Blades or Not???

[davecenter]

Lately, this has been a big issue. Whether to get blades or not. However, now with the introduction of forged cavities in the last couple of years, there are more options. Vote for your favorite category, and then explain why.

[iacas]

Why, you haven't voted dave!

I chose "forged cavity" not necessarily because I have them, but because I think that in the right design they can offer a lot of "best of both worlds."

I grew up and learned to play with blades. Now I play 10-year-old Titleist DCI 962bs - the "b" means "blade" and they're cavity back clubs that feel more like a blade than any other cavity-back club I've hit.

[gas_can]

My first set of clubs was a set of Ping Zing 2's and the larger more forgiving head definately helped me make solid contact more often and helped with a lot of positive reinforcement. If I had tried to learn on blades I probably would have quit.

However, once my handicap started dropping, I became frustrated with the lack of control I was getting. As is usually the case it wasn't the club's fault but mine. Since I wasn't consistently hitting the sweet spot of the club my distance control and accuracy were poor. So I picked up a used Mizuno blade 7 Iron and started hitting it at the driving range. Although it was a harsh learning curve the lack of forgiveness helped tremendously and forced me to make really consistant contact and focus on what is going on at impact. I also learned that I was losing some distance due to the fact that I was hitting shots slightly fat which I didn't realize due to the wider sole of the cavity backs. But the trenches I was digging with the blade made it clear that I was a touch too steep on the down swing.

Now I'm playing with Titleist 690 MB's and I love them. I'm especially proud of the quarter sized wear spot I've hit into the face! I've also come to like the visual appeal of the smaller head and thin top line. Although I can't reccomend one or the other since everyone's swing and style of play are different, all i can say is blades have helped my game more than any other purchase I've made.

[davecenter]

Alrighty, here is my vote and my reason.
I recently purchased a set of Mizuno MP 33's, and I couldn't be happier with them. So I go forged blades, since you just can't match the precision, feel, and workability with any other clubs. I do love the Hogan Apex FTX's though, and well as the Titliest 690 MB and CB, and the Hogan Apex 50. And also the half cavity Mizuno MP 30. But yeah, I'm a traditionalist, and I love blades.

[iacas]

I'm guessing that your handicap index isn't 36 as stated in your profile, then, if you use blades and talk about workability. :-) Might wanna fix that... ;-)

[davecenter]

Oh, I haven't even looked at my profile yet. Yeah, I'm not a 36, so I'd better fix that. I don't have an official handicap, but I'm guessing mine is around a 10 or lower. But I really can't say for sure...

[muskegman]

I suppose that a forged blade would be the clubs that I would benefit from the most. I'm not consistent enough yet to even consider blades. If I keep playing once or twice a week I might be able to appreciate a blade after a while.

[iacas]

I've got my eyes on a set of Titleist 680s (http://www.titleist.com/irons/details.asp?id=5). The trouble is there's nowhere to hit them, and hitting a few six-irons in the 690 may not really tell me how much I like 'em. Hrm.

[gas_can]

hitting a few six-irons in the 690 may not really tell me how much I like 'em. Hrm.

Before I bought my 690's I demoed the 670, 680, and 690. All three feel pretty distinct, especially the 680 which is weighted higher than the 690. The 680's head is noticeably smaller than the 690 with less length. Although the 680's have less offset, the difference is .01 of an inch or less I think, pretty close to negligible. Feel at impact was about the same, but ball flight was much flatter which I personally don't like. It's not a substitue for hitting them, but I hope that gives you a starting point.

[davecenter]

That is what I love about my Mizuno MP 33's. When I'm playing good, the ball goes high!

[iacas]

That is what I love about my Mizuno MP 33's. When I'm playing good, the ball goes high!
Thing is, everything I read about pros or good, good golfers is that they hit the ball unbelievably low, with tremendous spin. I hit the ball really high, and am working on bringing my ball flight down. More distance, more control, more spin.

Or so I've read. :-)

[davecenter]

Believe me, that's wrong. Check out some of the pro's on tour. They hit the ball way high. And I mean waaaay!!! I have a low ball flight, and I know that the higher I hit it, the better spin I get and the more accurate I get. That is why on my good days, the ball flies higher, and I score better. But then again, I could be backwards...

