Shiny new blades - cripes, what have I done??

[birdieman]

Just in in the mail today my new set of shiny Cleveland CG1's,chrome finish. Sold a set of Pings recently to fund the purchase of a set of muscleback blades and got a good deal on these CG1's. On opening the box with the excitement of a 5 year old on Christmas morn I was mildly horrified to see the head size.
I used to play blades years ago and for reasons of nostalgia and golfing snobbery I have decided I'm good enough to play them again. I had MP33's a few years ago but these are much more compact heads.
Have a mixed doubles this Sunday and am worried I'm going to play like an ar$e.
However just the look of them and the swish from a practice swing has me salivating for a game and I keep staring at them in the bag. I didn't get that with my old Pings/Callaways/etc. What's wrong with me?
There, thought I'd share that with you!

 

[madandra]

Birdieman,



STEP AWAY FROM THE SHINY STEEL THINGS AND FORGET ABOUT THEM 'TIL SUNDAY.

I pray to God you don't connect with a stone in a bunker or we may have a memorial post here on Monday.

 

[golfdonkey]

Birdieman – I understand your joy at the sight and sound of new blades. Those Nike ones were something else. There's no way I could hit them but boy would I enjoy having them in my bag - or even as a feature in the living room, they were so beautiful.

 

[Up_Point_1]

Brave move there Birdieman buying a set of blades.

I absolutely love the look of blades, just a shame I don't have the golfing ability to be able to use them.

I did have a go with blades once and promptly thinned the shite out of the first shot. It took over half an hour for the tingling sensation in my hands to go away

 

[Lipout]

Birdieman, much respect for going to blades. Clevelands are excellent clubs. I have used Cleveland TA3's for about 7 years now and i am considering going to blades, let us know how you get on. If you are successful with the blades are going for a persimmon driver and a slazenger B51.
"If in doubt, give it a clout!"

 

[John_Findlay]

Was the game getting just that bit too easy, Birdieman?

Brave man. I salute you. I used to have a blade 1-iron for 20 years and it was the sweetest feeling in the world when you nailed it. So, I know why you bought the new blades, ya daft b**gar.

Good luck.

 

[birdieman]

John
Just back in from a quick 9 holes to give the new wands a run out. Pleasantly surprised, hit it fairly solid. One thing I did notice was a lot more movement of the ball left and right (not always intentional). They are also giving me a lower ball flight but a lot of spin so a few zoomed in low but slammed the brakes on really quick.
I'm a decent ball striker and did enjoy the feel that blades purists go on about. Distance wise I am about the same as before with cavity backs.
See how I feel in a month, I am a notorious gear changer!

 

[birdieman]

Remember folks before Mr Karsten Ping came along in the early 80's or whenever everyone played blades, there was nothing else and players of all handicaps got on ok maybe except for the 3 and 4 iron. I had a Maxfli Australian blade 1 iron as a junior and used it to great effect. Think this idea that you can't hit blades is all in the head! I think they force you concentrate on a good set up and take away as you can't get away with poor swings as much.

 

[John_Findlay]

Birdieman,

Did you get the full set (3-SW) ? Can imagine they would be great fun up to around the 4-iron when the greater height you get from cavity backs starts to help.

John

 

[birdieman]

John,
8 irons 3-pw, not sw. To be honest on most golf courses it is rare to need to hit a 3 or 4 iron these days, except maybe off the tee on par threes. Not sure a cavity back goes higher, plenty weight low in the long irons on the CG1's.
Dont have a medal until a week Saturday so need to get a bit of practice in before I can critique them properly.

 

[thebelgie24]

hate the tingly finger!

 

[Trueblue]

Good to hear they are going well Birdieman. I haven't picked up a blade since starting the game 20 years ago with my Dad's old set of Jack Nicklaus blades....still having nightmares!

 

[USER1999]

I recently looked at the CG1s, and also the titleist 695s which are sexy too. A good job I can't afford new clubs as I really couldn't make my mind up between the two. I guess I shall have to stick with my Macgregors.

If you are a good ball striker, then there is no reason not to have blades, they look and feel fantastic, and if I can play with them, believe me, anyone can.

 

[birdieman]

Played a 2 ball 4some yesterday and must say I really hit the new irons well, I get a nice wee divot now when the old fat soled Pings would bounce off the deck. Now if only the driver would behave.....! Would highly recommend the CG1's though.

 

[robtee]

I learnt to play with a set of dunlop peter thomson blades made in the early 60's and only changed to mizuno mp30's in 2001, still play with the old blades occasionally and you can't beat the feeling of hitting the ball out of the middle! I'm sure you'll love them once you have got used to them - in about 5 years time!

 

[birdieman]

Robtee,
Not sure the CG1s are that hard to hit, there is a decent muscleback on them, my mishits are going ok.
Some of it is perception, ok the cavity backs I had had larger faces but in my experience hitting off the toe or heel or high or low on the face of any iron will result in a poor shot. Not sure these game improvement irons actually do what it says on the tin, think it is a visual thing to inpsire confidence, nothing more. A wide sole and an offset face probably helps the poorer player more than just the perimeter weighting thing.