Anyone who plays golf knows that irons are the most important part of your game. Having good irons will help you hit more greens, resulting in better scores. That’s why it’s crucial to choose the right type of iron! In this article, we’ll discuss what blades and cavity back irons are, the differences between them, advantages, disadvantages, and more so you can make an informed decision about which iron is suitable for you. So keep reading to find everything you need to know about blades vs cavity back irons.
What Are Blades?
Blade irons are a standard-looking club with a small-scale sweet spot, impressive feel, and thin look. Blades also have a great feel when they’re hit out of the center perfectly. However, they make it pretty obvious when shots are hit and the clubface center is missed. Off-center shots with blade irons result in a more significant loss in distance and poor accuracy.
What Are Cavity Backs?
Cavity back irons are self-explanatory because of their name; they have a hole or cavity in the back. These irons allow for more of the mass to be low in the club head and pushed toward the perimeter. This design keeps the clubs head very stable during strikes that are off-center. Cavity back irons have a bulkier and thicker sole and are very forgiving. They’re also more modern looking than traditional golf irons.
Difference Between Cavity Back Irons and Blades
The leading difference between blades and cavity back irons is that cavity backs are bulkier and have an empty section at the bottom. However, cavity backs are also way more forgiving, generate more distance, and have a much bigger sweet spot.
Advantages
Blade:
- Better feel
- Better feedback
- Excellent choice for manipulating the ball to hit fades and draws.
Cavity Back:
- It helps the ball fly straighter
- Provides more distance
- Forgiving and easier to hit with
Disadvantages
Blade:
- It has a smaller sweet spot
- You must have a finely tuned swing that you can repeat
- Not forgiving when it comes to mishits.
Cavity Back:
- Feel may be dampened due to the weighting on the perimeter
- You get less feedback on mishits
- Not easily workable
Should You Use Blades or Cavity Back Irons?
With a better understanding of what blades and cavity backs are and their advantages and disadvantages, it’s a good idea to take a better look at each and decide which is the best for you. There are a few features that should be kept in mind when considering these clubs.
However, you should keep one main question in mind: “How can I increase my chances of getting the ball closer to my target?” To do this, you’re going to need an iron that enhances your launch, allows you to hit the critical shots every round, and accounts for variability.
Swing Speed
Many people assume that players with the fastest swing speeds will benefit from playing with blades. However, this is only sometimes the case. This is because of club fitting and modern shaft technology. In addition, there are a lot of new players that have quick swing speeds that need more consistency. These types of players will significantly benefit from cavity backs.
Swing speed is a great indicator of which type of golf iron is the best choice. However, it’s worth noting that this shouldn’t be the only thing considered. Overall, blades have a standard loft and are unforgiving. This means you will need the additional speed to get the distances you’re used to.
Players with slower swing speeds will benefit from cavity backs due to them increasing distance and a more elevated launch. Conversely, players with higher swing speeds, who don’t need extra distance, have more choice in the type of club head that will suit them best.
Forgiveness
Only some golfers know how much a tiny strike that’s off-cetner affects distance and accuracy. Twisting happens due to the off-centeer striking, but the good news is it can be offset if more mass is placed toward the club’s heel and toe. For this reason, cavity backs will, more often than not, get your ball within reach of your target and help you get a lower score.
There are mixed sets available that have both cavity backs in the long irons and muscle backs in the wedges. This is something to consider because you’ll be able to get the best of the best in your golf bag.
Ball Flight
Cavity backs send the ball higher than blades because of their low center of gravity and perimeter being weighted. However, if you like the forgiveness a cavity back offers but want a lower launch, we have some good news for you! An experienced club fitter can offset higher launch by finding a suitable shaft that works for you to reduce both spin and launch.
Distance
Distance is a difficult point. However, if everything stays even cavity back irons will allow you to send the ball farther. This is due to their ability to generate higher speeds on the ball and thinner faces.
Cavity backs irons also launch the ball higher with a little less backspin. This is great because it reduces the drag and results in a farther distance. Also, the loft of a golf club has great impact on the distance. You’ll find that manufacturers frequently change the standard lofts between cavity backs and blades.
Shot Shaping
You can get the best shot shaping from blade irons. However, there is we would like to share that’s an important thing to note. To get this kind of control, you must consistently hit the golf ball with the center of the clubface. Therefore, players first need to consider how much forgiveness they are willing to give up and how much shot shaping ability they actually want.
How Often You Play
This applies to almost everything; practice makes perfect. The more you play, the more you will excel at hitting the center of the club face. Players who play frequently will get good feedback from blade irons and may be able to play with them. Golfers that occasionally play often find that when they hit the course, they’ll have some difficulty for a bit. Cavity back irons make playing just a little easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most popular, frequently asked questions about blades and cavity irons.
Who Should Use Blades?
If you’re someone who can consistently strike the ball in the center or center heel, blades will give you both an incredible feel and excellent performance. However, if you often have toe and heel misses, then you should stick with cavity back irons as they give you better overall distance loss across the face.
Who Should Use Cavity Backs?
All golfers should use cavity backs. There’s no reason for the average golfer, or even an above-average golfer, to use irons that aren’t cavity back irons. Cavity back irons offer more forgiveness on hits that are off-center and have great workability. Even better, these days, you can find cavity back irons in all sizes and shapes to fit you and your skill level.
Should Novice Golfers Use Blade Irons?
Novice golfers should use something other than blades. This is because blades are very difficult to hit with and can cause a lot of irritation. Using blades as a novice can also negatively affect how you learn to play the game. Golf is challenging as is for novices; don’t make it worse by starting with blades.
What Do PGA Tour Pros Use?
Believe it or not, more pros use cavity backs than blades. Despite what many people believe, cavity backs are quite the popular choice on the PGA Tour. Pros mostly use smaller cavity backs.
Do Blade Irons Hit The Ball Further?
No, blades do not make the ball travel farther than cavity backs. This includes even if you hit the ball on the center of the clubface.
Are Blade Irons Really Harder To Hit?
Yes, blades are significantly harder to hit than other types of irons, like cavity backs. The features like less mass, larger center of gravity, and smaller sweet spot make it so that you need to hit the ball against the sweet spot of the club almost perfectly with a good angle of descent to get a good result.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages to both types of irons. The choice ultimately comes down to your skill level and how comfortable you feel with each one. If you struggle to hit shots with traditional blades, then a cavity back may be right for you. However, if your game has progressed past this, consider sticking with what works for now.
