Playing blades

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By Chuck H

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  1. Chuck H

    Chuck H
    Victorville, CA

     For many years I was told that playing a blade iron would ruin my game.  You have to be too perfect, your hands will fall off from the ringing on mis-hits, you're not good enough to play blades......etc., etc., etc. 

    There was always something about a thin topline and a smaller clubhead that appealed to my eyes.  When setting up with other clubs that don't fit that description, it did not build confidence in my mind. It almost made me feel that I really wasn't good. I understand it's a flawed way to think, but to me I need to feel confidence in the club I am holding. Seeing blades was always (at least mentally) going to give me confidence and allow me to play better.

     Fast forward 20 years. I purchased a set of 712 MB at the start of last season. It is my first set of blades that I have ever played with. These clubs have been an absolute game changer for me personally. Every time I step up to hit the ball I have the utmost confidence in the performance of that club. It is aesthetically pleasing to my eye. It has a very muted thump when struck. It gives me the control I have been looking for. These irons are absolutely solid. My handicap has gone down rather significantly to a 2.6 by the end of this season.The only thing I will be switching to this off season is a new set of shafts for these irons. I am looking for a little bit lower ball flight and a little less spin. I have found a great shaft and can't wait to game them this upcoming season.

     Golf is a test of mental fortitude every time you step on the course. Being confident in your equipment and your ability is very key. In the end, I should have listened to myself a long time ago and picked up some blades. I have had the most fun playing golf this last year and I am looking forward to many great rounds in 2015. My goal for this season is to get to scratch.

  2. Keith M

    Keith M
    Acworth, GA

    I'm no one near your skill level, but I hear what you're saying about blades.  I learned on them way back in the 90's and have missed them ever since. 

    Glad to hear that the MB's are working for you and best of luck in 2015 getting to your goal.  Keep 'em in the short grass.

  3. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military

    My AP2s are as close as I want to get to a pure blade.......I learned on blades against the advice of my fitter and he was right.....I bought Wlson Staff FG17s...never could hit those in the sweetspot and finally went to PngEye 2s Black Dot.......then Titleist DCI.....Clly X14......Wison Staff CI9.....Titleist AP2 Silverbacks.....and finally 714 AP2....all since 1984.....what an adventure, but finally home......

  4. Bob T

    Bob T
    East Otis, MA

    When I had my blades, it was nice to work the ball and at that time I thought they were a club I'd never part with.  Nice thing with the new clubs and the way they are designed, as I've gotten older, I hit the ball two clubs further than I used to, with less effort so I have no complaints. 

  5. Rick S

    Rick S
    Freeburg, IL

    Chuck H said:

     For many years I was told that playing a blade iron would ruin my game.  You have to be too perfect, your hands will fall off from the ringing on mis-hits, you're not good enough to play blades......etc., etc., etc. 

    There was always something about a thin topline and a smaller clubhead that appealed to my eyes.  When setting up with other clubs that don't fit that description, it did not build confidence in my mind. It almost made me feel that I really wasn't good. I understand it's a flawed way to think, but to me I need to feel confidence in the club I am holding. Seeing blades was always (at least mentally) going to give me confidence and allow me to play better.

     Fast forward 20 years. I purchased a set of 712 MB at the start of last season. It is my first set of blades that I have ever played with. These clubs have been an absolute game changer for me personally. Every time I step up to hit the ball I have the utmost confidence in the performance of that club. It is aesthetically pleasing to my eye. It has a very muted thump when struck. It gives me the control I have been looking for. These irons are absolutely solid. My handicap has gone down rather significantly to a 2.6 by the end of this season.The only thing I will be switching to this off season is a new set of shafts for these irons. I am looking for a little bit lower ball flight and a little less spin. I have found a great shaft and can't wait to game them this upcoming season.

     Golf is a test of mental fortitude every time you step on the course. Being confident in your equipment and your ability is very key. In the end, I should have listened to myself a long time ago and picked up some blades. I have had the most fun playing golf this last year and I am looking forward to many great rounds in 2015. My goal for this season is to get to scratch.

    Definitely a blade advocate myself.  Not sure I'd be so quick to swap out shafts when you're on this kind of roll, however...as they say, if it ain't broke...

  6. Will P

    Will P

    Think about the KBS C-Taper for your iron shafts. Brings your ball flight down some and will normalize your spin rate. I had same issues and they've been world class- basically they are the 2014/15 updated versions of the original rifles... Thanks Kim Braly. 

  7. CoolBreeze

    CoolBreeze
    Sudbury, MA

    I am a blade player and love them! There have been times where I though about switching to the CB's or AP2's but it did not fit my eye and confidence as well.  For years now, I've been playing the 695 MB with S400 and refuse to switch.  The lofts of blades nowadays are stronger and there have been fleeting ideas to bend the loft 1 or 2 degrees stronger. I do not see myself switching anytime soon as I love them and it isn't broken thus not fixing!

  8. Chuck H

    Chuck H
    Victorville, CA

    CoolBreeze said:

    I am a blade player and love them! There have been times where I though about switching to the CB's or AP2's but it did not fit my eye and confidence as well.  For years now, I've been playing the 695 MB with S400 and refuse to switch.  The lofts of blades nowadays are stronger and there have been fleeting ideas to bend the loft 1 or 2 degrees stronger. I do not see myself switching anytime soon as I love them and it isn't broken thus not fixing!

