Wanted to know everyone's opinion on Clubfitting

[tk416]

Hey guys,

I was curious if I could get some feedback into clubfitting. I was debating getting it done but wanted to hear some experiences first.

I've heard everyone should get there clubfit, but to be honest with you, I've been hitting the ball pretty good with my clubs right now and I don't want to screw anything up. Although, I don't want to be missing out on anything either...

Is it worth it?

[Mule56]

Hey guys,

I was curious if I could get some feedback into clubfitting. I was debating getting it done but wanted to hear some experiences first.

I've heard everyone should get there clubfit, but to be honest with you, I've been hitting the ball pretty good with my clubs right now and I don't want to screw anything up. Although, I don't want to be missing out on anything either...

Is it worth it?You may be one of the lucky ones. Maybe your clubs already fit you, like my suites of the rack, perfectly. Maybe you have adapted your swing to your clubs. Get a fitting from a good club maker and find out which is which. Worse thing that could happen is you go from hitting it "pretty good" to "super, fantastic, terrific".
Mule
Mule

[laxgolf]

Typically my answer would be 'without question, get fitted'. Without even realizing, you may be making some swing adjustments that allow you to hit the ball well right now. Down the road that might break down and you'll be left scratching your head when nothing seems to work regardless of what you try. Golf is hard enough as it is. Eliminating a main cause of bad shots is a great start. After that the bad shots are all your fault.

That being said, if you're a newbie and have only been playing golf for a short while it might be better to groove your swing a little more before you get fitted. Newbies change their swings on an almost daily basis so getting fitted might not be that helpful at first. I waited until I at least had a consistent enough swing to get fitted and the difference was night and day. The biggest difference was that I started hitting more greens.

[tk416]

I appreciate the feedback.

I wouldn't consider myself a newb. Been playing for over 10 years now.

In speaking to a guy at GolfTown, I told him my situation and he suggested that I just hold off. If I'm stroking the ball already pretty well, leave it and don't bother.

That being said, LAX, when you say it was night and day for you, I'd hate to be missing out.

Can anyone recommend a good place to get my clubs fitted? How much can I be expected to pay? GT is $69

Thanks

[el tigre]

Is it worth it?Yes, but I agree with laxgolf that if you are a newbie you might be better off spending the money on lessons/practice to develop a more consistant swing before having it done. If you've been playing for a couple of years then go for it.

For me, my current set of clubs with standard specs were correct. Driver shaft characteristics were right on, though I might benefit from a degree less in clubhead loft. But basically I'm a "standard" guy and no changes were needed.

Does that mean it was a waste of time and money? No - I received confirmation on the equipment specs I should be looking at when buying new stuff, and the lie angle test and impact tape gave me some insights into my swing for me to work on.

[Shadow]

Hey guys,

I was curious if I could get some feedback into clubfitting. I was debating getting it done but wanted to hear some experiences first.
I've heard everyone should get there clubfit, but to be honest with you, I've been hitting the ball pretty good with my clubs right now and I don't want to screw anything up. Although, I don't want to be missing out on anything either...Is it worth it? Yes. Yes. Yes.

Go to someone who knows what they are doing and go through the assessment process. If the clubmaker is honest like me:) and your current clubs are suitable for you, he will say so. If not he will make other recomendations.

Don't buy then. Go home and think about it for awhile before you decide.
Going from ill suited equipment to that which is assembled for your swing characteristics, will make a difference in the long run.

[laxgolf]

I appreciate the feedback.

I wouldn't consider myself a newb. Been playing for over 10 years now.

In speaking to a guy at GolfTown, I told him my situation and he suggested that I just hold off. If I'm stroking the ball already pretty well, leave it and don't bother.

That being said, LAX, when you say it was night and day for you, I'd hate to be missing out.

Can anyone recommend a good place to get my clubs fitted? How much can I be expected to pay? GT is $69

Thanks
I'm assuming that you're not buying new clubs? Fitting is free at GT if you buy new irons. The entire process took 15 minutes with the Ping fitting system, but I had the option of ordering my specs directly from Mizuno. Fortunately, GT had the right shaft flex in stock so I had them make the adjustments on site. I was also able to substitute the 3 iron for a 52 degree GW.

Towards the end of last season I started hitting the ball left again and couldn't figure out why. I had my specs checked and sure enough the lie angles on the clubs had reverted back to their original settings. A quick readjustment and everything was back to normal. If you've been playing for 10 years, getting fitted for the first time will be like a breath of fresh air and you'll wonder why you've waited so long to do it.

[tk416]

Thanks guys... No I'm not in the market for new clubs. I just got my Nike Forged Blades last year, and like I said, I'm hitting the ball pretty good right now. (2-3 times at Launch/week)

I think I'll give the guys at GT a call. See if they can't do it for free. I notice that for alot of there proshop work, if you're nice to them and respectful, they'll do minor adjustments for free...

