fitting?

Hey all,

Would you please take a minute or so and tell me about fitting. I have been told for several weeks that my swing in great...that I am a natural...that golf loves me...

Whatever.

Now, several of the people I hang with are telling me that I need to get my clubs fitted. What does that mean?

I play the following:

Taylormade r7 10.5* driver

Taylormade burner 3 wood

A3OS irons...

4h, 5h, 6h, 7i, 8i, 9i, PW, SW

Help is appreciated.

For a beginner, go with a static fitting. The clubfitter checks to make sure the shaft lengths match your body build and stance - not too long, not too short.

Also, the fitter should check the lie angle to make sure the bottom of the club lays squart to the ground when you address the ball. A good fitter puts impact tape on the sole of the club, and has you hit a few shots. Then, the scuff marks on the sole tell whether the club is even. too flat, or too upright.

With the impact tape, static might also be called non-electronic.

Once your swing stabilizes after a season or two, you might try a more complex, computerized fitting. These are called dynamic fittings, and can take a half day or more depending on which system the fitter uses..

Cool.

Where should I go for the Static Fitting? Go to Golf Galaxy, Dicks, or ... golf course? I live in Sacramento. What do I look for in a fitting person? Do I ask for a "static fitting" when I go where ever?

Thank you sir for the help. I really appreciate it.

Craig

Mr. Freeze-

welcome to the addiction! before you go to a "store" and get your clubs worked on check around your area for a clubfitter.  could be a guy who works out of his home, van, trailer, whatever.  someone who has some credentials from an established (or past established) organization.  we're all over the place and don't always advertise (it's freakin' expensive!).  what you're looking for is to have your clubs' lofts and lie angles checked and bent, if necessary, to fit YOUR swing.  just being "name brand" stuff doesn't mean they're top notch and fit EVERYBODY.  even the components we clubfitter/makers buy from our suppliers need to be adjusted to EACH of our customers.  EACH
CLUB has to be treated as a separate entity.  each club has to be checked and adjusted to be sure it's correct for the swing you use with it.  i just wanted to quickly put my .02 in here without going into great detail on the specs of clubs.  just some friendly, professional, advice.

enjoy the game!

bottom of the club doesn't have to lay flat at address,only when striking the ball does it need to be flat

It wasn't until a week ago when I finally decided to get my irons fitted to me.  I always thought I needed them flattened out as my arms are a bit lankier than most my height, and turns out, I needed it 2* flat.  Haven't played on the course with it yet, but practicing, contact is so much easier to produce pure shots.  Too bad I forgot to take my wedges in with me.  I need to go back and get it all bent right.  Best thing you can do for equipment.  It doesn't need to be expensive, or technologically superior.  Just needs to be tweaked so it falls in place for you.

can a pga pro do the fitting?

If you have any friends, relatives or co-workers that are into golf and had a good "fitting experience" I would suggest you use whoever they did.  Golf stores, like private fitters are going to vary and without any references you're flipping a coin that you find one that will do it right.  Golf stores with simulators will be able to figure proper club length, and calculate your swing speed to determine shaft stiffness.  If you have a consistent swing, then you will also be able to calculate the right lie angle.  Fittings in golf stores will cost about $50 if you aren't buying new clubs, I don't know what private fitters charge.