Getting fitted for new clubs

[dennyjones]

New member here:

I'm getting fitted for new clubs in two weeks at Carl's Golfland in Bloomfield Hills, MI and I'm wondering if anybody has suggestion to help me help them.

I haven't played golf since Labor Day weekend but I've been going to the driving range the last couple of weeks to limber up!   I'm about an 18 handicap with short game woes but from tee to green I'm fairly consistent.

I have been fitted for a Karsten 1959 putter that I absolutely love with a shorter shaft and 1º of loft.

I'm a firm believer in fitted clubs now.  I would love to hear from experienced players regarding club fitting and what I should expect when I'm being fitted for new clubs.

Denny from Davison, MI

[FlyKixz23]

To answer your question there are all different kinds of club fitters, meaning that there are ones that really take their time and use high end equipment like a trackman monitor for your numbers when hitting a golf ball with irons and woods...etc.. Then you have top notch golf fitters that are more knowledged then others, letting them know your preferences in feel and stuff of that manner is good to help gear them towards certain shafts or clubs you may be interested in and as far as flexes that will be left up to the numbers on a monitor if your getting a full out fitting. For example I am 6'3 170lbs and play +1/2 inch over standard length shafts in all my clubs except for drivers and woods, and I have my irons at 2 degrees upright from standard. That does not mean everyone my size needs them specs because wrist to floor length and other stuff comes into play but general rule of thumb is a guy my size plays specs around there!  If at any time you feel like your hitting a club you dont like they directed you towards or trying  a shaft that doesnt feel good , then just let them know! It's in their duties to properly match what you need for Length and lie and flex and shaft ideas for you but it all comes down to what clubs you want to go ahead and purchase based on feel after they fit you for your specs! Where your going are pretty solid people, I do not live in the area nor have been to their store but have done business with them before and they are extremely nice, also it wont cost you over 500 dollars to get fit like it would going for a set of clubs at a titleist fitting center! Good Luck!

[notsohard]

Originally Posted by dennyjones

I haven't played golf since Labor Day weekend but I've been going to the driving range the last couple of weeks to limber up!   I'm about an 18 handicap with short game woes but from tee to green I'm fairly consistent.

Denny from Davison, MI

question you should ask yourself.....am i being fitted with a swing that i have now which is flawed, or should i have lessons to have a repeatable decent swing, then out lay my money for decent clubs.

[dennyjones]

Quote:

question you should ask yourself.....am i being fitted with a swing that i have now which is flawed, or should i have lessons to have a repeatable decent swing, then out lay my money for decent clubs.

I've asked that question myself many times and almost every response I've been given from my local pro to other forums has been, get fitted first.   I don't understand the logic but with the money situation, the timing is right, right now.   The logic I've been given; if you start a child playing baseball, you wouldn't give them a 36" bat and a softball glove, you give them something that fits the player.   I don't know.

I'm sure Carl's Golfland is great in fitting.   They use the Trackman monitor and I was told they have fitted almost 1000 people since last spring.

[airguard]

This is the time to be 100% honest with them, tell them your thoughts and concerns and try every shaft they have! Was fitted for a set of Callaways last April. Thought I found the feel I was looking for with a graphit shaft. The fitter suggested just trying a TT GS-95 shaft. Thank heaven he did, I love them and they feel so much nicer than the graphit. Keep in mind that was ME not YOU. We are all different!

[John Whitfield]

If you are buying new clubs it is essential that you are fitted.........I was fitted last week and just like airguard said just be honest.......what you feel will be the best clubs for you may not be the best ones when put through the computer...just for your info. I was looking for a set of Blades and Mizuno MP69 with dynamic gold s300 shafts came out on top....but I tried the Ping i20 and they were surprisingly good but the spin rate was through the roof.......I must say my fitting was very enjoyable.......just to see swing and ball speeds and tempos was very interesting.

[dennyjones]

Day 1 done.   Day 2 today.   I'm very impressed by the fitter and the technology.

A couple of observations.

I wish I was in better shape or that I was getting fitted in the middle of the season.   After 1 1/2 hours, I was more than tired from hitting irons.

I wish I was more flexible.  Something I going to work on..definitely.

It was great to try so many different irons.   I didn't realize they (the irons) made that much difference but it was amazing that the Pings had a significantly higher spin rate than the Nike or the Adams.  Since I have a flaw in my swing (over the top), the higher spin rate doesn't work for my game ....yet.

Hitting golf balls onto the range instead of into a net was a huge mental advantage for me.   I could see the entire flight of the ball.   Maybe it was just me but I like that better than hitting into a net.  I guess I could verify my swings, seeing the flight of the ball.

I wish (seeing a pattern here?) that I had my swing flaws corrected, obviously the clubs I select today or when I buy them will be different because I'm buying clubs based upon the results that were generated today, not my future golf swing.

For anybody that is questioning that idea of getting fitted, don't hesitate.   I'm impressed.

[dennyjones]

Day 2.

I'm still overly impressed with the club fitting.

The motrin must have kicked in because I wasn't a sore as yesterday.    The fitter and I decided that since there wasn't a significant difference between my cheap irons and new ones that I was trying, it would be better if I waited on the irons and spent the $$ on lessons.

The driver was a different story.   I bought the Cobra ZL Encore.   The difference was astounding.  My driver had a launch angle of 8.9 and a spin rate of 3124.   The Cobra gave me a launch angle of 15.1 and a spin rate of 2315.   The Cobra gave me 35 yard more carry and 30 yard difference total.

I have a series of lessons set up soon to help with the swing.  But I believe I'm on the right path.

I highly recommend club fitting.

Denny