MC vs MB - Please Help.

[Kansas]

I'm looking to buy a new set of irons later this year. I currently play Cleveland CG7's. I'd like to get into a Forged Muscle Cavity or a Muscle Back iron. I've looked at the new TaylorMade Forged MC's and MB's. Haven't hit them yet, but am looking to soon. I have cast irons now and don't have much experience hitting forged irons. If you guys could tell me your experience switching from cast to forged - I would appreciate it. If you have experience with the new TaylorMade's or any other Forged Irons include that too. Thanks for all the great help!

[mosnas]

Just before this turns into a frenzy I'm gonna offer my experience and knowledge I acquired from members here.  Forged vs Cast is just a different way of making irons. The difference isn't much more than that, to each his own some claim they feel better others say they don't (it can be a rather touchy subject here).

Now that being said im similar to your handicap and just recently switched over from Callaway 2004 big berthas to Adams Pro Black CB1.  I couldn't be happier with the switch.  I didn't care if what I bought was forged or not (i was told there is no difference) I just wanted to upgrade to a players iron with a nice small soul and thin topline.  That being said depending on how well your ball striking is buying a muscle back may not be the best idea without trying them and hitting various shots with them, as you probably know they are not near as forgiving as any other clubs.  Id try to stick to blades with a deep-medium cavity just because the consistency and forgiveness is a little nicer to have sometimes.  Im not very experienced with muscle backs but im sure other members can help you out.

[carpediem4300]

I went from full cavities to Mizuno MP-67 cut muscle backs for the below reasons

1) i prefer the appearance at address, a thin top line makes me feel more confident that having what looks like a loaf od bread on a stick, but that is my personal opinion

2) When you hit off centre it vibrates and hurts like hell,........i like that because it encourages me to practice and concentrate on hitting good shots that dont hurt

3) a good shot feels like slicing through butter, so so nice

4) ball workability,.....im playing off 17 at present, but even i can work these blades, left to right, with the occasional double cross haha

5) they are muchos easier to keep clean, and look nice as hell

Before i bought them everyone told me i was an idiot, that only pros can hit them and i should get this or that,........then i shot an 89 on an un-familiar course to win a society day,........

try before you buy is the biggest key though

[awmgolfer]

I grew up playing old RAM Fastbacks which are blades and when I got back into the game I moved over the traditional cavity back irons. Over the past couple of years I have switched around as I just don't like the look of them, though I hit them well, irons are probably the stronger part of my game. This year I am looking to switch over to some muscle backs, I hit them just as well as I do my other clubs so no difference for me there, but in regards to the looks, I feel much more confident and comfortable with a thin top line to look at. As I always tell my kids, find clubs you can hit well then from there go with what you feel comfortable and confident with.

[Mr3Wiggle]

I had a set of Hogan Apex blades growing up.  My scores immediately went down when I switched to Ping Eye 2's.  Blades are difficult to hit especially the long irons.  Sure the perfect shots feel great and they are nice for feedback when practicing, but mishits on the course are penal.  I've since been playing the Callaway XTour irons that I bought back in 2005.  They look like shovels, but don't have all the offset, and have a good soft feel because they are forged.  In my entire life I have only met a handful of players that have or would actually benefit from playing blades over more forgiving irons.

[The Tin Man]

Why not both?

Forged Cavity for long irons and blades for scoring irons. Buy the full set of forged CB's so you have easy clubs to fall back on, and a couple of muscle backs.

Going Forged allows the lofts to be tweaked to blend the sets.  Cast clubs don't bend as well. (Some don't bend at all.)

It's easier if you stick with one brand.  I was playing forged Hogan Directors/Radials with cast CB Titlist AP1's - too much transition. I found myself using the blade when the CB would have been a smarter choice. (It now felt huge and clunky)   Now I have switched to forged Mizuno CB and Muscles  for an easier blend - and not had a chance to play with them.  Buying used is the smartest choice since you end up with 2 sets. Match shafts the best you can.

This was an eye opener: Newer muscle backs are more forgiving then 25 year old clubs.

PS: Handicap has nothing to do with it. The ability to find the sweet spot is all important. (If you can't don't buy Muscle Backs)

[Mr3Wiggle]

  The Tin Man said:

Originally Posted by The Tin Man

PS: Handicap has nothing to do with it. The ability to find the sweet spot is all important. (If you can't don't buy Muscle Backs)

Some might say there is a strong correlation to consistently finding the sweet spot and handicap.  If you're a player that nails the sweetspot everytime and still has a high handicap then your practice time might be better spent in other areas.

[The Tin Man]

  Mr3Wiggle said:

Originally Posted by Mr3Wiggle

Some might say there is a strong correlation to consistently finding the sweet spot and handicap.  If you're a player that nails the sweetspot everytime and still has a high handicap then your practice time might be better spent in other areas.

1. Older players loose there distance long before short game accuracy.

2. Some people are more coordinated then others. (Has nothing to do with golf).

3. Jugulars, Dart Players, Baseball Players. Tennis Players etc. start with an advantage.

4. With a split set one needs not worry about fining the tiny sweet spot on an blade 3 iron.

[Mr3Wiggle]

  The Tin Man said:

Originally Posted by The Tin Man

1. Older players loose there distance long before short game accuracy.

2. Some people are more coordinated then others. (Has nothing to do with golf).

3. Jugulars, Dart Players, Baseball Players. Tennis Players etc. start with an advantage.

4. With a split set one needs not worry about fining the tiny sweet spot on an blade 3 iron.

I really didn't say much about distance.  Said hitting the sweet spot consistently.  But if you're losing your distance, you're probably better off getting an iron that will send the ball on a higher trajectory (not a blade).

