What is Club Fitting?

I used to use X-100 true temper on my MP33's. But I no longer swing over 100mph and clubs are D4. And I feel really tired after a round. So I changed to a set of tourstage x-blade CB2's which are easier to hit and are D1. A huge jump for me but getting used to them. Unfortunately cus they are used clubs I didn't have a choice of shafts. They came w NSPRO Regular. But I feel that I need at least a S200 stiff. s300s would be the same weight as X-100's. Ill play a few more round w my new irons b4 I make a decision. Been playing w x-stiff for as long as I can rem. So I'm really used to the spin rate and control I get fr them. The R-flex I find a tad soft and ball doesn't bite as much on greens as I'd like them to.

abadan wrote:

I used to use X-100 true temper on my MP33's. But I no longer swing over 100mph and clubs are D4. And I feel really tired after a round. So I changed to a set of tourstage x-blade CB2's which are easier to hit and are D1. A huge jump for me but getting used to them. Unfortunately cus they are used clubs I didn't have a choice of shafts. They came w NSPRO Regular. But I feel that I need at least a S200 stiff. s300s would be the same weight as X-100's. Ill play a few more round w my new irons b4 I make a decision. Been playing w x-stiff for as long as I can rem. So I'm really used to the spin rate and control I get fr them. The R-flex I find a tad soft and ball doesn't bite as much on greens as I'd like them to.

Sounds like the jump was too big. X to R, and D4 to D1.

X to S, and D4 to D2, maybe better. Or you could still add weight to the tip to make them D4.

Yup. The jump is abit too drastic. I wouldn't want my clubs to be D4 anymore. I'll give em a few more tries out on e course and evaluate. Maybe S200's would be a good choice. Although te tourstage performed pretty well for me on course the last time I played. But balls tend to go left at the range. Maybe lie angle too upright. My 33's are 2* flat. Haven't done anything to the tourstage cus fitter recommended to bend them only 1* so I didn't bother.

Consider visiting Eric at Big Fish, lots of converts to aerotech steel fiber. and he can sort you out for your lie and loft adjustments as well.

Yup. Been going to see him. Got my driver shaft from him. And spoke to him about my irons already. Thanks

Recently I went for a PING demo session and not surprising, due to my smaller than average frame, off the shelf irons does not suit me. The clubfitter fitted a G20 7iron to my specs and i find my shot straight more regularly cos the impact was consistent and solid on the sweet spot most of the time. Distance-wise, I also discover a 15-20m increase.

However, due to the expensive price tag for PING irons, I have to let the idea go. I am just wondering whether I can still achieve what I desired by fitting off-the shelf irons that are more budget friendly. Based on the demo session, I need an lie angle of 4deg flatter and 0.5inch off the regular shaft length.

Itsuki wrote:

Recently I went for a PING demo session and not surprising, due to my smaller than average frame, off the shelf irons does not suit me. The clubfitter fitted a G20 7iron to my specs and i find my shot straight more regularly cos the impact was consistent and solid on the sweet spot most of the time. Distance-wise, I also discover a 15-20m increase.

However, due to the expensive price tag for PING irons, I have to let the idea go. I am just wondering whether I can still achieve what I desired by fitting off-the shelf irons that are more budget friendly. Based on the demo session, I need an lie angle of 4deg flatter and 0.5inch off the regular shaft length.

you can buy second hand G15 with the right color dot. Ebay has loads.

It seems you need gold!

http://www.ping.com/uploadedFiles/Custom_Fitting/PING_Color_Code_Chart.pdf

Brown dot is my suitable color code. Did test out an Orange dot 7i. Impact is still better with a brown dot.

Re buying from Ebays, i am old-school and hence apprehensive about the authencity of the seller and the products.

That is why Im asking, besides customs-fitting with PING, can i still consider fitting with other brand irons?

Go with whatever suits you! FYI .. Brown is 3deg and not 4deg flat

Ebay sellers have ratings and a comprehensive history ... and therefore one can mitigate the risk somewhat ... do not buy from anyone, and stick to the reputable sellers!

Whether you can bend an iron bought off the rack by 3 or 4 deg? I don't really know, but any clubfitter or experienced forum member will be able to answer that for you. What I do know is Forged irons can be bent far more easily than Cast irons; the latter having a tendency of breaking! Element of risk involved if you go this route as well!