Let me tell you a story. I was playing with a college golfer one day. He was either a very low single diget, or a scratch. He was playing Mizuno MP 33's. I had snatched a set of Ben Hogan CFT's out of the proshop, since I wanted to demo them. (Remember I work at a course) It was about 170 to the pin on this par three. Nasty bunker right in front. I took a six. I'm a bit of a short, low hitter. Well, I watch him throw a high ball about 10 feet from the pin. High as could be. He probably hit a 7 iron, but it was amazingly high. (BTW, I did hit six to about 8 feet. But waaaay lower than him)

So, the point of the story is, I've seen some awesome golfers who can put the ball right on top of the pin, and still hit the ball high. And yes, he hit just about every iron that close.

[gas_can]

I really think that trajectory control is something that's gotten lost with a lot of golfers. So many people just want the equipment to take care of their trajectory for them and tend to forget about how to control it. A well struck cut will climb high in the air and land softer than a feather, while a draw is low penetrating and just runs forever. An easier swing with less spin keeps the ball nice and low while a harder one with a lot of spin can cause it to balloon up really high.

In the end I think it's worthwhile for any golfer to work hard at the range and try and be able to hit any shot (high, low, draw, fade, punch) with any club in their bag. Trajectory of equipment is all personal preference and should complement your style of play. Take a look at Golf Digest's In the Bag (http://www.golfdigest.com/equipment/mybag/) and you can see the different lofts and lies the pros use. Davis Love III uses a 7.5 Titleist's 983 E to negate his high spin/launch style while Vijay uses a 10.5 degree R7 to help him get the ball up in the air. In the end all that matters is that the ball ends up in the cup not the path it takes. ;-)

[jcgolfpro]

Sorry to disappoint those that go with the high theory...but the professionals for their standard shot want a mid-low trajectory because it is less affected by wind. The ability to hit the ball high is very important but that is not the desirable ball flight for most conditions. Keep in mind, the higher the ball flight, the more spin affects the landing and therefore, the ball can spin back much more than desired (i.e. you can back a ball up with 1/2 the spin of a lower flight ball just by hitting it way high).

We have an assistant who has some money to play and has just finished some instruction with the #1 LPGA Instructor in the country and he was hitting the ball waaaaay high but was still scoring under par MOST of the time. After an hour and a half, the biggest thing she is getting him to do is hit the ball lower. By getting him to "cover" the ball more at impact, he can hit a lot more shots and create that bowed wrist that is desirable at impact.

[Rafcin]

I've my second combo set now (first was the Nike's) and I'm quite surprised, why aren't they more popular. forged blades in short sticks for most feel and CB in longer clubs for more forgiveness... what else one would look for ?

[dave39]

I choose Blades, I love the sexy look and smooth feel.

[RyderSim]

I strongly agree with Rafcin!!!!!

[GOLFSALOT00]

blades are unbeatable if you can handle them

[firegolfer]

I went with the MP-60. Half cavity half muscle back. I think it's a great design that a lot of the manufacturers are coming out with. A lot of forgiveness, but a whole lot of feel. I know when I didn't hit it well as the sting in my hands and the loss of distance tells me. But slightly of center hits still play well without a whole lot of distance loss.

[sandtrap]

I was at Cog Hill today,Cog is in Chicago where they play the western openm, for the Golf fest.The ultimate demo day.

My son and I hit everything. Whats funny is, I hit the old time Nike forged blade better than anything any other brand had to offer.
So I say try the blades.

[Dub]

I'm just a lowly hacker but every so often in the past I'd get my handicap down and really enjoy playing decent golf.

At these times...when I was striking the ball solid I'd entertain thoughts of wanting a set of "players" irons. Every time I've reached that point, though, I'd have my mind changed in a harsh manner. I'd borrow a buddy's forged iron and try a few shots....only a couple came off well.

Nay...at this point I'll stick to my tennis raquet style irons. Straight, good distance and extremely forgiving while not overly large or obscene at set up.

I would love to be able to play them, though. There is no better looking club in my opinion than some of the forged cavity backed irons (Mizuno and Hogan Apex comes to mind).

[Dent]

I can't really contribute to this,

But i tried playing blades for my first time at a golf store off the mats.

I dont know what it was, maybe my hands were just slipping, but I could not hit blades for my life, Even off the mats! I found it so hard and I did not like the feel.

[Jack_2251]

Believe me, that's wrong. Check out some of the pro's on tour. They hit the ball way high. And I mean waaaay!!! I have a low ball flight, and I know that the higher I hit it, the better spin I get and the more accurate I get. That is why on my good days, the ball flies higher, and I score better. But then again, I could be backwards...

