Combo Iron Set: Custom-Made Head, Shaft, and Grip
Golf clubs are an investment. After a two-hour fitting session with Benoît Delcampe, Lewis Wallace explains how an iron-fitting session works, why a set might include several different models, and what criteria are used to choose the grip, shaft, and clubhead.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
The fitting begins with a discussion: how the golfer is playing today, the challenges he faces, his fatigue toward the end of the round, and what he hopes to win. Next come the radar measurements. For irons, the goal isn’t just maximum distance, but consistent differences between each club: The fitter aims for a ball speed difference of about five miles per hour from one iron to the next. However, the longer and less open the irons are, the harder it is to achieve these differences, which is why hybrids often replace long irons. Another solution: the combo series, which combines different models—precise on the short irons and more forgiving on the long ones. Lewis Wallace now plays three models from the same series.
Each division of the club follows its own criteria. The Grip depends on the size of the glove and the hand, with one or two layers of adhesive underneath to make it thicker; a thicker grip limits hand movement. Its texture (rubber, corded, or a combination) is mainly a matter of personal preference and wet conditions. The round It is not chosen based on skill level—a persistent misconception—but rather based on the swing speed: A fast-paced beginner may need a stiff shaft, while a very skilled senior player may need a more flexible one. The head It depends mainly on your ability to hit the ball squarely: a wide sole and stability if you tend to miss the sweet spot, a forged head with a thin sole if you consistently hit the sweet spot—sometimes both in the same set.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Prepare for your consultation with the trainer: your current fitness level, any challenges you’re facing, and what you’d like to improve.
- Let the radar measure the differences in distance between your irons.
- Identify the clubs that overlap—often the long irons.
- Consider a hybrid or a combo series to achieve consistent spreads.
- Choose the grip thickness based on your glove size and hand size.
- Choose a shaft based on your swing speed and how it feels.
- Adjust the clubhead to your swing, club by club if necessary.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buy a standard set of a single model for convenience.
- Choose the stiffness of the shaft based on your skill level.
- Aim for the maximum distance rather than consistent intervals.
- Keep long irons that all look the same.
- Changing something that already works, like wedges you're happy with.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- List of distances for each iron to identify overlaps
- Comparison of Two Grips with Different Textures
- Testing sleeves with the same stiffness on paper: the feel is different
Your Questions
What is a combo iron set?
A set that combines several designs: more precise clubheads on the shorter irons, and more forgiving and powerful ones on the longer ones. The goal is to achieve consistent distance gaps across the entire set.
Should you choose a shaft based on your skill level?
"No," explains racquet fitter Benoît Delcampe, "it depends on the speed you generate. A fast beginner might need a stiff shaft, while a very skilled senior player might need a more flexible one.".
How do you choose the right grip thickness?
Based on your glove size, as determined by measuring your hand and fingers. One or two layers of adhesive under the grip make it thicker; the thicker it is, the less control you have over your hands.
What should the distance be between two irons?
The fitter aims for a ball speed difference of about five miles per hour from one iron to the next, so that each club has its own distance.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Lewis Wallace). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.