What if buying new clubs actually made your game more difficult?
It’s scary to think that you spent $500 or more on a brand new driver only for it to turn out to be a pain in the rear. Imagine spraying it all around the course, getting frustrated, and still scoring higher scores.
As you probably know, this is known as buyer’s remorse and it happens with golf clubs more than you know. In fact, it’s probably one of the reasons there are so many golf clubs for sale on eBay – frustrated golfers who can’t hit their new clubs!
It happens to many people, which is why I bring it up. If it’s ever happened to you, just know that you aren’t alone. Golf is a difficult game to play and the wrong clubs can make things even more difficult.
So what’s the solution for golfers who want to get better?
You can set up a club fitting appointment, and leave the details to the pros.
If you’re on the fence about doing a club fighting appointment, you’ll love this article. I’ll break down who should get a fitting, Who should skip itWhat happens during a session and how it can benefit your game.
Golf Club Fitting 101
If you’ve never had a professional club fitting, you might not understand the process quite yet. I’d bet that most golfers have never done this before. Instead, they play off rack clubs. While that’s not an issue for beginners and high handicaps, it can hurt your game if you’re a consistent golfer.
Here’s what you need to know before getting started…
Are You Fit for Golf Clubs?
First, I want you to know that not all golfers need to be (or should be) fit to play on the green.
I repeat, not everyone has to be fit for clubs.
If you’re someone who just wants to get outside and swing the club, skip the fitting. Or, if you’re someone who just goes out for fun, doesn’t compete in any events, you can also skip the fitting.
Here’s the thing, the right equipment canThis will make your game much more enjoyable. However, no club can make up for a poor swing that lacks fundamentals.
Golf is a game that rewards players who can build a solid swing from setup through to execution. You can make it even better if you have the right equipment.
If you love the game and are determined to improve, a custom fitting may be a good option. It can help you improve your game over the long-term by creating a consistent swing and a solid short game.
A person who is shorter than average is a good candidate for fitness. If you’re shorter or taller than average, then standard golf clubs off the rack likely won’t suit your swing as well. To play better golf, you should invest in clubs that are the right size and length.
How club fitting can help your game
How can fitting help you in your game?
It takes the guesswork out buying clubs or researching to find the best clubs for you. It’s better than doing some research and giving it your best guess when buying a new set of golf clubs.
It makes your game easier by helping to choose the right clubs for you and your style. Because here’s the thing, there are so many parts to golf that it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the information and buy the wrong equipment.
You might see a Golf Digest article about new irons and decide to give them another try. Maybe the irons themselves look and work great, but the shaft isn’t right for your swing and it results in big misses. This usually leads to a ton of frustration, feeling like you like lost money, and your game isn’t any better.
But when you do a proper club fitting with a certified professional, you’ll know exactly why they recommend each club. You can also test out different clubs and shafts to determine how they affect performance. Fitting is like going to Disneyland for golfers.
The shafts are the best part of the new heads and irons. They have special clubs that can quickly swap shafts, so you can find one that suits your ball flight. Paired with the launch monitor data, it’s pretty easy to see if it’s too stiff, too heavy, or just right.
Let the data decide which clubs are best suited for your game!
What happens at a Golf Club Fitting
What happens at a fitting of a golf club?
Here’s a behind the scenes look of a normal club fitting with a certified professional.
Step 1 Book your fitting appointment. Book an appointment online or contact them to reserve a time. Some places will ask you to fill out an internet profile so they can learn more about your game. Others will have you complete it on the day.
Step 2: Bring your bag to the fitting. Your bag will be useful for comparing against new clubs. It’s also convenient to have your gloves and any other gear that you might need. To warm up, stretch, and be on time for your appointment, be sure to arrive at least 10-20 minutes early.
Step 3 Start hitting shots. After meeting your fitter, they’ll have you get warmed up, explain the process, and then move onto the clubs that you want to get fit for. Once you’re warmed up, you’ll hit 5-10 shots with your current club to set a benchmark for spin, distance, launch, and other metrics.
Step 4:Try out different clubs and shafts. Once you have a benchmark for your current clubs, it’s time to swing all the latest and greatest gear. Your club fitter can change the shafts, adjust lofts, or make other adjustments to help you achieve the desired results.
