27 replies to this topic

[Sherm]

Stats: 6'4" and long arms. Wrist to floor is just shy of 36 1/2.  Mid capper.  Fast smooth swinger.

Went for an iron fitting this past week. Walked away with a 6 iron demo from the fitter.  Callaway X Forged with Aerotech Steelfiber i110 shaft 3/4" over, Iomic grip. Swing weight around d4 i think (but totally not sure as I know nothing about swing weight). Bent 2 degrees upright. Flex on shaft is X stiff.

I worked with the club all weekend and even worked with my swing coach. He isnt happy about the extra length. But club felt good.

So to my forum brothers...... I am less concerned about the club head. I am great with the shaft (best feeling shaft I have ever swung).  What I need help with is the 3/4" over.

I am worried that my long irons will get too long with this extra length. Plus, my coach wasnt too keen on the extra length either.  Should I back off the length a go 1/4" or 1/2"?  A pro/friend of mine who is built like me plays standard length and is also encouraging me to play standard.

Any help would be appreciated.

Oh...my current irons are standard length Titleist CB's.

[MattMo]

+3/4" seems too long if your WTF is 36".  I'm 6' 4" and my WTF is 38" w/ shoes on.  I play my irons 3* up and +1/2".

[sblack5]

I too am 6'4" with a 34" wtf (longer arms).  I have gamed clubs 1" over and at standard length in titleist mb710s.  I swing both the same.  At 1" over I made sure i kept the same posture at address and had the clubs bent the 2* back down on the lie angle to compensate for the extra inch, and the extra inch was more comfortable for me because i felt.like i had the meat of the grip at the butt of my left hand. With the standard gear the end of the grip was right at the butt of my hand ( gripping the very end of the shaft). Dont be afraid of the extra length...just make sure that you retain your desired address posture as most people that get extra length end up with more upright lie angles than they desire which they then adjust to set up with and stand closer to the ball than they should.

Edited by sblack5, 25 February 2013 - 02:16 PM.

[robengel]

I'm 6'4 and play 3/4 over and 2 up, it's always worked for me.  never worried about long irons going too far.  To get proper posture, you need clubs the correct length, your coach should be on board with that.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

Ok, I'll chime in.  I was recently just at the Callaway Performance Center in Carlsbad and had them fit me to make sure I had the correctl length and lie on my XHot irons.  My wrist to floor was 39" and I'm 6'4", I guess I don't have very long arms for my height. I have my irons 1" over in length and 2* upright.   Both my instructor and the fitter weren't as concerned about the extra length as they were makng sure I was able to have correct posture.  that said, I fight a naturally humped stance, so having the extra length for me, helps (when I remember) to stand straight with only slight knee bend.

All that said, for your 36" your plus 3/4 seems a bit long.  Maybe 1/4 inch would be ok.  The other thing the fitter at Callaway took into consideration is my approach into the ball and looked at where I was making contact.

[Sherm]

Thanks for the responses. I am probably being too careful before having my irons built. Its such an inexact science to me that I needed some input from the tall guys.

I do agree that 3/4 might be too much but 1/2 or 1/4 should be fine....I am just worried that if they are too long, my 4 iron will look like a diving board.

[chirotennis]

I am the same specs as you and I play 1/2" over.  I am seriously considering moving back to 1/4" (38.25" 5i).  I have only played up to 1/2" and it just feels too long for me, especially when I get to the long irons.  Also, when you have the extra length it becomes harder to get the club weighted correctly.  I play at D6 due to the extra length with PX 6.0's.

[Sherm]

chirotennis, on 25 February 2013 - 02:55 PM, said:

I am the same specs as you and I play 1/2" over.  I am seriously considering moving back to 1/4" (38.25" 5i).  I have only played up to 1/2" and it just feels too long for me, especially when I get to the long irons.  Also, when you have the extra length it becomes harder to get the club weighted correctly.  I play at D6 due to the extra length with PX 6.0's.

