Club Length

[mjgraniero]

Since every company out there has a different standard length to their clubs, saying someone needs a 1/2 inch longer or shorter shaft seems pointless. Does anyone have a chart that tells what the length of each iron should be based on wrist to floor, height, etc. dimensions? This will help when comparing specs across manufacturers. For example:

If the Titleist AP2 standard 6 iron is 37" and the Nike Victory Reds are 37.5", I can't order a different set with the same fitting specs (+1/4 inch, 1 deg upright). It seems as though every fitting I've had done has been the same: "Since your wrist and height measure XXX you need a 1/4 inch longer shaft." Put a 1/2 inch longer shaft in front of me and I can still hit the sweet spot so impact tape isn't really going to tell me if I'm too long or short with my sticks.

Anyone have info like this?

[TommyD69]

The standard seems to be that there is no standard.

There is no standard on loft from club to club, let alone length, lie and grip size.

The Ralph Maltby (Not Roger) books and web site have a ton of information on club fitting and "standard" sizes. The info Ralph has compiled is overwhelming!

Each manufacturer has their own standard, I guess that's why a lot of them have their own "club fitting" processes, just for the reason you are describing.

[verse214]

Unless you're like 6'6" or a tour pro, I wouldn't suggest adding length to any clubs as they get a lot harder to swing... it would be like making your 5 as difficult to hit consistently as a four and a 2 or 3 iron damn near impossible

Mizuno has a list on their website for their clubs as to what height and wrist to floor designates +/- for their clubs.. i'm sure you could check with each manufacturer... but personally i'd just mess with the club lie instead

[cigarnut81]

Join this forum. These guys are the best in the industry. http://www.wishongolf.com/forum.php They can answer any questions you have.

[aedoue]

The guy who fit my clubs (he's a member of the mentioned forum, FWIW) told me it is the longest length for which you can maintain control. If you don't want to maximize distance, going shorter won't hurt. It's the tradeoff between distance and accuracy you are balancing. The way to know is to put impact tape on irons of varying lengths, and see what the dispersion is. Hope this helps...

[ryohazuki222]

Go to the ping website and download their PDF chart. Then compare the specs with the clubs you intend to buying and convert them from pings specs.

Examples being that taylormade tps and pings are the same length, but the taylormades have a .5* flatter lie. So compensate the info for that. titleist ap2s are a .25" longer and 1* more upright than pings... so there you go.

That's what I ended up doing.... we'll see how i like my clubs when i get them.

The debate between static and dynamic fitting is definitely an interesting one... i'll give you that.

[denver_nuggs_15]

Unless you're like 6'6" or a tour pro, I wouldn't suggest adding length to any clubs as they get a lot harder to swing... it would be like making your 5 as difficult to hit consistently as a four and a 2 or 3 iron damn near impossible

Bad advice. Don't listen to this guy. Why should everyone be forced to play the same length club? I don't wear the same button up shirts as 5'5" guys, so why should I be forced to play clubs that are meant for them? Everyone is different and therefore needs different clubs...length and lie.

If you are tall (like me) you will realize that everything in the world is made for average sized guys. If you can get something that is meant for you, do it. If anything, swingweight would help to control the clubhead. It's why your wedges are a couple swingweights heavier than your irons. It would probably decrease you ss with that club, but I'm not sure how much that would affect distance.

[cigarnut81]

Go to the ping website and download their PDF chart. Then compare the specs with the clubs you intend to buying and convert them from pings specs.

The difference between static and dynamic fitting is night and day. It is the difference between a suit from JCPenny and a custom tailored silk or wool masterpiece.

Do you think the pros pick their club specs by looking at a chart?

[mjgraniero]

Wow, lots of interesting responses. Thanks to everyone. I should say that my last two iron sets were custom fit during full swing sessions. What prompted me to ask the question is that in both sessions I was told I needed 1/4 inch longer shafts. Neither considered, or referenced, the stock length of the particular brand. I found it interesting so I did some research online. Found a website, don't know if it was reputable, that had recommended shaft lengths based on height and wrist to floor length but can't find it again. I was hoping someone might have heard of something similar.

