When golfers think of swing, they usually think of wedges. But the same principles that affect impact location, launch and terrain interaction with a 56-degree wedge apply same with your 6-iron.
A typical wedge assembly includes a look at the player’s angle of attack (AoA) and separation pattern. While I am aware of a client’s overall playing conditions, my main focus is to help get the shot closer to where you want it.
More bounce will move the shot down the blade, thus producing lower launch strokes. Conversely, less bounce will appear higher on the blade, producing higher launch shots. The way one delivers a wedge affects the blow they will choose.
The purpose of this article is to illustrate this foot width and bar jump it should be considered in a fit with the same level of attention as in wedges.
When a player needs less bounce on his irons
I’ll start with the most common example I see. Client A is a good golfer. He’s hitting his 6-iron very shallow, producing a left spin on his good shots.
This customer is playing a set of irons that includes a thick sole and a 26-degree 6-iron loft. He’s wondering why even his best iron shots have too shallow a ground angle and less than optimal spin.
This player is in a set of high swell irons where the loft on the face he hits regularly is maybe 23 degrees. Client A, being a shallow spinner and ball drawer, is bouncing the club on many shots, presenting the underside of the blade, resulting in unwanted low iron shots.
One of the first things I want to try with this client is an iron head with less bounce and more loft. Remember from the opening paragraph, less bounce moves the shot up the blade, producing higher launch shots. Customer A can use an iron set that he hits more in the middle of the face. Combined with a higher group, it should see smoother iron shots in no time.
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While being aware of bounce in your irons is more of an immediate concern for the better player, it should not be discounted as an excusing factor for players who are either less skilled or who deliver the golf club obliquely.
When a player needs more bounce in their irons
My second example is one I see every week in my role as a Master Fitter Real Spec Golf. Client B has been playing for several years but has never taken formal golf lessons. He came to the game after playing a lot of other sports. Some of the habits from his previous endeavor are dying hard with his golf swing.
Customer B delivers his 6-iron in a way that would produce a low fade under the best of circumstances. He is using a set of golf clubs that his friend recommended to him when he started. The hamstrings are a nice group of muscles that can get stuck on the ground in the best ball hitters.
With his slanted delivery, Client B has little hope of hitting any kind of shot that reflects his head speed. Client B has good head speed, but high blade kicks are robbing him of significant distance and, worse, control.
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After discussing the effect that club jumping can have on the location of impact, we begin testing with stronger lifted sets that have more bounce. In cleaning up his contact, we saw massive increases in ball speed and much more penetrating flights. This customer will enjoy more forgiveness all around by choosing a set of irons with an appropriate amount of bounce for their golf swing.
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I know there are many factors that affect the location of the blow to the face. Some may be swinging, some may be clubbed. Understanding the role of bounce in shot location is an element to consider when choosing your next set of irons.
