Progress with Hogan Director Blades

[mddubya]

Well, I've played 3 rounds so far with my new/old blades. At address these look just like the ones I learned to play with ages ago. Small head, thin topline and very little offset. On a pured solid hit I seem to be picking up some distance over my i506's. Of course, on a miss-hit I lose a ton of distance, not to mention the stinging sensation in the hands.

However, to my delight, I have not experienced but a few miss-hits. I'm guessing it's knowing the sweet spot is so tiny I am paying better attention to my swing. This of course was the intent from the get go. I figured if I can learn to hit these blades over the winter, hopefully come spring I will be puring my Srixon i506's on practically every shot.

The biggest surprise so far has been the ease with which I'm making good contact with the 2 - 4 irons. As I've said before, I tend to hit my 3 and 4 irons better than a hybrid anyway, but in the past that was a cavity back i506. I was afraid I'd have fits hitting the 3 & 4 iron blades, even more-so the 2 iron. My only misses so far with the long irons have been blocks to the right. I'm making good solid contact, and getting the ball up the air easily. And I think the blocks are more from the tendonitis in my left elbow having flared back up with a vengance. I'm having a hard time turning my wrists over because of it by the end of the round. Which is when most of the blocked shots are occuring.

But so far I think the experimant is working. I picked up the Hogan Blades for under $50.00 and re-gripped them myself with some cheap mid-sized grips. So I have less than $70.00 tied up in them so far. So even if it is a failed experiment, I'm not out that much. But if you want to groove your swing on your irons, I'd suggest finding a cheap old set of blades,

[MCDavis]

Sounds good, md! Did you post pics of the irons anywhere?

[mddubya]

I have, here is the link... Hogan Blades and a Brass Putter

And here are a few more.....

[xamilo]

I play my short irons on old blades as well. I ain't seem to adjust to the thick top-lines of GI irons, even though I'm sure they would suit my game much better.

Sometimes loosing distance in miss-hits is not necessarily a fault but rather a benefit. A miss shot that doesn't travel as far means a miss shot which is going to curve less as well. That makes a considerable difference when you have a 70yd shot with a 15yd slice which can be saved, rather than a 130yd shot with a 50yd slice into the woods, pond, or whatever thing you want to find OB...

[floggerrushmd]

I completely agree. If you are planning on making golf into a hobby where you are striving to be the best you can then you need to pick up a set of blades, or at the very least forged cavity back irons. It is the fastest and most surefire way to ensure that you groove a swing for repeatability. I just moved from the Tommy Armour Evo 25s to the Nike blades, and I am absolutely in love with them. Those are some sweet looking irons, good luck with the experiment - just don't be surprised if you find those irons staying in the bag.