If you’ve read my blog for long, you know I’m not afraid to take on things in the golf equipment world that I think do not serve golfers’ best interests. My contrarian approach is based on a lifetime of playing this game at a pretty high level, and over forty years deeply immersed in the golf equipment industry. When I see things that I just do not believe are in golfers’ best interests as you try to hit better golf shots more often, I’ll call them out.
And while I’m a big believer in getting custom-fitted for golf clubs, when it comes to iron fittings, I think our industry has it all wrong. Malleable Iron Pipe Fitting
Let me begin by telling you I have recently completed a “secret shopper” process of experiencing the fitting protocol at three separate levels – one of the major custom fitting brands, one of the top retail brands’ fitting bay and one of the top equipment brands’ demo days at the club level. I think that gives me a pretty good perspective of what most golfers will experience in a custom fitting session for irons.
As you likely know, iron fittings are almost always centered on fitting the 6-iron by exploring a range of different head designs and shaft options. With reliance on launch monitor data, and almost exclusively hitting shots off of standard tight texture hitting mats, the process is purported to fine-tune the fitting parameters from which to build the golfer the most appropriate set of irons. It’s a nice goal, but I don’t think this process is the right way to get there.
In one experience, lie angle was never even addressed, which was quite puzzling.
In another, the fitter started by having me hit some shots with my 29-degree Hogan Ft. Worth 15 iron, then proclaimed my carry distance to be a full 10-12 yards shorter than I am 100 percent certain that it is. How did that happen?
And in still another, I was asked what iron model I was most drawn to, and then told that one “probably wasn’t right for me,” even before asking what I was seeking from a new set of irons.
How would he know that?
But in every one of these cases, the “fitting” process was centered on the 6-iron, which makes absolutely no sense to me. In more and more golfers’ bags, the 6-iron is the second or third longest iron — maybe even the longest iron. Very few golfers are carrying 4-irons anymore, and even fewer a 3-iron. More and more golfers are opting for hybrids once lofts get below the 5- or 6-iron.
So, where’s the logic of fitting one of the longer irons in your bag, then assuming that all the other irons will just fit right in? Your 6-iron is closer in loft to your 3-wood than it is to your 9-iron. And if you are playing the right tees for your strength profile, the middle of your iron set is the 8-iron or 9-iron, not the 6-iron.
Oh, and good luck asking to hit one of those higher lofts in the same iron model, with the same shaft as you just got “fitted” off the 6-iron.
In two of the secret shopper fittings, the fitter strongly suggested that I include the gap or “A” wedge in the set. I addressed this bad advice in a recent post.
So, as advanced as our fitting protocols have become, with the advent of launch monitors and related technologies, I think we have it all wrong when it comes to fitting irons. But will it change? Only if golfers force that change.
Maybe it’s time we did.
If you don’t have the confidence in yourself, you will always find a way not to improve
Vincenzi: 2023 3M Open First Round Leader picks
Terry Koehler is a fourth generation Texan and a graduate of Texas A&M University. Over his 40-year career in the golf industry, he has created over 100 putter designs, sets of irons and drivers, and in 2014, he put together the team that reintroduced the Ben Hogan brand to the golf equipment industry. Since the early 2000s, Terry has been a prolific writer, sharing his knowledge as “The Wedge Guy”. But his most compelling work is in the wedge category. Since he first patented his “Koehler Sole” in the early 1990s, he has been challenging “conventional wisdom” reflected in ‘tour design’ wedges. The performance of his wedge designs have stimulated other companies to move slightly more mass toward the top of the blade in their wedges, but none approach the dramatic design of his Edison Forged wedges, which have been robotically proven to significantly raise the bar for wedge performance. Terry serves as Chairman and Director of Innovation for Edison Golf – check it out at www.EdisonWedges.com.
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As important as loft angle IMO is lie angle With every iron sitting squarely on the ground, the butt end of every club should be the same height from the ground. Ref. George Knudson ie lie angles perfectly matched in the set.
All that is required is a bending bar to adjust those clubs out of lie angle sync.
