Softest players distance irons that aren't forged?

[Foxx]

What are the softest players distance irons you've played that aren't forged?

[MauiMax]

Just curious. How come your looking for soft but not forged? 

[Foxx]

32 minutes ago, MauiMax said:

Just curious. How come your looking for soft but not forged? 

 

I'd like soft feeling irons that don't get beat up easy.

[MauiMax]

1 minute ago, Foxx said:

 

I'd like soft feeling irons that don't get beat up easy.

That makes sense. First thing that popped into my mind was ai200's. They dont get beat up too easy but also probably not the softest feeling. Much softer out there. They do feel nice though

[hammergolf]

1 minute ago, Foxx said:

 

I'd like soft feeling irons that don't get beat up easy.

Soft = dings. Maybe try Ping i230, they have a soft elastomer insert by are 431 stainless.

[drvrwdge]

I230

[Foxx]

3 hours ago, drvrwdge said:

I230

 Tried them. Felt quite hard tbh.

[WristySwing]

10 hours ago, Foxx said:

What are the softest players distance irons you've played that aren't forged?

 

The only Player's Distance Irons I can think of that aren't forged are T200 and i530. Both have forged faces only and cast bodies. Other companies, like Srixon and Callaway forge the bodies but use cast faces (maybe this has changed but it used to be the case a few years ago). When you forge the face you get a bit softer feel but the durability of the cast body. It doesn't really answer your question because it is not really Player's Distance since they are larger overall, but the PXG 0211 irons felt very soft to me when hit near the middle, as soft as any forging I've had. 

 

FWIW, the T200 and i530 will both feel a bit clicky compared to a traditional forging but I don't think you seem to care about that because you said you don't want it forged anyways. Both of these will be softer than a fully cast head like Qi, G440, etc.

[Itsjustagame]

9 hours ago, Foxx said:

 

I'd like soft feeling irons that don't get beat up easy.

Solved much of this with forged irons in an OGIO Silencer bag

[hammergolf]

7 hours ago, Foxx said:

 Tried them. Felt quite hard tbh.

You’re going to have to compromise somewhere. You’re looking for a unicorn that doesn’t exist. Iron covers may be your answer.

[bvanlieu]

I would compare PXG along with P790 (latest and previous gen). While never to be confused with a P7CB or similar, I find middle-ish strikes solid. 770s as well but I dont' find the 770s really *much* different then the 790 in current form feel wise, and I prefer the extra size of the 790 myself. 

 

Love me some ping but they be clicky in comparison. 

 

 

[Urb]

Really depends on what part of the iron is forged and what the material is.  Companies love to slap forged on everything they can, even even they're forging one tiny part out of something hard.  

 

The newest P770s felt like they had the softest goo inside them.  Hot Metals have half the set forged out of harder chromoly.  

[Nessism]

Hot Metal Pro, maybe.  They have a durable finish, and the head body is made out of hard cast material.  

 

Realize that your requirements for "soft" and a head that doesn't dig up easily are conflicting.  Maybe some sort of hollow cast head filled with goo.  Get some Kirkland irons (or similar)!

[av1084]

Hot Metal Pro, ZXi5 (yes, debatable regarding the "forged" moniker)

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, bvanlieu said:

I would compare PXG along with P790 (latest and previous gen). While never to be confused with a P7CB or similar, I find middle-ish strikes solid. 770s as well but I dont' find the 770s really *much* different then the 790 in current form feel wise, and I prefer the extra size of the 790 myself. 

 

Love me some ping but they be clicky in comparison. 

 

 

I’ve had several sets of PXG irons. They get dinged up.

[Pnwpingi210]

Ping i210 is the answer. Feel just like king tours

 

king tours is the next answer.  They wear well

 

agree the i230 are much firmer, like a t150

Edited July 4 by Pnwpingi210

[davetmo]

I have Cobra King Tour MIM irons. Fabulous feel, and that's from an ex Mizuno player. 

[dmbolp]

5 hours ago, Itsjustagame said:

Solved much of this with forged irons in an OGIO Silencer bag

…with headcovers 😉

 

 

[Old Tom Morris]

Really nothing made like that anymore.  Titleist 990 might fit your criteria.  Cast stainless steel.

[kilword]

im super picky on feel but will say not all forged irons are created equal in terms of durability. my mizuno pro 243s have held up super well and I beat them to hell. That said, feel with durability Id recommend the I230s, 2023 cobra king tours, mizuno pro 243s. mizuno hot metal line like mizuno 925 forged or hot metal pro. 

But always remember "tools not jewels" I currently have mizuno S3's and if they get beat to hell looking so be it they're amazing.

[LukeDonaldsTiger]

50 minutes ago, dmbolp said:

…with headcovers 😉

 

 

That’s like wearing two condoms. Stay safe brother. 

