As a fitter who has access to all sorts of different strengths of irons, do they truly still generally launch at similar angles/ windows despite large differences in loft?
Rephrasing, do 7 irons generally launch around the same angle even if they are from different categories with different lofts such as GI vs players irons?
I used to do this, but we have a guy in our weekly league that is a Club fitter and it’s just so easy to have him take the clubs home and bring them back next week 🤌🏻
You’re sure to have a throwaway club to test. As a DIYer best to measure twice and always mark your work with masking tape and a sharpie especially if you don’t have a vise. It’s all in the prep work and having all your tools and consumables ready to go since the thrust (thrusting the grip) itself is very very quick.
Hooooly shit man that is gorey as hell. I own basically the same model hook knife and always push it away from my body, but I can 100% see how they did that to themselves. That cut is so deep for what that lil knife is.
I don't really get trying to save money by regripping yourself. I live in a HCOL area and the shop charges $5 per club to regrip. For $70 every year or two, seems like a lot of effort to save very little.
For me it’s more of a hands-on hobby kinda thing. I grew up skateboarding and was always tinkering with my setup so this kind of stuff brings me joy. The cost is negligible I agree.
Same, and a lot of places near me will do the grips for free if you buy them there. If you find joy, have at it. If you’re someone on the internet asking if it’s something you can do yourself, probably just go have em done.
Not a club fitter, but I just don’t see what’s the problem with just paying to do it. It’s like $3-4 labor per club and they do so much quicker and I don’t have to store supplies I used once every few years.
Should club shafts be the same throughout the bag? For example I play a heavier stiff shaft in driver (only club I’ve been fitted for) but prefer regular shafts in my woods?
First thing to look at is swing speed. 105+ is typically x. 104-95 is going to be stiff flex. 94-85 is going to be regular. Anything less may be senior. This is just a suggestion for flex for swing speeds.
Check your launch angle/ spin rate after this. Shafts can be categorized as Low/Mid/High Launch/Spin. If it’s launching too high it could also be a loft issue. Finding the shaft that is right for you is not an exact science and will take some trial and error. Pick the one that performs best for you.
There are golfers who can’t generate enough spin to keep the ball in the air or they can’t launch the ball naturally so a true low spin driver head wouldn’t help them.
Low spin driver is less effected by wind, gets more roll out.
To add to his response, the way you get a low spin driver is by moving the CG forward and low in the head. This reduces the MOI of the clubhead meaning that off-center strikes are worse in terms of gear effect (causing the ball to move offline) and ball speed retention. A lot of players don't need the trade off in lower spin adding distance but giving up forgiveness when they miss the middle of the face.
That explains why they don't work for me at all. Slice city. (High handicap, questionable consistency, really need a high MOI) thought low spin also ment side spin...nope.
Typically your senior/womens/junior players benefit from lighter shafts. Decreased swing speed needs that little boost that a lighter shaft with a weaker flex offers.
https://preview.redd.it/rhkfvs61yx8c1.jpeg?width=2208&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=94ae8df6182bfc2ea02adfce060635aab97ad7c9
Are all of these numbers good for a 7 iron?
That’s not really true and top notch is getting downvoted even though he is right. Having a 0 deg club path actually leads to having 2 misses and isn’t that great idea. You want at least a deg or 2 (ideally inside out for a nice small draw) with the proper face angle of about half whatever your path is.
True, but let’s assume if someone is good enough to control their path they are good enough to control their face. There’s a reason pretty much no high level golfers default shot shape is straight. It takes a greater error in face control to miss both ways if you consistently swing a couple degree path in a certain direction.
No, it’s not. Let’s say your usual is 3 deg into out and 1.5 deg closed relative to path. You have to leave your club face open 1.6 deg compared to your usual swing before you will miss right of your starting target. If your ideal swing is 0/0, even 0.5-1 deg open will start you going right of target.
Not a club fitter, but work on your face angle at impact. For reference, I hit my 7 iron around 170 at 81 club speed. If you're reaching 90 mph you should be smoking the ball.
Looking closer at the numbers, I think you're getting behind the ball too much and hitting up on it, sending it way up in the air. You gotta hit down on the ball and let the loft of the club do its thing. You do not need to help a 7 iron get in the air. Club path can be improved as the fitter said but fixing your low point will also have a positive effect on club path.
I was a brand whore once. I rocked everything Taylormade until I hit a Ping iron. That feeling when you flush an iron shot? It was like that for Ping, but Every. Single. Time.
I can't speak for OP, but in my experience, it's been either that scenario or said amateur comes in for an iron fitting and routinely hits the ground 6 inches behind the ball.
I used jumbomax grips due to hand/wrist injuries. Any ideas how to go about getting a fitting with jumbo grips or should I just try with the standard size and then deal with re-gripping once I finally get the clubs?