14:15 … “butt end of every club is the same distance from the ground” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-j5fOfsxqo
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I used to work for a big box golf store. A couple of the “fitters” were new (being trained) and should have not been doing fittings. I had previously worked for a Top 100 rated custom clubfitter who trained me. These new “fitters” would sometimes ask me questions that showed they didn’t have enough knowledge to be in that position. One didn’t even understand the idea of bend point of the shaft and how that affected shots nor how a shorter length club will flex somewhat less than if the same shaft were in a longer club. (In general, a lower bend point will hit the ball higher with somewhat more spin. However, there are exceptions/variations which is why the launch monitors are so helpful.)
Most golfers need several different fittings: driver, fairway wood, hybrid, irons and wedges. These fittings also need to identify at what specific clubs the various transitions need to happen.
Have only done a couple manufacturer-specific fittings and, as someone who plays ~+3/4″ shafts and between midsize + a wrap of tape and oversize grips, was left disappointed given that the availability of shafts over standard length is minimal and shafts with grips over standard is minimal or zero. Good luck finding both in the same shaft, much less multiple shafts for the sake of comparison.
I would love to see manufacturers offer demos for a fee. I would gladly pay for a couple weeks use of three or four 7 irons with the specs I’m looking for with even midsize grips. This would also eliminate the issue that average to strong amateurs arent going to swing or hit the ball the same every day–i.e. a club/setup you like one day you may not like as much 2 days later, or even more likely, if you really like a specific club/setup, it could very well be you just happen to be putting a couple decent swings on the ball.
How did I ever learn to play golf and eventually break par with the blades and woods my dad bought for me from the pro shop when I was 14? All this technology, but the game is still hard and requires practice.
Who here wants to hit it shorte r? I certainly dont want to. If you do, go to the back tees!!
So if you are fitted correctly (6 or 7 iron), and purchase the fitted set of irons (4 iron through PW) and the gapping is very uneven, how is this a good fitting? The other six irons need to be fitted for correct gapping by means of tweaking the lofts if possible.
Why would the gapping be uneven?
Strength and ability to hold proper launch angles. Many people hit the 4 and 5 and sometimes even the 6 the same distance. Each iron needs to be set to the players needs.
If you hit your #4 iron, #5 iron, and #6 iron similar distances. Homestly, you don’t need a fitting. You should invest in a lesson
WHO uses 6 irons anymore? Asking for a friend. Also, YOUR requirements should ALWAYS be expressed. Communication is a two way street. While I agree that a fitter should have asked you better questions & gotten better information from you, you must also own the fact that YOU have a role in this “problem”. Fitting has improved greatly throughout the years, BUT it can always be better! KEEP STRIVING FOR GREATNESS!
I once went to a big box store iron fitting where in order for me to test an iron, they had to take a new one from a set & (heavily) tape it up. So the shotlink data was meaningless.
Also went to a club champion fitting on a super cold day & never really got warmed up. The fitter kept pushing me towards more ‘player’ irons w/ a senior shaft. Totally out of my profile on both counts! He was actually surprised that I didn’t drop $2,000 on the iron set!
Ironically, many of the clubs in my bag that I hit well (irons, 3W, TM mini-driver) I did not get fit for.
That’s too bad. I’ve had great iron experience at MK golf in San Antonio, always fit me off the 7i and tweak lie angle and loft to meet my needs as well. Always tried lots of brands. And always free repairs I am very loyal to that company due to their customer service and performance
I know the guys at MK Golf. Great set-up and honest dealings.
Unless you can get a proper full back tour experience fitting, if you have a good idea of your specs then fitting is mostly a waste of time.
Having traveled the tour for over 35 yrs and visited indepented ckub fitters over the years. Your statement is 100% wrong! I do suggest, you go see your local PGA professional for lessons!!
The big name fitters have turned into churn and burn companies owned by pe firms. I’m an avid decent slightly under scratch player. I’m not a gear head but no what I want. For the ridiculous prices at txg or club champ fitting with only a 6 iron is nuts. Should be much more in depth. Same goes with drivers. Shaft adapters they use screw with swingweight and flex. To me there’s gotta be a better way to fit all clubs.
With all your club knowledge. Maybe you should have asked the fitters about lie angle!! The fitters I have been to, we discuss lie angle. Sounds like you set the fitters up and were looking for something to put in your article.
No, my goal was to see how various entities approach fitting . . .
Its works both ways. The more questions you ask, the better the fitting becomes. Information in,information out.
So, how many club fitters did you visit?
