Average distance loss playing blade

[hypergolf]

I noticed there is average of 1/2 to 1 club distance loss from 3-6 irons for MBs.

 

7-PW no problem. Same as forged cavity back irons.

 

Is this common. There is 1* difference between MBs and CBs but distance loss seems a bit much.

 

Can someone explain? Thanks.

Edited December 26, 2020 by hypergolf

[alpineto]

I'd agree with what you've posted , blades definitely less forgiving , based on design alone 
 

cavity backs will have more perimeter weighting , I play Bridgestone blades and have had no issues 

with distance loss but I'm used to my clubs I also play blades from 5 iron up just silly not to use hybrids in the 3 &4 irons .

[bevans0222]

For me, it's mostly about the difference in loft.  MB's are generally higher lofts, and that impacts distance a lot.  

[Shupe]

I would never look at it as losing distance with blades.  You gain distance with other hotter faced clubs with less loft.

[rawbuffalo]

Just recently switched to VR pro blades from Mizuno mp54s and have actually gained a little distance in the long irons

[Nard_S]

Loft for loft......um...no.

[BogeyParBogey]

It depends if you can hit center or not.  I have a set of MP4s that I do not actively game, but mishits with longer irons will result in considerable ball speed loss and consequently lose distance.

 

Dave

[hypergolf]

So I noticed why this is happening. Might be an obvious answer.

 

With MB long irons, I really need to give 100% focus, whereas CB long irons I could just swing away say with 80% focus and let my normal golf swing muscle memory take control.

 

Perhaps it is because it is first time I am using blades.

 

With 100% focus on every shot, my distance came back to normal with long irons despite weaker loft. I do hope I can go into auto pilot mode with blades eventually.

Edited December 27, 2020 by hypergolf

[kiwihacker]

The only two blade sets I've played are MP33s and MP32s. The MP33s were 1° weaker than my normal cavity back gamers and the 32s lofts were identical. On normal/good strikes no loss of distance whatsoever with these blade irons versus my cavity back irons. 

[braincramp52]

Loft for loft I have never really noticed a MB losing more yardage than a CB. As someone else said the difference in distance loss increases as you go to longer irons.

[Bubbtubbs]

Are you talking loft for loft or on mishits?

 

I find I lose about 3-5 yards on a strike that's more towards the toe or higher than the first couple grooves with 23.5° 3i.

[MtlJeff]

Same loft you shouldn't expect much distance loss unless you have noticeably different trajectories. IE i could see someone struggling to elevate blades in the 3-4-5 irons and that could cause distance loss vs a GI

 

However if you don't have these issues you should hit them the same length. 

 

The "longest" i've ever hit irons was actually a quasi-blade (S59). I once hit the 3 iron 251yds carry into a trackman, that's the longest i have ever hit an iron that was measured

[NRJyzr]

Something I had found when playing Mizuno MS-11s about 12-14 years ago...

 

I was at my peak for distance around that time.  Found by accident how much spin was killing my distance when I put a lower spin, firmer ball in play.  My long and mid irons saw a club and a half distance jump.  The distance increase disappeared when I switched away from that ball (it was discontinued).

 

That spin was one reason I played Eye2+ for a year, they spun 1200 rpm less than the MS-11s at the 6 iron, which also gave me a distance bump.

 

No idea if this could be what you're seeing, but it could be in play.  <shrug>

 

Side note: I've found other blades in my possession that don't have the same spin issues as that set of Mizunos, including the MP-37s.

 

[Drivingrangehero]

14 hours ago, Nard_S said:

Loft for loft......um...no.

Same.

My blades were 1 club different in number, but loft progression was the same 

blade 6 iron = “players distance” 7iron

 

I hit my blade 6 iron 2 yards longer than my “players Distance” 7 iron which were both the same loft..... only difference was the shaft lengths 1/2”

 

miss hits were a different story. My miss is thin, and there was little loss in the “players distance” compared to the blades, which was significant. 
 

 

[cgasucks]

Loss of distance in the longer irons (doesn't matter if it's a blade, or a CB) account for either one of 2 things or a combination of them.

 

Off center strikes

Clubhead Speed

 

If you are losing distance in the longer irons despite yet make solid, centered contact, then you are losing clubhead speed and might consider using a fairway wood or hybrid to replace them.

 

 

[puttingmatt]

1 hour ago, cgasucks said:

Loss of distance in the longer irons (doesn't matter if it's a blade, or a CB) account for either one of 2 things or a combination of them.

 

Off center strikes

Clubhead Speed

 

If you are losing distance in the longer irons despite yet make solid, centered contact, then you are losing clubhead speed and might consider using a fairway wood or hybrid to replace them.

 

 

This is spot on, get to a monitor to verify.

You may have options , adjust loft stronger, keep in mind changes in the bounce of the iron, and spin rate can effect distance and playability.

[Tree Levino]

Ball speed is the same for me loft for loft between a blade and a CB. Higher launch and lower spin are why you see pros putting more “helpful” long irons in the bag. 
 

You also need to get used to not trying to murder your irons. I’m learning how to efficiently use my weight to get distance and not pulling on the handle so much is making me much quicker and more efficient. Can pretty easily swing 4i at 110 now with good sequencing. 

[GolfChannel]

I will say for me this is where the “bay” vs. “course” has me contemplating toying with loft. In the bay I hit my numbers as I expect. On the course I tend to get a ball which spins a fair too much. Finding a ball that works as well with my irons as with my driver has been a conundrum.