Tourswing, thanks.
What element of risk is involved in bending 3 deg with forged iron?

in the hands of a competent clubfitter like bigfishes, probably not much of a risk ... though I would speak to them before making any purchases ... Good luck

Thanks.
Out of curiosity, can PING irons be bent?
For eg, if I have an used set which is black dot, can I bring it BFG to bent by 3deg considering PING irons are made of cast iron...

Itsuki, DGMan will say NO outloud. I've seen this many times. Even bribe with food, also CANNOT (its too tough)

to bend Ping, you need to go to Wingolf, the distributor. They have big ass hammer and big ass guys to bend those steel. Whether can bend up to 3 degree, its another question

buy from Ebay reputable seller or "Top Rated Seller", buy with Ebay protection, that will mitigate the risk. Also ask the seller for the serial number first and verify the serial number with Ping.com. Ping will confirm authenticity via email. We are in the e-commerce age liao

You go buy from Creative Joe or Marketplace also dont know whether the product is authentic.

Thanks Pushslice.
Was referred to Customs Golf @ Bishan by Wingolf. Golf fitter there told me the max they will bend is 2 deg. 2.5 deg can but clubowner must sign indemnity form in case iron break. And bending will be done by Wingolf cos they have the PING machine to do it.
But having said all these, Im still curious whether I can get a forged iron and bend 3deg. Coz I don't believe my choice of irons is limited to PING.

there are many not so positive feedback to that place in Bishan. Find the threads in the forum by morganoh and some others.

your choice of irons may not be limited to Ping, but others may not get you the 15-20m extra (unless the loft is also made stronger)

The thing is if you like forgiving SGI irons (bulky, wide soles, huge offset) like G20, then there's very few forged irons with similar design. Most forged irons are slim, small and have narrow sole.

oh, consider Bridgestone J38. Forged, big club head. Strong loft. Cheap.

I have 'em. Come to SSN, you can try.

Oh... thanks for the highlight..

What does SGI stands for?

Being a high handicapper, I'm not at all bothered by the looks (not at this stage). My objective to have a club that suits my needs; to make this game easier. Golf is a hard enough game without having the wrong equipment makes it even harder.

So what is the recommendation for a forged iron that is suitable for high handicappers?

SGI = Super Game Improvement. Usually they are bulky, have wide soles and large offset

J38 Dual Pocket is my recommendation. It has midsize head and pretty easy to hit.

http://www.bridgestonegolf.com/product/clubs/archive/j38-dual-pocket-cavity-irons

The new J40 cavity back is out!

Its been 2 weeks since my first ever visit to a club fitter in Bangkok that's strongly recommended by DGman. Here's my experience with him.

I went there after my game with a fellow GRian who happened to be in town for a short trip without knowing what to expect except I wanted new shafts for my Irons.

Not having been that part of town at Sukhumvit 26 before it took a little while due to the usual jam but I reached there all in one piece and a little tired.

Where's CNX-BFG Fitting Studio in Bangkok?
For the uninitiated, CNX-BFG Fitting Studio is located at Sukhumvit 26, S&P Plaza located near BigC and beside Nihonmura. A guide to the map is here: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=CNX+GOLF+bangkok+10110&hl=en&ll=13.72567,100.569105&spn=0.01826,0.038409&sll=18.797606,98.965187&sspn=0.071177,0.153637&vpsrc=0&z=15&iwloc=A. It is strongly recommended that you take a cab down instead of taking the BTS and walking since it is an obscenely long walk.

A link to the website is here: http://www.cnxgolf.com/

Walking in....
As it had just opened, I could still smell the fresh paint and wood shavings. Mr Kunnasak was already waiting for me at the studio (thanks to DGman!) and everything was ready for my first fitting for my irons.....

I entered the studio with the expectation of changing my shafts and walking out with spanking new iron shafts and a hole in my wallet. But unexpectedly all he did was to get one of his fitting pros (who also happened to be an instructor) to just adjust the lies of all my irons and his fitting pro also imparted me additional tips on correcting my position. No more, no less.

In an instant, it was clearly reflected in that machine (I don't know what the hell its called, but its like a white box and beeps after I smacked each ball). With a correct backswing positioning and a lie adjustment, my clubhead speed jumped from a very slow speed of 70+km/h to over 100km/h even without changing the shaft! Its the Indian, and little to do with the arrow... in this case.

After heading to most shops at Thaniya Plaza, this is perhaps the first shop I'd went in with a wallet full and came out with my wallet still full AND a head full of really great tips and advice from the shop owner. This is perhaps, what I'd call a truly great shop.