Let me tell you a story. I was playing with a college golfer one day. He was either a very low single diget, or a scratch. He was playing Mizuno MP 33's. I had snatched a set of Ben Hogan CFT's out of the proshop, since I wanted to demo them. (Remember I work at a course) It was about 170 to the pin on this par three. Nasty bunker right in front. I took a six. I'm a bit of a short, low hitter. Well, I watch him throw a high ball about 10 feet from the pin. High as could be. He probably hit a 7 iron, but it was amazingly high. (BTW, I did hit six to about 8 feet. But waaaay lower than him)

So, the point of the story is, I've seen some awesome golfers who can put the ball right on top of the pin, and still hit the ball high. And yes, he hit just about every iron that close.

He must of been a pretty hopeless putter if he was off scratch and hitting all his iron shots to 10ft for birdie, or eagle, each time...

[wachesawgolfer]

I dont know what it was, maybe my hands were just slipping, but I could not hit blades for my life, Even off the mats! I found it so hard and I did not like the feel.


Shafts were probably a tad heavy/stiff for you. If you order blades, its a great idea to get somewhat fitted so you can order from the manufacturer mid weight shaft, soft stepped or whatever. Off the shelf blade type irons only come in one flavor, real heavy and stiff.

I choose blades as I notice no difference on the fairway and my occasional bad iron swings are so bad it makes no difference what iron I use. The big plus with blades is around the green. With just a little practice your be running chips to the hole from anywhere, they have so much feel. This is a big asset and lost on so many people who have no short game because they attempt to chip with shovels.

[BGPro]

I started off using a cast cavity when I was first learning. For those who are learning, I recommend a cavity. As I got better, I switched to the old Titleist 990s... these took me from high school all the way up to where I am now today, playing professionally. Once I received some help from sponsors and Nike, I'm playing the Nike blades. I absolutley love them! If you're a serious golfer who demands shot control, forged is the way to go. As for blades or not, well, that's more personal than anything else.

[peter draggin]

I like the Mizuno MP37's..... They are extremely long and accurate with a high ball flight, and the truth is that if you hit a bad shot with a forged balde or a super game improvement iron you've still hit a bad shot, whether it be fat thin or just a regular old off-center hand stinger, they are all just poor contact.

[DJYoshi]

I play MP60's. to me they were the best feeling when I went back to buy my own set of clubs (pops taught me on X-16's last year).
I tried the MP 67 and 37. Though I love the sexiness of the blade and wish I could hit it consistently, off-center hits hurt and let me know that I really messed up..which is a good thing...but I definitely feel and see a huge improvement from when i switched from the x-16's to the mp60's. they're still sexy with a blade profile...but have a 1/2 cavity which makes it a little easier to hit. BUT it still sets up and looks so damn awesome...and plus.... I can work the ball a lot easier than with those huge shovels callaway made....
but then again, it's a year later and a lot of rounds from when i switched....
my only thing is the 3 & 4 iron get up a little too high for me..but the scoring irons have a great flight..especially with the rifle shafts....
I'm not hitting my 3 iron 215 - 220 anymore like i was with the x-16's...but i'll take 205 - 210 controlled with a predictable ball flight as compared to long distance and hoping i'm on the green.

[golf_junkie27]

I recommend blades. The object of golf is to develop a repeatable, functional and proper swing. Learning to swing a golf club is the prime objective. Blades provide the most feedback and punish you for bad shots. For me, that's ideal.

I'll use a baseball analogy. Some may think that hitting an aluminum bat vs. wood will make the ball go further. That's only true if you don't know how to properly swing. Case in point, I saw Manny Ramirez hit a baseball close to 500 feet in HS. I've seen him do this as a pro, too. Metal, wood, makes no difference because he has a perfect, repeatable swing. Same with golf.

[AFMike]

This is going to be a stupid question but now clubs are coming out with the Tour Preferred on them. Does that mean that the club is more blade like with less forgiveness than its original?

[OHS1Golfer]

only 12 of the top 40 in the world play blades. and yet we amatuers want them..lol

[AFMike]

But the good part about blades is that they really do make you perfect your swing in order to hit them well ... Thats the main reason I love to hit them. I like the challange that it gives you when you miss hit. And yes all of us amatuers want to hit them even though most of us cant haha.

