Best Blade Golf Clubs: Our data-backed shortlist of stunners to seduce the purist ball strikers
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Today’s Golfer pitch the best blade irons head-to-head to pick out the most versatile, workable, and beautiful models in 2025.
Historically revered as the best golf irons for elite and high-level players, blade irons have started to fade a little in terms of popularity on tour with many of the top stars now opting for the added forgiveness engineered into the best players’ irons instead.
Blade irons are forged from a single piece of metal and have smaller club heads, with a thin top line and sole. This razor-sharp appearance starkly contrasts the wide-bodied, cavity-back design of high-handicap irons that aim to enhance forgiveness and launch ability. As well as being less forgiving, blades are also weaker lofted than other categories of iron (34° or even 35° for a 7-iron), and require high swing speeds and consistent ball-striking prowess to extract their potential.
Best At A Glance
Best Overall: Ben Hogan Icon | VIEW OFFER
Second Best Overall: Srixon Z-Forged II | VIEW OFFER
Third Best Overall: Cobra King MB | VIEW OFFER
Best for Max Distance: ProtoConcept C01 TB | VIEW OFFER
Best for High Flight: Ben Hogan Icon | VIEW OFFER
Best for Low Flight: Wilson Staff Model MB | VIEW OFFER
However, those who do possess this ability can take advantage of the unrivaled feel, control, and workability offered by blade irons. This set of characteristics allows the best ball strikers to more easily shape shots both ways, impart spin, and control distance, ultimately enabling them to get closer to more pins and shoot lower scores.
We tested all the leading blade models head-to-head on a launch monitor to see which blades are a cut above the rest in 2025. For those itching to see our test pro’s numbers, jump straight to the data table, or carry on scrolling for our expert-reviewed shortlist.
Best Golf Blade Irons 2025
Best Muscleback Iron 2025 & Best Muscleback Iron for High Flight 2025
Ben Hogan, the golfer, was one of the most interesting and greatest players the game's ever seen. A multiple major winner who inspired many with his own game, he then helped pass on to the great golfing public through both instructionals (Hogan’s 5 Lessons book still provides key fundementals for PGAs and amateurs to this day) and then through designing his own equipment.
The equipment bearing his name today should live up to his iconic status, and we’re happy to say it does! The Icon iron carries a throwback look to the original BH company designs, while innovating where it can (this is still a blade, after all) with its progressive weighting system helping to make this more playable than your average butter knife.
Outstandingly consistent in our standard deviation measurements while sitting strongly within every measured average, we’re glad to show the Ben Hogan Icon as being one of the best Muscleback irons in the game today. Mr Hogan would be proud!
What our tester says:
Wow! This really is a blast from the past! It’s great to see some of these legendary names making comebacks and getting recognition in today’s game, and the Icon iron is all kinds of good-looking. For a blade, it gets through the ground really well, and I like that there’s some extra bounce from the sole to make the club glide through the turf more easily.
Data:
Loft 34º | Clubhead Speed 89.4 MPH | Ball Speed 117.9 MPH | Carry 169.9 Yards | Spin 5,561 RPM | Launch 17.8º | Height 31 Yards | Descent Angle 46.4º | L-R Dispersion 5.1 Yards
| Set Options | 4-PW |
| Stock Shaft | KBS Tour Lite / True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 |
| Stock Grip | Lamkin Z5 Black |
| Left Handed | No |
Second Best Muscleback Iron 2025
Sometimes, you just have to sit back and enjoy the moment. That’s the feeling Srixon’s Z-Forged II blade conjures up for us – something you can take pleasure in rather than worrying about anything beyond the strike.
While you could make an argument for any MB to be able to do this, we’re particularly enamoured with the Srixon Z-Forged II. There’s some jump to be found in the ball flight as well, with some added distance coming through during our testing, but the real benefit to be found is with Srixon’s VT sole.
