What is the difference between forged and cast iron golf clubs?
A forged golf iron is a club that is made out of one solid block of metal. The irons are carved and shaped, and they are one solid piece of material. A cast iron is an iron that is made from a mold. Hot metal is poured in the mold into the desired shape, and the result is a cast iron golf club.
How can I tell the difference between cast and forged club heads?
It is difficult to identify at a glance which club heads are cast and forged when you first get into golf. However, you'll quickly learn the differences that make them easy to tell apart. Cast heads have lumps and bumps all over them as the weight is moved around to help forgiveness - best for beginners and game improvers.
Are forged golf clubs more difficult to hit?
Because of the history, there has been a tendency to assume that forged clubs are more difficult to hit. If they are, it is probably because of the shape of the head – not because it is cast or forged.
Why don't they make cast golf clubs anymore?
The early cast manufacturers were pretty much limited to PING (already investment casting aerospace parts when they entered golf) and those who made cheap clubs or lacked the manufacturing process capabilities to make serious forged golf clubs. (Note my sarcasm here).
Are forged or cast golf clubs better?
Forged clubs make it easier to shape ball flight This is an attribute geared toward the better player that benefits solid shots and hurts on mishits. The cast club conversely tends to have more of a game improvement design with a lower, deeper center of gravity, which helps get the ball up in the air and aids mishits.
Are forged clubs harder to hit?
Forged irons are usually a little harder to hit than a cavity back iron. Since a forged iron is molded from a single piece of metal, it is hard to give it the capabilities that it needs to be quite as forgiving as a cast or cavity back iron.
What is the difference between forged and cast iron golf clubs?
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Are forged irons better then cast?
As you might imagine, forging is a more expensive process, but most golfers agree it leads to a better product. Typically, forged and cast irons are separated along the lines of a player's skill, as better players tend to lean toward forged while beginners and high handicappers stick to cast irons.
Do all pros use forged irons?
By the mid-1990s, only about half the players on the PGA Tour were using forged irons. In the 21st century, however, many forged irons incorporate design ideas made popular by cast-iron clubs. Even some cavity-back clubs, formerly the sole province of cast-iron manufacturers, are now being forged.
Do any pros use cast irons?
Although many pros still use forged irons, a large number now use investment cast irons and there is no stigma attached.
Which is stronger forged or cast steel?
Forged parts had a 26% higher tensile strength than the cast parts. This means you can have stronger shackles at a lower part weight. Forged parts have a 37% higher fatigue strength resulting in a factor of six longer fatigue life.
Do forged irons feel better?
Once again, the amazing feel plus solid, traditional feedback of forged irons is the greatest advantage. And why is that is because the metal used for construction is actually softer steel with more carbon. That's how you get a higher level of workability from forged, also thanks to the packed-in grains for the same.
Do forged irons last longer?
Forged irons use softer steel than cast irons, but unless you're playing golf multiple times per week, the average player won't notice much different in terms of longevity. While both are manufactured to be high quality, forged irons are purer than cast irons and, in theory, should last longer.
Do any tour players use cast irons?
Tour players use cast playability clubs and forged blades alike, but they keep it on the center of the clubface with great regularity. For many better players (probably no worse than single-digit handicap), a good forged iron will provide them sufficient playability.
Are forged wedges harder to hit?
Benefits Of Forged Wedges The forging process for manufacturing wedges creates clubs that have a lower centre of gravity and most of the weight is toward the bottom of the face. This helps to impart spin on the ball and gives the golfer more control. It also gives them a generally softer feel at impact.
Do forged irons feel softer?
forged irons question held by many golfers — perhaps most golfers — is that forged irons feel softer than cast irons. That is, that forged irons have a noticeably softer feel at impact with the golf ball than do cast irons.
Do forged irons wear out faster?
Forged irons use softer steel than cast irons, but unless you're playing golf multiple times per week, the average player won't notice much different in terms of longevity. While both are manufactured to be high quality, forged irons are purer than cast irons and, in theory, should last longer.
Are forged wedges harder to hit?
Benefits Of Forged Wedges The forging process for manufacturing wedges creates clubs that have a lower centre of gravity and most of the weight is toward the bottom of the face. This helps to impart spin on the ball and gives the golfer more control. It also gives them a generally softer feel at impact.
