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Questions about fitted clubs


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Hi,

How should I go about getting fitted? Is it important to make sure I have someone do it who knows what they're doing, or should I trust Edwin Watts golf store? I was looking at a set of Callaway tour X irons, not sure exactly which ones, which are going for $350 for the irons. I like the clubs because of the price primarily. The guy at the store said he could save me some money on the fitting.

I met an old guy at the golf course today who said he made it on the Sr Tour then had a stroke. He told me I should buy the clubs from Edwin Watts, and then take it to this other pro who knows what hes doing, and will tell me how to get the clubs bent with a lesson. He highly recommended this guy and said all pros are not created equal, which i'm sure is correct. How do you think I should go about getting my first set of fitted clubs?

Thanks

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I just don't trust Golf Store to do fitting for me.   I would rather find a Custom clubmaker in my area to do fitting for me.   Then he can go building a set of iron for me.

Just make sure you are fitted for:

1. Golf shaft Flex and model

2. Iron length

3. Lie Angle

Those 3 are the most important for iron fitting.

Whats in my Golf Bag:
Driver: Nike Sumo 5000
5 Wood: Mizuno MP-001
Iron: Mizuno MX-950 5-PW
Wedge: Cobra FP 60 degrePutter: Odyssey 2-BallBall: Yellow balls
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I would suggest visiting a few shops to find out what level of fitting is available in your area. It could fill up a day if you have a few shops. The idea is to find a couple with a comprehensive fitting setup.  If you find one try to visit again when they have a customer getting fitted. If you compare the various shops doing that you should be able to pick the one that is doing a full job.  The best ones will take some time and usually requires an appointment because of it.

It ain't bragging if you can do it.
 
Taylor Made Burner '09 8.5* UST Pro Force V2, Mizuno F-60 3 wood UST Pro Force V2, Mizuno MP-68 3-PW  S300, Bobby Jones Wedges S and L, Nike Ignite 001, Leupold GX-II

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If at all possible try to find a fitter who has an outdoor range.  IMO it is so much better to be able to watch the actual ball flight and distances and hit off of real grass.  Indoor launch monitors do work good IF the fitter knows how to read it.  So easy now to buy a monitor and call yourself a fitter without really knowing how to operate and read it properly.

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Is it cheaper to buy clubs from a local shop and get a discount on a fitting, or is it cheaper to pay full price for a fitting and find an online deal for clubs that fit your specs? I'd do some price checking on the clubs you were thinking of. Make sure the fitting comes first , though. Hate to buy new sticks to discover you picked the wrong shafts. Lie and loft adjustments are pretty cheap, shafts and lengths can get real pricey.
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Quote:

I just don't trust Golf Store to do fitting for me.   I would rather find a Custom clubmaker in my area to do fitting for me. ...

Just because someone has a "custom golf clubs" line on his front door doesn't make him a technical magician. If you don't know what makes a person a skilled clubfitter, feel free to delude yourself into thinking a "custom shop" is automatically better.

Some specialty custom shops such as GolfTec have excellent credentials and skills. But, many golf shops and pro shops also have skillful clubfitters. Quality fitters generally combine work experience with periodic training at GolfWorks or similar clubfitting programs. Callaway and Titleist have training programs for clubfitters also.

Trader Will - regardless of where you find the clubfitter, don't be afraid to ask about his or her credentials. Also, ask other golfers who does a good job, and who doesn't.

Here is a Golf Digest listing on U.S. clubfitters, including the GD Top 100. http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-equipment/2011-02/clubfitters-listing

Focus, connect and follow through!

  • Completed KBS Education Seminar (online, 2015)
  • GolfWorks Clubmaking AcademyFitting, Assembly & Repair School (2012)

Driver:  :touredge: EXS 10.5°, weights neutral   ||  FWs:  :callaway: Rogue 4W + 7W
Hybrid:  :callaway: Big Bertha OS 4H at 22°  ||  Irons:  :callaway: Mavrik MAX 5i-PW
Wedges:  :callaway: MD3: 48°, 54°... MD4: 58° ||  Putter:image.png.b6c3447dddf0df25e482bf21abf775ae.pngInertial NM SL-583F, 34"  
Ball:  image.png.f0ca9194546a61407ba38502672e5ecf.png QStar Tour - Divide  ||  Bag: :sunmountain: Three 5 stand bag

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I would add that a good club fitting includes two easy specs (length and lie) and one more difficult to discover spec- the specific shaft that fits your swing and iron.

