High ballflight - Can I bend my s56 irons?

[Klap]

casted irons

I already hit the older s59 very high (to much spin) and it seems it got even higher with the s56.

My coach suggested I should bent my irons stronger, since I already have rather heavy shafts, (x100 +1,5inch) but he wasn't sure if it's possible with the s56 since they are not forged but casted.

Is it possible to bent them 2 deg stronger without much trouble?

[phil.b89]

Ping will be able to do that for you. Contact their customer services department.

[Klap]

[quote name='phil.b89' timestamp='1298880727' post='3012983']
Ping will be able to do that for you. Contact their customer services department.
[/quote]


Thanks that will be an option. But is it safe to let a good fitter bend the casted irons? I ask this cause that will take me a day or so and sending them to PING and getting them back might take 3 or 4 weeks.

[FriedEgg]

Send 'em to PING and use the S59s for a bit longer!

[robbo32]

I'd send them to Ping since they will know how to bend their irons the best. If you don't have a backup set of irons work on your short game for 3-4 weeks.

[BCC]

Loft is the harder bend over lie...2*....I'd send them to Ping. If you are naturally a high ball hitter...2* will not make a very significant difference in trajectory.

[marrigo]

You do realize that you will also reduce the bounce by 2* don't you?

To answer your question; yes they can be bent. Forged clubs are usually easier due to the softer steel used. I experimented with my loft lie machine a little and was able to bend a Eye 2+'s SW 3* upright, then 6* flat, then back to where they started.

Most moder cast clubs shouldn't have a problem being bent a few degrees for loft or lie. Always the chance that there is a microscopic flaw that will cause the hosel to crack or snap. That's just the way it is with cast clubs. As others have said, best bet is to send them back to Ping so if anything goes wrong they will replace the head for you. Risk going to a clubfitter and if the head snaps you will have to purchase another one form Ping.

[NWS Alpine]

I would not expect much in return by bending lofts. Am I reading it right that you play +1.5" shafts? Who the hell fit you for that. What are your measurements. Do you play very upright/steep because that could be your source of the high flight.

[Klap]

[quote name='NWS Alpine' timestamp='1298986083' post='3015522']
I would not expect much in return by bending lofts. Am I reading it right that you play +1.5" shafts? Who the hell fit you for that. What are your measurements. Do you play very upright/steep because that could be your source of the high flight.
[/quote]

This sounds interesting, I have them 6deg upright could that effect the height of the ball flight?
I am 6ft9/6ft10 so +1.5 inch might be quite right.

[TCMP]

[quote name='Klap' timestamp='1299332658' post='3027779']
[quote name='NWS Alpine' timestamp='1298986083' post='3015522']
I would not expect much in return by bending lofts. Am I reading it right that you play +1.5" shafts? Who the hell fit you for that. What are your measurements. Do you play very upright/steep because that could be your source of the high flight.
[/quote]

This sounds interesting, I have them 6deg upright could that effect the height of the ball flight?
I am 6ft9/6ft10 so +1.5 inch might be quite right.



[/quote]

This is going to be tough to overcome with equipment alone my friend. Being 6'10" tall, you likely have a lot of swing speed with that huge arc. This makes for high ball speeds and loads of spin. Bending your irons 2* strong won't really help all that much. It will a little bit, but not all that much. It will almost be like going to the next club down in your bag.

The upright lie angle is not causing your high ballflight and the +1.5" shaft length is likely correct being that you are so tall.

You may have to make some swing changes to really bring your ball flight down.

[dlygrisse]

[quote name='TCMP' timestamp='1299335674' post='3027847']
[quote name='Klap' timestamp='1299332658' post='3027779']
[quote name='NWS Alpine' timestamp='1298986083' post='3015522']
I would not expect much in return by bending lofts. Am I reading it right that you play +1.5" shafts? Who the hell fit you for that. What are your measurements. Do you play very upright/steep because that could be your source of the high flight.
[/quote]

This sounds interesting, I have them 6deg upright could that effect the height of the ball flight?
I am 6ft9/6ft10 so +1.5 inch might be quite right.



[/quote]

This is going to be tough to overcome with equipment alone my friend. Being 6'10" tall, you likely have a lot of swing speed with that huge arc. This makes for high ball speeds and loads of spin. Bending your irons 2* strong won't really help all that much. It will a little bit, but not all that much. It will almost be like going to the next club down in your bag.

The upright lie angle is not causing your high ballflight and the +1.5" shaft length is likely correct being that you are so tall.

You may have to make some swing changes to really bring your ball flight down.
[/quote]

Exactly, I mean Tiger and Phil hit the ball real hard and real high, if they want. Sooner or later you will need a high lofted club for short shots, by bending the strong all you will really be doing is increasing the distance you hit it by a few yards. Tiger has a 49* PW, but he knows how to flight it low when needed.

Feel lucky that you have the ability to hit it high, it is a physical gift that a lot of people dont have. If you want to hit it lower, take more club than you would normally use and swing easier, the ball will fly lower with less spin. If your pro can't teach you this, then find a new instructor.

[jimb]

I'd send them back to Ping. If you want to see and interesting video of how they bend their irons you can search Youtube for the Ping Tour Van. I'd also suggest asking one of their folks on the phone how you can reduce your launch. Honestly, at 1.5 longer than standard you may need to go up beyone X100 if you hit them too high.

[rjklein4470]

I am 6-7 and have really struggled with hitting the ball too high. There is no way I can play a modern cavity back for this reason or a modern blade. I have found most of the modern blades have a lower COG to get the ball up in the air. To make a long story short this is where I am.

I started using Steel Fiber golf shafts, they are light but stiff and will not turn your clubs into hammers. The i110 is a stiff flex or a X flex would work for you. You might call steel fiber and get a demo shaft and put it in your ping and see how it works.

The irons that I am using are the Epon AF Tour's and they have a very nice ball flight with the steel fiber.

I tell ya being tall you will get all kinds of crazy fitting suggestions, and what I have realized is that most are just guessing with your wallet. Chip Usher has some Miura 201's with 8gram lighter heads that would be ideal for you as well.

[Klap]

Whow thanks! Some interesting new insights here. Decided not to change the lofts.

Maybe I'll go for a more pitch like 3/4 swing, they indeed fly lower. Distance has never been a problem but on the windy European coast lines over here those high balls are a prey for mother nature;)

[TCMP]

[quote name='Klap' timestamp='1299614676' post='3037429']
Whow thanks! Some interesting new insights here. Decided not to change the lofts.

Maybe I'll go for a more pitch like 3/4 swing, they indeed fly lower. Distance has never been a problem but on the windy European coast lines over here those high balls are a prey for mother nature;)
[/quote]

Good idea.

3/4 shots will help a LOT for bringing your ballflight down. Nearly all of my shots with irons are 3/4 shots or less. Playing in the wind here in Kansas teaches you to hit lots of knock downs.

If you work on tempo with that 3/4 shot, it will be a deadly weapon.