Forged vs Cast Irons: The Great Golf Club Debate Explained

Forged vs Cast Irons: The Great Golf Club Debate Explained

Hey there, golf nuts! It's Linda Parker, your favorite San Diego slice machine, back with another deep dive into the world of golf equipment. Today, we're tackling a topic that's more divisive than whether it's okay to wear jeans on the course (spoiler alert: it's not). We're talking about forged vs cast irons. Buckle up, buttercup – we're about to get technical, but I promise to keep it more entertaining than watching paint dry... or watching me try to get out of a bunker.

The Basics: What Are We Even Talking About?

Before we dive in deeper than I dive into the rough looking for my ball, let's break down what these terms actually mean:

• Forged Irons: These bad boys are made by heating a solid piece of metal (usually soft carbon steel) and then beating it into shape. It's like blacksmithing, but for golf. Think of it as the artisanal sourdough bread of the golf club world.
• Cast Irons: These clubs are made by pouring molten metal into a mold. It's quicker, easier, and more consistent. Think of it as the sliced white bread of golf clubs – not as fancy, but it gets the job done.

Now that we've got that sorted, let's dive into the nitty-gritty. And no, "nitty-gritty" isn't what happens to your hands when you hit out of too many sand traps.

What Are Cast Irons?

Cast Irons: The Dependable Workhorses

Pros of Cast Irons:

1. Forgiveness: They're generally more forgiving on mishits. It's like having a golf club with built-in training wheels.
2. Larger Sweet Spot: The sweet spot is usually bigger, making it easier to get good contact. It's less "needle in a haystack" and more "beach ball in a kiddie pool".
3. Cost: They're typically less expensive. Your wallet will thank you, even if your golf buddies might judge you.
4. Consistency: The casting process allows for more consistent club heads from set to set. It's like the golf equivalent of ordering the same dish at your favorite restaurant – you know what you're getting.

Cons of Cast Irons:

1. Feel: They can feel harder at impact. It's a bit like the difference between slicing butter and slicing a frozen stick of butter.
2. Less Workability: Shot-shaping can be more challenging. If you're trying to work the ball like a pro, you might find yourself working harder than I do trying to explain to my non-golfing friends why I need another new set of clubs.
3. Wear and Tear: They can show wear more quickly, especially in the grooves. They age about as gracefully as I do after 18 holes and a few adult beverages.

A Few Of The Best Cast Irons

Below are a few of the best cast irons we've had the pleasure of testing!

• Callaway Golf Mavriks
• Taylormade Sim Max Irons
• TaylorMade Sim2 Max Iron

#1 Callaway Mavrik Irons

(Higher Ball Speed, Great Set of Irons for Beginners)

Though these are from 2020, they’re far from dated, proving to be one of the best products that we have ever revealed. They’re so popular that you may even need to substitute the shaft and grip, as high demand makes these parts harder to obtain at times.

What we loved about this set:

• Alloy steel and tungsten construction
• 360 Face Cup
• Artificial intelligence design

#2 TaylorMade Sim Max Irons

(Another Great Option for Beginners)

These come in with a significantly more affordable price range. Because of this – and many other features – these irons are more likely to end up in the club bag of a more casual player. While lower in price, they’re far from cheap in construction, with TaylorMade products being some of the best on the market.

What We Love About This Set:

• Speed Bridge technology
• Ultra-Thin 1.5mm face design

#3 TaylorMade Sim 2 Max Irons

(Yet another Great Set of Irons for Beginners)

The TaylorMade Sim Max irons that we discussed earlier are fantastic, easy-to-use clubs for golfers of any level. But what if you tried these clubs and found yourself wanting more?

Their updated model, the Sim 2 Max Irons are a great set to switch to if you like the feel of the Sim Max irons but want something that can offer a little more to your game.

These titanium clubs have a new “Cap Back Design” that helps utilize its high-strength steel and lightweight polymers. The new design aims to maximize distance with an extremely low center of gravity and provide a more forgiving swing. The “fast forgiving face” design also helps to minimize the consequences of poor swings or mistakes.

What we loved about this set:

• Titanium construction
• Thru-Slot Speed Pocket technology
• Forgiveness-focused face design
• ECHO Damping System to fend off harsh vibrations

Forged Irons: The Prima Donnas of the Golf Bag

Pros of Forged Irons:

1. Feel: Forged irons offer a softer feel at impact. It's like the difference between high-fiving your best friend and high-fiving a brick wall.
2. Workability: These clubs allow for more shot-shaping ability. You can bend it like Beckham... if Beckham played golf and wasn't, you know, way better looking than most of us.
3. Consistency: The grain structure of forged irons is more consistent, which can lead to more predictable ball flight. Unlike my golf game, which is about as predictable as a cat on catnip.
4. Durability: The softer metal can actually be more durable in the long run. They age like fine wine, unlike my golf skills, which age more like milk left out in the sun.

