Who doesn’t want to play a muscle back iron?

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Just a reminder that I still hit blades just fine

[Slight shank]

Irons Pxg 0211 5-gw

wedges Cleveland Cbx2 black 52,56,60

really like the irons overall, wedges seem forgiving enough and I like the black finish due to no glare. Irons 2 seasons, wedges 2 seasons. If I had to switch anything I really like the standard Apex irons. My buddy bought those. They look and feel great to me

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Got out today for an unscheduled “mental health” round. As mentioned previously, the Apex MB 18’s are back in the bag until the new irons arrive, (based on the current shortage of T150 heads, it might be a little while) and I am happy to report that today was an excellent ball-striking round. It felt like every iron shot I hit today was center cut. The T series irons are the smarter play over the long term and I am stoked for them to arrive, but there really isn’t anything on the golf course as sweet as the sound or the feel of a well hit blade. 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

The Apex MB 18’s are not going down without a fight

191 for a 6 iron that is traditionally lofted is exactly what I was looking for with this shot. The 7 iron was a 3/4 swing that went long. I had 163 to the pin and I didn’t want to over swing an 8 to get it there. 
 

The way I’m striking the ball has me excited to get to testing the T Series. 

[chisag]

4 minutes ago, Ben Joest said:

The Apex MB 18’s are not going down without a fight

 

... Your T150's response:

 

 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Testing with the T150/T200 blended set is going swimmingly and looking like it will be my gamer set for the foreseeable future BUT I am a tinkerer at heart and I have been contemplating the following: 

Prior to being selected to test the Titleist irons, a friend had reached out to gauge my interest in a set of Recoil 110 s shafts that he was looking to unload. After the Titleist news, I had no immediate need for them, but I have given some thought to what the Apex MB’s might be like with a graphite shaft in them. More idle curious than anything else, but it may be a road I travel down some day. We shall see.

[KC Golf]

Interesting feedback on your MBs.  I don’t have the game to play those.  I am tinkering about graphite shafts since my last set had Recoils.  

I went for a fitting and the MMTs performed better for me, but I didn’t have my best day at the fitting so I think my swing speed was a lower than normal.  I got fitted and the recommendation was R flex.  I normally have stiff for my irons.

Will have to try Recoils again.

[GolfSpy_BEN]

2 minutes ago, KC Golf said:

Interesting feedback on your MBs.  I don’t have the game to play those.  I am tinkering about graphite shafts since my last set had Recoils.  

I went for a fitting and the MMTs performed better for me, but I didn’t have my best day at the fitting so I think my swing speed was a lower than normal.  I got fitted and the recommendation was R flex.  I normally have stiff for my irons.

Will have to try Recoils again.

Thanks. Much like cookies, MB irons are a sometimes snack, where as the Titleist  are like broccoli, good for you and what you should be eating anyway. During my fitting, I wanted to try the Titleist irons with a steelfiber shaft, but alas the fitter didn’t have them among the dozens of options, so I went with the KBS tour. Overall, very happy with that, but the tinker in me wants to experiment

[chisag]

4 hours ago, KC Golf said:

Interesting feedback on your MBs.  I don’t have the game to play those.

 

... Very, very few do. Just look at Rickie Fowlers comeback that coincided with him ditching his small MB's for the King Tours that have a larger had and much more forgiving. I don't think I am going out on much of a limb saying 99.99% of ams are not as good a ball striker as Rickie. I have stated this ad nauseam but if you want to play your best golf, play the most forgiving irons you can effectively play. And it seems Joest has done just that with a combo set and one of the reasons I am following his journey. 

... But this is purely performance based and there are plenty of reasons why someone may play a set of MB's from just enjoying the challenge, to loving the look and feel. I can play my MB's and probably on average they would cost me 1-2 strokes a round. On my best ball striking days not even one stroke but on my off days more like 2-3. Of course I never know which kinda ball striking day I will be having. But I still pull out my Srixon Z Forged MB's about 3 or 4 times a year for a change of pace and mostly because it's just fun and reminds me why they aren't my every day irons. 

[fixyurdivot]

On 8/4/2023 at 7:45 PM, Ben Joest said:

After 2 weeks with the Mizuno Pro 221’s, it might be time to admit defeat. If I am slightly off center, the yardage loss is shockingly bad. This isn’t really a revelation, but I’m thinking I may take advantage of the 30 day playability guarantee and see what they have that has a bit more forgiveness. Given that I still have the Apex MB 18s to play when I feel the blade itch, this feels like the right move. Perhaps if the set of ZX5’s are still there, that might work out well. We’ll see. Stay tuned.

Did you ever consider either the ZX7/Z-Forged or ZX5/ZX7 combo?  Lot's of love out there for the latest MKII version.  I'm anxious to test them against my original release ZX5's.

