For custom fit, what's the most forgving brand for irons?

[oliversax]

boutiques like KZG, Wilshon, etc or big OEMs like Pings, Callaways etc

I want to set up a good buddy who's in his mid 50s and shoots in the 90s with some custom clubs. I'm planning to take him to a club fitting (outdoors) w/ the Trackman, then order him some clubs. He seems to like his hybrids, loves to hit his Cleveland hybrid any chance he gets.

Now my question is to all you guys who have gotten custom fitted for clubs. If you are looking for the maximum forgiveness as well as science based fitting (not the cockamammie simulators you get at Golf Galaxy or Golfsmith) what brand would you narrow your search down to?

The boutique club makers like:
-KZG
-Wilshon
-Maltby

Or the big name OEMs like:
-Ping
-Callaway
-Adams
-Cleveland
-Taylormade

I used to play w/ off the rack Callaways and Pings. Then, I got a set of Maltby KE4 irons fitted to my specs 2 yrs ago (~$200, so cheap), and I have to say that they are the most forgiving clubs I've ever played. Then again, I'm not hung up on brand names. I just want the easiest clubs to hit in my bag. I could care less if they're named 'Twizzle Sticks,' as long as I can hit 'em all over the club face and they still go relatively straight. Believe it or not, I bought 2 sets of Pings (S58 and I5) b/c I really like the durability of the Ping clubs, but neither of them were as forgiving or hit as far as my cheapo Maltby KE4s, so I sold them off w/ no regrets.

Only problem is, as a gift, I'd imaging my buddy wants the big names. But if you guys think the boutique club manufacturers have a better product, I'll try to convince him to go the same route as I did.

So to those of you who've been fitted for clubs, what's your #1 brand recommendation for the most forgiving club? BTW, cost is not an issue, I just want the best.

[Rhythm&TempoRenzo]

One of the most forgiving clubs that come to mind for me is the new Titleist 710 AP1's. I have a friend (age 63) who played blades for over 30 years that switched to them this season. I've never seen him happier. He can still work them a little, but for the most part they produce a relatively straight shot. I agree with you on getting fitted outside - that the only way to do it - real world conditions show real world results.

[brkuck]

Every club company has their "forgiving" set out there. IT all matters to what you call forgiving. To me the Mizzy MP-58's are forgiving, but I play the Mizzy blades, so anything is "forgiving". Hit em all and see what YOU like.

[Asleep]

Brand has little to do with forgiveness.

Let your friend choose his favorites.

If you go with components, and he decides to sell them, he'll get much less than as a percentage of cost versus a Taylor Made, Ping, Adams, etc.

[oliversax]

[quote name='brkuck' timestamp='1284833705' post='2703214']
Every club company has their "forgiving" set out there. IT all matters to what you call forgiving. To me the Mizzy MP-58's are forgiving, but I play the Mizzy blades, so anything is "forgiving". Hit em all and see what YOU like.
[/quote]

Just to clarify, 'forgiving' to me means that I can hit the ball anywhere on the club face and it will still go straight, although shorter, kinda like what happens when you hit those hybrids.

Good point on the resale value, Asleep. Note taken.

Would love to hear from those who have been fitted. Thx for the comments, fellas. Much appreciated.

[schneck1977]

I would make sure that he hit the Wishon 870Ti and the 560MC. The 870 is most likely the most forgiving iron head ever created, and the 560MC holds that same statement in a forged head. I have never hit any KZG clubs myself, but they do make some good looking stuff.
Don't know if "new" is a must but the Snake Eyes 600XC and 675XC are no slouch of an iron head either.

[JCAG]

[quote name='oliversax' timestamp='1284830867' post='2703163']
I want to set up a good buddy who's in his mid 50s and shoots in the 90s with some custom clubs. I'm planning to take him to a club fitting (outdoors) w/ the Trackman, then order him some clubs. He seems to like his hybrids, loves to hit his Cleveland hybrid any chance he gets.

Now my question is to all you guys who have gotten custom fitted for clubs. If you are looking for the [i]maximum forgiveness[/i] as well as [i]science based fitting[/i] (not the cockamammie simulators you get at Golf Galaxy or Golfsmith) what brand would you narrow your search down to?

The boutique club makers like:
-KZG
-Wilshon
-Maltby

Or the big name OEMs like:
-Ping
-Callaway
-Adams
-Cleveland
-Taylormade

I used to play w/ off the rack Callaways and Pings. Then, I got a set of Maltby KE4 irons fitted to my specs 2 yrs ago (~$200, so cheap), and I have to say that they are the most forgiving clubs I've ever played. Then again, I'm not hung up on brand names. I just want the easiest clubs to hit in my bag. I could care less if they're named 'Twizzle Sticks,' as long as I can hit 'em all over the club face and they still go relatively straight. Believe it or not, I bought 2 sets of Pings (S58 and I5) b/c I really like the durability of the Ping clubs, but neither of them were as forgiving or hit as far as my cheapo Maltby KE4s, so I sold them off w/ no regrets.