[Hawkeye77]

My Mizuno 923 forged are doing just fine, no "dings" and haven't had a serious "ding" on forged iron since I hit a little bit of a small rock in the ground years ago (played forged with the exception of some Pings for a few years since about 1980) - if you want a soft feel get a soft feel, otherwise "softest that isn't forged" isn't . . . soft. 

 

I play golf outside and my irons impact the ground and whatever is in it and actually touch each other in my bag - just have never understood the need to keep them pristine or how a bit of wear, even bag chatter, drives people nuts.  

[rsballer10]

OP - I wouldn't pick your irons based on whether or not they are forged. IMO it doesnt matter.

 

Forging vs casting is a process. The softness is driven by the material, not the process. Grain flow, copper underlay, samurai swords, unicorn blood may have some tiny affect on the feel, but are not the primary driver. My T100 irons are 'forged' but I can tell you the 4-7 are hard to bend. They also are firmer than a 1 piece iron. I also dont care either way if they are soft or not - they work so i play them.

 

If you're concerned about true durability, stay away from irons with ultra thin faces. Thats the part of the iron most likely to fail - and even that is unlikely unless you are really quick.

[ScooterMcTavish]

6 hours ago, hammergolf said:

You’re going to have to compromise somewhere. You’re looking for a unicorn that doesn’t exist. Iron covers may be your answer.

 

I still wonder why people spend a large amount of cash on irons, yet don't use covers.  I get the "tools" not "jewels" idea, but I also put my DeWalt battery-operated skill saw back in its case when done with it, and I don't then throw in a couple of screwdrivers and a crescent wrench, then strap the case to a golf cart for 18 holes, or ride around with it bouncing in my trunk.

And to the OPs question, others have pointed out that "forged" doesn't always mean the entire head.  For example, the W/S D7 Forged are actually cast, and then the face is forged.  I believe the D9 Forged and Dynapower Forged are constructed similarly, meaning you get the soft forged feel (and sound) off the face.  

 

Ping also does the "forged face on a cast club" thing with the i series.  I had a set of i525, and can honestly say they felt fully cast, with none of the "softer feel" I got out of my D7 Forged. 

 

If something in a PD "forged face" club ends up suiting your fancy, check out used club sites that shows the actual clubs (like 2nd swing) to get an idea of how bad the finishes will mark up.  For example, check out some pics of a set of i500, and you'll see that particular version of hydropearl wasn't great. 

[HTRN-25]

Not fully forged? Hands down Ti Fusions since the face it titanium. 

 

I210 are great feeling and will be around after WW3 with Twinkies and cockroaches. I230 is close in feel if a clean set of 210s is hard to find. I guess the main question is are you looking for marshmallow soft or feel good soft. If the first just pick a I series ping and play a soft compression ball with elivate tour shaft with vss and you have a winner. 

[KevCannon]

Got nothing….

But, I don’t think I have seen/heard this specific question before. So kudos

[gumpy]

16 hours ago, Foxx said:

 Tried them. Felt quite hard tbh.

Yep they aren’t soft feeling, not sure why people say they are soft. And they aren’t distance irons either. 

 

They are crazy durable and high performing though.

 

Good luck with your search. 

[Badshaft]

Cobra King Tec and King Tec-X I believe have a forged power shell (face) and the body is cast.

 

Super soft feeling and super durable. I have played the Forged Tec X for this 3rd season and none of them are not marred in the least 4-AW. Just a few light scratches on bottoms from hitting an odd embedded pebble or small rock in the fairway/rough or bunker. 

[Hawkeye77]

3 hours ago, ScooterMcTavish said:

 

I still wonder why people spend a large amount of cash on irons, yet don't use covers.  I get the "tools" not "jewels" idea, but I also put my DeWalt battery-operated skill saw back in its case when done with it, and I don't then throw in a couple of screwdrivers and a crescent wrench, then strap the case to a golf cart for 18 holes, or ride around with it bouncing in my trunk.

 

Because "tools" is more analogy than reality - I don't drag my chop saw through a sand filled hole in the ground or use it in the rain, but like your saw, it's not meant to be banging into the ground or the mud or smacking something else - do you put sleeves on your hammers, screwdrivers so they don't get scratched in a tool box? Kidding a bit, but that's because I've never understood the iron cover mindset - I don't care if people use them, obviously, up to them, but I'll never really understand it, but I yearn for the days of metal spikes and bag chatter on my way to the first tee.

 

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

2 hours ago, Hawkeye77 said:

I don't care if people use them, obviously, up to them, but I'll never really understand it, but I yearn for the days of metal spikes and bag chatter on my way to the first tee.

I can agree with missing bag chatter and the sound of metal spikes.

 

I also miss the days of buying a new set of irons for between $100-300, and being able to respike a pair of well loved shoes for under $10.

 

Unfortunately, when irons are $1,400 plus per set, I want ‘em to look as nice as long as possible.  And I genuinely love a clean and undamaged top line.

Edited July 5 by ScooterMcTavish