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Features
Why Rory McIlroy’s return to blade irons should make you think twice

published: Feb 27, 2026

|

updated: Mar 2, 2026

Why Rory McIlroy’s return to blade irons should make you think twice

Max McvittieLink

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Blades are supposed to be too demanding for everyday golfers. So why has Rory McIlroy gone back to them, and what can club players learn from the move?

Rory McIlroy at the Ryder Cup | Source: PGA of America

Table of Contents

Jump to:

  • Why mcilroy went back to blades
  • Why club golfers should still use blades

When Rory McIlroy makes a change to his golf bag a few people tend to take notice. But, when he recently switched to a set cavity backs the whole golf world was put on notice.

The Northern Irishman has been famed for playing a blade set of irons throughout his professional career.

Whether they were Titleist 660s he started golf journey with or the various Nike and TaylorMade offerings he has switched between, the same thing has been constant throughout; they were all blades.

But that wasn’t the case when he rocked up to the Crown Australian Open. He was seen gaming a set of TaylorMade P7CB irons.

After a T33 finish on the DP World Tour at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the 29-time PGA Tour winner switched back to his RORS PROTO muscle-backs.

Rory McIlroy at the Masters | Source: Getty Images
Rory McIlroy at the Masters | Source: Getty Images

His switch back to blades is a timely reminder that seeking extreme forgiveness isn’t always the way to go.

So, should us club golfers still game a set of blades? Let’s take a look

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    • Why McIlroy went back to blades

    At the elite level, iron play seems to be about precision over forgiveness.

    Speaking to the media ahead of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am the grand-slam champion claimed; “That experiment’s over.”

    “I felt like the cavity backs just had a little bit of a right bias in them,” he added.

    TaylorMade P7CB iron | Source: NCG
    TaylorMade P7CB iron | Source: NCG

    “So whatever way the weight of the head was or whether it was the blade length, I would hit shots – I’d make swings that I feel like I’d make with my blades that would be a very neutral ball flight, and then with the cavity backs they would just like start to tail off to the right.”

    McIlroy has seemingly prioritised comfort and control in his iron-set.

    Why club golfers should still use blades

    Blades have a reputation for being hard to use. I’ll hold my hands up and admit that I was under the belief they were the reserve of the better player and lower handicappers only.

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    But is this really the case?

    “Blade irons are not a club golfers’ enemy,” said Nicola Slater, a Ladies European Access Series player.

    “While it’s true that they are less forgiving and demand more precise ball striking, these characteristics can actually be beneficial.

    “Unlike cavity-back irons that ‘mask’ mishits, blades provide instant, honest feedback. An off-centre strike is felt, and some club golfers benefit from this because it helps them learn and improve ball-striking skills. 

    Wilson Staff Model irons | Source: Wilson
    Wilson Staff Model irons | Source: Wilson

    “So, over time using blades can help golfers develop a more controlled and confident swing, as they learn to reward proper contact rather than rely on the forgiveness of the club.”

    You may not swing the club like McIlory, but is there any harm in thinking like him?

    This season alone 10 out of the 13 winners on the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour have had blades in their bag. So, maybe, just maybe, their time might not be over just yet.

    • NOW READ: Golf Giveaways: WIN golf gear for FREE!
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    Don’t forget to check out and like our YouTube channel – YOUR GOLF NCG – where you will find lots of hints, tips and equipment reviews.

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    About the author

    Max Mcvittie

    A bit of a late bloomer to the game of golf, Max fell in love with the sport when he attended Saturday coaching sessions down at his local golf club after being inspired by friends and family members.

    Max has remained a member of Eden Golf Club in Carlisle for a number of years now as he looks to get his handicap down into single figures. Most of his golfing career has been spent battling a permanent slice off the tee, which has led to some ugly rounds.

    Having studied at the University of Sunderland, Max is starting out his dream career in sports journalism. During his time at university, he picked up valuable work experience at Reach PLC, BBC Radio Cumbria and GiveMeSport, whilst also getting work published in the Teesside Live. He also spent time working at a local weekly newspaper, Eskdale and Liddesdale Advertiser, as a general news reporter partially covering some local sport just north of the border in Langholm.

    Max has just started his journey with the NCG working as the assistant equipment editor. He looks forwarded to reviewing the latest golf equipment, taking up an interest in reviews when buying his first golf club, a Cleveland RTX wedge.

    With his bag not going under too many changes throughout the last few years, Max carries an M3 driver, Titleist GT3 Fairway Wood, M2 hybrid, a set of M2 irons, Callaway Jaws wedges and a TaylorMade Spider putter. And yes, Max is a bit of a self-proclaimed TaylorMade fan boy.