It isn't enough to say that you need a regular or stiff shaft. That means very little in the real world of shafts. Kick points and other shaft characteristics can only be experienced when you are swinging the club you are considering with that exact shaft.

To get fit for the proper shaft, you need to be able to hit with a computer analyzing your swing path, position of the club face, speed, angle of attack, backspin, and sidespin. You can't get that with an overly-friendly pro who stands behind you and tells you how great you hit that last one. He can't know whether or not your club face was slightly open or slightly closed. The computer will allow you to make proper comparisons and note the differences in how each shaft affects ball flight characteristics.

Finally, don't allow yourself to be convinced that your fitting specs will only work if you purchase the custom clubmaker's clubs! If the specs are accurate, you should be able to apply them to any iron.

A good fitting will allow you to KNOW - the proper length, whether your lie is flat, standard, or upright (to the degree), and what shaft produces the ball flight that you desire.

P.S. I wouldn't be shy about taking those specs to another fitter and let him know that you want his opinion as to whether or not they are accurate. I know that a local pro here was eager to see if the fitter at Golf Galaxy had done a good job. In the end, the numbers didn't lie.

Titleist 910D2 10.5* Stiff / Taylormade 3 Wood - Superfast 2.0 15*  3 Superfast 2.0 Rescue 18* Stiff Shafts

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I think that your local golf shop, with a semi-knowleagable staff, will be able to assist a novice getting an off-the-rack type of purchase.  With people that have inconsistent swings it is important to get them in the correct flex, length, lie, grip size, and forgiveness.  Beyond that, I don't think you need much more until you start to develop your game.

I bought my last driver and 3 wood from such a store and it was all based on their launch monitor numbers.  I then taped the clubs up and hit them on the range to verify ball flight and distance. I had a pretty good idea what I wanted when I went in, but got something that I never even thought of in the end.  So it pays to "shop" around even if it is just within the store's inventory.

My irons I take to my club guy (independant clubmaker that I have known for 20 years) and he sets up my lofts (based on my experience playing) to my own specs.  Once he does that I play about 5 or so rounds and then adjust if I feel something is off.  I have also hit them with the launch monitors but for my irons I tend to stick with performance under playing conditions.  My current set was adjusted twice (the initial and then after playing).  I also know that I have to have them adjusted upright (1/2 to 1*) and that my optimum grip size is a .580 on a .600 butt.  I bought my last set with s300s because they fit my profile and I had some experience with them and did my homework.   If you really have some questions a pro that is worth his salt can size you up in a couple of swings for an iron shaft and get you pointed in the right direction with some options as to what you could be playing.  Then it is up to you as to how you want to narrow it down.  For me, once I got some game and experience, it was pretty clear what direction to go in.

Cobra LTDx 10.5* | Big Tour 15.5*| Rad Tour 18.5*  | Titleist U500 4-23* | T100 5-P | Vokey SM7 50/8* F, 54/10* S, SM8 58/10* S | Scotty Cameron Squareback No. 1 | Vice Pro Plus  

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I would say you should find a custom club fitter or a PGA professional to do your fitting. Working in a pro shop, I see the way that golf retailers (GolfGalaxy in this case), will rush through a fitting and not give you the proper time to do a good fitting. If you are lucky enough at this time of year, get fit on an outdoor range where you can see your ballflight. I ordered my first set of custom fit clubs that I fit myself at work using pressure tape, man does it make a HUGE difference. Find a good clubmaker or PGA pro, stay away from golf retailers.

titleist.gif 910 D2 10.5 -- Diamana A'hina X
titleist.gif 909 F3 15.0 --  Matrix Ozik X-Con
titleist.gif 910 CB 4-PW -- Project X 6.0
cleveland.gif CG10 52, 56, 60.
cameron.gif   Studio Design 1.0   titleist.gif Pro V1    c2_beer.gif It's a Wisconsin thing.
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Quote:

Find a good clubmaker or PGA pro, stay away from golf retailers.


