Opinion & Analysis
Wedge Guy: There’s no logic to iron fitting
If you’ve read my blog for long, you know I’m not afraid to take on things in the golf equipment world that I think do not serve golfers’ best interests. My contrarian approach is based on a lifetime of playing this game at a pretty high level, and over forty years deeply immersed in the golf equipment industry. When I see things that I just do not believe are in golfers’ best interests as you try to hit better golf shots more often, I’ll call them out.
And while I’m a big believer in getting custom-fitted for golf clubs, when it comes to iron fittings, I think our industry has it all wrong.
Here’s why.
Let me begin by telling you I have recently completed a “secret shopper” process of experiencing the fitting protocol at three separate levels – one of the major custom fitting brands, one of the top retail brands’ fitting bay and one of the top equipment brands’ demo days at the club level. I think that gives me a pretty good perspective of what most golfers will experience in a custom fitting session for irons.
As you likely know, iron fittings are almost always centered on fitting the 6-iron by exploring a range of different head designs and shaft options. With reliance on launch monitor data, and almost exclusively hitting shots off of standard tight texture hitting mats, the process is purported to fine-tune the fitting parameters from which to build the golfer the most appropriate set of irons. It’s a nice goal, but I don’t think this process is the right way to get there.
In one experience, lie angle was never even addressed, which was quite puzzling.
In another, the fitter started by having me hit some shots with my 29-degree Hogan Ft. Worth 15 iron, then proclaimed my carry distance to be a full 10-12 yards shorter than I am 100 percent certain that it is. How did that happen?
And in still another, I was asked what iron model I was most drawn to, and then told that one “probably wasn’t right for me,” even before asking what I was seeking from a new set of irons.
How would he know that?
But in every one of these cases, the “fitting” process was centered on the 6-iron, which makes absolutely no sense to me. In more and more golfers’ bags, the 6-iron is the second or third longest iron — maybe even the longest iron. Very few golfers are carrying 4-irons anymore, and even fewer a 3-iron. More and more golfers are opting for hybrids once lofts get below the 5- or 6-iron.
So, where’s the logic of fitting one of the longer irons in your bag, then assuming that all the other irons will just fit right in? Your 6-iron is closer in loft to your 3-wood than it is to your 9-iron. And if you are playing the right tees for your strength profile, the middle of your iron set is the 8-iron or 9-iron, not the 6-iron.
Oh, and good luck asking to hit one of those higher lofts in the same iron model, with the same shaft as you just got “fitted” off the 6-iron.
In two of the secret shopper fittings, the fitter strongly suggested that I include the gap or “A” wedge in the set. I addressed this bad advice in a recent post.
So, as advanced as our fitting protocols have become, with the advent of launch monitors and related technologies, I think we have it all wrong when it comes to fitting irons. But will it change? Only if golfers force that change.
Maybe it’s time we did.
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
Pingback: The Wedge Guy: 3 surefire ways to never get better at golf – GolfWRX
Pingback: The Wedge Guy: My top 5 practice tips – GolfWRX
geohogan
Sep 15, 2023 at 12:59 pm
As important as loft angle IMO is lie angle
With every iron sitting squarely on the ground, the butt end of every club should be the same height from the ground. Ref. George Knudson
ie lie angles perfectly matched in the set.
All that is required is a bending bar to adjust those clubs out of lie angle sync.
14:15 … “butt end of every club is the same distance from the ground”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-j5fOfsxqo
Pingback: The Wedge Guy - Anyone can become a better wedge player if they follow these simple steps - Fly Pin High
Pingback: The Wedge Guy: Anyone can be a better wedge player by doing these simple things – GolfWRX
Bob Pegram
Sep 2, 2023 at 3:05 pm
I used to work for a big box golf store. A couple of the “fitters” were new (being trained) and should have not been doing fittings. I had previously worked for a Top 100 rated custom clubfitter who trained me. These new “fitters” would sometimes ask me questions that showed they didn’t have enough knowledge to be in that position. One didn’t even understand the idea of bend point of the shaft and how that affected shots nor how a shorter length club will flex somewhat less than if the same shaft were in a longer club. (In general, a lower bend point will hit the ball higher with somewhat more spin. However, there are exceptions/variations which is why the launch monitors are so helpful.)
