When you are looking for a new set of irons, one of the biggest decisions you will have to make is whether to choose blades, muscle back or cavity back irons.
All of these clubs have their pros and cons, and it can be difficult to decide which is right for you.
In this blog post, we will discuss the differences between blades, muscle back, and cavity back irons to decide which type of club is best for your game.
Here's What We'll Cover
What is a Blade Iron?
A blade iron is a golf club that has a traditional look to it. They’re forged, offer little forgiveness, and have a small sweet spot, making them a popular option for low handicap golfers.
These irons are much thinner than modern irons, providing a ton of feedback on every shot. This means you can really work the ball with a blade iron by hitting a draw or fade, but they can be difficult to hit if you don’t have a good swing.
You may hear blade irons being referred to as muscle back irons since they’re so similar!
What is a Cavity Back Iron?
A cavity back iron is a golf club with a modern look. They’re bulky, and offer a lot of forgiveness with a big sweet spot, making them a popular option amongst high handicappers.
These irons are the easiest to hit, although they don’t offer much feedback on each shot. This makes them perfect for casual golfers since they’ll provide the best results if you don’t have a great swing, although you’ll give up a bit of control which is fine!
In addition, they should add a higher ball flight and more distance for most golfers.
You may hear cavity back irons being referred to as game improvement irons since they’re so similar!
What’s the difference between blades and cavity back irons?
The main difference is that blades are traditional, thin irons that are harder to play while cavity backs are modern, thicker irons that are easier to play.
Most weekend golfers will use cavity back, or game improvement irons since they’re so forgiving and allow you to hit the ball more consistently.
On the other hand, most professional and scratch golfers will use blade or muscle back irons since they offer more feedback and control on the ball.
Each type of iron has a different purpose and was designed for golfers of different skill levels, which is why you often see both of them.
Should you play blades or cavity back irons?
If you’re a beginner or amateur golfer with a high handicap, it’s recommended that you play cavity back or game improvement irons.
On the other hand, if you’re an experienced golfer with a low handicap, it’s recommended that you play blade or muscle back irons.
And if you’re somewhere in the middle, you should go to your local golf shop and try each to see which you prefer! There’s no better way to know than hitting them yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are blade and muscle back irons the same?
Blades and muscle back irons are very similar, but muscle back irons have a thicker bottom section compared to blades which offers a bit more forgiveness.
Are cavity back and game improvement irons the same?
Game improvement irons are a type of cavity back iron which enabled manufacturers to distribute weight from behind the clubface to the heel and toe.
Are blade irons harder to hit?
Yes, blades are the most difficult iron to hit well.
Are cavity backs easier to hit?
Yes, cavity backs are the easiest iron to hit well.
Do pro golfers use blades or cavity backs?
Most pro golfers will use blade irons so they can have more control of the ball, while getting more feedback on each shot.
Do blades go further than cavity backs?
It depends on who’s hitting them. A professional golfer will hit a blade iron much further than a cavity back, while an amateur will have opposite results.
Can high handicappers use blades?
There’s no rules on who can use blades or cavity backs, but it’s recommended that high handicappers use cavity backs for better results.
When should you switch to blade irons?
Once you have a single digit handicap, you should consider switching to blade irons. It’s up to preference, so go to your local golf store, try them out, and see how they feel!
Final thoughts
Both blade and cavity back irons have their place in the golf equipment space.
While blades are made for better golfers, cavity back irons are made for worse golfers.
I’d recommend most beginners to start out with cavity back irons, and switch to blade when they feel it’s the right time!
No matter which you use, you’ll need to practice and have good technique in order to hit the ball well.