I'm a little bit confused by your post. My PGA teaching pro works full time for Golf Galaxy. Most GGs have at least one PGA pro on staff. He and two other GG clubsmiths have been to multiple club-making schools, and have several years of experience. Also, they accurately explain what different shafts and clubheads will do for your shot shape. I got fitted there for a driver two years ago, and the process took over an hour. I tested five different driver configs, and got a performance printout of all five which I used in final selection.

Now I'm not a paid spokesman for GG. But, the shops in our area have knowledgable people when it comes to clubfitting and repair. I have been to some golf retailers - and pro shops - where the fitters didn't really know what they are doing.  But, to say that all golf retailers are incompetent clubfitters simply isn't true.

Focus, connect and follow through!

  • Completed KBS Education Seminar (online, 2015)
  • GolfWorks Clubmaking AcademyFitting, Assembly & Repair School (2012)

Driver:  :touredge: EXS 10.5°, weights neutral   ||  FWs:  :callaway: Rogue 4W + 7W
Hybrid:  :callaway: Big Bertha OS 4H at 22°  ||  Irons:  :callaway: Mavrik MAX 5i-PW
Wedges:  :callaway: MD3: 48°, 54°... MD4: 58° ||  Putter:image.png.b6c3447dddf0df25e482bf21abf775ae.pngInertial NM SL-583F, 34"  
Ball:  image.png.f0ca9194546a61407ba38502672e5ecf.png QStar Tour - Divide  ||  Bag: :sunmountain: Three 5 stand bag

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Originally Posted by WUTiger

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDMplayer910

Find a good clubmaker or PGA pro, stay away from golf retailers.

I'm a little bit confused by your post. My PGA teaching pro works full time for Golf Galaxy. Most GGs have at least one PGA pro on staff. He and two other GG clubsmiths have been to multiple club-making schools, and have several years of experience. Also, they accurately explain what different shafts and clubheads will do for your shot shape. I got fitted there for a driver two years ago, and the process took over an hour. I tested five different driver configs, and got a performance printout of all five which I used in final selection.

Now I'm not a paid spokesman for GG. But, the shops in our area have knowledgable people when it comes to clubfitting and repair. I have been to some golf retailers - and pro shops - where the fitters didn't really know what they are doing.  But, to say that all golf retailers are incompetent clubfitters simply isn't true.



I should have been a bit more careful with my words there. For me, in my hometown, most of the employee's at golf shops like GG seem to lack the real knowledge in fitting and technology alone. If you are fitted by a PGA pro at a retail store, they are going to know what they are doing. I just got fit for a driver in November at GG because it's the winter in Wisconsin, so there is nowhere else really to go. Getting on a launch monitor was my #1 priority. I didn't mean to bash GG or anything. I apologize for my remarks, as I should have stated make sure you are fitted by either a PGA certified professional or a renowned club fitter. When I was fit for a driver in November, I felt as if I knew more than the gentleman fitting me, however, that being said this is my personal opinion and perhaps my arrogance got the best of me.

titleist.gif 910 D2 10.5 -- Diamana A'hina X
titleist.gif 909 F3 15.0 --  Matrix Ozik X-Con
titleist.gif 910 CB 4-PW -- Project X 6.0
cleveland.gif CG10 52, 56, 60.
cameron.gif   Studio Design 1.0   titleist.gif Pro V1    c2_beer.gif It's a Wisconsin thing.
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This may sound dumb but if you are new to golf how are you to know if you are being fitted by someone who knows what they are doing?

  :sunmountain: eco lite stand Bag
:tmade: Sim 2 Max driver
 :callaway: Mavrick 20 * hybrid
:tmade: M2 3HL                               :mizuno: JPX 923 5-gw                           

 Lazrus 52, 56 wedges

:scotty_cameron:
:true_linkswear:-Lux Hybrid, Lux Sport, Original 1.2

:clicgear:

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Originally Posted by jmanbooyaa

This may sound dumb but if you are new to golf how are you to know if you are being fitted by someone who knows what they are doing?



This may sound even dumber, but if you are new to golf, why wouldn't you just get a cheap second hand set of forged irons and then get them bent to fit (which probably isn't even required for the majority of players)?

