When Should You Switch to Blades in Golf? Key Factors to Consider
Have you considered switching to a pure buttery blade so you can make contact that looks, sounds, and feels like that of the pros?
You aren’t alone.
This is a common goal for many amateur players. However, there are times when switching to a blade could actually be a poor decision for your golf game.
We will look into what handicap golfers should be playing with blades, why it would make sense to switch, and, most importantly, if you are ready to start playing with blades.
Switching to Blades (Key Takeaways)
If you don’t have time to read through this entire article, here are the most important tips to take away about when you should switch to blades in golf.
- Make sure your golf swing is consistent enough that you hit the center of the face more often than not.
- Check your wrist position at impact and make sure it is in a flexed position as opposed to an extended position.
- Switch to blade irons when you are getting strong distance with your irons; giving up a few yards won’t hurt you.
- If your game is ready for you to start controlling the majority of your shots (fade, draw, etc.), then a blade-style iron will help.
Contents
Factors to Consider Before Switching to Blade Irons
Although it’s tempting to order a set of blades, there are some really important factors to consider before making this purchase. Blade irons will impact everything from distance to feel to ball flight.
Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
1. What do you want to improve in your full swing?
Current Distances and Desired Distances
Take a look at how far you are currently hitting your golf shots with your irons and how far you want to be hitting it with your new irons.
For the most part blade irons do not travel as far as cavity back irons. There are two reasons for this.
- The lofts are typically weaker on the blade irons to allow for more control, higher lofted shots, and precision.
- The blade irons are less forgiving; if you miss the center of the clubface, even just a little bit, the shot will not fly as far.
The bottom line is that if distance is a concern for you, it’s likely not time to switch to blades. Most players who switch to blades can hit a 7-iron at least 160 yards.
Accuracy
Blade irons are highly accurate and workable with a solid strike. However, if you don’t strike the ball all that solid, there is a good chance your iron shot is going to end up in trouble.
If you take your current forgiving cavity back or players’ distance irons and aim at a target 150 yards away. How many times out of 10 can you hit the green?
If it’s only two or four times out of ten, you can’t expect to be more accurate with a blade iron in play. Expect that your accuracy will decrease when you switch to blades.
Impact Position
Take a close look at your impact position.
We know from studying more than 1,000,000 swings with the HackMotion that the lead wrist must be in a flexed position at impact to hit consistent and solid golf shots.
For golfers who are not able to get to this impact position, blades are not going to make the game easier.
Wear the HackMotion and look for a very specific pattern. The pattern will include:
- No increase in lead wrist extension from setup to the top of the backswing.
- A decrease in extension from the top down to the ball.
- A flexed lead wrist at impact.
Continuing to work on this pattern and narrowing down that impact position will help you get into a set of blades sooner rather than later.
Handicap and Playing Goals
Typically, lower handicap golfers switch to blade irons. In the past, we may have said that golfers with less than a 10 handicap would benefit from blades.
However, this is changing.
There have been so many new advancements in technology, especially in the players’ distance irons, that there may be less of a need for those in the 5 to 10 handicap range to make the switch to blades. These players get more distance, a bit more forgiveness, and great feel without having to switch.
Once golfers get below the 5 handicap mark, the blade starts to make more sense.
There are still plenty of scratch golfers who are able to recognize their weaknesses and decide that blade irons are not for their game.
Budget
The higher your budget, the easier it is to afford blades. Blade irons are typically more money because of the manufacturing process that they go through. There are fewer options to choose from, and pricing is higher.
To get a great set of blade irons, you are likely looking at $1000 or more. If that’s not in your budget, you’ll have to find something that fits it a bit better.
1. What do you want to improve in your full swing?
What Handicap Golfer Should Be Using Blades?
The lower the handicap, the more sense it makes to switch to blade irons.
As a scratch golfer, or plus handicap, the blade irons can make a lot of sense because of their accuracy and consistency.
However, you will have to put a little more time into the driving range to play great golf with the blades. It takes more precision to hit blades.
Working on ball striking drills and getting the wrist angles correct at impact should be your goals if you want to become a blade golfer.
What are the Advantages of Blade Irons?
We have discussed why you should be cautious about blade irons in some situations, but there is a long list of advantages for golfers who do make the switch to blade irons.
Most players who put the time in to perfect their impact positions start playing blades, but they have a hard time going back to any other iron type.
- Superior feedback: With blade irons you feel exactly where the ball contacts the clubface making it easier to make adjustments and gain control over the trajectory.
- Workability: If you want to hit a little draw or a fade into a pin, the blade iron is a perfect answer for it, many game improvement style irons actually prevent you from hitting these types of shots, the blade is built for it.
- Compact clubhead size: The clubhead is both more compact and has a thinner topline. The look is clean and classic and appeals to golf purists.
- Consistent distance control: With the design and weighting of the blade irons, you’ll have better distance control, especially with the short irons.
- Cleaner contact: Great golfers believe that the design of the blade offers better turf interaction making it easier to strike shots pure.
- Aesthetic appeal: Regardless of your current handicap index, you have probably seen a set of blades that have appealed to you; these clubs look great if you have enough confidence to handle them.
- Learn the hard way: There’s a lot to be said for forgiving equipment that has your back, but if you want to dive right into the way golf really is, blades will help you do it.
Drills to Hit Blade Irons Well
If you are determined to get blade irons and keep them in the bag, here are a few drills you can use to improve your ball striking with the blades.
Motorcycle Drill
This drill will help you feel moving from extension to flexion at the top of the backswing. If you can learn this movement, your impact position will be more consistent and reliable.
Towel Drill
This video contains three drills that should help you strike irons consistently in the center of the face.
Having a few drills to rotate between will help make practice more interesting.
Consistency Drills
To get better at ball striking, it’s important to work on consistency in your irons. You’ll need that with blades.
FAQs
Why switch to blade irons in golf?
The most common reason to switch to blade irons is for precision. For golfers who want to hit a draw, fade, or just control the flight of the golf ball, blades are the best choice.
Will playing blades make me a better golfer?
Playing blades will force you to hit the center of the clubface to get a solid and straight hit. If you put time into working on this, it can lead to you becoming a better ball striker.
Are blades actually harder to hit?
Blades are harder to hit because they have a smaller sweet spot and the weight distribution makes them more responsive and not as forgiving.
Are blades better than cavity backs?
Blades have better feedback and control than the cavity back irons. Many golfers also appreciate the top down look of the blade irons more so than the cavity backs. It is thinner and cleaner looking.
Why are blades more expensive?
Blade irons are more expensive because of the manufacturing process. It is a longer process with higher quality materials needed. Many of the irons are even hand-forged.
Final Thoughts
Switching to blades is a big step. It’s different than changing from one cavity back iron to another.
If you are considering switching to blades, first spend some time working on your ball striking using HackMotion. If you can get into the range that you feel comfortable with and you are seeing consistency, start to test some blade irons.
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