Fitter suggested strengthening lofts

[GHIN n Juice]

I recently went to a fitting for some new irons and was given an interesting suggestion.  After compiling some data the fitter pointed out that I tend to flip at impact which is adding loft at impact and killing my distance.  He felt that I should strengthen lofts 1.5 degrees to bring the dynamic loft down.  Initially I thought he was nuts wanting me to bend them that much.  Then, I started thinking that as a sweeper there’s little worry about digging as a result of the loss of bounce, and adding a little distance is never a bad thing.  Am I crazy for even considering this as a build for my new irons?

[MattM97]

Did he bend the irons in the fitting 1.5° strong to show you the difference in numbers and how it will be an improvement for you? If not he should as numbers never lie. 

[GHIN n Juice]

No, I never even thought to ask that.

[Tree Levino]

Agree with the above -trying it obviously makes the most sense. What irons are they? It's honestly not that hard to add shaft lean at impact with some practice. I wouldn't just be content with flipping as a lot of improvement can be made to your ball striking by getting rid of that. I used to and despite having speed it wreaked havoc on my game as playing in the wind was a nightmare. I'd hit all my irons around 130ft. Stock shot is around 100 now and distance gains have been immense. If you're shallow that means your low point is likely close to the ball so decreasing bounce could cause some problems if you end up hanging back a little bit. Something like the T100s is designed specifically for this compared to the T100 though. It's a T100 "bent strong" - except not because the sole is designed for the stronger loft. 

Edited January 19, 2021 by TigerInTheWoods

[kiwihacker]

1 minute ago, TigerInTheWoods said:

Agree with the above -trying it obviously makes the most sense. What irons are they? It's honestly not that hard to add shaft lean at impact with some practice. I wouldn't just be content with flipping as a lot of improvement can be made to your ball striking by getting rid of that. I used to and despite having speed it wreaked havoc on my game as playing in the wind was a nightmare. I'd hit all my irons around 130ft. Stock shot is around 100 now and distance gains have been immense. If you're shallow that means your low point is likely close to the ball so decreasing bounce could cause some problems if you end up hanging back a little bit. Something like the T100s is designed specifically for this compared to the T100 though. It's a T100 "bent weak" - except not because the sole is designed for the stronger loft. 

You mean a T100 bent strong? 

[Tree Levino]

Just now, kiwihacker said:

You mean a T100 bent strong? 

 

Fixed! Thanks

[Red4282]

2 hours ago, GHIN n Juice said:

I recently went to a fitting for some new irons and was given an interesting suggestion.  After compiling some data the fitter pointed out that I tend to flip at impact which is adding loft at impact and killing my distance.  He felt that I should strengthen lofts 1.5 degrees to bring the dynamic loft down.  Initially I thought he was nuts wanting me to bend them that much.  Then, I started thinking that as a sweeper there’s little worry about digging as a result of the loss of bounce, and adding a little distance is never a bad thing.  Am I crazy for even considering this as a build for my new irons?

Its certainly not unheard of and there are some benefits that some players will see. Just keep in mind nothing is “free”. You add distance, but will lose a bit of control as well, but likely a small amount.

[dmeeksDC]

It’s the age-old question: Do you fit the irons to the flaw in your swing or do you fix the flaw and then fit the irons? If you have tried to fix it and failed then maybe you go ahead. But it’s a fundamental problem that is usually the end result — at impact, because that is what matters and your brain knows it — that is a compensation move for something in your swing or failure to get your weight left or something.

 

Tour players are taking loft off at impact because that’s where the power is at. A single visit to a good PGA teaching pro might be your next best move, then decide on the iron lofts. 

[bvanlieu]

As a recovering early releaser, fix the flip. Otherwise you are just taking 1/2 club less with the same added dynamic loft and control issues. 

 

With a better swing structure, bit shallow, compressed  the ball at impact you will be amazed at the change in ball flight from the high spinny shots to a penetrating ball flight with spin that stops.

