Is Callaway measuring their clubs differently?

[Lefty28]

I recently ordered a set of Apex Pro 2019 standard length. According to their website, the 6 iron should measure 37.5". My current set of Srixon have a standard 6 iron length of 37.5 as well which I can confirm using a 48" ruler. The best I can get with the Callaway is around 37 1/8. I called Callaway to inquire and they said they measure differently and sent me a picture which looks like the 60* angle method I read about. I can't really test that method at home. Can someone with recent Callaway Apex Pro or Apex MB post a picture of their 6 iron measurement so I can see if I'm doing something wrong or if Callaway messed up my order. My next stop is to see if they got the swing weights right.

 

Here is a picture of the new 6 iron and my current 6 iron measurements.

 

Here is the picture Callaway sent me of their measuring technique.

[KevCannon]

I have actually had a handful of different Callaway clubs delivered to me that were shorter in length than should have been. Callaway has always taken care of me when I email or call them and tell them. They send me a new club and I send the short one back. I have never once had a club that was over the target length. Very strange, but what you stated about their measuring technique sounds like could be the reason why. Even though they have always taken care of me, it is getting very annoying always sending clubs back and waiting for replacement. I do love their equipment though, just sucks that every time I get a new club from them I worry about the length.

[Howard_Jones]

> @Lefty28 said:

> I recently ordered a set of Apex Pro 2019 standard length. According to their website, the 6 iron should measure 37.5". My current set of Srixon have a standard 6 iron length of 37.5 as well which I can confirm using a 48" ruler. The best I can get with the Callaway is around 37 1/8. I called Callaway to inquire and they said they measure differently and sent me a picture which looks like the 60* angle method I read about. I can't really test that method at home. Can someone with recent Callaway Apex Pro or Apex MB post a picture of their 6 iron measurement so I can see if I'm doing something wrong or if Callaway messed up my order. My next stop is to see if they got the swing weights right.

>

> Here is a picture of the new 6 iron and my current 6 iron measurements.

>

>

> Here is the picture Callaway sent me of their measuring technique.

>

 

Callaway used to use a fixed lie angle of 60* for all clubs, but even if they have changed their system and uses a ruler with variable lie angle, that would NOT get you 3/8" as difference, so those clubs is simply cut shorter than they should be.

 

If we extend a club or go shorter, 1/8" is equal to 0.75 SWP, and we can use 0.25 SWP for each 1* we change lie angle, so from 2* flat to 2* upright we have a play length difference of a tad more than 1/8", we are far from 3/8"...

[Stuart_G]

I had a length mistake made on one set I got out of the Callaway factory - fortunately their CS has always been top notch for getting those issues fixed.

 

 

[phatchrisrules]

I know Srixon does tend to come out a little longer than "standard" as they do cut at customer length + grip, which can add anywhere from 1/8th to 1/4 of an inch depending on butt cap size. Callaway I think accomodates for butt cap and cuts 1/4 short and then uses the butt cap to bring it back to length.

[Lefty28]

Thanks everyone for the help. I've already been in contact with Callaway and will say they are being very responsive. It sounds like they are a little short of standard and most likely need to be replaced. The customer service from Callaway has been excellent so far.

[J_Birdie]

I built a custom fixed angle ruler using corner braces and a shop ruler from home depot for like $10. I set it to 60* like these OEMs do and its been dead nuts accurate. I do know srixon measures based on cut shaft without grip. Callaway and most others factor in the grip.

[TrueTemper]

There is a ton of variation in how each OEM measures length. On our Tour truck we have a conversion chart that shows the length of 1 club measured on each tour van. For length there is 3/8" difference between the longest and shortest measurement. And that's just the ruler differences before you get into cut length vs gripped length and thickness of the grip cap.

[Stuart_G]

> @TrueTemper said:

> There is a ton of variation in how each OEM measures length. On our Tour truck we have a conversion chart that shows the length of 1 club measured on each tour van. For length there is 3/8" difference between the longest and shortest measurement. And that's just the ruler differences before you get into cut length vs gripped length and thickness of the grip cap.

 

And that's not even opening up the possible differences between the factories and the tour vans. I don't know if that's the case for any of the club OEM's - but it wouldn't surprise me in the least.

 

 

[trhode]

A Taylormade Spider X 34" putter measures 33.75" in my Mitchell ruler. There truly are no more standards in golf. An inch is no longer an inch.

[Howard_Jones]

> @trhode said:

> A Taylormade Spider X 34" putter measures 33.75" in my Mitchell ruler. There truly are no more standards in golf. An inch is no longer an inch.

 

Both driver and putters has a USGA standard for how they shall be measured, other clubs has not (even if USGA rules mention irons), so i have to ask if you are using the ruler like you use it for all club, or if you added the extra piece needed to measure putters correct?.

 

 

[RainShadow]

Callaway has a build problem, it seems.

I bought some Rogue Pros last fall and all but 2 were 3/8" short and swing weight were all off as well.

Shame, because I like their equipment.

[Stuart_G]

> @"Howard Jones" said:

> > @trhode said:

> > A Taylormade Spider X 34" putter measures 33.75" in my Mitchell ruler. There truly are no more standards in golf. An inch is no longer an inch.

>

> Both driver and putters has a USGA standard for how they shall be measured, other clubs has not (even if USGA rules mention irons), so i have to ask if you are using the ruler like you use it for all club, or if you added the extra piece needed to measure putters correct?.

>

>

 

FWIW, I think this has a better diagram than the USGA site showing the putter measurement difference - blue line is the putter measurement, red is the what's used for the rest of the set. It clearly shows how the putter would come out shorter if the putter specific method is not used.

 

http://www.hirekogolf.com/media/wysiwyg/length-to-ball.jpg

 

from this page.

https://www.hirekogolf.com/how-is-the-length-of-a-golf-club-measured

[trhode]

> @"Howard Jones" said:

> > @trhode said:

> > A Taylormade Spider X 34" putter measures 33.75" in my Mitchell ruler. There truly are no more standards in golf. An inch is no longer an inch.

>

> Both driver and putters has a USGA standard for how they shall be measured, other clubs has not (even if USGA rules mention irons), so i have to ask if you are using the ruler like you use it for all club, or if you added the extra piece needed to measure putters correct?.

>

>

>

 

Yes, I always use the "hat" piece when measuring putters. I've also have brand new Odyssey putters measure 1/4" short vs. Toulon in the same length.

 

[Howard_Jones]

> @trhode said:

> > @"Howard Jones" said:

> > > @trhode said:

> > > A Taylormade Spider X 34" putter measures 33.75" in my Mitchell ruler. There truly are no more standards in golf. An inch is no longer an inch.

> >

> > Both driver and putters has a USGA standard for how they shall be measured, other clubs has not (even if USGA rules mention irons), so i have to ask if you are using the ruler like you use it for all club, or if you added the extra piece needed to measure putters correct?.

> >

> >

> >

>

> Yes, I always use the "hat" piece when measuring putters. I've also have brand new Odyssey putters measure 1/4" short vs. Toulon in the same length.

>

it seems like we need to make a tread about ALL methods known, and how that moves the numbers, its clearly a big mess if the OEM states its "correct", but when a standard golf ruler is used, we find differences up to 3/8" or more from official specs.

 

I never saw that much of a difference, its always been in the area of 1/8" who can be explained when using a ruler that follow the actual lie angles or if we measure with or without grips, so i was not aware of that there was other systems (used by OEMs for GOLF) who could trow the numbers off even further, thats was actually news for me. (yes i know how Hireko measure, but thats also in the area of 1/8" when we use a standard ruler with a fixed lie angle of 60*)