Looks-wise, golf irons haven’t changed much since the earliest days of the game. But “under the hood”, plenty is going on that players must consider if they’re to choose the best irons for their game.
One topic that’s often overlooked is the forged vs cast irons debate. It’s an important decision, but many players are simply unaware of the differences and nuances each option brings to iron play, for both long and short irons.
If you’re looking for a new set of golf irons and want to make the right decision the first time around, forged vs cast is something you absolutely need to think about. So, if you’re unfamiliar with the two, Clarkes Golf is here to help.
We’re home to one of the largest selections of both forged and cast irons on the market today, along with plenty of golf equipment, golf balls and more from the leading manufacturers in the sport. So no matter where you are in your golfing journey, we’ll have the best irons for you.
What are Forged Irons?
Forged irons are created from a single, solid piece of metal. During the forging process, the metal is heated until it becomes more malleable, before it is hammered and/or pressed into the desired club shape. The newly forged club is then cooled and treated with the utmost attention to detail to produce some of the most popular irons in the sport today.
The chosen metal is often a softer carbon steel as it’s much easier to work with than alternatives, while still offering players plenty of advantages on the fairway. These are the most popular choices for PGA tour players.
What are Cast Irons?
As the name suggests, cast irons are created using molten, liquid metal, rather than softened metal. The process involves pouring molten metal into a pre-made mould – or “cast” – of the iron head, for accurate and speedy production.
For this process, a harder metal, such as a stainless steel alloy, is most commonly used.
What are the Benefits of Forged or Cast Irons?
Benefits of Forged Irons
Feel: If you’re looking for that iconic knife-through-butter feel from your irons, forged golf clubs are a great choice. Forged clubs feel softer because the grain structure within the metal is more deeply aligned during hammering/pressing, reducing vibrations and improving feedback for players.
Forgiveness: Forged irons generally are not the most forgiving in the world, as their “sweet spot” is most commonly found directly in the centre of the face,
Workability: Skilled players often use forged irons to work their shots to a desired shape. Such ball flight is possible thanks to the advanced feel forged irons provide.
Cost: Naturally, forged irons are the more expensive of the two as there’s a lot more physical labour required to sculpt the clubs correctly. But golfers who admire the qualities these irons provide see it as a worthy investment.
Benefits of Cast Irons
Feel: For fans of a firmer, more impactful feel during their strikes, cast clubs will quickly become some of their favourite clubs. While it may have been considered an unpleasant feeling for a time, modern technology has significantly improved this, to the delight of many.
Forgiveness: This is where cast irons shine. Because the moulds can be pre-made to meet exact specifications, designs such as hollow-body, cavity-back builds that enhance forgiveness are easy to produce. They're also known for greater ball speed.
Workability: Cast irons are more closely aligned with forgiveness, meaning there’s less capability to shape shots. For workability, players should generally stick with forged.
Cost: Cast irons are far more affordable than forged, as less manpower is needed to build the clubs, and they can be produced in large quantities relatively quickly.
Who are Forged Irons and Cast Irons for?
Here’s a general rule of thumb you can follow if you’re looking to pick up a new set of golf irons:
- Forged irons are for experienced, low-handicap players and professional golfers who can capitalise on greater control and feedback.
- Cast irons are perfect for the average amateur golfer or beginner who wants to enjoy more forgiveness as they improve their skills.
Find Your Ideal Cast and Forged Irons at Clarkes Golf
Whether you’re a seasoned golfing veteran on the hunt for your new forged favourites, or someone simply looking for irons that will help you keep your shots in line on the way to the green, we’ll have everything you need and more at Clarkes Golf.
From Titleist irons to Mizuno irons and beyond, there’s plenty to see.
Take a look at our vast selection of individual golf irons and golf iron sets at the links above. Or if you're wondering whether cast or forged irons are the right choice for you, reach out to a member of the Clarkes team if you need any advice or personalised club recommendations.