
#1 – Scores in the 70s If you are frequently shooting scores in the 70s, there is a good chance you are ready to play forged irons. You don’t have to crack the 80 barrier every time you tee it up, but you should at least be able to sneak into the 70s from time to time before you reach for a new set of forged blades or muscle back irons.
Do blade irons help you play better golf?
However, as your game improves, you’ll begin to see some advantages of using blade irons that will actually help you play better golf. For example, blades make it easier for advanced golfers to control trajectory and shot shape, two key elements of scoring.
Are You Ready to switch to Forged irons?
As you continue to gain experience on the course as the months and years go by, you will want to watch for specific signs that you are ready to switch to forged irons. Some of the most important signs are listed below. If you are frequently shooting scores in the 70s, there is a good chance you are ready to play forged irons.
Do Blade golf clubs go further?
No, blade golf clubs do not go further. In some cases, they will actually provide less distance. Here’s where the confusion lies – some golfers think that blade irons provide more distance because they see several top tour pros using them.
What is the difference between a blade iron and game improvement iron?
Due to the forging process a Blade Iron has a much softer feel than the Game Improvement Irons, which are Cast Steel. The forging process binds the steel tightly together producing that soft feel. A Blade Iron has a lot more consistency compared to a Game Improvement Iron.

When should you start using blades in golf?
In general, you should only consider using blades if you have a handicap under 10.
Are blade irons harder to hit?
So, are bladed golf irons that hard to hit? They are definitely the hardest type of irons to use when compared to cavity back, game improvement or super game improvement irons. They are less forgiving and suffer from a greater drop off in power and direction on off center strikes.
Do blade irons go further?
They aren't going to launch as high and they probably aren't going to go as far, for most golfers. Only play these if you've been golfing a while. Companies basically took a blade iron and gave it a bit more forgiveness and the ability to hit higher shots.
Can average golfers use blades?
Most average players rarely hit the center of the clubface and if they use a blade then they'll get into all sorts of trouble. You'll get slices, hooks, and a lot of low slap shots. The second con would be the lower distance (especially for mid to high handicaps).
Do all pros play blades?
Blades on the PGA Tour Approximately 25 percent to 35 percent of PGA Tour players use blades, according to a 2011 “Golf Digest” article. Top players such as Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els all prefer blades to cavity-backs.
Why do pros use blade irons?
Not only that, blade irons are best utilized by high-speed golfers who create enough spin and height to hold the green and to execute curved shots with precision. “For the same reason a blade is more difficult to hit, it's beneficial for those who hit intentional bad shots, or shape shots,” Briand says.
Do pro golfers use blades or cavity backs?
According to Titleist, 70% of tour players use cavity backs while 30% use blades. Cavity back irons provide increased forgiveness while blades offer more control and a better feel. This is why a lot of tour players have both cavity backs and blade irons in their bags.
Can beginner golfers use blades?
8:5810:41CAN A BEGINNER GOLFER HIT BLADES??? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo can a beginner golfer use blades. Yes yeah should they're supposed and it's a bit of a kind ofMoreSo can a beginner golfer use blades. Yes yeah should they're supposed and it's a bit of a kind of open-ended.
Are blades more accurate than cavity backs?
Any strikes out of the heel or toe of the club will not be forgiven. As a result, you jeopardize distance and accuracy. Although blades are less forgiving than cavity backs, they tend to have less offset, better turf interaction, and improved workability, when compared to cavity back irons.
Do you lose distance with blades?
In our forums, our members have been discussing the effects on distance caused by playing blade irons. WRXer 'hypergolf' kicks off the thread with his issue: “I noticed there is an average of 1/2 to 1 club distance loss from 3-6 irons for MBs.
Should I play golf with blades?
6:2014:17YOU SHOULD BE PLAYING BLADES - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo is a hugely important part of the golf. Game now the challenge i think for most golfers is theyMoreSo is a hugely important part of the golf. Game now the challenge i think for most golfers is they don't really work on strike. And i think when you've got a very forgiving golf club you don't need to
Why do some golfers think blade irons provide more distance?
Here’s where the confusion lies – some golfers think that blade irons provide more distance because they see several top tour pros using them. They see people like Dustin Johnson hit a 7 Iron 200+ yards and then head to the golf store to buy the same clubs.
Why do pro golfers use blade irons?
Many pro golfers elect to use blade irons because they find them easier to control trajectory and shape the golf ball. They also provide superior feel coming off the clubface when hit solid. Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, and many other notable players use blade irons.
Why are blade irons called blade irons?
Blade irons were given their name based on their sleek metal appearance that some would say looks like the blade of a knife: Blade irons are typically only used by advanced players because they have a smaller sweet spot compared to cavity backs and other game improvement irons.
