Iron-Fittings

[evemccc]

At some point, not necessarily in the near future nor intermediate term, I would like a new set of irons

Having bought mostly second-hand, I did use a v highly-rated fitter for a driver purchase last year (along the same ballpark as Tour X, Precision Golf, Golf Principles, and Scott Gourlay). I am very pleased with the results, and my expectation was certainly met...I have zero regrets about the purchase and fitting. Obviously I paid a lot more than I would have done, had I gone to a standard (not AG) fitting and bought a standard shaft. I don't think I am an outlier in terms of my swing, and I'm sure I could have found a suitable shaft from the myriad standard offerings from the OEMs ---but there's no way of KNOWING that

So, as I was impressed with the specialty fitter's skills, when I do go for an iron fitting I am inclined to go back to the same place....my question is twofold:

1) Are standard PX, KBS steel shafts offered by these speciality fitters, or is that not really a thing', and there is a similar range of expensive (better-suited??) exotic shafts in the iron-sets as there is in Driver fits, at these specialty fits? Meaning if I were to purchase a set of irons with steel shafts, I would pay approx the same as I would in a speciality fitting compared to a local pro fitting?

2) More generally, the places I've seen online suggest a 1 hr iron-fit, maybe 90 mins max....realistically, how many iron brands am I likely to test in that time, and how many shafts? Having seen the 2nd Swing and TXG videos showing the same player going through 5 different shafts with the same clubhead, if I was to test two or three models of clubhead plus shafts within the same OEM offering, it quickly adds up in terms of tiredness (negating the science of a fitting), and also in terms of time taken in my fitting.

Basically, how do iron fittings work in terms of how the time is used at these places?

Thanks

 

[Ye Olde Boomer]

I still don't do launch monitor / simulator fittings, even though that makes me a dinosaur.
Since our club professional's shop has become mostly a polo shirt and cap store, I've been ordering online.

My iron sets have tradiitionally stayed in play eight to ten years--as much as twelve--before going into the basement as part of my collection.
2021, after the depression of a lost 2020 season, was a year for new irons.

Epon AF-906___driving iron.
Titleist T100___5, 6, 7, 8, 9, PW, GW
Titleist SM8___56-08, 60-04

Mitsubishi Kuro Kage shafts and Golf Pride Tour Wrap 2G grips on all ten.
All 1º flat.
No launch monitor, no simulator, nothing but using "the Force" to guide me.
Not recommended, but unfortuntely my way.

This year I may spring for woods.
The TaylorMade Stealth driver and Callaway Rogue ST Max fairway woods look awfully good from online photos and reviews.
Fujnikura Ventus 5 Reds, perhaps?

Going back to fitting, however, these days I'm on my own.
I was happy to let my pro help me in days gone by.
I have less faith in a kid at an off-course golf store.

 

[Neilds]

You will get different shaft options for irons, the same as for drivers. You will probably just hit a 7 iron and the fitter should be able to narrow down suitable shafts within a few hits. I very much doubt you will try loads of shafts and you will soon get set on a head you like the look/feel/sound of so will cut out loads of the other options.

 

[Bratty]

I can only comment on Precision Golf, and wedges rather than irons, but during my fitting I tried 7 heads and then we decided to just use the same shafts as my irons (KBS C Taper lite). Those shafts are not exotic and they had a whole heap of shafts that AG and other fitters/retailers would have. They will have some exotic shafts too I'm sure.
Drive fitting saw me hit 5 heads and 3 shaft options. Shafts were not exotic, but were certainly not offered by EOMs as standard and AG won't have them either. I hit 3 balls only with 3 of the heads to know they weren't right.
For irons, I reckon you'll hit 5 or 6 heads and 3 or four shafts. Any good fitter will be able to tell from your description of shots and flight and then the numbers when you hit a few with your own irons, which shafts will suit.
Precision Golf have an entire wall of shafts, but their fitters only really pick 3 or 4 max per fitting, such is their experience and knowledge. I can't imagine other specialist fitters not being the same.
Price-wise, shouldn't be much difference if it's a standard shaft, but in the case of Precision Golf, they build them onsite, altering swing weight if needed and puring the shaft, so I paid an extra £60 per wedge for all of that.
You'll find there's a bit of breather, while you chat numbers and change heads and shafts, so it's nothing like being at the driving range and smashing 100 balls without thinking.

