Iron Fitting - Half inch longer?

[GGTTH]

I had fitting last week for irons. To my somewhat surprise, the fitter recommend I go half an inch longer in the shaft.  I am only 5 foot 8.

 

Why would this be?

[PedronNiall]

Do you have long legs along with a shorter than average torso and arm length for your height? Only thing that quickly comes to mind. I wouldn't imagine it being done to accommodate a flatter setup, but technically someone could go that route if they like causing pain.

 

To be realistic, when in doubt/feeling uncertain about results during a fitting you should be asking your whys to the fitter. People here can likely give you insights on whether or not something told to you at a fitting is factual or not given you supply enough detail or give you additional info behind what you were told, but there's nothing to do other than guess as to why a fitter recommended something when you give such light detail. 

[cristphoto]

I'm 6'2 and was fit for 1/2 inch long and 1 degree upright. On the face of it 5'8 doesn't seem ideal for longer clubs but the fitter must have seen something with your swing or stance to justify that fit. Do you hit off of a lie board? 

[dmeeksDC]

I’m 5-10 and have had two fitters independently recommend half-inch long and 2 degrees upright. One was a Ping fitter. Both said it was due to how I swing the club and thought it would add a little weight, boost distance and would suit me better. I asked why not standard? The Ping fitter said there really is no standard length anyway, it’s what length, lie angle and total build weight (not swing weight) fits the player. I have to say, I was middling my iron shots with those specs. 

[this_is_golf]

A PXG fitter put me into a 1/2 inch longer shaft because of the strike location on the iron face. I can’t remember the exact rationale. I didn’t end up purchasing so not sure if it would have made a difference. 

[Stuart_G]

On 7/31/2023 at 1:37 PM, GGTTH said:

I had fitting last week for irons. To my somewhat surprise, the fitter recommend I go half an inch longer in the shaft.  I am only 5 foot 8.

 

Why would this be?

 

What iron(s) did they use to come to this decision?  e.g. did you actually hit wedges or only a mid iron (6i or 7i)?

 

A good fitter should have told you the reason.

 

But some possibilities come to mind:

1) Short arms (longer than 'normal' WTF for your height).

2) They are using a poor way to fit you for a heavier swing weight than is "standard" (more possible if you're a stronger higher swing speed player).

3) They fit you into graphite shafts and are still hanging on to the outdated (and completely wrong) idea that graphite shafts should be played 1/2" longer than steel shafts.

4) Thought it might help you get a bit more distance (for slower swing speed players).

 

Edited August 9, 2023 by Stuart_G

[GGTTH]

Thanks.

 

He did show me strike on Trackman before and after, so I presume that was the reason. It just really confused me as I was always under the impression that longer clubs for taller players.

[gsrjc]

Are you hitting off the toe?

[Superscroll]

what is your wtf?

[charliebrown]

On 7/31/2023 at 10:37 AM, GGTTH said:

I had fitting last week for irons. To my somewhat surprise, the fitter recommend I go half an inch longer in the shaft.  I am only 5 foot 8.

 

Why would this be?

My first questions is: Why did you feel you needed to go for a fitting? 

[Nessism]

I don't know all the specifics about the recommendation, but I do know that hitting shots off the toe is not (typically) a reason to go for longer shafts.  Shaft length is mostly about feeling comfortable with the shortest clubs in your bag.  In effect, you want the shortest wedges that you feel comfortable standing over, and then increment upwards from there.  Stooping to reach the ball is bad.  Think of it this way: if you hit your 7 iron on the toe, do you pure the 6, which is 1/2" longer? The answer for most is no.  

Edited August 30, 2023 by Nessism

[Louis_Posture]

On 8/26/2023 at 6:03 AM, gsrjc said:

Are you hitting off the toe?

That's it !

I believe many players making impact towards the toe will find that .25" to .5" over length iron shafts help move the impact away from the toe to be more centered.

 

[gsrjc]

31 minutes ago, Louis_Posture said:

That's it !

I believe many players making impact towards the toe will find that .25" to .5" over length iron shafts help move the impact away from the toe to be more centered.

 

Yup. Agreed and also perhaps have your clubs adjusted to be a little more upright. 

[mjo23]

On 7/31/2023 at 12:37 PM, GGTTH said:

I had fitting last week for irons. To my somewhat surprise, the fitter recommend I go half an inch longer in the shaft.  I am only 5 foot 8.

 

Why would this be?

Many fitters measure length from end-of-grip while some OEM's don't. So a half-inch longer could really end up being be only a 1/4" longer if they measure differently... But it's more likely that you simply fit better with an extra 1/2" due to wrist-to-floor measurements and personal swing dynamics. I also think fitters err on the side caution if there isn't a clear and obvious length, or if you're in-between lengths, so they might fit longer because you can always cut-down later

 

Some fitters kinda just make random recommendations with no real data to support it, though, so if you're not comfortable with the extra 1/2" definitely speak up and don't just go with it because that's what the fitter recommended

Edited August 30, 2023 by mjo23