blades vs cavity, forged versus cast....thoughts...

[Rockford35]

I was at the range last night, struggling my way through a bucket of balls with some thoughts going through my head.

Am I an idiot to play forged blades? I can honestly say that the feel and feedback, as well as the performance of blades and forged keep me slugging away. However, they need to be respected, in terms of constant companionship. I need to be hitting these things alot or my game suffers.

Then I started thinking, "If I'm hitting these things well 6 out of 10 times, am I stupid not to go to something more forgiving?"

Like, am I a better golfer than this, but my equipment is keeping me down? Am I a better golfer at a 4 handicap with blades than I am using cavities? Is there a difference that can be noted?

How much better would I play with more forgiving irons even if right now a 78 or 79 round seems to be my high score as of late? (mostly because of fairways hit with the driver and some strong putting).

I'm starting to think I should go back to a set of cavities, just to see the difference between the two in terms of consistency. I don't mind practicing, but when "real life" comes into the forefront, sometimes you can't make it out as much as one would like, and I hate playing like garbage because of it.

I dunno, just random thoughts.

Chime in if you have anything that might help or make things worse, it's all good.

R35

[DaveE]

Maybe I can only make things worse but that's what you said you wanted.

If the day ever comes that I'm tempted to play blades, I'll wait until I can afford to keep two sets of irons. I'll play the blades on the one or two days a month that I'm hitting the ball good and use my cavities the rest of the time.

Another thought would be something like the new MP-60s. I think they're being released today or tommorow. Crap, now I gotta to go the website and look.

"Am I an idiot to play forged blades?" And regarding this question. It's no fun when you make it this easy.

edit - They're coming out tommorow.

[SilverUberXeno]

I've had blades and cavities. The cavities weren't so bad, but the blades were really painful. Cut me gums like there was no tomorrow.

Consistency rules, basically. If you can consistenly hit well with cavities, but occasionally hit really good shots with blades, I'd go cavities.

Brush regularly.

[Fuzzifus]

I guess my reply is this, I am in the "real life" boat for the next 20 years, not having enough time to devote to golf to play a blade because of the commitment it takes to play them well, at least in my mind. I notice if I golf 3-4 times a week, I can play the blades and score well, but if I cant, that first 18 out is gonna be rough. I got these rac HT's to more or less play with, 1. Because they were cheap and 2. Because they are the opposite of my blades (rac mb). I feel bad because the blades came with a pretty hefty price tag, which makes me want to play them, but do to my current schedule, I hit the HT's better. I can do ALOT more with the blades, but for now I have to go with the "ease of use" factor...........................................

[KevinTPA]

Why not try a cavity-back with less offset. The Callaway x-18 pro's or the new x-tours might be an alternative. Most pro shops will let you demo a set for a week or so. It may be worth a try.

[DaveE]

Originally Posted by KevinTPA

Why not try a cavity-back with less offset. The Callaway x-18 pro's or the new x-tours might be an alternative. Most pro shops will let you demo a set for a week or so. It may be worth a try.

Hey Rocky, it's deja vu all over again huh?

Welcome to the forum Kevin. This is actually a good idea for him.

[Rockford35]

Don't get me back on this.

Yes, I miss my X-16 Pros. But I still love the feel of the forged heads. The fact that they're blades is sorta a long story, as I would have preferred a cavity back forged club, but I got such a good deal on these, I couldn't resist.

Am I second thinking my purchase? No way. Do I wish I had cavities? Somewhat. Do I think I can play blades? Yes, but i'm a realist. I don't have the time to hit 1000 balls a week that it takes to keep these puppies a realistic peice of the puzzle.

I'm at a crossroads here. The thing is, I don't want to ruin the feel I have now in replace of consistency. I know I can be better, but the little guy on the other shoulder says "Dude, you have a wife, a dog, a house, a yard and you live in Canada. Do the math, dummy."

Ugh, this sucks. I'm happy with my game, but I know i can play better given some more "real life forgiving" equipment.

Cripes.

And don't worry, you're not hurting nor helping the situation in any way with your comments. Fire at will!

R35

[Silver]

Maybe soemthing that's the best of both worlds...like the MP30s or even the MP60s?

Reasonable possibilities...

[Youngun5]

lets see, i've only gone through this like three times.....

where to start where to start......

exactly the same case as me rock, i found that blades weren't for me, through several reasons

1. I don't play enough to make them work
2. i can work the ball just as well with my TM supersteels
3. the wind makes my game go to the crapper with the TA1's as the supersteels seem to just bore through the wind
4. i get better distance with my supersteels on regular hits, as well as on mishits
5. the supersteels don't dig on fat shots
6. the forged feel isn't all that whoopy, i can live without the feel as long as shots go where they are supposed to


in about a year or so, i'll get rid of the blades and get myself some cleveland TA2's, these irons are built for me i would go now, but my parents would be majorly pissed if i sent away the blades so soon, maybe once i go to college, that way what they don't know won't hurt them,

or heck, maybe i'll just get another set of supersteels,

no more blades for me though, rock, you know whats best for your game

[cabinessence]

I think you should switch. My brother is way on the plus side of scratch and he uses those giant Ping G2s. The feeling of puring a forged blade is second to none, but I'd take the lower score in a heartbeat.

[Rockford35]

Word up, Cabin.

And good words too, Gun. You guys both hit the nail on the head.

......

Ultimately, this is me, the recovering Ho, falling off the wagon. I hope you all realize this and help me through this time by sending in links to good deals from around the globe, all the while I am PM'ing Neal about his TM300's....



What's wrong with me?....lol

R35

[DaveE]

I checked ebay for ya but no one is offering the mp-60s yet. When they say tommorow, they mean tommorow.

No way I'm good enough to play them, but I'm gonna go demo as soon as I can get to Golfsmith.

[VtDivot]

Simple...

Question - Do you like the blades? Do you like the way they look? Do you feel confident? If the answer to this is yes than obviously, don't do it. You're overthinking this in my opinion.

I sold my CB's as soon as I started puring my blades on a consistent basis to avoid this same scenario.

You're a 4 index, I've never seen you hit a ball, but still to me this is a no brainer.

[Youngun5]

rock, check out the new hogan BH-5 looks pretty sweet

[Golfbum]

I know one of the members at my course who happens to have a +2 index. He playes Ping irons, the I3 blades I think. for sure they are CB irons. I asked him why he did not play forged blades due to his skill level. He said "Why would I when these work good, are more forgiving if I mishit a shot" Pretty simple answer. I have played a few rounds with this guy and his iron play is amazing. On a par 5 he hit a 5 iron from 210, it started 15 feet left of the flag and that is exactly where it came down, pin high. I can see his point when it comes to the irons he plays!
If you really like the feel of the forged irons then why not go to a set of forged CB's? Such at the Fi5's by Wilson, or whatever else is out there. Then you have the feel of forged with the forgiveness of CB's.
Oh I know the old story, pure ball stikers play blades to work the ball both ways. Well check some of the PGA Tour pro's bags and see what they play with. Plus if you are a good ball striker (like my friend is ) you can work it both ways with any iron you play. This guy can knock em down, hit em high, draw and fade shots.
I bought a used set of Wishon 550C, forged CB's but they don't have a lot of offset. Nice feeling irons. I have struggled this year but it sure isn't those irons that are causing that. It is my swing!
JMO