How to make blade iron?
There are two methods that can be used to create blade irons: Forging – forged irons begin with a large chunk of metal that has already been formed. Special equipment is then used to shape this metal until it has reached the desired specifications.
Why do you need blades in golf?
For example, blades make it easier for advanced golfers to control trajectory and shot shape, two key elements of scoring. So, if you decide to switch to blades as a way to improve your game, just know you’ll get worse before you get better. But once you figure them out, you’ll have the potential to shoot lower scores.
Why use blade irons?
Allow You To Shape The Ball. One of the biggest advantages of blade irons is they allow for greater control when shaping the golf ball. Unlike cavity back irons, where the weight is positioned around the perimeter to reduce sidespin, blade irons have their weight concentrated in the center.
How are cast irons made?
Casting – cast irons are created by heating metal to extreme temperatures until it melts. Then, the molten metal is carefully poured into the appropriate mold. After a designated cooling period, the clubhead will have taken its shape. There is a lot of debate about whether forged or cast irons are better.
What is a game improvement iron?
Game improvement irons are great for beginning golfers for many reasons, but they have never been known for their versatility. If you would like to be able to produce different kinds of shots – lower trajectories, draws and fades on command, etc. – you may need to move into a forged set.
How many times do you hit your driver in a golf round?
You will usually hit your driver no more than 14 times during a round, ...
What is the difference between forged and cast iron?
If you are currently playing cavity back, ‘game improvement’ irons, they are almost certainly cast rather than forged irons. Cast irons are made by pouring hot metal into a mold, or cast , which gives the club heads their shape. Forged irons, on the other hand, are carved out of a solid piece of metal.
Can you hit the green with an oversized iron?
With an oversized set of irons , you might have been able to reach the green even if you hit the shot off the toe of the iron. You will no longer benefit from that kind of feedback. You are going to get the results you deserve, which means you will have to step up your game to play at a high level.
Can you play golf with forged irons?
There is nothing quite like playing golf with a quality set of forged irons. Yes, these kinds of clubs can be expensive , and yes they will test your skills . They do reward you tremendously in terms of feel and feedback, however, so you will likely become addicted to the way your new clubs play.
Can you play forged irons in the 70s?
If you are frequently shooting scores in the 70s, there is a good chance you are ready to play forged irons. You don’t have to crack the 80 barrier every time you tee it up, but you should at least be able to sneak into the 70s from time to time before you reach for a new set of forged blades or muscle back irons.
Pros And Cons Of Blade Irons & Should You Use Them?
A Blade Iron is the traditional Iron, before all this fancy technology helping you to hit it straighter, higher, further and with more forgiveness, everyone played with blades.
Blade Irons Overview
What makes a Blade Iron, firstly it is made from Forged Steel, the steel is melted and then forged into its shape usually with a really heavy press.
Advantages Of Blade Irons
Due to the forging process a Blade Iron has a much softer feel than the Game Improvement Irons, which are Cast Steel.
Disadvantages Of Blade Irons
There is no technology built into Blade Irons, this means they won’t be forgiving, as we said before, the better player isn’t looking for forgiveness, so this isn’t an issue for them.
How To Hit Blade Irons?
Blade Irons are not forgiving at all, so the first thing you need to do is hit them out of the middle. This is easier said than done.
Forged Vs Cast Irons
These are the two manufacturing ways Irons are made. Each is very different and produces a different result.
Blades Vs Cavity Backs
A Cavity Back Iron is a Forged Iron similar to the Blade, however there are a few differences.
Why are golf clubs less distance?
Less distance – Due to the lower launch angle delivered by the slower club head speeds of the vast majority of golfers blades do not go as far as cavity back clubs. Golfers typically get distance from hitting their irons higher, not lower. Lower launch – Although potentially great in the wind golfers typically will find ...
What irons does Rory McIlroy use?
And even the best ball strikers in the world including Rory McIlroy, who uses some of the most unforgiving blade irons from 5 iron to pitching wedge (Taylor Made P730s), uses the more forgiving hollow backed Taylor Made 760s for his 3 and 4 iron.
Why did golfers use cavity backs?
At the same time cavity backs made it easier for the average player to get the ball airborne and for longer which then led to them hitting the ball further as well as straighter.
What was the first blade made of?
Once golf clubs evolved from the old hickory wooden shafts, and golf moved into the modern era, the first blades which came out on the market were made of very thin metal and required you to hit the ball squarely in the centre of the clubface to hit a decent shot.
What is a hollow head iron?
A ‘hollow head’ iron made in two separate pieces which then allows the club designers to create an ‘internal cavity’ to remove inefficient weight and therefore increase forgiveness without the need to make the club head the size of a large cavity back iron.
