The club that won't lie

[charlatan]

Searching for some time, I think I've come down to my two options for irons. I know some disagree with the philosophy that using a blade to improve your game is absolutely the wrong way to do things, but that's exactly what I intend to do. I plan to invest a lot of my time to improving my game (thanks TSG users!), and I want an iron that isn't going to lie to me.

It looks as though these two contenders are what I am looking for. Is there another I should consider?

They will be bent 2* upright, concerns?

Thx

Charlatan

Edited June 16, 2008 by charlatan

[+TourSpecGolfer]

MB5003 would get my vote between the two. It feels better because it is a true MB design where as some of the vibration is distorted in the cavity of the TB-1000.

TB-1000 is a very nice club but still acts like a cavity back as far as workability goes. I have attached graphite to my 5003's and much to my surprise that has helped the distance loss of off center hits with a blade and it has kept the trajectory perfect to my desires. I originally tested it with steel and it went lower and landed hotter, distance on bad shots were not good at all.

For some people using a blade forces their focus more, It's a good methodology.

[charlatan]

MB5003 would get my vote between the two. It feels better because it is a true MB design where as some of the vibration is distorted in the cavity of the TB-1000.

TB-1000 is a very nice club but still acts like a cavity back as far as workability goes. I have attached graphite to my 5003's and much to my surprise that has helped the distance loss of off center hits with a blade and it has kept the trajectory perfect to my desires. I originally tested it with steel and it went lower and landed hotter, distance on bad shots were not good at all.

For some people using a blade forces their focus more, It's a good methodology.

Thanks Chris,

That is very interesting about the graphite shafts. The store lists all metal shafts I think... could you fit them with graphite?

Also, something I have noticed about irons is there seems to be differences between them in playability based upon the surface you're playing on (leading edge I believe). I live in Colorado, and the ground can be quite hard in the winter, but overwatered like everywhere else in the summer. Would these edges be condusive to playing on harder surfaces than say sea level, wet ground?

[gocchin]

Hi Char,

The MB-5003's have gotten absolutely raving reviews since their release earlier this year by many independent bloggers in Japan who test gear. They've been touted for their unbelievable feel and amazing performance especially when shafted with the right shaft. They have been very popular here at TSG and for good reason. People who have gotten then appear to be very happy with them.

If you look at this pic of the sole of the MB-5003 (right) and the Fourteen (left) you'll see that the Miura in fact has a bit of blunt leading edge. Blunt enough to prevent you from cutting right down into the wetter ground if it were a sharp leading edge. But not too blunt that it will still take a nice clean divot if need be:

The steel shafts are what's available from Miura. (I think they can offer Graphite Design graphite as well) And with other graphite shafts, the set could be custom built for you by TSG.

[charlatan]

Hi Char,

The MB-5003's have gotten absolutely raving reviews since their release earlier this year by many independent bloggers in Japan who test gear. They've been touted for their unbelievable feel and amazing performance especially when shafted with the right shaft. They have been very popular here at TSG and for good reason. People who have gotten then appear to be very happy with them.

If you look at this pic of the sole of the MB-5003 (right) and the Fourteen (left) you'll see that the Miura in fact has a bit of blunt leading edge. Blunt enough to prevent you from cutting right down into the wetter ground if it were a sharp leading edge. But not too blunt that it will still take a nice clean divot if need be:

The steel shafts are what's available from Miura. (I think they can offer Graphite Design graphite as well) And with other graphite shafts, the set could be custom built for you by TSG.

Thanks gocchin,

So it sounds like that's what I am going to go with then.

For shafts, I typically have a pretty high trajectory that I might like to lower a little, and would be looking for something soft - medium in the tip. What would you recommend? Driver head speed right now is about 95.

I also like a somewhat heavy bottom end, what's the swing weight on these out of the box?

Thanks

Mike

[herrsonic]

Bought 5003 heads from TSG. Then tried different shaft options with my clubmaker including Aerotech graphite and I settled on NS Pro. Graphite I find in general is better with vibration for off-center hits, but has the adverse effect of a muted feel as compared to steel. There is great pleasure in playing with blades, and the 5003 is great in terms of looks, address, and feel. On the feel category, I am quite impressed by all of the Fourteen irons, from the TC1000 cavity back to TB1000 blade. IMO, the Fourteen are subtly softer in feel than the Miura. I did not find the TB1000 to be any more forgiving than the 5003. But the Miura is so beautiful and performs well enough that on a psychological level it is more pleasurable to play with. Sometimes I play with the Miura CB-1006 cavity back, but if I consistently scored better with that I would stick to it. Between cavity back irons, I would choose the TC1000 over the CB1006. Personally, I don't think that playing with blades should be the end all goal. Many excellent players play with cavity backs. It all depends on what feels right to you. First, if any club could make me score lower I would go with that and generally that would be the club that you feel comfortable with both in terms of performance and psychology.

[Richmond Golfer]

MB5003 would get my vote between the two. It feels better because it is a true MB design where as some of the vibration is distorted in the cavity of the TB-1000.

Just where is the cavity on the TB 1000. I have a set, are you saying the head has been hollowed out inside so it still looks like a muscle back but is hollow inside? To me I thought they were a true muscle back design, unllike the TC 1000 which is a players cavtiy back.

[Richmond Golfer]

Searching for some time, I think I've come down to my two options for irons. I know some disagree with the philosophy that using a blade to improve your game is absolutely the wrong way to do things, but that's exactly what I intend to do.

I have always felt the true game improvement club is a blade and they are not hard to hit with a little regular practice.

I was able to get a set of Gold's before they were discontinued and these are the easiest clubs to me to hit. I love the three iron, straight and 200+ yards, all the time. Easier to hit to me than the 21 degree hybrid. Maybe they just fit me well. Who knows.

[herrsonic]

I agree that if one is trying to improve his game, there is no better club than a blade to provide feedback.

[charlatan]

Thanks guys,

Irons ordered along with the NSPRO 1150 GH Tours.

Chris, Jacque... I want them yesterday!!!

[gocchin]

Thanks guys,

Irons ordered along with the NSPRO 1150 GH Tours.

Chris, Jacque... I want them yesterday!!!

That's a very smooth combo.... be sure to report back when you get them! (^_^)

[charlatan]

I sure will, thanks for all the help gocchin!

[xchangmanx]

Good Choice!! I use 1150's in my epons and had them shafted up w/my 695smbs. They feel smooth.

[xxio]

I agree the TB1000s are not as workable as some blades. They are still workable enough. Very similar to my 04 RAC CBs in workability. The biggest difference for me is that the sweetspot on the TB1000s in more centered and abit bigger. My only other set of blades Pro100s seem to have the sweetspot closer to the heel.