Matts
Aug 7, 2023 at 10:37 am
Most golfers need several different fittings: driver, fairway wood, hybrid, irons and wedges. These fittings also need to identify at what specific clubs the various transitions need to happen.
M Pearson
Aug 4, 2023 at 3:57 pm
Have only done a couple manufacturer-specific fittings and, as someone who plays ~+3/4″ shafts and between midsize + a wrap of tape and oversize grips, was left disappointed given that the availability of shafts over standard length is minimal and shafts with grips over standard is minimal or zero. Good luck finding both in the same shaft, much less multiple shafts for the sake of comparison.
I would love to see manufacturers offer demos for a fee. I would gladly pay for a couple weeks use of three or four 7 irons with the specs I’m looking for with even midsize grips. This would also eliminate the issue that average to strong amateurs arent going to swing or hit the ball the same every day–i.e. a club/setup you like one day you may not like as much 2 days later, or even more likely, if you really like a specific club/setup, it could very well be you just happen to be putting a couple decent swings on the ball.
Max
Jul 30, 2023 at 12:03 am
How did I ever learn to play golf and eventually break par with the blades and woods my dad bought for me from the pro shop when I was 14? All this technology, but the game is still hard and requires practice.
Jeff
Jul 29, 2023 at 10:38 pm
Who here wants to hit it shorte
r? I certainly dont want to. If you do, go to the back tees!!
Matts
Jul 29, 2023 at 3:40 am
So if you are fitted correctly (6 or 7 iron), and purchase the fitted set of irons (4 iron through PW) and the gapping is very uneven, how is this a good fitting? The other six irons need to be fitted for correct gapping by means of tweaking the lofts if possible.
Jeff
Jul 29, 2023 at 10:14 pm
Why would the gapping be uneven?
Jim
Jul 30, 2023 at 8:58 am
Strength and ability to hold proper launch angles. Many people hit the 4 and 5 and sometimes even the 6 the same distance. Each iron needs to be set to the players needs.
Jeff
Jul 30, 2023 at 7:18 pm
If you hit your #4 iron, #5 iron, and #6 iron similar distances. Homestly, you don’t need a fitting. You should invest in a lesson
Prime21
Jul 27, 2023 at 12:15 pm
WHO uses 6 irons anymore? Asking for a friend. Also, YOUR requirements should ALWAYS be expressed. Communication is a two way street. While I agree that a fitter should have asked you better questions & gotten better information from you, you must also own the fact that YOU have a role in this “problem”. Fitting has improved greatly throughout the years, BUT it can always be better! KEEP STRIVING FOR GREATNESS!
Mike
Jul 27, 2023 at 11:38 am
I once went to a big box store iron fitting where in order for me to test an iron, they had to take a new one from a set & (heavily) tape it up. So the shotlink data was meaningless.
Also went to a club champion fitting on a super cold day & never really got warmed up. The fitter kept pushing me towards more ‘player’ irons w/ a senior shaft. Totally out of my profile on both counts! He was actually surprised that I didn’t drop $2,000 on the iron set!
Ironically, many of the clubs in my bag that I hit well (irons, 3W, TM mini-driver) I did not get fit for.
Dirty-d
Jul 27, 2023 at 8:32 am
That’s too bad. I’ve had great iron experience at MK golf in San Antonio, always fit me off the 7i and tweak lie angle and loft to meet my needs as well. Always tried lots of brands. And always free repairs I am very loyal to that company due to their customer service and performance
Terry Koehler
Jul 27, 2023 at 11:35 am
I know the guys at MK Golf. Great set-up and honest dealings.
Craig
Jul 27, 2023 at 3:58 am
Unless you can get a proper full back tour experience fitting, if you have a good idea of your specs then fitting is mostly a waste of time.
Jeff
Jul 29, 2023 at 10:21 pm
Having traveled the tour for over 35 yrs and visited indepented ckub fitters over the years. Your statement is 100% wrong! I do suggest, you go see your local PGA professional for lessons!!
