Opinion & Analysis

Wedge Guy: There’s no logic to iron fitting

Published

3 years ago

Jul 26, 2023

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.

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Terry Koehler

Terry Koehler is a fourth generation Texan and a graduate of Texas A&M University. Over his 40-year career in the golf industry, he has created over 100 putter designs and dozens of wedges. In 2014, he put together the team that reintroduced the Ben Hogan brand to the golf equipment industry with his TK 15 wedges and Ft. Worth 15 iron designs. Since receiving a U.S. Patent for his “Koehler Sole” in the early 1990s, he has been challenging “conventional wisdom” in the wedge category. In addition to inspiring multiple companies to emulate this sole technology, the performance of his wedge designs have stimulated all other companies to reposition some mass toward the top of the blade in their wedges. Terry is retired from his role as Chairman and Director of Innovation for Edison Golf, and remains active in the industry as an independent designer and consultant. But his most compelling work is in the wedge category. Since he first patented his “Koehler Sole” in the early 1990s, he has been challenging “conventional wisdom” reflected in ‘tour design’ wedges. The performance of his wedge designs have stimulated other companies to move slightly more mass toward the top of the blade in their wedges, but none approach the dramatic design of his Edison Forged wedges, which have been robotically proven to significantly raise the bar for wedge performance. Terry serves as Chairman and Director of Innovation for Edison Golf – check it out at www.EdisonWedges.com.

71 Comments

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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

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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.)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!!

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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.

Reply Report comment
- Jeff
  
  Jul 29, 2023 at 10:14 pm
  
  Why would the gapping be uneven?
  
  Reply Report comment
  - 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.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - 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
      
      Reply Report comment
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!

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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.

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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

Reply Report comment
- Terry Koehler
  
  Jul 27, 2023 at 11:35 am
  
  I know the guys at MK Golf. Great set-up and honest dealings.
  
  Reply Report comment
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.

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- 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!!
  
  Reply Report comment
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.

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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.

Reply Report comment
- Terry Koehler
  
  Jul 27, 2023 at 11:36 am
  
  No, my goal was to see how various entities approach fitting . . .
  
  Reply Report comment
  - 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.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Jeff
    
    Jul 29, 2023 at 10:25 pm
    
    So, how many club fitters did you visit?
    
    Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
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???

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- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - 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,” ?
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Jeff
    
    Jul 29, 2023 at 9:37 pm
    
    So how did that work out for the company??
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Jeff
    
    Aug 1, 2023 at 8:06 pm
    
    Terry, how did that “logic” work?
    
    Reply Report comment
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.

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- 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
  
  Reply Report comment
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

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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.

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- 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
  
  Reply Report comment
  - 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.
    
    Reply Report comment
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.

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- 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
  
  Reply Report comment
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.

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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.

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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.

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- 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
  
  Reply Report comment
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.

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- 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
  
  Reply Report comment
- Jeff
  
  Aug 1, 2023 at 8:29 pm
  
  Garrett, good point!!!
  
  Reply Report comment
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.

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James

Jul 26, 2023 at 11:38 am

Nice write up, however, what do you propose?

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- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
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!

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- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - 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.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Jeff
      
      Jul 31, 2023 at 8:46 pm
      
      And explain why that is so wrong?
      
      Reply Report comment
  - D Gillis
    
    Jul 26, 2023 at 6:08 pm
    
    Well done!
    
    Reply Report comment
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?

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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.

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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.

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Approved

Jul 26, 2023 at 10:33 am

Hear, Hear!

Reply Report comment
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

Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - 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
    
    Reply Report comment
    - 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.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - 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
        
        Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - D Gillis
    
    Jul 27, 2023 at 2:19 pm
    
    Does this offend you as a Dentist!?
    
    Reply Report comment
  - D Gillis
    
    Jul 27, 2023 at 2:20 pm
    
    Or a used car salesman??
    
    Reply Report comment
- 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….
  
  Reply Report comment
  - 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.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - 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
    
    Reply Report comment
  - 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.
    
    Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment

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