Opinion & Analysis
Stronger iron lofts don’t always create more distance
The most common complaint I hear from golfers looking for new irons is that all the lofts are “jacked strong.” If someone is playing an iron set, for instance, from the late 1990’s or earlier they will most likely find their irons to be 2-to-3 degrees weaker than today’s game-improvement irons, and even some players irons. So the assumption is that the loft alone is what is creating more distance with the new irons. But there is a lot more to it than that.
In the fittings I do on a golf radar, I see all types of swings and golfers of different ability levels, so the variances in fittings can be dramatic. But the end result for an iron fitting is the same: I want the customer to leave with a set of irons that produce the best possible launch conditions for them. So it doesn’t matter to me what loft a golfer’s 6 iron is, as long as that loft allows a golfer to launch and spin the ball in a way that’s ideal for their swing.
It is common for the golfers I fit to hit todays irons, which average about 2 degrees less loft per club, as high as their current set (if not higher). The reason this happens has to do with an iron’s center of gravity (COG), because when you lower an iron’s COG you add a lot of potential height to a golf shot.
Let’s assume that the launch angle with a modern-lofted set of irons is ideal. As long as the spin rate is acceptable, the new irons, because of their lower center of gravity, are going to produce more speed off the face (due to the lower loft and lower COG) and more distance. But they will still land on the green as soft as an older set of irons (if not softer). Add in the added forgiveness of modern irons, and you have a winning combination.
Another reason why stronger lofts don’t always mean more distance is something I do frequently to help golfers hit the ball farther — weaken lofts. It is common for a golfer with a swing speed of 70-to-80 mph or less to hit the ball with a lower trajectory than what is considered ideal. Fitters have to find some way to raise their ball flight, because those golfers lack the speed necessary to get the best results from many modern iron heads.
Step 1 for those golfers is to increase ball speed. More ball speed helps them keep the ball in the air longer, which raises their maximum height. If the added ball speed of modern irons is not enough to achieve an ideal landing angle, I have to add loft. That’s why I custom order iron sets with lofts that are 1-to-2 degrees weaker than standard about 40 percent of the time.
By adding loft, those golfers achieve more ideal launch conditions, which means they carry shots farther and stop the ball faster on the green. Think about how much this could help golfers from the rough as well. Golfers can see their spin rate drop thousands of RPM’s from the rough (depending on the rough and type of lie), so being able to keep their shots in the air with enough spin to stop the ball on the green can be a huge part of helping them shoot lower scores.
It is hard for some golfers to understand how irons with more loft can help them hit the ball farther, and this is understandable. But when I show them the results on golf radar, which can be as much as 5-to-10 yards more carry distance, they start to get it.
Golfers should liken their iron fittings to that of a driver. They won’t question a fitter who recommends that they switch to a 10.5-degree driver instead of an 8.5 or 9.5, because those are established as acceptable driver lofts. But bending an iron weak is not as well understood by many golfers, so they are more hesitant.
Golfers can talk about shafts until they are blue in the face, and different shafts will make a difference in control, feel and sometimes launch and spin. But loft is a much more important factor in fitting.
That’s why I recommend that golfers get fit for irons on golf radar by a certified fitter who understands how loft and COG work together in iron design. You’ll be amazed at the difference a properly fit set of irons can make to your game.
Opinion & Analysis
Brandel Chamblee PGA Championship Q&A: Rose’s huge McLaren risk, distracted LIV pros and why Aronimink suits the bombers
PGA Championship week is here, and Brandel Chamblee did not hold back in our latest discussion ahead of the season’s second major.
In our 2026 PGA Championship Q&A, golf’s leading analyst made the case that PIF pulling LIV’s funding has left its players competing in a state of confusion, called Justin Rose’s mid-season equipment switch a huge risk at 45, and explained why Aronimink will be a bombers’ delight this week.
Check out the full Q&A below.
Gianni: With the PIF confirming that they’re pulling funding from LIV at the end of the season, what impact do you expect that to have on the LIV players competing at the PGA Championship?