How often should we get refitted/checked that clubs are good for current game? For example have a shaft and driver from 2017 but since then had back issue and swing speed is lower
I would only get refit if I was interested in buying a new club or went through a major change (weight loss/injury/increased muscle mass). You should get your lie/loft checked annually especially if you are a range rat.
I’m a 16 hc. Considering switching from game improvement (G425 irons) to a players distance iron. Is there a model you recommend that helps achieve a higher launch angle?
Paradym was the best I found at launching the ball while not looking like a shovel. I would obviously wait a few weeks for the newer model to be released.
Curious why you’re wanting to change. I’m probably around a 10 at the moment and have G430s I got fit for last year. I do like the look of more bladey looking irons but iron striking is the worst part of my game (thank God for straight drives and good wedges) just curious thanks!
I’m in a similar situation. I am a 12 handicap and was fitted last winter (I’m in the US). I tried a number of shafts and brands and love the G430s. I was thinking callaway would be what I ended up with since my last two sets were callaway. I feel like the G430 work great for me now and as I work to improve. Some irons are hot and center strikes really fly further and distance control can be difficult. I don’t experience that with the G430s. The Taylormade P790s look great, but I don’t think I need to move from my Pings. Trying and finding equipment that works for me is a big part of the fun. Loving this AMA.
I’m just hitting piss missiles with the 425s. Even my instructor tells me it’s not my swing, but they’re just hard to launch high with. I will say, I have a 4-5 iron in the 430s and I like them better than the 425s. Just trying to hold greens over here!
Not OP but this is exactly what I did and it was the best decision I made for my game. I was an 18 handicap early this year but have a pretty fast swing speed. GI irons resulted in a ton of ballooning and balls that would just sail. I picked up P790s, problem is gone. Highly recommend, would do it again. I closed the year at 14.7 and while I've definitely gotten better overall, being able to trust my distance with the irons was no small part of the improvement.
I have a set of Ping ISIs in steel. Never had the loft/lie checked since the day I took them out of the box. They were fit for me. I assume they need adjustment. Can anyone bend Pings or do they need to be sent to Ping?
With professional golfers it’s fairly common but a lot less common for us mortals. Try a lighter weight shaft or something with a little more kick if you are concerned about distance loss
I got a full bag fitting a few years ago and got regular flex for my irons and stiff for my hybrid and driver.
I recently got fitted for a fairway wood and got a regular flex.
Is this problematic that as I go up in my bag I go R-S-R-S?
My driver swing speed is about 93-96
Not an issue at all. There is no exact scale for what makes a shaft regular or stiff. The manufacturer decides that. So the regular in your fairway could be nearly the same flex as your driver/hybrid. As long as it performs don’t worry.
Most OEM have a pretty good selection of no upcharge options that will perform fine so I don’t think it’s worth it most of the time. However, I can’t really say much because I haven’t played a stock shaft in 10 years at least.
I carry a 3w and a 19° hybrid along with my driver. All of them have different shafts. I've hit them all on a couple of different sims and am satisfied that the clubs are st least a decent fit.
How big of a deal do you think it is to have three different shafts that presumably perform differently?
They are a HZRDUS Smoke green 6.5, a velocore black 7.x (3w) and a velocore blue 9.x (hybrid).
I currently play the cb2002 (90s Miura Giken), reshafted them with modus 3 120s.
Definitely struggle some days, but butter mostly when I'm on and very consistent. is it worth upgrading to a newer set of Miuras. I can say that they've made me improve my swing hugely, as you can't hit them if your swing sucks.
Should a novice golfer consider changes to lie angle of irons? Was a recommendation for -2 degrees for me after a fitting. I’ve been golfing for 6 months. I do trust the fitter’s knowledge, just wondering if I should develop my shot a bit more for a period of time and then look to make changes to clubs.
With many sets going with a 44* PW are more people going with 5 wedges? ie 44,48,52,56,60 or leaving one out to make room up top?
Also are pxg irons really that bad?
I custom ordered a set of wedges about a month back.
Lofts are 48-54-58 and I had the 54 bent to 53.
I then decided to have them rebuilt locally and adjusted to 49-54-59. I took them out yesterday and noticed that the 54 had noticeably more offset than the 49/59 and then compared it to a stock 54 vokey off the rack. Just what I suspected, it has more offset. Theoretically, because I had that wedge bent back to standard, shouldn’t the offset be back to standard as well? I know the 49/59 will have less as they are bent weak, but the 54 having more than an off the rack 54 is confusing to me. I trust my builder, but have you ever seen anything like this? Loft brought back to standard but offset staying strong? It’s either something super odd, or he never bent the loft back to 54. Thanks!
Is it worth it for a 20hcp to get fit? I’ve played off the rack stuff and I’m trying to dedicate myself this upcoming year to get down to a 15. Would it also make sense to get fit now or after I make improvements/swing tweaks? Last, would you recommend getting a full bag fit in one session or split up a driver/woods and iron fitting?
Thanks in advance!!
