Iron lofts

Tiger i think robobum has a valid point to a degree you are over compicating matters,surely this is something you should be looking at further down the line when your handicap is lower and you are striking the ball more consistently.If you change all your lofts from 7-pw now what happens when you are a better striker of the ball all the lofts might need changing again.I see you play the ap1s these clubs whatever the lofts,shafts etc are well capable of taking you to single figures.
 
Hey PJ it's more about the nature of the comments. I've been playing golf for 8 months and see the forum as a good place to ask people's opinions. Big enough to take criticism, but given Robo's track record of comments to my posts he seems to have an issue with me.

I just feel we all have to start somewhere and I believe the forum
should be a supportive place, but each to their own.
 
Hey PJ, No problem whatsoever and absolutely no offence taken. The feedback on lofts has been really helpful and I now know that I should stick with what I've got and continue working hard on my distance wedge practice. It's such a technical game and I'm learning all the time. T
 
I've posted on your blog that I do think you can overdo the analytical approach so don't think I'm out of line reiterating on here. I agree with robobum (although not his expression) and do think that you are making it way too complicated. Changing the loft isn't the answer. Simple. End of. If it were that eay everyone would have tweaked their clubs to suit their course etc. Clubs come is set lofts depending on manufacturer and you buy the clubs knowing that.

I think you have a huge gap between your PW and 52 and I agree with Smiffy (yes it does happen) and I reckon you need to look at a 50 and then a 56.

I think the way forward in this quest of yours is to ge tthe basics right to start with in terms of a repeatable swing. Keep working onthe short game by all means but you do need to work out distance control with different clubs. You can do this by gripping lower down and making different length swings. My advice would try and keep the swing speed the same so everything is consistant. What you need to do though is get the long swing working.

You are making the first steps but you're just putting more and bigger obstacles in your own way. Its great that you want to take in as much information as you can but as I've said its way too much and getting in the way of hitting the ball the fewest number of times possible. Get a swing that repeats and learn to control wedge distances. That'll make the whole game seem a lot simpler.
 
Don't flatter yourself by thinking i would waste my time having a problem with you.

Go and re-read all the posts I have written to TRY to offer you some advice, they all say the same thing.....go play, because that is how you learn.

You only want to listen to advice if it matches up with what you want to hear. No worries if you think I have an issue with you, I won't offer any advice in future.

Good luck in your quest for scratch.
 
The advice you offered is the same as the advice offered by Bob, Homer, Smiffy and countless others who have replied to the thread. It's good advice and it has been taken onboard. However, if you re read how you've phrased your advice you'll hopefully acknowledge that you've used a derogatory tone. That might just be how you express yourself but from my perspective it comes across as unnecessarily hostile.
 
The gap between the PW and GW is quite large, it's the same as with my new PW. I spoke with the club Pro and the GW (being forged) can be altered from 52 to 50. Which will make it PW of 45 and GW from 52 to 50.

However, I've decided to leave as is for this season to see how the distances work out in real terms. Especially with the new course opening in a couple of weeks.
 
:cool: :cool: :) :D ;). Is that cuddly enough for you??

If you've never heard the phrase, try googling "paraylsis by analysis".....I fail to see anything hostile, derogatory (or any other little tag you want to attach to it) about a common description of many "projects"
 
When I had a 56 SW and 46 PW, I had the GW tweaked to 51.
(for all the good it did me).
I then theoretically had clubs to cover 3 distances 15 yards apart.

However, when I changed my iron set I had the PW "set" to 47 and bought a nice 52 wedge with spin milled whatever-you-call-it.

Unless you are hitting 95% of balls straight and NEVER miss from 115 yards, tinkering is only of any use in the head..... :)

As for the clock business, I think anyone who plays off about more than...umm...not many...um... 5 (?) needs to get a grip. Three wedges is plenty and two swings ought to see even the most basic of players theoretically cover 6 distances. i.m.h.o. anyone mathematically calculating how to cover xx amount of yards with y wedge and z swing needs to put away the yardage booklet, leave the skycaddie at home, open their minds to the idea of feel and learn to hit a few more greens with mid-range clubs. Leave it to the pros and their caddies.

I love my yardages, I am Mr yardage, but there comes a point.....

you know what I'm getting at. :)
 
My opinion for what it's worth, is that the most immediate help would be to create your set with equal loft gaps in the short irons and wedges.