Step 5Analyze the data. This is where you and your fitter will compare the data between your current club(s), and new clubs or shaft combinations. A lot of times you’ll instantly see the results on the launch monitor but also feel a difference as well.
Near the end of your session, you’ll likely have a clear winner or two very comparable options. You will then hit them both a few times more to see which one feels most comfortable and performs well. Many fitters will give you a printed copy of your results or email it to you, so you can refer back to it in the future.
Step 6:Optional: Order your new clubs. You have two options: either go directly to a fitter or order your new clubs on your own after you’ve decided which ones work best for you.
How they fit you for golf clubs
Club fitting is all in the numbers.
Although we may be tempted to use one brand of club or one type of shaft, a professional fitting expert will examine the data more than anything. A launch monitor is used to assess your swing using your current clubs and new clubs/shaft combinations. This will help you choose the best clubs for your game.
They will measure your swing in a typical club fitting.
- Loft.
- Lie angle.
- Total spin.
- Side spin.
- Backspin.
- Efficiency.
- Ball speed.
- Peak elevation.
- Face to face.
- Smash factor.
- Launch angle.
- Descent angle.
- Clubhead speed
- Distance (carry and total).
These factors will help you get rid of certain shafts or clubs in just a few swings. This will allow you to identify the ones you like to look at, and then you can narrow down your choice.
A club fitter can help you adjust the position of your wedges and irons. With a few tools, they are able to quickly determine whether you have an upright swing or a flat one and adjust accordingly. This will make it easier to hit the ball straighter by knowing the right lie angles for each swing.
How to Prepare for a Club Fitting
Once you’ve booked a club fitting, make sure to show up prepared to get the most out of your appointment. To check in, warm up and stretch, you should arrive at least 10-20 min early. You can also browse through the studio and get some ideas about clubs you want to test out (if you didn’t do so beforehand).
Make sure you look at the numbers during your fitting and to trust your fitter. They are professionals and can help you improve your game. If you have any questions, make sure to ask them as it’s their job to help you fully understand their recommendations.
Also, take breaks between shots. Golfers often rush through a large number of balls and become tired halfway through. Instead, bring extra water and take breaks to ensure you are able to hit your best shots during the fitting.
Rules for club fitting
Here are some best practices for booking your club fitting session at any one of these spots.
- Talk to a fitter to find out what equipment they have available to demo.For example, you might want to hit Titleist’s new driver and fairway woodens but they only offer Callaway and TaylorMade. Shafts are also important, so double-check before you go to your appointment.
- Make sure to confirm pricing prior to departure. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and want to buy everything right then and there. You may also find that many places will try and sell you on the idea of getting the exact fit. You can pay for the fitting at the shop, do your own research, and then decide whether to buy from them or look elsewhere.
- Get there early. If you’re going to spend hundreds of dollars and your time at a fitting, make sure to show up prepared. Get there early so you can stretch, hit golf balls, and be ready to go when it’s your time. Don’t be the golfer who shows up late – it’s a fitter’s nightmare.
- Finally, make sure you don’t try to get fit for an entire bag of clubs in one session. Instead, focus on your driver/woods/hybrids/irons/wedges/irons/woods and putter in one session. While you might save money by doing it all together, I don’t think it’s as beneficial. A fitting allows you to try different clubs to find the right one for your game. After 60+ minutes of hitting golf balls with minimal rest, it is possible to get tired and not have your best swings. Start with the areas that are most difficult and then work your way up.
Where to Get Fit for Golf Clubs
Now that you know how the fitting process works, let’s go into WhereFitting. These prices will vary depending on where your home is located, but here are some suggestions.
Before you book a facility, I recommend that you research all options and compare prices. Some might even have a facility that lets you hit indoors and outdoors as well so it’s worth the extra research time.
If none of these are close to home, just do a Google search for “club fitting + (your location)” to check search results. You can also search Yelp.com.
