Why am I told I won't be able to hit a MB

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By Matthew C

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  1. So I have been playing golf for two years and love the game. I went into my local golf store intending on buying a set of MB 712's but the guy simply said you won't be able to hit them  and said to come back to them when my handicap was a 5. I have heard it from many people that you won't be able to hit them they will be too hard to hit. Can someone go into depth on why I wouldn't be able to hit them? Also I  just bought a 6 iron 710 MB from the odd bag at another golf store. Plan on going this weekend  to give it a try. 

    Thanyou in advance. 

  2. AJAR

    AJAR
    Portland, OR

    Matthew,

    'They' would say that only because it is a less forgiving club and would require relatively more accuracy to flush.

    Having said that, I was told the same but I took that to mean it will actually let me work on my swing and can only get better. It is a highly responsive club and it gives me a lot of feedback even on slightly mishit shots. If you are willing to 'work' on your golf and not concern yourself with scoring for a while then I would highly recommend it. I have had my 712 MBs for 9 months and love them and can hit them well. I love the response, feel, look and most importantly, they give me back what i put in.

  3. Matthew, don't listen to anybody. If think you can hit them you can. Well, guess what- I am a twelve year old using the 712 mbs. They are amazing off the club face when it well. When you hit them badly the club kinda wrings it your hands. When I first got them it took about a week and a half to get used to them. If you really want them buy them from someone else or of the Internet. If not the  mb then try the cb. I have a cb 3 and 4 iron and I hit them way better than my other long irons. Just giving you something to think about.      

                  Jack

  4. Thomas C

    Thomas C
    Columbia, SC

    Military

    Matthew - Without knowing anything about your game or swing...here it is.  The MBs are not as forgiving as the other clubs.  You can hit them but will pay dearly for any hits that are not center of the sweet spot.  I was at the range yesterday hitting MB and AP1 side by side (3-PW).  When I hit the MB clean, they flew just as far and felt awesome.  If I was even slightly off, I lost about 5-10 yds compared to the cavity back.  I'm a 15 handicap and I am waiting for my set of 712 AP2 after a custom fitting that showed the AP2 and shaft combination I hit were the best fit for my swing.  I HIGHLY recommend getting a custom fitting from a Titleist rep to find out which clubs really are best for you.  That is the only way to know for sure.

    Good luck with the golf.  It is an awesome sport you'll have for the rest of your life!

  5. Blair M

    Blair M
    Broomfield, CO

    Simply put, hit what you like.  While blades require a more precise strike to hit solidly, if you do decide to buy them, you will most likely learn how to be a good ball striker because of it.  It will take time and work but it will happen over time.  Also, if you do buy them and learn to like them, you wont need to buy another set of irons for a long time because blade irons never really change much over time.  In other words, blade irons today are basically the same as blade irons 30+ years ago no matter who manufactured them.  Cavity back irons (AP1's and AP2's) can change year to year and like many people, we tend to want the newest and most forgiving club on the market.  There are many great irons on the market today and generally speaking, good club fitters can give you good advice on what clubs will match your game the best, but at the end of the day, you are the person that has to hit them.

    Good luck!

  6. Hotsauce

    Hotsauce
    Georgetown MA

    There's a big difference between Can and Should.  You can hit anything you want-  it's your money so I wouldn't worry about the guy in the shop.  However, before you dive right into the blades I would suggest getting fit or at least hitting them on an actual range.  A good fitter will be able to pair you up with right club for you.  You can see what your mishits will look like and what your ball flight is.  I wanted the MB's until I hit an AP2.  I liked the ball flight and the consistency my AP2's gave me.  I'm not a high ball hitter and had a hard time hitting it as high as I wanted with the MB's, but that's just me.  You might want something else, and you'll be able to tell what you want and like after you hit the clubs.

    just my .02

  7. 19hole

    19hole
    Reading, MA

    What you don't tell us is what handicap you play off, how oftern you get instruction and how often you practice. These are some of the things a fitter needs to know. To be honest, if I was asked by someone that I didn't ask these questions to or work on thier swing with I would never fit them with an MB. They are harder to hit and much less forgiving.

    The AP2 is a great feeling club, offers the forgivness of a cavity back and has a bit more offset them and MB (which has almost zero offset, making it harder to get the ball in the air). Another option for a more accomplished player woud be a set that has the longer irons in the AP2 and the short irons in the CB. The CB is a great trade-off between the MB and the AP2.

    For a novice player the right club is the AP1. Simply the easiest club in the Titleist lineup to hit.

    There a very many PGA and Tour players that use the AP2, so don't feel it is not a top quality iron.