[OHS1Golfer]

yea agree with that 100%, about how it makes your swing great. my last iron set was Titleist 690.MB blades but now im hitting mizuno mp-57s....i stood in my local fitting store and looked at the mp 57's( forged cavity) and 67's (blades) for like 20 minutes deciding what i wanted lol! i went w the mp 57s

[AFMike]

Very nice! How are they working for you? I was thinking about going with the classic MP-32s but I work for Adidas so I get a big discount on Taylor Made so I really cant decide.

[golf_junkie27]

This is such a big misconception that amateurs should not be using blades because all pros don't. Based on this logic, then the vast majority of amateur golfers should be using a ProV1 and play with prototype equipment.

You're handicap is not an indication of ball striking skills. You could be a horrendous putter, have the worst chipping game and be awful from 60 yards, in.

Funny, how many players carry three and four wedges and none seem to be cavity back or super game improvement. They're all blade or blade like with the hopes of generating the most spin. Exactly opposite of what they are trying to achieve with their irons.

[OHS1Golfer]

This is going to be a stupid question but now clubs are coming out with the Tour Preferred on them. Does that mean that the club is more blade like with less forgiveness than its original?

taylormade has a TP line..they're smaller and less forgivi g but still cavities except the TP rac blades

[OHS1Golfer]

Very nice! How are they working for you? I was thinking about going with the classic MP-32s but I work for Adidas so I get a big discount on Taylor Made so I really cant decide.

theyre awesome man i like them alot. mizuno's forging is truly so much more advanced than every one else's. i got the project x shafts to bump my ball flight up..im from oklahoma where its WiNdY so i hit the ball pretty low haha

[OHS1Golfer]

since you get a taylormade discount you should consider RAC TP Blades..
http://www.golftipsmag.com/images/stories/2006/newandnotable/i-tm-rac-mb-tp_1-silo.jpg

[golf_junkie27]

Very nice! How are they working for you? I was thinking about going with the classic MP-32s but I work for Adidas so I get a big discount on Taylor Made so I really cant decide.


I play with MP32s and can tell you, that for me, the Taylormade RAC MBs felt better. If I had not already made the investment, I would have those, instead.

[AFMike]

haha awesome yeah im in maryland so the wind up here isnt so bad. so you suggest the tp line or the rac blade i mean i can get a fully customized set of new r7 tp for around $440

[AFMike]

thanks yeah i havent tried out the rac mbs yet but i will definitely give them a shot now, i appreciate the help. so how often do you play

[OHS1Golfer]

its up to you..i can tell you that the r7 TP is the most played taylormade iron on tour..but sergio and a couple others hit the TP blades..do you work the ball alot?

[OHS1Golfer]

thanks yeah i havent tried out the rac mbs yet but i will definitely give them a shot now, i appreciate the help. so how often do you play

every day haha

[AFMike]

Im just starting to really getting into working the ball so i dont do it alot but when i want to or when i want to practice it i can. i just looked on my employee site and i dont think i can get the rac mbs on my discount on the r7 tp and the burner tp

[OHS1Golfer]

i'd probably play the r7 tp. it sounds like its a good fit for you. forgiving..but workable.

[jeffhale08]

Not to offend anyone out there, but if you can't work a cavity back, you have not practiced it much. I realize that you obviously cannot work a CB as much as a blade, but how much do you really need to work the ball? I have been as low as a 1.4 HDCP and currently range about a 5 to 6. The forgiveness is a big thing with me. I have been playing the same CB's for 15 years and have had great success with them.

[OHS1Golfer]

Not to offend anyone out there, but if you can't work a cavity back, you have not practiced it much. I realize that you obviously cannot work a CB as much as a blade, but how much do you really need to work the ball? I have been as low as a 1.4 HDCP and currently range about a 5 to 6. The forgiveness is a big thing with me. I have been playing the same CB's for 15 years and have had great success with them.


im a 1.5 handicap and try to shape every shot i hit one way or another, i find my ballstriking improves when i draw a shot up in my mind and execute it

[JYB]

what's funny about every single golfer i know is that they all talk a big talk yet they can't swing for crap. Let's get real : you might have a good handicap but that doesn't mean you're a good golfer.

Most golfers aren't good athletes and no matter what kind of iron they're using, wheter it's a blade or cavity back, they're not going to do anything because they are physically and mentally limited to performing only so well.

