Iron loft questions

[goblue107501]

I will be getting a new set of irons (AP-2, ZB forged, or a 57-67 combo) sometime in the next month or so and I had some questions for everyone here.

Does it affect the clubs, or the ability to play them, if I get them with lofts different than standard. I would like to get them with at least a degree less loft on each club. So if the standard loft on a PW is 47, I would like to get a 46. A one degree change would go all the way down to the 4-iron. My reasoning is that I would like to be able to get a little more distance out of the the mid and long irons. For whatever reason, I am able to hit the ball very high with any club so I don't think that the decrease in loft will affect me in that regard. Could I acheive the same results by hard stepping (or soft, not sure which is which) the shafts? I am probably going to get the Project X 6.0 shafts.

Does anyone do this? What were the results? I would probably have to special order anything I get because of the lie angle I would need, so I would add the loft adjustment to that so I don't have to ahve it done after I get them. Thanks for any input.

[Dub]

Great question...wondering the same myself.

[DaveLeeNC]

Since the change that you want is in the mid-long irons, I would only make the changes there. A degree isn't much and will, in all likelihood add/subtract only 2-3 yards.

I would go ahead and get the irons, see what the distances are vs. what you want, and make the changes from that point.

FWIW I kind of did the opposite where I bent a gap wedge from 52* to 50* and my 9i was bent to 45* giving me even 5 degree gaps from 40* (8i) to 60* (LW).

dave

[bigoak]

contact service dept at manufacturer and they'll let you know how much each iron can be tweaked. making too strong will likely make the sole dig into the turf. You still need a little bounce on your irons and not just the wedges.

[mjgraniero]

I have the AP2's (1/4" longer than std, std lie) and they are only 1 degree less loft than my previous set (1/2" longer than std, 2 deg upright). I noticed no loss in distance if that is your concern. I should add this caveat though. The spec differences between my old set and new set are a result of some swing changes.

I'd also like to add that you should really shop around for your new set and don't be afraid to throw prices at the proshops to see if they will match. I posted my last experience in another thread but rewrite here. Although proshops (even at private clubs of which you aren't a member) have a reputation for being high priced, most are willing to work with you on the price and can provide better service after the sale. For example, I shopped around and ultimately purchased my custom fitted AP2's with PX flighted shafts at a local private course (also the most expensive private club in my county) for $800 (US$) including tax. They also printed labels for all my new and existing clubs for free. It was a deal unmatched by anyone. Golfsmith was the most expensive at $1100 for the custom order. Edwin Watts $999 for off the rack set. Local golf store was $999 incl tax. Local pro shops ranged from $920, $900, $940, and $800. Also bought the gap wedge for $100, no tax. It really was a great deal. They wanted my service probably because people tend to shy away from private club proshops.

Good luck

[Stacey_E]

I would just get the irons you want before you go tweaking on them. Don't assume a 46 from one set will hit like a 46 from another. After you hit them you can tweak the loft for about $5 a club. If you hit the ball high, then you are probably a good candidate for stronger lofts. I'm the opposite, I hit the ball low and have thought about pulling my 46*wedge/30*6 iron set back a degree. I'm sure I'll loose no carry distance at the middle of the set as my launch conditions will be better. And this might give me a better stop on the greens.

If you bend them 1* strong you will take off 1* of bounce. Maybe or maybe not an issue to you.