 

[Foxholer]

At some point, not necessarily in the near future nor intermediate term, I would like a new set of irons

Having bought mostly second-hand, I did use a v highly-rated fitter for a driver purchase last year (along the same ballpark as Tour X, Precision Golf, Golf Principles, and Scott Gourlay). I am very pleased with the results, and my expectation was certainly met...I have zero regrets about the purchase and fitting. Obviously I paid a lot more than I would have done, had I gone to a standard (not AG) fitting and bought a standard shaft. I don't think I am an outlier in terms of my swing, and I'm sure I could have found a suitable shaft from the myriad standard offerings from the OEMs ---but there's no way of KNOWING that

So, as I was impressed with the specialty fitter's skills, when I do go for an iron fitting I am inclined to go back to the same place....my question is twofold:

1) Are standard PX, KBS steel shafts offered by these speciality fitters, or is that not really a thing', and there is a similar range of expensive (better-suited??) exotic shafts in the iron-sets as there is in Driver fits, at these specialty fits? Meaning if I were to purchase a set of irons with steel shafts, I would pay approx the same as I would in a speciality fitting compared to a local pro fitting?

2) More generally, the places I've seen online suggest a 1 hr iron-fit, maybe 90 mins max....realistically, how many iron brands am I likely to test in that time, and how many shafts? Having seen the 2nd Swing and TXG videos showing the same player going through 5 different shafts with the same clubhead, if I was to test two or three models of clubhead plus shafts within the same OEM offering, it quickly adds up in terms of tiredness (negating the science of a fitting), and also in terms of time taken in my fitting.

Basically, how do iron fittings work in terms of how the time is used at these places?

Thanks

I've been to a couple of fitters, including one of theones you mentioned above.
Certainly, standard PX, KBS and other normal steel shafts will be available. Perhaps/likely that more exotic/expensive iron ones will also be available, as thre's likely to be more demand for these at such places compared to, for example, a Pro shop. It's not the 'exotic-ness' that is the main advantage that specialist fitters provide though. It's the much finer matching of the 'set' to a customer's needs that's their 'advantage'. The specialist custom fitter is likely to have a significant number of uncut shafts on hand, so can match an entire set more accurately than other outlets - who likely can only order/select 'Stiff', 'Regular' etc and the set uses randomly selected shafts of that general category, so one shaft in the same Stiff (say) 'set' could be almost Regular, while another could be nearly 'Extra Stiff'! Whether that's worth the likely additional cost is up to the buyer.

As for the fitting process, it, again, depends on the individual fitter. They get, or at least should get, used to seeing a dropoff in 'performance' so should be able to either take a break or compensate for tiredness, though there's unlikely to be much as it shouldn't take an excessive number of swings. The shaft fitting (I already had heads) I underwent used more than just a launch monitor. From (admittedly ancient) memory, it was a 'whole swing' apparatus that profiled my swing to 'match' aginst attributes of candidate shafts. Whether that was bollox is, again, debateable, but the 'appropriate profile' of the identified shafts DID seem to match me better than those of some others.

 

[sweaty sock]

For iron fittings all the common shafts will be available, the more exotic fitters will have a wider range, but everone will have px, dynamic gold, kbs and nippon. Those ranges will also have flex and weight options to suit everyone.

The better places will have more than one club. You should really see a wedge, 7 and 4 to make sure you like the aesthetic, and you should be hitting a mid iron for the majority of the fitting. You also need to hit a 4 or 5 to figure out where you should be moving to hybrids. The lesser places will just give you a 6 or 7 and ask uou where you want to split the set.

Nearly everywhere now has a launch monitor and all the OEMs have demo clubs or various lie and length to allow you and the fitter to see if you can hadle a longer shaft and how lie angle effects your ball flight.

