Should I buy fitted irons or accept the off the rack fit?

In November year my clubs were stolen out of my car. So, I am in the market for a new set.  But, I don't feel like spending two grand at this point to get my dream set.

I'm 6'1 and my knuckle to floor measurement is 34 inches.

I'm playing 6 years and have threatened to break 80 a few times, but have not.  I have yet to blame any of my clubs.  :-)

I've spoken to fitters in the past and all seem to think I can buy the rack or take the extra 1/2 inch of club and lie angle adjustment in a fitted club.

My old set of irons (second set I ever owned) were Callaway X-18.

Is it worth my while to pay for the custom set 1/2 inch longer or should I play my old game with new clubs for half the cost and just focus on the short game?  I slightly feel my posture is suffering with the club length.  But, it could be in my head as well having read the charts.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The X-20 5i length was 37.75 ... I assume the X18 is the same.

So you're a 38.25 5i?

And most off-the-rack sets (except for Mizuno, etc.) are a 38 inch 5i.

If you can live with a 38 inch 5i, you could probably purchase a set that was the latest and greatest last year that now sells for between $500-600, or less.  Or if you went graphite shafts, they'd probably go 38.5 in in the 5i.

Take a look around global golf, callawaypreowned, 3balls.com, rockbottomgolf, etc.

If you want something that has evolved from your X18, try to find the XHot Pro.... not too demanding and a very nice iron set.

I would definitely get fitted, the lie angle is the most important thing if it is too upright or too flat it can effect your shot.

My wrist to floor is 36 inches and my clubs are 1/2 inch longer than standard. If I hit standard clubs I really don't notice a difference as long as the lie angle is OK until I get down to the SW and LW, which gives me the feeling of bending down and hitting something from Toys are Us. The other longer clubs really shouldn't be much of a problem as long as the lie angle is right because, after all, we hit a 7 iron and we hit a 6 iron and there's a half inch of difference in those clubs (and the others in the set) as well. I would always recommend at least a basic fitting if possible even though I don't follow my own recommendation...So far...One of my friends has a loft and lie machine so at least I can get that right.

You didn't put any actual numbers on how much you are hoping to save by purchasing clubs that may not fit you very well, but only you can know what you can comfortably afford and how much you care about improving your game. You might go to Ping's web site and do their online static fitting and then see what is on eBay that matches that spec. But a proper fitting is about more than the lie angle or length, it is also about putting you into a shaft that makes the heads work best with your swing. Good luck, whatever you decide!

To be honest I've played cheap gear and high end stuff and I don't buy into the technology of it all vs the marketing sales pitch.  I've played just as well with rusty old Ben Hogan blades as I have with brand new R11's when my focus was in the right place.

I see some decent clubs that set up nicely to my eye and equipment I am used to for as little as $299.  Albeit, I want to upgrade from a uniflex or regular to a stiffer shaft which all fitters have recommended as distance has been one of my strengths.

I see some decent sets for $399.  Looking at custom AP1 or MP54/MP54 or 64 I am looking at $799 - $999.  My frugal nature leads me to believe I may buy the $399 set and then splurge on a nice putter and/or fitted wedges.

From what I have read, a half inch in height only translates to about a degree of lie.  It seems a little like splitting hairs.  Part of my swing or the turf could easily vary well in excess of one degree. No?

How tall you are has very little to do with your dynamic lie angle. Your wrist to floor measurement can help in choosing optimum club lengths but the optimum lie angle at impact depends on your swing and how much droop in the shaft and the angle of the shaft at impact. There are really short people that have a very flat lie at impact and there are really tall people that have a very upright lie at impact and vice versa.

Plenty of people have the grip end of the shaft much lower at address than they do at impact. Doesn't do much good to have the lie sitting flat at address if it changes to 3 degrees toe down at impact.

Easy enough to put some masking tape on the bottom edge of the club and hit some balls on a lie board and see whether the marks on the tape are on the toe or on the heel.

A ball above or below your feet is likely to cause toe down or toe up divots but the face angle would still be correct in relation to your swing.

Plus it's better to have the dynamic lie angle correct on level ground and deal with the inconvenience of your divot being 1 or 2 degrees toe down with a ball above your feet than to have it 2 degrees toe down on level ground and 4 degrees toe down with a ball above your feet.

This. I am 5'11" and my knuckle to floor measurement is about 32". My 5 iron is 39", so about an inch longer than standard. Adding all that up, you would assume my irons are flatter than standard. In reality, they are 2 degrees upright. Static measurements mean nothing in determining optimal lie angle.

you're at the point hcp wise where a good fitting will help you - especially with your stature.     I bought a set of irons early last year off the rack & it was a disaster.    I then got fitted & don't even question if it was worth it ... do it.

Lie angle is very important, and most important in the short irons and wedges, or so I have been told. The good news is that you should be able to get that tested and adjusted for a modest fee. Most club repair/fitting shops should be able to check that the lofts match specs while they are adjusting lie. (You will probably need to supply the specs.) I would really suggest this even if you're going the off the rack route.

Is buying off the rack(online to be more honest) and making an adjustment to lie angle a viable option?

Yes buying online and getting lie and length done is possible. Just be aware if you buy used the lie and length might have been altered already. The PGASS offers a store card u can buy that offers free work done on clubs and use of there hitting bays. Worked well for me. Ha a putter fitting and my lie done