Master "Forged vs. Cast" or "Blade vs. Game-Improvement" Iron Thread

[golfire6]

I've played both ... don't believe the hype either way . More of your feel on wedges has to do with your shaft and your grip than the head . Most premium wedges , whether cast or forged , work effectively for most players . Demo what's out there and buy what feels the best for you . No one else can tell you what a wedge feels like in your unique pair of hands -- Good luck ! -- k.

[pshizz]

i agree, the difference can hardly be felt. I would suggest that you demo some new wedges, and et whatever you like the most.

[hypergolf]

I am on the other side. I would go for forged wedges if you want softer feel. Vokey wedges are cast no matter if you get oil can, black nickel or satin finish so definitely clicker for me. But performance wise, it doesn't matter whether you get forged or cast. Up to your own personal preference.

[tjy355]

  CJL said:

What do you find to be the biggest difference between these two types of wedges? ...

No difference.

[GaijinGolfer]

I used to play Vokeys and now I play Mizuno wedges (which are forged) and I find the Mizunos have a softer feel to them.

[Stacey_E]

  hypergolf said:

I am on the other side. I would go for forged wedges if you want softer feel. Vokey wedges are cast no matter if you get oil can, black nickel or satin finish so definitely clicker for me. But performance wise, it doesn't matter whether you get forged or cast. Up to your own personal preference.

I couldn't agree more. It might be the power of suggestion, but I do believe my X-Forged feels a "tad" softer....a very little bit. But I also feel I have a little more feedback with my cast Vokeys. As for choosing between the two, I'd pick a wedge by performance, versatility, head design, bounce, shaft, apperance and loft before the actual material it was made of. Then if I was torn between two models, one forged and one cast, go with a personal feel preference. Good Luck!

[lumpuckeroo]

I play forged wedges because I have always played forged clubs and feel they are softer, but I agree, you have to try them and decide for yourself. The experts, like Dave Peltz, say there is no difference, but only you can answer that.

[GaijinGolfer]

I find it kind of strange that everyone talks about the buttery soft feel of forged irons, yet in wedges it doesnt matter.
Ive read that Bob Vokey doesnt think that there is a difference in feel from cast to forged (as far as wedges go) as well.
To each, their own. I say try a bunch of 'em and go with whatever you like the best.

[RocketSauce]

  TitleistWI said:

I find it kind of strange that everyone talks about the buttery soft feel of forged irons, yet in wedges it doesnt matter.

i agree. i get tired of hearing that "

buttery " statement thrown around. you'll get that same " buttery " feeling if you pure a cast iron too.

[elchene]

I have Vokeys but I also have a Mizuno MP-R wedge in my house which I don't use because it isn't the right loft. Even though some people claim they don't feel any difference, the Mizunos definitely are more solid. It's that solid feeling that makes it feel like the ball is there a little longer at impact. However, I really like Vokeys. Even though they are cast wedges, they almost feel like they're forged. Really, it all comes down to which clubs you like better.

[TinCupTampa]

My Miura's feel 5x softer than my CG14's... on full shots I prefer the feel of cast... on greenside chips... i prefer forged.

[jcrob902]

  hypergolf said:

I am on the other side. I would go for forged wedges if you want softer feel. Vokey wedges are cast no matter if you get oil can, black nickel or satin finish so definitely clicker for me. But performance wise, it doesn't matter whether you get forged or cast. Up to your own personal preference.

I agree, there is a difference, maybe not to most people but to me there is I played titleist 990 irons (cast ) for 9 years and switched to mizuno( forged ) last year and there is a difference although subtle I also switched from vokey wedges(cast) to mizuno t series (forged) and the weight and softness of the metal is definately different. Now both wedges and irons we're great, it was just that I perfered the forged over the cast. I'ts just like when people argue over milled putters and insert putter's it just depends on how you like the feel of the club. You can't really go wrong with either of the companies mentioned above though.

[tim31x]

there is a definite difference in feel, but very litte(if any) in performance. i used to play forged wedges, now i play clevelands(cast). it is a definite feel difference because the clevelands feel harder on the club face, but i produce much similar spin, accuracy, performance, etc...you may find a bit better longevity in cast wedges, but not by much. either way its a feel thing.

[cnichol3]

Wedge shots are all about feel....Forget about whether it is cast or forged and buy what feels right and gives you the confidence to play well and produce on the scoring shots.

[TommyD69]

Cast or forged does not matter if both clubs are made from the same "kind" of metal. If you get a cast club made with hard brittle steel, they will feel hard and brittle. Additionally, hard brittle cast clubs will have grooves so SHARP, that you will skin the cover off your golf ball when you hit a good full shot.

It goes a lot deeper than just cast or forged metallurgically speaking...

[JOSEPHLB]

I'm unofficially around a 20 handicapper.. (horrible short game and horrible off the tee)

New bag for the 2009 season will have a set of Hogan Apex blades.
I hit down on the ball and take a nice divot, so for $249 , I couldn't pass up on a brand new set of Apex's

[Titleist Man]

Whatd the OP end up getting?

[AbsoluteZero]

I know some will argue that many cast are very fine irons, and honestly, I wouldn't dissagree. However, after owning forged irons, I'm not sure I'll ever go back to a cast iron. Obviously anything could happen, but I just love the way my forged irons feel, and it seems like that's a standard statement among those who own forged.

So have any of you gone back to cast after owning forged?