Ping Iron Fitting Questions

[stevegp]

I am interested in getting a new set of Ping irons. I would appreciate some feedback and input on a few iron fitting questions.

 

I am going to be 60 this summer. I have been fit for clubs twice, the last time was six years ago. I currently play MacGregor MacTec M685 irons with graphite shafts. They are set 2 degrees up and 1/2 inch long. I use and prefer mid-sized grips. My 7-iron carry distance is 135 yards. Ball flight is usually straight, but I developed a slight, but consistent, pull near end of last season. Last year I played 94 rounds; I walked about 85 of those. I do not keep an official handicap, but if I did, it would be around 17.

 

I definitely plan to do a dynamic club fitting with a respected, certified fitter, before I buy any clubs.

 

I have a strong feeling that the G15s will probably be the recommendation, but I have been considering whether a move to the I15 or possibly even the S56 may improve my ball striking and game in the long run.

 

How much and how often do Ping's Web-Fit static recommendations for their irons differ from their final dynamic fitting recommendations? Is there usually a change? And, if there is a change, how much have a change have you seen? And, in what aspects... lie angle, length (based on stance, swing path), etc.?

 

I ask because I had read somewhere in the past that Ping's recommendations--I think for lie angle-- and clubs differ slightly from those of other manufacturers. Is this so? If so, in what ways? The static fit recommendations I recently received from Ping's Web-Fit were white dot (3 degrees up), plus .25 of length, and white dot (standard) grip.

 

Also, would my fitting recommendations change since I was fit six years ago? I am wondering since I developed a slight pull with my irons in the latter part of last season. (I have not swung a club since the end of November last year). However, my swing path now may be slightly more level and less vertical. Of course, this obviously could be a swing flaw <chuckle>. (Whether or not these matter, I also battled again with recurring painful tendonitis in my elbow and had a moderately pulled left hamstring). Or... is the left pull now possibly the result of the way my clubs are set up (i.e., lie angle)?

 

I appreciate you feedback and suggestions. Thanks.

 

Steve

[taskerc]

Hi Steve,

Not sure about US, but up here in Canada I can go to a Ping location and get fitted for free. Then they will adjust (some) Ping clubs as required based on this fitting. They told me the loft and lie adjustments would "probably be free" and would be done immediately after the fitting session. I was told the iron fitting is 45 mins to one hour in duration and it involves different clubheads, shafts, stiffnesses, length etc.

To me this is one of the benefits of being a Ping club owner. Beware that they will not adjust some older models of clubs and any club made of BENI or BECU.

My suggestion is to call Ping and ask about Ping fitting options and if possible see if there is a Ping location near you to get the best experience of all :-)

Hope this helps.

[stevegp]

[quote name='taskerc' timestamp='1299855114' post='3046190']
Hi Steve,

Not sure about US, but up here in Canada I can go to a Ping location and get fitted for free. Then they will adjust (some) Ping clubs as required based on this fitting. They told me the loft and lie adjustments would "probably be free" and would be done immediately after the fitting session. I was told the iron fitting is 45 mins to one hour in duration and it involves different clubheads, shafts, stiffnesses, length etc.

To me this is one of the benefits of being a Ping club owner. Beware that they will not adjust some older models of clubs and any club made of BENI or BECU.

My suggestion is to call Ping and ask about Ping fitting options and if possible see if there is a Ping location near you to get the best experience of all :-)

Hope this helps.
[/quote]

Thanks. I appreciate your reply.

I do plan to get a dynamic fitting.

[Titus]

Hi Steve!

Ten years back I was fitted by Ping with black dot, regular flex steel shafts and aqua grips. Recent fitting did not change at all although it was suggested I get steel shafts with cushin to mitigate my elbow pains......I am 63 years young.

If you get fitted now, chances are there would only be slight changes and maybe not that material to the game.

Good luck and enjoy....life is getting shorter.

Cheers!

[stevegp]

[quote name='Titus' timestamp='1299869738' post='3046790']
Hi Steve!

Ten years back I was fitted by Ping with black dot, regular flex steel shafts and aqua grips. Recent fitting did not change at all although it was suggested I get steel shafts with cushin to mitigate my elbow pains......I am 63 years young.

If you get fitted now, chances are there would only be slight changes and maybe not that material to the game.

Good luck and enjoy....life is getting shorter.

Cheers!
[/quote]

Thanks, Titus. I appreciate your input.