I think you missed the point. I’m a former professional and at my local stores they just let me go and fit myself but he wanted to see what the average guy off the street would get.
There is no logic to club fitting. How about no logic to putting the loft on an iron head versus the iron number! Who would do that???
Hello, Jeff. The “logic” of putting the loft numbers on irons, as we did with the Ben Hogan FT. Worth 15 irons, was to bring a measure of precision to irons. We’ve purchased our wedges by loft for decades, because that is a precise way to know what you have. Drivers, fairways and hybrids are almost all sold with the loft number clearly indicated. So why wouldn’t you want that same level of clear precision throughout your set? Because the number on irons has no finite value as to loft, golfers really don’t know what they are getting. And the continued “jacking” of lofts has removed all meaning from the relative numbers on the sole.
The numbers on the sole never mattered. As long as your 5 iron goes further than you 6, and your 6 does further than your 7, etc. who cares what the loft is? Saying that the number on the sole only matters when it’s a certain loft is a jaded, old-head, boomer perspective. “Back in my day,” ?
So how did that work out for the company??
Terry, how did that “logic” work?
I think custom fitting is mostly overrated. I had similar trackman experience, it said my best 6 iron was 147 yds. I hit a 6 iron 165 at sea level in California mild temps. I did my homework on irons and shafts beforehand so I knew what i wanted going in. I walked away ordering that exact makeup. If you’re a club junkie and know your game a custom fitting is not 100% necessary in my opinion.
I guess no need for tour vans. Let the pros do their homework abd figure out what they need
Try getting a midsize grip … I’m amazed a better effort is not made by the majority of fitters
Personally, I think the so-called “Brand Agnostic” fitting places are a big scam… I’ve been to TXG and it was useless. Ping and PXG do a pretty decent job of getting you into heads and shafts that will better your game, both use 7i, not 6i to fit. I pretty much agree with 95% of what you wrote.
The problem with those brand agnostic places is, in order to use all heads for all shafts and frequency match build the heads to those shafts they have to bore out taper tips for parallels in order to do those builds and hope they can match the weights all across and fit the shafts. I don’t want my Mizuno taper heads bored out and parallel shafts put in, I don’t care what anybody says, I know what I feel and I can feel the difference
@T… totally agree taper tip is the only method to know that the club head hosel and the shaft are concentric. Parallel tip shafts into a parallel bored hosel can be out of concentricity by many hundred of inch and differ club to club. IMO, once 5 iron became longer than 38 inches, close to 39 inches, 6 iron and up became more difficult to swing for most and using a shorter shaft in the irons is problematic because the head weights and SW are set for the longer shaft.
Dunno if I agree with this.
If a player can be fitted correctly for a 6 iron, which is one of the longer irons they will carry therefore one of the more difficult to hit, then it stands to reason the the shorter irons will also fit better.
Loft jacking is a result of the top end of the bag equally going longer and to create correct gapping, the irons also needed to be strengthened. This naturally creates a gap in the wedges which an A wedge helps to fill.
I want to know that a new iron set improves my chances of consistent success and a correct gapping.
You’re only allowed 14 clubs in the bag so it doesn’t matter what the loft label is on the iron once it’s in the bag. But it is a problem when fitting clubs are mostly just the 6 iron. That’s the whole point of this article. There is no “filling in” of a gap when you’re only allowed 14 clubs so it doesn’t matter what the label is
Then provide alternative and create a market. Youre articles are just more and more sounding jilted. I know better blah blah blah.
When I went to my local nationally known club fitter they had an obvious brand bias. When they had me hit my 6 iron, and then had me hit several other brand 6 irons, the fitter pointed out how much farther the new 6 iron traveled. I pointed out that the newer irons have less loft than mine so they will all go farther. He had no answer.
Then we did wedges and there was an obvious bias as to the brands that I had to test. What was worse is after spending the money for a full bag fitting, the guy says he would throw in the driver fitting for free. I told him “I already paid for that”. He didn’t know what to say.
If you get fit make sure you tell them you are going to try EVERY brand. If they have you hit irons ask them what the loft is, and if it is less loft than yours hit the other brand 7 irons and compare that to your 6 iron. It eliminates the BS.
I will say I just did a PXG fitting and they have at least moved to a 7i for fittings. I had always used 6i on previous fittings so that was a welcome change.
