Stopher

If it’s possible to hit a 7 iron good cut down, but not as good not cut down, then what about the 6? A cut down 6 is the same length as a normal 7. So if I cut down the 6 to hit it consistently, then why even cut them down at all? in essence, with a half short, aren’t we just delofting the club 4 degrees (or whatever the loft difference is)?? A 1/2 short 6, being same length as std 7, the only real difference is loft. I feel like there is a lot of placebo effect here with club lengths. this is more of a philosophical question. My brain hurts.

I did a search, and couldn't find this question anywhere. If it exists, happy to go look. Also, I'm not a big poster, so if this is in the wrong place, let me know. Why does it matter if I shorten a shaft? I was fit into irons a few years ago. 1/2 inch short. Effectively, making my 6-iron the same length as a standard 7 iron. So why does it matter? If I can hit my 6-iron good at 1/2 short, why can't I hit my 7 iron at the standard/same length as the shortened 6? Let's assume for the sake of this question, that the clubs are built to have the same swing weight, and lie angles are set to appropriate for the length of club. So the question is: Why does it matter? And, wouldn't the only practical difference be the small change in the bend points in the shaft? Thanks!

1 - Just off the green, lots of green to work with, fairway lie - 54 2 - Just off the green, shortsided, fairway lie - 54 3 - Just off the green, lots of green to work with, rough - 54 4- Just off the green, shortsided, rough - 54/60 5 - Short bunker shot, lots of green - 54 6 - Short bunker shot, shortsided - 60 7 - Long bunker shot, lots of green - 54 8 - Long bunker shot, shortsided - 54 9 - 15 yards short of the green, average pin accessibility, fairway - 54 10 - 15 yards short of the green, average pin accessibility, rough - 54 I like my 54. Can hit hit high, low, with spin, bump and run. I only dig out the 60 when I really need lift.

So with respect to ball position, I've moved by 6 iron ball position about 6 inches. From front toe to middle. That's profound. For length, who doesn't want a bit more? I've always been a short hitter. 9-iron goes 150. In Colorado, at 5280ft. #weak My best golf is straight and reliable. Hit %70 + fairways, and I'd better hit 70% + greens too. Short game up/down is not great. That's where some of the gains came last year. Started making putts too. For control, I'm looking for a bit more. I can work the ball a little left/right when needed. Trajectory is just a killer for me. That is kind of inconsistent. In general, I'm looking at the shaft as point of change. I had some challenges in 2021, and in a 2 month span I lost 20 pounds. (not by choice). So lost some strength. Swinging the C-Taper 120's is just harder than it used to be. I've hit other clubs with similar heads, and really liked the softer feel of some of the shafts. As everyone is saying, I'm not going to find a stroke a round in a club fitting. I'm really looking for the extra .2 strokes gained here and there. Not sure the data exists for me to find that. Feel like I'm guessing and going off a bit of feel.

Hey MGS Spies! First, if this is in the wrong place, or has been answered already, send me in the right direction. Did some searching on the site, and couldn't find anything. I got my index down to 0 this last summer. Despite the success, I still feel like I'm fighting my irons, and I could be better. Better in this context with my irons is quantified by me as a bit longer, and bit more control. Currently my irons are Callaway Apex Pro 19. KBS C-Taper 120 S. 1/2 inch short. Lofts 1 degree weak. I was fit into those by Club Champion. My swing is in a different place now that when I was fit. Impact position has moved more center from being far to forward. My Question: What would I be looking for in a club fitting? I'm not going to find irons that hit it 10 yards farther and stop faster. I'm not going to find 2-3 shots a round. How hard is it to find that extra 1/2 stroke gained here and there? MGS always let the numbers show benefits. Is stokes gained in a club fitting a thing? How much of a benefit is visible doing a fitting on a mat? (So many questions...) I feel like the fight is really in the shaft. Is there any place that would just do a shaft fitting for a retrofit into my current heads? Thanks!

I couldn’t find it last night. Took more searching today. This what I was referring to. An old article with stuff from Dave Stockton. it fit for me. I putt almost as good with my right hand as I do with both. I guess I take stuff from someone like Stockton as gospel, but that’s me. https://golftoday.co.uk/dave-stocktons-all-time-top-ten-putting-tips/

What kinds of things does your instructor say about total weight? Does one side tend to yield certain effects? Sounds like a MGS opportunity for a lab test here. I totally agree with your last line.