Dan Bates
Jul 27, 2023 at 12:14 am
The big name fitters have turned into churn and burn companies owned by pe firms. I’m an avid decent slightly under scratch player. I’m not a gear head but no what I want. For the ridiculous prices at txg or club champ fitting with only a 6 iron is nuts. Should be much more in depth. Same goes with drivers. Shaft adapters they use screw with swingweight and flex. To me there’s gotta be a better way to fit all clubs.
Jeff
Jul 26, 2023 at 11:50 pm
With all your club knowledge. Maybe you should have asked the fitters about lie angle!! The fitters I have been to, we discuss lie angle. Sounds like you set the fitters up and were looking for something to put in your article.
Terry Koehler
Jul 27, 2023 at 11:36 am
No, my goal was to see how various entities approach fitting . . .
Jeff
Jul 29, 2023 at 9:47 pm
Its works both ways. The more questions you ask, the better the fitting becomes. Information in,information out.
Jeff
Jul 29, 2023 at 10:25 pm
So, how many club fitters did you visit?
Paul
Jul 27, 2023 at 7:57 pm
I think you missed the point. I’m a former professional and at my local stores they just let me go and fit myself but he wanted to see what the average guy off the street would get.
Jeff
Jul 26, 2023 at 11:38 pm
There is no logic to club fitting. How about no logic to putting the loft on an iron head versus the iron number! Who would do that???
Terry Koehler
Jul 27, 2023 at 11:34 am
Hello, Jeff.
The “logic” of putting the loft numbers on irons, as we did with the Ben Hogan FT. Worth 15 irons, was to bring a measure of precision to irons. We’ve purchased our wedges by loft for decades, because that is a precise way to know what you have. Drivers, fairways and hybrids are almost all sold with the loft number clearly indicated. So why wouldn’t you want that same level of clear precision throughout your set? Because the number on irons has no finite value as to loft, golfers really don’t know what they are getting. And the continued “jacking” of lofts has removed all meaning from the relative numbers on the sole.
Whatever Terry
Jul 28, 2023 at 7:16 pm
The numbers on the sole never mattered. As long as your 5 iron goes further than you 6, and your 6 does further than your 7, etc. who cares what the loft is? Saying that the number on the sole only matters when it’s a certain loft is a jaded, old-head, boomer perspective. “Back in my day,” ?
Jeff
Jul 29, 2023 at 9:37 pm
So how did that work out for the company??
Jeff
Aug 1, 2023 at 8:06 pm
Terry, how did that “logic” work?
OG Minkler
Jul 26, 2023 at 9:07 pm
I think custom fitting is mostly overrated. I had similar trackman experience, it said my best 6 iron was 147 yds. I hit a 6 iron 165 at sea level in California mild temps. I did my homework on irons and shafts beforehand so I knew what i wanted going in. I walked away ordering that exact makeup. If you’re a club junkie and know your game a custom fitting is not 100% necessary in my opinion.
Jeff
Jul 26, 2023 at 11:42 pm
I guess no need for tour vans. Let the pros do their homework abd figure out what they need
Laker
Jul 26, 2023 at 7:38 pm
Try getting a midsize grip … I’m amazed a better effort is not made by the majority of fitters
Jay Arr
Jul 26, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Personally, I think the so-called “Brand Agnostic” fitting places are a big scam… I’ve been to TXG and it was useless.
Ping and PXG do a pretty decent job of getting you into heads and shafts that will better your game, both use 7i, not 6i to fit.
I pretty much agree with 95% of what you wrote.
T
Jul 27, 2023 at 2:21 am
The problem with those brand agnostic places is, in order to use all heads for all shafts and frequency match build the heads to those shafts they have to bore out taper tips for parallels in order to do those builds and hope they can match the weights all across and fit the shafts. I don’t want my Mizuno taper heads bored out and parallel shafts put in, I don’t care what anybody says, I know what I feel and I can feel the difference
geohogan
Aug 4, 2023 at 1:19 pm
@T… totally agree taper tip is the only method to know that the club head hosel and the shaft are concentric. Parallel tip shafts into a parallel bored hosel can be out of concentricity by many hundred of inch and differ club to club.
IMO, once 5 iron became longer than 38 inches, close to 39 inches, 6 iron and up became more difficult to swing for most and using a shorter shaft in the irons is problematic because the head weights and SW are set for the longer shaft.