 

Given my lack of land angle issues I have contemplated strengthening the lofts to bring the flight and spin down for the real world.

[ChipNRun]

It depends in part on clubhead speed, and the head design.

 

Twelve years ago I was swapping out irons, going from S to back to R flex throughout the bag.

 

Some people suggested I try G10 and second-wave Big Bertha irons. These were SGI, but also had high launch shafts. From 7i through wedge pretty well popped up in the air.

 

Likewise, I hit some Callaway X20 irons with mid-launch, heavier Uniflex shafts. These flew a "club+" longer than the G10 or BB short irons, flying fairly high but not ballooning.

 

So, someone with high swing speed and {blades + aggressive shaft} might get longer distance because they don't balloon the ball.

 

Someone with lower clubhead speed would definitely lose distance in 3i-6i or so with blades. Find what works and go with it!

Edited December 28, 2020 by ChipNRun

[revanant]

Generally, I assume I will lose a club length on a miss, and as much as 2 clubs on a very poor strike.  
 

If I have a green with a hazard within 20 yards short of target, I'll take an extra club and swing a little easier to take the pressure off. 
 

For what it's worth, I thought this video from Mark Crossfield was interesting and on point. He basically put the Callaway Mavrik up against an old top-flite blade to measure distance loss/forgiveness on a launch monitor. 
 

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nnIR2oCRWYM

[Tree Levino]

12 hours ago, GolfChannel said:

I will say for me this is where the “bay” vs. “course” has me contemplating toying with loft. In the bay I hit my numbers as I expect. On the course I tend to get a ball which spins a fair too much. Finding a ball that works as well with my irons as with my driver has been a conundrum.

 

Given my lack of land angle issues I have contemplated strengthening the lofts to bring the flight and spin down for the real world.

 

Left dash Pro V1X is a unicorn. Still spins like crazy off wedges but is low spin off long clubs. 

[GolfChannel]

2 hours ago, TigerInTheWoods said:

 

Left dash Pro V1X is a unicorn. Still spins like crazy off wedges but is low spin off long clubs. 

That’s been my gamer the last 2 months. Spin still a little high which is why I figured strengthening the lofts 1 degree would help just enough since I have the heights and land angle to burn.

[SylvesterLundgren]

On 12/27/2020 at 4:18 AM, hypergolf said:

So I noticed why this is happening. Might be an obvious answer.

 

With MB long irons, I really need to give 100% focus, whereas CB long irons I could just swing away say with 80% focus and let my normal golf swing muscle memory take control.

 

Perhaps it is because it is first time I am using blades.

 

With 100% focus on every shot, my distance came back to normal with long irons despite weaker loft. I do hope I can go into auto pilot mode with blades eventually.

Honestly this. Cause I was thinking to myself that “I wonder how much commitment is behind your mis-hit”  

[Nard_S]

Big issue with longer irons of any type is swinging full with them. Ideal is like an aggressive #7i with same attack angle. It gets easy to approach a long iron like it's a fairway or hybrid, which is wrong.The other mistake is trying to steer the ball which is also as bad. Another factor is when I ask myself, 'do  I practice with them as much as others?', the answer is unequivocally, no.

[jafstar]

No distance loss with blades. 

Edited December 30, 2020 by jafstar

[Makuakane_Bear]

No distance loss with blades for me. My swing speed has increased though and if anything I am hitting it further because of that. For what it is worth regarding distance, distance control does seem a bit easier with blades. I get out what I put in. Someone smarter maybe able to comment but my spin numbers are also a bit higher and IMO optimal. Holding greens with all my clubs (4-P) has been a lot easier since making the transition. 

That all being said, mishits with blades do come up shorter than my previous CB irons; however, that is all me and my swing. In summary, good shots are better- bad shots are REALLY short. Either way, I am having the most fun playing with blades so they are staying in the bag.

[Chip2win]

I've been playing golf for 40 years and have had lots of sets of blades and "players cavity" irons.  There is ABSOLUTLEY distance loss.  I would say one full club...half from weaker loft and half from less lively impact.  Blades do give you more consistent distance, but it's also consistently less.

[bogeyblues20]

On 12/26/2020 at 8:35 PM, Shupe said:

I would never look at it as losing distance with blades.  You gain distance with other hotter faced clubs with less loft.

Exactly!  If you hit a traditional lofted blade such as a Wilson Staff FG51 or Hogan Apex you'll be at least a club or two shorter compared to today's modern lofts (SIM, Maverick, etc).  

[Skhacker]

Never lost any distance playing blades. Gained consistency when it comes to yardage. I have played GI clubs and “gained” distance, but found it was due to stronger lofts, lower cg and longer shafts and was harder to control flights, spin and distance.  I’ve gone back to blades exclusively because of this. 

[A.Princey]

On 12/27/2020 at 3:18 AM, hypergolf said:

So I noticed why this is happening. Might be an obvious answer.

 

With MB long irons, I really need to give 100% focus, whereas CB long irons I could just swing away say with 80% focus and let my normal golf swing muscle memory take control.

 

Perhaps it is because it is first time I am using blades.

 

With 100% focus on every shot, my distance came back to normal with long irons despite weaker loft. I do hope I can go into auto pilot mode with blades eventually.

For THIS exact reason here, I choose the most automatic/"auto-pilot" type clubs I can stand to look at. Score card is where it counts!