Who sticks in the main with blades?
The list of pros who stick in the main with blades – Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Ricky Fowler – still exists and although it changes from time to time the critical thing to bear in mind is that the majority of pros are using cavity back clubs.
Why do cavity backed and blades fly different yardages?
Because cavity backed and blades aim to achieve different goals it is very possible that identically lofted irons from the two categories will fly different yardages. Which means that your combined set could give you some problematic ‘gaps’ in the yardages you can cover with your shots.
How To Know When To Switch From Game Improvement Irons
If you are a mid-handicapper and have been playing with game improvement irons for a few years, you have probably contemplated testing out players distance irons or blades.
Intro To Game Improvement Irons In Your Experience
Being the alternative character that I am, I actually went from blades to game improvement irons.
What Are The Benefits Of The Game Improvement Irons
Golf Digest’s Michael Johnson and Mike Stachura explain that game improvement irons generate exceptional ball speed to promote a high and powerful launch.
What Are The Signs You Should Switch From Game Improvement Irons
One of the main reasons players look to switch from game improvement irons is because they desire more shape in their shots.
What Kind Of Irons Should They Switch To?
The natural progression from game improvement clubs is players distance irons. While these irons are still focused on delivering optimal distance.
Best 3 Alternatives To Game Improvement Irons 2021
If you feel that game improvement irons do not offer sufficient ball speed, distance, and forgiveness.
Conclusion On How To Know When To Switch To Game Improvement Irons
Game improvement irons are a fantastic creation that has helped make golf enjoyable and slightly easier for the average player.
What does a blade do in golf?
A blade is going to take those mishits and turn them into shots that are shorter and further offline than they would be with a cavity back iron.
Why do golfers launch their irons higher?
Due to a combination of mishits (particularly thin shots), a lack of club head speed, and other swing-related issues , most golfers will get more distance from launching their irons higher, not lower. In addition to distance, most golfers would benefit from higher launch because it will help their balls stop on the green.
What is cavity back iron?
The purpose of cavity back irons is to make off-center shots perform more like shots hit on the center of the face. That means shots toward the heel or toe will have more ball speed with a cavity back (CB) than a blade. The club head will also twist less with a CB, so the shot will be straighter.
What is the benefit of a ball striker's lower launch and higher spin?
For these players, the lower launch and higher spin give them a measurable benefit (distance, trajectory control, shot shaping), and the absence of forgiveness doesn’t matter because they always hit the center of the club face.
What is the difference between golf and tennis?
Golf is different: you don’t have to be in competition with yourself or anyone else. You can play to enjoy the outdoors and your company. You can play to enjoy the one shot that you hit perfectly and forget the rest.
Is high spin good for golf?
While high spin is great for stopping your ball where it lands, it’s a negative for most golfers when it comes to accuracy. If you hit slices or hooks, higher spin will make those unwanted curves even bigger.
How do game improvement irons compare?
How Do They Compare On Accuracy. It is easier to hit a game improvement iron straight; however, it is easier to work the ball with a player’s distance iron. If you are trying to hit a fade or a draw, the game improvement iron is going to be a poor choice. With the game improvement iron, your efforts to control the ball will be autocorrected by ...
What is the benefit of game improvement irons?
The great thing about game improvement irons is that if you are not playing a lot of golf, you can jump on the golf course and have lots of forgiveness and performance. Players’ distance irons, however, allow you to score and play shots that are not possible with the game improvement irons. The more you play, and the better you get, ...
Why are the lofts on the game improvement irons lower?
The lofts on the game improvement irons are usually quite a bit lower to help promote more distance. However, the center of gravity in the game improvement irons is lower to promote higher ball flight.
What is a player distance iron?
Players distance irons are golf irons that are built for golfers who want precision and feel but also need some distance from the clubs that they hit. Many golfers feel that a player distance iron is like a blade iron with a bit of extra forgiveness and distance in place.
What is a Cobra Speedzone iron?
The Cobra Speedzone One Length Irons are built with a carbon topline to make them lighter and more forgiving. The one-length option makes the set more consistent and easy to set up each time. Cobra also does a great job when it comes to feel on a set of irons.
What is a cavity back iron?
They are usually cavity back type irons with a larger club head and larger sweet spot. Although there is no guarantee that a game improvement iron can fix your golf game, it can be very effective for lowering your golf scores and making the game more enjoyable.
Is it easy to learn to use game improvement irons?
The game improvement irons are not going to be nearly as easy to learn to work the ball. If you want to hit a draw or a fade and control your ball flight, the player’s distance irons are the way to go. For golfers that are interested in a higher launch and lots of extra distance, the game improvement is the best choice.