The VT Sole can cut into strong ground as well as soft, without getting stuck. This needs to be felt to be believed, but it makes contact much easier in the Srixon iron.
What our tester says:
The shape feels like something of a throwback to some older iron sets, but I’m really taken by the power it seems to have for a muscleback iron. It still feels so soft. I wasn’t expecting to find both of these attributes at the same time in an MB iron.
Data:
Loft 33º | Clubhead Speed 89.8 MPH | Ball Speed 118.5 MPH | Carry 172.1 Yards | Spin 5,378 RPM | Launch 18.5º | Height 32.5 Yards | Descent Angle 46.8º | L-R Dispersion 8.1 Yards
| Set Options | 3-PW |
| Stock Shaft | Nippon NS Pro Modus Tour 120 |
| Stock Grip | Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 |
| Left Handed | No |
One of the best-performing blade irons in 2024.
Just like its predecessor the Staff Model is a great-looking blade, it comes with a highly polished chrome finish that’s as traditional as iron finishes get. Compared to the PXG 0317 ST the Wilson does have a more intimidating look at address, which is down to the topline thickness and sole widths being so wafer thin, but bear in mind Wilson’s staff players have fed directly into this design. Obviously, there’s an audience out there who like and favor the look, just beware that even if you’re looking to combo blade short irons with Wilson’s brilliant new Staff Model CB (Players’ Iron) mid and long irons, I would not describe the model in any way as being confidence-inspiring.
From a standard 34° 7-iron loft in the blade category the Staff Model produced a fraction more ball speed, more launch and shot height than our test averages, it also tied 2nd for carry distance. If your game happens to be good enough to consider employing a set of blades this year the Staff Model is one of my three best-performing blades in 2024.
Read our full Wilson Staff Model Blade iron review.
Pros
- Feel and impact are sensational.
- For an iron of this quality, the cost is very reasonable.
- Head shapes and profiles don't come any more traditional.
Cons
- These are amongst the least forgiving irons on the market.
| Availability | 4-PW (Custom Order 2 and 3 iron) |
| Stock shaft | True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid 115 |
| 7-iron loft | 34° |
Third Best Muscleback Iron 2025
We love the King MB performance at Today’s Golfer. The design is a great blend of classic blade and modern aesthetic, with sharp edges around the entire head, with logos being obvious for branding without being obtrusive.
We always expect consistency from the performance of musclebacks (why else would you punish yourself with these models otherwise?), but the Cobra King MB has been particularly solid in how tightly its attributes have grouped together.
What our tester says:
The biggest thing shouting out to me with the King MB is how well it looks like it could be blended with the King Tour. I don’t know how I feel about playing with a bladed 4-iron, but a combination of the two feels like a deadly pairing.
Data:
Loft 34º | Clubhead Speed 91.3 MPH | Ball Speed 118.5 MPH | Carry 167.9 Yards | Spin 6,031 RPM | Launch 18.2º | Height 32.5 Yards | Descent Angle 47.8º | L-R Dispersion 2.4 Yards
| Set Options | 3-PW, GW |
| Stock Shaft | KBS $-Taper |
| Stock Grip | Lamkin Crossline |
| Left Handed | Yes |
Best Muscleback Iron for Max Distance 2025
Possibly the most interesting iron we’ve ever seen! Historically, there’s not much point scoring blades on distance. Firstly, if you’re buying a set of musclebacks, you aren’t interested in hitting the ball farther. Secondly, the inherent design of a classic blade doesn’t yield a ball flight conducive to more yardage.
Step in the C01 TB! ProtoC have taken the muscleback design and elevated it with some truly innovative changes that might alter the way we think about this category of iron. Using an inner ceramic to create cavity-iron style forgiveness and power, the C01 TB offers the looks and feel of a smaller blade while producing a hot performance. The ball speed, at 123 mph, would put the C01 comfortably into the higher end of the Player Distance category, so you can see why we’re so intrigued by this model!