I developed severe tendonitis in my elbows about three years ago, primarily from playing golf but some from carrying a lot of firewood. They were so bad I could barely lift my coffee cup or wash my hair. The next year I didn't play much because of other circumstances. It gave me time for my elbows to recover. This past year I played a lot (94 rounds). My right elbow was moderately inflamed, but not the left. Early in the season, I switched from the steel-shafted irons I was playing back to my MacTec 685s with graphite. The graphite shafts seemed to help.

[ncgolferid]

Anytime you do a static fit, it can be very different from a dynamic fits specs. Reason being, your lie angle cannot be told from how you set up..based on height..hand to floor measurements or anything like that. You have to use a lie board. I have seen people get told to get a 2 upright from static fitting, but when they use a lie board, they are 3 flat. The length of a club has to be determined by actually hitting it. You fit someone as long as they can go while still maintaining their balance, and hitting it on the sweet spot. Going off height, is not accurate at all. The whole online thing is just a way big box manufactures can sell "custom" quick. So I wouldn't even bother with those specs from online, and just go with a dynamic fit from someone who is certified.

A real dynamic fit will evaluate your swing, to make sure your balanced and put you in your best athletic motion. Then they will fit you to help you make that motion. I would search around for the best dynamic fitter/teacher in your area.

[ckguy914]

Static fitting is no more than an educated guess and a baseline to go from when doing dynamic fitting. Static fitting could get you in the ball park, but I would highly recommend getting fitted dynamically where you can see your trajectory and ball flight.

[pkshooter]

Your fitting info (length, lie, etc) can change over the years. My Dad is going through the process of getting new clubs and has recently been fitted. He is about your age. His numbers are significantly different than they were a few years ago the last time he was fitted. The main reason for his length/lie change is that he has changed his swing to a more upright swing that is easier on his back. You may find your swing has changed and you may find it is exactly the same, but the best way to check is through a dynamic fitting.

[stevegp]

[quote name='pkshooter' timestamp='1299987551' post='3050368']
Your fitting info (length, lie, etc) can change over the years. My Dad is going through the process of getting new clubs and has recently been fitted. He is about your age. His numbers are significantly different than they were a few years ago the last time he was fitted. The main reason for his length/lie change is that he has changed his swing to a more upright swing that is easier on his back. You may find your swing has changed and you may find it is exactly the same, but the best way to check is through a dynamic fitting.
[/quote]

Thanks, guys. You gave me some great feedback.

I do plan to have a dynamic fitting. I started playing around with some of these online fitting questionnaires to help me get through these long winter months. They got me thinking about how my swing and ball flight has changed in the six years since I last was fit. Although my ball striking has improved considerably, I believe my swing is now slightly flatter and less vertical. Late last season, I became very aware that my usually fairly straight iron shots were now consistently pulling a bit to the left; they never did that before. (Yes. It could be a swing flaw). And even though I'm in decent physical condition and good health, I have had some troublesome injuries and am now approaching 60. These things may or not matter, but I wanted to weigh all the factors before I get dynamically fitted and buy some new irons. That is why I posted my questions.

Once again, thanks. I appreciate your input.

[taskerc]

[quote name='stevegp' timestamp='1299997326' post='3050682']
[quote name='pkshooter' timestamp='1299987551' post='3050368']
Your fitting info (length, lie, etc) can change over the years. My Dad is going through the process of getting new clubs and has recently been fitted. He is about your age. His numbers are significantly different than they were a few years ago the last time he was fitted. The main reason for his length/lie change is that he has changed his swing to a more upright swing that is easier on his back. You may find your swing has changed and you may find it is exactly the same, but the best way to check is through a dynamic fitting.
[/quote]

Thanks, guys. You gave me some great feedback.

I do plan to have a dynamic fitting. I started playing around with some of these online fitting questionnaires to help me get through these long winter months. They got me thinking about how my swing and ball flight has changed in the six years since I last was fit. Although my ball striking has improved considerably, I believe my swing is now slightly flatter and less vertical. Late last season, I became very aware that my usually fairly straight iron shots were now consistently pulling a bit to the left; they never did that before. (Yes. It could be a swing flaw). And even though I'm in decent physical condition and good health, I have had some troublesome injuries and am now approaching 60. These things may or not matter, but I wanted to weigh all the factors before I get dynamically fitted and buy some new irons. That is why I posted my questions.

Once again, thanks. I appreciate your input.
[/quote]

And just to reiterate, Ping will continue to adjust your irons for a long time. As I mentioned, I am planning a re-fitting soon at the Ping Canada location and the fitting and changes are supposedly "no charge" and will be done on the day.

Being a Ping customer has it advantages .....