Brandel: I would imagine that they have all been thrown into a state of confusion, and will be distracted, not knowing where they are going to play next year and not knowing exactly their road back to either the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour. Or in Rahm’s case, being tied to a sinking ship for the next few years, likely playing for pennies on the dollar in events that no one cares about or watches.
I doubt this would put him in the best frame of mind to compete at his highest level. Keeping in mind, however, that majors are the only time that LIV disciples get to play in events that matter, so never disregard the motivation they have to prove to the world they are still relevant.
Gianni: Justin Rose switched to McLaren Golf equipment mid-season while playing some of the best golf of his career. What do you make of the change?
Brandel: I don’t really know what to make of Rose switching equipment. It seems a huge risk on his part, even though it is likely, in my opinion, that the clubs he’s playing are similar, if not the exact grinds, to what he was playing previously, with a McLaren stamp on them.
Having said that, at best, it is a distraction when he seemed to be as dialed in with his game as any 45-year-old could be and trending in the majors to perhaps do something that would definitely put him in the Hall of Fame. At worst, given the possibility that these clubs aren’t just duplicates of his old set stamped with McLaren on them, he’s made an equipment change that would take time, and 45-year-old athletes don’t have the time to do such things.
Gianni: Aronimink has only hosted a handful of professional events since it hosted the 1962 PGA Championship. What kind of test does it present, and does a course with less recent major championship history tend to level the playing field?
Brandel: Even though Aronimink has only hosted a handful of meaningful professional events, it has been fairly discerning in who can win there. When Keegan Bradley won the BMW Championship on the Donald Ross masterpiece in 2018, he was the 2nd best iron player on tour coming into that week. When Nick Watney won the AT&T at Aronimink in 2011, he was 2nd in strokes gained total coming into the week.
In 2020, Aronimink hosted the KPMG Championship, and Sei Young Kim won. On the LPGA that year, she was first in greens in regulation, putts per green in regulation, and scoring average on the way to being the LPGA player of the year. And then there is the 1962 PGA Championship won by Gary Player, who eventually became just one of a few players to win the career grand slam on the way to winning 9 majors. It is a formidable test, and if it’s not softened by rain, it will bring out the best in the upper echelons of the game.
Gianni: Is there a specific hole at Aronimink that you think will do the most to decide the winner?
Brandel: The hardest hole at Aronimink in each of the three tour events that have been played there since 2010 has been the long par-3 8th hole, with the par-4 10th being the second hardest, so most of the carnage will happen around the turn, but with the par-5 16th offering opportunities for bold plays and the tough closing holes at 17 and 18, the finish is likely to be frenetic.
Gianni: The PGA Championship has always sat in the shadow of the other majors. What does the ideal PGA Championship look like in your eyes, and what would it take for it to carve out its own identity?
Brandel: The PGA Championship, to whatever degree it suffers from the comparison to the other three majors, is still counted just as much when adding them up at the end of one’s career. Almost 1/3 of Nicklaus’ major wins were the five PGA Championships he won. Walter Hagen won 11 majors, five of which were PGA Championships.
Tiger Woods twice in his career won back-to-back PGA Championships, and those four majors count just as much as the other 11 he won. The PGA may not have the prestige of the other three, but it carries the same weight. Having said that, I preferred the identity that it had as the last major of the year.
Gianni: You nailed your Masters picks. Rory won, Scottie finished solo second, and Morikawa surged to a tie for seventh. Who are your top 3 picks for the PGA Championship and why?
Brandel: I am not a huge fan of majors played on golf courses that have been shorn of most of the trees, although I understand some of the agronomic reasons for doing so and of course the ease with which it allows members to play after errant drives. However, at the highest level, it all but eliminates any strategy off the tee and turns professional golf into an even bigger slugfest. That means that it will likely be a bomber’s delight this week, but fortunately, Scottie Scheffler is long enough to play that game and straight enough to play it better than anyone else.
The major championships give us very few surprises anymore, going back to the beginning of 2012, so the last 57 majors played, the average world rank of the winners has been better than 15th in the world. So look at the highest ranked and longest drivers who are on form coming into the PGA Championship who also have great short games as the surrounds at Aronimink are very challenging. That’s Scottie Scheffler by a mile and then McIlroy and Cameron Young with a far bigger nod towards DeChambeau than I gave him at the Masters.