Thanks

TK

[Andru]

Hey guys,

I was curious if I could get some feedback into clubfitting. I was debating getting it done but wanted to hear some experiences first.

I've heard everyone should get there clubfit, but to be honest with you, I've been hitting the ball pretty good with my clubs right now and I don't want to screw anything up. Although, I don't want to be missing out on anything either...

Is it worth it?
It's like buying a pari of shoes they should fit. You woudlnt' believe what a set of fitted clubs can for your game. I believe buying off the rack should never be an option.

[Focker Singh]

tk416,
I'm in the same boat as you...I've been playing for a while now and I also hit my golf balls pretty consistently but I've adjusted to my clubs of 3 years now. My problem? I choke down about 3-4 inches which people are telling me I'm losing distance. I put a thread up asking about this too and almost everyone told me to get fitted. I was quoted about $13-15/club to be fitted and regripped. Maybe I'll check out Golf Town. I'm not in the market for new irons yet either. Good luck and let me know how it goes.

[haribo]

Well, here are my 0.2 cents ...

There is no standard in golf. Period. Every OEM (official equipment manufacturer) has a different standard. For instance Mizuno's standard is: flat lie angle and 5 iron length is 37.5", loft is always different. Taylor Made "standard" 5 iron is 38", Titleist's is 37.75", lie is also different etc. etc.
With graphite shafts it's even worse. One's company's X-flex is another's S-flex.

There's also no standard guy. We all have different heights or different arm length, etc, etc ... you get the idea.

Yes, fitting makes more sense for an experienced player but even the better beginner can profit from a more correct lie angle. The lie angle should be in any case be the least that gets fitted. (i.e. ever wonder why you consistently hit the ball off to the right ... could be as simple as the lie angle ...)

I have currently 2 sets of irons (TM Firesole Forged and Mizuno mp-14) and another complete set of new iron heads (Titleist 990B).
Even if I would buy another set at a store I would do the following: Pull the existing shafts (they are most likely DG anyway) and replace with Rifle 6.0, 5 iron length 38", 0.5" increments (except for PW and wedges, different shaft ... FCM 6.0, but since I play custom PW, SW and LW I doesn't matter right now). Lie angle would be 2* upright, have the exact numbers on my spec sheet, lofts would be adjusted (more traditional) and swingweight would be set to D5 for every iron.

Bottomline is every club feels identical. So I don't need to worry about that anymore. Woods are a completely other story by the way ;-)

One word in regards to GolfTown. It is a great store and I don't want to offend anybody but I would not trust anybody there with my club work. I'm sorry to say, most of their clubmakers have no clue what they are doing. I watched it many times ... some stuff they do just makes the hair on my neck stand up in horror.
My advice would be to look elsewhere for a good clubmaker/fitter.

Well, that's just my opinion. Take it for what it's worth.

haribo

[swaaain]

I am a firm believer in club fitting. It is available to everyone and can help every one. It is more than just finding the right lie angle, it is getting the right shaft. Yes you can buy off the rack clubs that may suit you for the time being but how will they be fore you next year? The proper shaft flex is also veryimportant as well as kick. A direct result of fitting is obtaining the proper ball flight which in turn gives you the consitency that everyone struggles to obtain. Now with off the racks sticks, you may get a good idea, but it may not be as good as it can be. Even if you are a high handicapper, fitting will help you find the club that will give you the most consistency, which is the most important aspect of nuyiong clubs. A begginer can buy any of set of clubs they wish but they not help them, fittig is more than just getting the right lie anlge, shaft flex, composition and grip size, it is also getting the right head for you.

Just my 2 cents yet again.

Swaaain

[haribo]

One more thing about fitting and GolfTown. Yes, their fitters might be experieced pro's but let's face it ... you are hitting a ball into a net. So what is that telling you about your ball flight? Nothing.
Yes, they have some computer stuff sitting around but that's not the same. They tell you otherwise but unless it's a launch monitor and you are testing drivers with different graphite shafts it won't do you good. The best thing to get your irons dialed in is having an experienced fitter watch your ball flight with different irons set to different specs.

haribo

[gbrgolf]

tk,

I agree with all the guys, in this day and age you really should be fitted. Anyone that spends time on a forum like this is serious about golf, and the cost is fairly insignificant compared to the results you will get.
The issue I have is, what is clubfitting? Most "fitting" systems from manufacturers only fit length, lie, grip size and flex, but don't really give you enough options for types of heads, types of shafts, and choices of grips.
The choices now with a good clubfitter (at no more cost than you mentioned earlier), are endless:D
The choice of head is quite personal, and should be pleasing to your eye, and matched to your game.
Your clubfitter, should have a choice of shafts..there are guys out there that deal in "blanks" (steel), that can manipulate ball flight by how the shaft is trimmed (this is how we do shafts on Tour Vans). In graphite, are you being given a number of choices with different flight characteristics to maximize launch angles and spin rates.
Are you being given a choice of different types of grips...dual densities, cord, half cord, quarter cord, rubber, soft, etc.
This may all sound extravigant, but it's not (and I've shortened this to the bare minimum, a good clubfitter will spec out your swing like you will not beleive!), it's completly amazing the results (and consistancy) you can acheive.
There is not a Tour player out there that does not spend hours on launch monitors a year ensuring there is not better equipment out there for them.
You can get the same treatment from club fitters in this area.
There are lots of experts on this forum that can help you out...good luck!
GBR

