Does anyone still play a blade 3 iron?

[nikegolfer93]

I'm currently gaming a set of MP-32 (3-PW) and I'm wondering if there are still players out there gaming a blade 3 iron. I've been eyeing replacements (such as the p770) but at the same time, the MP-32 3iron has been a very trusty club over the years. 

[Kmagnuss]

I bring it out from time to time (MP33 - 3i), quickly remember why it wasn't in the bag to begin with, then take it out until I forget I can't hit it (usually about 3 months), rinse and repeat.

[Abh159]

Yes. I've had a 3 iron in the bag for close to 15 years now (and I've always played blades).

 

It works for me so  I don't plan on getting rid of it anytime soon.

[NRJyzr]

MP37 or Golden Ram TW276 are in the bag, depending on which of those sets I play.

 

Have also occasionally played my TW282 Rams, and carry the 3i with that set (2 iron also, which is at 19* loft)

 

[b.mattay]

I'm not good enough to play a blade lob wedge, let alone 3 iron 😂

[RolandofGilead]

1999 Hogan Apex blades here. I play the 3i at 21.5 degrees full time and rotate between the 18* blade 2i and a hybrid on top of that. 

[MountainKing]

You'll be hard presed to find a tour player bagging one, which generally means I sure as heck have no business playing one.  

[tatertot]

I took out my 1-iron the other day, an FG-17 ... first shot was everything I remembered about a blade. Buttery feel, soft 200 yard draw.

 

Next 5 were the reasons I don't play blades anymore.

[Singletrack1]

I initially read this as "Does anyone still blade a 3 iron? " 🤣

 

Was thinking - yep most of us still see that shot from time to time.

[NRJyzr]

1 hour ago, MountainKing said:

You'll be hard presed to find a tour player bagging one, which generally means I sure as heck have no business playing one.  

 

I don't play courses that are set up in Tour conditions, with Tour-level green firmness.

 

[putterboy75]

I do - I recently put a set of Titleist 620MB's in the bag for this season and the set has a 3i (thankfully)

I just bought a Shot Scope to track my rounds so it will be interesting to see if it actually has any value. I have a feeling my shots with it aren't nearly as good as I think....there's a reason the best ball strikers on tour go towards the hybrids, they know the statistics.

[SmashGolfBall]

I do - only for yard work.

[Ger21]

Stopped hitting mine at 56 years old. Stopped hitting it good when I was 50.

[chisag]

1 hour ago, NRJyzr said:

 

I don't play courses that are set up in Tour conditions, with Tour-level green firmness.

 

 

 

... Many bags have 3 and even 4 irons that are more forgiving than MB's and more often than not for hitting off the tee as well as an approach shot. 

[Nard_S]

Yeah, it gets 3 or 4 tee shots a round, also use #5W. Conditions dictate choice between either. Dogleg or upwind, #3i, wet & soft  downwind #5W. The two cover a nice gap of 35 yards that's near interchangeable.For accuracy iron wins all day.And no I don't carry the water hazard from 220 out as everybody here seems to do.

[kevinmdowney]

11 hours ago, greenfieldgolfer said:

I'm currently gaming a set of MP-32 (3-PW) and I'm wondering if there are still players out there gaming a blade 3 iron. I've been eyeing replacements (such as the p770) but at the same time, the MP-32 3iron has been a very trusty club over the years. 

My new set will be 24 degree 4 iron, which is the old 3 iron standard.

 

Then 20-21 degree (old 2 iron) is a utility.

 

So no, but yes.

[BagofToast]

I have up until a few months ago (P730) switched in favor of the PXG 0311 X. Put it back in the bag again from time to time and still like it but tell myself not to keep it in 😆

 

2 hours ago, kevinmdowney said:

My new set will be 24 degree 4 iron, which is the old 3 iron standard.

 

Then 20-21 degree (old 2 iron) is a utility.

 

So no, but yes.

lol loft police 

[Ger21]

12 hours ago, kevinmdowney said:

My new set will be 24 degree 4 iron, which is the old 3 iron standard.

3 irons have been 21° for 20+ years now. I had a set of Golfsmith Pro Forged blades from 2001, that had a 21° 3 iron, with a 49° PW. I still have the 18° 2 iron.

[NRJyzr]

54 minutes ago, Ger21 said:

3 irons have been 21° for 20+ years now. I had a set of Golfsmith Pro Forged blades from 2001, that had a 21° 3 iron, with a 49° PW. I still have the 18° 2 iron.

 

If we're being technically correct, before that, they were 24* (sometimes 23*) for over 40 years.  <shrug>

 

Ultimately, there is no club number.  There is only loft.

