Cavity backs are workable too

[SoundandFury]

The predominent sentiment, as I understand it, is that higher cappers play cavity backs because they're more forgiving on hits that aren't spot on the sweet spot, and lower cappers play forged/blades/muscle backs whatever you want to call them because they are more workable (and those players have no problem hitting the sweet spot consistently).

As my ball striking has improved, I've started working on shot shape, and honestly, I don't have much of a problem making the ball move the way I (I am by no means claiming I hit my target consistently, most of the time I overcook my draws 15 yards left of the target).  I play Callaway Razr X irons, full cavity, cast, game improvement irons.  I've hit Mizuno MP-53's and Titleist Ap2's, and when I do strike them pure, I lose about 10 yards compared to my Razr X's.

My question therefore is where the benefit of blades or forged clubs lies? I can work my cavity backs and the go longer.  I don't see the point in using a club that's harder to hit and shorter (for me at least).

[14ledo81]

I believe I have read that the higher center of gravity helps the player with faster swing speeds keep the ball lower.  I could be wrong though.

[dsc123]

I think GI clubs can be workable, but not as easily for better player.  The way I look at it, a GI club tends to hit the ball high and straight.  So a swing that with a "players" style club might curve, with a GI club will fly straight.  You can still curve a GI club, but you probably have to make an exaggerated move.  A player with a consistent swing may prefer to use less variation to achieve the curve.

[SoundandFury]

Originally Posted by dsc123

I think GI clubs can be workable, but not as easily for better player.  The way I look at it, a GI club tends to hit the ball high and straight.  So a swing that with a "players" style club might curve, with a GI club will fly straight.  You can still curve a GI club, but you probably have to make an exaggerated move.  A player with a consistent swing may prefer to use less variation to achieve the curve.

hmm, interesting thought.  I wonder if that contributes to overcooked draw I have a tendency to hit...of course it could just be me sucking.

[Ernest Jones]

I believe the main reason is that blades (whether they be forged or caste but that's another conversation:-)) are more consistent distance wise. Accurate and repeatable distances are paramount in the pros game. Hit 100 balls with a cavity back 7 iron and 100 balls with a blade 7 iron and the blade will give you far more consistent distances where as the CB might give a dispersion of 10 yards. This is, of course, assuming that you are hitting the sweet spot consistently.

[mvmac]

Muscle back irons, cavity backs, game improvement irons, it still works the same..... strike the ball with the center of the face, and the ball will start in the direction the face is pointing, and will curve relative to the face angle/path.  Where the game improvement irons differ is that off-center strikes will fly slightly less off-line because GI heads are generally built around a higher MOI, or the ability to resist twisting about it's CoG.

The CoG location can shift slightly for irons, and that will have a small impact on the work-ability of an iron. It's more to do with the trajectory (height) of a shot, though, and even that can be subtle (depending on the club), so don't worry about it on shaping shots sideways. A CoG that is higher and closer to the face will produce a lower trajectory.  A CoG low and rearward in the head will produce a higher trajectory.

[GaijinGolfer]

Any time you are hitting a round object with a flat surface, there is workability.  A cavity doesnt change that.

[cooke119]

Originally Posted by GaijinGolfer

Any time you are hitting a round object with a flat surface, there is workability.  A cavity doesnt change that.

Exactly, the difference is that forged are more consistant distance wise as someone above stated. You can work the ball with a CB just as easily as a forged club. The forged also give you a more buttery feel when hit correctly. On a forged club, the power you put in is directly related to the distance you get. On CBs the ball tends to come off the face hot, they are made to launch the ball but distance control is "less" ( a relative term).

[David in FL]

Exactly, the difference is that forged are more consistant distance wise as someone above stated. You can work the ball with a CB just as easily as a forged club. The forged also give you a more buttery feel when hit correctly. On a forged club, the power you put in is directly related to the distance you get. On CBs the ball tends to come off the face hot, they are made to launch the ball but distance control is "less" ( a relative term).

Nonsense. Forging is a process by which the clubhead is made. Cast is the alternative process. Cavity back is a type of clubhead. A cavity back club can be either forged or cast....

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by David in FL

Nonsense.

Forging is a process by which the clubhead is made. Cast is the alternative process. Cavity back is a type of clubhead. A cavity back club can be either forged or cast....

Correct, there are forged clubs that are made for high handicappers and muslce backs that are cast.  Most wedges people buy are cast, Vokey, Cleveland, TaylorMade, PING.  But that's getting a bit off topic to continue the different metals.