Golftec
Golftec is first. They offer lessons and custom fitting sessions. They have studios in the United States and Canada, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Prices starting at $125 per piece (ex. Driver, irons, wedges), it’s a great deal. Your club fitter will help you get started with your current clubs. They will show you the results and make recommendations to help you find a winner. They can order custom clubs directly from the manufacturer, or they can give you recommendations and help you buy your own club.
Click here to locate the best location and book a fitting or lessons today.
Club Champion
Club Champion is another top-rated option with 83 locations in the United States. You can find the right club for you with over 50,000 hittable shaft and head combinations. They were also featured in the 2020 Golf Digest Hot List.
Click here to find out more and locate a location near to you to make an appointment.
Big Box Golf Stores
If you don’t have PGA Tour Superstore close by, check for other big brand stores like Golf Galaxy or Van’s Golf Shop. Although sporting goods stores might offer fittings, they may not have the full range of golf clubs and shafts available at golf shops.
Local Golf Shop
Depending on your location, there may be a local shop for golf. While sadly they aren’t as common as they were in the past, some might still be around. You can find one in your area using Google or Yelp. Support your local golf shop.
Custom Club Fitters
Finally, don’t forget to check out custom club fitters that aren’t a nationally recognized brand. There are many places in Arizona like Cool Clubs and Hot Stix. These fittings are often very detailed and provide a lot of insight into your game.
FAQs about club fitting
Do you have additional questions about club fittings? We have the answers to your questions in our frequently asked Questions.
How much does it cost to fit a golf club?
This is a good question as a lot of golfers usually think it’s crazy expensive. When in reality, it’s around $125-$175 for an hour of fitting. This usually includes one piece of your bag such as woods and irons. A full bag costs between $300-$550, and can be as large as a laptop.
Is it worth it to join a club for beginners?
No, I would not say it’s worth it for beginner golfers.
It can help, but it won’t fix a swing that isn’t working. Instead of fitting a club for a beginner, I recommend finding a coach to help you learn the basics.
If you aren’t sure you want a coach yet, then make sure to check out some of our most popular articles. These articles will help build a strong foundation for your game, from tee-to-green.
- How to grip the club
- How to Play Golf
- Simple Drills to Stop Tipping the Ball
You will improve and become more consistent with your swing, which will make it easier to be fit for clubs.
What size clubs are necessary for my height?
This is a great question, and one that not many golfers answer. Standard length golf clubs for men are meant for anyone who is between 5’7” to 6’1”. If you’re shorter, you might want to take off .25 or more and vice versa if you’re taller by adding length to your shafts.
How much does a complete bag fitting cost?
You can get fit for all 14 of your clubs by spending $300 to $550. It could cost you more or less depending on how fit you are. However, I don’t recommend getting fit for your whole bag in one day.
Hitting that many golf balls is exhausting and it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the clubs, shafts, and data. To get the best results, limit your fittings to one part of your game. While it will cost more to do each one individually, it’s worth it!
Can you get a custom fit for a putter
Yes! Since the majority of shots happen on or around the green, it’s vital that your putter is right for your game.
A putter fitting is much easier than a club fitting as it’s not as physically tasking. When you’re hitting tons of woods or irons, it’s easy to get tired toward the middle or end of your session. But with putting, it’s easy to go through multiple putter head and hosel options to see which is right for your game.
They can also make quick adjustments (like loft and grip) right away. This will allow you to keep your current putter in good shape while you wait for a better one.
Final Thoughts about Club Fitting
Not every player will benefit from a custom fitting. A club fitting session is for you if you are committed to improving your skills and want the right weapons.
Start by becoming fit for the club or clubs that give you the most trouble. It could be your driver, your irons or wedges, or even your putter.
Open your mind when you arrive for your session. Sometimes we believe we know everything, but the data may prove otherwise. Trust the numbers and you will have more fun shooting with custom clubs.
Also, don’t feel compelled to buy the clubs at your fitter.
Oftentimes they are marked up and crazy expensive, so don’t fall into a hard sell from them. Instead, take your sweet time, rest on it for a couple of nights, do your pricing research, and then follow up if you need.
Finally, even if you don’t move ahead with a custom fitting, I would recommend getting your irons and wedges set up with the right lie angle. You can’t swing if your irons and wedges are too low or high for your swing. It is the little things that can make a difference in your game.
