BOMB: To all those folks that simply can't understand why we don't rate muscleback blades in the Hot List, I point you to Mr. Jim Furyk, formerly the No. 2 player in the world (now No. 11) and still a pretty darn good stick. At last week's WGC-CA Championship, Furyk gave up on his muscleback blades and returned to the Srixon I-506 cavity-backs he used for much of 2006-2007. Oh, and what do you know, he finished third at Doral, his best performance since September.
"I think I am more accurate, and I can hit straighter," Furyk said of the clubs. "I want to have the ability to move the ball in either direction, but I was struggling to cut the blade. I trained my game with the older clubs. It took me a while to figure it out, but I'm definitely encouraged by what I'm seeing."
Again, if players such as Furyk (and about 70 percent of the PGA Tour) use irons with some semblance of forgiveness, why would an everyday player who does not play for pay use anything else? Answer me that, Batman.
GOUGE: We're largely in agreement that normal humans should use blade irons about as often as they set their Betamax to record their favorite Golf Channel broadcasts. Still, it's worth noting that Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the world use what amount to be forged muscleback blades, and six of the current top 10.
But what are we talking about here, really? Maybe a little difference in ballflight for a tour player, maybe a subtle difference in shot-shaping, maybe. I do find it interesting that some players think the game only works for them if they hit shots with an unforgiving piece of forged carbon steel. Of course, if Tiger Woods started showing up at tournaments with the Nike VR Split Cavity set, you would be able to count the number of players still using blades on one knuckle.
I think the more telling voices are those I remember from our Hot List panelists of top-rated teachers and scratch players, all of whom were much happier with clubs that looked like fun than those that looked like work.
I really don't want to hear discussions about the look or the feel of blade irons. If you want to play them, by all means, go ahead. But don't think you're achieving something that doesn't exist in the rest of the iron market. The object of the game is to get the ball in the hole in as efficient a manner as possible. Not to look like a 21st century reincarnation of Bobby Jones. We don't play hickory shafts anymore, either. Lighten up and maybe enjoy the game.
Can't believe I'm the guy endorsing fun. But there you have it. Now, I'll go somewhere and be sick on myself.
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