hi all, im wondering which irons to get soon and came across henry griffitts, my old club pro was a HG fitter and used to always talk about how he really thought they were the best clubs, ive since then been told theyre rubbish (mainly salesmen from golfworks and a taylormade rep), does anyone have a non biased opinion, are they good or rubbish?
cheers, phil

old technology clubs - nice idea . . . but depends on the fitter.

Better options for the kind of cash they want you to spend.

QUOTE: Philip_the_five_iron @ Apr 29 2007, 07:57 PM

hi all, im wondering which irons to get soon and came across henry griffitts, my old club pro was a HG fitter and used to always talk about how he really thought they were the best clubs, ive since then been told theyre rubbish (mainly salesmen from golfworks and a taylormade rep), does anyone have a non biased opinion, are they good or rubbish?
cheers, phil

Vote: Rubbish.

Generally the bats are fitted far too long (and consequently toe-down) and the lofts are less than those "generally accepted" by the club manfacturers.

You might be able to hit a 5-iron further than your mates can but, it is really a 4-iron and you may also struggle a bit for accuracy.

thanks virge and firey, i'll reconsider and have a look at what else is out there.

Phil,

Speaking from first hand experience, I bought HG's about 3 or so years ago.
Look at other drivers and hybrids and maybe consider the irons.

They are expensive and there may be better deals around.

A lot can depend on the pro fitting them. A lot of guys at my club improved as a result of buying them, but not me.

If I had my time again, i would have spent my $2500 on something else and probably had change.

I can't poke too much $%#@ Beany.

I fell for the TM marketing and shelled out for a complete TM set from driver to LW.

As you put it "if I had my time again, i would have spent my $ on something else".

QUOTE: Philip_the_five_iron @ Apr 29 2007, 07:57 PM

hi all, i'm wondering which irons to get soon and came across henry griffitts, my old club pro was a HG fitter and used to always talk about how he really thought they were the best clubs, ive since then been told they're rubbish (mainly salesmen from golfworks and a taylormade rep), does anyone have a non biased opinion, are they good or rubbish?

I once had a Henry-Griffitts driver and fairway 5-wood, and my son had an H-G driver and H-G irons. Neither of us use them any more.

In my opinion, H-G have good workmanship, but their clubs are way over-priced for the quality ... which is OK but nothing special. They're mostly just 431 stainless like any other iron on the market. They also use shafts (e.g True-Temper) and grips (e.g. Lamkin) like every one else. You are paying a high premium for the fitting.

Their clubfitters are well-qualified pros. A lot of their customers are mid- to high-handicappers who are looking for assistance and improvement. So in their fittings (at least here in Australia), I found H-G tend to go for a. lots of length and b. quite soft shafts. These have the effect of helping achieve extra distance and getting a nice trajectory, and suit their client base.

My son's experience with his H-G irons and 12 degree 45" driver were mixed. After purchase (he was about 15 at the time) he noticed an immediate improvement, dropping his handicap by five strokes in a year. But as he grew taller and stronger, and his swing speed increased, his shots became erratic, and his handicap got stuck for quite a while.

After a couple of years, we went to another fitter for a check, and his 5-iron tested at 275 frequency cycles (standard flex is 300), and his driver at only 228 (!). Both these flexes are way less than ladies. In fairness to H-G, they may have been OK at the time of fitting, but his 5-iron swing speed increased to 90 mph and his driver close to 110 mph (about 240-250 metres carry) as he grew. So by normal convention he should use a shaft towards "stiff".

With shafts as soft as the H-Gs, no wonder they became erratic. We had his driver re-shafted (not by H-G) with stiffer shaft, and the consistency improved markedly. We also had his irons re-shafted in a stiffer flex and the changes were considerable. He no longer plays the H-Gs at all. He has grown out of them totally, and he doesn't like the way they feel at all now. They are in the garage somewhere gathering dust. He has played a set of Piranha forged cavities with Rifle shafts for quite a few years now (he is left-handed).

In my own case, some time after I took up golf and in my innocence, I was fitted for and bought an H-G 12 degree driver and a 5-wood. They were very expensive at the time. I was told they had a little-less-than-regular shaft (at least in H-G terms as I found out). In reality the driver tested at 238 cycles, which is about ladies flex. I also discovered it was 47" long (and the 5-wood 45")! I initially had an inch knocked off the tip of each, which made them easier to hit and stiffened them up a little. The immediate playability effects were noticeable, but they were still hard to hit consistently.