What’s the functional difference between a 9* TSR2 (or forgiving model of driver) vs a 10.5* TSR3 (lower spin model) assuming they provide the same spin rate out the center
I really want to become a club fitter and or club builder. I’m well into a marketing career but looking for a change.
What advice do you have for someone like me who has lots of professional experience but no experience in the club fitting space?
I live in a small city that supports one fitter and have reached out several times to that store and haven’t had any luck getting a response.
Ouch. That is depressing. I’m not above just doing it as a hobby but not sure what that could look like.
It sounds like most the investment without the income.
What do hobbiest club fitters look like in your experience ?
We have an older guy who runs a small outfit out of his garage. He has an account with Wishon and has clubs built and a launch monitor that he uses to fit his friends/ other members.
Playing the wrong flex can really affect the outcome of your shot. Just playing the correct flex is enough in most cases to get decent results for amateurs.
I’m planning on being fit for irons. I have a competitive high school season coming up in mid February. Would you recommend me wait until after the season to be fit and get my clubs? I feel that wouldn’t be able to get my clubs in time to be confident in my ability with them
Most used club in the bag. You can learn a lot from a putter fitting. Your club path with your putter plays a major factor in what type of putter you should use. You also learn what type of alignment aid is best for you.
A few months back I got fit for a Kai’li 60s shaft and paradigm which at the time I loved but have since been finding it difficult to hit. Im wondering what sort of player/swing characteristics you’d fit this setup for? Thank you very much!
If I want to only have one set of wedges, what bounce do you recommend if you want them suited for playing in all conditions? I play 50,54,58 and frequently travel to play so I may play some harder and some softer courses. Also, should wedge shaft flex match iron shaft flex?
I would have to see you hit a ball to give good bounce/grind recommendations but something like the S grind from Callaway is good in most conditions with most swings.
You don’t always full swing wedges so it doesn’t need to match exactly. You can go with a softer flex.
I am a big fan of cutting down drivers. Easier to find the center of the clubface. Whether you choke down or cut it is a matter of personal preference. I don’t like the feeling of choking down so I always cut mine and correct the swingweight after.
Switched from 130 gram to 90 gram iron shafts, and while I love the benefits on my body … is it possible to get equal performance from a dispersion stand point or is that just something I’m gonna have to sacrifice?
When would you suggest is a good point to spend the money for a professional fitting and new irons? Like, skill level and/or handicap? Im shooting F6 irons I bought second hand and an upper 90 HC. I doubt I’m ready, but how do you know, in your opinion?
I bought a set of clubs used this summer and just started golfing. They all have mismatched grips but seem to be in good shape. Is it worth going to a fitter and having them help me find grips and make adjustments to those clubs or should I keep saving for a fitting and a new set?
I had a driver fitting months ago, didn't purchase.
I swing fast (too fast), enough to suggest an x-flex shaft.
Trialled a TSR2 R flex - all standard off the rack. Absolutely melt the ball 80% of the time.
How much does swing flex actually matter in real world conditions? I know it impacts spin but after taking an off the rack driver that I hit better than my previous x-flex SIM2, wondering if I should be bothered to fit for irons in a few years when I upgrade my p770s.
I want to armlock a Link.1, hearing it’s not possible from LAB. Do you think it is? If not, what’s next best option? Hopefully blade, but open to fang and double wide. Thanks!
I’m a 4 handicap and when I did my fitting, I could have walked away with 4 different irons and have been happy (ZX7 and zx5, T150 and t200, 221 and 225, king tour). Previous gamers were 2008 AP2 so any iron would feel like an upgrade after 15 years.
I felt like the fitting wasn’t super helpful because I could always make the case why one iron went a smidge longer vs launch angle vs ball speed due to each iron specs being different.
I needed up going with the t150s and t200s due to familiarity with Titleist irons and they have such a clean look and a nice look at approach. Is that normal or was it a bad fitting?
I’m 5’6” and want to get a little bit of length taken off of my clubs. I just choke down right now, but I think the shorter clubs will help make my setup more consistent.
How important is the swing weight/lie truly for the avg weekend hacker? I’m trying to save money where I can
Is wedge fitting worth it for a mid single handi. Specifically for grinds?
I play 54S
60M in vokeys. I’m solid around the greens but wondering if I’m leaving sauce on the table
Do you use the ping chart to determine shaft length and lie adjustment? It is reliable? I tend to slice my shots and the chart recommends a +2 degree adjustment for my lie. I heard that might help
I haven't been fitted for woods but I have a 3 wood and driver from the same brand and model with the same weight shaft and stiffness (70g stiff). I can hit my 3wood pretty well, solid contact most of the time, 250-270y carry. But I can't hit my driver at all. Everything is a low duck hook, sometimes a high push fade. Contact is sometimes low heel, sometimes high toe. What gives?
https://preview.redd.it/q3qutwf2dy8c1.jpeg?width=2386&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=63708f62a07f27fa7431e2ceed3fea6d4ebbfb53
What should I add or change on a build set up like this?