Having said that, to get to scratch you will have to learn how to take 3, 5, or however many yards off a club so maybe it's better to stick with what you've got and start learning now. Could be better for you in the long run.
 
I'd be quite happy with an eventual set up of:
Driver
4 Wood
3-PW
48, 52, 56 Wedge
Putter
Click to expand...

Far too many wedges, and the bottom end of your bag looks a little "messy" to me.
As I said earlier, ditch the 48 and 52 and replace with a 50. This would free up a place in your bag for something down the bottom end. Sling the 3 & 4 irons into the bin and replace with hybrids which will give you a lot more versatility. Did I mention that they are also easier to hit?
Once you start clouting your woods a bit better, maybe replace the 4 with a 3 and possibly incorporate a 5 wood into your set up (although the latter isn't exactly necessary if you are caning your 3 hybrid well enough).
I just see a big gap between your driver and 4 wood which is limiting your options from the tee.




;)
 
Really interesting points and an extremely helpful discussion. You've helped me realise that my approach and thinking is contradictory. On one hand I'm talking distance wedges and playing a 3 & 4 iron because I'll need those skills if I'm going to make it to scratch. On the other hand I'm considering tinkering with my set up to get myself even distribution. That said I need to start scoring much better now to bring the handicap down in year one...seriously why am I doing this again? ;)

Don't worry your comments have not been in vain:
  • the 48 wedge idea is gone;
    as is the iron tinkering;
    the 52 is staying as it is;
    I'm doing a lot more practice on my wedge play;
    my focus so far has been on half and full wedge swings and will remain that way till I'm consistent;
    I am open to the idea of a 3 & 5 wood but am just waiting to see how i get on with a 4;
    the 3 & 4 iron are staying for the time being as I am noticing gradual improvement;
    but if I'm not happy with my progress by October they will be replaced with hybrids; and
    I'll be spending as much time as possible on the course

It has also been beautiful to see Smiffy and Homer agreeing so fervently with each other on this thread, long may it continue :D
 
my focus so far has been on half and full wedge swings and will remain that way till I'm consistent
Click to expand...

I'll be spending as much time as possible on the course
Click to expand...

Those are the keys to improvement IMO

As others have said, don't be too analytical, just get out there and do it.. :D
 
As for the clock business, I think anyone who plays off about more than...umm...not many...um... 5 (?) needs to get a grip. Three wedges is plenty and two swings ought to see even the most basic of players theoretically cover 6 distances. i.m.h.o. anyone mathematically calculating how to cover xx amount of yards with y wedge and z swing needs to put away the yardage booklet, leave the skycaddie at home, open their minds to the idea of feel and learn to hit a few more greens with mid-range clubs. Leave it to the pros and their caddies.
Click to expand...

Everyone has their opinion and the 4 wedge thing and "clock" works really well for me. I'll give yesterday as an example. The course was wet, I missed the fairway and both the longest holes on the course. Because of my wedge game I didn't have to try to hit 4 iron from a wet lie with thd ball sitting down, I laid up,1st time to 51 yards, 2nd to 83. I don't even think about those distances as I have a shot for them. Both times I made par.

I'm quite happy going into a green with a 4 iron if I need to but sometimes it just isn't possible.

The clock thing gives me another option. It isn't going to work all the time and I'm not gonna make all the putts but it helps me get the ball in the hole which at the end of the day is what it is all about.

I would agree however that you have to be able to do the basics before you start trying it. The idea is that you have a consistent yardage and you can't do that without a pretty consistent swing.

How many times have you heard someone say they scored badly cause they drove poorly? Well we all drive poorly sometimes, but if you can get up and down inside 100 yards then it doesn't have to ruin your score.
 
Tiger...have you actually had the lofts on your irons checked? They might (and probably are) 1/2 degrees out from what they 'should' be anyway...

Does it actually matter? No...Just go and play - learn how far each club goes, learn how to hit it lower, higher, shorter (and further)....then use that club to help you get the ball into the hole....

The only thing that matters in golf is the score, so you need to take as few swipes as possible....learn to score, learn to get the thing in the hole....and enjoy doing it...

To be honest....at this stage I doubt it even matters that you have a wedge that is not a standard PW or SW.....
 
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