Why do pro golfers use forged irons?

Forged clubs make it easier to shape ball flight

It's often said a golfer can feel the ball “stay on the face longer” with forged irons, and that this “sticking” to the face provides more shot control and workability (the ability to curve the ball and adjust trajectory).

Why do pros play forged irons?

Feel and control were other factors many pros preferred with forged irons. Professionals and purists prefer to stick to the traditional and the challenge is perfection. Being able to consistently hit the smaller sweet spot results in greater feel, being able to shape the ball, and get your distances accurate.

Do all pro golfers 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.

Are forged irons for better players?

Forged irons are known to be the better feeling club, so, therefore, the better players will naturally gravitate towards the forged irons. There are situations where higher handicappers feel as though forged is a better fit for their game.

Can high handicappers use forged irons?

The main point I would like people to remember is that forged clubs are not just for the scratch golfer. 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.

SUPER IMPRESSED....BUT!! - Cobra Forged Tec Irons

Do forged irons wear out faster?

Problem, as you say, forged clubs do tend to wear a little quicker than cast. I use my previous R7 irons as an example. When I sold them there was hardly any wear for a club I'd had and used 3-4 times a week for 12 months. I practice quite often, around 3 times a week, plus 18 holes in a Saturday.

Do any pros use cavity back irons?

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.

Are forged irons more forgiving?

Considering that blades or players' distance irons are commonly crafted using the forged method, these irons are best suited to low handicappers and professionals. The heads of forged irons are often compact, the sweet spot sits directly behind the center of the face, and they are the least forgiving of the irons.

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.

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 forged irons go further than cavity back irons?

There will be no difference in distance. The fact that a club is forged doesn't make any difference to the ball speed, launch angle or spin. If you hit a blade (usually forged) on the sweet spot and all else is equal, at impact the cavity-back club (usually cast) will not produce any different results.

Do any pros not use blades?

Do pro golfers use blades? Around 26 percent of PGA Tour players use complete sets of blades. Roughly 44 percent game cavity back irons, while the remaining 30 percent use a mix of muscle-back and cavity-back clubs.

What handicap should play forged irons?

#2 – Hitting Double-Digit Greens in Regulation

If so, you can use your greens in regulation statistic as an indication of your ball striking ability. Out of 18 holes, you should be hitting at least 10 greens on average before you consider forged irons.

What are the pros and cons of forged irons?

While forged irons offer incredible feel, acoustics, and greenside control, they are unforgiving and difficult to play. Even though most of the forged irons that we looked at were best suited to lower handicappers and pros. There are options for mid to high handicappers.

Are cast irons more durable than forged?

One thing's for certain is that forged irons are the best for feel and distance control while the cast variety performs better when it comes to long-term durability and boosting distance. Now let's talk about all of this in a little bit of detail below.

What is the hardest club to hit?

A 1-iron is the hardest iron to hit because it is the longest and has the lowest loft of between 14° and 16°. The rise of hybrid clubs to replace long irons however means in the modern game 1-irons and 2-irons are very rare indeed resulting in 3-irons and 4-irons in reality being the most difficult irons to hit.

Why do pros play with blades?

Part of the allure of blades is their sleek appearance, and blades give top golfers the ability to shape shots. Blades make it easier to work the ball to the left or the right, whereas cavity-backs tend to reduce sidespin and make it harder to deliberately hit draws and fades.

Do blade irons go further?

Blades Vs Cavity Backs – Distance

Anything off-center strikes will lead to less distance and prompt a hook or slice. Cavity back irons contain a lower CG in the longer irons to help you consistently get the ball in the air, resulting in further carry and total distance.

Why do I hit blades better than cavity backs?

Hitting a blade you'll know right away when you hit it solid or not very well. A blade iron will also be easier to shape the ball around. You'll be able to draw or fade the ball much easier compared to a cavity back. You'll also be able to control the trajectory better and that's what most professionals would want.

Can you bend forged irons?

Even forged clubheads made of the wrong steel cannot be bent. There is basically only one combination that can be bent without risk and without further problems.

Can a mid handicapper 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).

What irons does Rory McIlroy use?

McIlroy currently uses a set of TaylorMade Rors Proto irons. These are basically P730 irons that have been specced and shaped just for him.

Can high handicappers use blades?

Any handicap can play blades, not every player can. It is just statistical likelihood that fewer higher handicaps play blades and above a certain one you find any with blades because they don't have the swing to play them.

Are 30 year old golf clubs still good?

There is no evidence that golf clubs deteriorate over time. Well maintained clubs will last a lifetime. 10+ year old clubs should be checked for better options but clubs less than 5 years old do not need replacing except for wear and tear issues to which wedges and forged irons are most vulnerable.

How often do you replace your golf irons?

A good rule of thumb to follow is if you're a golfer with a low handicap or just a casual golfer is to replace your golf irons somewhere around every four to five years or after around three hundred rounds. This can prevent the golf clubs from wearing down to the point where it seriously impacts your golf game.