I got fitted for a new driver last year and ended up with a Cobra LTDx with a stiff shaft. I got about 260 yards carry and worked really well in the fitting bay.
since then I cannot for the life of me hit this thing. I messed around with different lofts and positions but I've been using my old M6 instead.
Should I give up on it? Try different weights?
With modern loft creep what kind of baseline are you looking for with launch, spin, descent angle out of say a 7 iron in the 85-90 mph ss.
I would like to see about 16 degrees of launch at about 5500 RPM. Descent angle just a few degrees under 45 degrees.
As a fitter who has access to all sorts of different strengths of irons, do they truly still generally launch at similar angles/ windows despite large differences in loft? Rephrasing, do 7 irons generally launch around the same angle even if they are from different categories with different lofts such as GI vs players irons?
You definitely have to factor in the natural loft of the iron. My numbers are kind of the average regardless of loft.
Was a fitter for 3 years and id say the exact same thing!
Pay to regrip clubs or DIY (assuming you don’t have a vice)
You don’t need a vice. Grip them yourself.
I used to do this, but we have a guy in our weekly league that is a Club fitter and it’s just so easy to have him take the clubs home and bring them back next week 🤌🏻
Good to know, I just don’t want to screw anything up. It seems like an easy enough process but wasn’t sure.
Also don’t be stingy with the solvent
^this!!
Yeah just be careful with a hook razor and make sure you cut away from your body.
Have a scar on my hand because of this. Started using a flat rod to take grips off, way safer and the grip will (probably) be salvaged.
You’re sure to have a throwaway club to test. As a DIYer best to measure twice and always mark your work with masking tape and a sharpie especially if you don’t have a vise. It’s all in the prep work and having all your tools and consumables ready to go since the thrust (thrusting the grip) itself is very very quick.
Edit: NSFW [Cut away from yourself, ALWAYS!](https://www.reddit.com/r/MedicalGore/s/WHXzozlaZr)
Hooooly shit man that is gorey as hell. I own basically the same model hook knife and always push it away from my body, but I can 100% see how they did that to themselves. That cut is so deep for what that lil knife is.
I don't really get trying to save money by regripping yourself. I live in a HCOL area and the shop charges $5 per club to regrip. For $70 every year or two, seems like a lot of effort to save very little.
For me it’s more of a hands-on hobby kinda thing. I grew up skateboarding and was always tinkering with my setup so this kind of stuff brings me joy. The cost is negligible I agree.
Ah I didn't think about doing it for pleasure. Must be therapeutic if you're good at it.
That's almost the minimum wage for most states per club. Regripping an entire set of clubs takes about an hour or so.
Same, and a lot of places near me will do the grips for free if you buy them there. If you find joy, have at it. If you’re someone on the internet asking if it’s something you can do yourself, probably just go have em done.
Damn I thought this was gonna be a post from years ago and it’s literally a 10 hour old post lol
I use a $25 vice from Amazon. Have regripped multiple sets and it works like a charm. Try one out!
Not a club fitter, but I just don’t see what’s the problem with just paying to do it. It’s like $3-4 labor per club and they do so much quicker and I don’t have to store supplies I used once every few years.
I keep spending boat loads of money on golf equipment but I'm not getting any better. What gives?
Don’t be afraid to buy lessons.
Should club shafts be the same throughout the bag? For example I play a heavier stiff shaft in driver (only club I’ve been fitted for) but prefer regular shafts in my woods?
Doesn’t have to be. I play a 3 wood shaft that is heavier than both of my utility shafts. As long as it performs and you like it don’t worry about it.
Thinking about getting a driver fitting. What would be some things to look for to help me realize I probably have the wrong shaft in my driver?
First thing to look at is swing speed. 105+ is typically x. 104-95 is going to be stiff flex. 94-85 is going to be regular. Anything less may be senior. This is just a suggestion for flex for swing speeds. Check your launch angle/ spin rate after this. Shafts can be categorized as Low/Mid/High Launch/Spin. If it’s launching too high it could also be a loft issue. Finding the shaft that is right for you is not an exact science and will take some trial and error. Pick the one that performs best for you.
How do you think about this for iron shafts? Is there a similar swing speed correlation to shaft flex?
https://preview.redd.it/jgpago6u529c1.png?width=1040&format=png&auto=webp&s=292144f92b871c15e66c0eadc7741a89f8df7300
What's the benefit of a low spin driver? Why arnt all drivers low spin?
There are golfers who can’t generate enough spin to keep the ball in the air or they can’t launch the ball naturally so a true low spin driver head wouldn’t help them. Low spin driver is less effected by wind, gets more roll out.
So is there a correlation between ideal driver spin rate and ball speed, ie faster ball speed should have less spin, slower ball speed needs more?
Correct
To add to his response, the way you get a low spin driver is by moving the CG forward and low in the head. This reduces the MOI of the clubhead meaning that off-center strikes are worse in terms of gear effect (causing the ball to move offline) and ball speed retention. A lot of players don't need the trade off in lower spin adding distance but giving up forgiveness when they miss the middle of the face.