    It is funny, I fit a number of people and they all pretty much think they know what they want to buy. After a proper fitting, they usually end up with a much different setup (head, shafts and shaft flex) than they ever thought they would.

    Go find a PGA professional that is also a Certified Fitter. He can help you the most. Between knowing the golf swing and how the cproper club will impact your game, he can offer the best clubs for your game.

  8. Tim Tiger

    Tim Tiger
    Tucson, AZ

    I would listen to 19Hole.  It is his job to instruct and fit players for their abilities.  

    Get fit by a certified professional and trust what he has to tell you.

    MB's are great when you are swinging well. But when your off a bit, they can wreck a round as well.  I switched from Titleist MB's to the AP2 710's and am very happy with that decision.

    TT

  9. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    I CAN hit a player iron (tried a 735CM and 755) but get more distance out of the AP1.  There are also more things you can sometimes do with an AP1 or AP2 (like hit a bunker shot with an iron - not easy to do with a blade).

    For a store person to tell you to come back and get the irons when you have a 5 handicap is hogwash.  Somebody with a 20 handicap may have pro distance but an absolutely horrible short game.  Someone with a scratch handicap may barely drive a ball 220 yards and hit a 7 iron 140 but has a very strong short game.

    One needs to go to a fitter for the proper iron and even set makeup.

     

  10. Connor I.

    Connor I.
    Maysville, OK

    Lou is absolutely right, if your ball striking is good with your irons and you hit the center of the club face 9 out of 10 times than you should not have any problem with the blades. Hope this helps!

     

    Connor,

  11. scott a

    scott a
    souderton, PA

    Great advice by all. Don't make the game harder than it needs to be. Get fit and swing them all. You'll know and the fitter will know. Trust what you see and hear.  

  12. Joshua L

    Joshua L
    SLC, UT

    Please get properly fit by a certified professional. It will do more to increase your enjoyment of the game than any new off the shelf club will. 

    Everyone has pretty much already covered the difference between the MB's and the other irons in the Titleist family. I have played Mb's since high school, how ever in the winter when I go in for a fitting, I will be looking at switching the from MB's the ap2's. With how good the technology is getting you can do everything you can with an MB and still retain a high amount of forgiveness. 

  13. Thank you all for your input, ill be going down to my nearest fitter this weekend

  14. Allen L

    Allen L
    Clarington, OH

    This is an old thread, maybe you have already made your choice.  For most of us we score with our short game.  For my money nothing feels better than a blade from 150 yards in.  The long irons can be a challenge, hit one a little off center and you will know, but as you get better with the MB long irons they too feel great.  Just my 2 cents worth.  Good luck.

  15. Mike C

    Mike C
    Dallas, TX

    It's intersting that somebody in a golf store gave you such a cut and dry opinion.  I play the AP2's because they have great feel AND forgiveness.  Can I hit the MB irons?  Abosolutely and they feel great when I hit them.  The issue for me is I don't always hit the clubs dead center and appreciate some forgiveness along with the workability of the club so I went with the AP2's.  I could probably play either but I appreciate the more forgiveness and (for me) tighter shot dispersion of the AP2 when I tested various permutations.

    I would recommend you go to a Titleist fitter, discuss your situation and try out the various head and shaft combination to come up with what is the best fit for you.  Some people can't get over the look of a certain club at address or the way it feels when you hit it.  These are all personal preferences that you have.  At the end of the day, the club you feel you can hit the best that gives you the outcome you want is the best fit for you.  Players of the AP1, AP2, CM and MB go across the handicap spectrum.  I played in a match against a +1 handicap player that had AP1 irons.  I was shocked.  When I asked him about it after the match, he indicated that he didn't really like to work the ball much and he liked the forgiveness of the club.  Likewise, he had always played cast clubs and preferred the feel.  I guess at the end of the day it is a personal preference.  Find what feels best to you and go with it.

  16. Christian G

    Christian G
    Oceanside, CA

    If you have your swing grooved fairly well, then there's no reason you can't hit the MB's.  But stop and consider this for a moment, most of the Titleist tour pros don't play the MB's.  Lot's of AP2 and CB players on tour.  Why?  Because they're more forgiving, even for the pros.  Hit what feels right for your swing and your ability level.  

  17. West S

    West S
    Alexandria, VA

    Matt,

    I am 14 I am hitting the MB'S great I was told the same thing when I bought them. I have been playing my best golf. If you like'em buy'em!

