Having Doubts About My Iron Fitting

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By Walt S

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  • 5 Replies
  1. Walt S

    Walt S
    Mckenzie, TN

    Military
    Living in a rural area, I don't have the luxury of going to a club fitter every so often to make adjustments in my clubs. That said, I was fitted for a set of AP1 irons but for the first time ever, the fitter said that I needed clubs that not only were 2* upright, but +1 hard step with an R flex. Not knowing what a hard step was, I posted on here and Cathi explained it to the detail. My question, to what extent does a combination of a hard step and an upright club have to do with distance/accuracy? I play to a 13 hdcp, have a good/fair iron game, but an excellent short game. I play about 4 times per week (retired)but seem to hit the ball off the center more than I have ever. I don't have very many toe shots, but mainly just of center, low but still on the groves. I generally don't slice the ball, but that doesn't mean that I'm not capable of it. Also my distance is somewhat off even on good hits. I don't "think" it's my swing, but having some doubts about my fitting, I thought I would post here and see what you guys think.
  2. Cath D.

    Cath D.
    Carlsbad, CA

    Hardstepping will make the shaft play anywhere between a 1/4 to a 1/3 of a flex stiffer and bending it upright could mean several things.  You are taller, your swing/path is more upright, or it could even indicate that you come out of your posture (spine angle) a little at impact. They are just steps to help you make better ball contact and hit the ball straighter.  In general, when you center face the club, your distance will increase and assuming the lie angle is correct, your accuracy will be optimal as well. 

    If you have the opportunity to go back to your fitter, I would pose those questions to him/her and have him look at your ball flight and address your concerns about distance and accuracy. 

     

  3. Walt S

    Walt S
    Mckenzie, TN

    Military

    Cathi, Titleist Club Concierge said:

    Hardstepping will make the shaft play anywhere between a 1/4 to a 1/3 of a flex stiffer and bending it upright could mean several things.  You are taller, your swing/path is more upright, or it could even indicate that you come out of your posture (spine angle) a little at impact. They are just steps to help you make better ball contact and hit the ball straighter.  In general, when you center face the club, your distance will increase and assuming the lie angle is correct, your accuracy will be optimal as well. 

    If you have the opportunity to go back to your fitter, I would pose those questions to him/her and have him look at your ball flight and address your concerns about distance and accuracy. 

     

    Thanks for the reply Cathi!! When you say taller, I'm barely 6' so I really don't consider myself tall. Second, when I was fitted, I was fitted indoors and was hitting off a plastic mat with marking tape on the sole. I guess my question is what determines if you need to hard or soft step an iron? If it's hard stepped, does it mean more tip stiff or shaft stiff. Really confusing!!
  4. Cath D.

    Cath D.
    Carlsbad, CA

    Hi Walt, When you hard step an iron, it makes it slightly firmer - an "in between" flex.  As you said in one of your earlier posts, the reg felt too whippy and the stiff was too stiff, so your fitter determined that hardstepping the regular would fit you the best.  He may have also been looking at launch and spin of both the reg and stiff and that might have contributed to his decision, as well.  We would recommend calling him and asking him these questions as they are good questions and he should be able to explain his thought process to you. 

  5. David Browning

    David Browning
    Ohio

    I've fit quite a few people who have needed their clubs hard/soft stepped. It's actually quite common. It's also a good "tool" for us Titleist fitters to have so that we can fit you in the perfect clubs just for you. 

    Hopefully everything is okay. If you talk to your fitter, let us know how things went. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

  6. In the Jonzone

    In the Jonzone
    Edmonton, AB

    What shaft did you use before and what shaft are you using now?

    That could also be contributing to your loss on distance.

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