In this episode of the Club Junkie Podcast, we dive into one of the most interesting flatstick releases of the year with a full review of the new TaylorMade SYSTM 2 putters. After spending time on the greens, I break down what makes this design stand out, where it performs, and why it has me completely torn between loving it and fighting it. If you are into feel, alignment, and consistency, this is one you will want to hear about.
We also take a look at some of the putters in play on the PGA Tour last week. From familiar favorites to a few surprising setups, there is always something to learn from what the best players in the world are rolling with under pressure.
To wrap things up, I walk through the process of building a set of JP Golf Prime irons paired with Baddazz Gold Series shafts. From component selection to performance goals, this is a deep dive into what goes into creating a unique custom set and why this combo has been so intriguing.
This year my 50th birthday. Gosh, where has the time gone?
As a teenager in rural Missouri, some of my junior high and high school years felt interminable. Graduation seemed light years away. But the older I get, the faster life seems to fly by.
I’m also increasingly aware of my mortality. My dad died recently. Earlier this year, a friend and fellow PGA of America professional and I were texting about our next catch-up. The next message I received was news of his unexpected passing at 48. Shortly after, a woman I dated in college succumbed to cancer at 51.
Certainly, one can share perspective at any age. Seniors help freshmen, veterans guide rookies. But reaching this milestone feels like as good a time as any to do one of those “what would I tell my younger self?” articles.
I’ve had a uniquely varied career in golf. I started as a 27-year-old, average-length-hitting, 14-handicap computer engineer and somehow managed to turn pro before running out of money, constantly bootstrapping my way forward. I’ve won qualifiers and set venue records in the World Long Drive Championships, finished fifth at the Speedgolf World Championships, coached all skill levels as a PGA of America professional, built industry-leading swing speed training programs for Swing Man Golf, helped advance the single-length iron market with Sterling Irons®, caddied on the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions, and played about 300 courses across 32 countries.
It’s been a ride, and I’ve gone both deep and wide.
So while I can consult and advise from a lot of angles, let me keep it to a few things I’d tell the average golfer who wants to improve.
1. Think About What You Want
Everyone has their own reason for picking up a golf club.
Oddly, as a professional athlete, I’m not internally driven by competition. That can be challenging, as the industry currently prioritizes and incentivizes competition over the love of the game.
For me, I love walking and being outdoors. Nature helps balance my energy. I prefer courses that are integrated into the natural beauty of their surroundings. I’m comfortable practicing alone. I’m a deep thinker, and I genuinely enjoy investigating the game, using data and intuition to unearth unique, often innovative insights. I’m fortunate to be strong and athletic, so I appreciate the chance to engage with my abilities. Traveling feels adventurous. I could go on.
You don’t have to overthink it like I do. For you, it might be as simple as hitting balls to escape work, hanging out with friends, and playing loosely with the rules and the score.
The point is to give yourself permission to play for your own reasons, and let that be enough.
But if improvement is your goal, thinking about your destination—and when you want to get there—is important, because it dictates the steps you need to take. When I set out to go from a 14-handicap to the PGA TOUR as quickly as possible, the steps I needed were very different from those of a working golfer trying to break 90 in six months. That’s also different from someone who just wants a few peaceful hours outside each week, away from work or family.
None of these goals are better than the others, but each requires a different plan that you can work backward from.
2. There Are Lots of Things That Can Work
One of the challenges of golf is that, although there are rules for playing, there aren’t clear, industry-wide standards for how to best play the game. There’s a lot of gray area.
You might hear a top coach or trainer insist that a certain move is the best way to swing or train. Then you dig a bit deeper and, much to your confusion and frustration, another respected coach or trainer says something completely different. I don’t think anyone is trying to confuse you—at least I hope not. It’s just where the industry is right now.
You have to be careful with advice from tournament pros, too. They might be great at scoring, but they’re also human and sometimes just as susceptible as amateurs to believing things that don’t really move the needle. Tour players might describe what they feel, but that’s not always what they’re actually doing when assessed with technology.