  18. Luke W

    Luke W
    liberty township, OH

    go with the mb. i have the old 690 mb and love them to death. nothing like hitting them flush off the center of the club face. i was told at in high school i was stupid for trying to play blades. but i will tell you one thing they improve your ball striking dramatically! if you mishit it you know it and you will work to not mishit it. Makes a big difference. I played cavity backs before blades and they were a ton easier to hit but the feel isnt there to me. Mishit it and it goes the same as if you nail it. Just not my cup of tea like belly putters lol

  19. Clifford M

    Clifford M
    Lousiville, KY

    Matthew C,  I agree with most of what has been said by others.  Fitting is a must, it's your hard earned money and you can spend it however you wish.  The nuances of your particular game should dictate what you buy, as opposed to what you want to buy.  If you want to look into your bag and see blades that are so beautiful they look like jewelry, by all means, buy a set of MB's.  If you hit the sweet spot all the time, again, buy the MB's.  There isn't really enough info in your post to really make a good suggestion as to whether or not the MB's are good for you or if a more forgiving, game improvement iron, like an AP1 or AP2 would suit you better.  Having played Titleist irons for many years with many different sets including a mixed set of MB's in short irons and CB's in longer irons (In the years before the 735's came out) and then switching to the AP2's (which i currently play); I would suggest the following as a help in decision making.  What's more important to you:  workability and trajectory control or consistent distance (even on mishits) and a higher ball flight?  If you hit the sweet spot most of the time and can hit a variety of shots by controlling trajectory, then MB's will give you the ultimate in control.  If you mishit the ball occasionally and don't want to be overly penalized, then the AP1 or AP2 might be the better choice.  

    The other thing that no one has really talked about in this thread is what to you really want to do?  If you like what you see when you look into your bag, you're more likely to feel good about the shot you're about to hit.  Bottom line, it's your money and whatever helps you get the ball in the hole is what you should buy.

  20. I was told the same thing but I played a lot, went with what inspired confidence and my hdcp dropped 4 points......I play 712 MBS...I was told Ap1s / Ap2s were for me at the time of fitting.....I pressed for MBs and haven't played this well in years...the MBs are a phenomenal club....

  21. John L

    John L
    Dewey, OK

    I have always played blades. I have gone from a 20 handicap to a 5 playing blades. best advise mo old golf pro and guy who fit me said. handicap dosen't matter if you feel more comfortable hitting blades hit blades. everyone should take lessons regardless but its true alot of fitters shy away from fitting people into blades but a good fitter will do two things. find the club that gives you the best results and the one that you feel more comfortable with. don't get hung up on numbers either. spin rates and launch angles can get too technical. you want to pay attention to these numbers but you should always get a fitting on an open range. something you can see the ball flight. if you like the feel and the ball flight and you feel comfrotable hitting it. thats whats for you. you might can find a cavity back that gets you 10 more yards but if your not comfortable with it you will never trust it under pressure. My advice. if you like mbs and you feel comfortable hitting them. get them. there is no better feeling in golf that flush contact with a blade.

    Cheers greens and fairways to all

    simba

  22. James B

    James B
    San Antonio, TX

    Not to repeat what everyone is saying but, get fit and go with the clubs that fit your swing and your game. Buying a set of clubs off the shelf just because you want to use that particular club can hurt your game rather than help it.

  23. Jim P

    Jim P
    Dallas, TX

    Matthew,

    I also agree with most of the replies about playing the mb.s.  I will be 70 years old in two days and have been playing Titleist blades since the 681 limited edition blades came out.  I currently play the 710MB's and will be buying the 714MB's when they come out in the fall.  My handicap has ranged over the years from a low of 3 to high of 12 and currently is a 8. I have played in several statewide tournaments and most of the time I will be the only person in my group playing blades.  At the club I belong to in Dallas, the same situation usually applies.  I mention the above only to make the point that I get the same reaction that you got. Why don't you play some cavity back clubs because they are easier to hit?  I always  answer  that to be best player I can be  I want to know where I am hitting the ball on the face.  Some of the clubs today are so forgiving and have such strong lofts that you can be fooled by the quality of your strikes. I want immediate feedback so can make adjustments before I get too far off.  Lastly the appearance of the club must suit my eye.  I play Titleist woods and irons because of the clean lines with no fat soles or top lines.  As to being fitted, my irons are 2 degrees flat  so I agree your lie angle should be checked. To satisfy some  of my critics, I bought a set of the first AP2's when they came out. I played about 10 rounds and they went on the shelf. I could never tell where I was hitting it on the face.

    Sorry to ramble on but my main point is this. You must have confidence in whatever club you are playing. If being the best player you can be and don't have to be longest iron player in your group, go buy you a set of Titleist MB's.

    Regards 

    Jim P.

  24. Tom B

    Tom B
    Monticello, MN

    I am 52 and have been playing since I was 5 yrs old. A year ago I switched to the AP2 irons. But I am going to go to a mixed bag. 3-5 AP2 and6-MB if you play lea forgiving clubs you will sharpen your skills. 

