difference between blades and muscle backs?

[prutkows]

is there a real difference? or is it just a name thing?

[Xt1ncT]

  prutkows said:

is there a real difference? or is it just a name thing?

I'm pretty sure that they are one and the same.

For instance, Titleist make the 690mb and the 690cb - the mb being the muscle back blade, and the cb being the cavity back.

[gas_can]

  prutkows said:

is there a real difference? or is it just a name thing?

prutkows,

There is a definite difference. Try to find a MacGregor VIP Blade, or a Wilson Staff Tour Blade. These clubs have a sweet spot the size of a pin head. They launch low, and have a low ball flight. Modern muscle backs are much more forgiving and launch much higher than blades of yore.

[warbirdlover]

Really, they're still both considered "blades" (forged) aren't they? The other choice would be CG or "cavity back" (cast) game improvement irons.

[gas_can]

  warbirdlover said:

Really, they're still both considered "blades" (forged) aren't they? The other choice would be CG or "cavity back" (cast) game improvement irons.

Forged vs. Cast is simply a way of constructing the head. There are muscle backs and cast ones like the Celveland CG1. There are also forged and cast cavity backs.

Don't get caught up in the forged vs. cast debate. That's mostly marketing these days with the advent of soft stainless steel alloys and modern computer designed club heads. A true traditionalist who has hit them all would have three different categories. Blade - Hogan Apex, Wilson Tour Staff, MacGregor VIP. Muscle Back - Nike Blade, 690.MB, 660, CG1. Cavity Back - anything with a cavity.