Regarding your other statements, I still think there is a strong correlation to being able to hit the sweet spot nearly every time and having a lower handicap.  If you can nail the sweet spot time after time you have a consistent swing, which is probably technically sound.  If you've reached such a proficiency in your ball striking and you're still a high handicapper then there must be glaring weaknesses in other parts of your games.  I'm sure such a player exists.  Probably someone who spends all their time at the range and doesn't get out to play much.

[The Tin Man]

If you can't hit a 8 iron CB then forget this discussion.

Lets put it this way - A low handicap finds the sweet spot - that's given.

A high handicap does not mean they can't find the sweet spot.

Distance = Handicap  (You need to move the ball a certain distance to have a single digit.)

The Thief of Time takes everything........distance first.  There's a glaring weakness in mine and my playing partners games  - age and disease.

Time to go to work........

[Canuck]

Its all about feel. I play Titleist MB's and for me the reason someone plays blades is for workability and shot control. MC or CB irons will limit your workability but it all depends on how much that matters to you and where your golf game is at. If you are not used to playing with MB's it will take a little adjustment period but nothing major.

[sean_miller]

  Mr3Wiggle said:

Originally Posted by Mr3Wiggle

I had a set of Hogan Apex blades growing up.  My scores immediately went down when I switched to Ping Eye 2's.  Blades are difficult to hit especially the long irons.  Sure the perfect shots feel great and they are nice for feedback when practicing, but mishits on the course are penal.  I've since been playing the Callaway XTour irons that I bought back in 2005.  They look like shovels, but don't have all the offset, and have a good soft feel because they are forged.  In my entire life I have only met a handful of players that have or would actually benefit from playing blades over more forgiving irons.

You must pay attention to how (and with what) other people hit the ball. As long as they're keeping pace I couldn't care less what they bag.

[Mr3Wiggle]

  sean_miller said:

Originally Posted by sean_miller

You must pay attention to how (and with what) other people hit the ball. As long as they're keeping pace I couldn't care less what they bag.

No clue how you got that from what I wrote.  We were discussing the benefits of blade style irons, not my opinion of people that carry them.  Although if I had to be honest I think ego and delusions of ball striking grandeur really get in the way of people setting their golf bags up with optimal equipment.

[sean_miller]

  Mr3Wiggle said:

Originally Posted by Mr3Wiggle

Quote:

Originally Posted by sean_miller

You must pay attention to how (and with what) other people hit the ball. As long as they're keeping pace I couldn't care less what they bag.

No clue how you got that from what I wrote.  We were discussing the benefits of blade style irons, not my opinion of people that carry them.  Although if I had to be honest I think ego and delusions of ball striking grandeur really get in the way of people setting their golf bags up with optimal equipment.

The main benefit of blades is it helps some people enjoy their hobby a bit more.  How others choose to enjoy golf is up to them as long as they don't slow down the group.

[mosnas]

  The Tin Man said:

Originally Posted by The Tin Man

A high handicap does not mean they can't find the sweet spot.

Thank you so much for saying this.  I hate the gross generalization that because I'm I high handicapper that it automatically means I should be using SGI's.  I'm not sure if my clubs are classified as blades (maybe a deep cavity type) but I can hit them fine, as a good athlete coordination is not a problem.  A lot more golfers are high handicap because they can't hit a driver consistently (I definately fall under that category)

[Canuck]

I just don't get why people stress so much about "blade" irons. They really are not that difficult to hit. You might actually learn something over the CB style irons. Learn how to shape shots and flight shots correctly. Problem with most of the CB players when they switch to blades is they think they are hitting bad shots compared to their super cavity back irons. Not the case, you just have to learn that it is okay to move the ball from right to left or left to right.... all part of the game.

The answer for all threads to come comparing blades to cavity backs is............. wait for it.......... blades really are not that hard to hit! Go to the range and practice, you might learn something.

[carpediem4300]

+1

I prefer hitting blades over cavity backs

  Canuck said:

Originally Posted by Canuck

I just don't get why people stress so much about "blade" irons. They really are not that difficult to hit. You might actually learn something over the CB style irons. Learn how to shape shots and flight shots correctly. Problem with most of the CB players when they switch to blades is they think they are hitting bad shots compared to their super cavity back irons. Not the case, you just have to learn that it is okay to move the ball from right to left or left to right.... all part of the game.

The answer for all threads to come comparing blades to cavity backs is............. wait for it.......... blades really are not that hard to hit! Go to the range and practice, you might learn something.

[tristanhilton85]

Well, I'll try to get this thread back on track.  I play the TaylorMade Forged MCs and I really do like them.  I've always played irons like this really so it's hard for me to compare them to SGI clubs (going back a few sets I had the MacGregor VIP CMs, Ben Hogan Apex Plus, Titleist 695 CBs before these).  I wrote a mini review of them which you can read here .