I recently ran a test on my YouTube channel (which connects to my GolfWRX article “How to use your hands in the golf swing for power and accuracy”), and, interestingly, two of the most commonly taught hand actions produced the worst results in the test.
Coaches can certainly help. If you find someone you connect with to help navigate, that’s great. But there are many ways to get the ball in the hole. In the current landscape, you may need to seek multiple opinions, think critically, and use your own intuition to discern what seems true and whose advice resonates with you.
I’d recommend seeking someone who is open-minded and always learning, because things constantly change. Absolutes like “correct” or “proper” should raise a red flag. AI can be useful, but it tends to confidently repeat popular advice, so proceed with caution.
3. Get Custom Fit
If you’re serious about becoming a better player, getting custom fit is hugely important. There’s no sense fighting your equipment if you don’t have to. Most better players get fit these days and, if they don’t, they’re usually skilled enough to work around clubs that aren’t ideal.
If you plan to play for a long time, it’s worth spending a little more upfront to get something that truly fits you and your game, rather than continually buying and discarding equipment.
Equipment rules haven’t really changed significantly since the early 2000s. To stay in business, manufacturers keep pushing those limits. If you pull a bunch of clubs and balls off the rack and test them, you’ll find differences. I’ve tested two new drivers and seen a 30-yard total distance gap. Usually, the issue isn’t bad equipment; it’s that the combination of components simply isn’t the best fit.
It’s like wearing a new pair of floppy clown shoes. Sure, they’re shoes—but you won’t sprint your best in them compared to track shoes that fit perfectly.
Be wary of what’s called custom fitting, too. Sometimes the term is used as a marketing strategy rather than an actual fitting. In some retail settings, fitters may be incentivized to steer you toward higher-priced components. That doesn’t automatically mean it’s not the best fit, but you should be aware of potential biases.
I learned a version of this lesson outside of golf. Years ago, I bought a tennis racquet at a big box store from a seemingly knowledgeable employee who thought it would suit me best. The racquet gave me tennis elbow, and I spent months recovering with rest and acupuncture. The next season, I invested more time and money to find what actually fit me, and I walked away with something amazing that I still play with years later.
So if you’re going to get fit, be smart about it.
Find someone you believe has deep knowledge—possibly with certifications, but not necessarily. Make sure there’s a wide inventory across many brands. Check recent reviews for the individual fitter if possible. Make sure you trust that the fitter has your best interests at heart. If they’re wearing a hat or shirt with a specific brand’s logo, proceed with caution. Unless you specifically want a certain brand or look, be wary of upsells, especially if two options perform nearly the same.
Also, while golf is called a sport of integrity, there’s a thread of manipulation in the industry. I once drafted an equipment article for an industry magazine, structured just like one of their previous popular stories, with matching word count and great photos. The assistant editor loved it; it was useful to readers and required little work on his part. But the editor-in-chief nixed the story. When I asked why, I was told it was because I wasn’t an advertiser. It turned out the article I’d modeled mine after was a paid ad cleverly disguised as editorial content.
I really dislike games, clickbait, and fear-based manipulation. I hope this changes, but golfers deserve to know it exists.
4. Distance and Strategy Matter
There’s a real relationship between how far you hit the ball and your scoring average, even at the PGA TOUR level.
I experienced this early in my pro career. I started as a power hitter, swinging in the high 120s and breaking 200 mph ball speed with a stock driver.
Back then, some instructors advised swinging at 80%, so I tried slowing down for more accuracy. That worked fine on shorter, tighter courses. But on longer setups, I was coming into greens with too much club, and par 5s stopped being
RBC Heritage Tour Report: More minis, course-specific setups, Spider & GTS launches
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
Best fairway woods of 2026: The most versatile fairway woods + the most forgiving fairway woods
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
The 24 players who can win the Masters
Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB: 2026 Masters
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
J.J. Spaun’s winning WITB: 2026 Valero Texas Open
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
Alex Fitzpatrick WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus...
