Forged vs Cast Irons
Also known as: forged irons, cast irons, forged vs cast irons, forged or cast irons, are forged irons better
Forged irons are not automatically better. Forged heads are shaped from a solid billet of steel, while cast heads are made by pouring molten metal into a mold. Many players say forged irons feel softer. Casting costs less and makes forgiving cavity backs easy to build.
The difference is how the head is made. Forging presses a solid piece of steel into shape. Club designer Patrick Boyd calls it the most time-consuming and expensive way to make golf clubs. Casting pours liquid metal into a mold and lets it cool.
Feel is the main claim for forging. Boyd notes that much of that comes from the type of steel used, not only the process. Soft carbon steels are usually forged.
Forgiveness comes from design, not the process. Many forged irons now have cavities and hollow bodies, and many cast irons are very forgiving. Choose by fit, forgiveness and feel.
Tips by skill level
Hit both types side by side. Choose the one with steadier carry, not the one that sounds better.
Forged carbon steel is usually easier to bend for lie and loft. That can matter if you adjust your irons often.
Example
He wants forged blades because the pros use them. A fitting shows a forgiving cast iron gives him more consistent carry, and he buys those.
Why it matters
The forged or cast label is less important than the design and fit. Knowing that saves money and strokes.
Common mistakes
- Buying forged irons for status
- Assuming cast means cheap and harsh
- Ignoring forgiveness for feel
- Skipping a fitting
Frequently asked questions
Should a high handicapper use forged irons?
Choose by forgiveness and fit, not by how the head was made. Many forged irons have cavity backs, and many cast irons are very forgiving. Test them on a launch monitor.
Do forged irons feel softer?
Many golfers think so. Club designer Patrick Boyd says much of that comes from the steel used, not just the forging process.
Sources
Related terms
- Blade vs. Cavity BackBlades (muscle backs) put mass behind the sweet spot for feel and workability. Cavity backs move mass to the perimeter for a bigger sweet spot and more forgiveness.
- Players IronsPlayers irons use compact heads and thin top lines to favor shot-shaping control over maximum forgiveness. They suit golfers with reliably centered contact.
- Game-Improvement IronsGame-improvement irons use wide soles and hollow or perimeter-weighted heads to maximize forgiveness and launch. They are recommended for most everyday golfers.
- Club FittingClub fitting uses a launch monitor to match shaft, length, lie angle, loft, and head design to a golfer's swing. Stock clubs are built for an average golfer.
- Moment of Inertia (MOI)Moment of inertia (MOI) measures a clubhead's resistance to twisting on off-center hits. A higher MOI keeps the face more stable at impact, so perimeter-weighted, forgiving clubs retain more ball speed on mishits.
Related guides & benchmarks
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