    I was reading an article on the length of the shafts on irons and I never knew that they, for the most part, are a half inch longer per iron than they used to be. After reading that article I am going to have all my irons cut down one half inch when I get them re shafted. I have always had my irons bent to more traditional degrees, my pw starts at 48*.  The strength of the lofts has gotten out of control.  It is a selling point and I understand that.  However, wouldn't it be more prudent to sell accuracy over distance???

  9. Chuck H

    Chuck H
    Victorville, CA

    Will P said:

    Think about the KBS C-Taper for your iron shafts. Brings your ball flight down some and will normalize your spin rate. I had same issues and they've been world class- basically they are the 2014/15 updated versions of the original rifles... Thanks Kim Braly. 

    Will P
    Those are exactly the shaft I am putting into the irons.  I was at a local fitter and he threw those shafts on to the 714's just to run the numbers.  It was spot on what I was looking for in the flight.  I had also considered the PX flighted shafts. I just like the way the C-Taper loads for me.

  10. Will P

    Will P

    Great minds think alike. That's the story with those shafts. They've been great and are great looking. I like the brushed chrome look.

  11. Jim P

    Jim P
    Dallas, TX

    Chuck,

    i agree 100% with your comments about playing blades. I started playing Titleist blades with the 681model(TW old set) and have upgraded ever 2 years when the new blades come out with the latest being the 714 MB's. I have changed shafts occasionally but it mainly it has been my current DG S-300.  The Titleist tour van comes by my club in Dallas every year for a fitting and the only thing he changed during the visits was to shorten the shaft by 1/2 inch to standard length. If truth be told, I think he (Glen Mahler is his name) believes it is useless to talk me out of my blades.

    Now why blades for me? I am a traditionalist  who likes the clean smooth look on the top line,back of the face and the sole. No cavities,no fat sole or top line or weird colors. There is no sweeter felling or sound in golf than to hit a forged blade right on the screws. Do I hit all them great. Obviously not but when I don't I know exactly where I hit it on the face so I can make corrections.

    i currently am 71yrs. and play to a 9 handicap up from a 4 when I was younger. As a concession to my golfing buddies, I have bought two sets of AP2's including the current 714Model. I hit them a little higher but not any better than my blades plus the good shots didn't feel as sweet.  They spend most of the time in the garage.

    i enjoy playing in some statewide amateur events in Texas and most of the time I am in the minority with my blades. I will probably add more hybrids to my set(4iron is now longest iron) going forward, but as long as I can keep it in the single digits no game improvement clubs for me

    Jim P.

  12. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military

    Jim:  My AP2S are really starting to pay for themselves and my scores are starting to reflect the new technology.  With the 714s, the addition of a 915D and a 915h and changing my grip on my Scotty to a Matador and doing some adjustments on my 913 hybrids my game is in high gear.  Have dropped two strokes in my handicap this month.  See you are thinking about adding hybrids to you bag.  I becommend the new 18* 915h.  HOT!  I lowered the loft to 17.25 and can hit it almost as far as my 913F 14.25* and can outdrive most of the guys in my mens league off the tee and they use their drivers.  It really pops.   The only time I use my fairway (3W) is off the tee on tight fairways that are short to set up a wedge in.  Cheers, cz  

  13. Will P

    Will P

    It is safe to say, I want to be Jim P when I grow up. This guy sounds like a rock star. 71 years old, playing blades and a single digit handicap. Still hasn't gone to the hybrids!

    Keep firing at pins!!!

    Fairways and greens...

  14. Allen L

    Allen L
    Clarington, OH

    Yeah Chuck I'm with you, my MB 714's are the best set of irons I've ever had. Tried a couple sets of CB designs and while they were ok the feel of those CBs just wasn't what I liked. Guy's will often comment that they just couldn't hit those old fashioned clubs then I'll let them use the 714 for a few shots and they are always amazed at what they do with the blade. My short iron game was where I saw my biggest improvement with the 714 blades. Hope you get to scratch.
  15. Richard H

    Richard H
    Grand Prairie, TX

    I always ignore people that try to tell me blades are only for good players. I'm like you and prefer the look of a thinner topline, and smaller clubhead - major confidence boost compared to GI clubs. I also learned on blades too. However, my handicap isn't near as good as yours (hovering around 18 at the moment). I expect that to change drastically in 2014 though, and have no intention to play anything that doesn't appeal to me just because it goes against popular opinion. Glad you found something that works for you!

  16. Richard H

    Richard H
    Grand Prairie, TX

    Meant to say 2015. Lol. 

  17. NCBob

    NCBob
    Hampstead, NC

    Play what you like, like what you play.  If your not on TV Sunday afternoon, what does it really matter.  Enjoy this great game and like Jim P you can play well for a very long time.

  18. Matt B

    Matt B
    Columbus, OH

    I switched this year to the 714cb from blade irons. The only reason for me was that at my age I wanted a little more height in my long irons. I love the feedback the forged blade gives and helped to keep my swing in check during a round. The feedback from the CB irons aren't near as sharp as the mb, however after playing forged blades for so long I can still feel when I catch them a groove or two off as well as towards the heel or toe.

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