First round with new clubs - std length and lie

I bent a couple of my irons practicing (long story) and decided they'd be better replaced than repaired. They were 20 year old Ping Eye 2 clones. I had them fitted for me when I was in high school and they were plus 1inch in length and plus a degree or 2 in lie (not sure the exact amount).

I didn't have a huge budget for this and was totally stoked to find my exact same iron set (except std length and lie) in a pawn shop for $60. I'm only 6'2" and I've heard of guys 3 or 4 inches taller than me playing with std length clubs so I figured I should be able to play std clubs, too.

Long story short - they felt more awkward then I thought and it's taken me about 2 weeks and 10 range sessions before I even felt comfortable to take them off the driving range. I took them to my local par 3 course today and really struggled.

I plan on getting fitted for new clubs next year so probably about the time I start getting used to these I will have something new to get used to . . but at least these (hopefully) wont be broken so I can keep them in my bag until I do adjust to the new ones.

Have you ever made a big switch in length and/or lie? How long did it take you to adjust?

I have never made a big change in loft/lie.... I have no idea why someone would want to. I know price can sometimes come into play, but people also need to consider the level of frustration you will get from using clubs not set up to your swing or body type. It's worth the extra money not to feel like I'm fighting the club or to have to make changes to my swing just to get a good deal on some irons.

I think your advice applies to better players but probably not to me. For one thing, those clubs were fitted to me 20 years ago by Golfsmith. Who's to say my fit hasn't changed or even that they did it correctly? At the time I had those clubs fitted, I was playing a lot but had no real "swing" worth fitting clubs to. I use to slice 100% of the time. It's only now, returning to the game after 15 years of not playing, that I am actually trying to learn to swing correctly.

I currently have no "swing type" other than bad/inconsistent. I am currently working so much on my swing that it's not really functional. I have heard to not get fit for clubs while making major swing changes. So that just leaves my body type . .which is on the slightly tall side of average at 6'2" and a bit chubby (205 but on a diet!). Using that logic I decided it's probably just as well or better that I relearn to play with std length and lie clubs. It's definitely proving to be a bit more difficult than I thought it would be, though.

Good point. Just be sure that when you get consistant with the standard stuff, you don't get talked into changing :D

i'm only 5'10" and i play my clubs 1* upright....

my dad's 6'2".. your height, and his are 3/4" longer than standard and 2* upright.

it doesnt cost but 18-20 bucks to have them bent up to fit you... it would be money well spent even if you have to miss a week of golf.

i personally cant tell a difference between standard lie and my 1* uprights... but im sure someone whos been playing for quite a while can...

I've heard of guys drinking 12 beers and a couple of shots then driving home in a car with bald tires and bad brakes. They made it home safely, it should be ok, right?

Point is, because people do it doesn't make it a good idea.

I agree that bending the clubs is cheap -- Golfsmith does a good job and is reasonable in pricing. Perhaps developing your swing first is prudent.

However, on club length, you may consider lengthening the shafts. It is relatively inexpensive to do it. I am quite sure that Golfsmith can do it, or your local shop. They can even salvage your old grips if you don't want or need to buy new grips.

A proper length shaft would save you from hunching over. You would get the right spine angle during your swing. I believe that if you are hunched over the club there may be a tendency to pull the ball. Also, your upper and lower back, and shoulders would fatigue faster if you are hunched over in your swing.

This summer my teacher noticed the wear pattern on the soles of my wedges, and the plastic residue pattern on the soles of my irons after the range. He suggested I bend the clubs 2 degrees flat. I had it done -- wow, what a difference! There was an immediate and noticeable reduction in mishits. It is not a cure for bad swings, but consistency has improved.

I would reiterate -- develop you swing before adjusting lie. But I would look into adjusting the length right away.

Have fun out there!

I played a round yesterday and I think I can finally say I've adjusted to my new irons. It took about 3 weeks, 10-12 range sessions, 3 rounds at the par 3 course and 2 9 hole rounds at my regular course. The first 2 rounds were the most frustrating - total golf torture. After another range session, the rounds got much better. Now my new sticks feel as comfortable as my old ones did.