I noticed you are in Dallas.....Me too, well Plano.  Mind me asking who fit you?

[jdzeeb]

Tom Wishon has posted about this in the past (and maybe he will chime in here) about length for tall golfers.  He suggest that sometimes it's best to use 3/8 inch increments so the long irons aren't too long.  Start with a comfortable length for your longest iron and go down from there.   The issue really isn't with the length of the long irons anyway, it's when you get down to the scoring clubs where you don't want to be bent too far over.  I'm 6'3 with my shoes on (since you play golf in shoes) and my wrist to floor is 37 inches.  Play my 5 iron at 38 inches, but I like my PW to be 36 or 36 1/4.  I usually play my Pw and GW the same length then go down 1/4 inch for Sw and Lw.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

jdzeeb, on 25 February 2013 - 03:07 PM, said:

Tom Wishon has posted about this in the past (and maybe he will chime in here) about length for tall golfers.  He suggest that sometimes it's best to use 3/8 inch increments so the long irons aren't too long.  Start with a comfortable length for your longest iron and go down from there.   The issue really isn't with the length of the long irons anyway, it's when you get down to the scoring clubs where you don't want to be bent too far over.  I'm 6'3 with my shoes on (since you play golf in shoes) and my wrist to floor is 37 inches.  Play my 5 iron at 38 inches, but I like my PW to be 36 or 36 1/4.  I usually play my Pw and GW the same length then go down 1/4 inch for Sw and Lw.

This is a good point. And going back to the length of the longer irons, I think it's becoming more of a moot point, now that many long irons are being replaced by hybrids.  My longest iron is a 5 iron and I have a 4 Hybrid, which is 40" my 4 iron at 1" over would have been 40.25.  I'm sure I'll get much better contact and results from this hybrid than I would have a 4 iron.

[Sherm]

Carolina Golfer 2, on 25 February 2013 - 03:23 PM, said:

jdzeeb, on 25 February 2013 - 03:07 PM, said:

Tom Wishon has posted about this in the past (and maybe he will chime in here) about length for tall golfers.  He suggest that sometimes it's best to use 3/8 inch increments so the long irons aren't too long.  Start with a comfortable length for your longest iron and go down from there.   The issue really isn't with the length of the long irons anyway, it's when you get down to the scoring clubs where you don't want to be bent too far over.  I'm 6'3 with my shoes on (since you play golf in shoes) and my wrist to floor is 37 inches.  Play my 5 iron at 38 inches, but I like my PW to be 36 or 36 1/4.  I usually play my Pw and GW the same length then go down 1/4 inch for Sw and Lw.

This is a good point. And going back to the length of the longer irons, I think it's becoming more of a moot point, now that many long irons are being replaced by hybrids.  My longest iron is a 5 iron and I have a 4 Hybrid, which is 40" my 4 iron at 1" over would have been 40.25.  I'm sure I'll get much better contact and results from this hybrid than I would have a 4 iron.

Very good point. I think I would opt to make my set stop at the 5 iron and go hybrid past that. I hit it pretty far so I tend to not need the longest irons. But would benefit from the hybrid option. Maybe part of my answer is to stop at the 5.

[bullrambler]

There are a number of videos that can be accessed on Youtube. There are fitting sessions for different size of golfers - including tall ones. If we look at the (now typical) 5 iron length of 38 inches, this might work for you and will depend on several factors, 1. Did you have some tape on the face and sole to see where you are making you most common strike ball-marks on the club? This will tell   you if the length is ok.  If the marks on the sole are predominantly near the toe, you need a more upright lie. I have known one golf friend who liked short clubs, very upright, and he played them close to his body. A general rule of thumb is about the distance of one fist away from your mid section - belt zipper area. Some like the butt of the club closer, but very few strike the ball well when the butt of the shaft is, say two fists away from your belt/zipper area. I would guess that a 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch should be about right. Sometimes it helps to go and hit balls without too much emphasis on having someone leaning over your shoulder watching. One can usually pick up a few non current fitter demo clubs for cheap. Different brands, lengths, shafts and lies. Sooner or later you can find something that will work. If the swing isn't dialed in, or if one plays infrequently, getting a good fitting will have it's challenges.Keep in mind there is nothing wrong with longer then standard, heavier irons,and bigger grips. What works for one golfer may not be idea for another. But there all worth trying to get a feel for something that works as well as it can.