In answer to the original thread question, not so much in this day of age and advancement in iron technology.  Yes, pure, old school MB's look cool but are simply too demanding.  Don't take my word for it, just look what tour pros are playing.  OEM engineers have done an amazing job making PI and PD (heck, even some GI's) look blade-like... all while offering way more forgiveness and performance.  

Fun project/test to follow, thanks for sharing.  888-PLS-HELP is the latest club ho help line .

[GolfSpy_BEN]

25 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

Did you ever consider either the ZX7/Z-Forged or ZX5/ZX7 combo?  Lot's of love out there for the latest MKII version.  I'm anxious to test them against my original release ZX5's.

In answer to the original thread question, not so much in this day of age and advancement in iron technology.  Yes, pure, old school MB's look cool but are simply too demanding.  Don't take my word for it, just look what tour pros are playing.  OEM engineers have done an amazing job making PI and PD (heck, even some GI's) look blade-like... all while offering way more forgiveness and performance.  

Fun project/test to follow, thanks for sharing.  888-PLS-HELP is the latest club ho help line .

 

I have played the 2021 ZX7s and liked the heads quite a bit, didnt like the modus extra stiff shafts that came with them ( they were used when I got them) so they were the set I traded in when I picked up the Mizuno pro 221’s. At some point, I would like to try a blended set of ZX5/ZX7, but I currently have my hands full testing the Titleist T150/T200 blended set for the forum.  
 

Also, I still have the Callaway Apex MB irons that spawned this thread and play them occasionally as a reminder that I am good enough to play them but no where consistent enough to play only them

[fixyurdivot]

1 minute ago, Ben Joest said:

 

I have played the 2021 ZX7s and liked the heads quite a bit, didnt like the modus extra stiff shafts that came with them ( they were used when I got them) so they were the set I traded in when I picked up the Mizuno pro 221’s. At some point, I would like to try a blended set of ZX5/ZX7, but I currently have my hands full testing the Titleist T150/T200 blended set for the forum.  
 

Also, I still have the Callaway Apex MB irons that spawned this thread and play them occasionally as a reminder that I am good enough to play them but no where consistent enough to play only them

I mentioned the Z-Forged as I figured they would most likely quench that MB thirst.  I think most of the pro's only play them in 8i up. They're sure great looking .

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Going to do some side by side comparisons with Titleist irons and the MBs for PW, 8i, and 7i next time I am at the range. Now that testing is over, just for giggles. Will post the results

[Josh Parker]

On 9/19/2023 at 6:51 PM, fixyurdivot said:

Did you ever consider either the ZX7/Z-Forged or ZX5/ZX7 combo?  Lot's of love out there for the latest MKII version.  I'm anxious to test them against my original release ZX5's.

In answer to the original thread question, not so much in this day of age and advancement in iron technology.  Yes, pure, old school MB's look cool but are simply too demanding.  Don't take my word for it, just look what tour pros are playing.  OEM engineers have done an amazing job making PI and PD (heck, even some GI's) look blade-like... all while offering way more forgiveness and performance.  

Fun project/test to follow, thanks for sharing.  888-PLS-HELP is the latest club ho help line .

I am loving my zx5/zx7 combo. 

[chisag]

14 hours ago, Ben Joest said:

Going to do some side by side comparisons with Titleist irons and the MBs for PW, 8i, and 7i next time I am at the range. Now that testing is over, just for giggles. Will post the results

 

... "Hi Ben!" I think it might be time for a MB Anonymous meeting "Hi my name is Ben and I haven't touched a MB in 3 months". 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

33 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... "Hi Ben!" I think it might be time for a MB Anonymous meeting "Hi my name is Ben and I haven't touched a MB in 3 months". 

Probably well past the point that an intervention would do any good. Like many golfers, I am afflicted with “what if” disease. Unlike many golfers, my what if’s pertain to unusually difficult clubs to hit consistently. That being said, the dispersions for the MBs were tighter, but the distance was lacking, so the Titleist Irons are safe. For now…

[chisag]

3 minutes ago, Ben Joest said:

Probably well past the point that an intervention would do any good. Like many golfers, I am afflicted with “what if” disease. Unlike many golfers, my what if’s pertain to unusually difficult clubs to hit consistently. That being said, the dispersions for the MBs were tighter, but the distance was lacking, so the Titleist Irons are safe. For now…

 

... Well, we all have our equipment Aron Rodgers heel so if we ever meet and play for a few dollars I will insist on you using your MB's. I am sure you will hit your MB's tighter than your Titleist in a match for bragging rights and a signed dollar bill. 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

1 minute ago, chisag said:

 

... Well, we all have our equipment Aron Rodgers heel so if we ever meet and play for a few dollars I will insist on you using your MB's. I am sure you will hit your MB's tighter than your Titleist in a match for bragging rights and a signed dollar bill. 

