Blades or “Muscle-Backed” Irons

We’ve discussed lie angle, shaft length, types of grips, and parts of the the clubhead. Now we turn to a topic that can have a dramatic effect on your swing even when everything else is set up perfectly. Should you use “blades’ - sometimes called “muscle-Backed” irons - or should you use game improvement clubs such as “perimeter weighted” irons - sometimes called “cavity-backed” irons? Blades are solid metal with a consistent thickness across the face. Though they are a bit harder to learn to use, they give more feedback about the quality of your swing, and more accuracy on good shots.

Cavity-Backed

Cavity-backed irons have much of the weight of the clubhead moved to the outside edges - in the hosel, along the sole, at the toe, and along the top, so that the part of the face where you contact the ball is both thinner and light than that of blades. The theory behind cavity-backs is that the thinner face can offer more “bounce” while the perimeter weight can help to reduce the amount of unwanted movement in the face when the ball is struck off center.

Cavity-backed or perimeter weighted irons are sometimes paired with shafts that have selected flex points designed to give your shots more loft. These clubs are sometimes called “game improvement” irons because they tend to make it easier for less skilled golfers to get high, consistent shots.

Manufacturers have gone to great lengths to develop clubs that make it easier to play the game, reasoning that if more people find golf easier to play, more will buy their equipment. As you get better in golf, however, you may want to leave your game improvement irons behind.

Consistency and Ability

If you have a consistent shot and a reasonably fast swing speed, get away from game improvement irons. We suggest making the switch at season’s end. Work with your new blades during the off season so that you can amaze your friends next year!

The advantages of game improvement clubs is that they will feel better at impact more often, give you more “acceptable” shots, and reduce the number of really poor results when you hit the ball off the toe or the heel of the club. The disadvantage of these clubs is that you are less likely to develop a really pure swing with them, you may get less distance with your shots, and you will probably find it difficult to develop really accurate short iron shots.

With blades, on the other hand, you will get a lot of feedback from the club when you have an off-center impact, and you won’t usually get a lot of help with a high launch. You will tend to get more “feel” however, and you’ll get a lot more consistency whenever you hit the ball correctly. So, if you aspire to play really good golf, get a set of blades and practice often! Go on to this page to learn about the different types of “woods.”