Forged v. Cast

[PNWokingham]

After getting excited at the review of the Mizuno JPX 800's, I now see they are cast and only the Pro version is forged. I have played with MX 25 and MX20's for the past 8 years - i.e. all forged. Several people have said that it makes no difference (mainly Pingers!), is this true and are average golfers not going to notice any "loss of feel"? I went to try and look at the new clubs this weekend but they don't appear in stock anywhere!

So, if I do get interested do you think it is better going with the Pro version that is forged or am I unlikely to notice the difference in the probably-longer cast ones?

And, is custom fitting worthwhile or is it a waste with a variable swing

 

[kid2]

After getting excited at the review of the Mizuno JPX 800's, I now see they are cast and only the Pro version is forged. I have played with MX 25 and MX20's for the past 8 years - i.e. all forged. Several people have said that it makes no difference (mainly Pingers!), is this true and are average golfers not going to notice any "loss of feel"? I went to try and look at the new clubs this weekend but they don't appear in stock anywhere!

So, if I do get interested do you think it is better going with the Pro version that is forged or am I unlikely to notice the difference in the probably-longer cast ones?

And, is custom fitting worthwhile or is it a waste with a variable swing

PNW,
I use Cobra S2's.....cast...... My brother has Mizzy's MX200's......
When i catch both out of the middle(sweet spot) There is no difference whatsoever in my opinion.....Others may argue but i cant tell.
Out of the middle of my Cobra's i cant even feel the ball its so soft. And they are cast as i have said....I think its all in some players heads!

 

[Imurg]

I don't think there is a huge difference between decent cast irons and forged ones. If you middle it you don't feel it. Cheap cast clubs will probably feel very different.
Custom fitting is worthwhile as far as getting the correct shaft for you as well as getting the lie right and the grip size. Even if you don't have a repeatable swing at least you know its you not the clubs that's messing it up.

 

[JT77]

My tm tour pref are cast, and I have a mizzy mp60 3 iron, and I'd rather hit the tm any day of the week! I cant tell the difference between them really, I spent some time on the range a while back with a friend who plays mp60's and and hit his clubs for a bit, I couldnt notice anything different, other than I prefer mine! lol

 

[thecraw]

Come February, freezing wet rain, hit a forged three iron thin and a cast 3 iron thin.

Tell your hands there is no difference.

 

[ScienceBoy]

Am I wrong to assume your wallet/purse (and significant other) know the difference?

 

[Imurg]

Not always.
From AG website
G15's - cast £499 for 8 irons
Nike TW Blades - forged £449 for 8 irons.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think there probably is a difference once you get down to single figures or what ultimate control and manouverability over the ball which is why the top guys use forged. For a chopper like me there won't be any difference and a good swing will give the same result with either a cast or forged club. Why is it though that you only hit the really thin shots in the middle of winter

 

[thecraw]

You just feel them more in winter Homer.

I've hit a shot once and I could still feel my pinky sore 3 hours later!

 

[Smiffy]

I honestly don't think you'll notice any difference whatsoever between forged and cast clubs Paul.
And as for custom fitting, the only thing I would recommend to you is a shaft with a higher kick point 'cos you don't half hit your irons high mate. Fine if the wind is behind you, but into the wind they just balloon.
Just my opinion having played with you loads of times

 

[DCB]

As someone else whos eye has been drawn to the new Mizuno offerings I'd say it's probably not really detectable to the average player.

I've flitted between two sets of clubs this summer, a forged Mizuno set and a Cast Maxfli set. I've played my standard TM TP Red ball with both these sets and there has been no discenable difference.

Biggest difference with the new Mizunos will be the losts of the clubs, but a correct shaft choice should help ofset that little issue.

 

[richart]

After getting excited at the review of the Mizuno JPX 800's, I now see they are cast and only the Pro version is forged. I have played with MX 25 and MX20's for the past 8 years - i.e. all forged. Several people have said that it makes no difference (mainly Pingers!), is this true and are average golfers not going to notice any "loss of feel"? I went to try and look at the new clubs this weekend but they don't appear in stock anywhere!

So, if I do get interested do you think it is better going with the Pro version that is forged or am I unlikely to notice the difference in the probably-longer cast ones?

And, is custom fitting worthwhile or is it a waste with a variable swing

I understand the Pro version is aimed at mid handicaps, where as the other one is aimed at 18 plus. I personally prefer forged but each to his own.

 

[Aztecs27]

I'll let you know when I've recieved my new MP57's.

 

[haplesshacker]

The 800's and 800 Pros, though looking pretty same'y aren't when you see them in the flesh. The cast 800's are bigger, have wider soles, more offset and a thicker top line.

It's not as straight forward as a choice of forged or cast. I'd almost say it's irrelevant and go with whichever one performs best for you.

 

[birdieman]

In theory with a soft forged club the ball will stay on the clubface longer, therefore more energy in the collision is absorbed and the ball will fly less distance. That is supposed to be compensated for with more feel in the shot and more working of the ball left or right - i.e if the ball is on the clubface longer therefore there is longer to impart whatever spin you want on it.
Having switched between both forged and cast I think there is a difference in feel but even between forged clubs that feel varies a bit too e.g. I think a blade offers more feel than a cavity back because there is a small sweetspot whereas a CB has a much larger sweetspot. You have to absolutely middle a blade to get that feel of course, nothing like it when you do but alas it was not often enough for me to warrant playing them!
I found the Cleveland CG1's far and away the softest and most workable irons I've played. You could move them so easily but it was hard to get consistent strikes with such small blade heads. Trouble is I don't know if the Cleveland CMM material is forged or cast - anyone know?
Maybe it's a shame that 99% of golfers today don't get to experience the feel of a pure flushed forged blade 7 iron - modern CB's don't offer quite as strong a pure feeling through the hands and body I don't think.
I also think a pure iron strike is lost at the range, those mats don't allow a downward strike to act as it should as the club is bounced back off the mat instead of driving through the turf.
If you're going to buy irons I think you should get a 'test drive' off grass.

 

[DCB]

Maybe it's a shame that 99% of golfers today don't get to experience the feel of a pure flushed forged blade 7 iron

I know what you mean Birdieman, It's that one 'perfect' shot in a round that drives us to distraction as we try to get that feeling and sound off the clubface once again.

There is no better feeling in golf than that perfect shot with a nice forged blade in your hands.