Having overlooked the benefits of custom-fitting for too long, I finally got my game in order.
In my immediate golf circle, I don’t know of anyone who plays a custom-fitted set. There are the really good players who have been playing the same irons for the longest time and then the not-so-good players who have chopped and changed a bit but never taken the time to invest in a set on the advice of a custom-fitting.
Deciding that my irons were in desperate need of retirement, I underwent my first custom-fitting with the team at Cobra Golf to find out what clubs would suit my game and to test the promises of increased distance throughout the bag and better scoring.
My initial conclusions varied from things I already knew to some new thoughts to ponder on.
What I already knew was that there are flaws in my swing that need some instruction and time on the range; I struggle with my long-irons and the grooves in my clubs were worn, thus making a new set imperative if I wanted to play better golf.
What I didn’t know is that my club speed is pretty good and varies appropriately through my iron range. I was also pleased with the base of my numbers – smash factor, spin rate and ball speed – before testing out the new equipment and was interested to see how my key stats would improve with fitted clubs.
I tested Cobra’s One Length irons because I was curious to see the difference the length of the shaft would have on my distances and dispersions in accuracy. Hesitant as I was to go ‘full mad scientist’, I was impressed with the numbers as they improved on my distance average and spin rate which, as was explained to me, means I was hitting the ball further and straighter, which is obviously what everyone is after.
One Length has the benefit of replicating one swing, no matter the club, which is vital for the higher handicapper. There must be many out there who love hitting their 9-iron but fear their 5-iron. With One Length, that trepidation is removed as you work on one stance, one swing and let the technology in the club do the work.
I’ll admit to being semi-relieved that I was getting even better numbers from the King F8 irons, where I really felt the full force of the new technology. The first takeaway was the impact off the clubface. It felt explosive and this was backed up by the increase in ball speed and average distance with a much-improved spin rate, meaning I would be taking a shorter club into the greens, which should help scoring.
The benefit of the fitting is that I know exactly what category club I should be playing and, having tested various models, I know which one gives me the best chance of scoring, especially as I am now equipped to hold greens better with my long-irons.
While I’d love to be playing the same as the Tour pros, my numbers and game require a more forgiving model that, while losing nothing on aesthetics, gives me everything to launch the ball higher and make my misses less dramatic.
Golf’s biggest barrier to entry is cost and there’s no way of sugarcoating that fact. But for those who find the time and money to play and play often, it’s surprising how few go through the custom-fitting process.
As indicated in the June magazine feature on irons in the equipment section, there are so many options that you don’t have to change your favourite brand if you need new irons.
There are also many facilities, ranging from your local club pro to the larger retailer, that are willing and waiting to set you up for more chances at birdie.
