Golfers are often left wondering which model of iron to play. Some education on the subject can go a long way in helping players make an informed decision to improve their game.

“Am I good enough for blades?”

“Are cavity-backs going to keep me from working the ball?”

These are questions many golfers ask themselves when deciding which irons to play. With manufacturers designing a larger variety of playable blades and increasingly subtle cavity-backs, the distinction between the two is becoming less clear. However, there remains definitive advantages and disadvantages to playing either model.

Blades

Pros

Feel: Blades deliver an unparalleled feel when properly struck, giving players instant feedback to help improve their distance control and exact yardages. As the saying goes, aim small, miss small.

Spin: Blades tend to spin more than cavity-backs, which may be detrimental if you’re struggling to square the club at impact, but if you’re ball-striking is solid then the increased spin makes it easier to shape shots and attack pins.

Aesthetic: A narrow topline at address is a confidence-oozing sight to behold when you’re on your game.

Shots: Want to cut it? Want to hit a low-punch draw? Blades are going to be the irons you’ll turn to if you want to work the ball.

Cons

Forgiveness: Or rather the lack thereof. A mishit blade can feel like you’re hitting a rock in sub-zero temperatures. Early morning dew-sweepers in April have experienced this bone-rattling sensation.

Lower trajectory: Blades tend to have a lower trajectory due to the placement of the club’s center of gravity higher in the clubhead. Blades are manufactured with more loft than game improvement clubs, which is why better players with faster swing speeds use these clubs.  Distance and ball flight control is not an issue for the blade category player. The center of gravity in a game improvement club is placed much lower in the clubhead making it easier to get the ball in the air.  

Playability: especially when it comes to longer irons, blades can be downright elusive. No wonder many top professionals still use 3 and 4-iron cavity-backs. Titleist’s new CB (cavity-back) and MB (muscle-back) irons offer a good example of how to seamlessly intermesh a mixed set.

Cavity-Backs

Pros

Forgiveness: With a meaty profile and overall larger clubhead, cavity-backs are easier to hit, offering exceptional forgiveness on poorly struck shots.

Trajectory: Cavity-backs tend to launch at a higher angle as a result of their wider sole and having more discretionary weight transferred to the perimeter of the clubhead––ideal for players struggling to get the ball in the air.

Turf interaction: Their shallow, round soles allow cavity-backs to easily glide through turf and reduce unwanted dig, meaning a less than ideal swing path can still produce a solid strike.

Cons

Precision: Yes, they’re easier to hit, but their generosity also means it’s more difficult to really dial in an approach shot. If every strike feels generally decent you may not be getting the feedback you need to make necessary adjustments and shape shots accordingly.

Feel: One of the issues golfers face when playing cavity-backs is that they can feel clunky and cumbersome. Manufacturers are working to remedy this problem, offering tighter profiles and thinner muscle-back options.

Which one is right for you?

There is no bad choice when it comes to choosing between the two, but there are definitely advantages to selecting the right model for your game. As a general rule, lower handicap players reap the most benefit from blades, while higher handicappers can better utilize the game-improvement qualities of a cavity-back. But truthfully, with the improvements in cavity-back irons, they are increasingly the go-to clubs, even for the best players in the world.

If you are looking to improve and get the most out of your game, our experts are here to help. Shop the latest blades and cavity-back irons in store or online.