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
Driver: Ping G440 Max (9 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft:...
WITB Time Machine: Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB, 2021 Truist Championship
Rory McIlroy’s victory at the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship 2021 (now the Truist Championship) marked a significant return to form,...
Collin Morikawa WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D LS (8 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade SIM Tour (14 degrees) Shaft:...
-
Equipment2 weeks agoJustin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
-
Equipment1 week agoWhat’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
-
Equipment2 weeks agoCadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
-
Whats in the Bag3 days ago
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
-
Whats in the Bag1 week agoCameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
-
Whats in the Bag3 weeks agoNelly Korda WITB 2026 (April)
-
Equipment2 weeks agoJustin Rose on the switch to McLaren Golf, learnings from previous equipment moves
-
Tour Photo Galleries2 weeks agoPhotos from the 2026 Cadillac Championship
Mccance79
Oct 26, 2014 at 2:09 pm
Great point… I am a low ball hitter looking for more distance especially in my high irons. The concern is that all the fitting carts only have 6 irons and with the gaping on the 3, 4 and 5 irons lonely being 3* I am concerned on irons would react to my adjustments.
Frank Garrett
Dec 11, 2013 at 7:32 pm
Add loft for distance?????? I tried it today but I can still hit my 6i farther than my 64 degree lw…. Guess I don’t get it
mwb
Oct 29, 2013 at 7:16 am
I am purchasing new irons and am seriously considering getting the lofts 2* weak to create a 48* PW and 4* loft spacing. I’m also adding a 5 wood to the bag and changing to a 54/60 wedge set-up.
The new era of stronger lofts is all about how far to hit 7 iron vs how close to hit 7 iron and more accurate. Today’s golf ball travels farther than ever before and I don’t see any need to jack up the short iron lofts. Tiger Woods plays his irons in weaker lofts and he doesn’t seem to have any distance issues!
Freddy V.
Oct 24, 2013 at 11:40 pm
So glad this was posted. “people hit it further because of stronger lofts” is such a wifes tale. Ball speed from the new irons is what is creating the distance. With added ball speed comes more launch. Loft is used to get the irons back to the proper launch window…
Rick Zarlengo
Oct 21, 2013 at 3:30 pm
What I haven’t seen mentioned is that iron shafts have changed a great deal and offer more low kick (higher launch/spin) options to be able to match with those lofts. It is a combination of those factors to get consistent results.
Thankfully gone are the days of everyone demanding s300 S or X when they don’t have the swing speed to support them.
Gio
Oct 21, 2013 at 9:50 am
there comes a time when too much ‘loft jacking’ is too much. I know for people with slower swing speeds these crazy lofted, ultimate SGI irons are perfect. for the ‘better’ golfer, these lofts leave nothing at the bottom of the bag. (others have mentioned) I went to GG with my pops and hit the speedblade 9i for sheets and was hitting them 165-170…why? i don’t need that. traditional lofts ftw (let the ‘technology’ be what determines added length/distance, not loft changes)
Freddy V.
Oct 24, 2013 at 11:42 pm
Its ball speed not loft that is increasing distance. Guaranteed that if you looked at your ball speed it was dramatically higher.
SV
Oct 19, 2013 at 3:58 pm
I am in favor of weaker lofts. I don’t pretend to be an expert, or even close. But, as lofts are strengthened the gaps become compressed on the long end and widened on the short. When you get 2* gaps on the long end there is almost no difference between clubs. On the short end, as the pitching wedge loft gets stronger you end up with wider gaps in the scoring clubs. If this continues we’ll end up with 25* 7 irons and carry 6 or 7 “gap” wedges.
After this long introduction, Nick keep preaching this gospel. Maybe manufacturers will take note (I doubt it, but keep trying.
Phil E
Oct 18, 2013 at 10:45 am
Not a dispute with the OP, maybe even validation, but what about head style?
In my experience I have seen guys in the 8-14 handicap range with moderate ball speed try X Hot irons, and see much better results with the Rocketbladez. Typical launch angle would improve from 13-14* to 17-18*. In turn creating around 12 more yds. of distance, and more playable iron trajectories.
