Let’s switch gears this week. I’m sure you’re eager to not have another science class about driver head engineering this morning.

Instead, let’s chat about fitting irons. Specifically, irons for Senior flex players.

We have a lot of options in the iron line up this year. Especially when working with golfers who have moderate to slower swing speeds. We have terrific options for these players. The visual & physical differences between Big Bertha 23, Smoke HL, and Smoke Max Fast make is easy to exhibit differences in performance. For example, the BB PW is 42 degrees, the HL PW is 43 degrees, and the Max Fast PW is 44. Perhaps not a big deal? Some club fitters and consumers may think this confusing. On the contrary, I believe our product differentiation is a positive, and the resulting shots from each will be different.

I had an opportunity to work with a couple players over the weekend. Both had slower swing speeds and were in the light regular flex to Senior flex category of player, and both could distinctly see a difference in ball speed, launch angle, and spin rates between the three models. The fact that we know have a men’s 40 gram iron shaft makes it easy to have a Light flex consumer try different shaft weights (40, 50, & 60) in addition to different head weights and styles. I sold a full set of BB 23 (5-P,A, G, & S) plus a set of Smoke HL (5-P, A, & SW). Both of these consumers bought a Smoke 9-wood and one of them enjoyed the performance of the irons so much he also bought a Smoke 5-wood and a Smoke Max D driver.

I was most impressed with two things in these fittings – the Max Fast Iron and the new Tensei Blue 40 gram R2 iron shaft. Although neither of my iron sales was in the Max Fast model, on both occasions the Max Fast produced an obviously higher ball flight with more spin. I called a rep in Florida to see how the irons are being received there and he immediately brought up both the Max Fast head and the new R2 shaft. He told me he has been fitting the 40 gram R2 shaft in a variety of heads, not just the Max Fast. Although this shaft is classified as a Regular flex shaft, we both believe it is a Light Flex that should be compared to other iron shafts that are Senior flex. Think of it as an in between shaft (like the “firm” flex from years ago).

Let’s circle back. We have a lot of heads for this player. HOW do you fit the player? Start by being efficient. Remember, you only have about 25 or 30 swings. If you give a player 5 swings with each club head, that’s 15 of your 30 – too many. TALK about the different club heads and narrow your focus to what you and the player both think he’ll like. If you can eliminate one of the heads and do it in 3 swings with each, you’re down to 6 swings instead of 15. You should also be able to measure his wrist to floor before you start, so you can use the correct length in the head trial portion. In those 6 swings, you should be able to determine what shaft flex and an approximate shaft weight. So having the right shaft length, shaft flex and shaft weight can be dialed in quickly after you try heads. If you have 24 swings to dial in shaft and lie, it should be easy!!

Now, a word about lofts. Are they stronger? YES, of course they are. As such, you need to adjust your way of thinking. While you’re at it, adjust your players way of thinking too. A 42* PW on Big Bertha means the 7-iron is 27*. There is a very good chance on this set of irons, you may only go up to a 7-iron. Really? No way my guy is going to bite on that. Here is where you TALK to him. Remember the Steelhead XR Iron that came out in 2017? 6+ years ago. Not that long ago. The 7-iron in that set was 30* with a 44* PW. Chances are good that you said “You don’t need a 5-iron anymore, Doc. It’s too strong lofted. You won’t get it in the air.” Guess what. You started that XR set at a 26* 6-Iron. Would a player need stronger lofted irons 6 years later in their career? I’d say no, but you have to understand this and be able to tell him why. Be ready for when he says “5-Pitch, Pro?”. You need to be ready to say “Let’s match up the lofts. Many lofts are different these days – MOST everything is stronger lofted. You probably won’t need much more than a 7 iron in this set, but you will need another wedge or two.”

Remember the Ping Eye 2? That 7-iron was 36.5*. The Big Bertha 9-iron is 36.5* and only 3/4″ shorter than that Ping 7 Iron. Add in Ai generated variable face thickness , tungsten, hollow body construction, and the BB 9 iron probably goes further than that Ping 7 Iron. Or consider this. I worked for Mizuno in the early 2000’s. Remember the MP60? That was a good players cavity back iron back in the 2005 era. 34* 7 iron at 36 3/4″. One piece forged… Compare that to the Apex Pro of today. Similar size and shape. The Apex Pro is 33* and 37″ long. Hmmm. Pretty close, but there is still hollow body construction, a little tungsten and different weighting. The net distance will be pretty close in the end, though. The point is this – you can’t say clubs today are 2 clubs stronger than they were years ago, or a 7-iron is a 7-iron. Neither is true. You have to do your due diligence, look at both clubs, evaluate and analyze, and determine what the differences are.

I do two things to make this easier on me and on the player. First, I have the Callaway Flip book App on my phone and my iPad. I can reference the loft of any current club in our line in 15 seconds. This is a MUST HAVE for anyone who fits our product. I use it on EVERY fitting. Download it and start using it today – I’m not asking. Second, look up the lofts of the players current set. You should do this while he is warming up and write the lofts on the (back of the) fitting sheet. Put OLD lofts next to NEW lofts of the model he likes. Even add lengths while you’re at it. This a good practice and I should do it more often.

As you move from his old clubs to the new clubs and you say “WOW, Doc!! You hit this one 15 yards longer than your current 7-iron.” If the new club is 4*+ stronger and 1/2″ longer with a lighter and more flexible shaft, it SHOULD be 15 yards longer. It would be important to know the specs up front, wouldn’t it? Having these handy will certainly help you when it comes to yardage gapping later on or figuring out does he need a 9 wood or a 5 hybrid to mate up next to that BB 7-Iron.

6 Years ago, would you have thought we’d be talking about going from a 7 iron to a FW Wood in a players set makeup? Me either, but that’s where we are today. Adapt, learn and grow.