Lesson and Custom Fitting and Clubs - Chicken and Egg

[turtleback]

So I have a son-in-law that I really like, and he plays.  Not great, averages 100-110 on a normal course.  For his birthday I got him a series of 5 lessons (he's never had lessons before) from a well-regarded local pro.  He hasn't started them yet.  For Christmas I am getting him a fitting and clubs from a local clubmaker with credentials and equipment out the wazoo:

 

Quote

Certified FlightScope Professional
KBS Custom Fitting Certificate.
GCA 2009 – 2010 Wyoming Clubmaker of the Year
AGCP Certified Level 10
Golf Clubmakers Association (GCA)
Golfsmith “Advanced Clubmaking, Fitting, & Repair”
Golfsmith “Complete Clubmaker” Training
OptimalFlight 2010 Certified

• FlightScope® 3D Doppler Tracking Golf Radar
• Mitchell Loft and Lie Bending Machine
• Auditor Frequency Analyzer
• Auditor MOI Club Scale
• Digital Swingweight Scale
• Shaft Extractor
• Pro Spine Tool
• Shop and Fitting Area

And following the fitting I will be having the clubmaker make him 13 clubs (he already has a putter he really likes and putting is one of the better parts of his game).  I'll let the clubmaker and him work out how many 'woods', how many and which hybrids, how many and which irons, and how many and which wedges.  Other than paying I don't want to inject myself into the process.

So my question for the board is which should happen first, the fitting/building of the clubs or the lessons?  I can see arguments on both sides and I just thought this would be a good place from which to get some input.  Thoughts?

Edited 20 hours ago by turtleback

[dennyjones]

Lessons.   I asked Erik this once and he said a good player could shoot a good score with less-than-adequate clubs.

[boogielicious]

Agree lessons.

[p1n9183]

17 hours ago, dennyjones said:

a good player could shoot a good score with less-than-adequate clubs.

I totally agree with this but beginners are not good players that can adjust to almost every club setup. 

A ping certified fitter, ex pro that plays at my home course, told me that the idea of the fitting in this case is to give the player the clubs that are at least suited for his body type in general. (body, arms, hands, strength, speed, etc) so he can go an play or have lessons with clubs that are not perfect for him but close enough. From there is up to the player to come back for another fitting in the future in case he feels his current clubs are no longer suited for his new swing/mechanics. 

So.. I vote basic club fitting then lessons. 

 

[turtleback]

12 minutes ago, p1n9183 said:

I totally agree with this but beginners are not good players that can adjust to almost every club setup. 

A ping certified fitter, ex pro that plays at my home course, told me that the idea of the fitting in this case is to give the player the clubs that are at least suited for his body type in general. (body, arms, hands, strength, speed, etc) so he can go an play or have lessons with clubs that are not perfect for him but close enough. From there is up to the player to come back for another fitting in the future in case he feels his current clubs are no longer suited for his new swing/mechanics. 

So.. I vote basic club fitting then lessons. 

 

Part of the clubmaker's process, in this case, is to have the player come back after a few rounds for any necessary tweaking, FWIW.

[ChetlovesMer]

20 hours ago, turtleback said:

So I have a son-in-law that I really like,,,

Do you have another son-in-law that you don't really like? 

The answer to your question IMO is lessons. Many others have mentioned why. 

BUT......

If you son in law is abnormally tall, or abnormally short, or has super long arms or super short legs or something like that, then at least a static fitting would be wise. 

Having said that, just because lessons are likely to give him more improvement than new fitted clubs, doesn't mean you shouldn't give him the gift of new fitted clubs. There will still be some benefit there, plus, going through a fitting and getting shiny new clubs is fun. ... And golf should be fun.