Idk CG specifics on those models, but I have seen similar results with I20, and G25.
Nick Morrow
Oct 18, 2013 at 1:11 pm
I completely agree Phil E.
It is amazing how much higher/lower similar irons can perform, in terms of player level. And you are right about the irons listed, X Hot is a shockingly low launching iron and the G25 would be the exact opposite, with Rocketbladez mixed in the middle. We have seen significant distance improvements with all 3 of these irons, it just needs to match up with how you launch the ball. That is why getting the numbers is so important.
Zachary Yaz
Oct 18, 2013 at 9:13 am
Thank you for such an eye opening article. Will keep that in mind from now on
8thehardway
Oct 18, 2013 at 8:38 am
“It is hard for some golfers to understand how irons with more loft can help them hit the ball farther,”
Maybe it’s conceptually challenging but when all sets came 3-PW with heads the size of your pinky-toe, golfers either left their 3 iron home or just used it for low punch shots back to the fairway; back then, a well-hit 6 iron would outdistance an over-muscled 3 iron seven times out of 10. If experience still trumps explanations, simulations and printouts, print out some ebay listings – there are lots of older sets with ‘barely used’ 3 irons.
Craig
Oct 18, 2013 at 8:12 am
Hi Nick,
I know its different for each golfer depending on their individual characteristics but do you have rough numbers (for iron set) to be looking for in terms of launch angle, spin rate etc. I am 2 handicap, playing Scottish Links golf, smooth tempo, 80-90mph, pretty straight flight, shallow divot.
Cheers
Nick Morrow
Oct 18, 2013 at 9:51 am
Craig,
Good question. Assuming you are not altering the trajectory due to the conditions. An ideal Launch Angle and Spin Rate for a Ball Speed with a 6 iron of 115 MPH would be right about 15-16* and 6000 RPM’s respectively.
If your Ball Speed was higher than that, say up to 125, which is a few MPH slower than PGA Tour average, you would want spin to stay within 200-300 RPM’s higher, and Launch Angle to come down to about 14*. And the opposite is true as the speed drops.
Jeff
Oct 21, 2013 at 2:57 pm
So what makes 15-16° and 6000 RPM “ideal”? Does that create the maximum distance for that ball speed? What if I get those numbers with a 7-iron, or a 5-iron? Would they still be “ideal”?
Nick Morrow
Oct 21, 2013 at 6:06 pm
Yes for that particular Ball Speed, the ball can not carry any further with a better stopping power than with those conditions. If you want to simply hit the ball further, find an iron that launches really high and spins really low, you will knuckle ball the shot a long ways, but odds are you will not be able to control yardages or stop the ball under most conditions.
I am not sure exactly what you are asking with the final 2 questions, are you asking should the 5 and 7 iron have the same launch conditions as the 6 iron, or would there be any issues if your 5 iron or the 7 iron launched like the “ideal” conditions for the 6 iron?
Jeff
Oct 28, 2013 at 6:11 pm
Yes, that’s essentially what I’m asking. I know some pros naturally hit it higher, and some lower. Some get more spin, some less. I realize this can be affected by angle of attack, swing speed, iron/shaft design, and ball design. But if a “high spin” player gets a 15° launch and 6000 RPM with a 115 MPH ball speed with a 5-iron, then what’s wrong with that? If the launch conditions work, what matter the number on the club? Surely getting consistent results and regular yardage gaps between clubs is more important than shooting for some “ideal” stats that may go against your natural swing? Some people prefer a higher or lower, high- or low-spin ball flight for strategic purposes. Or if you’re playing in firm conditions, you might want more spin and a higher launch. The idea of one ideal spin rate and launch angle for each iron doesn’t really make sense to me.
As far as lofts for amateurs go, I feel like long irons have to little difference between them. Since such a precise hit is needed to take advantage of the lower loft, the “average” distance each club hits the ball tends to converge at lower lofts for less-skilled players. Including me. I have a 17-degree 4-wood, a 21-degree hybrid, a 26-degree hybrid, and a 29-degree iron as my longer (non-driver) clubs. This also gives me room for more wedges.
yo!
