Club Fitting

[muskegman]

Hey everyone... more questions for ya. I would like to start picking up clubs little by little to replace my current set (I got bit by the equipment bug). I'm wondering what the best way for me to buy the right equipment. Is there a place that I could go to get fitted and maybe hit with a launch monitor so that I can buy the right stuff. I want to get the right shafts, lie, offset etc...

I'm curious how you ended up with your properly fitting equipment. I'm not financially ready to go buy the whole shebang right now and want to piece it together as I go. Any ideas about proper fitting so that I buy the right sticks?

[iacas]

Most people are fitted for:
a) driver
b) irons

That's about it. I've heard that you can be fitted for putters, but I don't know that it's really too difficult to do yourself.

Have you put in a call to golf stores and pro shops nearby? Nearly all of the semi-decent ones will have launch monitors and a person who can get you fitted.

Another option is to go to a "demo day" - find the company you're interested in and see if they have a van touring around the country doing demo days. A pro shop near me hosts a "demo day" over the span of a week and invites several major golf companies to come in, so you may want to ask your local pro shops whether they do something like that as well.

Good luck. Properly fitted clubs can literally shave 5 strokes off your game (depending on your current handicap). The pros play with the most fitted equipment in existence. "Off the shelf" is great if you're perfectly standard. But who is?

[muskegman]

I wonder if there's an expectation for you to buy if you get fitted. I don't want to be a jerk by saying, "Thanks for the fitting but I can't buy from you."

Perhaps I can pay for a fitting. There's a place 10 minutes down the road that has a shop and driving range. Maybe they'll hook me up. I'm gonna head down there today.

[iacas]

I think that depends. The folks at my pro shop know me, and know that I buy equipment. If I find a deal somewhere, they'll match it, so I have no reason not to buy from them.

A lot of places might charge you to be fitted, but will take that cost off of your purchase. It might be worth the $25 or $50 you pay even if you don't buy from them.

[skrumple]

Yeah you usualy get fitted for woods and irons you can get you putter bent if you are really tall or really short but most dont need to. About how tall are you I could maybe help you a little.

[skrumple]

Lie Angle:
http://prolinecustomgolf.com/golf_club_lie_angle_fitting_chart.htm

Club Length:
http://prolinecustomgolf.com/golf_club_length_fitting_chart.htm

[iacas]

Those charts will get you started. However, your swing shape has a lot to do with it as well. For example, I'm right in the middle of the whole thing - standard length, standard lie. But my current set of irons irons plays a degree upright because I don't have the "standard" stance.

So, those are good guidelines, but they're not hard and fast rules.

[muskegman]

Hight: 5'9"
Wrist to Floor: 33 1/2" or 34.

According to the "Lie Angle Fitting Chart" I should standard lie.

Length says I should be standard length.

That works out nice. Theoretically I am totally average. Hopefully my playing is a becomes a little above average at least.

I scheduled a club fitting for next Sunday at 2 pm. Theres a great little shop down the road that I've hit balls at. I may take some lessons down there too. In fact, the lessons may have to come before the fitting :-\ .

[iacas]

You have long arms? I'm 5'10" or 5'11" (in the morning) and my wrist-to-floor is 35". Yours is 32" or less? Make sure you're measuring your wrist, not your palm or fingertips.

[muskegman]

Yeah, my wife just measured my wrist to floor at 33 1/2" or 34" so I got it wrong the first time around.