New Irons

[Smigger79]

Thanks for all the welcomes now here's my first request for advice.

I'm planning to invest in a new set of irons for which I will be custom fit. My only worry is, being so new to the game that what is right for me now won't be in another 6 months time.
Is this the case or is custom fitting mostly to do with height etc? One of the first things the pro giving me lessons said was that my clubs were too short for me. I'm 6'3", tall but not abnormally so. Would my height normally require longer than standard clubs.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My advice would be to hold fire until you have had some lessons to get a swing that is repetitive and functional. Otherwise you may find yourself buying a set of clubs fitted for arguments sake two degrees upright, and your pro correcting your swing which would make your fitting regular.

Height does come into the c/f programme as tall people (over 6 foot) sometimes find a longer shaft prevents them from stooping too far.

Get the swing sorted and hold fire for a couple of months. That way most of the 2009 ranges will be out and you can have a wider range to pick from

 

[RGuk]

I'm 6'3", tall but not abnormally so. Would my height normally require longer than standard clubs.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Yes.....i.m.o. without doubt.

Custom fitting looks at length and lie and these days, shaft options, spin rates, all sorts really.

I am of the opinion that length and lie are going to be pretty constant even if you make some swing changes. What is not so easy to predict is what might happen if you get shafts or a type of clubhead (maybe with offset etc.) based on your swing now and then make changes/improvements.

 

[Imurg]

Many on the Forum wont agree with me but I think this is a major issue in custom fitting. If you are starting out your swing is likely to be lousy! No offence but it will probably not be a thing of beauty!

As you improve, through lessons, experience etc your swing will change, it will become repeatable and may well be totally different to your current one. Your swing plane and speed may well differ and this will have an effect on your play.

So if you get fitted now, I suspect that in 6 months to a year your clubs may then be wrong for you. That's not to say don't get fitted but it's something to bear in mind. I came back to playing after 5 years away and couldn't use my custom Pings. I got some standard Cally X-20's and used them for a year until my swing came back to where it had been before and then upgraded to X-20 Tour which suit me better.

You may be better off getting some mid-price irons (MD,BEnross etc) and using them for a couple of years until your swing settles and then get fully fitted with some top sticks.

Just because you're tall doesn't always mean you need longer clubs - if you're tall your arms are probably long too so normal length may work. if you get fitted the pro will obviously look at that.

 

[MVP]

im 6 foot 3 too.

what i would recommend is that you play the game for a year or two before you get fitted for a set

It doesnt matter really its just to remember that the game is there to be played and have fun! dont let the science bother you too much as a beginner!

Custom fitting will fine tune your game it will not be a complete revelation just an improvement! what i suggest is

1. Play a few rounds get down the range see how you get on.

2. a Few months later get a few lessons!
3. practice what you have learnt,
4. by now you should have a few lessons a bit of experience and maybe looking to get a custom set of irons.]


Main RULE ....dont get too mixed up in the science of golf..i did and i still am. It better to just have fun and not take it too seriously ! unless you got raw talent!

 

[Herbie]

I agree with what has been said, I would advise getting your game togeather before spending money. A decent swing, strike of the ball and half decent h/c can be achieved with any relatively cheap clubs on the market today, its when you reach that level that spending on the top kit is sensible (accompanied with lessons)and beneficial. If you havent been playing much at all you WILL change as you get to grips with the game and when that happens you will need to change kit so dont waste money doing it the wrong way rouind.

 

[ricardodaintino]

For this very reason I spoke to the pro before the clerk in the shop. He basically gave me exactly the same advice as the guys above.

I ended up with Wilson Di7s, as they are cavity clubs that get the ball higher and encourage a developing swing. They seem about the right lengh for me and the lie is less of an issue because of the cavity and c.o.g/ large sweetspot.

Once I've had more lessons and have a repeatable swing that does the job 100% (who am I kidding) of the time, that'll be when the custom fitted Nike VR blades will go on the shopping list.

 

[viscount17]

I can understand the argument against c/f at this stage but if he guy does need longer shafts (which it appears his pro thinks is the case) then I think there are only three options (I could be wrong)

- go for the c/f (which would be free and could be done on a mid-range set - Orkas?),
- get someone like DG (or a fitter) to extend the shafts on a standard set (I think DG charge about £3 + grips per club)
- get graphites which are about an inch longer than equivalent steels

 

[AlchemyGolf]

The Web fit on the official ping website will tell you all you need to know on this.

All you need is a height and wrist to floor measurement and get fitted for drivers,irons or putters.

 

[TonyN]

Dont take it as gospil though. The mizuno chart said I needed 1/4' short but I didnt. Depends how far over you lean.

 

[AlchemyGolf]

Mizuno Shmzuno, amatuers.

problem with there web fit is that they think 5ft 8 is tall.

 

[backwoodsman]

Mizuno Shmzuno, amatuers.

problem with there web fit is that they think 5ft 8 is tall.

Sorry, but b*gger the web fit advice of any of the manufacturers. A pro fitter is the only way. It's your swing that's critical and can't be done on the web - height, or lack of it, is only a tiny part of it,

 

[Smigger79]

I've got my 3rd lesson in a couple of weeks so I'll see what the pro says. He's a good lad and wouldn't try to push me towards something I didn't need just to get a sale.
I'll probably just stay with what I've got for a bit though cause if I bought a mid price set I know i'd never be satisfied with them.

 

[Doh]

Mizuno Shmzuno, amatuers.

problem with there web fit is that they think 5ft 8 is tall.

It is

 

[USER1999]

Get them extended, and then buy new ones once your swing has settled. I am 6ft 2, and have clubs 1/2" longer than standard. They are so much easier to hit than my old standard length clubs. I'm just much more comfortable. I wouldn't worry so much about lie angles at the moment, but the length, yes. Why learn all the swing stuff with kids clubs, when it will all change when you get shafts the right length. Extending is a cheap option too.

 

[RGuk]

Get them extended, and then buy new ones once your swing has settled. I am 6ft 2, and have clubs 1/2" longer than standard. They are so much easier to hit than my old standard length clubs. I'm just much more comfortable. I wouldn't worry so much about lie angles at the moment, but the length, yes. Why learn all the swing stuff with kids clubs, when it will all change when you get shafts the right length. Extending is a cheap option too.

Agreed.....never a wiser word has been spoken

 

[Herbie]

All the listed sizes you will see on any golf fitting site are GUIDELINES, if not they wouldnt need to measure you up the way they do.

 

[Smigger79]

I was considering a set of G10's as I'm only 15 minutes from Gainsborough. If I got these and my swing were to change wouldn't I be able to get them altered to suit?