Oct 17, 2013 at 5:46 pm
For you lower swing speed players, go to blades with weaker lofts or better yet go to an old vintage blades with the pitching wedge 52 degrees, and you can hit the ball farther … hehe.
kloyd0306
Oct 17, 2013 at 4:50 pm
The industry is run by marketing divisions, who are responsible for stronger lofted irons, in the mistaken belief that lower loft equals more distance. The fact remains that only stronger, faster swings can support lower lofts.
So, I am now waiting for a major brand to market and advertise that their new, weaker lofts will add distance for most golfers.
I suspect I’ll be waiting a very long time………
mitch
Oct 17, 2013 at 4:29 pm
Amen, finally some one with great insight. Like most things in life, the real answer is “it all depends”, golf is probably the only sport where they use generalization to describe something that is quite complicated. examples, keep you head down, hit down on the ball, you gotta swing inside out…
mr_divots
Oct 17, 2013 at 3:16 pm
Good info to pass along regarding COG. Seems that the article could have suggested that for higher swing speed players, the stronger lofts and COG location is necessary to not have the ball shoot straight up. The new grooves should also be mentioned as allowing the ball to slide up the face a little more compared to the older grooves.
Another point regarding GI/SGI clubs that I would love to see a fitter touch on is shaft length. Routinely, I notice longer than standard 85g shafts with these sets. Perhaps the lighter weight is good, but how many people fit into these longer lengths? I’m 6’2″ and most GI clubs are too long even for me in their stock iteration with this “progressive” shaft lengths concept. The “lightweight speed” designs don’t seem to help the everyday golfer from the examples I see out on the course. That said, people will usually launch clubs higher with a longer shaft length as well, (mechanical advantage/physics) so again, it kind of goes hand in hand with the stronger lofts.
Nick Morrow
Oct 17, 2013 at 4:41 pm
Mr Divots, good point on the higher swing speeds, but like anything else we still see higher speed guys still launch the ball too low, it just is not as common as the low swing speed player.
I am glad you mentioned shaft length, static lengths for GI clubs, how it impacts flight, etc. These are topics that have been kicked around and that are important in today’s market, so articles will most likely be touching on them in the future.
Thank you for the comment and ideas.
Joe Golfer
Oct 18, 2013 at 5:50 am
Good point.
Plus, those superlight steel shafts in the 85-90 gram range feel like a softer flex than what is listed, probably due to the thinner steel in the shaft.
KBS even notes it in the swing speed recommendations for their different model shafts, as their very lightweight steel shafts are about a full flex softer frequency than the standard weight counterpart.
Drew
Oct 17, 2013 at 1:12 pm
But what I don’t understand is why you would need to weaken the loft of irons 2-3* when the gap between irons is 3-4*. Say you have a modern set that is 3-PW, 19*-45*. Why would you weaken the lofts of every club and increase the bounce angle by a proportionate amount if you could just get rid of the 3 iron and add a gap wedge? That’s basically what companies are doing anyway. 4-AW with juiced lofts is the same set as an old 3-PW that would probably be 22*-48*. If the customer can’t get the 4 iron in the air, pull that too and give them a hybrid that will get in the air. Weakening lofts makes zero sense to me. On a driver? Sure. But I’m not sure what’s being accomplished with weakening irons. Even if you want to say a weakened 4 iron is longer in length than a 5 iron of the same loft and therefore goes farther, your gaps in your set will still be equally proportionate. You get to replace the 4 iron that’s gone with something you can get in the air. It’s like that distance is just not filled. There only seems to be one logical reason to do this and that’s just in the odd situation where someone needs more bounce.
Nick Morrow
Oct 17, 2013 at 2:57 pm
I do not disagree with you on the long irons Drew, we have hybrids to replace those. But what about the mid and low irons, yes I understand some companies make 6/7 hybrids (7 and up is very rare), but you can not really replace an 8 iron with a true hybrid. So to get the most performance out of each iron, for these low ball hitters, we need to add loft. And yes it is common to not have an iron longer than 6 or 5 for some of these guys because they carry them all the same distance, and then hybrids come into play. We also see these players having gapping issues with a mid iron, not just 4 and 5 like your example, so adding loft achieves better gapping as well.