Pings have always been 7 iron, which is why PXG is a 7, because all the Ping guys went to PXG is why all PXG looks like Pings
I tend to think sole design, leading edge, and lie angle, all of which affect turf interaction, are the most important parts of iron head fitting and need to be done on grass.
Which is why they don’t, because 90% of people who get fit can’t hit the damned ball properly to save their lives, which is also why and how these fitters make money and exist to sell stuff lol
The first time I saw a lie board was with the Ping ISI fitting in about 1996. That was a logical first step and widely adopted now. Much better than their fingertip-to-floor method that didn’t take into account toe drop.
Not sure what the point is here.
Nice write up, however, what do you propose?
Exactly! Good description of the problem but what’s the solution? Fit the 7-iron? Fit all the irons? We know that ain’t gonna happen.
Ever notice the difference in lengths on standard irons!? Ridiculous!
No wonder no one is improving. BUT my 8 iron now goes 190!
Not sure who the first snakeoil salesman was to start jacking lofts, but it started an ugly trend. Like currency inflation.
In Christianity, they call that fornicating with the moneychangers.
Cobra was the first guilty party when it came to loft jacking. It didn’t take long for everyone else to follow suit.
And explain why that is so wrong?
Was there any consistency to the length and lie of your irons at each of the fittings? Did anyone have you +1/2” while another had you at -1/2”…etc?
Mr. Koehler, being a long time reader of your articles and major fan of your work. I couldn’t agree with you more. This industry is centered on sales and that’s one of the main reasons the average score remains the same, even after all the technology. Although I fear it will never change. It’s great to hear you fighting along side us. Thanks again for another great article.
This is why I assemble my own irons with components from GolfWorks. It seems more and more all the fitters are worried about is selling distance. The predominate mistake is with the shafts that are being suggested are too light in weight.
Because they’re just sales people. They’re there to sell, no matter what. And the old adage of the used car salesmen fit nicely. And they have incentive to sell certain ones for more of a cut, so they suggest those than the one you actually want
Absolutely not true, at least in regards to tech reps from major companies. Tech reps take care of the majority of fittings and do not receive any incentive on sales. Your comment is obtuse and uninformed.
Ever been to Club Champion? True Spec? No? Well then lol Can’t debate truthful and experiential observations based on fact
I said tech reps for large companies (Callaway, Titleist, Ping, Taylormade, etc). Companies like Club Champion and Tour Spec (and in house fitters at clubs) are usually partially compensated on sales. We can have a meaningful conversation once your ability to read accurately improves.
Actually, your comprehension verges on kindergarten, since, the original commenter didn’t mention big box or large label manufacturers, the dude was pointing out the fact that they are, in principle, SALESPEOPLE – so stick to that and not reach or add your own opinion on something he didn’t mention, doof lol
Nothing happens in the world unless stuff is sold. No only is your comment demeaning to used car salespersons but sales in general. A dentist tried to up sell me to a bridge or implant when a filling was all that was required.
Does this offend you as a Dentist!?
Or a used car salesman??
I’m a custom fitter for a major OEM company. When at a fitting, I go out of my way to tell people that I’m a fitter, NOT a salesman. My pay is not commission based. If I do my job correctly, my customer will hopefully walk away pleased and with the knowledge that they’re playing the best club for them, wether it’s their own or ours. Sometimes I can do better for the player, other times I can’t. And the OEM I work for uses a 7 iron, not a 6. I don’t think 6 irons have been used for some time, so I question the validity of your article….
Thanks for chiming in. I agree with your comment. As a consumer golfer, frame of mind has become a focal point. Getting a set of irons per a fitting recommendation is most helpful. After that, well, a consumer golfer has to practice to get the better results desired using his more tailored equipment. This article unveils some weaknesses in the fitting approaches taken, yet, similar to the fitting approach described in the article, fails to present a more impact full form of a fitting style and process.
Well duh, that’s because you’re getting a salary, duh, everybody knows that, BUT you are getting a commission of around 2% for the sales of the goods, so don’t be disingenuous, sheesh. So great, you’re a fitter, but let’s just pretend you don’t sell anything for the year – what will your bosses think of you then? Exactly. You’re a salesperson. Get real
I was fitted early 2021 at a national name brand company. The fitter used 6-irons across different brands. Ultimately it was a chase to see what got the best numbers in terms of distance. I ended up with irons with shafts that are too light, and too upright, for $2k out the door. I play better currently with my 1994 MP-14s with 130 gram stiff shafts that I bought at a yard sale for $100.
