Forging Process Differences...

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I always thought forging was when you faked a document, i'll get my coat....

No, you are pretty much right, it is a compression technique.

As for different manufacturers, I was led to believe that only a few factories in the world make forged golf clubs so techniques to not vary too much between manufacturers, but I could again be talking rubbish!

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Forging means hammering an ingot of metal into shape. Casting is the pouring of liquid metal into a mold. That's what the two terms mean.

Forgetting for a second that different metals are used, forging is considered better because it aligns the grain structure of the steel. Steel is crystalline in structure, so when you align it, it becomes much more ductile, and much less brittle. When you cast metal, the structure is random, so the metal is not as ductile, and it will break much easier if you try to bend it. Because of this, forged clubs are much easier to bend, and can be bent a lot more, and more often. Samurai swords are a good example of forging. Because the grain is so well aligned, they are extremely durable, flexible, and incredibly strong.

But in golf clubs, what's also important (and maybe most important) is the metal used. Forged clubs are made from softer carbon steel, while cast clubs are made from hard stainless steel. Clubs can be cast from carbon steel, but they are still not going to be as bendable or as sound as true forged clubs. Vokeys are cast from carbon steel, for example.

As far as feel goes, the metal is more important. As far as bending goes, the method and metal are important.

Really, I don't think it's anything more than advertising hype. The only real exception is Cleveland, who uses a process called "form forging" where they cast the club in rough shape, then hammer it into its final shape. It's not quite as good as a true forged club.

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casting is garbage....i wouldnt play anything but forged myself.

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As of yesterday I agree, I have never hit a forget club properly for a whole round before yesterday. Amazing feel, totally out of this world. i can't wait for my irons to arrive, shipping has been screwed though!

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yes shipping sux....waiting for my new 909d2..ordered it last thurs...not in a big panic yet but i feel it coming lol

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My golfing buddy's college son bought the 909d2, and used it this Sunday in our foursome. Holy bleep - that driver is the bomb - long and piercing - it's almost too long on some holes (he outdrove two slight doglegs into the rough and woods (had to be 270+ carry, both downhill and with the wind). The kid is big, and the drives were out there. Have fun

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haha good to hear, ive heard mixed reactions about the driver however ive heard more positive then negative...i will soon find out :D

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Better throw out those vokeys then.

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did i say anything about wedges..i was talking about iron sets....please remove yourself from the thread.

Thank you, good day

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You said 'casting is garbage....i wouldnt play anything but forged myself'. I assumed 'anything' meant 'any' club. My mind reading skills aren't what they used to be, sorry.

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apology accepted.

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Lol, my thought also.

To the original post, here is a link to some very basic info, and here is the wikipedia basic info on a common form of club forging. (Cleveland golf's form forging is basically this)

Like others have said above, the real issue is in the metal that is used. Different metals and alloys will all feel different no matter how they were made. The difference in feel from cast to forged is so minute that you won't be able to tell.

There has been a few disscusions on this forum on which is "better", and, if you can objectively sift through the opinions, they are worth the time to look up and read.

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i have mizuno mp-60s and my wedges are vokeys, was thinking of getting mizuno wedges next which are forged.

my 60 vokey gets a fair workout and is about due to be replaced, im wondering if anyone out there can tell me how quickly mizuno forged wedges wear out.

i dont think my mp-60s wear badly as what people make out forges to wear, some people make it sound as if they are going to be hacked out and unusable after 3 rounds. aside from my putter i think my 60 wedge gets the most use so its naturally going to wear out quicker, any past experinces welcome, thanks

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*off topic post*
im common to you, i use my 60* most of any club probably. and its a cast club i bought from academy for like 15 bucks, i think its actually golfsmith club(its says it on the bottom) and im incredibly surprised how long its helped up. Grooves are still real deep. Sorry, just had to tell someone.

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It's pretty hard to imagine a more ill informed and ignorant comment than this. Firstly, as has been pointed out a million times here, there is no difference in feel. Secondly, why don't all those major winners who won with cast clubs refuse to play cast irons? Are you saying that Choi and Westwood, for example, are stupid? Mickelson played cast Titleist irons (731PM). You can choose not to play "anything but forged" while guys who would beat you by 30 shots can manage top win majors with them. Funny that.