Most of my work centers around simplifying the game for the average mid and high-handicapper golfer.

However, today I change course and focus on superior golfers.

Today, I unveil my top 10 best blade irons for optimal workability, turf interaction, and control around the golf course.

Let’s get straight into the list.

1. TaylorMade P790 (Best for Forgiveness)

Pros

• Forgiving for blade irons
• Dampens vibrations
• Increase low clubface flex for consistent ball speed
• Enhanced sweet spot
• High launching long irons

Cons

• Expensive
• Superior golfers may find the game improvement technology limits playability

Forgiveness is not a feature commonly associated with blades, but I have to say TaylorMade changed my opinion. The P790 are forgiving blade irons, but expectation management is essential because you cannot expect the leniency of cavity back irons.

Despite the traditional, compact profile of the blades, the P790 contains ample technology to produce consistent ball speed, spin, C.O.R, and M.O.I on all shots. Starting with its low profile tungsten weighting that prompts high flight in the long irons for consistent carry distance.

In addition, the engineers included the famed Thru Slot Speed Pocket, which boosts face flexibility to provide consistent speed on strikes low off the clubface. Plus, Inverted Cone Technology (I.C.T) expands the sweet spot for rapid zip and controlled spin on mishits.

Lastly, I found the Speedfoam Air feature highly effective in dampening vibrations and ensuring a soft touch on all shots. Overall, the TaylorMade P790 irons are a suitable package for mid or low handicappers tempted to switch from game improvement to players’ clubs.

2. PXG 0211 ST (Best for Golfers on a Budget)

Pros

• Affordable for blade irons
• Moderately forgiving
• Durable, tight grain structure
• Easy to control the clubface through impact
• Soft feel and feedback

Cons

• The large PXG logo on the muscle back is off-putting, but they need to put it somewhere
• The high MOI reduced the curve on my draws and fades

The PXG 0211 ST range is the best blade irons for golfers on a budget. Now, PXG does offer more affordable golf clubs. But, they do not deliver the workability, control, and consistency of the 0211 ST range. These irons are suitable for mid or low handicappers looking to switchblades.

Parson Xtreme Golf put these irons through a triple forging process to boost durability and soften the feel of each shot. The long-lasting grain structure encourages optimal spin and speed on all shots for improved results.

They may not provide the forgiveness of game improvement irons, but you’ll enjoy more than is offered by other blades. PXG engineers redistributed mass across the clubhead, creating perimeter weighting for stability, a square clubface, and consistent spin.

Contrary to the high moment of inertia (MOI) throughout the clubhead, PXG lowered it above the shaft axis. You’ll find that this boosts your ability to control the clubface through access, enabling you to launch a draw or fade.

3. Callaway Rogue ST Pro (Best for Explosive Ball Speed)

Pros

• Encourages accelerated ball speed
• Maintains ball speed on off-center strikes
• Soft feel and feedback
• Promotes consistent spin
• Enhanced C.O.R

Cons

• Expensive
• The tungsten weight at the back detracts from the appearance of a traditional blade

The Rogue ST Pro forms part of the latest irons series from Callaway designed to deliver explosive ball velocity and a soft touch to superior golfers. I found that it produced the fastest ball pace of all these irons, making them the best blades for the cause.

Callaway engineers leveraged innovative technology to construct a high-strength 450 A.I. Designed Flash Face Cup. The technology boosts ball speed and ensures consistency on all strikes for improved results.

They roped in A.I. for a second run at optimizing the face to produce spin consistency and elevate the coefficient of restitution (C.O.R). As a result, the clubface increases the energy transfer to the ball at contact for rapid speed, controlled spin, and an optimal launch.

The final feature you’ll notice is the Patented Urethane Microspheres. Although you cannot see the Microspheres, they drown out vibrations and promote soft feedback. In addition, they amplify acoustics for a crisp sound on strikes out of the sweet spot.