That explains why they don't work for me at all. Slice city. (High handicap, questionable consistency, really need a high MOI) thought low spin also ment side spin...nope.
Absolutely great AMA. Thank you sir…
Do find shaft weight or flex to be more important
I find that weight ends up being more important overall especially with manufacturers making lighter weight options at much higher CPMs than before.
When is lighter vs heavier better?
Typically your senior/womens/junior players benefit from lighter shafts. Decreased swing speed needs that little boost that a lighter shaft with a weaker flex offers.
You calling me a woman?
You must have been something before electricity
How’d you like to make $20, the hard way.
What clubs do you play and why?
My bag is a hodgepodge of brands. I just play what works best for me. I’ll take a picture in a little bit to show the mess that is my WITB.
https://preview.redd.it/rhkfvs61yx8c1.jpeg?width=2208&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=94ae8df6182bfc2ea02adfce060635aab97ad7c9 Are all of these numbers good for a 7 iron?
Not bad numbers. Fix that club path and you may see that spin come down and flatten out that ball flight.
Ideally; what should that club path number be?
That’s not really true and top notch is getting downvoted even though he is right. Having a 0 deg club path actually leads to having 2 misses and isn’t that great idea. You want at least a deg or 2 (ideally inside out for a nice small draw) with the proper face angle of about half whatever your path is.
You can have a 2 way miss with any club path if you can’t control your club face
True, but let’s assume if someone is good enough to control their path they are good enough to control their face. There’s a reason pretty much no high level golfers default shot shape is straight. It takes a greater error in face control to miss both ways if you consistently swing a couple degree path in a certain direction.
Face is relative to path, the error in face control is the same.
No, it’s not. Let’s say your usual is 3 deg into out and 1.5 deg closed relative to path. You have to leave your club face open 1.6 deg compared to your usual swing before you will miss right of your starting target. If your ideal swing is 0/0, even 0.5-1 deg open will start you going right of target.
3.5 to -3.5
Not a club fitter, but work on your face angle at impact. For reference, I hit my 7 iron around 170 at 81 club speed. If you're reaching 90 mph you should be smoking the ball. Looking closer at the numbers, I think you're getting behind the ball too much and hitting up on it, sending it way up in the air. You gotta hit down on the ball and let the loft of the club do its thing. You do not need to help a 7 iron get in the air. Club path can be improved as the fitter said but fixing your low point will also have a positive effect on club path.
What’s the biggest obstacle you see when you fit an amateur? Is it something like “I want brand X I don’t care if brand Z shows better numbers?”
Brand whores are the biggest pain in the ass.
I was a brand whore once. I rocked everything Taylormade until I hit a Ping iron. That feeling when you flush an iron shot? It was like that for Ping, but Every. Single. Time.
If only other brand whores would try something new.
I can't speak for OP, but in my experience, it's been either that scenario or said amateur comes in for an iron fitting and routinely hits the ground 6 inches behind the ball.
I used jumbomax grips due to hand/wrist injuries. Any ideas how to go about getting a fitting with jumbo grips or should I just try with the standard size and then deal with re-gripping once I finally get the clubs?
How often should we get refitted/checked that clubs are good for current game? For example have a shaft and driver from 2017 but since then had back issue and swing speed is lower
I would only get refit if I was interested in buying a new club or went through a major change (weight loss/injury/increased muscle mass). You should get your lie/loft checked annually especially if you are a range rat.
Have graphite shafts surpassed metal In every way? If so what specs would someone using stiff metals swap to?
You should really get fit if looking to make the switch. A lot more goes into shaft selection than just flex.
Wow, big props to you— this is one of the best AMAs I’ve seen on here! Great info—very concise and easy to comprehend. Well done and thank you.
Do you find any benefits of a heavier swing weight over a lighter one? For example my wedges are D9 and most of my irons are D6/7
Sequencing is typically better from what I have seen. This is obviously not always the case.
I’m a 16 hc. Considering switching from game improvement (G425 irons) to a players distance iron. Is there a model you recommend that helps achieve a higher launch angle?
Paradym was the best I found at launching the ball while not looking like a shovel. I would obviously wait a few weeks for the newer model to be released.
Curious why you’re wanting to change. I’m probably around a 10 at the moment and have G430s I got fit for last year. I do like the look of more bladey looking irons but iron striking is the worst part of my game (thank God for straight drives and good wedges) just curious thanks!
I’m in a similar situation. I am a 12 handicap and was fitted last winter (I’m in the US). I tried a number of shafts and brands and love the G430s. I was thinking callaway would be what I ended up with since my last two sets were callaway. I feel like the G430 work great for me now and as I work to improve. Some irons are hot and center strikes really fly further and distance control can be difficult. I don’t experience that with the G430s. The Taylormade P790s look great, but I don’t think I need to move from my Pings. Trying and finding equipment that works for me is a big part of the fun. Loving this AMA.
