Club Fitting Questions

[Hank Hill]

Hello all,

I wanted to ask a few q's about club fitting.

At some point I want to treat myself to new clubs. I have been using the same iron set (Adams tightlies) and cheap woods (Dunlop flame 5W, 7W) for 4 years now and have gone from a 40+ HCP to 22.7. Next year if my budget allows I want to get a whole new set.

I read on here all the time about getting clubs fitted to match your swing tendencies, speed, and body type. I just wanted to ask how to go about this.

The name of the club is of no real consequence to me. I will not just go and buy a set because it says Taylor Made, Ping or whatever. So saying this, where do people usually go to get fitted (Golf works? any others?), try out a bunch of different heads, shafts, swing weights etc etc and how does it work, do they have a load of demo clubs for you to swing? how do they make sure each of the demo clubs is the correct lie angle for you? If you get fitted and they determine what your specs are, can come back periodically for little adjustments to your clubs.

What about the OEM route, is it possible to be fitted for clubs off the rack, how do they do this, presumably they do not carry OEM clubs in a variety of specs for you to try, can you take the specs you got from a club fitter and get OEM clubs changed to your swing characteristics? (this must cost a bit eh?).

I am only asking about OEM clubs for completeness. I like the idea of buying a set that has is tailored to you and you can choose what you want, e.g. a 5w, a couple of hybrids, 6-PW etc etc, as if you buy an iron set and don't intend to use the 3-5 irons and buy hybrids to replace them you are not only going to have to fork out for hybrids (that may not have the correct shafts in for you) and you will have 3 irons kicking around that you don't even need/use.

Sorry if I am rambling in here, I just want to get some opinions/experiences from you club gurus out there.

Cheers.

[jvincent]

The best fitting involves hitting balls with multiple club / shaft variations to find the best overall fit. I build my own, so this is easy for me. Note that I said easy, not cheap.

If you go to a professional clubfitter they will generally have a collection of demo clubs with different shaft options that they will use as the basis to build your set. Depending on who you go to they will typically also adjust the set after it is built.

If you go to a store and try different OEM irons they generally don't have as wide a selection of demos. What you will usually end up doing is hitting a selection of clubs, different models and flexes, and finding the one that you prefer. The big stores can also custom order stuff for you.

Of the OEMs I'd have to say that Ping has historically been the best at offering different options.

[Started2k3]

As a fellow 20+ capper, getting fitted would probably be nice and all but for me I figured there isn't much benefit at my current level of play. So instead I just cruised the 4sale section here and picked up a sweet set of Hogans pretty cheap and my putter for a good price. I also picked up driver, woods, and wedges through another site. I was able to get the set that I wanted for a good price, but it just took a little bit longer.

The only fitting that I will get done in the spring will probably get the lofts checked and adjusted if need be.

Anyway, it is up to you.
Charles

[jvincent]

There is a school of thought that fittings actually help higher handicap golfers MORE lower handicap ones.

The reasoning is that the lower HDCP players have enough skill to adjust to the equipment whereas the high HDCP players need all the help they can get.

[downhillslider]

I'm going to this in point form.
- DO NOT rely on simulators for hitting results.

- DO NOT get fitted indoors.

- DO NOT get fitted while hitting off a mat.

- DO NOT get fitted without a launch monitor.

- DO expect to be there at least 1 1/2 hrs. and them some later to test drive proto types and to to do a lie check.

- DO ask for qualifications and references.

- DO ask a lot of questions during and after your fitting.

- DO provide lots of feedback during your fitting.

- DO excpect value for your $$

[Hank Hill]

I'm going to this in point form.
- DO NOT rely on simulators for hitting results.

- DO NOT get fitted indoors.

- DO NOT get fitted while hitting off a mat.

- DO NOT get fitted without a launch monitor.

- DO expect to be there at least 1 1/2 hrs. and them some later to test drive proto types and to to do a lie check.

- DO ask for qualifications and references.

- DO ask a lot of questions during and after your fitting.

- DO provide lots of feedback during your fitting.

- DO excpect value for your $$

That's a great list, thank you.

[Hank Hill]

There is a school of thought that fittings actually help higher handicap golfers MORE lower handicap ones.

The reasoning is that the lower HDCP players have enough skill to adjust to the equipment whereas the high HDCP players need all the help they can get.

That's what I figured. Why punish myself further, it's bad enough that I have a dodgy swing if get punished for good swings with ill fitting clubs.

