For awhile now I’ve been thinking about trying some graphite shafted irons as part of my experimentation. I know a lot of women use them but I’ve been a steel shaft girl from the beginning. While I’m at it, I should probably get them custom fitted and do it right. At first I didn’t think it was necessary because my swing wasn’t well defined. Now that I’m a little more established, it’s probably time.
I figure if I go with graphite, they should be stiff flex and men’s length, but it’ll be interesting to see what a professional fitter would say. Out of curiosity, I just tried the SmartFit custom club fitting calculator on Golfsmith.com and came up with the following recommendations:
Shaft Model: Mid launch
Shaft Flex: Stiff
Club length: Men’s standard
Lie angle: +1° Upright
Grip size: Men’s + 1/64 Inch
I wonder if the results will be the same when I actually go in and get my swing speed calculated and all that. I should probably go ahead and do it for my current set of steel shafted irons since I’m not quite ready to take the leap on graphite shafts.
While I’m mulling it over, I’d be happy to hear recommendations on makes and models if you feel like sharing.
April 17, 2007 at 9:29 pm
I’ll be very interested hearing what you find after your club fitting. I’m planning on getting a fitting next month and have been working off of old measurements (that were confirmed by the online calculator at either Golfsmith or TGW before I bought my last set of irons). I’m curious how things change when they go beyond just body measurements and do launch analysis and all that.
April 18, 2007 at 10:24 pm
Great idea – what do you think about having a dynamic fitting and evaluation at Max Out Golf Labs in Sherman Oaks? Ask for Mitch – he is the founder…
They used to be in Woodland Hills on Ventura Blvd, near Target, but they moved a couple of years ago to 14548 Ventura Blvd down near Van Nuys Blvd.
More information on the web at http://www.maxoutgolf.com/index.php
and it would be a fun post to hear about your experience!
Thehe results will be FAR more comprehensive and superior to a static evaluation.
My neighbor got a full session fitting as an anniversary gift, and he said it was EXTREMELY comprehensive, and the guys gave him an entire range of shafts, clubs, grips – even GOLF BALLS…
Something to think about…and a fun future posting…
April 18, 2007 at 10:29 pm
And, for what it’s worth…I am TRULY happy with my Aldila NV 65…but shafts are SO subjective based upon your swing speed, release point, etc, that it’s a REALLY good idea to get measured with the video dealy-wobblies to get an objective analysis…
If MaxOut maxes out the budget, I’ve also heard that Bogey Bob’s in Newbury Park and Tour Golf in Agoura Hills also offer similar services…
April 18, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Whoa there, pardner. I’m unemployed.
April 23, 2007 at 10:56 am
If you are strong enough to swing stiff shafts, then graphite would be a very poor decision and a total waste of money. Irons are about consistency – go to lightweight steel shafts if you feel your clubs are too heavy
May 13, 2007 at 6:56 pm
I’m curious about this post. You just said you hit your 5I 160 in your GRIP post, but you are saying you want stiff shafts? I think that’s a little ambitious, but that’s just me. I use stiff shafts on my woods, but I hit my 5I 190 (180 carry). Either stay with steel, or go to regular at the absolute end. You aren’t as big of a strong woman as you think. Thick yes, super strong, no
May 13, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Mike,
I wouldn’t dream of getting stiff shafts for my woods. I’m talking about graphite shafts for my irons and figured stiff flex would be closer to what I’m used to with steel. I know I’m no superhero, and thanks for calling me thick, you big, strong 190 5I hitter.
February 3, 2009 at 7:13 am
quit golf and take up tennis… oh and get a job…
October 30, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Golfers are as individual as snow flakes and to say one club, or set of off the rack clubs fits every golfer defies common sense. I put many hours into my “Club Fitting Form” and all for one reason, to obtain enough information to correctly construct golf clubs that really are custom fit to an individual golfer. This information allows me to incorporate many things into a golfers clubs that will help with his or her particular physical, athletic and ball striking abilities or faults.