When is the right time to switch to forged clubs?

Question

I currently use Ping i3 and I'm a 13 handicap.

Answer 1

What is the reason for switching to forged clubs? Perimeter weighted clubs are more forgiving than are forged blades. Unless you have a grooved swing like the pros or many top amateurs and can consistently hit the " sweet spot ", you are only making it more difficult to play this game.  Until you get your handicap to the middle single digits  you are better off staying away from the forged blades.

Answer 2

When you hit the ball true and on the sweet spot almost always, cause on forged clubs, the sweet spot is smaller, but when hit true, the balls goes farther and flies truer.

Answer 3

It depends on your swing.  I went from a Wal-Mart brand when I first started to hitting a set of Mizuno forged blades I bought from a co-worker.  Once I got my swing grooved, I loved them.  I now play Nike Pro Combo irons and they're forged as well.  They are more forgiving than a blade iron.  I won't play anything else but a forged iron anymore.  The Mizuno MX-25 is a game improvement forged iron that you should look into or the Nike Pro Combo OS.

Answer 4

Well, one can tell when switching to forged blades is necessary. I am switching to some lovely titleists this week after realising I need more workability of the ball. Basically, when you feel there's something lacking from your shots and feel you need to shape the ball a bit more, forged blades, or even forged cavity backs like the Titleist ZB, may be a perfect for you.

However, forged blades have an extremely small sweet spot and the club head is usually a lot smaller than you're used to. Therefore, make sure you are a very consistent ball stricker before considering forged clubs as if you are not, your game may suffer. If you feel, however, that you hit good solid shots from the centre of the club head consistent, go for some forged clubs as soon as you like. The improvement in distance, control and spin is massive.

Forged clubs should also be fitted to you, due to such fine tolerances. Therefore, when you do consider buying some, go to your local pro shop, try some out, then get fitted for lie angle, shaft etc to ensure they fit your game perfectly.

Hope Ive helped!

Answer 5

When you are ready to get serious about the game and have grasped the concept that sound fundamentals will lead to a consistent golf swing with solid contact.  Also when you want to feel where on the clubface you struck the ball.  When you want to be able to hit a low shot on purpose.

Answer 6

Ignoring the other posts - the answer is "When your game improves by using them..."  If you are a great ball striker but your short game and putting stinks, then the switch might drop your scores a few.  (Not more than getting those under control, but a few might be in order.)

The funny thing about golf is that nothing works for everyone.

Also, you said "forged" did you mean blades?  Forging is process of making the club (vs casting), where perimeter weighting/cavity back, etc., is a design style.  It is possible to have forged cavity backs.  (I use a set and have a high HC - I LOVE the feedback) as you can have cast blades, cast cavity backs, etc.

Answer 7

If you are a 13, but want the buttery feel of a forged club,....you might want to look into Mizuno irons.  Their MX 23s and MX 25s  are geared towards the mid handicapper.  However, they are forged and not cast so you get excellent feedback while still having the luxury of forgiveness in that the club is a cavity back.  If you really want feedback, you might look into the mIzuno Mp series of irons.  Muscle back irons with a very buttery-soft feel.  Not as forgiving as the MX series, ....but still more forgiving than a blade.

What I can tell you is to ignore these posters that assume that a forged club is automatically a blade as well.  One other poster allreday pointed this out and he is absoulutely correct.  A cavity back iron can be a forged iron.

Answer 8

If you are a 13, going to forged blades is going to increase your index.  Forged blades require much more precision than you likely have.  I'd stay where you are and forget about spending the money.