Cons of Forged Irons:

1. Price: They're usually more expensive. You might need to sell a kidney or at least skip a few dinners out.
2. Less Forgiving: They're typically less forgiving on off-center hits. And if you're anything like me, "off-center" describes about 90% of your shots.
3. Smaller Sweet Spot: The sweet spot can be smaller, making them more challenging for high-handicappers. It's like trying to hit a pea with a toothpick... while blindfolded.

A Few Of The Best of Forged Iron Clubs

Here are, in my opinion, 3 of the best forged irons you can buy today! 

• Callaway Apex Pro Iron 
• TaylorMade P790 Iron 
• Taylormade P770 Irons

#1 Choice: Callaway Apex Pro Irons

(Best Suited for Beginning to Intermediate Golfers)

First on our list is the pro set for Callaway Golf, the Apex Pro Iron Set. One thing to mention right off the bat is that these are the 2021 model, making them incredibly recent. While there hasn’t yet been a 2022 model, the Callaway Apex Pro Irons excel at everything you’ll need.

What We Love About Them:

• Great Design – honestly, we love it! The Callaway Irons’ ability to offer consistently decent distance and impact with every use.
• True Temper Elevate 95 Shaft- Apex Pro Irons that we have to rave about is their shafts. These shafts are versatile enough to provide optimal swings no matter the scenario, leading to a great flight.
• The lightweight hollow body was nice

#2 Taylormade P790 Irons

These 2021 clubs are heavily customizable as well, giving you the choice of graphite or carbon steel for your shafts. The flex can go between regular or stiff to help your clubs fit your preferences as well as possible.

What we loved about this set:

• SpeedFoam Air
• Thinner wall construction
• Tungsten mass
• Low center of gravity
• Thru-Slot Speed Pocket

#3 TaylorMade P770 Irons

(Great for Intermediate to Professional Players)

Sticking with TaylorMade for our third item, the Taylormade P770 Irons are another fantastic set. However, this particular item doesn’t have all of the same customizations that the previous entry has. Because of this, you should expect to need to adjust to the club rather than customizing it to fit your game.

What We Love About This Set:

• Wrap grip
• Stiff flex

Who Should Play What? The Million Dollar Question

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Linda, just tell me which one to buy so I can go back to blaming my equipment for my terrible scores!" Well, hold your horses, Tiger. It's not quite that simple.

Forged Irons Might Be For You If:

• You're a low handicapper with consistent ball-striking ability. (If this is you, why are you reading my articles? Shouldn't you be on tour or something?)
• You prefer a softer feel and want more feedback on your shots.
• You like to shape your shots and work the ball. (And by "work the ball," I don't mean "work it into the woods on every hole.")
• You don't mind spending a bit more on your clubs. (Maybe you've got a secret trust fund or you've been saving those pennies.)

Cast Irons Might Be For You If:

• You're a mid to high handicapper looking for more forgiveness. (Welcome to the club! We have jackets.)
• You want a larger sweet spot to help with those off-center hits. (Off-center hits? Never heard of them... said no one ever.)
• You're on a budget and don't want to sell your firstborn for a set of irons.
• You prefer consistency over workability. (Because let's face it, most of us are just trying to get the ball airborne and somewhere in the vicinity of the green.)

The Hybrid Approach: Because Why Choose?

Now, here's a little secret that the golf industry doesn't want you to know: you can mix and match! Gasp! I know, it's scandalous. But hear me out.

Some golfers (myself included) like to use cast irons for the longer clubs (think 4-7 irons) for more forgiveness, and forged irons for the shorter clubs (8-PW) for better feel and control around the greens. It's like having your cake and eating it too, except the cake is made of metal and you hit it with a stick.

The 19th Hole Wisdom

At the end of the day, the best irons for you are the ones that make you feel confident over the ball. And by "confident," I mean "less likely to close your eyes and pray as you swing."

Remember:

• Try before you buy: Demo days are your friend. Hit as many different clubs as you can. It's like speed dating, but for golf clubs.
• Be honest with yourself: Are you really going to notice that subtle difference in feel, or are you just trying to justify buying the same irons as Rory McIlroy?
• Fit matters: A proper fitting can make more difference than forged vs cast. It's like having a suit tailored vs. buying off the rack.
• Have fun: Golf is supposed to be enjoyable. If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong. (Or you're playing with people who take themselves too seriously. In which case, find new golf buddies.)

Whether you choose forged, cast, or a mix of both, remember that no club can fix a bad swing. But they can make the game more enjoyable, and isn't that what it's all about? Well, that and having an excuse to day drink while walking around in funny pants.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to hit some balls at the range. I've got a new set of clubs to break in... and probably a new set of excuses to come up with for my next round.

May your drives be long, your putts be true, and your irons – forged or cast – always find the sweet spot!

P.S. If you see me out on the course testing both forged and cast irons, feel free to say hi! Just, you know, from a safe distance. My swing has been known to clear small forests and startle unsuspecting squirrels.