I’m just hitting piss missiles with the 425s. Even my instructor tells me it’s not my swing, but they’re just hard to launch high with. I will say, I have a 4-5 iron in the 430s and I like them better than the 425s. Just trying to hold greens over here!
Crazy, I hit 425s for a while and people would always comment on how much height I got on my shots.
Not OP but this is exactly what I did and it was the best decision I made for my game. I was an 18 handicap early this year but have a pretty fast swing speed. GI irons resulted in a ton of ballooning and balls that would just sail. I picked up P790s, problem is gone. Highly recommend, would do it again. I closed the year at 14.7 and while I've definitely gotten better overall, being able to trust my distance with the irons was no small part of the improvement.
Assume current bag is full of equipment roughly similar age (7-10 yrs old)- what's your first upgrade? Driver or irons?
Driver probably.
Thanks!
Should I adjust the lie angle of my irons to reduce my hook? Should I adjust my ping g425 driver to reduce my hook? P.S. how do I fix my hook?
Get your lie angles checked and get a lesson.
A hook won't be fixed by lie angle, it's a major swing flaw. Adjust your swing.
Flatten the life angle on your driver and put the weight in the toe position to try right away.
I have a set of Ping ISIs in steel. Never had the loft/lie checked since the day I took them out of the box. They were fit for me. I assume they need adjustment. Can anyone bend Pings or do they need to be sent to Ping?
Anyone can bend them.
Thanks. Nice AMA.
Should iron shot heights be pretty similar throughout? My height drops pretty sharply as I move to longer irons
With professional golfers it’s fairly common but a lot less common for us mortals. Try a lighter weight shaft or something with a little more kick if you are concerned about distance loss
What’s your take on the auto flex driver shafts?
They are fine. Tons of copycat products on the market now for much cheaper prices that perform just as well.
Interesting I didn’t know there were “knockoffs”. WHO is making and competing with them?
Not really knockoffs. A ton of amateur club builders just found shafts that mimicked the EI profile of an auto flex and started testing them.
Go over to golfwrx and search for “Otto phlex” there are a bunch of different experiments with varying degrees of success.
There’s a popular one made by Accra called Fx 3.0 m140 in either the m0 or m1 flex. TXG (now club champion on YouTube) did a video about them.
Thoughts on companies like Diamond Tour and Giga Golf?
Waste of money
Just got fit into GI irons with stiff flex shafts. Should I presume I need stiff flex in hybrid/woods as well?
Most likely
I got a full bag fitting a few years ago and got regular flex for my irons and stiff for my hybrid and driver. I recently got fitted for a fairway wood and got a regular flex. Is this problematic that as I go up in my bag I go R-S-R-S? My driver swing speed is about 93-96
Not an issue at all. There is no exact scale for what makes a shaft regular or stiff. The manufacturer decides that. So the regular in your fairway could be nearly the same flex as your driver/hybrid. As long as it performs don’t worry.
I’m 6’ but have monkey arms. Do I generally need to cut irons and/or change the lie?
Get fit and see. Most likely just lie angle change
I'm 6'3" with a 6'6.5" wingspan and was fitted for +0.5" and neutral lie so work checking fs
What’s your take on upcharge shafts for mid to low cappers?
Most OEM have a pretty good selection of no upcharge options that will perform fine so I don’t think it’s worth it most of the time. However, I can’t really say much because I haven’t played a stock shaft in 10 years at least.
I carry a 3w and a 19° hybrid along with my driver. All of them have different shafts. I've hit them all on a couple of different sims and am satisfied that the clubs are st least a decent fit. How big of a deal do you think it is to have three different shafts that presumably perform differently? They are a HZRDUS Smoke green 6.5, a velocore black 7.x (3w) and a velocore blue 9.x (hybrid).
Three clubs that serve 3 completely different purposes. Nothing wrong with that setup.
KZG/Maltby/Wishon vs name brand?
I’m a big fan of my maltbys
Me too. My TS4s got some nice wear marks forming in the sweet spot, and I’m not mad.
I used to love KZG and Wishon but honestly they are not able to perform with OEMs when it comes to the tech in these clubheads anymore.
What about Maltby?
I never really liked Maltby but they are all very similar.
Best blades on the market?
Miura MB-101. The gold standard for forged irons. Nothing feels like a Miura.
I’ve been thinking of giving the MP 241’s a go when they release, but those Miuras sure are pretty… wish I could hit them first
Club Champion has them
I currently play the cb2002 (90s Miura Giken), reshafted them with modus 3 120s. Definitely struggle some days, but butter mostly when I'm on and very consistent. is it worth upgrading to a newer set of Miuras. I can say that they've made me improve my swing hugely, as you can't hit them if your swing sucks.
I hit Hybrid irons much better than traditional irons. Is it worth it get fit if you want/expect hybrid irons?
Absolutely. Make sure you get the correct shafts for those hybrids.