That’s awesome. I’ve played it twice. 11 years apart, so definitely not the same putter. It’s a great experience.

I think the weight of the putter might have something to do with it as well. A light putter will be easier to control post impact to slow it down. A really heavy putter will carry more momentum.

Maybe this is a naive question, but does swing weight come in to play at all? I play putters that are all less than 33", and everything feels lighter than it did before I cut them down. I've experimented with different size grips, but haven't ever really paid attention to the weight of the grip. My current favorite grip is the Golf Pride Snsr, 104 CC red one. I chose it because it feels nice and soft, and fits my hands. I recall years ago, all the scotty cameron putters that had changeable weights, came with different weights, based on the length of the putter. The 33" had two 20g weights, the 34" had two 15g, and 35" had two 10g weights. I have recently gone back to a putter that has similar options. the Ping Vault 2 had changeable weights. Have a B60, and am looking for some weights so I can play with it a bit. I've also experimented with the SuperStroke grips with the weights. I can't decide if it makes a difference or not. So to answer the question: I would not use the lightest hammer, or the heaviest. The lightest would require to much swing to get it moving with enough force. The heaviest would be uncontrollable. I would go toward the lighter side, but somewhere in the middle.

I'm the same. I tried it for a while, and made more from 4-10 ft, but 3 putted more, because I couldn't get speed right from long distance. Was all over the place. For a right handed golfer, the pace/power/feel comes from right hand in a right hand low, so moving the whole angle of right hand changes all the feel. I could never make the low hand left take over the feel and control.

This is a great topic. I have 10 putters by my desk at home. I have been changing way to much. This is evidence of the psychology of having to many options. There is a sweet spot for where having some options is good, but having to much actually creates doubt, even with all the data from Arccos, or a fitting. There is always the doubt. I am currently trying to give myself only 2 or 3 options. I of course will keep all the others.... I can't let them go.... BUT, I am going to setup 2 or 3 that each have some distinct qualitys. One center shafted, one anser style, and one heel blade. Of course, what I should do, is make my wife pick one, and have her hide the rest. That way, I will be forced to work through the challenges, and PRACTICE. On another topic, I just bought an old Seemore on E-Bay.... Like you, I watched I guy I played with yesterday make EVERYTHING with one. Oh well.... here we go again. Here is a question that might tell you where you mind and most confidence is: If you were invited to go to Augusta or Pebble Beach tomorrow, and had 10 minutes to pack, which putter is going in your bag for the trip?

Hey Sparkee! I did some golf ball testing this year. While we are at different places in our golf games, I think what I did might help. I read all the MGS data on golf balls from their 2019 analysis, and picked 4 that I thought fit what I needed, mostly for spin numbers off driver and wedge. I then went and bought a sleeve of each. Over the next few rounds, I played each ball for a stretch of 3-6 holes. I kept notes on fell, and distances. After about 4 rounds, I found myself going back to one model consistently, so that is my ball. On another point, I'm surprised no one mentioned it (unless I missed it while quickly reading all the response), but there is a rule in the USGA for tournament play that stats a player must play the same ball for a given round. If they start with a Titleist Pro-V1 for that round. Obviously they could use 18 different Pro-V1's, but they can't change to a higher spinning ball for a par 3, and more distance Titleist for par-5's. Best of luck with your ball hunt. I have seen a lot people hitting really quality shots, and long way, with Callaway Chrome Soft the last few months. I think those are a bit cheaper and may be worth a look.

OMG. I’m not the only one. We should start a therapy group.

I know it’s all an algorithm, and having that analytical data probably messed my head up. I didn’t change putters before or after the session. They just bent my current one to match the SAM results. you comment about using a different putter might yield different results is interesting. I hadn’t considered that.

