So I had my custom fit session, bought the recommended clubs and now....

[groundskeeperwilly]

It's not going too well!

Bit of background-I had a fitting last year but didn't go through with the order. I got fitted again a month or so back and took the plunge with a new iron set. Both times I was recommended the same clubs by different fitters, who are both well regarded at different shops so I was sure they were the right choice. Ping I20, green dot +1/2inch. Stiff Shafts.

Now since I got them I have proceeded to post some of my worst scores in the last 2 years! Granted I hit a few shots really well and the scores are not crazy bad but I feel that I am not hitting irons as well as I was pre 'fitting'. I would have rated my iron play as the best part of my game before getting them but now it's not so strong....

In the last few days I have tried a variety of other irons and I have hit them all better! These had shafts ranging from Project X 5.5 up to DG X100's and were all standard lie and length. Include Mizuno blades, Callaway Prototypes & Titleist 990s. The last set of irons were Bridgestone J40's with PX 5.5 shafts which I hit amazingly well...could hit long and straight every time and even put a wee draw on them if needed.

So what do you folk think-will the new clubs start firing in a few weeks or should I consider going to another set? Has anyone else been through a similar situation after a fitting?

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

It takes time to adjust but with properly fitted clubs I'd expect to be hitting decent shots very quickly. I changed clubs just under 2 years ago and I was hitting them well straight out the wrappers.

Who fitted you, did you go to Ping?

 

[G1BB0]

what did you have before? Are the i20's dramatically different?

I have struggled since getting the rocketbladez, moving from G10 monsters I still cant seem to get to grips with them even though they are fitted!

Your 10 shots better than me so must be a lot more consistant and a better ball striker so I doubt a change would have such a dramatic effect.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Where did you get fitted? Place I went to will let me go back twice in the first year if I'm not happy and re-test the irons. I have green dot Ping G25 too although standard length and to be honest I've been hitting well since day one.

 

[groundskeeperwilly]

I had the fittings at 2 independant shops who also offered TM, Callaway, Titleist etc
I also actually had a 3rd try at American golf who also recommended the same club! I'm sure they'd have been happy to take my money for any brand but the pings were showing the best results.

Previously I was playing Callaway X Forged and prior to that Ping S58s. I20s have a thicker top line and should be more forgiving but I'm finding them the opposite at the minute!

 

[harpo_72]

Have you analysed your rounds? Secondly have you looked at your strike pattern and whether the soles of your clubs are grounding correctly?
I have noticed that I am striking my iron from the toe, now this is causing distance issues, so I am looking a my set up position. So think about a lesson and look at the basics.

 

[Foxholer]

Park the Pings and try some of the others out.

They'll either work and you can sell the Pings, or you'll have exorcised the demons and be happy with the Pings!

Ebay is the place fo such experimentation - and it doesn't need to be hugely expensive (just don't use ParcelForce for shipping!). May need approval from 'Senior Management' though!

 

[Allanxyz]

Park the Pings and try some of the others out.

They'll either work and you can sell the Pings, or you'll have exorcised the demons and be happy with the Pings!

Ebay is the place fo such experimentation - and it doesn't need to be hugely expensive (just don't use ParcelForce for shipping!). May need approval from 'Senior Management' though!

I'd go the opposite... knuckle down with the pings... 3 fittings shouldn't be wrong. I think trying lots of different irons at this stage is just going to mess you up more. My guess, and it is only a guess, is that mentally you are not sure about the clubs... it sounds like it took you a lot of convincing to get them (3 separate custom fitting sessions)... so maybe your just not sold on the pings and this is causing issues.

I'd keep at it for a week or so on the range, grooving them in... telling yourself that three independent fittings say these are the best clubs for you. Don't hit other irons... it will just confuse the issue..

Unless you've got loads of money to throw about and there was another set that the fitters recommended I'd stick with them for a while longer..

 

[Foxholer]

I'd keep at it for a week or so on the range, grooving them in.

I'd made the assumption, which may or may not have been valid, that there had already been a 'bedding in' period!

I agree that there's now no confidence in the Pings. Far simpler to get confidence in the Pings (back). Just a case of how! Having the odd hit with other clubs certainly doesn't seem the way, but persistence might also be destructive - and a waste of time - too! Generally, clubs that fit well work straight away and these don't.

It could also be worth checking that these were actually built to the spec that worked so well at the fitting! This is also a reason that, for Driver fittings, I say buy the club that works well, not a 'same spec' one!

 

[RGDave]

I quit golf after going from some o-t-s Tommy Armour 845s to c/f Mizunos.

I think it takes ages to adjust and some of us (I believe) have built our swings around the kit we play with, whereas it ought to be the other way around, surely?

Keep at it!

 

[hovis]

IMO its nothing to do with the irons. if you put a good swing on any club you'll get a tune out of it. i see too many threads about needing new shafts for drivers and lead tape to increase the spin and so on. sure, the right equipment is very importaint but it still needs to be swung in a good way.

luke donald has a clip on youtube where he uses the worst iron for him and he still gets it out there

 

[TheClaw]

I had the fittings at 2 independant shops who also offered TM, Callaway, Titleist etc
I also actually had a 3rd try at American golf who also recommended the same club! I'm sure they'd have been happy to take my money for any brand but the pings were showing the best results.

Previously I was playing Callaway X Forged and prior to that Ping S58s. I20s have a thicker top line and should be more forgiving but I'm finding them the opposite at the minute!

Mind sound strange but is it anything to do with the slightly larger head? I went from TM Burners to i20s (also tried G20s) and found that I am more aware of where the club head/face is with my current irons. With a larger head it feels so big that I don't know where the middle of the club is (sounds daft I know). It might be laziness also, since the clubs are so forgiving you can't miss! But do :/

 

[groundskeeperwilly]

I quit golf after going from some o-t-s Tommy Armour 845s to c/f Mizunos.

