NEW IRONS:
Callaway X-Tour
3-PW, steel shaft, stiff flex, +1/2" shaft length, standard lie, +1/32" oversize grip $1,280 (steel); callawaygolf.com
READER:
Pieter Van Vredenburch
Hometown: Sherman, Conn.
Age: 38
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 190 lbs.
Handicap: 8
Occupation: Investment Banker
Old Irons: Game-improvement cavity-back, 3-PW, steel shaft, stiff flex, +1/4" shaft length, standard lie, standard grip
FITTER: James Jond, PGA pro and co-manager, The World of Golf, New York, N.Y.
"Pieter was hitting very well with his old set (custom-fit three years ago). But he said he'd like a little more consistency and distance. He's a good player, so I set him up with the X-Tour, which is a player's iron. It provides great feel, workability and a good deal of forgiveness due to the 360-degree undercut channel. We increased shaft length and Pieter's swing instantly became flatter. Now he's attacking the ball from the inside, which creates longer flight with less dispersion."
| 6 iron | Before | After |
| Clubhead Speed | 76.7 MPH | 81.1 MPH |
| Ball Speed | 103.6 MPH | 101.3 MPH |
| Launch Angle | 20.4º | 23.4º |
| Backspin | 4,904 RPM | 5,895 RPM |
| Apex | 75 FT | 81 FT |
| Dispersion | 8.4 YDS | 5 YDS |
| Carry | 149.8 Yards | 152.3 Yards |
Know your limits:
Not all fittings produce clubs with dramatically nonstandard specs. Don't be surprised if your best fit is close to standard.