[dchi1890]

Bad advice. Don't listen to this guy. Why should everyone be forced to play the same length club? I don't wear the same button up shirts as 5'5" guys, so why should I be forced to play clubs that are meant for them? Everyone is different and therefore needs different clubs...length and lie.

I agree 100%....I'm 6'5 and looking for my first set of fitted clubs. After a few years of playing with standards, I've come to realize my my swing has been off due to the fact I've had had to compensate so much with my knees and back. I played with a set of longer clubs last week, and not only was my game better, but my back felt alot better too.

[ryohazuki222]

The difference between static and dynamic fitting is night and day. It is the difference between a suit from JCPenny and a custom tailored silk or wool masterpiece.

Of course they're different, it's completely opposite approaches to fitting. And it's obvious that once you are at that elite level you would be fit dynamically. Why? Because despite if your swing is "unorthodox" you have PROVEN that it works and that it is consistently repeatable.

That said, the theory between a static fitting is that with the "perfect" swing the static specs would be the one you need. If I have a big flaw in my swing and get fit dynamically so that my equipment will function better to cover up my swing flaw... well you see why that can be a bit off. Like I said. A very interesting argument. Personally, I constantly jump the fence and debate myself in circles between the two.

Wow, lots of interesting responses. Thanks to everyone. I should say that my last two iron sets were custom fit during full swing sessions. What prompted me to ask the question is that in both sessions I was told I needed 1/4 inch longer shafts. Neither considered, or referenced, the stock length of the particular brand. I found it interesting so I did some research online. Found a website, don't know if it was reputable, that had recommended shaft lengths based on height and wrist to floor length but can't find it again. I was hoping someone might have heard of something similar.

http://www.ping.com/uploadedFiles/Cu...Code_Chart.pdf That is the chart I was referring to. You can google others, but as I said earlier... with ping, you can compare their numbers to their stock specs and convert to whatever other brand you want.

[indacup]

The only TRUE way to select shaft length (weight, flex etc) is thru dynamic fitting....

Static fitting is maybe 20% accurate...but STILL better than off the rack.

I have fitted guys who same height....and fitted them with shaft lengths very different with different lie angles...

I can have a guy 6 foot tall and skinny who may get a std length set up...or as in the case of this guy from Milwaukee the other day...6 feet tall but biceps the size of my head and chest the same dimension as a keg of beer....

He needed much longer shafts and flatter lie angle than what he had before and gained 10 yards...and more importantly accuracy.

Bottom line: get fitted locally.

[tjy355]

...It seems as though every fitting I've had done has been the same: "Since your wrist and height measure XXX you need a 1/4 inch longer shaft."

This is a bad fitting. The fitter should give you a length. +1/4" is meaningless.

As well, a lie should be expressed in degrees, not an offset like +2 deg upright, because like length, there is no standard lie. A proper fitting should give you a spec like "5-iron, 38" @ 61 degree lie" You can then compare to a particular manufacturer's spec and order +/- their standard length and lie.

[mjgraniero]

This is a bad fitting. The fitter should give you a length. +1/4" is meaningless.

I've had "local" fittings done for my last three sets. Unfortunately when you live in a small town not near a major city it's difficult to get the type of fitting that would be worthwhile. A fitting here is impact tape and a lie-board and measurement. Of course, a Dicks opened a few months ago and they have a launch monitor.

Wish I could get a complete shaft fitting and swing analysis like they do at the major club manufacturers. It would be worth the extra cash to me.

[flanagan]

Since every company out there has a different standard length to their clubs, saying someone needs a 1/2 inch longer or shorter shaft seems pointless. Does anyone have a chart that tells what the length of each iron should be based on wrist to floor, height, etc. dimensions? This will help when comparing specs across manufacturers. For example:

Titleist AP2 6 iron standard length is 37.5"

[mjgraniero]

Titleist AP2 6 iron standard length is 37.5"

You're right. I must have looked at the wrong column on their website.