Reader: Jim Martin

Hometown: Fairfield, Conn.

Age: 64

Handicap: 4

Occupation: President of event management company

Old Irons: Game-improvement cavity back, 4-PW, steel shaft, stiff flex, standard lie and length

Jim Martin
New Fitted Irons: mizunousa.com

MIZUNO MX-900
4-PW, graphite shaft, stiff flex, standard lie, length + 1/2", $ 1,264 for 8 (steel), $1,408 for 8 (graphite); 800-966-1211

Clubfitter: Max Miller, custon fitting specialist, Custom Golf of Connecticut, Stamford, Conn.

"Jim has a good swing but it tends to be flat. On mis-hits, the clubface is slightly open and impact is on the toe, which costs him efficiency. We set out to get him 10 percent higher flight to improve his carry distance, ball speed and dispersion pattern. MX-900 has a lower center of gravity than his old irons to get shots up higher. It's more forgiving, too, which increases ball speed. We switched from steel to graphite to fit his swing speed [6-iron at 76 mph] and rhythmic tempo."

Know your limits

There's no law that says low handicaps must play blades. Think about what's best for your game. Also, keep in mind your current ball may not spin--or react--optimally with your new sticks.

 

6-Iron	Ball Speed	Launch Angle	Ball Flight(APEX)	Backspin	Avg. Dispersion	Carry
Before	106 MPH	18 degrees	82 Feet	4,800 RPM	19 Yards right	153 Yards
After	111 MPH	18 degrees	90 Feet	5,000 RPM	14 Yards right	160 Yards

 

Reader: John Rice

New Rochelle, N.Y. Age: 39

Handicap: 15

Occupation: Investment banker

Old Driver: Game-improvement cavity back, 3-PW, steel shaft, medium-stiff flex, standard lie and length

 

New Fitted Irons: MIZUNO MX-900
4-PW, steel shaft, stiff flex, 3 degrees upright, standard length

FLI-HI CLK Hybrid
(20 degrees ), graphite shaft, stiff flex, $210 (steel), $250 (graphite); 800-966-1211 or mizunousa.com

Clubfitter: Darren Anderson, owner, Custom Golf of Connecticut

"John is a strong guy and a fairly long hitter, so I fit him for accuracy instead of distance. An out-to-in swing path and the standard lie angle on his old clubs caused him to catch the ground with the toe just before impact. This forced the clubface open. He'd compensate by yanking the ball left. We increased his lie angle to 3 degrees upright. Now he's striing the ball squarely, with a straighter ball flight and hitting it longer. A heavier, firmer shaft and thicker grip gives him better feel for his clubhead and more control over his ball flight."

Know your limits

If you're carrying a 3-iron only because you need a club to pitch out from under the trees, get fit for a hybrid club. Not only is the hybrid much easier to hit, your mis-hits will react better.

 

6-Iron	Ball Speed	Launch Angle	Ball Flight(APEX)	Backspin	Avg. Dispersion	Carry
Before	115 MPH	16 degrees	86 Feet	4,800 RPM	7 Yards left	162 Yards
After	119 MPH	20 degrees	110 Feet	5,100 RPM	3 Yards right	174 Yards