When to get blades?

[RX Phoenix]

What you are doing by having just the short irons as blades is a workable option. Trying to hit the long irons blades requires a very good swing. As other posters have said, the cavity backs are so good now that it's hard to make a case that blades will improve your game. They are tougher to hit which means you will be thinking more about this issue and less about course management, distance, etc.

[four1seven]

I started with blades, so I know nothing different. I wonder how I'd play with some forgiving cavity-backs.

I agree with the aforementioned, "Everyone should have some blades to challenge themselves"

When you hit a blade well, you can't even feel the ball touch the club head. It's a great feeling.

[Ian]

Get blades, their sexy.

[DDBowdoin]

I just bought a set of macgregor pro m irons in the gunmetal finish... while I feel my game may be up to the challenge there are definately a few factors that go into it. One, my current irons perform well and the blades may find themselves in and out of the bag - thinking of it as an expensive practice tool.

It's definately an EGO thing, for sure... people will deny it but there is an element involved in anyone who wants to play blades. It's like telling yourself you're good enough to play these clubs and you want people to know it!

[wachesawgolfer]

Anytime you want. Years ago that is what everyone played and for the most part they were better ball strikers than the folks of today. Hcps. have gone up over the years despite all the game improvement irons out there. A bad iron shot stinks no matter what type club you use. The "forgiveness" of cavities is in the mind of the holder, they swing slower. Wishon in his book says the sweet spot on a game improvement club is still very tiny. Problem with blades off the rack is they all have heavy 130 gram stiff or X shafts. Get fitted with a shaft you like and a flex you like and the right lie angle and hit away. Many people feel using irons that give you feedback and force you to hit down on the ball instead of sweep/scooping the ball are the best game improvement irons. Remember, the golf industry needs to keep selling irons so they got every one thinking they definitely cannot hit blades but only the latest plastic inserted forgiving iron will do. If I can hit blades and score well (and I really stink at golf), so can you.

[RPMPIRE]

What you are doing by having just the short irons as blades is a workable option. Trying to hit the long irons blades requires a very good swing. As other posters have said, the cavity backs are so good now that it's hard to make a case that blades will improve your game. They are tougher to hit which means you will be thinking more about this issue and less about course management, distance, etc.

Titleist recently released the Z Blend irons where the short irons are muscle backs and the a cavity progressively builds as you get to the longer irons. It helps if you want a uniform set of irons.

Getting blades may actually open up your game a little more. There may be a slight learning curve but I think it will give you a lot more shot options to put in your arsenal.

[four1seven]

Wilson Staff line has had the progressives out a long time ago, if you're looking for a less expensive set. The Staff line is quality stuff.

[xamilo]

What you are doing by having just the short irons as blades is a workable option. Trying to hit the long irons blades requires a very good swing. As other posters have said, the cavity backs are so good now that it's hard to make a case that blades will improve your game. They are tougher to hit which means you will be thinking more about this issue and less about course management, distance, etc.

The first blades I hit were my grandpa’s 15 years old Titleist Forged Blades. When he died, I decided to use one of his blades for commemorative reasons (and because that vintage-blade looks just great), and I packed a 9-iron in my bag. I was expecting every shot to be terrible since I didn’t have the “game improvement” help, but every shot started going straight. Afterward I added an 8-iron, then a 7-iron, and things just seemed to work properly. I’ve been sceptic on the 5-iron since that goes a 50/50, while my G5s go about 80/20.

I’ve heard of people combining clubs, something like Mizunos Mp-57 / Mp-32. Any good “combination” recommendations mate?

[wolverine318]

Bridgestone has a nice combo set which gets good reviews. If you can find them to try then you are a step above me, I cant even get a response from support about it. Titleist makes the Z Blend. Lots of peole go the MP-60/67 route or 57/67.

[Dave40]

I don't think there's a particular level when a player "should" get blades. Playing blades is just a different experience that some golfers prefer and others don't. But don't be scared to hit them just because they're blades.
I used a set of Wilson Staff FG-51 blades for a long time and liked the way they feel (still do). I just switched to a cavity back because I got tired of the sting on bad mis-hits. I haven't found that cavity backs improved my score very much, though. A fat or thin shot still won't hit your target no matter what iron you're using. If you play on courses where the grass is thin and the ground underneath is hard, you might actually find that a thin blade is an advantage.

If you're used to a wide sole club, blades will take some getting used to. With a wide sole club, chances are your swing is flatter with a more "sweeping" motion. Blades like a more upright swing and hitting down on the ball.

One thing is for sure - once you really nail one with a good quality forged blade, you'll notice the great feel that blade players talk about.

Keep in mind that although I've played the game for a long time, I'm just a weekend hacker as you can tell by my handicap index. Practice with the blades on the range for a while and after a few rounds you'll be able to develop a clear preference one way or another.