Thoughts on Club Fitting with a Budget

Hello,

New to the forum so I apologize if this has been covered in another thread.

I currently play with a set of T.A. Silverscot 845's.  I am a low to mid 90's shooter and play about every other week. These are pretty old and thought I would benefit with a new, updated set of descent irons.  Went to a local Golf USA in S.E. Penn. and they talked to me about getting fitted and if I were to have a fitting session. pointed out 4 sets of irons that he would have me try out.  He mentioned Ping G30, Mizuno JPX EZ, and the 850.  I forget the 4th set.  The EZ's were on sale for $599.  The others were $799 and up.  Initially with wanting a new set, I only wanted to spend in the $400 range.  I understand that getting fitted is the best way to go vs just buying off the shelf.  And I understand there are a bunch of things that go into fitting, but just to note, I am 6'-2 and have a wrist to floor measurement of roughly 37".  So I am thinking I would most likely be needing a custom set (but not 100%).  I just wasn't planning on spending $600 or more.  The fitter did point out a set of Cobra Bio's that I think were $500 but then to get a custom shaft, if required, tack on another $10 or so more per club.  That brings it closer to $600.  I am trying to avoid Dicks, cause I heard the fitters are not the greatest around here.  I could buy a set for $400 off of Ebay and then go get fitted, but till I pay for the fitting and the cost of custom shafts if required, whats the point.  I could possibly swing the Mizuno EZ's for $599 if I liked the way they felt and all, but really don't want to spend that much.  I have played with off the rack clubs my whole life (I am 40 and it doesn't mean that is the correct thing to do), and would I do my game that much of a dis-service if I continued to do so??

Thanks, sorry for the length.

Bill

Welcome to TheSandTrap!

You could always spend the $50 or so dollars and get fitted and not buy the clubs. At least you can then know what the lie angle and club length you need. You might be able to then go shop around for some used clubs that are close to what you want.

If you want something that fits you really close then buying new clubs would be the best bet. Being taller than average doesn't help.

I would watch out for on-sale items as well. A lot of times the store will buy stock and when new clubs come out they try to clear out their stock by putting stuff on-sale. This means you'd have to buy the clubs that are shown there and they are usually not able to get custom fit unless you want to have the store sub in new shafts. That kinds defeats the purpose of having a budget.

Try visiting an independent clubfitter like this:

http://www.fsgolf.net/Pages/default.aspx

You might pay $125 for a comprehensive iron fitting. But they can probably also build a custom fit set of Wishon or Alpha irons for less than what you would pay for those off the rack Mizuno or Ping.

If you've been playing for several years and score in the low 90s. it appears you have a somewhat stable swing. Not perfect, but stable.

Getting fitted for clubs would definitely help you. A full bag fitting would cost some money, but then you would know what you need. Also, you don't buy the clubs all at once. Once you know the "recipe" (heads and shafts) for your woods, irons, and wedges, you can buy the clubs over several months.

If you get fitted, chances are a decent set of trade irons a year or two old might come close to fitting your ideal set. A few tweaks by the fitter could take you there.

if you get new irons (never been hit), you can get a custom fit set for about the same price as stock, off-the-rack  irons. Fitters at the factory can assemble them for you. (If you get upgrade shafts or ostrich skin grips, the OEM would charge extra.)

If you get fitted and buy these clubs over several months, you'll probably spend less $$ than if you buy this and that club set trial-and-error.

Thanks everyone for their input.  Everyone offers good advise.  Getting fitted seems like the best option and not buying all the clubs at once is a good point.