Ok... So putting is one reason I joined. I had ideas, and thoughts, and wanted to vent, and get feedback and other POV. Here is my thing on this: I got fit at Club Champion last summer. Did the SAM thing. Slight arc going back, then straightening out past the ball. stroke was really consistent. Then SAM spat out it's data about what putter type and balance I should be using. Face Balanced Blade. Not many of those exist. Bettinardi makes one, kind of an Anser style with a long neck. Carbon Putters makes one. Beyond that, all the "face balanced 'blade'" are largish variations of the classic head. They bent my Ping Vault Voss to match what the computer said. 1 Degree Flat, and 5 deg loft. Never could figure how to hit it after that. I'm going to have them bend it back. My issue is, I putt better with an school blade putter. Think Phil or Wilson 8802. When I forward press with a standard plumbers neck or face balanced putter, face shuts, and I can't hit a trash can. These blade putters are for a strong arc, which I don't have. But I can control the head and have better stroke. I still don't make more or less, but I'm not stressed out over a putt. So I have decided to abandon the fitting info, and go to what "feels good". But now I have the computer info, and my own feelings, and they don't match. I'm in a dark putting place. Grrr....

First Post. Of Any Kind. Ever. I've never done forums. Hopefully I'm not out of place very much. Answers to the welcome page are below. I have a few other thoughts and introductions to throw out. I LOVE GOLF. I'll play if the course is open. 25 and rain? Yep. Windy and snowing? They make Yellow balls in a ProV1 now. I'm game. I tell people all the time, there are good golfers, and good players. A good golfer is someone who loves the game, respects the game, and plays the game with all that entails. A good player is someone who shoots a low score. Not all good players are good golfers. Be a good golfer. I believe golf is more than a course, WITB, or an activity. It is comprised of those things. It is so much more. You can play golf. Or one can BE a Golfer. I love everything about the game. It is one of very places/times where I can be free of negativity and find some peace. Even after dunking one in a lake and another OB.... I wanted to add answers to other questions I've been asked about me as a golfer: Best round. How can I pick one? Any round with my family. Kids and my Dad. Lowest round ever - 69 Lowest to par - 70 @ Coral Canyon, ST George UT / 70 @ South Suburban, CO Best Played round - 76 @ Pebble Beach, just prior to 2010 US Open. Played from longest tees they had out. (not tour tees, but long for me). Best Played round #2 - Add a tie to the above with rounds of 74 @Erin Hills, 4 weeks after US Open, 78 @ Whistling Straits... in the wind, 76 @TPC Sawgrass, 3 weeks after the Players 2019. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? Been playing since is was 4. Which means more than 30 years.... I'm old. Current index is 2.3. Lowest ever. Normally run in the mid 70's. 77 or up is bad day. What do you love about golf? Everything. A better question would be what don't I like about golf? I feel like some of the art and skill has been taken out of the game with to much tech and analytics. I'm a little hypocritical, because I have some pretty new and user friendly equipment, but I still struggle with feeling like I'm cheating. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? Not sure exactly. I read a lot on the site. I love the unbiased stuff the site does. Even though I feel a bit like some of the art that is lost, MGS is perpetuating, I feel they genuinely care about the game. Where are you from? What is your home course? Colorado Native! Colorado Mountain Native! Which means I was in ski boots before I could walk. I grew up in the mountains. My current home courses are many of the ones in the Denver Metro area, south. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? Best: The scenery. The weather. Worst: Some courses close for 4 months over the winter. Hitting a thin shot when it's 30 deg outside..... What do you do for a living? Not Golf, unfortunately. How’d you pick your user name? Because "Best Golfer of All Time" was taken..... No reason really. And finally, because it seems all the rage..... What's in my Bag! (For today at least... the putter is on a carousel) Driver - Taylormade M3 440 3W - Titlest 917 F 3H - Adams Pro Mini 20 4H - Adams Pro Mini 23 5-P - Callaway Apex Pro 2019 w/KBS C-Taper 120S 50/54/58 - Titlest SM 5 Putter(s) - Ping Vault Voss / Ping Milled Anser / Odyssey Tour Black series #8 / Ping Vault 2 B60 / Scotty Cameraon Newport 2 Button Back (I HAVE ISSUES WITH PUTTERS!!!!!) That is all.... for now. Pictures are 17@ Sawgrass, Piper@Spanish Bay, 11@Agusta