This has been my experience every time, including tech reps! I feel all of my fittings have been hall-assed with a hard sell at the end.
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Scottie Scheffler arrested, charged, and released after traffic incident at Valhalla
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The second major of the 2024 season is upon us as the world’s best players will tee it up this week at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky to compete for the Wanamaker Trophy.
The last time we saw Valhalla host a major championship, Rory McIlroy fended off Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, Rickie Fowler and the creeping darkness that was descending upon the golf course. The Northern Irishman had the golf world in the palm of his hand, joining only Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as players who’d won four major championships by the time they were 25 years old.
Valhalla is named after the great hall described in Norse mythology where the souls of Vikings feasted and celebrated with the Gods. The course is a Jack Nicklaus-design that has ranked among Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Courses” for three decades.
Valhalla Golf Club is a par-71 measuring 7,542 yards with Zoysia fairways and Bentgrass greens. The course has rolling hills and dangerous streams scattered throughout and the signature 13th hole is picturesque with limestone and unique bunkering protecting the green. The 2024 PGA Championship will mark the fourth time Valhalla has hosted the event.
The field this week will consist of 156 players, including 16 PGA Champions and 33 Major Champions.
In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value).
Let’s take a look at five key metrics for Oak Hill to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their past 24 rounds.
Valhalla will play as a true all-around test of golf for the world’s best. Of course, it will take strong approach play to win a major championship.
Strokes Gained: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
Valhalla will play long and the rough will be penal. Players who are incredibly short off the tee and/or have a hard time hitting fairways will be all but eliminated from contention this week at the PGA Championship.
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee Over Past 24 Rounds:
Valhalla is a classic Nicklaus Design. Players who play well at Nicklaus designs should have an advantage coming into this major championship.
Strokes Gained: Total on Nicklaus Designs over past 36 rounds:
Valhalla is going to play extremely long this week. Players who have had success playing very long golf courses should be better equipped to handle the conditions of this major championship.
Strokes Gained: Total on Very Long Courses Over Past 24 Rounds:
One factor that tends to play a large role in deciding major championships is which players have played well in previous majors leading up to the event.
Strokes Gained: Total in Major Championships over past 20 rounds:
Valhalla features pure Bentgrass putting surfaces. Players who are comfortable putting on this surface will have an advantage on the greens.
Strokes Gained: Putting on Bentgrass Greens over Past 24 Rounds:
Valhalla features Zoysia fairways. Players who are comfortable playing on this surface will have an advantage on the field.
Strokes Gained: Total on Zoysia Fairways over past 36 rounds:
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (25%), SG: Off the Tee (22%), SG: T2G on Very Long Courses (12%), SG: Putting on Bentgrass (+12%), SG: Total on Nicklaus Designs (12%). SG: Total on Zoysia Fairways (8%), and SG: Total in Major Championships (8%).
At The Masters, Ludvig Aberg announced to the golf world that he’s no longer an “up and coming” player. He’s one of the best players in the game of golf, regardless of experience.
Augusta National gave Aberg some necessary scar tissue and showed him what being in contention at a major championship felt like down the stretch. Unsurprisingly, he made a costly mistake, hitting it in the water left of the 11th hole, but showed his resilience by immediately bouncing back. He went on to birdie two of his next three holes and finished in solo second by three shots. With the type of demeanor that remains cool in pressure situations, I believe Ludvig has the right mental game to win a major at this point in his career.
Aberg has not finished outside of the top-25 in his past eight starts, which includes two runner-up finishes at both a “Signature Event” and a major championship. The 24-year-old is absolutely dominant with his driver, which will give him a major advantage this week. In the field he ranks, in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, and has gained strokes in the category in each of his past ten starts. Aberg is already one of the best drivers of the golf ball on the planet.
In Norse mythology, Valhalla is the great hall where the souls of Vikings feasted and celebrated with the Gods. The Swedes, who are of Old Norse origin, were the last of the three Scandinavian Kingdoms to abandon the Old Norse Gods. A Swede played a major role in the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla, and I believe another, Ludvig Aberg, will be the one to conquer Valhalla in 2024.
