[Haligonian]

I have been using cavity backs since I learned how to play. This past season I bought a sexy set of blades to find out if anything I have read out there is true. Mainly if my swing would improve, and if I could lower my score at all. I've had a few friends who use blades at the range and have played their 'regular irons' in day to day matches.

I hover around a 10 handicap and rarely break that (conversely, rarely score over a 15). Blades destroyed my confidence on the long irons at first. My shorter irons were excelling and I was starting to drop the ball within ten feet of the pin. My days of the three putt were over, however, I was shanking balls like it was going out of style.

After a few months, and more lessons, I noticed my swing changing and the long irons were becoming accessible. Early this past month I shot my record score of +5. This should not mask the fact that I shank a ball regularly and break 15 often enough to notice.

The end result is that I am returning to something a bit more forgiving very soon. I borrowed my brothers Adams CB's for about 2 weeks and was scoring a 7 or 8 every time. My swing feels better than it ever has (not sure if it was the lessons, training with blades, or both), and Ive managed to accomplish some milestones.

The inconsistency kills me out there when I use blades.

Anybody else give them a serious shot? Is there a such thing as a forgiving blade (PING?!)? How can a 8-10 Handicap improve his/her score?

(I think I have this in the wrong category, how can I switch it?)

[BILL12x]

There are some "fairly" forgiving blades, but most cavity backs are easier to hit.

I'm one of those people who use blades on the range and forgiving on the course. Most of the time, my clubs are at my club in storage and it's easier to just take my blades with me to the range, than to get my sticks out of storage. It really helps me hone my swing.

I also tend to get lazy with my swing if I use the CB's all the time. When this happens, I'm as bad or worse than when using blades all the time.

[Dr Rangelove]

I grew up playing blades and after seeing ALL my golf buddies play CB's I decided to take the plunge. Couldn't stand it. I like the thought of knowing it's the archer and not the arrow but then I realize that I'm a bit of a hypocrite because I'm also using new technology shafts in my woods. So anywho, if it gets you to your objective point and you don't feel like you're being dishonest to yourself or your scoring then play the CB's, at least you gave blades a fair effort to see what it's like on the other side of the tee box.

[Haligonian]

That's a good point - being the archer. I don't know anyone who grew up playing blades, its good to hear your input. Thanks.

[pickerjohn]

I started playing golf in 1958 with blades and played them all the time
untill a few years ago, now I play a cavity back X forged and maybe see a
little more consistancy. Every time I've tried to go to a game improvement
iron, it just has not worked for me. I believe its what you are used to and confident with.
However the switch to a large metal headed, graphite shafted driver & FW's was
almost seamless.

[steveh1591]

im thinking of getting a set of blades or musclebacks next season and using the higher lofted irons in the blades whilst keeping my cavity 4 5 and 6 irons as im not that great with the short iron cavitys, but with my wedges im pretty accurate!

[Haligonian]

Would it take years to develop a consistent blade game?

[gators77]

Haligonian, on Nov 3 2009, 10:32 PM, said:

Would it take years to develop a consistent blade game?

It's not going to change in one summer. The other point is that by using different club it clearly shows a flaw in your swing that will be a bigger issue in terms of dropping your handicap.