Only problem is, as a gift, I'd imaging my buddy wants the big names. But if you guys think the boutique club manufacturers have a better product, I'll try to convince him to go the same route as I did.

So to those of you who've been fitted for clubs, what's your #1 brand recommendation for the most forgiving club? BTW, cost is not an issue, I just want the best.
[/quote]

It seems to me that you know the place you are going to take your friend and they have a good selection to choose from (based on what you said) so why not let them decide/suggest as a result of personally fitting him, versus you searching for an answer out here when no one here is doing the fitting?

[oliversax]

[quote name='accufitgolf' timestamp='1284858522' post='2703657']
[quote name='oliversax' timestamp='1284830867' post='2703163']
I want to set up a good buddy who's in his mid 50s and shoots in the 90s with some custom clubs. I'm planning to take him to a club fitting (outdoors) w/ the Trackman, then order him some clubs. He seems to like his hybrids, loves to hit his Cleveland hybrid any chance he gets.

Now my question is to all you guys who have gotten custom fitted for clubs. If you are looking for the [i]maximum forgiveness[/i] as well as [i]science based fitting[/i] (not the cockamammie simulators you get at Golf Galaxy or Golfsmith) what brand would you narrow your search down to?

The boutique club makers like:
-KZG
-Wilshon
-Maltby

Or the big name OEMs like:
-Ping
-Callaway
-Adams
-Cleveland
-Taylormade

I used to play w/ off the rack Callaways and Pings. Then, I got a set of Maltby KE4 irons fitted to my specs 2 yrs ago (~$200, so cheap), and I have to say that they are the most forgiving clubs I've ever played. Then again, I'm not hung up on brand names. I just want the easiest clubs to hit in my bag. I could care less if they're named 'Twizzle Sticks,' as long as I can hit 'em all over the club face and they still go relatively straight. Believe it or not, I bought 2 sets of Pings (S58 and I5) b/c I really like the durability of the Ping clubs, but neither of them were as forgiving or hit as far as my cheapo Maltby KE4s, so I sold them off w/ no regrets.

Only problem is, as a gift, I'd imaging my buddy wants the big names. But if you guys think the boutique club manufacturers have a better product, I'll try to convince him to go the same route as I did.

So to those of you who've been fitted for clubs, what's your #1 brand recommendation for the most forgiving club? BTW, cost is not an issue, I just want the best.
[/quote]

It seems to me that you know the place you are going to take your friend and they have a good selection to choose from (based on what you said) so why not let them decide/suggest as a result of personally fitting him, versus you searching for an answer out here when no one here is doing the fitting?
[/quote]

...because these fitters may steer him towards their highest margin products instead of what's the best 'fit' for my buddy. I've had that happen to me w/ another fitter, who is no longer in business.

For example, my teaching pro likes to fit his students w/ Pings, not so much b/c it's the most forgiving club, but b/c their customer service and the durability of its products are so good. Another 'go-to' fitter/club repair guy that does a lot of work for the local pros steers his clients to the KZG line, b/c he things they are the best components.

Like G W Bush said, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice ... uh ... never fool me again!?!" haha

Actually, I think if I can gain from any of your experiences when you got custom fitted, it would help my buddy evaluate the veracity of the advice of the fitter, after he already ran the #s and suggests a brand.

Thanks, Schneck77 for the tip on the Wishon 870Ti. We will definitely try to test that one out. This is precisely the kind of info I'm looking for.

[SPY ZINGER]

This is the best deal in irons right now, IMO. Very easy to hit, long, and they look nice at address:

http://search.rockbottomgolf.com/callawayironsdeal1.html

[oliversax]

[quote name='SPY ZINGER' timestamp='1284914280' post='2704278']
This is the best deal in irons right now, IMO. Very easy to hit, long, and they look nice at address:

[url="http://search.rockbottomgolf.com/callawayironsdeal1.html"]http://search.rockbo...ironsdeal1.html[/url]
[/quote]

Spy, I agree w/ you wholeheartely. I bought a set myself! These Callaway FTs are stupid straight on off center hits and I hit them a full club longer than any other irons. Haven't used them yet b/c Callaway is notorious for not being easy to bend. And you're right, so cheap now. This model used to retail for over $1000.