Pros & Cons of Muscle Back Irons & the Best MBs of 2023
Muscle back irons are beefed-up blades for skilled golfers who love the look, feel and workability of a blade and want a skosh more forgiveness and distance than a thinner, more traditional blade.
Let’s take a deep dive into this sub-section of blade irons to find out exactly how muscle backs compare to more traditional blades and cavity backs. We’ll check out some of the best muscle back irons available today, and figure out if it’s time for you to switch to these beautiful, workable, and great-feeling irons.
Characteristics of Muscle Back Irons
Muscle back irons are usually a subcategory of blades. A blade becomes a muscle back when it has an added bulge behind the club head (this is the defining factor that gives the “muscle back” name). Muscle back irons also usually have a slightly thicker top line, slightly thicker sole, and perhaps one more degree of loft than traditional blades.
Here’s a quick-glance profile of muscle back irons that can give you an idea of whether or not they’re a good choice for your game.
|
Price |
$750-$1,500 per set |
|
Distance |
Medium |
|
Spin |
High |
|
Feel |
High |
|
Forgiveness |
Mid-Low |
|
Workability |
High |
|
Trajectory |
Mid-Low |
|
Handicap/Typical Score |
Single digit/70s |
Muscle back irons may also have slightly more loft than a classic blade, but less than a cavity back.
Here’s an example of 7-iron lofts from TaylorMade’s current line of irons, including a cavity back (Stealth 2), muscle back (P7MB) and traditional blade (P7TW).
|
Iron Model |
Type |
7-iron loft |
|
Stealth 2 |
Cavity Back |
28° |
|
P7MB |
Muscle Back |
34° |
|
P7TW |
Blade |
35° |
Why Golfers Use Muscle Back Irons
For golfers graduating from game improvement and cavity back irons, muscle backs are a logical next step. Muscle backs give you the ability to shape shots in any direction, as better players like to do, but with a little more forgiveness than a traditional blade.
Good iron players may find that muscle back irons give them the tightest dispersion of any type of iron. That’s because game improvement irons can produce a “jumpy” shot every now and then that flies 10 yards or more farther than anticipated, something you don’t find with muscle backs.
On the other hand, traditional blades are so unforgiving on misses that it negatively impacts dispersion when you miss the sweet spot.
Despite offering some forgiveness beyond what a traditional blade lends, muscle backs are still blades, and give players that sweet feeling at impact they desire. They are also confidence-inspiring at address, with their thin top line and sleek profile.
Pros & Cons of Muscle Back Irons
As you progress through your golf improvement journey, you’ll eventually find yourself at a crossroads. Should you continue to play your game improvement, cavity back irons, or transition into the next echelon of irons, and start playing a muscle back blade iron?
Only you can answer that question, and we highly recommend doing so with the help of a certified club fitter and a launch monitor, but knowing the pros and cons of muscle back irons first can help you decide if you even want to make the switch.
Pros of Muscle Back Irons
- The looks of muscle back irons are confidence-inspiring at address and satisfying in the bag
- Skilled players may notice tighter dispersion with muscle back irons
- Muscle back irons are more workable than cavity backs, allowing skilled players to hit draws and fades on command
- Muscle back irons feel better at impact than cavity backs
Cons of Muscle Back Irons
- Muscle back irons are less forgiving than cavity backs, and can be difficult to play if you don’t hit the center of the club face consistently
- Cavity backs offer the greatest distance of these three iron categories, but muscle back blades go farther than traditional blade irons
- Muscle Back irons, and blades in general, are noticeably more expensive than cavity backs
Who Should Play Muscle Back Irons
Golf is a game, and it’s meant to be fun. With that being said, if you simply love the feel of muscle back irons, regardless of the scores you shoot or your ability, by all means, do what makes the game the most fun.
Of course, most players get the most enjoyment out of shooting the lowest scores possible, and most recreational players would benefit most from cavity back irons because of their forgiveness and distance benefits.
However, muscle back irons are a great option for skilled players, typically players who meet most or all of the following criteria:
- Players who rarely miss the sweet spot on their irons
- Players who can shape the ball one or both ways on command
- Players who use cavity backs but find some shots to jump off the club face unpredictably
- Players who want a great-feeling iron and want to feel exactly where on the club face they strike each shot
Best Muscle Back Irons of 2023
If you’ve decided you want to give muscle back irons a try, your next move should be to see a club fitter and compare how they perform to your current gamers. That way you know for certain what areas muscle backs help you improve, and where they may hurt.
When you’re testing clubs, these are the top muscle back irons of 2023 that we recommend giving a swing.
Mizuno Pro 221
Mizuno Pro 221 iron
$1,312 | SHOP NOW
If you’re considering jumping into muscle back irons, there’s no doubt the allure of gaming a Mizuno blade has influenced your curiosity. As they say, nothing feels like a Mizuno, and the Pro 221 irons are inspired by the classic Mizuno blades, but with some added forgiveness that make them suitable for a larger segment of players.
TaylorMade P7MB
TaylorMade P7MB Muscle Back iron
$1,486 | SHOP NOW
TaylorMade’s P7MB irons are designed to give you maximum workability. But these muscle backs look just as good in your bag as they do hitting that pin-seeking butter cut on a long par 3.
Titleist 620 MB
Titleist 620 MB iron
$1,400 | SHOP NOW
If you love a classic-looking iron from a classic brand, you’ll be salivating over the Titleist 620 MB irons. These are sleek, clean, and confidence-inspiring for the better player. If you’ve got the game to put the 620 MB irons in the bag, you’ll be in complete control of your shot shape and trajectory.
Sub 70 659 MB
Sub 70 659 MB iron
$750 | SHOP NOW
These better-player muscle backs prioritize a penetrating ball flight and stopping power, a cocktail most better plays would love to mix up. Expect all the bells and whistles of a blade — from the thin top line to the soft feel and minimal offset — but at Sub 70's highly competitive price point.
MacGregor MT-86 Pro
MacGregor MT-86 irons
$800 | SHOP NOW
In case you didn’t hear, MacGregor is back. The 2023 MT-86 irons may bring back memories of those great MacGregor blades of the 80s, but these pack some serious forgiveness thanks to modern technology.
The Last Word
Muscle back irons aren’t for every golfer, but if you’ve got the skills to play them, the sleek and classic look, combined with the incredible feel and performance benefits can be awfully rewarding.
Before you make a quick decision, do yourself a favor and see how muscle back irons perform for you during a club fitting on a launch monitor. That’s the best way to guarantee you make the best decision for your game.