A few drivers later, I now use a 44" KZG driver with a Penley Stealth shaft made up by a Melbourne clubfitter. I hit it further and far more accurately than any I have had before, including the super-long H-G. It cost me far less than my H-G driver (even in 2006 dollars). I still use the original True Temper filament wound shafts from my H-G driver and 5-wood, but in a couple of component fairway 3- and 5-woods. I had to knock a total of 3.5" off the tip of each to achieve a flex close to regular ... that shows how soft they were!

My first set of irons were original Dynacraft Copperheads, bought second-hand. I thought about H-G, but given my son's experience, settled on a set of Golfsmith Tour Cavity Forged with Rifle shafts. Fully fitted, these were about A$30 per iron cheaper than the equivalent steel-shafted H-G at the time (Greenback). They were A$120 (!) per iron less at the time than the H-G Greenbacks with graphite shafts the pro suggested. I am fairly certain about my fitting requirements now ... I can achieve the same or better results as H-G for half the price. My Golfsmiths literally wore out after 7 years, and I now have a set of KZG Evolutions to almost the same specs.

The other problem with Henry-Griffitts is getting locked into a "proprietary" system. Clubs are really only heads, shafts and grips. Don't feel that H-G are the only ones you can ever go to for an opinion or an adjustment to your clubs. Their heads still have standard hosel bores. If you want an alternative opinion on clubs and fitting, try a knowledgeable clubfitter. Of course, if you think the HG clubs are *really* for you, and expense is no impediment, by all means go for them.

One other thing about HG clubs is that the lofts are quite strong. What may seem to be extra distance is often because of this. Check out some of their specs ... you'll find that their 5-irons are 25-26 degrees, PW 46 and sand-wedge only 50. Most other clubs are around 27, 48 and 54 respectively.

I believe you could achieve the same result as the H-G clubs promise, for much less cost, by finding a knowledgeable club-fitter supplying and working with good quality components. The re-sale value of H-Gs is also pretty low, so the depreciation is a lot from a high cost base.

I think you could also do yourself a service by reading up a little on club specifications, design and fitting (e.g. at a site like Dave Tutelman's Club Design Notes). Good information is always a consumer advantage.

i went through a fitting with H-G and pretty much as per the previous posts.. long length, considerable change in lie and very soft flex.. never got to the price stage as i decided not to go through with it

QUOTE: aimr75 @ Apr 30 2007, 10:18 AM

i went through a fitting with H-G and pretty much as per the previous posts.. long length, considerable change in lie

I would have to say though that in terms of lie, rather than just relying on the limits of bending, H-G cast their clubs with various lies to begin with, up to 8 degrees up or down from memory. I can't imagine many golfers needing those extremes however.

For my 2c worth, HG's as components are fine. It comes down to the fitter working with the player and their needs for their game.

Often a player can be sucked into the club that hits the ball the longest because its sexy. However hitting it that far and straight off the sweet spot more often than not gets tickier the long the shaft is. I have cut down a few HGs in my time.

Having said that I know of many HG owners that have done really well with the longer clubs with extreme lie angles too. Generally those players are good swingers in their latter years.

Do any club fitters actually have all the options that HG do in their fitting kits ? ie: interchangeable shafts etc ?

It comes down to the individual doing the fitting and the individual ,buying being fitted to ask the right questions . After all if you get it explained why the club is over length or why the shaft is a soft regular etc you will be able to make a more informed opinion than someone who is being led to make a purchase.

Every set of HG's I have come across has incorrectly fitted for lie, loft, length and flex. The clubmaking skills have, in some cases, also been poor. They are generally too long, too upright and too soft in flex.

For the price they are absoloute rubbish.

Mick

I'm no clubmaker so I can't comment on the HG fitting process, but to me their line always seems to be a few years behind the times in terms of technology. For the money they're charging, you can get much for your buck.

Col

What price range do HG usually charge for fitting and a set of irons?

QUOTE: myshouldershurt @ Apr 30 2007, 02:59 PM

What price range do HG usually charge for fitting and a set of irons?

Between two and two and a half sh!tloads, usually

QUOTE: Colin @ May 1 2007, 08:24 AM

Between two and two and a half sh!tloads, usually

just for irons?

Depending on shaft option chosen yes.
But one thing i have noticed here is how many who have purchased HG's know that if they no longer suit them HG will alter them again for free.
in effect they are guaranteed for life.