Bryson DeChambeau is one of the few players in the world that I believe has the game to go blow-for-blow with Scottie Scheffler. Although he isn’t as consistent as Scheffler, when he’s at his best, Bryson has the talent to beat him.
At The Masters, DeChambeau put forth a valiant effort at a golf course that simply does not suit his game. Valhalla, on the other hand, is a course that should be perfect for the 30-year-old. His ability to overpower a golf course with his driver will be a serious weapon this week.
Bryson has had some success at Jack Nicklaus designs throughout his career as he won the Memorial at Muirfield Village back in 2018. He’s also had incredible results on Bentgrass greens for the entirety of his professional career. Of his 10 wins, nine of them have come on Bentgrass greens, with the only exception being the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. He also has second place finishes at Medinah and TPC Summerlin, which feature Bentgrass greens.
Love him or hate him, it’s impossible to argue that Bryson isn’t one of the most exciting and important players in the game of golf. He’s also one of the best players in the world. A second major is coming soon for DeChambeau, and I believe he should be amongst the favorites to hoist the Wanamaker Trophy this week.
There’s no way of getting around it: Patrick Cantlay has been dissapointing in major championships throughout his professional career. He’s been one of the top players on Tour for a handful of years and has yet to truly contend at a major championship, with the arguable exception of the 2019 Masters.
Despite not winning majors, Cantlay has won some big events. The 32-year-old has won two BMW Championships, two Memorial Tournaments as well as a Tour Championship. His victories at Memorial indicate how much Cantlay loves Nicklaus designs, where he ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Total over his past 36 rounds behind only Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm.
Cantlay also loves Bentgrass greens. Six of Cantlay’s seven individual wins on the PGA Tour have come on Bentgrass greens and he also was one of the best putters at the 2023 Ryder cup at Marco Simone (also Bentgrass). At Caves Valley (2021 BMW Championship), he gained over 12 strokes putting to outduel another Bentgrass specialist, Bryson DeChambeau.
Cantlay finished 22nd in The Masters, which was a solid result considering how many elite players struggled that week. He also has two top-ten finishes in his past five PGA Championships. He’s undeniably one of the best players in the field, therefore, it comes down to believing Cantlay has the mental fortitude to win a major, which I do.
I believe Joaquin Niemann is one of the best players in the world. He has three worldwide wins since December and has continued to improve over the course of his impressive career thus far. Still only 25, the Chilean has all the tools to be a serious contender in major championships for years to come.
Niemann has been the best player on LIV this season. Plenty will argue with the format or source of the money on LIV, but no one can argue that beating players such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith is an unremarkable achievement. Niemann is an elite driver of the golf ball who hits it farther than just about anyone in the field not named Bryson DeChambeau or (arguably) Rory McIlroy.
Niemann is another player who has been fantastic throughout his career on Bentgrass greens. Prior to leaving the PGA Tour, Bentgrass was the only green surface in which Joaco was a positive putter. It’s clearly a surface that he is very comfortable putting on and should fare around and on the greens this week.
Niemann is a perfect fit for Valhalla. His low and penetrating ball flight will get him plenty of runout this week on the fairways and he should have shorter shots into the green complexes than his competitors. To this point in his career, the former top ranked amateur in the world (2018) has been underwhelming in major championships, but I don’t believe that will last much longer. Joaquin Niemann is a major championship caliber player and has a real chance to contend this week at Valhalla.
In my last post, I explained the basic performance dynamics of “smash factor” and “gear effect” as they apply to your wedges and your wedge play success. If you missed that post, you can read it here.
At the end of that post, I promised “part 2” of this discussion of what makes a wedge work the way it does. So, let’s dive into the other two components of any wedge – the shaft and the grip.
It’s long been said that the shaft is “the engine of the golf club.” The shaft (and grip) are your only connection to all the technologies that are packed into the head of any golf club, whether it be a driver, fairway, hybrid, iron, wedge or even putter.
And you cannot ignore those two components of your wedges if your goal is optimizing your performance.
I’ve long been an advocate of what I call a “seamless transition” from your irons into your wedges, so that the feel and performance do not disconnect when you choose a gap wedge, for example, instead of your iron-set-matching “P-club.” In today’s golf equipment marketplace, more and more golfers are making the investment of time and money to experience an iron fitting, going through trial and error and launch monitor measuring to get just the right shaft in their irons.