What our tester says:
The first hit was the biggest indication this iron would be different. The flight was like watching a distance iron, even though looking down at this club it looks small. It’s confusing but in a good way! I’d love to spend more time with it to see what it can offer.
Data:
Loft 32º | Clubhead Speed 92.7 MPH | Ball Speed 123 MPH | Carry 177.8 Yards | Spin 5,513 RPM | Launch 16.4º | Height 31.8 Yards | Descent Angle 46.8º | L-R Dispersion 11 Yards
| Set Options | 5-PW |
| Stock Shaft | Nippon NS Pro Modus Tour 120 |
| Stock Grip | Golf Pride Tour Velvet |
| Left Handed | No |
Best Muscleback Iron for Low Flight 2025
Ultra, ultra clean looks from the Wilson Staff Model MB takes this to the very top of our list for aesthetics. It’s a fantastically shaped iron, with some modern flourishes that take the iron beyond just another entry into the Muscleback category.
We’re big fans of the new badging Wilson are using, with the removed letters on the W/S shield adding to that modern minimalist style. From a feel perspective, though, the 8620 Carbon Steel produces a crisp, old-school noise that will have many golfers falling in love with it.
What our tester says:
Yeah, that’s a great-looking golf club. I didn’t recognise it as a Wilson Staff model at first because of the missing logo letters, but maybe that’s a good thing because I was just looking at the style! It looks great, and it feels awesome when you find the middle – not very forgiving, but why would you be looking for that from a blade?
Data:
Loft 34º | Clubhead Speed 86.4 MPH | Ball Speed 113.7 MPH | Carry 163.9 Yards | Spin 5,181 RPM | Launch 18.1º | Height 28.7 Yards | Descent Angle 44.9º | L-R Dispersion 13 Yards
| Set Options | 2-PW |
| Stock Shaft | True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid 115 |
| Stock Grip | Golf Pride Z-Grip |
| Left Handed | Yes (3-PW) |
Best Golf Blade Irons 2025: The Data
Below is the data from our independent testing of the best blade irons available in 2025. You can read about all the other models that didn’t make our shortlist above in our golf club review pages or category-specific irons pages.
Test Pro data:
| Make | Model | Loft (º) | Club Speed (mph) | Ball Speed mph) | Carry Distance (yds) | Spin Rate (rpm) | Launch Angle (°) | Peak Height (yds) | Descent Angle (°) | L-R Dispersion |
| Ben Hogan | Icon | 34 | 89.4 | 117.9 | 169.9 | 5,561 | 17.8 | 31.0 | 46.4 | 5.1 |
| Bettinardi | MB 24 | 33 | 90.3 | 119.4 | 167.7 | 6,487 | 17.7 | 32.3 | 47.9 | 4.8 |
| Callaway | Apex MB | 34 | 88.7 | 113.9 | 161.9 | 5,798 | 18.7 | 30.2 | 46.3 | 10.3 |
| Cobra | King MB | 34 | 91.3 | 118.5 | 167.9 | 6,031 | 18.2 | 32.5 | 47.8 | 2.4 |
| Mizuno | Pro 241 | 34 | 88.4 | 115.3 | 165.3 | 5,625 | 19.3 | 32.0 | 47.3 | 6.9 |
| Ping | Blueprint T | 33 | 88.6 | 115.5 | 166.7 | 5,369 | 18.6 | 30.8 | 46.2 | 8.3 |
| ProtoConcept | C01 TB | 32 | 92.7 | 123.0 | 177.8 | 5,513 | 16.4 | 31.8 | 46.8 | 11.0 |
| PXG | 0317 ST | 33 | 87.1 | 113.7 | 163.9 | 5,239 | 19.4 | 30.9 | 46.1 | 5.1 |
| Srixon | Z-Forged II | 33 | 89.8 | 118.5 | 172.1 | 5,378 | 18.5 | 32.5 | 46.8 | 8.1 |
| Takomo | 301 MB | 34 | 90.3 | 121.2 | 170.3 | 6,554 | 16.7 | 31.9 | 47.6 | 8.6 |
| TaylorMade | P7MB | 34 | 90.0 | 117.1 | 161.5 | 7,213 | 16.6 | 29.5 | 46.6 | 4.8 |
| Titleist | 620 MB | 35 | 89.4 | 116.6 | 166.4 | 5,856 | 19.3 | 32.8 | 47.5 | 6.9 |
| Wilson | Staff Model Blade | 34 | 86.4 | 113.7 | 163.9 | 5,181 | 18.1 | 28.7 | 44.9 | 13.0 |
| Category | Average | N/A | 89.4 | 117.2 | 167.3 | 5,831 | 18.1 | 31.3 | 46.8 | 7.3 |
| Test | Average | N/A | 90.2 | 120.2 | 175.1 | 5,327 | 17.6 | 31.9 | 46.4 | 9.7 |
How we tested the best blade irons
We asked the leading brands to send us their 2024 blade irons in our test Pro Neil Wain’s specs.