[iacas]

what's funny about every single golfer i know is that they all talk a big talk yet they can't swing for crap. Let's get real : you might have a good handicap but that doesn't mean you're a good golfer.

Most golfers aren't good athletes and no matter what kind of iron they're using, wheter it's a blade or cavity back, they're not going to do anything because they are physically and mentally limited to performing only so well.
Gee, aren't you Mr. Sunshine? I'm not sure who your comment was directed at or why you felt the need to share that opinion, but until you become a "good golfer" yourself, I'm not sure where you have much room to talk.

[LPHSGolfPhil]

I have a set of Titleist DCI 990s that are sort of cavity-backed, but more shaped in a blade design. However, what's slightly odd is that for a blade, they're cast instead of forged (from 1999 or something)

Does anyone know any cast blades on the market? Since forged clubs constantly bend out of their proper lie angle due to the force of impact, wouldnt it be more to the golfer's advantage (cost wise) to play cast blades? I assume they dont bend out of shape over time the way forged clubs do, and thus wouldn't need to be re-tweaked all the time

Just wondering

[onthehunt526]

I have a set of Titleist DCI 990s that are sort of cavity-backed, but more shaped in a blade design. However, what's slightly odd is that for a blade, they're cast instead of forged (from 1999 or something)

Does anyone know any cast blades on the market? Since forged clubs constantly bend out of their proper lie angle due to the force of impact, wouldnt it be more to the golfer's advantage (cost wise) to play cast blades? I assume they dont bend out of shape over time the way forged clubs do, and thus wouldn't need to be re-tweaked all the time

Just wondering

http://www.kittyhawkgolf.com/golf_equipment/model-irons-p-64.html

They happen to be cast blades...

[RX Phoenix]

I have sets of all three types and they all work well, or course blades look better in the bag but I'd rather have forgiveness as most of the time I'm just playing so-so. Blades are great if you're on top of your game, but how often does that happen?

[patrick_the_pup]

If you have time to practice (and assuming that you have solid fundamentals), then blade might be a good choice
my preference would be something like MP57, something in between as I want something that feels good and yet not so penal like a blade :)

[Stuart]

I voted Forged Cavity because Blended sets like I use weren't an option on the poll. I now play the Titleist ZB irons and love the fact that I still have the help of a cavity in my long irons, but also now enjoy the superior soft feeling of a blade in my short irons. I went from the 695CB's to the ZB's and while the difference isn't huge, its distinct especially in the scoring irons. I would imagine that most single digit handicappers hit their short irons well, so I don't really see the downside to a blended set. Seems to me that its the best of both worlds.

[joshtpa]

what's funny about every single golfer i know is that they all talk a big talk yet they can't swing for crap. Let's get real : you might have a good handicap but that doesn't mean you're a good golfer.

Most golfers aren't good athletes and no matter what kind of iron they're using, wheter it's a blade or cavity back, they're not going to do anything because they are physically and mentally limited to performing only so well.

I am guessing you are young man that is limited in the different people he meets. Maybe a student ready to embark on this world. To make a bold statement like that, you must have something to back it up with. Almost all of my friends are athletes, and quite good golfers. Heck, we played with 4-5 Bucs that live in our neighborhood and most of them are very passionate about their golf. To say someone "isnt going to do well, because they are mentally limited" is a good one. It clearly shows how limited you really are.

[ks8829]

I borrowed my brother in laws wilson blades when I first started playing golf 24 years ago, I could'nt hit them and sliced every shot. I moved up to my first set of clubs the Ping Eye 2 Becu and moved to my first set of forged cavity backs the, Mizuno Comp EZ for a couple of year and switched to the Mizuno MP30 forged iron.

Now I am playing with MP33 forged blade irons from Mizuno. I practice hitting my old Ping Eyes and compared them with my MP33 and I love my the feel and look of the MP33 so much more especially at ball impact.

My lowest iron in my bag is the 5 iron and I have been playing these blades for about a year and a half.

Who knows in a couple of years I might switched to all hybrids with graphite shafts.

[Jr1321]

I had blades to start off, then went to nike slingshot and man i bounce of the dirt so easy now. I love um.

[clemsontiger]

I guess I kinda have a tweener. I have musle backs in the MP 32. They are not quite blades, but really close. I really like the workability of the blades. I am not so keen on the cavity. But if you want to get better, you need the cavity backs, they are much more forgiving.