If we ever get to play a round together, I will absolutely play the MBs for bragging rights and a signed dollar bill. I’ve acknowledged they lack consistency, but I’m as good once with those irons as I ever was. Just have to time it out right, so that when we play I’m due for a good MB round…

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

9 hours ago, jdparker said:

I am loving my zx5/zx7 combo. 

Even though I like my pxgs I would love to game that combo at some point. 

[chisag]

1 minute ago, Ben Joest said:

If we ever get to play a round together, I will absolutely play the MBs for bragging rights and a signed dollar bill. I’ve acknowledged they lack consistency, but I’m as good once with those irons as I ever was. Just have to time it out right, so that when we play I’m due for a good MB round…

 

... I am sure you know I am having fun and have no doubts you know your ability, equipment and what works best for you. Since the new ball likes to go straight and high, I pretty much stopped working the ball like I did with my MB's and Balata balls so a quality CB gives me everything I want/need in an iron. I applaud anyone playing equipment they enjoy whether thats a full set of hybrids or MB's. 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

1 minute ago, chisag said:

 

... I am sure you know I am having fun and have no doubts you know your ability, equipment and what works best for you. Since the new ball likes to go straight and high, I pretty much stopped working the ball like I did with my MB's and Balata balls so a quality CB gives me everything I want/need in an iron. I applaud anyone playing equipment they enjoy whether thats a full set of hybrids or MB's. 

Of course Sam! I didn’t take it any other way. Some day I do hope to get together with you for a round, though given the distance, when and where is still TBD. 

[Ding-dong]

I don’t want to upset anyone but after a long time of generally understanding of others opinions I am back to where I got to 25 years ago. 
I played TP18 blades, I struck the ball well, my short comings were with the putter. But as you all know a minor deviation from centre causes the recovery game to be used.

I moved to ping zing 2 irons, ironically I was just average, I can play any standard irons off the shelf, pretty much. Within a few weeks my handicap dropped significantly and I was cruising around at level par +/-2 strokes. 
I never missed the feel of the Mizuno TP18s when it came to a centred strike, my view changed I realised, any thing centred feels good. However miss hits or off centres were not punished the recovery game or scrambling was not required so much and putting practice yielded huge beneficial results.

Now fast forward I have stepped out of mp20 irons ( these are easier than TP18s) and into G430s ( stay with me) … centre strikes still feel awesome and distance variation on poor strikes is less … 

So it’s a case of play and enjoy but this feel discussion doesn’t justify upsetting your whole game ..

I know I have probably upset a few here so I will leave you all to debate my findings 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

I played a virtual round on the MLM2Pro this evening using the Callaway Apex MB 18’s. They felt really good, so next round out, they are in the bag. As my semi-regular reminder of why they don’t stay in the bag is about due. Stay tuned.

[GolfSpy_BEN]

While the MB’s didn’t make the bag for yesterdays round, I did take 7-PW with me to the range today and did a gapping session to see how they stack up against the current gamers. The results were good:

PW

 

9i

 

8i

 

7i

 

Bottom Line: my 6 shot averages with these clubs are very similar to my current gamers and honestly just as much fun to hit. I could make an argument that well struck blade is the greatest feeling in golf. Still love these irons.

 

[Adamman84]

I LOVE blade irons, I played blades pretty much my entire time playing golf until recently (switched over to the Ping i230's). I learned to play on a set of 80's Wilson blade irons that my dad bought at a flea market for like.....2 dollars a club or something like that back in the 90's. I moved up to a set of Ben Hogan Apex irons and then during my HS/College days I was playing the Ben Hogan Apex 99's (still have them). 

I have the following blade irons that I will randomly throw in the bag here and there:

Ben Hogan Apex 99's (2-PW)

Ben Hogan Icons (4-PW)

Taylormade P7TW (3-PW)

Handmade Stix LB-1 (3-PW)

Miura MB101 (4-PW)

Love each of them and I still keep eyeing more up....its a real problem. That being said, the modern players irons feel so good when struck well and offer a bit more forgiveness over blades imo. I have been playing some amazing golf with the i230's, and miss hits are soooo much better....but the sound and feeling of a real MB are just fantastic and I love everything about it.

I don't want/need anymore MB's.....but I have a feeling I will end up with another set next year because I have a problem and I am a magpie when it comes to golf clubs....

[GolfSpy_BEN]

I want to hit these:

still love blades

[GolfSpy_APH]

I still desperately want these back 

[Josh Parker]

I had a set of these years ago.  

[Preeway]

I don't know why, but I just love hitting blades. That occasional miss that loses 10%-15% of distance just pushes me to get better rather than making me frustrated. I agree that a center hit on any club feels great. So why not go for a model that looks good, feels good, and is more forgiving? Really good frickin question. 

[cnosil]

@GolfSpy_BEN, saw the Ping Blueprint T irons last night and I think you are going to like them.   They do make you want to hit them; just so compact and sleek.The S were nice, but not enough of a blade for you.