[Greenie]

Carolina Golfer 2, on 25 February 2013 - 02:17 PM, said:

Ok, I'll chime in.  I was recently just at the Callaway Performance Center in Carlsbad and had them fit me to make sure I had the correctl length and lie on my XHot irons.  My wrist to floor was 39" and I'm 6'4", I guess I don't have very long arms for my height. I have my irons 1" over in length and 2* upright.   Both my instructor and the fitter weren't as concerned about the extra length as they were makng sure I was able to have correct posture.  that said, I fight a naturally humped stance, so having the extra length for me, helps (when I remember) to stand straight with only slight knee bend.

All that said, for your 36" your plus 3/4 seems a bit long.  Maybe 1/4 inch would be ok.  The other thing the fitter at Callaway took into consideration is my approach into the ball and looked at where I was making contact.

I'm very similar to Carolina here. I'm 6'3" wtf of 391/2 . I have been fitted many times at +1 in length and either 2* or 3* up lie. My friend is 6'3" wtf 38 and he has been fitted at +1/2 with his previous sets. Just going by your wtf at 36" I wouldn't think you would need that much additional length.

I'm one too to have ditched a 4 iron and added a hybrid in its' place.

[robengel]

you may also want to consider your usual miss, if it's thin then don't be afraid of going longer, but if you're more of a digger, you may want to go shorter

[chirotennis]

Sherm, on 25 February 2013 - 03:06 PM, said:

chirotennis, on 25 February 2013 - 02:55 PM, said:

I am the same specs as you and I play 1/2" over.  I am seriously considering moving back to 1/4" (38.25" 5i).  I have only played up to 1/2" and it just feels too long for me, especially when I get to the long irons.  Also, when you have the extra length it becomes harder to get the club weighted correctly.  I play at D6 due to the extra length with PX 6.0's.

I noticed you are in Dallas.....Me too, well Plano.  Mind me asking who fit you?

I was actually fit a year ago when I lived in NM, probably won't help you too much...

[philred]

second what jdzeeb said about 3/8 increments, im 6ft 5 and have the same problem; short irons feel short mid irons great then long irons feel like telephone poles! but youd need to get a good club builder to do it though to swingweight them all the same and maintain a consistent shaft flex throughout the set.

[bellairemi]

I agree with the 3/8ths - I'm 6'3 with a 38" WTF and my long irons were always too long and my short irons too short.  Going to 3/8ths solved this.

jdzeeb, on 25 February 2013 - 03:07 PM, said:

Tom Wishon has posted about this in the past (and maybe he will chime in here) about length for tall golfers.  He suggest that sometimes it's best to use 3/8 inch increments so the long irons aren't too long.  Start with a comfortable length for your longest iron and go down from there.   The issue really isn't with the length of the long irons anyway, it's when you get down to the scoring clubs where you don't want to be bent too far over.  I'm 6'3 with my shoes on (since you play golf in shoes) and my wrist to floor is 37 inches.  Play my 5 iron at 38 inches, but I like my PW to be 36 or 36 1/4.  I usually play my Pw and GW the same length then go down 1/4 inch for Sw and Lw.

[AmazinBlue]

I'm 6'3" with a WTF of 36.5" with golf shoes on.  I have played 1/2" over for 20 years.  I tried 1" over and it really messed with posture and impact.  The key is your posture and its consistency.  At one time I did a PING fitting and they suggested 1.5" over and a Silver dot 4* up.  I have played as much as 4* up and 3/4" long, but 1/2" over and 3* up is perfect for me.  I have a smooth transition and create pretty goof clubhead speed.  At address my clubs look at least 2* too upright, but at impactr they're perfect.  A lot of toe-drop in my swing I guess.

