Industry Standards...well, there are none!
When players struggle to improve, they often purchase a new set of quality golf clubs from a reputable manufacturer only to find they never improve. Often, it’s because the golf clubs they are using don’t fit their swing characteristics.
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The average player probably doesn’t realize there are no real standards within the golf industry. Each manufacturer set their own specifications leading to inconsistencies between brands and even models within the same brand.
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Iron Lofts: There seemed to be a consistent, unofficial standard for iron lofts until the early 1990s. From the 1950s through the mid-1980s, the typical 3-iron loft averaged around 24° across all major brands. Lofts generally increased by about 4° per club, resulting in a 52° pitching wedge.
Then, around 1990, the subtle “marketing wars” began. One major manufacturer reduced the lofts of its irons by a few degrees and claimed their clubs were longer than the competition. Other companies quickly followed suit, and thus began the “de-lofting” evolution.
Over time, this shift completely changed the makeup of the modern iron set. Long irons—3, 4, and sometimes even 5-irons—became increasingly difficult for the average golfer to hit consistently due to their stronger lofts. In response, manufacturers introduced hybrid clubs to replace them. As the pitching wedge loft dropped to around 46°–48°, another club was needed to fill the growing gap between it and the traditional 56° sand wedge—appropriately named the gap wedge.
In the grand scheme, loft numbers themselves don’t really matter. The number stamped on the sole of an iron tells you very little. One company’s 5-iron might be 22°, another’s 26°, and traditionalists may still prefer the old-school 30° version. What truly matters is consistent distance gapping between clubs and knowing how far you carry each one. So don’t worry if your buddy hits his 7-iron farther than you—chances are, his 7-iron is simply 3° stronger!
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Are Shaft Flex Standards Really Standard?: The lack of uniform standards for shaft flex is just as alarming—especially for everyday golfers. One company’s “Stiff” can easily equate to another brand’s “Regular,” or even another’s “X-Stiff.” In my opinion, the way flex is commonly measured, particularly by most clubmakers, is outdated.
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Truth: “Just because the label says ‘Stiff’ doesn’t mean it actually plays stiff.”
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I won’t dive into the full discussion here; you’ll find a detailed explanation on the “Is Frequency Matching Obsolete?”
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Golf Club Length: Golf’s governing bodies, the USGA and R&A, set equipment standards and specifications for golf clubs, but these “standards” still permit quite a bit of variation. For instance, the maximum length of a golf club shall not exceed 48 inches. However, maximum length only applies to the amateur player and perhaps not to the touring professional or elite amateur playing in an organized event. Effective January 1, 2022 the USGA and the R&A announced the implementation of Model Local Rule (MLR G-10) to allow agencies organizing professional and elite amateur golf competitions the option of limiting the maximum length of a golf club to 46 inches, excluding the putter.
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​There are many other important characteristics to consider when selecting the golf club that’s the best fit for YOU! Specific custom fitting considerations are covered in Shop Notes section of the website.​