If any of you happen to come to Bangkok, do meet up for a golf game together on a weekend and we can head down there together. The fitting pros DO NOT speak English (and my Thai is still atrocious, so I can do little to really help), but Kunnasak speaks perfect English and is a great and helpful chap. There's plenty of restaurants in the vicinity so you won't have to worry about getting hungry at the end of the session!

Conclusion
I started learning golf a little over a year ago and discovered this forum only in December last year when I decided to venture a little more seriously into this hobby. I felt a little intimidated initially with the equipment talk of shafts and high clubhead speed but this trip to the fitter's had been most encouraging and motivating for a newbie like me.

For all newbies:
1) Don't get overwhelmed by all the talk about fitting and the latest graphite shafts and so on. Once you reach that level where the equipment no longer fits you, you will know, your fitter will know and he will advise you accordingly.

2) If you are not getting enough distance or suspect something is wrong, get a pro and tell 'em to check you up rather than rushing out to change equipment.

3) As per what DGman had said in the very first page and had continuously emphasized throughout - It is important to get the fundamentals right with consistent swing, setup and ball positioning before anything else. Rushing to change equipment before these 3 fundamentals are grounded would mean you'll be spending money for a measly 5 yard increase in distance instead of a 50% increase in distance if everything had been grounded and learnt properly.

Pushslice, where is SSN? Keen to try the J38 you recommended. No obligation of course..

SSN is starry starry nite, at mbgc. Wed eve. There is one tonite.

Jpx8000 looks forgiving too.

just wanna add something...

Club-fitting series: Loft and lie

Ed Mitchell’s loft and lie machines seem to be everywhere – in tour vans, golf repair shops, club manufacturing facilities and in the homes of club fanatics – and Mitchell has emerged as an extremely influential voice in the realm of club fitting.

A loft and lie machine is used to alter the loft or lie of irons, hybrids and metalwoods. Adjusting the loft or lie of putters requires a different machine, and Mitchell Golf in Dayton, Ohio, sells one of those as well.

Lofts and lies, if set correctly, form a reliable progression – creating consistent distance gaps between clubs and producing the same shot direction on all normal swings.

However, if the loft or lie on a single club is incorrect, the repercussions can be huge.

“If one club is out of spec in relation to another,” Mitchell said, “you’re going to be fighting the club, and this can lead to bad swing habits.

“Your swing will naturally be more consistent if you’re not fighting the club particularly when it comes to direction.”

Lie is a crucial element of all golf clubs. Clubs that are too upright often result in shots that are pulled or hooked. Clubs that are too flat often cause shots that are pushed or faded.

The lie of irons and hybrids is particularly important, because iron heads and hybrid heads usually make distinct contact with the turf. If the lie is not correct the head easily can flip or twist offline.

The lie and loft of forged irons can change with use. As the clubs continually make contact with turf or mats, the clubhead can be affected.

“I advise people to check them at least once a year,” Mitchell said. “I do it much more often than that. If you can’t figure out why a club isn’t performing as it should, the angle probably has changed.”

Cast irons are not easily bent, but it can happen, particularly if clubs are thrown or banged recklessly.

Do two consecutive irons in your set seem to go the same distance? The explanation easily could be that the loft of one or both is incorrect.

Mitchell estimates he has sold more than 100 of his Steelclub Signature Angle Machines (available at mitchellgolf.com for $1699.99) to touring professionals. Arnold Palmer has bought several. Nike bought one as a gift for Tiger Woods.

A recent example is Mark Wilson, who purchased a Mitchell machine last fall and then won two tournaments early in 2011.

“Without trying to brag, it happens all the time,” Mitchell said. “Just the confidence that your clubs are right seems to result in better scores.”

Without going to the extreme of buying a Steelclub machine, regular players should occassionally get their clubs checked at a competent fitter or clubmaker.

Recently, I got a new Mizuno irons set with DG300S shaft. I noticed that I've to swing it really hard to get 140m with the 7 iron. But I can easily get to 150m with a normal tempo swing with my brother's graphite shafted R flex Callaway.

Do you think I can get more distance with properly fitting my current irons? I'm 5'8" and my clubs are all standard spec. Thanks.

Proper fitting should give you more consistent distance and dispersion as well as checking the loft and lie.

Your brothers callaway set may have stronger lofts besides the weaker flex shaft.