We created an indoor test lab at Keele Golf Centre to ensure a controlled environment, which meant we could use premium TaylorMade TP5x golf balls and a Foresight GC Quad launch monitor to create the most reliable data possible. We rejected major misses but recorded how shots launched, span, peaked out, and how far they flew in which direction.
See more about how TG tests golf clubs and other equipment.
Best Golf Blade Irons 2025: Buying Guide
For our most comprehensive buying guide for those unsure whether blade irons are for them, jump over to our best golf irons page for a more thorough breakdown of what each category has to offer. But if you’re already seduced by the sexy muscleback, here are the key things worth considering.
Feel
The feel of a golf shot is integral, allowing you to learn from the interaction experienced between the ball and the club at impact. Feel is determined by the vibrations traveling up the shaft of the club, as well as the sound of the impact. Every blade will have its own unique ‘feel’, and it’s therefore imperative to make sure you select a model that encourages this feedback to best control ball flights and ultimately help you to shoot lower scores.
Workability
The ability to draw and fade a ball into awkward pins is a key skill for better players, and blade irons are designed to enhance this shot-shaping ability. Consider your natural ball flight and which shot shape you struggle with most before heading to the range with a few different options to see which model provides you with the workability you desire.
Forgiveness
As previously mentioned, blade irons typically offer lower levels of forgiveness in comparison to other categories of iron. If forgiveness is one of your top priorities from a new set of irons then we strongly suggest checking out our best mid-handicap or high-handicap irons page to find the most forgiving models offered by the leading brands. That said, forgiveness in some of the latest blade releases are improving, as we’ve found with the Ping Blueprint T and TaylorMade P7MBs in recent tests.
Looks
Blade irons are arguably the best-looking clubs in golf, and while you should guard against being seduced by looks alone, looking down at address and liking what you see is pretty important from a confidence perspective.
Custom fitting
Often overlooked, but dialing in your optimal set-up through a custom fitting session will likely be of more benefit than the slight performance edge you hope to achieve by selecting one set of blades over another. If you’re not sure where to start, we suggest nipping down to your club Pro, or nearest golf retailer to explore the shaft, flex, lie angle, and a whole host of other variables that will help you extract the most value from your chosen model.
Budget
As with most things in the golf world, prices for irons can vary considerably. Value for money is subjective and therefore you should spend however much you feel comfortable with, be it a premium set of blades, or one with a more competitive price point.
If you’re ready to upgrade in 2025 but can’t justify the dizzying price tags of the games’s powerhouse brands, check out our pick of the best blade golf clubs from 2023. Many of these recently replaced or slightly older models are now available at reduced prices and still deliver a high-performance package.
Best Golf Blade Irons 2025: FAQs
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Best Blade Golf Clubs 2024
