4 replies to this topic

[mpwww]

If you don't want to read the story, just fast-forward to the last paragraph. First, some background. This is my second year playing golf. I started with a hand me down set of irons from the 80s that was +1/2" and have since moved into a bargain-basement set of Callaway X20s (standard length). The Callaways "feel short" and I've been told several times that I need longer clubs. The second motivation is that I feel I should downgrade to Super Game Improvement irons as it will help me perform better in golf outings (in an ideal world I'd practice w/ the X20s and play w/ some SGIs).

I don't have the budget to go dynamic fit all the way, I've only got my trade in value on the X20s and about $200 more to spend on a set of clubs. 

So here's the meat of the question. I'm 6'3" 37.5" wrist to floor. If I use the Golf Components.com chart, that puts me at +.5" 1-up. If I use the Callaway chart that's somewhere between +1" and +1.5" and 3-up. I will most likely be choosing Callaway clubs, so am I right to assume that their chart is made for their clubs? I know the right path is to get fitted, but I don't have that kind of cash, so its a question of what clubs to look for? (I guess the corollary to the question is, I do have impact-stickers and can easily setup a camera to watch my swing, so how do I fit myself?)

[3step]

mpwww, on 28 July 2012 - 12:56 PM, said:

If you don't want to read the story, just fast-forward to the last paragraph. First, some background. This is my second year playing golf. I started with a hand me down set of irons from the 80s that was +1/2" and have since moved into a bargain-basement set of Callaway X20s (standard length). The Callaways "feel short" and I've been told several times that I need longer clubs. The second motivation is that I feel I should downgrade to Super Game Improvement irons as it will help me perform better in golf outings (in an ideal world I'd practice w/ the X20s and play w/ some SGIs).

I don't have the budget to go dynamic fit all the way, I've only got my trade in value on the X20s and about $200 more to spend on a set of clubs.

So here's the meat of the question. I'm 6'3" 37.5" wrist to floor. If I use the Golf Components.com chart, that puts me at +.5" 1-up. If I use the Callaway chart that's somewhere between +1" and +1.5" and 3-up. I will most likely be choosing Callaway clubs, so am I right to assume that their chart is made for their clubs? I know the right path is to get fitted, but I don't have that kind of cash, so its a question of what clubs to look for? (I guess the corollary to the question is, I do have impact-stickers and can easily setup a camera to watch my swing, so how do I fit myself?)

OK, here are some good concepts to follow- to find a reasonable direction-

1) You are correct, a dynamic fit will yield the most benefit, and it makes sense to put this into your future plans.

2) Try not to take anything that you read too seriously, golfers are the most under-educated group on the planet, and we pass around quite a bit of nonsense.

3) Charts have very little meaning for a living, breathing golfer in motion.

4) If your existing set "feels short", and other golfers are telling you that you need a longer length, it probably is because you are bent over / hunched over. You might want to take a picture of your posture at address, meaning before you start your swing. If you are not able to achieve an athletic-looking position, i.e. body bent over or shoulders hunched/rounded or excessive knee bend, then your set is too short, and you need more than +1/4" or +1/2". If this scenario is the case, then you most likely will feel more comfortable, and swing more comfortable, in the range of +1" to +1 1/2".

5) Regarding lie angle, this is a function of your address posture, ball position, swing posture, and of course, your clubs. You might find a big box store or friendly neighborhood shop or range that has some longer length irons from a fitting cart or demo clubs, and ask for a test on your lie angle. Of course, it is important that if you do this, you should choose/test a club that has a length that is reasonably close to the length that you will be playing with.

6) Depending on the size and feel needs of your hands, it is very helpful to choose a grip size that is not so small that you are squeezing the grip and creating tension in your body, yet, not a grip size that is so thick that you feel bulky, and cumbersome.

7) Heads- don't believe all that you read on the head styles. The "super game improvement" heads maybe are for you, or maybe more difficult to make clean contact. Consider going to a range, big box store or demo day and hit a variety of models, and you will likely conclude that a certain model or even a certain type of model GENERALLY gives you the best contact or feel or flight that you like.

8) Keep learning- the more educated you become, the better you wil be able to equip yourself.

3step

[plus8]

3step, on 29 July 2012 - 05:54 AM, said:

mpwww, on 28 July 2012 - 12:56 PM, said:

If you don't want to read the story, just fast-forward to the last paragraph. First, some background. This is my second year playing golf. I started with a hand me down set of irons from the 80s that was +1/2" and have since moved into a bargain-basement set of Callaway X20s (standard length). The Callaways "feel short" and I've been told several times that I need longer clubs. The second motivation is that I feel I should downgrade to Super Game Improvement irons as it will help me perform better in golf outings (in an ideal world I'd practice w/ the X20s and play w/ some SGIs).

I don't have the budget to go dynamic fit all the way, I've only got my trade in value on the X20s and about $200 more to spend on a set of clubs.

So here's the meat of the question. I'm 6'3" 37.5" wrist to floor. If I use the Golf Components.com chart, that puts me at +.5" 1-up. If I use the Callaway chart that's somewhere between +1" and +1.5" and 3-up. I will most likely be choosing Callaway clubs, so am I right to assume that their chart is made for their clubs? I know the right path is to get fitted, but I don't have that kind of cash, so its a question of what clubs to look for? (I guess the corollary to the question is, I do have impact-stickers and can easily setup a camera to watch my swing, so how do I fit myself?)

OK, here are some good concepts to follow- to find a reasonable direction-

1) You are correct, a dynamic fit will yield the most benefit, and it makes sense to put this into your future plans.

2) Try not to take anything that you read too seriously, golfers are the most under-educated group on the planet, and we pass around quite a bit of nonsense.

3) Charts have very little meaning for a living, breathing golfer in motion.

3step

+1! A good, dynamic fitting from a competent professional (not necessarily one of your golfing buddies) is of paramount importance.  May of us here have gone through iterations based upon internet charts, whether they be the Ping, Callaway, Golfworks, etc, etc, only to find out our particular swings are not a good match for the chart-based 'throretical' sizes.  You will avoid unnecessary expense if you bite the bullet, take a lesson or two from a reputable pro and with a fitting, and THEN look at your next move.

[RobGW]

Part of the issue is that there are no standards for "standard" length and lie. One company's standard 5 iron may be 37.5", another 38", and others may be in between. So one company's standard is another's 1/2" over.The same holds true for lie. As you have surmised, dynamic fitting is the way to go. But for a starting point, if you're looking at Callaway by all means use their chart.

[mpwww]

Thanks for the responses guys. I've been poking around more about the fitting, as it seems there is a lot of the science I'm missing by just using a chart. If I compare my posture at address to some other pro golfers, I'm definitely hunched over (I've been using the V1 app for the iPhone). I'm assuming the lie angle is the tougher of the two to address.

In terms of feel, when I picked out the X20s, I tried out the Diablos and the X20s and found the X20s had a better "feel" than the Diablos (I was considering both from Callaway Pre-owned). I think I'm just trying to rush something as I'm looking for the next golfing panacea. I guess I can always trade in the X20s for something else (my bag currently has a Dick's brand driver and hybrids, and after hitting them for a while, they just feel dreadful).