Club fitting

[Clubchucker]

Well, I just recently got back from my first true club fitting. Thought I'd give my impressions and opinions because I know a lot of people most likely had the same questions I did.

Read anything nowadays and they say the most important thing you can do is get fitted. Well to me, that made sense. But the question is, how do you find a good fitter? Is Golf Galaxy good? Who is?

So first off, I want to thank Erik who took the time to answer some questions for me and I took a bit of his advice, which was also echoed by some pretty good golfers I know: I was interested in the Titleist AP1 irons. So the best way for me to find a fitter? I called Titleist, asked who the rep was in my area and they gave me his number. Called the guy, feeling a bit guilty for doing so, knowing he's probably busy and all and I'm just one guy. Left him a message and he called me back in about 3 minutes. Super nice. He said I did the absolute right thing in calling, because a bad fitting is just as bad as not getting one.

So he gave me a name of what he said was one of his best fitters in the area. Great guy. Now I've watched fittings before at Golf Galaxy/etc. and let me tell you: there is no way in you-know-where I'd ever get fitted at a big box store after my experience. Golf Galaxy's fitting takes about 15 minutes, hitting half a dozen balls off a lie board. This guy had me hit a ton of balls, with a ton of different clubs out of the fitting cart. Took me about an hour. He then sat down with me and explained what he saw and we went from there. Great experience.

So my advice? Get fitted for sure, but do your homework on WHO fits you. Ask friends who did theirs, ask the local pro and then look at the company's web site. If all else fails, contact the rep of the brand you're interested in and ask him...I did and he was very happy to take my call. And by all means...stay away from the quickie 15 minute fit job.

Hope this helps someone.

PS-very surprised at my fitting. After finally talking Wifey Dearest into getting new irons, I'm convinced that I really did NEED new irons. Even my flex was wrong (I had regular, now getting stiff). Now comes the hard part: one of the reason's my wife let me get new clubs was because I convinced her that with me buying Titleist irons, I'd start looking more like Adam Scott.

[andre112]

good post

i went thru a fitting at big box store.
didn't find it helpful other than getting the length and lie.

[golf_junkie27]

Now comes the hard part: one of the reason's my wife let me get new clubs was because I convinced her that with me buying Titleist irons, I'd start looking more like Adam Scott.

When are you going to start speaking with an Australian accent?

[kekoa]

yup, i went directly to callaway for a fitting. it was a great experience. i need to dial the clubs in now and attempt to make the same swing, consitently.

[thumper07]

so what exactly did they do at wherever you got fitted that a place like golf galaxy wouldn't do? can you go more in depth about the process you got fitted?

-matt

[Shindig]

So he gave me a name of what he said was one of his best fitters in the area. Great guy. Now I've watched fittings before at Golf Galaxy/etc. and let me tell you: there is no way in you-know-where I'd ever get fitted at a big box store after my experience. Golf Galaxy's fitting takes about 15 minutes, hitting half a dozen balls off a lie board. This guy had me hit a ton of balls, with a ton of different clubs out of the fitting cart. Took me about an hour. He then sat down with me and explained what he saw and we went from there. Great experience.

Thanks for the heads-up. My upcoming situation is between your good one and your bad one.

I'd like to ask, then, if I may: Mizuno fitting days. Titleist obviously sent you to the right person. Mizuno has days set up on their website and they say it takes 45-60 minutes, much like your hour. But it's held at various retailers; in this case, it's Roger Dunn. Any suggestions whether this is a good or bad idea, or if I should call Mizuno directly and set up my own fitting? Also, if I may ask: how much did the fitting cost you? And does anyone know the charge for Mizuno's fittings?

[JSC924]

Mizuno fittings are FREE of charge. I was fitted by a Mizuno rep. I've pretty much already had a shaft and set in mind when I got fitted but he did help with my lie angle.

[Mr Eagle]

Good post clubchucker,Ive had problems getting fitted,and just dont know where to turn. Ive been to 4 different "club fitters" for there recomendations and have had 4 different outcomes,maybe these guys should have to take exams or something.
Just how do I know who is best qualified?

[Clubchucker]

so what exactly did they do at wherever you got fitted that a place like golf galaxy wouldn't do? can you go more in depth about the process you got fitted?

I can only comment on what I've seen done at my local Golf Galaxy. Some stores may be different. I talked to the head pro at my store and he said a "fitting" (and I use that term lightly in this instance) would take about 15 minutes. I've also seen one done on someone else and they hit maybe 6 balls off a lie board. In my fitting, it took at least 45 minutes and I hit probably 7 or 8 different irons (going by memory; could have been more), all with varying lies, shafts (even 3 different stiff shafts) and shafts of different lengths. Oh and it was done outside so you could truly see the flight path of the ball. Afterwards he took me in and discussed what his suggestions were, even going as far as grips and tape wraps. Honestly, I've known people to get fitted at my local Golf Galaxy and every one of them has been "off the rack" according to them. Uh-huh.

My fitting cost me exactly zero dollars since I purchased the clubs from them. I do not know how much it would have cost if I hadn't of purchased the clubs because that really never came into play. They were going to be special order and they were actually much cheaper than the box store on price.

[michaeljames92]

When are you going to start speaking with an Australian accent?

already am. hehe ;)