    Sent from my iPhone

    On Jul 19, 2013, at 7:20 AM, "Matthew C" <bounce-matthewc103@acushnetgolf.com> wrote:

    Team Titleist
    Matthew C posted Why am I told I won't be able to hit a MB in Golf Clubs.

    So I have been playing golf for two years and love the game. I went into my local golf store intending on buying a set of MB 712's but the guy simply said you won't be able to hit them  and said to come back to them when my handicap was a 5. I have heard it from many people that you won't be able to hit them they will be too hard to hit. Can someone go into depth on why I wouldn't be able to hit them? Also I  just bought a 6 iron 710 MB from the odd bag at another golf store. Plan on going this weekend  to give it a try. 

    Thanyou in advance. 

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  25. Ryan M

    Ryan M
    Edmonton, Alberta

    Hey Matthew,

    I work at a major golf retailer in Canada and in the event that a golfer like yourself comes in asking for a set as advanced as the MBs we, as sales associates, are very hesitant and recommend strongly against them because we are trying to pick the piece of equipment that will make the game most enjoyable, make you score better, and then make you come back the next time you are ready for clubs knowing the last set was great. One of my coworkers ordered MBs recently for a similar reason to some of the others who responded to this post, they want the purest feedback to make their swing as good as it can be. Personally I don't have the time to invest in making my swing perfect so I play the AP1 irons which are incredibly forgiving because I am just not consistent enough to consider the more advanced irons which would make golf inherently less fun for me. As cut and dry an answer as that individual gave you I'm sure they were simply suggesting against them in order to find something more suited to where your game is right now. 

    Ryan

  26. Quintin H

    Quintin H
    Morehead, KY

    It depends on how you swing the club, I didn't say how well you swing the club.

    There is no such thing as a hcp limit for the type of irons to play.

    Play what you want, learn to hit that type of club correctly.

  27. Gabe B

    Gabe B
    Pueblo, CO

    Matthew,

     

    I really don't like that he said that you wont be able to hit them, anyone can hit any club, the problem is can you hit them in the sweet spot often enough to make them perform to your expectations. The main difference between the MB's and the other is they are less forgiving than the others meaning that to get them to perform you must make contact in the center of the club face every time. The CB's and AP2's are going to be a little more forgiving and more workable with this forgiveness you will find them easier to hit and more fun. The most important thing to remember is that golf is hard enough without picking something that does not fit you. I would strongly recommend going to a place that you can hit each model with a professional fitter and judging by the ball flight and the feel make the decision as to which clubs you want.

  28. Hey,

    if you have only been playing for 2 years I would not advise muscle back irons or even the CB's. If you really like the look of the clubs maybe go with CB or MB from PW-7 and AP2's for the long irons. MB or CB long irons are amazing when you hit them flush but a little help never hurts

  29. John L

    John L
    Dewey, OK

    So i was reading over this feed and was like man here goes the mb for a newbie questions again. then i notice i had already commented. then i thought to my self when did i do this and noticed its a post from july hahahaha. way to bring old discussions back to the front Thedor hahahaha. anyways like i said No one should ever be scared of MB's but there are many options for a reason and find what works best for you. 

    cheers greens and fairways to all

    simba

  30. AC RixRox

    AC RixRox
    saratoga springs, NY

    Well, IMHO, just try them out a 6 iron on an indoor range with a computer analyzer. Figure out what shaft you need. Re shaft them if necessary and go then learn how to hit them. No matter what club you buy, you still have to learn how to hit the darn things. In all seriousness, carefully consider your choice of Drivers, Fairways and Hybrids and their shafts. Work out those loft and shaft and flex choices along with your vertical launch angle and swing speed. Then look at your putter and find one you like best. When you get those woods and your putter sorted out, work out your wedges. The irons will fill in the blanks. Having said all that, I am shooting around scratch now. Last spring I was, mmmm 12-8. I went to a lighter shaft with regular or Senior flex. I am on the or near the greens with driver fairway or hybrid. Then I chose my iron only if my wedges don't have enough legs. then I putt out. I will use my irons if I have to but my long clubs get me to or close to the green most often.
  31. bahram t

    bahram t
    ladera ranch, CA

    in my opinion MB's are very nice clubs and it took me about a week or two to get use to mine (switched from 710 AP2 to 714 MB) I got fit for them and they have helped my game very much but I hit friends blade irons while I had the AP's and they still weren't all that hard to hit the only thing is you need to work hard if you want to play well because you wont have that safety net you have with the AP1,AP2, and CB's because MB's are blades so your miss hits won't be very good but when you hit them well there is no better feeling when hitting any iron.

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