New Irons - Fitting necessary?

[neskier]

I’ve been playing on and off for 35 years or so. A few years ago, I decided to play more consistently. So I purchased a set of Nike Covert irons, +1/2”, R-flex graphite shafts. Based on my research, these irons seemingly got decent reviews. I went with +1/2” as I’m 6’ 1” and based on what I’d read, the length made sense.

 

While in Ireland this week, I had the opportunity to play Royal Golf Club of Dublin. I rented clubs and the irons were Taylor Made M4s, steel shaft, R-flex , and standard length. I loved the clubs, they felt great and I hit them much better/consistent than my Nikes.

 

I’m thinking of purchasing a set of M4s. But I’m hesitant because I’ve read that, for my height, I should be hitting +1/2” or so.

 

My questions are… are these just general guidelines? Should actually be professionally fitted (I’ve never been fitted for clubs before)? My thought was that since the M4 “felt” great, there’s no need for a fitting and that I’d be fine with the standard length. Anyone else in the 6’ 1” plus range playing irons with a standard shaft length?

 

Thoughts?

[Golf64]

I'm 6'1'' and play standard length irons. Get fit! Your wrist to floor might be longer(short arms)and need longer clubs? Lie angles are very important too! Swing speed will help dictate flex and ball flight shaft profile. Also try others out there beside M4s. G400 and Mizuno Hot metals are great sticks too!

[Stuart_G]

Best playing length is determined by more than just height, arm span plays a role as well as the posture and swing mechanics. So the starting place in fitting iron lengths is the "wrist to floor" (WTF) measurement, and not just height. You might want to start by finding out what your WTF is.

 

Second, different OEM's have slightly different standards for iron lengths - so +1/2" for one company is not necessarily going to be the same for as another OEM.

 

And the WTF measurement is just a guideline - or starting point for the fitting process. it should always be verified by hitting - and not just one iron (e.g 6i or 7i). One needs to make sure the shortest irons dont' get too short and the long irons too long for ones ability.

 

Here is a very good post on how length fitting should be done:

http://www.golfwrx.c...eds-to-be-done/

 

 

And there may have been other differences that lead to better play other than just the playing length: swing weight, shaft weight, shaft stiffness profile (just looking at the flex label is meaningless in that respect), even grip size.

 

In fact, if you were hitting the clubs equally better through the whole bag, it's actually unlikely that length was what was making the difference. (e.g. were you hitting the rental 7 iron better than hit your own 8 iron?)

[animalgolfs]

I’ve been playing on and off for 35 years or so. A few years ago, I decided to play more consistently. So I purchased a set of Nike Covert irons, +1/2”, R-flex graphite shafts. Based on my research, these irons seemingly got decent reviews. I went with +1/2” as I’m 6’ 1” and based on what I’d read, the length made sense.

 

While in Ireland this week, I had the opportunity to play Royal Golf Club of Dublin. I rented clubs and the irons were Taylor Made M4s, steel shaft, R-flex , and standard length. I loved the clubs, they felt great and I hit them much better/consistent than my Nikes.

 

I’m thinking of purchasing a set of M4s. But I’m hesitant because I’ve read that, for my height, I should be hitting +1/2” or so.

 

My questions are… are these just general guidelines? Should actually be professionally fitted (I’ve never been fitted for clubs before)? My thought was that since the M4 “felt” great, there’s no need for a fitting and that I’d be fine with the standard length. Anyone else in the 6’ 1” plus range playing irons with a standard shaft length?

 

Thoughts?

 

The Nike +1/2 & M4 standard are probably the same length--38.25"

[conorgolf22]

I would. I was lucky enough to go through the Club Champion fitting experience and was blown away at what I was missing by just ordering online going off of what I thought I knew

[tobiasjd]

As has been alluded to, there is no standard length for clubs. Every manufacturer is different. Same with loft, lie, swingweight. Everything plays a factor, and they are all built differently. Even single builds can come out differently than the advertised specs. Fittings can get you as close as possible, but there may be things you find you like better through experimentation.

 

Truly the best thing to do is get fit but also try other stuff as you go along to see what else you like and don't like through comparison. Unfortunately it all gets crazy expensive and time consuming.

[Davidv]

You hit the M4 irons good, you liked them, don't over complicate an easy decision. Buy them off the rack no need for the extra 1/2 inch and no fitting.

[Striker Ace]

Tobiasjd,

 

That is the same with any sport though. I enjoy the journey and the process and I'm sure that you dont mind either. That said I see new clubs in my future lol

[GoGoErky]

Static fittings imo are nothing more than a starting point. Getting fit for a club by a trusted fitter is the only way to go. Unless after numerous fittings one ends up as standard l/l/l they should always get fit to avoid developing bad habits to make a clubwork for them

[Chuck905]

Get fitted by hitting balls; dynamic results.

 

I’m 5-4 but play my irons at 1/2” extra, 2 degrees upright and 2* weaken lofts because I have a steep takeaway and shallow follow thru, as a result; my hands are high at impact and the shaft has a lot of toe drop.

 

In short, my equipment fits my swing and not the other way around which translates to performance and consistency that I can repeat over and over all day long.

[@_the_crook]

the previous posters all have great points, neskier.

 

go get fit. like a new suit that needs tailoring, clubs have to be measured for the player. swing them at the shop and get guided by the pro.

 

the information you will receive regarding club brands, shaft types, finding what works for your swing is worth far more than a fitting's cost.

 

play at your best.

[Spederman]

What if you aren't good enough yet, not a consistent enough swing to know what's good for you.

 

Or don't want to pay retail for a set when buying pre owned on bst can save 50 percent from retail prices.

 

Suggestions for getting fit in these scenarios?

[Stuart_G]

What if you aren't good enough yet, not a consistent enough swing to know what's good for you.

 

Don't confuse inconsistent results with an inconsistent swing.

 

 

Or don't want to pay retail for a set when buying pre owned on bst can save 50 percent from retail prices.

 

Suggestions for getting fit in these scenarios?

 

If it's a good knowledgeable fitter, there will be a separate fee for the fitting and no obligation to buy anything. Go get fit and take your specs and buy where ever you want to.