Are cast irons more forgiving than forged?
Forged or players' irons, undoubtedly, are slightly more challenging to hit in comparison to cavity-back or cast irons. With forging, the iron is formed using a single, solid piece of steel. Thus, there's not much flexibility there for making the golf club as highly forgiving as molten-metal-poured cast iron.
Are forged irons softer?
forged irons question held by many golfers — perhaps most golfers — is that forged irons feel softer than cast irons. That is, that forged irons have a noticeably softer feel at impact with the golf ball than do cast irons.
What is cavity back iron?
The cavity back irons are considered game improvement irons. They are much easier to launch, and they are more forgiving than the forged irons. Without the cast irons, many middle handicappers would still be high handicappers. The process of producing a cast iron is quite a bit easier and cheaper than that of a forged.
What is a SIM Max iron?
Interestingly enough, the TaylorMade SIM Max irons are designed to be as close to a forged iron as a cavity back can be. TaylorMade has always been a leader when it comes to ball speed and forgiveness. Where they wanted to change things on the SIM Max was they wanted to make them feel much better.
What is a forged iron?
A forged golf iron is a club that is made out of one solid block of metal. The irons are carved and shaped, and they are one solid piece of material. A cast iron is an iron that is made from a mold. Hot metal is poured in the mold into the desired shape, and the result is a cast iron golf club. The cast golf irons are mostly known as being cavity ...
What is a Cobra King iron?
However, true players know that the Cobra forged irons are some of the best feeling clubs in the game of golf.
What is cast wedge?
Cast Wedges. For some players, they are going to want forged clubs throughout their entire bag, and this will include the wedges. Forged wedges are quite popular among the lower handicap players. Many people don’t realize that some of the best wedges are a cast design.
What happens if you miss a shot with a cast iron?
If they miss a shot slightly with a cavity back or cast iron, then they still have a chance of a decent result. If you miss a ball with forged iron, you will likely see some ugly golf shots. Some like to argue that this forces a high handicapper to get better at golf.
What is a P790 iron?
The P790 is a forged iron with a hollow body construction. The P790 has been a great mix of both forgiveness and distance for the players that have switched to them. The only problem with the P790 (and most forged golf clubs) is going to be the high price.
What is the difference between casting and forging?
Casting involves pouring molten metal into a mould while forging consists of hammering the metal into the desired shape. There is also the option of using some cast and some forged components on the same clubhead - a method which is becoming more popular.
Why use steel in cast iron?
Using steel that sets harder makes cast irons more durable, have increase ball speed and thus add more distance than their forged counterparts.
What is forging in golf?
In simple terms, forging is hammering metal into the shape you want it. In golf, the process is a little more refined, but the premise is the same. A simple billet of steel is pressed and rolled hundreds of times to turn it from a block to a playable golf club. In order to allow this to happen, the steel needs to be much softer than the version used in casting.
What is the head of a golf club?
The head of a golf club, especially a set of irons, is a very recognisable shape, even to non-golfers . However, the process to achieve this universally recognisable shape can vary dramatically from model to model, and even between irons within the same set.
How are iron sets made?
The vast majority of iron sets available are made by casting – which involves pouring molten metal into a mould. When the metal hardens, it is in the desired shape - in this case, a golf club.
Do forged irons have forgiveness?
However, what forged irons lack in forgiveness they make up for in feel. You will be able to control your shorts far easier with forged clubs as there is almost no technology helping you - this is why some PGA Tour professionals favour them - but not all. The Titleist T200 irons have a cast body and a forged face.
Why were irons stymied?
While shaping metals with early hand-forged processes did limit the design possibilities for metal irons, the development of irons was more effectively stymied by the poor durability of the early golf balls. Irons had to wait for a better ball to come along.
Is a golf club hand forged?
Forged golf club manufacturing processes are no longer “hand forged” for nearly a century now. They are instead “drop-forged” with huge drop forge “hammers” – so large they literally shake the factory floor with every forging hammer blow.
Is there a Japanese sword in golf clubs?
And, despite the marketing hyperbole suggesting otherwise, there are in fact NO golf clubs made today like Japanese swords with hand-forged, thin layered, and folded steels.
Can you have both cast and forged clubs in one club?