For irons, a knowledgeable fitter will always have the tools around them to find a good fit.

 

[JGolfer]

I’m actually getting an iron fit next week, but I know exactly what I’m looking for in terms of aesthetics (what I want to see at address in a PW/ 9 iron, is not what I want to see from say a 4 iron) so I am wanting a combo set, so for me, hitting just a 7 iron wouldn’t work since what may loook good in the 7, I won’t like the look of in say a PW/ 4 iron.

But going to the same place I got fit for my driver / woods a few months back, and I was more than pleased with the results and entire experience.

 

[evemccc]

I’m actually getting an iron fit next week, but I know exactly what I’m looking for in terms of aesthetics (what I want to see at address in a PW/ 9 iron, is not what I want to see from say a 4 iron) so I am wanting a combo set, so for me, hitting just a 7 iron wouldn’t work since what may loook good in the 7, I won’t like the look of in say a PW/ 4 iron.

But going to the same place I got fit for my driver / woods a few months back, and I was more than pleased with the results and entire experience.

Good luck and hope it’s as good an experience and as good results as for your woods and Driver

Depending on how my swing develops and finances, I’m aiming for new irons in the coming autumn / winter so interested how it goes. Please post here about it if you can ???

 

[jim8flog]

A full fitting will should include more than just shaft, length, head and lie but should add correct grip thickness and swing weight.

Some manufacturers using their own fitters will offer a full range of shaft options at no extra cost. Other companies may offer other shafts but as an upgrade cost worth checking before choosing.

Tiredness can be a problem in the fitting process, it is worth having an idea of what you are looking for before going to try to limit the number of shafts being tried. E.G. are looking for a heavy, medium or lightweight shaft do you want more or less height.

A lot of this information can be found on shaft manufacturers websites.

 

[evemccc]

A full fitting will should include more than just shaft, length, head and lie but should add correct grip thickness and swing weight.

Some manufacturers using their own fitters will offer a full range of shaft options at no extra cost. Other companies may offer other shafts but as an upgrade cost worth checking before choosing.

Tiredness can be a problem in the fitting process, it is worth having an idea of what you are looking for before going to try to limit the number of shafts being tried. E.G. are looking for a heavy, medium or lightweight shaft do you want more or less height.

A lot of this information can be found on shaft manufacturers websites.

I have an indication now I what I think I want / should have, based on what coaches have said in the past and personal preferences I.e. I personally prefer to see a lower trajectory flight than most people seem to —- but I realise I am only looking into this now because I am a golf-geek…It’s probably meaningless as things will change in my game and maybe some golf or life priorities may change by next winter

But I do like to plan ahead - and also dream ?

 

[sweaty sock]

Another thing to remember, common things are common. The standard offereings from manufacturers fit the vast majority of golfers, so dont be dejected if you dont end up in an exotic concoction. Unless you have loads of speed, or really wierd delivery numbers, anything particularly exspensive is likely to be an upsell with a criminally small improvement.

 

[Ethan]

There was a time when the shaft choice was Dynamic (not even Gold), regular or stiff, one weight. Take it or leave it.

Now the shaft choice with almost any decent make of club is huge, with different models, weights, playing characteristics and flex, and the option to have length altered and/or tipping done if needed.

KBS and True Temper/Project X (same company) each offer a huge range of options and as sweaty sock says, it is pretty unlikely there isn't a variation to suit you. KBS has the Tour model in several weights, C-Taper standard and Lite, $-Taper standard and Lite and a few more specialist models. TT has multiple variations of Dynamic Gold, Elevate, AMT, PX, PX LZ, PX i10, each in a number of flex options.

These days, shaft weight is often considered more important than flex. The fitter will have you make a few swings, measure the swing speed and some other variable, maybe using the Mizuno optimiser device, and that gives an idea of weight and flex, so then will look at a few options that fit that bill and refine the fitting from there. Your impression of the shaft, aka feel, is also important.