what's wrong with golf galaxy fitting?

[AbsoluteZero]

I've now seen several comments on this thread about the fitting at Golf Galaxy. I'm not that familiar with their fitting methods, but I'm interested in knowing what the criticism is. What don't they do that they should?

[PiKapp23]

As is often the case with chain stores, it really depends on the person that is doing the fitting. Most of the time if you're buying new clubs (especially irons) they only do a limited 'static' fitting, which means they look at your swing speed (from ball speed on simulator) to determine flex and check your arm length to see what length shafts you need and they might check your hand size for grips. That's often all they do. You can get a more 'dynamic' fitting that they do on the launch monitor, but you'll pay for that (I think the rate for that at my Golf Galaxy is $79). With that fitting they are looking at ball flight and other characteristics of your swing, but again, it depends on the individual doing the fitting as to how much they will push you toward the clubs that are the best fit for you. To me it always seems they will throw information and make recommendation or two but they don't get into it deep enough to ensure the clubs you are getting are the best fit for you.

[youngskip40]

Ditto the above reply.

At the end of the day, a chain store like Golf Galaxy is about putting up numbers, and the people that do the "fittings" are not much more than salesmen when it comes down to it.

Their job is to send you out of the store with a new club or new set of clubs, and most of the time could care less whether or not they fit you or your game.

There are exceptions, I suppose, but when you walk onto a car lot do you expect a car salesman to try out every car on the lot until he's comfortable that you will like one? Or will he try to get you in the nicest car that will give the biggest commission?

P.S. As far as I know, Golf Galaxy employees are not commission based, so I know this is an unfair comparison, but the point remains the same.

[Rounders]

So where can one go to find a local club fitter?

[PiKapp23]

  Rounders said:

So where can one go to find a local club fitter?

Ask at your local golf course who they recommend. Or even better, you could ask one of the best players you know (usually the really good players know who does good fittings). You could also post that question on here. Since you're in Chicago I'm sure there are plenty of people on this forum who know of good fitters in the area.