Talk to me if you are golfing with custom-made, or custom-fit clubs...

[rebby]

So...looking at your handicap...I have to assume that was the point where you really start shaving strokes off your game?

Actually no. The best golf that I ever played was with a set of old Wilson Staff FG-17's with hard stepped X-100's and a set of Ping i3 Blades w/XS JZ Cusion's. Both sets were D2 across the board and adjusted for length and lie angle alone. At this point in my life however, single w/no kids, I was able to devote tons of time to practice. Literally 6+ hours everyday.

I was much more specific about how my current sticks were made. The biggest difference that I've noticed is that I've gotten better results, faster, out of my practice time than I did before. For example, when I was at the top of my game, my driver didn't fit me at all. It had a soft shaft (stock Callaway S flex) with a very soft tip. It was a very high launch/high spin combo for me despite the 8.5' loft. I would practice with that club for at least 2 hours/week. If I didn't practice, I had a very hard time controlling it since my timing was absolutely critical. With my new driver combo, I no longer have this issue. Sure, I could benefit from additional practice but I'm no where near as volatile with the new driver as I was with the old one. With 3 young kids at home, I need to get the most out of every second that I can spend playing/practicing. Having equipment that fits me helps me get better results in less time since I don't have to "learn the nuances" of every club. Does that make any sense?

[ffemtp]

My suggestion is to go to a place that allows you to hit clubs outside so you can see the actual ball flight. I did mine inside on a simulator and my fitted set is no different than my old set. I am very disappointed for the money I spent for the new clubs.

Great advice! Get the clubs adjusted to your swing, not to what they should be based on measurements. When I had my new set fitted this spring, I must have hit well over 100 balls. I hit every iron and he adjusted each one based on the ball flight.

Also make sure your fitter checks the clubs against factory specs before he starts. My new set came in with several of the lofts and lies off from factory specs. If he would have just started bending them a degree or so flat they would not have been anywhere close to being right.

[sean_miller]

So...looking at your handicap...I have to assume that was the point where you really start shaving strokes off your game?

I'm sure that's the only thing holding you back.

[TXjammer]

I'm sure that's the only thing holding you back.

LOL!!!!!!! I didn't mean it like that! That was funny, though.

[TXjammer]

Makes perfect sense, rebby...that's the kind of answer I was looking for. Thanks much!

[billysandy]

Can't bro. My hossels are not bendable.

OK fair enough. But once you know your lie and length you can apply that to any set used of new obviously. You can pick up a set to your spec for a lot less than $500, is what i am trying to say. Custom fit is 100% worth doing, especially if you aren't average height. Even if you are, you might not have average length arms.

[TXjammer]

That's what a friend of mine and I were just now talking about billysandy. He seems to think I should search for a bargain on a set, then take them to a place here that can do the bending and what-not. The only thing that doesn't help me with is, I have NO idea what kind of heads would be best for me....so maybe that's where I should start?

[Zeph]

OK fair enough. But once you know your lie and length you can apply that to any set used of new obviously. You can pick up a set to your spec for a lot less than $500, is what i am trying to say. Custom fit is 100% worth doing, especially if you aren't average height. Even if you are, you might not have average length arms.

Those specifications will change from shaft to shaft and club to club, so you can't use the fitting numbers on one club and put them right into another brand and model.

Lie and length are only one part of a fitting process. A dynamic fitting where you hit lots of different clubs and shafts, and then get them fit for you, are the best way.

[billysandy]

That's what a friend of mine and I were just now talking about billysandy. He seems to think I should search for a bargain on a set, then take them to a place here that can do the bending and what-not. The only thing that doesn't help me with is, I have NO idea what kind of heads would be best for me....so maybe that's where I should start?

Forged metal is easier to bend, so you could start there. Forged clubs that would suit your handicap would be the Mizuno MX200s, Titleist AP2s, older titleist irons (still great) and older mizuno models like the MX25 irons.

Having said that, once you adjust them, they really should be check for lie angle every 6 months considering the metal will find its say back into its original position. The counteraction to this is to get some ping irons. They are cast into the different lie angles, and once you find which colour code you are (I am 6 foot 2, and I am white dot = +1/2inch in length and 3* upright), you can search for ping irons all the way back through the models over the years for a club that suits your standard. Ping clubs that suit your standard are the Ping i15, i10, i5, i3. <-- i15 being the most expensive, i3 being the least.

[JML22]

I like my I3s
And dont discount G series ya they're shovels but those clubs get the ball in the air if you touch the face

[TXjammer]

All good advice, I'm just soaking it up and thinking. The good thing is I have no competitive events very soon and have some time to take to make sure I do this right. Thanks to everyone for the input so far.

[sean_miller]

I like my I3s

That's what I thought about the irons I gave my brother this summer - Lynx Parallax. Soles are so wide you can only get a partial set in the bag, but they're almost impossible to mishit.

If I was getting custom fit I'd like to try a demo set for 18 holes. A session at the range just doesn't do it for me - how are they off different lies, how well do they fit in the bag together, do I feel confident on a tight hole, can I chip with them, all that stuff. I guess if there was a money back gaurantee that would work, but I like the idea of a standard forged set that just need some tweaking - something you could sell later if you felt inclined to do so.

[JML22]

Yeah they're FUGLY as hell and when i look down on them i'm like how the heck am i gonna hit the ball with this thing
But i wouldn't mind some G series on some days. There's nothing wrong with hitting consistent straight iron shots to the green haha.

[enis750]

I dunno man
golf clubs depreciate SOOOO FAST its not even funny
paying over a "G" for new irons would hurt....if you sold them within a couple year span
my irons are over $1100 in Golf Town right now, and i picked mine up used twice for $480 shipped (near mint)

personally, i would find an iron that YOU like and that suits the game you want to play
then have it adjusted to your specs (L/L/L) etc...

just my opinion.....

BUT....if you can dedicate 3-4 years with them and they are what you want...and have the $$...then who's holding you back, right?

[billysandy]

I dunno man

Just a side note - ping irons don't depriciate much at all. The G5 5 wood still can fetch £65 on ebay. And the irons certainly keep their value. Look at the EYE2 irons!

[soloredd]

I went ahead and got my Diablo Forged irons custom fit. This is my 2nd set of clubs, the first being an all-in-one package (Wilson Deep Red). After doing the (simple) fitting, I already knew how out of whack the Wilson's were. And I figured that since I am going to be keeping this set of irons for a long time, I might as well do it - made no sense not to.

[alo1984]

My suggestion is to at least have the clubs the length you need if you're tall. If you are of average height then you need to determine if your swing speed dictates a custom shaft. Once you have determined these things then make a decision. Personally, if you can get by playing regular or stiff and standard length, then I don't think you would need to spend more than $700 unless you want to. You can buy an excellent club for that price that would allow you to practice and improve until you possibly needed a more customized set.

I played a pretty standard set of TM's for years, but had some time and money to experiment with clubs and shot making and landed with the my current clubs. The extra cost was worth it for me but not until I was absolutely committed to the sticks.

[gir]

I got fit for a driver recently and I must say that I will never buy another golf club without getting fit. $55 dollars for an iron fitting is a steal if it's a good fitting. A good fitting is worth the money and some imo. The only small downside is you can drive yourself crazy thinking about all the options, numbers, and data while going through the process.