4. Wilson Staff Model (Best for Clean Turf Interaction)

Pros

• Consistent ball speed on off-center hits
• Optimal turf interaction
• Generates controlled spin on flushed strikes
• Promotes maximum playability
• Clean look at address

Cons

• Expensive
• I did experience a challenge with glare

Wilson has long crafted golf clubs and balls for the average golfer, but they are changing that narrative. The Wilson Staff Model irons feature the clean-cut look of a traditional blade with game improvement technology for clean turf interaction, forgiveness, and consistent spin and distance.

Off the bat, the precision-milled muscle back iron design appealed to the traditionalist in me, but I was unsure about the longer blade. I quickly realized the added length was necessary to install the modern features for consistent iron shots.

The Diamond Scoreline Pattern layout appears across the clubface, helping you generate adequate spin and speed at impact. You’ll notice that this allows consistent flight through the bag, including high launch shots with your long irons and piercing trajectory with a pitching wedge.

Lastly, the Optimized Sole Camber stood out as a core ingredient in the Staff’s success. The rounded sole radius helped the clubface cut through rough and fairway to reach my ball unhindered.

5. Callaway Apex MB (Best for Traditionalists)

Pros

• Classic shape and design
• Optimized ball speed
• Delivers consistent spin
• Produces controlled ball flight
• Enables maximum workability

Cons

• Expensive
• The lower launch may lead to inconsistent carry distance with long irons

Golf club manufacturers are evolving to include game improvement technology in players’ irons to provide greater consistency. While this benefits more golfers, it removes the clean, simple blade profile. The Callaway Apex MB irons understand this and have maintained the traditional look where possible.

Besides their tour shaping and classic style, the Apex MB irons help the average golfer produce optimal launch and spin from anywhere on the golf course. High-Performance 20V grooves boost control, ball speed, and spin for optimal launch, flight, and roll.

In addition, you’ll notice that the irons contain CG weighting behind the center of the clubface for a controlled launch. Therefore, you produce piercing flight, enabling great playability on approach. The only downside is that the weight is an eye sore.

6. Mizuno Pro 225 (Best for a Soft Feel)

Pros

• Buttery soft feel
• High launching long irons
• Boosts energy transfer at contact
• Glare resistant
• Clean turf interaction

Cons

• Minimal forgiveness
• Reduced workability compared to previous Mizuno players’ irons

The team from Hiroshima continues to grace us with exceptional feeling golf clubs, fit for the best players on earth. The Mizuno Pro 225 claimed the title for the softest feel in our 2022 blades challenge, thanks to a Grain Flow Forged 4135 Chromoly construction.

The Chromoly construction creates a soft feel and bolsters the strength of the golf club for greater longevity. A Copper Underlay adds to the buttery feel of each strike, which the engineers say produces an incremental, soft touch at impact.

Furthermore, a Hollow Body C.O.R Construction increases energy transfer at impact and enhances MOI. As a result, you produce consistent ball speed and spin and maintain a square clubface at contact.

Finally, Mizuno equipped the long and mid irons in the set with additional low and deep tungsten weights. You’ll notice that this design encourages higher shots with your longer irons for consistent carry distance.

Conversely, the short irons and wedges forego tungsten to deliver piercing flight, maximum spin, and drop and stop control. Lastly, the Pro 225 irons possess a satin brush finish to reduce glare at address for greater comfort.

7. Ping Blueprint (Best for Workability)

Pros

• Optimizes workability
• Semi-forgiving long irons
• Clean turf interaction
• Exceptional speed and spin off the machined grooves
• Sheds moisture from the clubface

Cons

• Premium price
• Zero forgiveness in the short irons and wedges

I first saw the Blueprint irons when my compatriot Louis Oosthuizen started carrying them, and I can see why. These irons enable advanced workability to help you shape your golf ball around the links. The long irons launch high, while short irons and wedges encourage controlled flight for maximum shot-stopping power.

Ping forged the Blueprint irons from 8620 Carbon Steel to create a clean, compact muscle back design, fit for the game’s best. These features combine to set the platform for improved playability. Besides the compact clubface and short blade, these irons feature a narrow sole for limited turf interaction.

Furthermore, I found that the Ping machined face and grooves worked flawlessly to generate enhanced pace and spin out of the sweet spot. In addition, you’ll notice a tungsten toe weight in the long and mid irons to encourage a square clubface at contact for elevated accuracy and ball speed.