I don't have much disposable income to buy and trade sets until I get the one that works for me. I'd rather invest the $$s now and keep the clubs for a good long time (I take good care of my toys).

I seem to recall that Dan Kilbank plays KZGs (from Artisan?). Perhaps he could weigh in with his experiences/opinions (or send me a personal message if it is a conflict of interests for him).

[Chieflongtee]

That's what I figured. Why punish myself further, it's bad enough that I have a dodgy swing if get punished for good swings with ill fitting clubs.

I don't have much disposable income to buy and trade sets until I get the one that works for me. I'd rather invest the $$s now and keep the clubs for a good long time (I take good care of my toys).

I seem to recall that Dan Kilbank plays KZGs (from Artisan?). Perhaps he could weigh in with his experiences/opinions (or send me a personal message if it is a conflict of interests for him).

Artisan is a good choice and so is clubrus.(Downhillslider) But with all due respect and you know where I come from on the subject I believe that a handicap can be reduced considerably by combining clubfitting and GOOD DECISIONS on the golf course. IMO a lot of people have a high index because they make very poor decisions on the course and not enough is discussed on the topic of GOOD and BAD decisions.

[jvincent]

IMO a lot of people have a high index because they make very poor decisions on the course and not enough is discussed on the topic of GOOD and BAD decisions.

Hey, stop talking about me like that.

[Big Johnny69]

Hey, stop talking about me like that.

There's no way he's talking about you Mr. "If it's inside 200 I'm going for it".

[Hank Hill]

Artisan is a good choice and so is clubrus.(Downhillslider) But with all due respect and you know where I come from on the subject I believe that a handicap can be reduced considerably by combining clubfitting and GOOD DECISIONS on the golf course. IMO a lot of people have a high index because they make very poor decisions on the course and not enough is discussed on the topic of GOOD and BAD decisions.

I am working hard on making BETTER DECISIONS and lowering the handicap. I just figured I'd ask about club fitting so I know what options I have when I have the cash to get some new clubs.

[Chieflongtee]

I am working hard on making BETTER DECISIONS and lowering the handicap. I just figured I'd ask about club fitting so I know what options I have when I have the cash to get some new clubs.

I was not saying that YOU were making bad decisions. I make them too. Not as often as before though . I could write a book about them

[Chieflongtee]

I would not be too worried about cast clubs being out of sync from hitting off of mats. They are tough as nails to bend.

[downhillslider]

I would not be too worried about cast clubs being out of sync from hitting off of mats. They are tough as nails to bend.

Ya might want to re think that comment Chiefy. It all depends on the type and quality of that type of steel. I've bent some Wishon wedges almost 5* and some ZT heads 4* quite easly.

[Chieflongtee]

Ya might want to re think that comment Chiefy. It all depends on the type and quality of that type of steel. I've bent some Wishon wedges almost 5* and some ZT heads 4* quite easly.

I was generally speaking Les. Depends on the material type. 17-4 is not that easy to bend. 431 Hyper steel is practically unbendable. Carbon steel is pretty easy and the list goes on. GS has a club that is bendable up to 10 degrees. SMT is up to 5 degrees I believe.
If you have a minue check out the following on page 13:

http://www.golfsmith.com/pdf/8325%20...ed%20instr.pdf

Unfortunately it is something buyers hardly ever consider when purchasing clubs.
Wouldn't you say that 17-4 is the most spread out there?

[WeBClubbin']

A professional club fitting session can effectively be performed both indoors and out.

It has been stated by some that outdoor sessions create conditions that distract the golfer.

It has also been stated that inside sessions can cause the golfer to alter their natural swing because of being in a confined space.

Neither side is right because there are professional club fitters doing it both ways and continuing to stay in business.

The location of the fitting has less to do with how the final clubs perform than the quality of the fitting and final assembly of the clubs to the specifications that fit YOUR game.

I have a short game area installed by Southwest Greens. The same company that have built backyard greens for several top money winners on the PGA. Now, that being said, I think there has been some improvements in hitting mats. And I know of at least three brands of mats that will give you same effect as real turf if you hit it fat. And they cost serious money.

It can hurt to hit a golf ball. Vibration gives us feedback. It can also cause us pain. And hitting off of turf will not help you. That is why VJ is using e21 shafts.

So I would add, make sure that you deal with a professional club fitter who is up to date on the latest technology in the golf business.

Myron