[mac94]

Not trying to be a tool, but as a mid capper do you really think 1/4" is going to make a difference you can notice?

[MattMo]

mac94, on 10 March 2013 - 11:11 AM, said:

Not trying to be a tool, but as a mid capper do you really think 1/4" is going to make a difference you can notice?

I think in your shorter irons you would, but anything 7 iron or longer probably not much.

[dlovely]

i'm 5'11 and was fitted for mizuno mp-53's at 3/4" over and 1 up.  i've been recently choking down on them 3/4" and hitting the ball much better but i'm not sure it's something i should permanently look to change.  should i cut them down or just grip down on them?  just annoyed that i'm 2nd guessing the fitting and maybe should get fitted again somewhere else.

[rybo]

You may want to base the 3/8" increments off of a fitted 7 iron.  When using 3/8" increments from the 5 iron, I have found the PW and 9 iron to play entirely too soft in comparison to the rest of the set.  This also provides a more balanced set with the 8, 9, PW being slightly longer and the 6, 5, and 4 irons being slightly shorter.  Also much easier to build to a desired swingweight and flex.

Be generous when fitting the 7 iron length.  Start with a length way longer and work your way down, not shorter working your way longer.

[Imp]

I'm 6'1" and was fit to standard with a 37.5 wrist to floor. It's all in how the club gets swung that makes a greater difference than just the wrist to floor measurement (something a good fitter will understand and observe).

--kC

[OrangeCrush]

I am 6'5, not sure what my WTF # is but it's + 1 inch on the Ping scale.  I play my irons +3/4 38.5 5 iron.  I have never felt my irons were too long for me.  I do like the idea of staying at the + 3/4 length for 7-AW and increasing by 3/8 4i-6i for better control.

[stealthrt91]

I'm 6'5" with wrist 38" from floor and play +1" w/2* upright.  My fittings all call for +3/4" in my irons but I prefer the +1" because it actually feels better on my back (herniated L5/S1 a few years back).  I find no problem with a little extra length in the irons.  Woods on the other hand are a different story, I play all of those standard length.

[jones137]

6'3", wtf of 33.5" long arm crew checkin in......play mine +1/4". I'd rely on your swing coach to be honest.

[TLT_Dan]

Sherm, on 25 February 2013 - 01:56 PM, said:

Stats: 6'4" and long arms. Wrist to floor is just shy of 36 1/2.  Mid capper.  Fast smooth swinger.

Went for an iron fitting this past week. Walked away with a 6 iron demo from the fitter.  Callaway X Forged with Aerotech Steelfiber i110 shaft 3/4" over, Iomic grip. Swing weight around d4 i think (but totally not sure as I know nothing about swing weight). Bent 2 degrees upright. Flex on shaft is X stiff.

I worked with the club all weekend and even worked with my swing coach. He isnt happy about the extra length. But club felt good.

So to my forum brothers...... I am less concerned about the club head. I am great with the shaft (best feeling shaft I have ever swung).  What I need help with is the 3/4" over.

I am worried that my long irons will get too long with this extra length. Plus, my coach wasnt too keen on the extra length either.  Should I back off the length a go 1/4" or 1/2"?  A pro/friend of mine who is built like me plays standard length and is also encouraging me to play standard.

Any help would be appreciated.

Oh...my current irons are standard length Titleist CB's.

You do want to be standing athletically, not hunched over - otherwise you will not get a proper turn.
The combination of length and lie is what is important.

[jetgolfer]

I'm 6'3 and WTF I have no idea. I have always played standard and 2 flat. I think it all depends on your swing and what is comfortable. I just went to a fitter at The Woodlands in Houston and we used everything. Standard length felt great and my trackman numbers said the same thing.