Finally, Ping addressed the effects of moisture on your clubface in wet conditions by employing a Hydropeal 2.0 finish. It helps remove moisture from the path of the clubface to ensure a clean strike at contact.

8. Titleist 620 CB (Best For Minimal Offset)

Pros

• Minimal offset
• Maximum workability
• Clean turf interaction
• High MOI long irons
• Compact playable short irons

Cons

• The cavity back construction may deter traditionalists
• Premium price tag

Our penultimate blade irons for 2022 feature the least offset design of the Titleist 620 CB. These are not traditional blades because they contain a minor cavity back, but they promote exceptional playability through the set for increased control on approach.

The reduced offset and thin topline provide a pleasant sight at address, and it enables advanced shot shaping. I found the 620 CB put me in the driver’s seat, helping me to fade and draw the ball for superior distance control and accuracy. However, mishits led to catastrophic results.

You’ll notice that the set offers progressive blade lengths, ranging from larger long irons to compact, playable, short irons. The 3 and 4-irons are co-forged with tungsten to boost the MOI and stability of these clubs. As a result, it encourages straight, high shots.

The last feature worth mentioning is Titleist 620 CB tour refined sole that delivers crisp turf interaction, clearing obstructions into impact.

9. Srixon Z-Forged (Best Address Profile)

Pros

• Slim address profile
• Simple, traditional muscle back profile
• Moderately affordable for blades
• Encourages clean strikes from the fairway and rough
• Buttery soft feel

Cons

• Zero forgiveness
• The Srixon logo detracts from the appealing simple look, but that is a personal dislike

Superior players often seek irons that provide a clean, attractive appearance at address for added confidence. I found that the Srixon Z-Forged thrived in this department and earned my pick for its turf interaction, workability, and classic muscle back design.

Traditionalists will approve of the muscle-back construction with a thin address profile, which looks clean behind the golf ball at address. In addition, you’ll welcome the Tour V.T. sole, which limits turf interaction to produce a clean ball strike.

Furthermore, I noticed that the slim profile of these irons made it easy to work the ball from the fairway and rough, enhancing my control.

Finally, I appreciated the buttery-soft feel produced by the Z-Forged irons, which felt the way a players iron should. The enhanced feel stems from the forging of a single billet of soft 1020 carbon steel.

10. TaylorMade P7MB (Best for Control)

Pros

• Produces piercing ball flight for greater control
• Maximum workability
• Moderate spin
• Clean appearance at address
• Encourages maximum launch

Cons

• Expensive
• Zero forgiveness on off-center hits

The TaylorMade P7MB combines classic muscle-back geometry with a contemporary face to offer exceptional control, power, and turf interaction through the bag. These modern blade irons possess a pure buttery touch for enhanced feedback on strikes out of the sweet spot.

I noticed that the thin top line of the clubface provided a clean appearance at address, which was enhanced by minimal offset. The lack of offset assistance allowed me to induce a draw or fade when required for greater control on the golf course.

Furthermore, you’ll notice these blades carry a thin sole, which glides across the turf, prompting consistent speed and power into impact. I also enjoyed the optimized grain structure on these irons and delivered optimal ball speed and spin on shots out of the middle.

Finally, the engineers precisely located the center of gravity (CG) in each iron for the ideal launch angle, spin control, and ball speed on approach and around the green.

Link to buy on PGA Tour Superstore

FAQs

Do blade irons make you better?

No, blade irons do not make you better. You must be a consistent ball striker, willing to sacrifice forgiveness before adding blades to your bag. Basically, low handicappers and professionals are the only golfers who have business with blades.

Do blade irons go further?

No, blade irons do not go further for most golfers. That is because they offer limited forgiveness on off-center strikes, resulting in a loss of ball speed, C.O.R, and distance. The average golfer will hit game-improvement irons consistently further than blades.

Are blades harder to hit than cavity backs?

Yes, blades are far harder to hit than cavity backs because they contain a concentrated sweet spot in the center of the clubface. Any strikes out of this zone reduce ball speed, increase spin and produce shorter, inaccurate shots.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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