(apologies for Ghostbusters-ish or Matrix-ish comment)

 

Edited June 9, 2022 by NRJyzr

[Tree Levino]

Contrary to popular belief, I don't believe they are in any way hard to hit (i.e. make great contact with) if you have a decent golf swing. I think the issue is two-fold in that (1) they just don't have the tech in that loft to give the necessary ball speed to give yourself a nice yardage gap to your fairway wood(s) and (2) they spin a lot while launching low meaning they are going to curve easily and often while again having a distance draw back. Simply put - high, straight, and far in those lofts beats workability most every time. Can and would happily hit one but the reason you don't see them in tour bags, despite the skill being there to middle them, is that they will spin up and bunch up with other irons. I remember watching the US open a few years ago at Winged foot and seeing the guys who played bladed 3 irons struggle mightily on the 3rd hole par 3 that was around 240 yards compared to the guys hitting hybrids and utilities and thinking to myself "yeah, never". 

[NRJyzr]

25 minutes ago, TigerInTheWoods said:

Contrary to popular belief, I don't believe they are in any way hard to hit (i.e. make great contact with) if you have a decent golf swing. I think the issue is two-fold in that (1) they just don't have the tech in that loft to give the necessary ball speed to give yourself a nice yardage gap to your fairway wood(s) and (2) they spin a lot while launching low meaning they are going to curve easily and often while again having a distance draw back. Simply put - high, straight, and far in those lofts beats workability most every time. Can and would happily hit one but the reason you don't see them in tour bags, despite the skill being there to middle them, is that they will spin up and bunch up with other irons. I remember watching the US open a few years ago at Winged foot and seeing the guys who played bladed 3 irons struggle mightily on the 3rd hole par 3 that was around 240 yards compared to the guys hitting hybrids and utilities and thinking to myself "yeah, never". 

 

Did you see the video recently posted here, "Graphite vs steel iron shafts for the super fast"?  Seems applicable

 

[Nard_S]

4 hours ago, TigerInTheWoods said:

(2) they spin a lot while launching low meaning they are going to curve easily and often while again having a distance draw back. Simply put - high, straight, and far in those lofts beats workability most every time.

Agree on sentiment but on dogleg tee shots the #3i and it's spin is an asset to cut the yardage off approach. I use it as default on two precisely for that. It can mean 30 yards of approach has been conquered.

 

On an into the wind 210 par 3, OB & bunkers left, water right, false front too. The #3i wins with lower launch & railed window. Worse I do is bunker or short. OB left & right is off table and wind cannot touch ball direction.

 

At sub 25*, options on launch window & spin is a real plus, I use #5W, others, hybrids.

[ChipNRun]

Tiger does: The P7TW 3i with DG Tour Issue X100 shafts.

 

Tweet him and see if he has a spare.

[kayashimz]

I'm currently using my 690MB 3 iron, but switching to a stronger lofted U505 4i soon. I need the extra forgiveness and confidence

[raspymcnasty]

for those that do use a 3i, what else is in your top bag? do you prefer 2 wedges or 3?

[Pepperturbo]

Old thread, and ole school player, played 620MB 3i-PW from introduction until last August.  I was still hitting them well, it was just time to set them aside, NO, thanks to age.  I still love and hit long irons high enough to stop them on running greens.

 

Now my bag has a TSR2 10' Driver, TSR2 15' 3wd, and T200 17' 2 iron, new T100 3i-PW, 52' and 58' and putter. 

[NRJyzr]

1 hour ago, raspymcnasty said:

for those that do use a 3i, what else is in your top bag? do you prefer 2 wedges or 3?

 

Currently, I'm carrying 2-PW, a 56* SW, a 17* hybrid, and a 3w.

 

The caveat...  I'm playing a 1983 iron set (Golden Rams); my 2 iron is 20*, and my PW is 50*.  That may differ from other 3i players in this thread.

 

Ultimately, it's loft that matters, not club number.

 

Edited October 11, 2023 by NRJyzr

[Phabs]

2 hours ago, raspymcnasty said:

for those that do use a 3i, what else is in your top bag? do you prefer 2 wedges or 3?

Have a Nike blade 3 iron with a lagp graphite i use as a driving iron for the set , then 3w set to 16* and driver.  I carry 50/54/58 wedges 

[boggyman]

Wilson Staff FG 17s 3-Pw. 3 is 23* 

[boggyman]

3 hours ago, raspymcnasty said:

for those that do use a 3i, what else is in your top bag? do you prefer 2 wedges or 3?

14* 3 wood, and an 18.5* 5 wood. PW is 50* so a 56/60 after it. Lot of times just the 56. PW is a weapon for me.