You have a lot of options when choosing your irons. Some brands provide different construction and manufacturing approaches, you can alter lengths, or choose different weights, and much more. What’s best for one golfer might not be best for you. So in addition to all of these options, you need to think about those options in the context of your game. What is your handicap? Which type of club do you need to help your game? Do you need more power and forgiveness, or do you have the skill to shape your shots each time?
From the start, the iron market can be viewed as split between blade and cavity back irons (with some variations like muscle back irons). In this article, we’ll help guide you on where to start to make this foundational decision. We’ll focus on the advantages of blade irons, the advantages of cavity back irons, and which type of club suits which type of golfer.
Blade irons are best for experienced, consistent golfers
A blade iron is a traditional-style iron. Because the club is so short and compact, the center of gravity is near the shaft. So for a shot to land where you want it, you’ll have to hit it in the center each time.
The flat club head and thin sole of blade irons are designed to give skilled players more precision in shaping their shots. These clubs tend to be lighter weight, which can increase the swing speed.
What the pro said:
“That makes it easy for a really skilled player to manipulate the club to the slightest degree and get an exact shot shape that they’re looking for,” said Rick Hatfield, TGW Pure Performance Center Master Club Fitter.
But, the advantage of the blade iron being small and easy to manipulate is the reason why it’s a challenging club style for the average golfer.
If you miss the sweet spot, the club will twist, and you’ll lose energy that could have been transferred into the ball.
Try a cavity back iron if you need more forgiveness
A cavity back iron is designed with a hollowed-out cavity on the back of the club head. The weight is distributed around the perimeter of the club head. This design helps make cavity back irons much more forgiving than blade irons. The larger club head and weight distribution help create a larger sweet spot.
Cavity-backed irons are for average golfers who want more forgiveness in exchange for less ability to manipulate their shots precisely.
What the pro said:
“This is going to be for a casual golfer who just wants to have fun and hit the ball high and straight and consistently,” Hatfield said.
They might not have consistent contact or a sub-par swing and need a club to help them compensate.
Why are cavity back irons easier to hit?
The larger sweet spot in cavity back irons make cavity back irons more forgiving for average golfers. The weight distribution gives the swing more stability, too.
Cavity-backed irons are a great choice for recreational players or those who want more forgiveness in their club.
Are blades better than cavity back irons?
Both blade and cavity back irons provide advantages depending on how they are used and by what golfer. The key is to choose an iron that suits your golf game. A blade iron won’t perform as well as a cavity back iron in the hands of a recreational golfer.
Blades are best suited for more experienced players who have consistent shots and want the extra precision they can get. A player with solid control of their swing speed and who can manipulate where they want each shot to go will have the best success with a blade iron.
“They want to be able to hit any type of shot,” Hatfield said. “They’re so skilled that they can produce the swing to do so. Most of us can’t hit the same shot twice.”
Find the best blade irons and best cavity back irons for you
Some golfers carry a mixed bag of blades and cavity back irons to suit their game and the difficulty of the course they’re playing.
Some golfers prefer the classic look of a blade iron but also want the advantages of a cavity back iron. Some clubs are in between, such as the TaylorMade Stealth iron, which is a game improvement iron with a clean, traditional appearance.
Dig in deeper and check out our golf irons buying guide. Here’s more help deciding if you want a game improvement or a player’s set of irons.
Ready for specific club recommendations?
- We conducted extensive tests to determine the best irons for low-handicap golfers.
- Here are our recommendations for irons for mid-handicap golfers.
- Finally, we have recommendations for the best irons for high-handicap golfers.
Ultimately, choosing the right iron for you depends on personal preference and what you want your club to do.
