Design Thoughts for Fast Swing, Picker....

[Brian_N_Cols_OH]

HI all,

I tinker with building my own clubs and it's time to change irons.  My head is swimming with all of the factors and I know I probably need to try a fitting or two.  Thing is, I also know that there are fitting biases and I don't want to get caught going the wrong direction.  I'd like some thoughts about the physics of clubs for my particular game as I used to be a low handicapper with a lot of power, but now am older, fatter and play less.  I hit the ball extremely high, so I am just not convinced that a game improvement iron improves the things I need.  Would love some thoughts - I know there will be differences of opinion but I love gaining insight...

- 53 yrs old, overweight but fairly strong (I powerlift with a trainer)
- Driver swing used to be about 110+, last I checked I'm closer to 105 when I really go after one
- I hit my irons mostly straight (no fade, draw) and super high - the launch looks like more of an arc instead of driving to a peak
- Almost no divot, I suspect I catch the ball right at the bottom or even coming up
- For wedges, I seem to have better success with less sole/bounce
- I currently hit an 8 degree driver and hit it much farther than lofts in the 10 degree range - can still get it 300 on occasion
- 8 iron roughly 150, but probably losing distance due to trajectory
- I can hit a fade on command with longer clubs but can rarely draw one - still play a straight ball mostly
- Was a 5 handicap in high school but probably more in the 12 range now - tough to tell since I only play once per week
- Swing hasn't changed a lot since back then - I hit it super high back then too, just a little further

So, I really feel like I may be better suited to a cavity back iron that's NOT a SGI.  I look at the thick soles on those clubs and wonder if my "picking" style of swing is giving me more inconsistency.  Since I'm playing some GI irons now and not hitting them as well, I'm wondering if the game improvement concept is for different types of swings as I know very few golfers that hit it as high as I do.  I currently have a set of Maltby KE4 SSI irons, but honestly I'm inconsistent at best.  I used to play a smaller profile iron like the old Tour Edition irons way back years ago.

I realie that I probably should change my swing, but that ship sailed - I don't play often enough.  I need to find the best fit for what I have and make it work.

Would love some thoughts - thinner sole, less bounce, higher COG?  Or do those really matter much (maybe not)...?

Brian

[Club Rat]

I have a good friend who is identical to what you describe, age, body type, lift weights and a scratch golfer.
He mainly hits a low draw, although I've seen him hit a high fade.
I'm like, where did that come from ... LOL

Basically, he has a short compact backswing and murders the ball.
He doesn't finish with high hands, there usually head/shoulder height and pointing towards the target.

He's playing the Srixon ZX 7 irons, I believe with KBS shafts? 
We haven't golfed together for a few weeks, he's been playing in the Sunbelt Senior Tour events this month.

[pganapathy]

2 hours ago, Brian_N_Cols_OH said:

HI all,

I tinker with building my own clubs and it's time to change irons.  My head is swimming with all of the factors and I know I probably need to try a fitting or two.  Thing is, I also know that there are fitting biases and I don't want to get caught going the wrong direction.  I'd like some thoughts about the physics of clubs for my particular game as I used to be a low handicapper with a lot of power, but now am older, fatter and play less.  I hit the ball extremely high, so I am just not convinced that a game improvement iron improves the things I need.  Would love some thoughts - I know there will be differences of opinion but I love gaining insight...

- 53 yrs old, overweight but fairly strong (I powerlift with a trainer)
- Driver swing used to be about 110+, last I checked I'm closer to 105 when I really go after one
- I hit my irons mostly straight (no fade, draw) and super high - the launch looks like more of an arc instead of driving to a peak
- Almost no divot, I suspect I catch the ball right at the bottom or even coming up
- For wedges, I seem to have better success with less sole/bounce
- I currently hit an 8 degree driver and hit it much farther than lofts in the 10 degree range - can still get it 300 on occasion
- 8 iron roughly 150, but probably losing distance due to trajectory
- I can hit a fade on command with longer clubs but can rarely draw one - still play a straight ball mostly
- Was a 5 handicap in high school but probably more in the 12 range now - tough to tell since I only play once per week
- Swing hasn't changed a lot since back then - I hit it super high back then too, just a little further

So, I really feel like I may be better suited to a cavity back iron that's NOT a SGI.  I look at the thick soles on those clubs and wonder if my "picking" style of swing is giving me more inconsistency.  Since I'm playing some GI irons now and not hitting them as well, I'm wondering if the game improvement concept is for different types of swings as I know very few golfers that hit it as high as I do.  I currently have a set of Maltby KE4 SSI irons, but honestly I'm inconsistent at best.  I used to play a smaller profile iron like the old Tour Edition irons way back years ago.

I realie that I probably should change my swing, but that ship sailed - I don't play often enough.  I need to find the best fit for what I have and make it work.

Would love some thoughts - thinner sole, less bounce, higher COG?  Or do those really matter much (maybe not)...?

Brian

Definitely do not look to change your swing. Professionals take many months and they are hitting hundreds, maybe even thousands of balls a day.  Playing once a week you will wind up with a swing in evolution that will never improve.

Definitely try out different clubs. Something will fit your swing. The shaft is probably more important than the head in this case.

[Double Mocha Man]

5 hours ago, Brian_N_Cols_OH said:

HI all,

I tinker with building my own clubs and it's time to change irons.  My head is swimming with all of the factors and I know I probably need to try a fitting or two.  Thing is, I also know that there are fitting biases and I don't want to get caught going the wrong direction.  I'd like some thoughts about the physics of clubs for my particular game as I used to be a low handicapper with a lot of power, but now am older, fatter and play less.  I hit the ball extremely high, so I am just not convinced that a game improvement iron improves the things I need.  Would love some thoughts - I know there will be differences of opinion but I love gaining insight...

