is often worse value than a fair 4-PW. See price per club for every iron model.

Blades, players' irons and game improvement

Blades (muscle backs like the Mizuno MP-20 or Titleist 620 MB) give the most feel and the least forgiveness. Players' irons (forged cavity backs and hollow "players-distance" irons like the TaylorMade P790, Titleist T200 and Ping i525) suit good ball strikers. Game-improvement irons (Ping G series, Callaway Rogue and Paradym, TaylorMade Qi, Mizuno JPX Hot Metal) have wide soles and deep cavities and suit most club golfers. Forged irons can be bent a couple of degrees for loft and lie; cast irons are harder to adjust.

Shafts: steel or graphite

Most men's sets have steel shafts (True Temper Dynamic Gold, KBS Tour, Nippon N.S. Pro Modus, Ping AWT); graphite shafts are lighter and easier on the joints, and are common in senior and ladies sets. All the shafts in a set should match: a mixed set usually means replaced clubs.

Lie angle and the Ping colour code

Ping marks the lie angle with a coloured dot on the hosel: black is standard, other colours are flatter or more upright. A wrong lie sends shots left or right, so if you're much taller or shorter than average, check the dot colour (we read it from the title) or have the lie adjusted after you buy.

Grooves, grips and length

Look for even wear across the faces and sharp grooves on the short irons. A full regrip costs around £60-£100, so worn grips knock that off the value. "+0.5\"" or "+1\"" means the clubs are longer than standard, built for a taller golfer.

Today's second-hand irons by brand

The most listed models