Should more golfers be playing blades? Here’s what you need to know

There are several different schools of thought on how to choose the right irons for your game.

Most of them come from players who refuse to be tough, because yes, that’s the right answer. However, there are plenty of golfers who spend a lot of time online looking at articles, forums, news feeds, and social media to find their answers.

One big question? Should more golfers be playing blades? If you had asked most people at the end of the 2025 PGA Tour season, the answer would have been a resounding no.

“Rory just switched to catch back.”

“Many Titleist employees log into the T series every week.”

“Combo sets are the way to go.”

That’s all well and good, but until 2026… a few big names leading blades in the bag, including World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, switching BACK to blades at World No. 2 Rory McIlroy, and two-time winner in 2026 Chris Gotterup. One common theme for these guys? All are PGA Tour professionals.

An Unreasonable Argument

The most common and nonsensical argument I hear for the average golfer to hit blades is, “You’ll learn to hit the ball better if you start using blades sooner.”

This is absurd. Golf is tough. It’s really hard.

Why do we encourage players to start on the most unforgiving foot possible? Even today’s blades like the new 2026 Wilson Staff Model MB or the TaylorMade P7TW, which are more forgiving than their 10-year-old counterparts, are still difficult to hit consistently. These clubs PURPOSE to give feedback to the golfer. These clubs are INTENDED to come off the center well, and be rough outside of it. They are the tools of true high-level players. Not intended for beginner hands.

The biggest fear I have with this statement is that it takes away the fun of learning the game. I’ve seen more golfers quit out of frustration than anything else in the game. So in this writer’s opinion, telling MOST players to pick up a set of blades is the worst advice you can give them.

Rory Quit Playing Blades

A few weeks ago, a big story emerged as Rory McIlroy chose to start playing a set of TaylorMade P7CB cavity back irons over his set of RORS PROTO blades.

This was the turning point of the crowd that asked for forgiveness. Of course if RORY is going to switch to something more forgiving, there is no reason why any average golfer should play blades.

However, that did not last long. They never made it to the PGA Tour, even. Ahead of his debut this week at Pebble Beach, he has switched to his RORS PROTOS. But, I don’t think he is done with the test yet. I have a feeling this will be the trigger for a new set of RORS PROTOS. Something we probably won’t be able to get our usual hands on, but it’s amazing nonetheless. He spoke at his press conference this week about going back, and he gave a very different answer.

While getting into his response requires another topic entirely, I don’t get the sense from his voice in response to the question that he is giving up trying to justify more.

Personally, I look forward to seeing what they develop and come up with. Because a rear-style instrument that doesn’t have the correct bias with a slight reduction… it can be quite something.

What about the average consumer?

Today, I ran to a simulation site to test the theory for myself. I’m a +0.3 handicap golfer at the moment, and over the last few years, I’ve had blades come in or out of the bag in one way or another. Some at the lower end of the set with a combo or cavity flow back to the top, and others as full sets. Even now, I have started the year choosing to play the new Cobra 3DP MB instruments. Which is a different animal.

Of course they don’t play like MB.

The reason I bring this up is not to brag in any way about my game, but to say that I’m probably in the small bucket of people who should even consider playing blade. For me, at this level in my game, it really comes down to strike consistency and turf interaction.

Blades or MB models usually have a very narrow sweet spot. The club heads themselves are very small, and returning the center of the face to the ball is not as easy or generous as something like a cavity-back or large-style clubhead.

Soles tend to be very thin, so there isn’t much room for error in the delivery of the club. If you have a thin sole, it tends to pass through the cool area well, but it is also very sensitive to attack. Go too steep, and you’ll be stuck in the ground like a knife. Get in very shallow and your hands will know what a little sting feels like under the club face.

All of this is to say that there are so many skill or scratch level reasons NOT to play blade style instruments, why would 10 handicap feel like playing them is the right move? Because some guy in an internet snake pit told you so? A bad reason.

Testing the theory

I hopped on the casting dock this morning to hit some shots with the new Wilson Staff Model Irons. 2026 brings us a new muscle blade, cavity back offering, and a new hollow body on the Staff Model XB. I made sure to take screenshots of the data, so let’s take a look. First, (out of 10 shots per club) look for the three best shots each hit.

There is nothing surprising about this data set from hitting a 7-iron for each model. The blade is slow and the hollow body has the lowest spin with the Staff Model CB sitting in the middle of the two. Where it starts to develop into more of a story is in the comparison of the 10 original images seen here.

Here we begin to see a little more division. As we add more images, the metals begin to show their true colors. The worst shots from the Staff Model MB will lower the averages so they work less than the other two models. The XB and its hollow structure really start to stand out as the ratings get closer to what the numbers were from the top three shots. And as we look at the three worst images in each group, the full picture develops.

This is where the MB style of metal can really come apart. Also, I like to think I’m a decent football player. I know how to take the club to the ball effectively. But every time I get into the harbor and start swinging some blades, I’m reminded that I need more forgiveness in my game. Losing six to seven miles per hour of ball speed will not happen. That would be a full distance club on the course!

Why would I even think that would be an option if I was trying to get better at golf. Even just a small step up to the Staff Model CB proved to be the best. The standard deviation in data between shots was amazing to see, and it’s still a really cool looking package that doesn’t hurt the ego at all.

Wilson 2026 Staff Model CB Custom Irons

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore, Wilson

All this for whom?

As I’ve said before, the idea that a professional or recreational golfer should play blades is nonsense to me. Does this mean I think blades have no purpose in the game? Not at all. I’ve actually seen a number of golfers who “shouldn’t” be playing blades into them. There’s something to be said for a thin pointed sole and a small form factor. There are players of all skill levels who will find success with their delivery using this style of golf club. I don’t want to bet that the blade shape is for a good or bad player, it just needs to be for the right player.

I wouldn’t say that a beginner should be anywhere near a blade, unless you show them how far they need to go to understand how to hit the golf ball. At that point you are making an aggressive statement, but I will allow it.

If you are ready for blades, I believe in you and wish you the best with your game. Remind me not to bet money on you, because I’ve made that mistake before. If you’re not ready for a set of blades and really want to see what they may or may not do for your game, be sure to book a match at your local True Spec Golf simulator. They will guide you.

Want to find the best accessories for your wallet in 2026? Find a club fit near you at True Spec Golf.

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