There is one clear winner, which you can find out at the end of the post, but ultimately, it depends on what you want from a set of irons.
Forged Irons – Best for golfers looking for a better feel who consistently hit from the center of the clubface and want the ability to shape shots.
Cast Irons – Best for golfers who want more distance and forgiveness on off-center shots or a lower price on a new set of irons.
That’s the short answer, but there is much more to consider. At first glance, you may assume cast irons (cavity back irons) are for mid to high handicappers.
You know golfers who mishit the ball and need all the help they can get.
But if that’s true, how come around 65% of the top 100 professional golfers use cavity back irons?
Surely they should be using blades or forged clubs?
It’s not as black and white as that, but by the end of this post, you should have all the information needed to make up your own mind.
Below you will find out what the pros and cons of each type of iron is, how they’re made, and which is the overall “winner”.
Quick Menu
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Using Forged Irons?
Pros
- Better Sound/Feel
- Rewarding For Center Face Strikes
- Better Workability
- Better Looking
Cons
- Unforgiving For Off Center Hits
- Higher Price Tag
Forged Irons Breakdown:
Forged irons (muscle back irons) are known for sounding and feeling great to use. I personally love the feel of forged irons.
I’m using a set of Mizunos JPX 921 Forged irons, and I’ve never used any cast/cavity irons that feel as good in my hands.
They feel so good thanks to how they’re made, but I’ll go into more detail on that later.
The heads of the irons are forged so the bulk of the weight is placed directly behind the center of the face.
Which makes shots hit from this area sound, feel, and perform excellently. Shots off the toe or heel won’t sound, feel, or perform as well.
And on a cold morning, a thin shot of the toe will send vibrations up the shaft and rattle your soul! (I’ve personal experience, trust me.)
But because of how they’re made and the weight is distributed, shaping the ball is easier.
I feel forged irons are always better looking than cast irons, they’re sleek, chromed out, and look more traditional which is something I look for.
They often scare most golfers away as they’re deemed best for better golfers.
But this isn’t true in this day and age. Plenty of forged irons on the market are now tailored to mid to high handicappers.
The only thing they can’t tailor to is the price bracket most people look for.
Why is the price higher on these than other irons?
Once again, it’s all to do with the manufacturing process, which is further down in the post.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Using Cast Irons?
Pros
- More Forgiving
- Better Distance
- Lower Price Tags
Cons
- Sound/Feel Not As Good
- Reduce Workability
Cast Irons Breakdown:
Cast irons are your go-to club if you’re looking for more forgiveness and distance.
The reason for this is that they’re made from multiple pieces brought together, and weight can be distributed evenly around the clubface.
This weight distribution means it won’t feel as bad if you catch one towards the heel/toe, and the ball flight/distance should only drop off slightly.
Most golfers think cast irons/game improvement irons are for struggling golfers, and they need a set of blades or forged irons as they get better at golf.
But as you learned earlier, most professionals use cast/cavity back irons because of their superior forgiveness.
With every new drop of irons there are cavity backs tailored to the better golfer so don’t think you’re too good to play with them, the pros don’t!
Because of how they are made, cast iron sets tend to have a lower price tag, which is great news for everybody.
However, they don’t feel or sound as good as forged irons because of how they are assembled and the small air pockets in the metals from the manufacturing process.
Maybe this isn’t a big deal for you, and you want a ball to go where you aim.
Lastly, working the ball (shot shaping) is harder with these clubs because they are so forgiving.
How Forged Irons Are Made
Short Answer: Forged irons are made from one solid piece of metal, which is superheated, molded into shape by large hydraulic presses, let cool, and then finished, resulting in an iron head.
Forged irons require the most attention and take the longest amount of time to manufacture.
The prices will often be higher because of the skill and time needed to make these irons.
The benefit of these irons being made from one piece of metal, which is then compressed and hammered into shape, is the exceptional feel you get.
Since it’s one solid piece with no gaps/air bubbles, when you strike a ball, you get a solid feel and sound because, well… It’s solid.
One downside would be that there are not many options you can do design-wise since the forging process is so difficult.
This is why all forged irons tend to look almost the exact same.
How Cast Irons Are Made
Short Answer: Cast irons are made by pouring molten metal into a mold or molds of different shapes and sizes. Once the metal cools, the molds are removed, the different pieces are welded together, and a cast iron is born.
Cast irons don’t require nearly as much time or skill to produce, so they always tend to be cheaper than forged irons.
Since they are made by pouring hot metal into molds and letting them cool, the process can be done at scale and with little supervision.
The main issue with this process is that pockets of air can be trapped in the molten metal, and then when it cools, an empty pocket of air becomes part of the structure.
This is why they don’t sound or feel as solid when you strike the ball.
However, these irons are made from multiple pieces, allowing for more design options.
Which is why cast clubs can look so different yearly, but forged club heads do not.
Forged Or Cast Golf Irons? Our Overall Winner:
Okay, so it’s easier to sit on the fence and say that both are great in their own right, but you came here looking for an answer.
The winner is… Cast golf irons.
The reason for my choice is that these irons can benefit a much wider range of golfers out there, from complete beginners to the guys on the PGA tour.
Because of how they’re made, they come in every shape and size, are easily customizable, and come in low – high handicap options.
The majority of our Best Golf Irons For Beginners were cast-made irons.
I personally love my forged golf clubs and can confidently say I’ll always use forged irons, but that’s just me.
Most professionals use these irons, and they know what they’re doing, so they obviously feel the same way about cast/cavity backs.
Check out some of our other iron-related posts below: