Playing irons you weren’t fit for

[TiScape]

8 hours ago, dekez said:

I'm with Mark Crossfield on fitting.  He makes a point that as a higher handicap (like a 15), you have to hit HUNDREDS of shots to see any true variation from one clubhead to another.  The reason is due to the variability of where you are hitting the ball on the club face.  Obviously, you can't hit that many shots in a 1 or 2 hour fitting.

Conversely, a low single digit handicap can hit ten shots and the pattern is clear.

 

My takeaway (as a hack) is that as long as you know what shaft you like, don't bother with a fitting.  Buy clubs used and sell them if you dont like them.

Absolutely! My first post ever here was to this very point. ‘The merits of a custom club fitting for someone without a repeatable swing’. My take was the same as yours. I’ll never forget. I got about 2 legit responses and another saying he stopped reading because I used ‘urs’ instead of yours. When I apologized for that error saying I was just so use to texting I said “Oops, my bad”. To which another member so nicely pointed out was ridiculous because saying Oops and my bad was redundant and another that simply responded “why do you care what other people do?” Needless to say I didn’t post again for a while! 🤣

[TiScape]

6 hours ago, BallerNate said:

I’ve never been fitted and have been on multiple waiting lists since November/December.

 

But from what I understand, if you already know the lie angle, length, and type of shaft you need, you should be fine to buy a different set with your specs.

 

You’re already way ahead of most of us because you’ve already had a proper fitting and already know the type of clubs that work for your game.

Exactly. I was fit and got my proper length, lie and shaft dialed. Now I can purchase any iron based on that. Just make sure to check an OEMs standard lie and length first and go from there.

Edited March 15, 2021 by TiScape

[Tree Levino]

5 minutes ago, TiScape said:

Exactly. I was fit and got my proper length, lie and shaft dialed. Now I can purchase any iron based on that. Just make sure to check an OEMs standard lie and length first and go from there.

 

Yup. Basically I know X100 works for me and around 62* lie and 37"-37.25" for a 7i. Can play anything with those specs successfully. 

[lefthack]

28 minutes ago, TiScape said:

Absolutely! My first post ever here was to this very point. ‘The merits of a custom club fitting for someone without a repeatable swing’. My take was the same as yours. I’ll never forget. I got about 2 legit responses and another saying he stopped reading because I used ‘urs’ instead of yours. When I apologized for that error saying I was just so use to texting I said “Oops, my bad”. To which another member so nicely pointed out was ridiculous because saying Oops and my bad was redundant and another that simply responded “why do you care what other people do?” Needless to say I didn’t post again for a while! 🤣

 

This is also kinda where I'm at. I am playing solid golf when my swing is on. But at my current rate, that is either 1/3 or 2/3 but rarely 3/3. My swing is pretty good, just not consistent. Once I go from 66% to more like 80+% I will worry more about fit and finish.

 

I was offered a free analysis and possibly a $100 lesson. I might take a suggestion on my shaft or length, but I will pretty much pick my irons.

 

I would rather play well with irons I'm happy with than great with clubs that are meh.

[PEI_Golfer]

1 hour ago, tsecor said:

buy the srixons!!!!   dont wait......hell with fitting......it makes no sense for us to get fit....lessons work...fitting is junk science for anyone over a 10

 

So he should have no problem getting C-Taper 130X's -2" with alternating lie angels of +4 to -4 between clubs and undersized grips with 8 pieces of tape on the lower hand to perform perfectly for him as it's likely just junk science saying that it wouldn't?

[boggyman]

Put a s300 or Px 5.5 2* up and I can play any iron I prefer. Same with Senior graphite that I found by an accident. I prefer the feel of graphite but the steel serves my shot pattern and I like the flight much better. I’m a high ball, high spin player. Found 2* up by buying a set of OL F8 series, thst I had bent.  That was only because I asked for tape on the face. Not a  fitting by no means. I chose that set of irons to dabble in the OL but have since moved  So, to make a long story short, never had a “formal” fitting. Contemplated it, but the ones who I know that did, ended up wit the latest from TM or Callaway at time of their fitting. For that, I’m out. I know what works best “FOR ME”!!

[14max]

18 hours ago, Rbsiedsc said:

Ya I get that. Only worry about the question of, why do you need two iron sets

Isn't the equation always n + 1?

[rondre3000]

19 hours ago, Rbsiedsc said:

Ya I get that. Only worry about the question of, why do you need two iron sets

Because the Srixon's will take 3-5 weeks to get to him w/ their backorder. LOL. Keep the PXG's so you have sticks to play with while you're waiting for the new ones to arrive!

 

 

[dubbelbogey]

If you want them, buy them. 

 

Later, getting them adjusted for lie (and length, if needed) is nearly trivial for any decent fitter, and many on-course pro shops where they have a loft/lie machine.

 

If you have your PXG specs, maybe you can just order the Srixons to match length and lie?

 

 

[Mookie91]

I’ve never been fit so there is that 😁

[PJE]

Yes, I have done this without a problem.

I think the fitting experience varies widely based upon the ability and interest of the fitter and if you can hit the clubs off of grass (which most of the time you cannot do.) Mats and indoor monitors are just different than on course testing.  Also, if the player is coming off of a layoff or is otherwise not in good form, you can get a bad fitting. 

And beware of the unscrupulous fitter trying to move a certain brand, etc., to get in on sales incentives. 

But I already know from past experience which kinds of clubs, e.g., GI, blades, etc, I want to play, which flex suits me best, which shaft weights and shafts I like, the grip size I like, the lie, and length. 

Pretty much all of the OEMs have all the specs on their websites so it's easy to narrow down what you want to order. 

If you hit the PXGs well, maybe pick something similar in specs? 

 

[PJE]

Yes, I have done this without a problem.

I think the fitting experience varies widely based upon the ability and interest of the fitter and if you can hit the clubs off of grass (which most of the time you cannot do.) Mats and indoor monitors are just different than on course testing.  Also, if the player is coming off of a layoff or is otherwise not in good form, you can get a bad fitting. 

And beware of the unscrupulous fitter trying to move a certain brand, etc., to get in on sales incentives. 

But I already know from past experience which kinds of clubs, e.g., GI, blades, etc, I want to play, which flex suits me best, which shaft weights and shafts I like, the grip size I like, the lie, and length. 

Pretty much all of the OEMs have all the specs on their websites so it's easy to narrow down what you want to order. 

If you hit the PXGs well, maybe pick something similar in specs? 

 

[lefthack]

I tell you what. I might not have been fit for these, but damn I can't wait to try them. Can't hit the course until maybe Wednesday, so might have to hit the range in the morning.

[aquapig]

On 3/15/2021 at 8:08 AM, aquapig said:

Exactly this.

 

When you hit an iron in a round of golf, you're trying to simply swing the club so that you get the ball near your target.

 

When most get onto a matt inside where the first thing most do is look at distance and club head speed, it's usually a very different swing than hitting on real grass with a shot that matters to your score.

 

Unless you're a low handicap player with a very repeatable swing, don't worry about a fitting..especially indoors. Also, be 100% certain the fitter doesn't have any incentives to sell certain brand shafts/heads.

 

[tsecor]

15 hours ago, PEI_Golfer said:

 

So he should have no problem getting C-Taper 130X's -2" with alternating lie angels of +4 to -4 between clubs and undersized grips with 8 pieces of tape on the lower hand to perform perfectly for him as it's likely just junk science saying that it wouldn't?

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[dekez]

15 hours ago, PEI_Golfer said:

 

So he should have no problem getting C-Taper 130X's -2" with alternating lie angels of +4 to -4 between clubs and undersized grips with 8 pieces of tape on the lower hand to perform perfectly for him as it's likely just junk science saying that it wouldn't?

That's not the argument.  In Crossfield's video he takes two clubs that already have his preferred shaft and static measurements and tests them left handed.  He is a 12-15 handicap left handed.  He compares to measurements when he plays right handed as a scratch.  One is a blade and one is a game improvement.  

 

The point is that when tests the clubs playing left handed, the data is a mess in comparison then when testing right handed.  So you cannot get a useful comparison unless you hit hundreds of shots with each club.  Aside, A 12 - 15 handicap is not a terrible player by any means.  

 

Check it out and see if you agree. 

[PEI_Golfer]

1 hour ago, dekez said:

That's not the argument.  In Crossfield's video he takes two clubs that already have his preferred shaft and static measurements and tests them left handed.  He is a 12-15 handicap left handed.  He compares to measurements when he plays right handed as a scratch.  One is a blade and one is a game improvement.  

 

The point is that when tests the clubs playing left handed, the data is a mess in comparison then when testing right handed.  So you cannot get a useful comparison unless you hit hundreds of shots with each club.  Aside, A 12 - 15 handicap is not a terrible player by any means.  

 

Check it out and see if you agree. 

 

You lost me at MC being scratch.  But also not being able to find useful data from a 12 without hitting hundreds of shots, this is just not true.  A 12-15 is likely coting themselves at least half their cap in penalties and short game.  Most I would say aren't 15 "capper" across all areas of golf (driving, iron play, short game and putting).

[dekez]

6 minutes ago, PEI_Golfer said:

 

You lost me at MC being scratch.  But also not being able to find useful data from a 12 without hitting hundreds of shots, this is just not true.  A 12-15 is likely coting themselves at least half their cap in penalties and short game.  Most I would say aren't 15 "capper" across all areas of golf (driving, iron play, short game and putting).

A divisive topic for sure.

 

Have I been fit before? Yes.  Will I get fit for every set of irons I purchase? No way.

[PEI_Golfer]

1 minute ago, dekez said:

A divisive topic for sure.

 

Have I been fit before? Yes.  Will I get fit for every set of irons I purchase? No way.

 

Can agree with this.  If you have play long enough and are well versed in what 'fits' you, then it isn't needed for every purchase, cavet being if you are only purchasing new equipment.  If this is the case, then I would say yes, get fit as I'm sure there is new stuff you haven't tried out in all combinations.  

 

Personally, the only things I buy 'new' are shoes , gloves, hats, grips and clothing of my 'golf equipment'.  All actual equipment I buy used as I can get far more bang for my buck, know what I am looking for, have the ability to alter that equipment or rebuild it to suit my needs. 

[betarhoalphadelta]

20 hours ago, Lasorcier said:

I would say it matters more when your physical dimensions are outside of standard.   A tall dude is generally going to need longer clubs than standard and lie adjusted.   

 

Can I hit standard?   Yes, but I hit 1" longer and 1* flat so much better (I.e., straighter and more consistently).  It could be any head as long as those two things are set.

 

Yeah, I think this is important for some of us. 

 

Someone of average height, build, and strength will probably be able to make almost anything off the rack work. For those golfers, getting a fitting is probably only useful as they improve their game and want a set that's actually dialed in to their tendencies, or if they have some sort of major outlier in their swing style that makes OTR just completely wrong.

 

OTR won't work for me. My cap is high, and my swing is inconsistent. But I'm 6'5" and 265#. OTR is simply not built for guys like me. 

 

Even though my swing is inconsistent, some of the basics (shaft length, weight, flex, lie angle, etc) can be determined by a fitter to get me into clubs that fit my swing. Maybe I need to have a more consistent swing to get clubs that are perfectly fit for me, but at my size and skill level I just need to be in the ballpark, and OTR is nowhere close. 

 

Obviously money invested in lessons is more important at my cap than money invested in clubs, so lessons is actually my next step. But my clubs (which I was fit for) are now 20 years old, so after a course of lessons and some time invested in practicing, I'm going to get fit for something more current. 

