ordering flat or upright irons

[BELA]

OK, maybe this is a stupid question, but is something I have been wondering about for some time and I am sure you fellow TSGers can help me with.

As long as it exists a J-spec rapture iron I have decided to post this in this forum...

What happens when you order a set of irons let´s say 2 degrees flat?

Does the manufacturer have sets forged in different specs or they just take a standard set and bend it?

As soon as I have some answers to this I will tell you about my experience with the Callaway European tour´s van and a set of X-forged irons (ENDO FORGED).

What´s the case with PING irons?

Do they have different moulds for the different color codes or do they just cast the irons "standard", bend them, paint the dot and send the club to the costumer?

If they just bend a standard set, then what´s the benefit of buying your color when you will have to check the angles now and then?

You may buy standard (avoiding the waiting list) and take it to your local clubfitter to do the work?

Thanks for your wisdom

[+TourSpecGolfer]

OK, maybe this is a stupid question, but is something I have been wondering about for some time and I am sure you fellow TSGers can help me with.

As long as it exists a J-spec rapture iron I have decided to post this in this forum...

What happens when you order a set of irons let´s say 2 degrees flat?

Does the manufacturer have sets forged in different specs or they just take a standard set and bend it?

As soon as I have some answers to this I will tell you about my experience with the Callaway European tour´s van and a set of X-forged irons (ENDO FORGED).

What´s the case with PING irons?

Do they have different moulds for the different color codes or do they just cast the irons "standard", bend them, paint the dot and send the club to the costumer?

If they just bend a standard set, then what´s the benefit of buying your color when you will have to check the angles now and then?

You may buy standard (avoiding the waiting list) and take it to your local clubfitter to do the work?

Thanks for your wisdom

Every OEM is different, I am not sure how ping does theirs but a simple phone call to their customer service line may just give you the answer. I do know that EPON is the only brand that will remove the finish, bend the club, and refinish the club when a customer custom orders a set bent. Perks of being located at the factory.

Also pings are cast, its very difficult to to warp the lie angle through use. Im just guessing but I assume they have different casting molds and they make a certain amount of the most popular color codes.

[idrive]

I would also add that each Manufacturer has different "standard" lie angles.

Looking at specs of different clubs I notice the PW might be 64* lie standard.. 63.5, 63... etc.

Ordering a set 2* flat does not mean you will end up with the lie that is best for you.

You need to know your optimum lie angles and order the clubs that way.

[Backspin9]

It's been my experience that no matter what lie angle you order the clubs at your personal specs will always be different. You may need flatter lies in the short irons and more upright in the long irons, or vice versa.

The best thing to do is have each club fitted for lie angle after you get the set, and NOT off of a lie board. A good fitter will put a stripe on the ball with a marker and you hit each iron. The irons will then be adjusted so the stripe is in the center of the club face. He can also adjust to loft, if necessary. I had this done with my J33 CB's and it is the best way to set the lies. After that, you know the numbers for each club and can have them re-set as needed.

If you are worried about marring the hosels there are brass hosel protectors that you can get to use during the bending. Unfortunately with soft forged irons you may still get some minor bending marks, but I would rather live with that rather than having expensive irons that may or may not be adjusted perfectly for you.

[jacksonlui]

shouldn't the line or mark from the ball that gets imprinted to the face of your irons be vertical or perpendicular to the sole for a proper lie angle and not just at the center of the club face?

I've always used a lie board, perhaps I should try this with all my clubs.

[Backspin9]

shouldn't the line or mark from the ball that gets imprinted to the face of your irons be vertical or perpendicular to the sole for a proper lie angle and not just at the center of the club face?

I've always used a lie board, perhaps I should try this with all my clubs.

Yes. When the ball is set down the line will be vertical. When you hit the ball the line will be transferred to the club face. Where contact is made will indicate whether the club needs to be adjusted flat or upright. You then hit another ball the same way to make sure that contact is in the center.

I had never seen this done before but the clubfitter said (fwiw) that this is the way it's done on tour. I can tell you that after having my whole set done this way that my center contact has been better than ever. Now that I have the proper numbers I just take the clubs back to the guy (as needed) and he "re-sets" them and we are as good as new. It takes a little time but this IMO is much more accurate than a lie board.

[+TourSpecGolfer]

Drawing the line on the ball is another good way but i wouldn't say its the way of the Tour across the board.

If your hitting balls in a fitting it would make sense to do both methods lie board and the line back to back then compare for extra insurance that you got it right.

If your gonna go this far I would also suggest at least a distance gap analysis and shaft fitting analysis with a launch monitor and a variety of different shafts and heads.