Two weeks ago we talked about iron options for slower swing speed players. This week, let’s chat about irons for faster swing speeds, and maybe a little better player.

You know the drill. New stuff comes out. New ads flood the TV Screen. Equipment junkies rejoice. New Stuff!! I can’t wait to try it!! But, is this the right new stuff for that player? Case in point. I had three different players over the last week or so who carried the Ai Smoke 7 iron over 200 yards. The distance is mesmerizing. It’s hard to walk away from that. But, is it the right thing to do?

Start your fitting as you normally would – with the pre-fit interview. At this point, you may not know what you have standing in front of you. In my case, I did not. I did not know any of these players. I asked my typical questions. “Tell me about your game?” “Do you have a current USGA Handicap Index?” “Typical shot shape?” “Typical miss hit?” “What are you playing now?” etc. As the players are warming up, I ask if there is anything they want to try. Typically, players have seen our ads on TV and want to try the newest stuff. So, I oblige.

A mid-90’s club head speed on the Paradym Ai Smoke iron will produce a ball speed tickling 130 mph. As with a driver, a 130 mph ball speed will carry 200 yards. This is challenging for the opposite reason from a player who wants to add distance. If we are 210 carry with a 7 iron, 225 with a 6 iron, add a 3 hybrid at 240, and a 3 wood at 260, we have challenges to overcome. Will this player be OK with a 165- 170 yard PW? Seriously, not laughing. That means a lot of wedges to fill in from 175 yards down… Will this player, who may be used to carrying a 3 iron be OK with nothing stronger than a 6-iron – despite what the lofts are and distances are?

Look, we know the distances tell the story, but the application to achieve these distances may not be appropriate. Consider this – hitting the ball a long way can be every bit as big of a challenge as hitting the ball too short.

Perhaps we should explore some other options. First, some questions. Does this player need the forgiveness? We already know he doesn’t need the distance. If the answer is YES to the forgiveness question, you can’t look to Smoke HL. Yes, they are weaker lofted, but they will hit the ball higher and have just as active of a face, so they will go too high and just as far. How about Apex DCB? Forgiveness will be about the same. Trajectory will be lower. The face is hot, but not as hot. Lofts are 2* weaker. Or standard Apex? A touch weaker still, higher CoG, so lower flight. Face is hot, but not as hot as Apex DCB. Hmmm… What about Apex Pro?? Can the player handle this club? If so, the lofts are 5 degrees weaker in the 7 iron, and 4 degrees weaker in the PW (versus Ai Smoke). Face is traditional. Trajectory is traditional. Maybe??

I went here (Apex Pro). The difference in distance for that mid 90’s swing speed (with a 7i) player is about 25 yards shorter with Apex Pro vs. Smoke. That gives this player a set he can relate to. Understand that, like a senior flex player, where options are limited – you need to find something that does “this, this and this”, the options are limited for faster swing speed players as well. While they may not all be good players, they do have specific needs. Choking distance out is just as challenging as finding distance.

Perhaps you can use a stiffer flex. That will lower the trajectory, and straighten the curve. Perhaps you can make the weight of the shaft heavier. That will do the same. By taking away some distance, you can help the player do other things (hit it straighter) that will have a significant impact on the scores he shoots.

Be aware of your situation. Just because a player CAN hit it longer, doesn’t mean he SHOULD. Can you take something from one part of their game to make the overall game/result/ fit better? It’s the opposite of a slower swing speed – SHOULD we sacrifice a little straight to get more far? In either case, is this a compromise we want or we can live with?

Understand your player. Understand the tools you have to fit with (not the launch monitor & face tape – the club options). Understand what good results are. 200 yard carry with a 7 iron, while cool, is not a good solution for most players. Come up with a good solution.

I hope this helps. Happy Fitting. Adapt, Learn, and Grow.