QUOTE: chestnuts @ May 1 2007, 09:21 AM

Depending on shaft option chosen yes.
But one thing i have noticed here is how many who have purchased HG's know that if they no longer suit them HG will alter them again for free.
in effect they are guaranteed for life.

What if the clubs don't suit the golfer to start with?

QUOTE: chestnuts @ May 1 2007, 09:21 AM

Depending on shaft option chosen yes.
But one thing i have noticed here is how many who have purchased HG's know that if they no longer suit them HG will alter them again for free.
in effect they are guaranteed for life.

Thanks for the reminder Chestnuts, might follow that up with my local pro.

QUOTE: Fyirippu @ May 1 2007, 09:34 AM

What if the clubs don't suit the golfer to start with?

Before i post again i want to make one thing clear i neither sell or club fit hg equipment.

Then to answer your question fyiri i would suggest you contact head office of hg and find another fitter.
In every field on this planet there are those that do great work and others who do less than great work its up to the individual buying a product to make sure of the service quality of the person doing the job.

QUOTE: Philip_the_five_iron @ Apr 29 2007, 08:04 PM

thanks virge and firey, i'll reconsider and have a look at what else is out there.

You Can't believe some of these blokes philip.

They are competitors or have never had a fitting and are giving you a prejudiced viewpoint.

I fitted them for ten years and the worst thing that happened was that they learned about clubs and their swings.

You can buy one club or twenty and if they do not work they will replace the lot free till successful.

The array of shafts and head styles will blow your mind.

Get a fit. You must learn somethin' and it won't cost nothin'

ph

QUOTE: Paul Hart @ May 3 2007, 10:07 PM

You Can't believe some of these blokes philip.

They are competitors or have never had a fitting and are giving you a prejudiced viewpoint.

I fitted them for ten years and the worst thing that happened was that they learned about clubs and their swings.

i think virge put it best in his first post.
depends on the fitter...
and unfortunately, there are rogue fitters out there, who don't seem to know what they are doing.

I am in no way posing myself as a fitter, but i have been fitted, via a number of different methods and would call myself fairly 'with-it' in terms of the golf industry.

even as a non-fitter, i know that a 40+inch 9 iron is TOTALLY STUPID. and i kid you not, there are TWO examples of it in players who play at my course. Same fitter, same result. clubs WAY too long and still plenty upright. just the sheer weight of the clubs. OHHH.

the way your clubs are fit, are very much dependant on how good the fitter is. the basis of most fits is generally the same, some will have more depth that others and cover more, but the knowledge of the fitter will depends on the outcome.

QUOTE: Paul Hart @ May 3 2007, 10:07 PM

They are competitors or have never had a fitting and are giving you a prejudiced viewpoint.

I fitted them for ten years and the worst thing that happened was that they learned about clubs and their swings.

And that is not a complete contradiction?????

How can you be aligned to something for 10 years and then try to give the impression that you are the only one that is not giving a prejudiced viewpoint.

QUOTE: grumpy_dog666 @ May 3 2007, 10:29 PM

even as a non-fitter, i know that a 40+inch 9 iron is TOTALLY STUPID. and i kid you not, there are TWO examples of it in players who play at my course. Same fitter, same result. clubs WAY too long and still plenty upright. just the sheer weight of the clubs. OHHH.

the way your clubs are fit, are very much dependant on how good the fitter is. the basis of most fits is generally the same, some will have more depth that others and cover more, but the knowledge of the fitter will depends on the outcome.

So the person who also buys a 40+ inch 9 iron would have to be a complete nut as well.

As i stated previously i make not 1 cent from HG's.

Does your local fitter guarantee to change your clubs free of charge until they get them right ?

Having had several fittings since 1990 from 6 different people only one of them guaranteed to replace clubs that did not work you guessed who yet i did not buy them.

QUOTE: chestnuts @ May 4 2007, 08:15 AM

So the person who also buys a 40+ inch 9 iron would have to be a complete nut as well.

As i stated previously i make not 1 cent from HG's.

Does your local fitter guarantee to change your clubs free of charge until they get them right ?

Having had several fittings since 1990 from 6 different people only one of them guaranteed to replace clubs that did not work you guessed who yet i did not buy them.

the people who bought the 40+ 9 irons don't know much about golf fittings. the worst part about it, when we questioned them about the insane length of the clubs, they were told by the HG fitter, that they are supposed to be that long and people would try and tell them they were too long, and just too ignore them.