blade vs. cavity

[Dr. Slice]

right now i have Mizuno MX 100's and have had them for about a year, what handicap do i need to be at before i should be using blade irons?

right now if i average about 10-12 over through 18, am i losing distance/accuracy by not using blades?

[ET-Taylor]

what are your strengths and weaknesses when you are playing

[James_Black]

right now i have Mizuno MX 100's and have had them for about a year, what handicap do i need to be at before i should be using blade irons?

look at the big thread about blades.

It'll tell you everything you need to know. There is no defined "point" where you use blades. Try them out and see if you like them. Some of the Mizuno blades are pretty easy to hit.

[Dr. Slice]

well im not sure if this is a strength but i hit the ball really high, but it seems like i can never get my distance down, one time it will be 10 yards short, next time it will be 10 yards too far

i dont seem to have too big of an accuracy problem

[sean_miller]

well im not sure if this is a strength but i hit the ball really high, but it seems like i can never get my distance down, one time it will be 10 yards short, next time it will be 10 yards too far

Did you mean that your shots are typically "on line"?

I think that distance control is a pretty big piece of the "accuracy" puzzle.

[enis750]

look at the link in the tour talk
a very few of the top 20 in the world play blades 3-PW...why do you want to?

as mentioned above and on this site
there is no special hcp to start using them, IF you want them

IMO combo sets are the sh*t....
you get the forgiveness of a CB in the long irons and the control and accuracy of a blade in the short irons

i loved mt Nike Pro Forged Combos....miss them a lot
i will see how this new set i have works out this year

[titaniummd]

right now i have Mizuno MX 100's and have had them for about a year, what handicap do i need to be at before i should be using blade irons?

I have the Mizuno Mx-900s, and although they are very easy to hit, I find the lack of feedback to be a big negative. I switched to Musclebacks and I have been improving a lot faster. Just like putting (from mallet to a blade - Scotty Cameron Bullseye Blade), I have improved from going from a forgiving putter to a basic non-forgiving putter.

I have just bought a Scotty Cameron Studio Select Newport 2 but with the Bullseye, I can putt with anything nowadays.

[golf_junkie27]

I'll second the notion of a combo set. Are you looking for a club that is smaller in profile? Thinner topline? Less offset? If so, you don't necessarily have to hit a blade. There are plenty of cavity back models that have the same profile as a blade but have more forgiviness.

If you're not averse to using a component company, you can probably build yourself a set for the fraction of the cost of an OEM. Companies like Geotech, Snake Eyes, Wishon make what is known as a player's cavity and can be had for as little as $15 a head.

If you don't want to go that route, take a look at Adams. The Pro Gold series is a great club and can be had, new, for less than $400. They are also releasing the new CB1 and CB2 irons. These are a player's cavity and you can create a really nice combo set. The CB2 in the 3I and 4I, the CB1 in the 5I-7I and the Pro Black Blades (if you still want blades) in the 8I-PW.

[Jay-Bird]

When you play to scratch from the back tees, you will be able to utilize blades for more than ego stokes. Until then, Cavity Backs. When you think you're too good for CBs get a combo set or player's CBs.

[ks8829]

I love my mp33's and play the PW - 5 irons. The feedback is incredible, I played the mp30's previous to the blades and before that the Mizuno, Comp EZ and my first set of clubs were the Ping Eye 2 Becu. After hitting the mp33's everything feels bulky and no feel. The mp33's are suprisely easy to hit. I would venture out and check them out or similar Mizuno blades and see for yourself.

I have played the mp33's for about 4 years and my lowest scores have been -3, -1, -1 and par for 18 holes and I made four birdies in a row during one of the rounds. Everytime I switch clubs, my scores and handicap has improved and maybe it might for you. don't forget the short game.

I think I bought the mp33's when I was a 8 - 12 handicap, I can not remember.

[Shanks A Million]

right now i have Mizuno MX 100's and have had them for about a year, what handicap do i need to be at before i should be using blade irons?

Well, Steve Stricker is about a +7 handicap, and he plays Cavity backs.

The answer, therefore, is that it depends. Blades are good for people who need blades. If you find that your shots go so high, that you rip the ball off the front of the green, then blades may help. To be honest, most people use more club than they can handle. Time after time, I've heard club fitters tell me about how 99% of the people they see use too much club. I compose my own set based on my own and my fitters ideas: I always use a little more forgiveness than I think I need, and a little more shaft flex than I should ideally have. I'll explain why in a minute. I also have my lofts and lies checked, and ask the fitter for input on what I should be playing. He recommended a small cavity like the Mizuno MP series, and a hard S or X flex shaft. I opted for a touch more forgiveness with the combo set, which has a blade in the short irons, and a full cavity in the longest irons. I also use a True Temper GS-95 stiff iron shaft, which is a little soft, but helps because I have arthritis. With this set, when I'm having an "off" day, I still get some forgiveness, yet I get all the feedback and feel of the best blades out there. The fact is, that is a major factor in choosing your set. I keep a touch more flex and a touch more forgiveness because I know I'll have off days. This is why tour pros so often carry cavity back clubs. If I'm having such a day, I can back off, swing easier, and hit a little off center, and still get the shot I need. That's the idea, play what works best on a bad day, but still fits on a good day.