Forged irons players - when was your last checkup?

[sean_miller]

Get your lofts and lies done!

Sounds like a cliche, but I just got my Cleveland TA1s regripped and had them check the lofts and lies. They were crazy wrong. I basically had two 4-irons and two 7 irons. No wonder I was struggling with distance control. The only two clubs at the proper angles were my 4, 6, and 9 irons. Guess which ones I felt most comfortable with?

Also, it's nice when you build up a rapport with your local golf shop owners. The guy did all the bending for free. I know it's not a big deal during their slow season, but it was a nice gesture and will make me consider looking there first next time.

[TourSpoon]

I have never seen a new set come in perfectly on spec. I had mine bent when I bought them a few years ago and checked 6 months ago with no movement.

[RichWW2]

Any idea much something like this cost if you aren't a regular at the golf shops? I tried checking some of the major golf stores websites and nobody had a price for something like this.  I never got my forged clubs checked when they came in...seems like that might be a good idea.

[GaijinGolfer]

I had mine last checked in October.  During the season, I get them checked every 2 months.  With the softer metals in today's irons, even if you irons arent forged you should be getting them checked at least twice a year.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by RichWW2

Any idea much something like this cost if you aren't a regular at the golf shops? I tried checking some of the major golf stores websites and nobody had a price for something like this.  I never got my forged clubs checked when they came in...seems like that might be a good idea.

It's about $10 to get them checked and they give you a card with the numbers. It's handy to keep even if they're still at the factory specs. You may want to tweak a club or two to fill gaps (or to stretch things out a bit on either end of the bag), or in case you're really comfortable with them and want to buy a different set in the future. Anyway, it's typically ~ $5 per bend and considering I needed 6 of them bent, he saved me ~ $30. I could give the link or the shop's name, but I didn't start this thread so spam. Suffice to say there are only two full stocked golf shops in Red Deer and it was the other one (not where I'm getting lessons).

[Bullitt5339]

It's been 14 months.........  I guess when I get them reshafted, I'd better get them checked out.

[SVTGolfer]

I never even thought to check mine. They're over a year old now,  I guess I probably should.

[Stretch]

I do mine every few months. The clubs that I practice with a lot -- 5, 8, gap wedge -- get hammered upright pretty quickly. Our range is 4 days mats, 3 days grass.

[spearq8]

I did myself a favor and bought my own Blue loft lie machine.  All my clubs are soft forged irons and really you will be shocked at how quickly the lie can change.  I just got a set of Mizuno MP63's and checked them from PW to 3 iron for loft and lie.  The clubs were pretty much dead on and I made a copy of every single setting.  I played those clubs about 3 weeks (maybe 12 round of golf) and hit them on our hard mats at the practice range quite a bit.  Yesterday I brought in my clubs home to check them again.  Every single one of them was off by between 1/2 a degree and 1 degree in Lie angle (all more upright), although there was not too much change in loft angle.  What bothers me is that this change happened in only 3 weeks.  I used to have clubs that I never checked for Lie and Loft angle before, until my club pro told me the reason I was having to aim so far right with short irons was that my lie was off (it was by 4 degrees).

Personally I think you play forged irons you absolutely have to have your lie checked regularly ... at least on your PW and 9 iron and 8 irons.  This is especially true if you play blades, where the sweet spot is already pretty small.  It really is a quick process and should take less than 10 to 15 minutes to do your entire set.  Not only will having a perfect lie keep your ball straighter off the face, it will also prevent unwanted side spin which can create havoc in windy conditions.

[GaijinGolfer]

Originally Posted by spearq8

Personally I think you play forged irons you absolutely have to have your lie checked regularly ... at least on your PW and 9 iron and 8 irons.  This is especially true if you play blades, where the sweet spot is already pretty small.  It really is a quick process and should take less than 10 to 15 minutes to do your entire set.  Not only will having a perfect lie keep your ball straighter off the face, it will also prevent unwanted side spin which can create havoc in windy conditions.

Not just forgings, all irons.  Especially today's irons are using softer metals and they will change over time.  Forged or cast makes no difference in this aspect.  The kind of metal is what makes them soft, not whether the clubhead was cast or forged.

[soloredd]

So, about 15 minutes to check the specs, is it pretty easy for them to make the adjustments? I'm pretty sure mine are screwy as well, its been about a year since I got mine from the factory. I hit off mats a good deal of the time.

[Mr. Desmond]

This is why I like Pings -- no worries about bending if they are on spec. Pings are heck to bend.

As to forgings, get them checked more frequently if you practice off mats. Normally, once or twice a year, depending on the amount of play.

As to bending, find someone who knows what they're doing. Some people bend them too fast, which can cause "spider" marks on the hosel. I also like guys to use a small towel or some type of cushion so my clubs are not marked.

Also, when you change loft, it seems to bend the lie. So always check lie after the loft is changed.

[lumpuckeroo]

I just found an iPhone app that will check your loft and lie, My Golf Bag.

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by lumpuckeroo

I just found an iPhone app that will check your loft and lie, My Golf Bag.

That's really bloody clever! Aussies FTW.

[Mr. Desmond]

Thanks, they should send you a referral fee...

[Bump-n-MI]

Originally Posted by TitleistWI

During the season, I get them checked every 2 months.

Seems like overkill but better to be safe than sorry I guess. I visually inspect my clubs once a month…if they seem out of wack I'll take them in. But I will say I'm going on almost 3 years with these irons and I have only had them adjusted once (and that was when I first got them ;)

[GaijinGolfer]

Originally Posted by Bump-n-MI

Seems like overkill but better to be safe than sorry I guess. I visually inspect my clubs once a month…if they seem out of wack I'll take them in. But I will say I'm going on almost 3 years with these irons and I have only had them adjusted once (and that was when I first got them ;)

If your loft or lie is off a degree or 2 you arent going to notice it with a visual inspection.  One real easy way to know you are due for an adjustment is when you suddenly start to struggle with a certain club or clubs.  Chances are if you do, the lie angle is likely off.

Also, if you notice that your distance is suddenly off a bit, chances are the loft needs to be adjusted.

It might seem like overkill to you but you need to remember that I practice every day for at least an hour and hit thousands of balls over the course of a year with my clubs.  If you only play once or twice a month and never practice, you may not need adjustments as often.

[Aging Boomer]

I hit Miura MC-102s and Scratch wedges, and only the check the lofts and lies in the spring when I re-grip.