Maybe I’m Kidding Myself WRT Forged v Cast When It Comes to Floating Face or Hollow Irons…

Middler · August 24, 2022

When it comes to feel alone.

As I consider options to replace my irons this Fall, I wonder if my firm position on forged v cast still applies. No one will ever convince me there’s no difference between a solid one piece grain flow forged and a one piece cast club (no slots or hollow) even if they were the exact same shape/geometry. Cast muscle backs would exist if there was no difference (yes, I know there have been cast musclebacks, almost no one bought them).

But with floating faces like the JPX923 Forged or the hollow Mizuno Pro 225’s, it’s hard even for me to believe forged makes much difference when the face is as thin as CT and metallurgy will allow. I love my JPX900F’s but they don’t feel as good as a one piece forged iron on the sweet spot as much as I’d like to think they do. And I tried out the 225’s, and they didn’t feel any better or worse than my 900F’s.

So maybe I’m going to have to seriously consider some cast models like the 923HMP’s, along with 923F’s this Fall. Some us us are slow learners…

GolfSpy SAM · August 24, 2022

Would you consider something along the lines of the Miz 223? Doesn't that have the benefits of forging with some added forgiveness? I've been pondering (strictly pondering, mind you - definitely haven't mocked up a set and have it in a cart anywhere, nope) the 201s from Takomo - very similar idea. Peter Finch actually just did a comparison - while the Takomos don't strictly-speaking hold up AS WELL as the 223s, even he admitted that they feel pretty amazing, especially when taking the price into consideration. Have you already hit the 223s and decided they're not for you? I haven't had a chance to hit them anywhere - might need to make that a priority as my search for "better" clubs continues

Middler · August 24, 2022

51 minutes ago, Samsonite said:

Would you consider something along the lines of the Miz 223? Doesn't that have the benefits of forging with some added forgiveness? I've been pondering (strictly pondering, mind you - definitely haven't mocked up a set and have it in a cart anywhere, nope) the 201s from Takomo - very similar idea. Peter Finch actually just did a comparison - while the Takomos don't strictly-speaking hold up AS WELL as the 223s, even he admitted that they feel pretty amazing, especially when taking the price into consideration. Have you already hit the 223s and decided they're not for you? I haven't had a chance to hit them anywhere - might need to make that a priority as my search for "better" clubs continues

I suspect you're right they'd have better feel. I think I need more forgiveness than 223's, but I should at least hit them when I make my buying decision this Fall. Feel has always been a significant factor in choosing irons for me, and I'm not distance challenged (yet), but sadly my "game" suggests I need more and more forgiveness...

GolfSpy SAM · August 24, 2022

49 minutes ago, Middler said:

I suspect you're right they'd have better feel. I think I need more forgiveness than 223's, but I should at least hit them when I make my buying decision this Fall. Feel has always been a significant factor in choosing irons for me, and I'm not distance challenged (yet), but sadly my "game" suggests I need more and more forgiveness...

I'm in a similar boat - have always had forgiving irons, but as I'm improving, curious if a balance somewhere in the middle would be a better, happier round of 18 - something like the Sub-70 659-CB, maybe, or the 201s (without breaking the bank). Thinking about demoing the 659s to see if they're usable for a getting-better-little-by-little hack like myself

Hook DeLoft · August 25, 2022

So far, the best feeling hollow irons I've hit are PXG 0311 P Gen 3. Not saying they feel like a one piece forging, but they are very nice. I ordered a cast PXG 0211 XCOR to try out. Should be here tomorrow. It will be interesting to see if the magic goo in the head makes it feel as good as the 0311 (which also has the magic goo).