The difference between blade irons and cavity backs – and which are right for you? | National Club Golfer

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published: Aug 9, 2022

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updated: Oct 3, 2023

Blade or cavity back irons – which should you be gaming?

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We reveal the different types of irons out there and share our favourites

TaylorMade P790 irons

So, let’s kick it off straight away: what’s the difference between cavity back and blade irons?

And are you a blade person or cavity back person?

Or maybe you don’t know what we’re talking about.

Either way, we’re here to explain which might be the best choice for you if you’re about to invest in a new set of golf irons.

After that we’ll delve into the best picks of cavities and blades to help you pick a new set of irons, whichever option you go for.

Or if you’ve still no idea what we’re talking about, sit down, grab a coffee and read on.

What are the different types of golf irons?

There are two main types of golf irons: a blade and a cavity back. There is actually a third type – muscle back irons, but it’s pretty similar to a blade in terms of build and design.

So what’s the difference between blade irons and cavity backs?

Blade irons have that traditional look; they’ve been around since the beginning of golf and are commonly known as forged clubs.

They come with a small sweet spot and aren’t very forgiving, so they’re favoured by lower handicap golfers.

Cavity back irons, on the other hand, are bulkier and more modern-looking than their blade counterpart.

And you guessed it. They’re easier to hit and are typically played by most golfers. If you’re new to the game or are a mid to high handicap golfer, you’ll get the most bang for your buck with these.

Believe it or not, blade irons were the only irons that were available until the 1980s when the first cavity back iron was introduced to the game!

Which should you be using?

Well, it depends what standard you play to more than anything.

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If you’re an average player, a cavity back would probably be best for you. They’re more affordable than blades and are the most forgiving.

But if you’re a lower handicap golfer who prefers the classic style of iron then why not give a blade a go?

Sure, they might be a little more expensive, but they look fantastic and feel amazing when you strike the ball.

Best cavity back irons

The T300 iron is the ultimate in the game improvement category. High, Far and Forgiving with the size and shape to give you the confidence to play your best golf.

Key Features:

Evolved Max Impact Technology
40% More Tungsten
Variable Face Thickness

Wilson Model CB Golf Irons

The Model CB iron has a simply stunning design aimed towards the more advanced player. Engineered to combine the best performance attributes from the popular V6 and Staff Model blade irons to create Wilson`s most advanced forged iron ever.

Exceptional performance is achieved using a precision-milled cavity back design made from a soft-forged 8620 carbon steel. This provides a beautiful soft feel that better players desire, with a more rounded cambered sole for improved turf interaction.

Key Features:

Fully Forged 8026 Carbon Steel Face
Integrated Impact Mass Area
Minimal Offset
Stunning Aesthetics
Twenty Gram High Density Tungsten Toe Weights
Excellent Feel

Cobra King Tour Golf Irons

The Cobra KING Tour MIM Golf Irons are classified as a players iron and have a profile that better players will absolutely love. It has a small cavity back, thin top line, minimal offset and is a beautiful looking club when placed behind the ball at address. When the clubs are resting in a golf bag the amount of technology used to create these clubs is clearly visible.

When struck out of the middle these irons do feel superb and Cobra’s claims of it ‘feeling softer than a forged iron’ will be agreed with by many. The ball flight produced is beautifully high and penetrating and distances are long but extremely consistent. Perhaps the most surprising element with the Tour MIM irons is how well they perform on off centre hits with only a small loss of distance on shots struck off centre. A high-density tungsten toe weight positions the CG directly behind the sweet-spot and brings a huge amount of resistance to twisting on off centre hits.

Key Features:

MIM technology applied to an iron set for the 1st time
Amazing feel at imapact
Beautiful profile at address
Excellent performance on off centre hits

Best blade irons

TaylorMade P7MB Golf Irons

The P7MB is inspired directly from the Tour for the very best players, to give surgical like precision, pure feel and shot-making control. They feature a thin topline and sole, progressive offset, narrow sole and tight leading edge for better interaction through the turf.

The faceted muscle back geometry meets the demands of the very best game. Every angle has been traditionally designed like a muscle back but with a blend of a more contemporary iron.

Forged using a soft 1025 carbon steel and 2,000-ton press to ensure a tighter, more compact grain. This structure ensures the very best consistent feel possible, providing a pure buttery feel with every iron shot.

Key Features:

Compact Grain Forging
Tour-Inspired Shaping
Machined Face and Grooves
Faceted Muscle Back Geometry

Mizuno MP-20 MMC Golf Irons

The 2nd generation of Mizuno’s multi-material concept – with a thinner topline and refined scoring irons. Based on the chassis, set flow and proportions of the MP-20 muscle-back engineered to be more playable through the use of Titanium muscle plate and Tungsten sole weight. Grain Flow Forged HD from a single billet of 1025E Pure Select Mild Carbon Steel – layered within soft Copper plating and protective Nickel Chrome for legendary feel and feedback.

Key Features:

Layers of feel
Multi-material construction
Dramatically thinner topline

Wilson Staff Model Blade Irons

The Staff Model Blade iron has a simply stunning design with a crisp top line, triple knurled hosel. Developed with the direct input of leading professional golfers like Brendan Steele, and Gary Woodland.

Exceptional performance is achieved using a precision-milled muscle back design made from a soft-forged 8620 carbon steel. This provides a beautiful soft feel that better players desire, with a more rounded cambered sole for improved turf interaction.

Key Features:

Precision Milled Muscle
Diamond Scoreline Pattern
Fluid Feel Hosel
Optimised Sole Camber

TaylorMade P790 Golf Irons

Occasionally, a golf company makes a golf club so good that it completely changes the landscape of the market, and every other company starts attempting to replicate it with their own version. This perfectly describes the TaylorMade p790. Originally released in 2017, the P790 was a completely new style of iron that would appeal to both low and mid handicap players like never before.