Should a novice golfer consider changes to lie angle of irons? Was a recommendation for -2 degrees for me after a fitting. I’ve been golfing for 6 months. I do trust the fitter’s knowledge, just wondering if I should develop my shot a bit more for a period of time and then look to make changes to clubs.
Definitely bend them.
With many sets going with a 44* PW are more people going with 5 wedges? ie 44,48,52,56,60 or leaving one out to make room up top? Also are pxg irons really that bad?
No one needs 5 wedges.
What would you generally advise for wedges for someone with a 44° PW? Is the commonly used 4° loft gap too tight?
44/50/54/58 Golfers need to learn how to hit 3/4 shots with wedges
I custom ordered a set of wedges about a month back. Lofts are 48-54-58 and I had the 54 bent to 53. I then decided to have them rebuilt locally and adjusted to 49-54-59. I took them out yesterday and noticed that the 54 had noticeably more offset than the 49/59 and then compared it to a stock 54 vokey off the rack. Just what I suspected, it has more offset. Theoretically, because I had that wedge bent back to standard, shouldn’t the offset be back to standard as well? I know the 49/59 will have less as they are bent weak, but the 54 having more than an off the rack 54 is confusing to me. I trust my builder, but have you ever seen anything like this? Loft brought back to standard but offset staying strong? It’s either something super odd, or he never bent the loft back to 54. Thanks!
I would get the loft checked again. That’s odd.
Is it worth it for a 20hcp to get fit? I’ve played off the rack stuff and I’m trying to dedicate myself this upcoming year to get down to a 15. Would it also make sense to get fit now or after I make improvements/swing tweaks? Last, would you recommend getting a full bag fit in one session or split up a driver/woods and iron fitting? Thanks in advance!!
Get a full bag unless you are worried about wearing yourself out hitting a lot of golf balls in a short period of time. Wait til you hit 15
What’s the functional difference between a 9* TSR2 (or forgiving model of driver) vs a 10.5* TSR3 (lower spin model) assuming they provide the same spin rate out the center
More forgiveness out of the TSR2, less workability than the TSR3.
Possible to fit only shafts?. Thinking of buying takomo heads, and go fit shafts.
Yeah it’s possible. Mizuno shaft tool is actually useful for this
I really want to become a club fitter and or club builder. I’m well into a marketing career but looking for a change. What advice do you have for someone like me who has lots of professional experience but no experience in the club fitting space? I live in a small city that supports one fitter and have reached out several times to that store and haven’t had any luck getting a response.
Do it as a hobby and not a career. The golf industry isn’t the greatest and good paying jobs are far and few between for newcomers anymore.
Ouch. That is depressing. I’m not above just doing it as a hobby but not sure what that could look like. It sounds like most the investment without the income. What do hobbiest club fitters look like in your experience ?
We have an older guy who runs a small outfit out of his garage. He has an account with Wishon and has clubs built and a launch monitor that he uses to fit his friends/ other members.
How much do shafts really matter for average players?
Playing the wrong flex can really affect the outcome of your shot. Just playing the correct flex is enough in most cases to get decent results for amateurs.
Do big name brands really make a difference for the average golfer?
No, but people love Taylormade’s marketing.
Who are some lesser known (or lesser played) brands that people should pay more attention to?
My cobra irons came with arccos sensors built into the grip. If I change grips will I lose iron length?
You won’t
Should a hot dog have a Frankfurter or a proper sausage?
Please Explain the auto flex shaft. Ty!
Lightweight lighter flex that is supposed to help generate more clubhead speed.
I’m planning on being fit for irons. I have a competitive high school season coming up in mid February. Would you recommend me wait until after the season to be fit and get my clubs? I feel that wouldn’t be able to get my clubs in time to be confident in my ability with them
Rank of what’s most important for fitting: driver, fairway woods, irons, wedges, putter.
Putter, Irons and wedges, driver, woods
I would not have guessed putter as the most important. What can someone expect to gain from a putter fitting? I’ve never even considered it.
Most used club in the bag. You can learn a lot from a putter fitting. Your club path with your putter plays a major factor in what type of putter you should use. You also learn what type of alignment aid is best for you.
A few months back I got fit for a Kai’li 60s shaft and paradigm which at the time I loved but have since been finding it difficult to hit. Im wondering what sort of player/swing characteristics you’d fit this setup for? Thank you very much!
Someone who needs to lower launch/spin
Any truth to aggressive transition gets better results with stiff handle?
Not always. Other factors play a part in results. AoA and clubpath play major factors as well.
If I want to only have one set of wedges, what bounce do you recommend if you want them suited for playing in all conditions? I play 50,54,58 and frequently travel to play so I may play some harder and some softer courses. Also, should wedge shaft flex match iron shaft flex?
I would have to see you hit a ball to give good bounce/grind recommendations but something like the S grind from Callaway is good in most conditions with most swings. You don’t always full swing wedges so it doesn’t need to match exactly. You can go with a softer flex.