Drew
Oct 17, 2013 at 3:02 pm
Well gee, I guess if you can’t get a 7 iron in the air, you really do need some help haha.
Conrad
Oct 17, 2013 at 1:10 pm
well unfortunately people buy clubs based on their ego and the club manufactures feed it. Everyone tries to boast yardage, not consistency and accuracy. most amateurs like to hit the long ball not the low score.
chris Steele
Oct 17, 2013 at 11:49 am
Bravo, As a club fitter who deals with players that purchase equipment based on what their ego tells them they need verses the facts this is a breath of fresh air!
AJ Jensen
Oct 17, 2013 at 11:17 am
OK, quick question. I’m contemplating a set of Mizuno MP-53 irons. Currently I play a set of old-school Ping Eye 2’s, which I love, but I want the benefits of modern irons and forged heads. I know my distances with the Ping set too well and I don’t want to go through a whole season of trial-and-error with new irons, so would it make sense to have my new Mizuno irons bent to the old Ping specs?
Drew Farron
Oct 17, 2013 at 10:01 am
Brilliant information ! More is not always better, but I would expect nothing less from a fitter at Carl’s Golfland…
Ryan
Oct 17, 2013 at 6:17 am
About time someone who knows what they’re talking about said what the the real deal is with loft and modern clubs. LOWER COG IN NEW IRONS REQUIRES LESS LOFT A LOT OF THE TIME TO GET THE SAME DISTANCE OF OLDER CLUBS WITH A HIGHER COG. The golfwrx wannabe touring pro’s will argue otherwise..
Mikko U
Oct 17, 2013 at 5:34 am
After reading the headline I was expecting a slightly different subject discussed but this topic is something I’ve been wondering about myself.
The GI/SGI clubs are basically directed to help players with lesser abilities to hit the golf ball, usually that also means lower swing speeds. They’re selling the clubs by saying that you will hit them longer, yet like you said, many of those who’d need the help aren’t really hitting at least the longer irons any longer.
What I was hoping from this article was proof for that a current 46* MB/CB PW doesn’t go any further than the 47/48* PWs of the past. I guess I’ll need to have my next irons bent weaker leaving some marks on the blade and hosel.
birly-shirly
Oct 17, 2013 at 5:12 am
Nick – so, how much difference can CoG location make to the “optimum” loft?
Say you start with a classic blade 7 iron with 40* static loft – by how much could you reduce the loft in conjunction with a GI head design without launching the ball lower?
Pete Farner
Oct 17, 2013 at 11:06 am
That would depend on what GI head design you have and to be quite honest the only way to be sure would be to test these irons on a golf radar. Each player is different and because of this each iron plays different for each player.
KK
Oct 17, 2013 at 1:21 am
It’s not about research or information, it’s about ego and emotion. Humans think they’re logical but when it comes down to it (when the wallet hits the counter), they are controlled by feelings, who they wish they could play like and what company has qualities that match their identity. As club fitters, you have to find the balance between measurable results and what the customer THINKS is happening. Good luck!
Pooch
Oct 17, 2013 at 12:07 am
Great article. I am a club fitter also and see this every day. I have to explain that the design allows the iron to have a stronger loft. What still kills me are the guys coming in and demanding a lower lofted driver thinking it will give them more distance. I even fitted a customer with a new SLDR and put him in a 12 degree head with a TP shaft. I showed him all the stats on the monitor and he was in agreement but when it came to buying the actual driver he insisted on buying the 9.5 head with the TP after all the work on the launch monitor. I truly wish customers would do their do diligence before getting fit.
Chris
Oct 16, 2013 at 11:53 pm
I completely agree with this! I just switched from Wilson Ci9 to Taylormade TP MC, and I’ve gained almost 15 yards despite the lofts being higher. Great article!
craig@tourimpactgolf.com
Oct 18, 2013 at 8:44 am
Yup…been there done that. Agreed.