But then so many of those same golfers just go into a store and choose wedges off the retail display, with no similar science involved at all. And that’s why I see so many golfers with a huge disconnect between their custom-fitted irons, often with lighter and/or softer graphite or light steel shafts . . . and their off-the-rack wedges with the stock stiff steel ‘wedge flex’ shaft common to those stock offerings.
If your wedge shafts are significantly heavier and stiffer than the shafts in your irons, it is physically impossible for you to make the same swing. Period.
To quickly improve your wedge play, one of the first things you can do is have your wedges re-shafted with the same or similar shaft that is in your irons.
There’s another side of that shaft weight equation; if you don’t have the forearm and hand strength of a PGA Tour professional, you simply cannot “handle” the same weight shaft that those guys play to master the myriad of ‘touch shots’ around the greens.
Now, let’s move on to the third and other key component of your wedges – the grips. If those are not similar in shape and feel to the grips on your irons, you have another disconnect. Have your grips checked by a qualified golf club professionals to make sure you are in sync there.
The one caveat to that advice is that I am a proponent of a reduced taper in your wedge grips – putting two to four more layers of tape under the lower hand, or selecting one of the many reduced taper grips on the market. That accomplishes two goals for your scoring.
First, it helps reduce overactive hands in your full and near-full wedge swings. Quiet hands are key to good wedge shots.
And secondly, it provides a more consistent feel of the wedge in your hands as you grip down for those shorter and more delicate shots around the greens. And you should always grip down as you get into those touch shots. I call it “getting closer to your work.”
So, if you will spend as much time selecting the shafts and grips for your wedges as you do choosing the brand, model, and loft of them, your scoring range performance will get better.
The PGA Tour season ramps back up this week for another “signature event,” as golf fans look forward to the year’s second major championship next week.
After two weaker-field events in the Zurich Classic and the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, most of the best players in the world will head to historic Quail Hollow for one of the best non-major tournaments of the year.
Last season, Wyndham Clark won the event by four shots.
Quail Hollow is a par-71 measuring 7,521 yards that features Bermudagrass greens. The tree-lined, parkland style course can play quite difficult and features one of the most difficult three-hole stretches in golf known as “The Green Mile,” which makes up holes 16-18: two mammoth par 4s and a 221-yard par 3. All three holes have an average score over par, and water is in play in each of the last five holes on the course.
The field is excellent this week with 68 golfers teeing it up without a cut. All of the golfers who’ve qualified are set to tee it up, with the exception of Scottie Scheffler, who is expecting the birth of his first child.
Strokes gained: Approach will be extremely important this week as second shots at Quail Hollow can be very difficult.
Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
Quail Hollow is a long course on which it is important to play from the fairway. Both distance and accuracy are important, as shorter tee shots will result in approach shots from 200 or more yards. With most of the holes heavily tree lined, errant drives will create some real trouble for the players.
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee Past 24 Rounds:
The 175-200 range is key at Quail Hollow. Players who can hit their long irons well will rise to the top of the leaderboard.
Proximity: 175-200+ over past 24 rounds:
Players who thrive on Tom Fazio designs get a bump for me at Quail Hollow this week.
SG: Total on Tom Fazio Designs over past 36 rounds:
Strokes Gained: Putting has historically graded out as the most important statistic at Quail Hollow. While it isn’t always predictable, I do want to have it in the model to bump up golfers who prefer to putt on Bermudagrass.
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bermudagrass) Over Past 24 Rounds:
This stat will incorporate players that have played well in the past at Quail Hollow.
Course History over past 36 rounds (per round):
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (27%), SG: Off the Tee (23%), SG: Total on Fazio designs (12%), Proximity: 175-200 (12%), SG: Putting Bermuda grass (12%), and Course History (14%).
I know many out there have Tommy fatigue when it comes to betting, which is completely understandable given his lack of ability to win on the PGA Tour thus far in his career. However, history has shown us that players with Fleetwood’s talent eventually break though, and I believe for Tommy, it’s just a matter of time.
