Nike Forged Blades

[RichF]

I must point out - I haven't actually bought any blades yet, but the main point is, I don't have any more problems hitting them than when I first started using the oversized Mizuno CBs, 6 months ago.
If I mishit a CB stroke, it's an identical result to that of a mishit with a MB.
But muscle-back blade irons just seem to feel better and definately look better.

I guess it all depends on how seriously you take or want to take your golf.

[mtrevors]

you do realize that when they determine par they count on 2 putts per hole... So you're basically saying since 6 shots on your round are above and beyond what is typical for a scratch golfer that you have a bad short game??? I still find it almost impossible to believe that you can hit a 3i (about 19degrees of loft) consistently down the middle of the fairway 225 yards, but you can't hit a 46deg (or higher) 100 yards to a rather large landing zone.

I know I started out with a set of knock-off blades from GolfSmith and finally got tired of the inconsistency so I switched to the Nike Slingshot OSS for a year... And, instead of going right back to blades (wanted X-Forged in the worst way) I took the responsible next step and bought a set of X-20 Tour irons. Although they're considered player irons they still have some sort of forgiveness... Who knows, maybe in '09 I'll be ready for forged blades.

[RichF]

you do realize that when they determine par they count on 2 putts per hole... So you're basically saying since 6 shots on your round are above and beyond what is typical for a scratch golfer that you have a bad short game??? I still find it almost impossible to believe that you can hit a 3i (about 19degrees of loft) consistently down the middle of the fairway 225 yards, but you can't hit a 46deg (or higher) 100 yards to a rather large landing zone.

mtrevors - that's exactly the issue: I played 18 holes last Sunday and I hit great off the the tee and from the fairway with my approach shots: what let me down was my chipping from just around the green (20-30yards out) using PW, SW, LW - I was skulling it or just whiffing it. That got me in a negative frame for my putting. I reckon I dropped 15 strokes as a result.

[mtrevors]

mtrevors

Rich, so let's break down your game... Since you don't list your bag contents in your signature I have to make some assumptions.

I'm going to assume "driving it great" means you hit the fairway more often than not about 240 - 260 yards. I'm also going to assume that an average par 4 on your course is about 400 yards (seems long but let's go with it). So, after your tee shot you have 140 - 160 to the green, but you still have 30 or 40 yard chips after your approach shots... Sure sounds like you duffed an approach shot, or you aren't familiar with your club distances... Either/or you shouldn't be using blades. I can tell you something, if I have a 140 - 160 yard shot to the green I'm missing the green, by at most 10 yards. And that's the point... approach shots are with your forged irons, which is the hole (yes it's on purpose )point of this argument, you can't hit the clubs you use the most, other than your putter, consistently. Also, do you use a "tour caliber" driver, a neutral driver, or a draw driver? I'm asking because typically people who use forged blades prefer the open face of a tour caliber driver, just wondering if that's what you use as well.

[JaY_B]

Apologies for my apparent poor grammar but please remember i am from England and speak and write the proper version of English, not an American interpretation of it. Also apologies for earlier replies i was having a p*ssed off 10 minutes with pretty much everyone.

My opinion hasn't changed however, no matter how you look at it you are not at a good enough level to hit blades, i don't really understand why you are finding this so hard to accept, if you played off 10 with a bad short game maybe you could justify blades, but you cant say that dropping 25 strokes a game is all down to other parts of your game as your ball striking is near tour quality, blades are not big and are not clever, and the majority of tour pro's do not use them.

[dbornack]

Apologies for my apparent poor grammar but please remember i am from England and speak and write the proper version of English, not an American interpretation of it. Also apologies for earlier replies i was having a p*ssed off 10 minutes with pretty much everyone.

Not trying to teach you English English.. just the differences between Your (possession), and You're (You are).. etc.

[JaY_B]

I assume you know the meaning of pedantic then?

Also we are on a forum about golf and you are picking me up on the slightest grammatical error lol calm down.

Edit: These last two posts are spam so we should get back on topic

[donkba]

you do realize that when they determine par they count on 2 putts per hole... So you're basically saying since 6 shots on your round are above and beyond what is typical for a scratch golfer that you have a bad short game???

would any golfer of any handicap regard 6 3 putts in a round as being good? the answer is almost certainly no (unless you average more) if you were off 26 would you be happy with 6 3 putts?

[dbornack]

I assume you know the meaning of pedantic then?

I agree to stay on-topic, however, spam are unsolicited advertisements.

[JaY_B]

Spam is also shelved potted meat.

surely we can agree that blades are not the right way forward for someone playing off 25 (trying to force this back on topic lol)

[dbornack]

Spam is also shelved potted meat.

Agreed..

I'm actually considering dumping my MP-33s for a little more forgiving set, like teh Nike's mentioned in this thread. I can go out and be capable of shooting a 67 any day of the week, but, since I don't play as often as I'd like to, I'd like to get any advantage I can, even if it means getting a cavity backed-blade..

[donkba]

I still find it almost impossible to believe that you can hit a 3i (about 19degrees of loft) consistently down the middle of the fairway 225 yards, but you can't hit a 46deg (or higher) 100 yards to a rather large landing zone.


i never said i hit it consistently down the middle, i said i hit it well, though usually on the fairway and why do you not think i can hit a 3i 225 yards? i happen to hit the ball very well with my irons and my swing speed is around 120mph. the greens at my home course are not that big and are very fast. many holes are in difficult positions surrounded by bunkers and thick rough. one even has a lake in front of the green so, as you can imagine it is very hard to hit the green and even scratch golfers have been known to get 10 over par and as i said before i could hit them well, that does not mean that i am accurate every time and hit every green in regulation

[JaY_B]

Plenty if not the majority of tour players choose to use cavity backs because they are more forgiving and provide more room for error
I know its a nice idea to have a set of blades but you have to look at the gain you would get from them, can you and do you consistently (on purpose mind) shape the ball in the air?
Are you efficient at controlling the ball flight, if not and i would suggest that you are no where near this stage of ball control, blades will not improve your game whatsoever.

[907golfer12]

Look you guys are all saying that he is not good enough to play blades and that he should play game improvements so it keeps him in the game. Game improvement irons cover up swing flaws, where as blade will force him to fix his swing. I am an 18 handicap right now and I am planning on getting blades so then, like I said, I will have to fix my swing. If he wants to get them then let him, how will it affect you. And back to the question, Rich, contrary to what some people have said I love the blades, they feel great to me and I love the look, but then again I also love both of the other sets you are looking at, I think you will be satisfied with you purchase, and I wish you good luck

p.s. all you flamers need to stop its annoying the hell out of me.

[crazy_horst]

I am: forged blades.

If people see a 25 playing a set of Nike Forged Blades, they'll agree you have a lot of money to spend - more money than brains

[crazy_horst]

exactly, it has to do with how well you can hit irons, not your handicap. i am off 26 and play with forged blades and i hit them very well indeed (i average 225 with my 3 iron)

In which direction?

[crazy_horst]

If I mishit a CB stroke, it's an identical result to that of a mishit with a MB.

You couldn't possibly be more wrong. That's what CB's are

for - mitigating the effects of mishits.

[WilsonsRBest]

Rich, go ahead and get your blades man. What truly amazes me are these people who are willing to believe that buying a more 'forgiving' iron is what everyone out there with a handicap above a certain magical number should play one type of club over another. Not only is that wrong, but I think it is pretty arrogant.

It sounds like you wish to work at improving you game. That is really what it takes to play this game, a willingness to put in the effort to improve. Everyone above the age of 40 learned to play with just same type of equipment you are seeking. So go for it.