Big Guy
Jul 26, 2023 at 4:46 pm
Dunno if I agree with this.
If a player can be fitted correctly for a 6 iron, which is one of the longer irons they will carry therefore one of the more difficult to hit, then it stands to reason the the shorter irons will also fit better.
Loft jacking is a result of the top end of the bag equally going longer and to create correct gapping, the irons also needed to be strengthened. This naturally creates a gap in the wedges which an A wedge helps to fill.
I want to know that a new iron set improves my chances of consistent success and a correct gapping.
L
Jul 26, 2023 at 8:06 pm
You’re only allowed 14 clubs in the bag so it doesn’t matter what the loft label is on the iron once it’s in the bag.
But it is a problem when fitting clubs are mostly just the 6 iron.
That’s the whole point of this article. There is no “filling in” of a gap when you’re only allowed 14 clubs so it doesn’t matter what the label is
Whine.e
Jul 26, 2023 at 3:24 pm
Then provide alternative and create a market. Youre articles are just more and more sounding jilted. I know better blah blah blah.
PJ
Jul 26, 2023 at 3:05 pm
When I went to my local nationally known club fitter they had an obvious brand bias. When they had me hit my 6 iron, and then had me hit several other brand 6 irons, the fitter pointed out how much farther the new 6 iron traveled. I pointed out that the newer irons have less loft than mine so they will all go farther. He had no answer.
Then we did wedges and there was an obvious bias as to the brands that I had to test. What was worse is after spending the money for a full bag fitting, the guy says he would throw in the driver fitting for free. I told him “I already paid for that”. He didn’t know what to say.
If you get fit make sure you tell them you are going to try EVERY brand. If they have you hit irons ask them what the loft is, and if it is less loft than yours hit the other brand 7 irons and compare that to your 6 iron. It eliminates the BS.
Chris M
Jul 26, 2023 at 1:59 pm
I will say I just did a PXG fitting and they have at least moved to a 7i for fittings. I had always used 6i on previous fittings so that was a welcome change.
PPP lol
Jul 26, 2023 at 3:38 pm
Pings have always been 7 iron, which is why PXG is a 7, because all the Ping guys went to PXG is why all PXG looks like Pings
Garrett
Jul 26, 2023 at 1:06 pm
I tend to think sole design, leading edge, and lie angle, all of which affect turf interaction, are the most important parts of iron head fitting and need to be done on grass.
D
Jul 26, 2023 at 3:39 pm
Which is why they don’t, because 90% of people who get fit can’t hit the damned ball properly to save their lives, which is also why and how these fitters make money and exist to sell stuff lol
Jeff
Aug 1, 2023 at 8:29 pm
Garrett, good point!!!
Bob
Jul 26, 2023 at 12:04 pm
The first time I saw a lie board was with the Ping ISI fitting in about 1996. That was a logical first step and widely adopted now. Much better than their fingertip-to-floor method that didn’t take into account toe drop.
Not sure what the point is here.
James
Jul 26, 2023 at 11:38 am
Nice write up, however, what do you propose?
Jim T
Jul 29, 2023 at 10:12 am
Exactly! Good description of the problem but what’s the solution? Fit the 7-iron? Fit all the irons? We know that ain’t gonna happen.
D Gillis
Jul 26, 2023 at 11:33 am
Ever notice the difference in lengths on standard irons!? Ridiculous!
No wonder no one is improving. BUT my 8 iron now goes 190!
Bob
Jul 26, 2023 at 12:11 pm
Not sure who the first snakeoil salesman was to start jacking lofts, but it started an ugly trend. Like currency inflation.
In Christianity, they call that fornicating with the moneychangers.
Robert Thompson
Jul 26, 2023 at 5:16 pm
Cobra was the first guilty party when it came to loft jacking. It didn’t take long for everyone else to follow suit.
Jeff
Jul 31, 2023 at 8:46 pm
And explain why that is so wrong?
D Gillis
Jul 26, 2023 at 6:08 pm
Well done!
Aaron
Jul 26, 2023 at 10:54 am
Was there any consistency to the length and lie of your irons at each of the fittings? Did anyone have you +1/2” while another had you at -1/2”…etc?