The truth is either forged or cast clubs can be right for you, and now you can even have a little of both in one club with the multi-material combinations. The good news is you have a lot of choices, just don’t let yourself be seduced by misleading marketing.
Is golf an emotional experience?
There is no denying that for many of us golf is still an emotional experience on many levels. So, the looks and sounds and feel matter. It may not be about medal play scores for some of us at all!
Is shaft more important than club head?
The shaft component in many cases (and how well it matches your game and swing) can be FAR more important than the particular club head design. Better players should focus even more heavily on matching the right shaft with a decent club head design and then being properly fitted.
What is the difference between forged and cast iron?
Firstly, the main difference between cast and forged irons is the actual process of manufacturing. With cast irons, the manufacturing process is called the “investment casting” or “lost wax” process. In this process, a wax model of the club head is made and then this model is coated with a ceramic mixture. Once the ceramic mixture is hard the ...
Why are forged clubs so expensive?
This part of the process requires very skilled craftsmen and is extremely labor intensive. The cost of labor is the main reason why forged clubs are much more expensive.
How many degrees should forged clubs be?
One instance where forged clubs might be a necessary option is when it is determined in the fitting process that the golfers set up or his general swing characteristics require that the lie angles be markedly upright or flat, more than 2-3 degrees.
What is the advantage of casting over forged?
The advantage that cast heads have over forged heads is in the level of design possibilities. In the cast process, there is really no limitation on design. In forged clubs, there are limitations. I doubt we will ever see a forged head with a huge undercut cavity and extra wide sole.
What type of metal is used for investment casting?
There is no restriction as to what type of metal can be used. In the early days of investment casting, a grade of steel called 17/4 stainless steel was used which when hardened was extremely hard and brittle.
Do forged heads equate with blades?
There is still the misconception that forged heads equate with blades. This was so in the past, but today there are many heads available that are considered game improvement irons. These clubs have cavity backs and great perimeter weighting, for those who want the feel of forged but the forgiveness of a cast iron.
Can you play forged clubs with cast irons?
There are forged or forged-milled clubs that are designed to benefit a 20+ handicapper. So, if you want to play a forged club, you can be sure there is one that will fit your swing. It should also be mentioned that many low handicap players play with cast irons. This is even true on the Tour.
How are forged wedges made?
Forged wedges are shaped by hand, the metal is hammered into shape and finished using a grinder. They tend to have performance benefits. Cast wedges, on the other hand, use molten metal that is poured into a cast, hence the name. This is allowed to set and voila, you have a wedge. This makes them easier to make on a mass scale ...
How many wedges do you need for a golf iron?
Many golfers use the wedges that come with their iron sets and then add one or two, some even carry up to four wedges. Forged wedges are hand crafted from a single piece of metal that is heated to extreme temperature and then shaped by hand and using a grinder. It allows for a lower centre of gravity and improved feel.
What is a Cleveland RTX4 wedge?
Cleveland RTX4 Wedges. Roger Cleveland is one of the pioneers of the modern wedge so it is no wonder that the clubs that bear his name are among the best. The Cleveland RTX4 wedges are forged from premium metals and even just casting your eye over them can see how carefully they’re made.
Why do golf clubs have forging?
The forging process for manufacturing wedges creates clubs that have a lower centre of gravity and most of the weight is toward the bottom of the face. This helps to impart spin on the ball and gives the golfer more control. It also gives them a generally softer feel at impact.
Why do you need wedges in golf?
Getting good with your wedges can help you make more birdies and also protect your score when things aren’t going so well . These are your attacking clubs. Being confident with the wedges will transform your game and if you add good putting skills to that, you are on track to become a very good golfer.
What is a vega wedge?
Vega Wedges. The Classic Vega wedges are some of the finest in the game and made with such wonderful attention to detail. These wedges are made from the best materials available and, as a result, are some of the best feeling and performing wedges you will ever play. These are for golfers looking to spend a little bit of money.
What is cast iron?
Cast Irons are made by pouring the hot metal into a cast and is a relatively new way of doing things. Casted Wedges are great for improvers with enhanced forgiveness and larger sweet spots. According to Dave Pelz, the shortgame wizard, you should carry as many wedges as you can if you want to be a top golfer.