Mizuno MP600 driver, Cleveland '09 Launcher 3-wood, Callaway FTiz 18 degree hybrid, Cleveland TA1 3-9, Scratch SS8620 47, 53, 58, Cleveland Classic 2 mid-mallet, Bridgestone B330S, Sun Mountain four5.

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What?

  :sunmountain: eco lite stand Bag
:tmade: Sim 2 Max driver
 :callaway: Mavrick 20 * hybrid
:tmade: M2 3HL                               :mizuno: JPX 923 5-gw                           

 Lazrus 52, 56 wedges

:scotty_cameron:
:true_linkswear:-Lux Hybrid, Lux Sport, Original 1.2

:clicgear:

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Originally Posted by jmanbooyaa

This may sound dumb but if you are new to golf how are you to know if you are being fitted by someone who knows what they are doing?



No question is dumb! We are all searching for answers!

If you are really new to the game, as if you just began playing, I would find a cheap box set or go to a re-sale store and find a set of clubs, that way you don't invest big money that you may never use much. However, if you mean "new" as in just beginning to get serious, and you intend to keep playing to get better, I would find a good set.

Knowing if someone is a good clubfitter is hard to tell. The best way is to find a PGA professional at a local course or shop. Before you get fitted, go in and speak with someone who would fit you. Ask questions such as:

"What exactly does a club fitting entail"? Someone who knows what they are doing will be easily able to respond that it mostly deals with the length of shafts, the lie of the clubhead, and also the loft.

"What does loft/lie and length do to make it a custom fit?"

Be patient when getting fit, try not to pick a club out immediately and say to yourself it's what you want right away. Clubs come down to the looks at address, the feel at impact, weight, etc etc.

  • Upvote 1
titleist.gif 910 D2 10.5 -- Diamana A'hina X
titleist.gif 909 F3 15.0 --  Matrix Ozik X-Con
titleist.gif 910 CB 4-PW -- Project X 6.0
cleveland.gif CG10 52, 56, 60.
cameron.gif   Studio Design 1.0   titleist.gif Pro V1    c2_beer.gif It's a Wisconsin thing.
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Originally Posted by jmanbooyaa

What?



Most hackers I see, (sorry, new golfers) don't have a consistent enough swing or setup to get a good fitting for anything more than length when they start. Personally I think they're wasting their money, but it's their money. If someone is absolutely convinced that off the rack clubs with standard lofts, lies and an R or S shaft aren't good enough, they'll never be satisfied. I think I just figured out who the Golf Diges Hot List is aimed at..

  • Upvote 1

Mizuno MP600 driver, Cleveland '09 Launcher 3-wood, Callaway FTiz 18 degree hybrid, Cleveland TA1 3-9, Scratch SS8620 47, 53, 58, Cleveland Classic 2 mid-mallet, Bridgestone B330S, Sun Mountain four5.

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Zing!  But yeah.

Originally Posted by sean_miller

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmanbooyaa

What?

Most hackers I see, (sorry, new golfers) don't have a consistent enough swing or setup to get a good fitting for anything more than length when they start. Personally I think they're wasting their money, but it's their money.  If someone is absolutely convinced that off the rack clubs with standard lofts, lies and an R or S shaft aren't good enough, they'll never be satisfied. I think I just figured out who the Golf Diges Hot List is aimed at..



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Maybe I was to general. I have only been playing for a few months(August 2010). I bought a set of X-20's and now am on this site sitting idle due to snow and was just curious how to weed out the bull of someone who just wants your money. I go to Golfsmith and am thinking of trying out Golftec for a few lessons and I think they offer a free club fitting and don't want to fall into well a money scheme of sorts if that makes sense. New to golf and listen to those who should know and hope they do right by me can be a long shot and expensive. Thanks for the response.

  :sunmountain: eco lite stand Bag
:tmade: Sim 2 Max driver
 :callaway: Mavrick 20 * hybrid
:tmade: M2 3HL                               :mizuno: JPX 923 5-gw                           

 Lazrus 52, 56 wedges

:scotty_cameron:
:true_linkswear:-Lux Hybrid, Lux Sport, Original 1.2

:clicgear:

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Note: This thread is 4783 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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