 

From there it is basically crack pipe for golfers: you just want to do it more.

 

The fitter isn't wrong for offering as it does something, but its not the droid you are looking for IMHO. 

[GHIN n Juice]

Thanks for all the info gents.  I now realize that my swing is shite so I'm giving up the game.  I’ll see y’all over at BowlingWRX, lol.

 

Honestly, I’ll probably just go with the players distance irons in the same brand so I can get stronger lofts without bending the clubs.  Then I can get a fix for now and I can work on my swing without jacking up the bounce and offset.  

[Stuart_G]

15 hours ago, MattM97 said:

 If not he should as numbers never lie. 

 

Actually, the numbers can lie.   Hitting irons off of mats - which is typically the case for fittings - can potentially change the numbers quite a bit from what a player might see hitting off of turf.

 

 

4 hours ago, bvanlieu said:

As a recovering early releaser, fix the flip. Otherwise you are just taking 1/2 club less with the same added dynamic loft and control issues. 

 

With a better swing structure, bit shallow, compressed  the ball at impact you will be amazed at the change in ball flight from the high spinny shots to a penetrating ball flight with spin that stops.

 

From there it is basically crack pipe for golfers: you just want to do it more.

 

The fitter isn't wrong for offering as it does something, but its not the droid you are looking for IMHO. 

 

I don't disagree at all.   Yes, it would not be a complete "fix" by any means but it can help a little and it's very easy to do with no negative side effects.   It's also easy to bend them back if and when the swing issues are addressed. 

 

Swing fixes certainly are the ideal but they also take time and effort to become ingrained enough to see actual benefits.  Effort that most ams just don't have or want to make or deal with.  Some will certainly want to take it on and should be encouraged to do so. But there are also many will be happier in the long run not attempting the changes.   Each person has to make that choice on their own.

[scooterhd2]

 

What irons are we talking about?

[GHIN n Juice]

P-7mc.  They gave me the best dispersion.  Contrary to my swing flaw I make solid contact with a fairly straight flight or little draw (7.3 hcp).  I found the 770s, and especially the 790s, were prone to the occasional rocket shot.  I was trying to avoid that.  The fitter had suggested that I could probably bend the mc’s to help with dynamic loft.  

[eth4and]

5 hours ago, GHIN n Juice said:

Thanks for all the info gents.  I now realize that my swing is shite so I'm giving up the game.  I’ll see y’all over at BowlingWRX, lol.

 

Honestly, I’ll probably just go with the players distance irons in the same brand so I can get stronger lofts without bending the clubs.  Then I can get a fix for now and I can work on my swing without jacking up the bounce and offset.  

One other thing to consider that hasn't been mentioned; bending irons strong will increase the offset you see at address. This may or may not be an issue for you; but if your R/L miss tends to be left of target, adding offset wouldn't be advised. 

[jll62]

2 hours ago, GHIN n Juice said:

P-7mc.  They gave me the best dispersion.  Contrary to my swing flaw I make solid contact with a fairly straight flight or little draw (7.3 hcp).  I found the 770s, and especially the 790s, were prone to the occasional rocket shot.  I was trying to avoid that.  The fitter had suggested that I could probably bend the mc’s to help with dynamic loft.  

 

Don't be afraid to bend them strong. If you launch it too high because of a high dynamic loft, try them 1.5 to 2.0 degrees strong. Jason Day did the same thing a couple years ago when he was trying to fit into the P750. I'm not Jason Day, but I have a higher dynamic loft than I'd like and bend my irons strong to account for it. It's all about trying to launch it in the desired window, while keeping a playable sole. Yes, you'll add a little offset, but it's not likely to be an actual issue.

 

Bending an iron strong and then testing it is the cheapest thing to try. If the flight gets into the right window and the sole remains playable, stick with it. You can always bend it back if it doesn't work.