- 53 yrs old, overweight but fairly strong (I powerlift with a trainer)
- Driver swing used to be about 110+, last I checked I'm closer to 105 when I really go after one
- I hit my irons mostly straight (no fade, draw) and super high - the launch looks like more of an arc instead of driving to a peak
- Almost no divot, I suspect I catch the ball right at the bottom or even coming up
- For wedges, I seem to have better success with less sole/bounce
- I currently hit an 8 degree driver and hit it much farther than lofts in the 10 degree range - can still get it 300 on occasion
- 8 iron roughly 150, but probably losing distance due to trajectory
- I can hit a fade on command with longer clubs but can rarely draw one - still play a straight ball mostly
- Was a 5 handicap in high school but probably more in the 12 range now - tough to tell since I only play once per week
- Swing hasn't changed a lot since back then - I hit it super high back then too, just a little further

So, I really feel like I may be better suited to a cavity back iron that's NOT a SGI.  I look at the thick soles on those clubs and wonder if my "picking" style of swing is giving me more inconsistency.  Since I'm playing some GI irons now and not hitting them as well, I'm wondering if the game improvement concept is for different types of swings as I know very few golfers that hit it as high as I do.  I currently have a set of Maltby KE4 SSI irons, but honestly I'm inconsistent at best.  I used to play a smaller profile iron like the old Tour Edition irons way back years ago.

I realie that I probably should change my swing, but that ship sailed - I don't play often enough.  I need to find the best fit for what I have and make it work.

Would love some thoughts - thinner sole, less bounce, higher COG?  Or do those really matter much (maybe not)...?

Brian

Maybe not change your swing.  But definitely find a club fitter who'll tell you how to hit the ball on a lower trajectory.  Or suggest clubs that'll do so.

I have a friend who nicely/cleanly picks the ball off the turf... and hits it well.  I hate that he doesn't have to chase after divots like I do.  I can be a golf course superintendent's worst nightmare.

[billchao]

5 hours ago, Brian_N_Cols_OH said:

HI all,

I tinker with building my own clubs and it's time to change irons.  My head is swimming with all of the factors and I know I probably need to try a fitting or two.  Thing is, I also know that there are fitting biases and I don't want to get caught going the wrong direction.  I'd like some thoughts about the physics of clubs for my particular game as I used to be a low handicapper with a lot of power, but now am older, fatter and play less.  I hit the ball extremely high, so I am just not convinced that a game improvement iron improves the things I need.  Would love some thoughts - I know there will be differences of opinion but I love gaining insight...

- 53 yrs old, overweight but fairly strong (I powerlift with a trainer)
- Driver swing used to be about 110+, last I checked I'm closer to 105 when I really go after one
- I hit my irons mostly straight (no fade, draw) and super high - the launch looks like more of an arc instead of driving to a peak
- Almost no divot, I suspect I catch the ball right at the bottom or even coming up
- For wedges, I seem to have better success with less sole/bounce
- I currently hit an 8 degree driver and hit it much farther than lofts in the 10 degree range - can still get it 300 on occasion
- 8 iron roughly 150, but probably losing distance due to trajectory
- I can hit a fade on command with longer clubs but can rarely draw one - still play a straight ball mostly
- Was a 5 handicap in high school but probably more in the 12 range now - tough to tell since I only play once per week
- Swing hasn't changed a lot since back then - I hit it super high back then too, just a little further

So, I really feel like I may be better suited to a cavity back iron that's NOT a SGI.  I look at the thick soles on those clubs and wonder if my "picking" style of swing is giving me more inconsistency.  Since I'm playing some GI irons now and not hitting them as well, I'm wondering if the game improvement concept is for different types of swings as I know very few golfers that hit it as high as I do.  I currently have a set of Maltby KE4 SSI irons, but honestly I'm inconsistent at best.  I used to play a smaller profile iron like the old Tour Edition irons way back years ago.

I realie that I probably should change my swing, but that ship sailed - I don't play often enough.  I need to find the best fit for what I have and make it work.

Would love some thoughts - thinner sole, less bounce, higher COG?  Or do those really matter much (maybe not)...?

Brian

Without getting into the specifics of your swing, have you looked into players irons? They’re a step back from true blades. Plenty of PGA Tour players use them.

[Billy Z]

I don't have any problems taking divots with an iron that has a significant width and bounce to it. I guess it would be your angle of attack when striking. These are the heads I use:

Dynacraft Prophet Muscle Blade Iron Head - Monark Golf

---

Individual Irons

 

[Darkfrog]

On 3/17/2021 at 10:54 AM, Brian_N_Cols_OH said:

- Almost no divot, I suspect I catch the ball right at the bottom or even coming up

I'm currently have a similar impact profile. Over the last few months I have developed a slight shove/flip that has caused my AoA to change from 3-4 degrees down to 0-1 degrees down, with the result being more of a sweeper/picker with extremely high ball flight. I am working on some swing stuff to get back to my previous AoA.

I was recently fitted into Srixon ZX5 irons with Nippon Modus 120 X flex shafts. I would say the heads are somewhere between player's cavity back and game improvement. Coming from player's cavity backs, the new irons are compact enough to not bother me, but give me the distance forgiveness I wanted on off center strikes, especially toe-side. They have wider soles, but honestly I don't notice it, and I'm not good enough to be picky about turf interaction.

A player's cavity back like ZX7 or similar might be a good option.