 

[Itsjustagame]

I buy a new set of irons every 2 or 3 years. I don't get fitted or demo what I am buying (it's at least an hours drive to some place I could demo clubs), but by most static measurements I'm fine buying the standard club off the rack.

It takes me 2 or 3 weeks of play on the course to really find out whether I like a particular club.

The irons in my signature have not been hit yet.

It's fun to try new clubs, but I have never radically changed my scores with new irons. 

In the last 30 years I have only had 2 sets of irons that I ended up not liking, and simply sold them. Probably lost a couple hundred bucks each time, but the entertainment value was fine. 

[Mookie91]

14 minutes ago, Itsjustagame said:

I buy a new set of irons every 2 or 3 years. I don't get fitted or demo what I am buying (it's at least an hours drive to some place I could demo clubs), but by most static measurements I'm fine buying the standard club off the rack.

It takes me 2 or 3 weeks of play on the course to really find out whether I like a particular club.

The irons in my signature have not been hit yet.

It's fun to try new clubs, but I have never radically changed my scores with new irons. 

In the last 30 years I have only had 2 sets of irons that I ended up not liking, and simply sold them. Probably lost a couple hundred bucks each time, but the entertainment value was fine. 

This sometimes gets lost in the “get a lesson” & “get fitted” crowds.  I like buying golf equipment.  I’ve been as low as a 5.2 but that is playing a 6,000 yard course.  At 45 I like to improve but have no delusions that I’m going to be scratch on a 7,200 yard track.  These things are all ok.  I enjoy golf and like shiny new stuff 😁

[Lasorcier]

 

OTR won't work for me. My cap is high, and my swing is inconsistent. But I'm 6'5" and 265#. OTR is simply not built for guys like me. 

 

How long are you using out of curiosity?

[GoGoErky]

Depends on what you are looking to do. Tinkering is fun and just trying something to try it. 
 

If you are trying to play your best golf buying something blind to see if it works for you or not might not be the best thing to do or at least no the most financially responsible thing if money is a concern.

 

 

[Slona]

20 hours ago, 14max said:

Isn't the equation always n + 1?

This is 100% the equation. lol

[lefthack]

Maybe the clubs I just built would play better with tweaked specs, but they seemed to play fine to me. Really well, actually. If I can just get the 7 and 8 heads to stay on. 🤣

[Pearson10M]

On 3/14/2021 at 11:53 PM, Rbsiedsc said:

Ya I get that. Only worry about the question of, why do you need two iron sets

Math formula for the # of sets of irons/clubs you should own as a Golfwrx'er

# Sets = # cars + # houses + 1 back-up set.

You need a set in each car in case you drive by a new course and you need to play.  One at each house property you own (especially a vacation home) to avoid travel costs for checked luggage and lugging it around.  One set of spares in case one of the others breaks.

Edited March 16, 2021 by Pearson10M

[txgolfer45]

I was fitted for a set of Ping G700's by Club Champion in 12/2019.  I played them up until this month.  While they performed ok, they weren't great.  They did provide increased distance on well struck full shots.  But, lacked playability on chips, pitches and shots from the sand.  My handicap is around 5.6.   I got the itch for a new set of irons that were more in line with my skills.  So, I checked out the Callaway Apex and Apex DCB and then asked about Srixon.  After hitting the ZX5's I was sold.  The feel is amazing.  Trajectory, carry distance improvements were immediate.  I didn't hit the ZX7 as I did want a little more forgiveness and distance.  Very happy with the switch.  I had a PGATourSuperstore guy help with shaft selection.  So, it was sort of a fitting.  The end result was far superior to the full iron fitting at Club Champion.

[lefthack]

I wish Srixon did the Z Forged in lefty. A ZX5 3,4/ZX7 5,6,7/Z Forged 8,9,PW combo would be so perfect.

[Mike_Honcho]

when i got fit, my fitter said he saw no reason for me to change unless i "just wanted to"...he gave me 2 recommendations but said my current set (Z565s) is just as good as anything i hit during the fitting