Andrew
Jul 26, 2023 at 10:49 am
Mr. Koehler, being a long time reader of your articles and major fan of your work. I couldn’t agree with you more. This industry is centered on sales and that’s one of the main reasons the average score remains the same, even after all the technology. Although I fear it will never change. It’s great to hear you fighting along side us. Thanks again for another great article.
Jon
Jul 26, 2023 at 10:35 am
This is why I assemble my own irons with components from GolfWorks. It seems more and more all the fitters are worried about is selling distance. The predominate mistake is with the shafts that are being suggested are too light in weight.
Approved
Jul 26, 2023 at 10:33 am
Hear, Hear!
O
Jul 26, 2023 at 10:28 am
Because they’re just sales people. They’re there to sell, no matter what. And the old adage of the used car salesmen fit nicely.
And they have incentive to sell certain ones for more of a cut, so they suggest those than the one you actually want
Kingsley
Jul 26, 2023 at 4:06 pm
Absolutely not true, at least in regards to tech reps from major companies. Tech reps take care of the majority of fittings and do not receive any incentive on sales. Your comment is obtuse and uninformed.
Dong
Jul 26, 2023 at 8:09 pm
Ever been to Club Champion? True Spec? No? Well then lol
Can’t debate truthful and experiential observations based on fact
Kingsley
Jul 27, 2023 at 8:34 am
I said tech reps for large companies (Callaway, Titleist, Ping, Taylormade, etc). Companies like Club Champion and Tour Spec (and in house fitters at clubs) are usually partially compensated on sales. We can have a meaningful conversation once your ability to read accurately improves.
Ding
Jul 27, 2023 at 2:54 pm
Actually, your comprehension verges on kindergarten, since, the original commenter didn’t mention big box or large label manufacturers, the dude was pointing out the fact that they are, in principle, SALESPEOPLE – so stick to that and not reach or add your own opinion on something he didn’t mention, doof lol
geohogan
Jul 26, 2023 at 5:11 pm
Nothing happens in the world unless stuff is sold.
No only is your comment demeaning to used car salespersons but
sales in general.
A dentist tried to up sell me to a bridge or implant when a filling
was all that was required.
D Gillis
Jul 27, 2023 at 2:19 pm
Does this offend you as a Dentist!?
D Gillis
Jul 27, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Or a used car salesman??
rebfan73
Jul 26, 2023 at 10:41 pm
I’m a custom fitter for a major OEM company. When at a fitting, I go out of my way to tell people that I’m a fitter, NOT a salesman. My pay is not commission
based. If I do my job correctly, my customer will hopefully walk away pleased and with the knowledge that they’re playing the best club for them, wether it’s their own or ours. Sometimes I can do better for the player, other times I can’t. And the OEM I work for uses a 7 iron, not a 6. I don’t think 6 irons have been used for some time, so I question the validity of your article….
Dan
Jul 27, 2023 at 7:44 am
Thanks for chiming in. I agree with your comment. As a consumer golfer, frame of mind has become a focal point. Getting a set of irons per a fitting recommendation is most helpful. After that, well, a consumer golfer has to practice to get the better results desired using his more tailored equipment. This article unveils some weaknesses in the fitting approaches taken, yet, similar to the fitting approach described in the article, fails to present a more impact full form of a fitting style and process.
G
Jul 27, 2023 at 2:57 pm
Well duh, that’s because you’re getting a salary, duh, everybody knows that, BUT you are getting a commission of around 2% for the sales of the goods, so don’t be disingenuous, sheesh. So great, you’re a fitter, but let’s just pretend you don’t sell anything for the year – what will your bosses think of you then? Exactly. You’re a salesperson. Get real
Wayne Walters
Aug 17, 2023 at 6:17 am
I was fitted early 2021 at a national name brand company. The fitter used 6-irons across different brands. Ultimately it was a chase to see what got the best numbers in terms of distance. I ended up with irons with shafts that are too light, and too upright, for $2k out the door. I play better currently with my 1994 MP-14s with 130 gram stiff shafts that I bought at a yard sale for $100.
PigB
Jul 27, 2023 at 9:19 am
This has been my experience every time, including tech reps! I feel all of my fittings have been hall-assed with a hard sell at the end.