Loft changes to suit yardages??

[splashtryagain]

Well it's the time of year I get my irons loft and lie checked. Whilst they were being done I am considering having the lofts altered to suit my game at the moment, has anyone else done this? Positive results?
My personal bugbear is that my 8 iron goes 145 and a 7 160 which leaves a gap right over the 150 area. I usually lay up to the markers and this would save me over or under hitting clubs to the 150 distance.
So to knock them one degree stronger or not?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I would book a session on a decent launch monitor and hit whatever balls you play with and see where the gaps are. At least your know your actual and accurate data and can make a decision based on that. Many ranges I know offer this as a service

 

[Dave B]

Personally I'd just take an easier swing or grip down 1/2 an inch. Altering the loft wont fix the problem as one day you'll be playing into the wind, the next off the back of it.

You could also consider changing your ball as that can also make a big difference.

 

[splashtryagain]

Thanks for the replies, homer - the loft lie check can includes fitting so will see what the monitor says but I know my yardages are accurate so just adjust for monitor influence I suppose
Dave b - I understand the wind concept (my course has a bit of a reputation for wind, not quite links but similar conditions )but think I may feel more settled knowing my adjustments are made around a 150 base mark, fussy I know but aren't we all?!

 

[duncan mackie]

So to knock them one degree stronger or not?

that would be a 'not' from me.....

1. as conditions change through the year the distances will change
2. as the wind changes the distances change
3. both of the above will also affect where your lay up shot ends up
4. if you are that good you can easily add 8 yds to your lay up shot, or subtract it.

 

[JCW]

I would book a session on a decent launch monitor and hit whatever balls you play with and see where the gaps are. At least your know your actual and accurate data and can make a decision based on that. Many ranges I know offer this as a service

It also depends on the golf balls in use at the range , some range balls are 15% shorter then my ball of choice the PROV 1

 

[Liqdaddymac]

If your 6 iron goes 165-170 then definitely. If it is 175 then no.

 

[Foxholer]

Not a bad idea, but a couple of questions...

How far do the 9 and 6 go? To determine whether to strengthen 8 or weaken 7!
Are you puzzled about the reason for the gap? Is it the particular shaft?

And remember that changing the loft will change the bounce - not a big issue for Parkland courses; not an issue for tee shots.

Is 1* enough? 1* normally equates to about 2.5-3 yards.

 

[splashtryagain]

Sorry I wasn't overly clear, the whole set of irons would be altered accordingly not just a couple of clubs!
9 iron is good for 130-135, 6 for 175.
There is no gap in the yardages just fancied the 8 doing 150!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It also depends on the golf balls in use at the range , some range balls are 15% shorter then my ball of choice the PROV 1

I think you are missing my point. When I was trying the I25's I was hitting the ball I play (Pro Vx) into a curtain and the monitor recording the data. On the first day it was gale force winds and hosing with rain so hitting real balls or range would have been skewed and the numbers incorrect. I would always advocate hitting balls off a range too to get a visual confirmation of flight and direction

 

[Foxholer]

Sorry I wasn't overly clear, the whole set of irons would be altered accordingly not just a couple of clubs!
9 iron is good for 130-135, 6 for 175.
There is no gap in the yardages just fancied the 8 doing 150!

:rofl:

I can do that! Just need to get a black Sharpie and close the arc on the '6'!

Try hitting it harder!

 

[JCW]

I think you are missing my point. When I was trying the I25's I was hitting the ball I play (Pro Vx) into a curtain and the monitor recording the data. On the first day it was gale force winds and hosing with rain so hitting real balls or range would have been skewed and the numbers incorrect. I would always advocate hitting balls off a range too to get a visual confirmation of flight and direction

Ah ok . point taken , I did that when I got fitted for Pro series X20 at chessington , my current clubs were fitted after a session on the track monitor and pac man , took a few months to get use to the new bats ...................EYG

 

[splashtryagain]

Foxholes - hitting it harder isn't as easy as that is it

 

[Foxholer]

Foxholes - hitting it harder isn't as easy as that is it

Indeed! That's why the

In fact, after a certain point, the harder I hit it the shorter (but higher) it goes!

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I wouldn't bother but if it is what you want then do it.

My own view is that having a 150 yardage is only any good if the pin is always in the centre (assuming yardages are to the centre). If the pin is front or back then you don't want a 150 club. Also, if you are good enough to always layup to 150 yards, just layup a bit further forward\back. There is then the change in wind\temperature\roll or spin to think about. All in all, the number of times you actually have a 150 shot that needs a 150 yard club is probably pretty small.

 

[beau d.]

Sorry don't see the sense in altering the loft of any clubs in the manner you are saying. If like you say you hit a 6 Iron 175 you are already hitting the ball a long way so do not need any extra distance. Just because a club has a 8 on it yet has the loft of a 7 iron carries no weight on the scorecard, also bear in mind how far you hit your wedge, if you lower the loft you will end up with many more half shots etc which require loads of practice and feel.

 

[splashtryagain]

It's not macho ism , trying to hit an 8 iron 7 iron distances etc, its because I find myself needing to hit shots around the 150 mark on a regular basis at my home course.
Adjusting my wedge's distances is something I am happy with.