I think it takes ages to adjust and some of us (I believe) have built our swings around the kit we play with, whereas it ought to be the other way around, surely?

I was hoping that was the case!

I'd go the opposite... knuckle down with the pings... 3 fittings shouldn't be wrong. I think trying lots of different irons at this stage is just going to mess you up more. My guess, and it is only a guess, is that mentally you are not sure about the clubs... it sounds like it took you a lot of convincing to get them (3 separate custom fitting sessions)... so maybe your just not sold on the pings and this is causing issues.

I didn't really take any convincing. They were the clubs I had my eye on anyway-I was really just looking to get the best shaft/lie etc for me to get the best possible fit.

Have you analysed your rounds? Secondly have you looked at your strike pattern and whether the soles of your clubs are grounding correctly?

I've been looking at my divots which have been mixed rather than the usual conssiatnat ones. No opportunity to use tape/lie board or anything just yet.

I'd made the assumption, which may or may not have been valid, that there had already been a 'bedding in' period!

Yes you are right-I haver hit over 1000 balls at the range and played quite a few rounds now with them! I do think i have put the effort in with them.

IMO its nothing to do with the irons. if you put a good swing on any club you'll get a tune out of it. i see too many threads about needing new shafts for drivers and lead tape to increase the spin and so on. sure, the right equipment is very importaint but it still needs to be swung in a good way.

luke donald has a clip on youtube where he uses the worst iron for him and he still gets it out there

I hear what you are saying but I seem to be able to hit almost any other iron I pick up better than these. I have gone from consistent distances and able to work the ball to inconsistent shot distance which is landing me in trouble around greens. So after spending £500 on them I am more than a little disappointed!

Thanks for the feedback folks, much appreciated. The centre did say I could have a 6 month tune up/check over so I might ask for this early! I shot my worst round by far in 18 months today mainly as I was sending irons different distances than usual e.g. 7 iron between 150ish and 190ish yards!!!!

 

[Ethan]

IMO its nothing to do with the irons. if you put a good swing on any club you'll get a tune out of it. i see too many threads about needing new shafts for drivers and lead tape to increase the spin and so on. sure, the right equipment is very importaint but it still needs to be swung in a good way.

luke donald has a clip on youtube where he uses the worst iron for him and he still gets it out there

Yeah, but he is Luke Donald. It stands to reason that the best players can get more out if the worst equipment. That doesn't mean mere mortals can do the same. The issue is worse for stuff that it too stiff, heavy and unforgiving. Give an average 90 shooter a set of blades with x shafts and he won't break 110. Give the same player a set of super GI irons with soft light shafts and he will provably do better. Give Luke a set of Sports Direct specials and he will probably still knock it round in the low 70s.

IMO the shaft is the key component. Get it right and you are most of the way. The head reflects choice and visual preference more than anything else.

 

[groundskeeperwilly]

Mind sound strange but is it anything to do with the slightly larger head? I went from TM Burners to i20s (also tried G20s) and found that I am more aware of where the club head/face is with my current irons. With a larger head it feels so big that I don't know where the middle of the club is (sounds daft I know). It might be laziness also, since the clubs are so forgiving you can't miss! But do :/

It might be something like that-they do look different to my other recent irons but not massively so. I generally prefer a thinner top line club but IMO the I20's look OK and not too big.

 

[splashtryagain]

What's up with the bridgestones? They look quality and if the wedges are anything to by (see you use the same j40 setup as me) the irons should be out of this world.
You feel the same love for the wedges?

 

[groundskeeperwilly]

The J40 wedges are good. I have been trying a few different combo's in terms of lofts but think I will go back to 52, 56,60 as it gives me the best distance gaps and solutions for most shots. The J40 Irons are great-look nice, feel good, good distance! If you're thinking of a change I'd say they are well worth a look!

 

[Foxholer]

The J40 wedges are good. I have been trying a few different combo's in terms of lofts but think I will go back to 52, 56,60 as it gives me the best distance gaps and solutions for most shots. The J40 Irons are great-look nice, feel good, good distance! If you're thinking of a change I'd say they are well worth a look!

Which J40s though!

I was out with a guy who has the 'Dual Pocket' J40s. Looked OK but a bit too large for me - now that I have discovered the tiny ones. The Blades are 'purdy' but I'd suggest the middle of that range model - or earlier equivalents (J38/36).

 

[Imurg]

I was fitted for i15's when they came out.
Fitting was for 1/2 inch long and +2 lie.

I couldn't use them, they were awful.

I got fitted a month later for Mizzys and the spec was 1/2 inch long, -1 lie.
Now, even allowing for a difference in standard length and lie angles, the 2nd fitting differed by a degree and a half on the lie.
These clubs I could use.....

The one thing that differed in the fittings was that at Mizuno, the fitter took into account that I was playing off a mat, made some slight adjustments to compensate so that when I played off grass the clubs would be right......

You may also have been standing a little taller during the fitting.
Every fitting I've had I've been told to stand a little taller and being a Good Boy I did as I was told....except the MIzzy one.....
But I bet I wasn't standing taller on the course - that has to make a difference to the lie...the little adjustment made to the Mizzys.....

 

[Foxholer]

I was fitted for i15's when they came out.
Fitting was for 1/2 inch long and +2 lie.

I couldn't use them, they were awful.

I got fitted a month later for Mizzys and the spec was 1/2 inch long, -1 lie.

Were they both static measurement?

I believe Ping only uses Static measurement - but not 100% certain.

Was the Mizzie 'Static' or did it use a lie board and swing - of several clubs - so 'dynamic'!

And was that also the case with GKWilly?