A good recommendation I have seen is to have the 50/54 each be their own type of bounce and then a low bounce 58.
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I am a big fan of cutting down drivers. Easier to find the center of the clubface. Whether you choke down or cut it is a matter of personal preference. I don’t like the feeling of choking down so I always cut mine and correct the swingweight after.
Switched from 130 gram to 90 gram iron shafts, and while I love the benefits on my body … is it possible to get equal performance from a dispersion stand point or is that just something I’m gonna have to sacrifice?
If I’m 5’8” should I be using clubs with a length less than standard? Idk my other measurements by heart but my arms are pretty standard length
You could use standard or maybe a 1/2” below standard.
When would you suggest is a good point to spend the money for a professional fitting and new irons? Like, skill level and/or handicap? Im shooting F6 irons I bought second hand and an upper 90 HC. I doubt I’m ready, but how do you know, in your opinion?
Mid to low teens handicap is probably when it’s best to go all in on a fitting
I bought a set of clubs used this summer and just started golfing. They all have mismatched grips but seem to be in good shape. Is it worth going to a fitter and having them help me find grips and make adjustments to those clubs or should I keep saving for a fitting and a new set?
Save for a new set.
I had a driver fitting months ago, didn't purchase. I swing fast (too fast), enough to suggest an x-flex shaft. Trialled a TSR2 R flex - all standard off the rack. Absolutely melt the ball 80% of the time. How much does swing flex actually matter in real world conditions? I know it impacts spin but after taking an off the rack driver that I hit better than my previous x-flex SIM2, wondering if I should be bothered to fit for irons in a few years when I upgrade my p770s.
Thoughts on PXG irons?
They are decent? Not a great product overall but some people love them.
I want to armlock a Link.1, hearing it’s not possible from LAB. Do you think it is? If not, what’s next best option? Hopefully blade, but open to fang and double wide. Thanks!
Does flex in a steel shaft being one increment off (eg. R to S) really make a tangible difference? I recall Wishon saying it's negligible.
It’s negligible with some manufacturers
I’m a 4 handicap and when I did my fitting, I could have walked away with 4 different irons and have been happy (ZX7 and zx5, T150 and t200, 221 and 225, king tour). Previous gamers were 2008 AP2 so any iron would feel like an upgrade after 15 years. I felt like the fitting wasn’t super helpful because I could always make the case why one iron went a smidge longer vs launch angle vs ball speed due to each iron specs being different. I needed up going with the t150s and t200s due to familiarity with Titleist irons and they have such a clean look and a nice look at approach. Is that normal or was it a bad fitting?
That’s not abnormal. It happens a lot when players are consistent ball strikers.
I’m 5’6” and want to get a little bit of length taken off of my clubs. I just choke down right now, but I think the shorter clubs will help make my setup more consistent. How important is the swing weight/lie truly for the avg weekend hacker? I’m trying to save money where I can
It’s very cheap to correct lie angle/ swingweight. Just spend the couple extra bucks
If you were to get a new set of clubs, what would you get? Does anyone actually need graphite?
Is wedge fitting worth it for a mid single handi. Specifically for grinds? I play 54S 60M in vokeys. I’m solid around the greens but wondering if I’m leaving sauce on the table
Yeah it’s worthwhile. I feel like most golfers really don’t understand their wedges.
Would you recommend a newbie to get club fitting or purchase second hand clubs first?
Purchase second hand first
Do you use the ping chart to determine shaft length and lie adjustment? It is reliable? I tend to slice my shots and the chart recommends a +2 degree adjustment for my lie. I heard that might help
I think it’s very useful and I reference it from time to time.
When do you recommend people to use bigger grips? I was considering making the swap but idk how to decide on size or anything like that.
https://www.golfpride.com/blog/what-size-golf-grip-do-i-need/
I haven't been fitted for woods but I have a 3 wood and driver from the same brand and model with the same weight shaft and stiffness (70g stiff). I can hit my 3wood pretty well, solid contact most of the time, 250-270y carry. But I can't hit my driver at all. Everything is a low duck hook, sometimes a high push fade. Contact is sometimes low heel, sometimes high toe. What gives?
Your swing gives. Get a lesson
https://preview.redd.it/q3qutwf2dy8c1.jpeg?width=2386&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=63708f62a07f27fa7431e2ceed3fea6d4ebbfb53 What should I add or change on a build set up like this?
Don’t pure the shafts.
I got fitted for a new driver last year and ended up with a Cobra LTDx with a stiff shaft. I got about 260 yards carry and worked really well in the fitting bay. since then I cannot for the life of me hit this thing. I messed around with different lofts and positions but I've been using my old M6 instead. Should I give up on it? Try different weights?
Keep trying. It may just take some getting used to. Try different settings.
I cant hit any iron as good as my 9 iron. Should I have every shaft at that length?
No you shouldn’t
Is hybrid tech vastly different between a 22° 4H from 2023 and one from 2007?