Fleetwood has been excellent on Tom Fazio designs. Over his past 36 rounds, he ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Total on Fazio tracks. He’s also been incredibly reliable off the tee this season. He’s gained strokes in the category in eight of his past nine starts, including at The Masters, the PLAYERS and the three “signature events” of the season. Tommy is a golfer built for tougher courses and can grind it out in difficult conditions.
Last year, Fleetwood was the first-round leader at this event, firing a Thursday 65. He finished the event in a tie for 5th place.
For those worried about Fleetwood’s disappointing start his last time out at Harbour Town, he’s bounced back nicely after plenty of poor outings this season. His T7 at the Valero Texas Open was after a MC and T35 in his prior two starts and his win at the Dubai Invitational came after a T47 at the Sentry.
I expect Tommy to bounce back this week and contend at Quail Hollow.
It’s been a rough couple of years for Justin Thomas, but I don’t believe things are quite as bad as they seem for JT. He got caught in the bad side of the draw at Augusta for last month’s Masters and has gained strokes on approach in seven of his nine starts in 2024.
Thomas may have found something in his most recent start at the RBC Heritage. He finished T5 at a course that he isn’t the best fit for on paper. He also finally got the putter working and ranked 15th in Strokes Gained: Putting for the week.
The two-time PGA champion captured the first of his two major championships at Quail Hollow back in 2017, and some good vibes from the course may be enough to get JT out of his slump.
Thomas hasn’t won an event in just about two years. However, I still believe that will change soon as he’s been one of the most prolific winners throughout his PGA Tour career. Since 2015, he has 15 PGA Tour wins.
Course history is pretty sticky at Quail Hollow, with players who like the course playing well there on a regular basis. In addition to JT’s PGA Championship win in 2017, he went 4-1 at the 2022 Presidents Cup and finished T14 at the event last year despite being in poor form. Thomas can return as one of the top players on the PGA Tour with a win at a “signature event” this week.
For many golf bettors, it’s been frustrating backing Cam Young this season. His talent is undeniable, and one of the best and most consistent performers on the PGA Tour. He just hasn’t broken through with a victory yet. Quail Hollow has been a great place for elite players to get their first victory. Rory McIlroy, Anthony Kim, Rickie Fowler and Wyndham Clark all notched their first PGA Tour win at Quail.
Throughout Cam Young’s career, he has thrived at tougher courses with strong fields. This season, he finished T16 at Riviera and T9 at Augusta National, demonstrating his preference of a tough test. His ability to hit the ball long and straight off the tee make him an ideal fit for Quail Hollow, despite playing pretty poorly his first time out in 2023 (T59). Young should be comfortable playing in the region as he played his college golf at Wake Forest, which is about an hour’s drive from Quail Hollow.
The 26-year-old has played well at Tom Fazio designs in the past and ranks 8th in the field in Strokes Gained: Total on those courses in his last 36 rounds. Perhaps most importantly, this season, Young is the best player on the PGA Tour in terms of proximity from 175-200 in the fairway, which is where a plurality and many crucial shots will come from this week.
Young is an elite talent and Quail Hollow has been kind to players of his ilk who’ve yet to win on Tour.
Byeong Hun An missed some opportunities last weekend at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. He finished T4 and played some outstanding golf, but a couple of missed short putts prevented him from getting to the winning score of -23. Despite not getting the win, it’s hard to view An’s performance as anything other than an overwhelming success. It was An’s fourth top-ten finish of the season.
Last week, An gained 6.5 strokes ball striking, which was 7th in the field. He also ranked 12th for Strokes Gained: Approach and 13th for Strokes Gained: Off the Tee. The South Korean has been hitting the ball so well from tee to green all season long and he now heads to a golf course that should reward his precision.
An’s driver and long irons are absolute weapons. At Quail Hollow, players will see plenty of approach shots from the 175-200 range as well as some from 200+. In his past 24 rounds, Ben ranks 3rd in the field in proximity from 175-200 and 12th in proximity from 200+. Playing in an event that will not end up being a “birdie” fest should help An, who can separate from the field with his strong tee to green play. The putter may not always cooperate but getting to -15 is much easier than getting to -23 for elite ball strikers who tend to struggle on the greens.
Winning a “signature event” feels like a tall task for An this week with so many elite players in the field. However, he’s finished T16 at the Genesis Invitational, T16 at The Masters and T8 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The 32-year-old’s game has improved drastically this season and I believe he’s ready to get the biggest win of his career.
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