[el tigre]

There is no standard in golf. Period. Every OEM (official equipment manufacturer) has a different standard. For instance Mizuno's standard is: flat lie angle and 5 iron length is 37.5", loft is always different. Taylor Made "standard" 5 iron is 38", Titleist's is 37.75", lie is also different etc. etc.
With graphite shafts it's even worse. One's company's X-flex is another's S-flex.

There's also no standard guy. We all have different heights or different arm length, etc, etc ... you get the idea.Very true. Which reminds me that when I replace my current set of irons with new equipment (which I'm in the process of doing), I need to go for another fitting.

One thing nobody ever seems to mention is putter fitting. IMHO most golfers would benefit from a shorter putter, but they adapt to their 34" or 35" putter because that's the way it came from the store. Not to mention whether certain head types, shaft types, grips etc. would help or hinder their current putting stroke. Very over-looked area of clubfitting, especially with some putters now costing the same as drivers.

[laxgolf]

One thing nobody ever seems to mention is putter fitting. IMHO most golfers would benefit from a shorter putter, but they adapt to their 34" or 35" putter because that's the way it came from the store. Not to mention whether certain head types, shaft types, grips etc. would help or hinder their current putting stroke. Very over-looked area of clubfitting, especially with some putters now costing the same as drivers.Great point. I cut my putter down to 32 inches from 34. It doesn't sound like alot, but it makes a huge difference. I also added quite a bit of weight to the putter head. Now all I have to do is pick a line and get the putter started back. I also added some lead tape to the butt end of the shaft under the grip to balance out the weight a bit.

[haribo]

Very true. Which reminds me that when I replace my current set of irons with new equipment (which I'm in the process of doing), I need to go for another fitting.

One thing nobody ever seems to mention is putter fitting. IMHO most golfers would benefit from a shorter putter, but they adapt to their 34" or 35" putter because that's the way it came from the store. Not to mention whether certain head types, shaft types, grips etc. would help or hinder their current putting stroke. Very over-looked area of clubfitting, especially with some putters now costing the same as drivers.
You're bang on. I mentioned in another post already ... as I was looking to buy a Yes! putter I went straight to Yes!Golf's fitter at Angus Glen. Jeff Swain is his name. After telling him about this fine forum he joined recently as "swaiiin".

Anyway, I went with an open mind to the fitting seesion. Told Jeff that I really like the C-Groove concept and don't really care which model i get. This gave him a chance to really fit me into the right putter. After quite some testing we decided that a toe heavy putter like the Callie is best suited for my stroke (used face balanced putters until that point and was always fighting with it), Then we figured out what length and lie would be best.

Well, the result is an outstanding putter that I absolutely love. Putting used to be my strong suit but it took a turn for the worst over a year ago (when I switched to a face balanced putter to be correct ...). After a relative short period of time (end of season and now practise on carpet) with my new and fitted Callie I am happy to report that my old confidence is back.

Jeff (swaiiin) did an excellent job and I highly recommend him as fitter and clubmaker.

haribo

[laxgolf]

You're bang on. I mentioned in another post already ... as I was looking to buy a Yes! putter I went straight to Yes!Golf's fitter at Angus Glen. Jeff Swain is his name. After telling him about this fine forum he joined recently as "swaiiin".

Anyway, I went with an open mind to the fitting seesion. Told Jeff that I really like the C-Groove concept and don't really care which model i get. This gave him a chance to really fit me into the right putter. After quite some testing we decided that a toe heavy putter like the Callie is best suited for my stroke (used face balanced putters until that point and was always fighting with it), Then we figured out what length and lie would be best.

Well, the result is an outstanding putter that I absolutely love. Putting used to be my strong suit but it took a turn for the worst over a year ago (when I switched to a face balanced putter to be correct ...). After a relative short period of time (end of season and now practise on carpet) with my new and fitted Callie I am happy to report that my old confidence is back.

Jeff (swaiiin) did an excellent job and I highly recommend him as fitter and clubmaker.



haribo
Maybe Swaiiin can provide the board membership with a discount?:D Just thought I'd ask.:rolleyes:

[haribo]

Keep in mind Yes Golf putter's are relative inexpensive to begin with. A Cameron goes for about $450 ... my Callie is about $175

They are a steal to begin with.

Btw, I forgot to say the specs of my Callie ... length 33.5", lie 2* flat and I went with a Royal STS grip instead of the Yes Winn grip.

haribo