Has clubfitting helped you?

[CarlSpackler]

I am trying to decide if I should have my clubs "fitted". I am 5'-6" (rounded up) and play off the shelf clubs. I hit the ball pretty clean most of the time and of course want to improve my accuracy and drive my HCI into single digits. I am taking lessons every 2-3 weeks and have had two pros suggest that I might want to get fitted. I am trending down with the short game and mental game work that I am doing, so I am a little up in the air. I know it can't hurt, but wander if it will definitely help. If I decide to do this, what is the best way of going about it?

TIA!

[$2 Nassau]

EVeryone is different...but for me I feel it absolutely, 100%, without a doubt helped. I'm about 6'3" - close to 6'4" with golf shoes on. Everyone, including a pro kept telling me to get fitted because my clubs looked so short. So I finally did and I think it helped immediately.

It can't hurt to at least run through the process and it's reasonably cheap to do so, and if you end up buying clubs from them as well they'll typically wave the fitting fee.

I just went to a local golf outlet that does fittings and went that route. If you are a member of a club or if there is a course you play regularly I would recommend going there to see the pro.

[bradabco]

get fitted no matter what...

[umpiremark]

I am trying to decide if I should have my clubs "fitted". I am 5'-6" (rounded up) and play off the shelf clubs. I hit the ball pretty clean most of the time and of course want to improve my accuracy and drive my HCI into single digits. I am taking lessons every 2-3 weeks and have had two pros suggest that I might want to get fitted. I am trending down with the short game and mental game work that I am doing, so I am a little up in the air. I know it can't hurt, but wander if it will definitely help. If I decide to do this, what is the best way of going about it?

What clubs are you playing now? Age of these clubs? How do these clubs "feel" for your swing, distance, accuracy, ball striking? Do some clubs feel better (long irons, say or short irons ...) or do they all feel the same? Do you have a "go to club" if you needed just one saving shot?

This is where a clubfitter will (should) start with you. Then he'll have you swing some clubs with different shaft lengths, shaft flex, kick points, and especially different swingweights. Definately get fitted for clubs, but ask these questions of the fitter before you plunk down dollar # one ... do you use a swing monitor (ball flight, spin rate, swing speed, etc. stats)? Will I (you) swing different clubs with flex, length and swingweight taken into account? If I (you) decide to buy these "fitted clubs" can you build me a sample of my "go to club" per your specs and can I try it out for several rounds? Never get fitted for clubs without a swing monitor. Never get fitted for clubs without swinging several variations of the same club (usually a five iron). Never get fitted for clubs if the fitter won't let you try a sample club during normal play. In my opinion .... good luck!!!

[CarlSpackler]

I currently have Adams A2 OS (stiff) irons that I purchased in '07 and feel comfortable hitting them. I also have an Adams GW and PW. My driver is a Taylor Made R7 460 (2 weights), also stiff shaft, and my 3w is also an R7 but has a regular shaft since they were out of stiff when I got it free with the driver. I got these after a pro suggested that I go with stiff shaft given my swing speed.

I think I have a tendency to stand too far away from the ball with my irons unless I grip down a little. I am getting ready to replace my grips, so I am thinking that if the club length is too long, it might be a good time to have the length adjusted for my height. If I am doing this, I might as well have them loft and lie adjusted too. I should have mentioned that I don't want new clubs. Thoughts?

[umpiremark]

You're currently a fifteen handicap; you're shooting 45, 44, 43 for nine, I'm guessing. If you're anything like me (a 14 hndcp), the strokes you give away on any round are mostly putts, chips, a few shanks and the once in awhile mis-directed shot off the tee ...

Your comment, "I don't want new clubs ..." says a lot to me. If I was fitting you (which I could) I'd ask, "Why spend money on new clubs you don't want just 'cause some pro suggested it?"

If there's a Golf Galaxy near you, go there and ask how much to get fitted for length, only. (Or lie and loft, too perhaps) ... you can cut down your irons (it'll change the swingweight and feel somewhat) and if you're disatisfied with that after re-gripping you can buy shaft extenders that glue into the butt end and then return them to original length.

If it cost you 50-bucks for a quick fitting at Golf Galaxy (they use swing monitors there), that's better than $699 for a set of irons you hate.

Hope that helps ...

[CarlSpackler]

That sounds pretty familiar. My scores are certainly improving with short game work though. I am feeling really confident on the green recently and chips/pitches are getting there. I do feel that I am in much better control with these clubs (purchased after the pro suggestion) than my old set, but I am guessing that the standard length sold in stores is a tad long for someone of my height.

It certainly does help and there is a G Galaxy close to me too.

Thanks.

[umpiremark]

Keep me posted, okay? I'm interested in what you find out.


Mark

[DogbertBH]

I know I've mentioned it in every other post I've made, but my fitting last year knocked my driver back into the fairway. I was using a Callaway driver that I hit decent, but had anywhere from a hard slice to a controlled fade.

With my new driver, fitted to my swing, I'm able to keep it in the fairway more often.

Even my REALLY BAD shots don't go as far into the woods as they did before.

I recommend it fully.

[CarlSpackler]

I talked to Golf Galaxy today and got their prices and I am going to stop by Dicks SG this evening. I am looking for other club fitters in the are too. Interesting enough, I found this link today. I am going to measure myself and shaft lengths to see how far I am off there. I will decide by what I find if I am going to have them (whoever impresses me the most) adjust the length.

http://www.golfdiscountcenter.com/Cu...Guide-s/47.htm

[RC]

Club fitting helps a great deal, but I think it must be done dynamically, based on real swings at real balls (which can be done in the shop's hitting and monitor area.) I would not trust static measurements.

[hawk45]

Fitting helped me tremendously!! I'm 6'4" and used to try to play when I started with a stock set of clubs. I was all out of alignment and was really bad for my back. I finally got fit and dropped about 15 strokes from my game (with practice of course). Properly fitted irons were big difference.

[CarlSpackler]

Club fitting helps a great deal, but I think it must be done dynamically, based on real swings at real balls (which can be done in the shop's hitting and monitor area.) I would not trust static measurements.

That is just to see where my length should be generically speaking and if my clubs match. I will certainly let the fitter advise me on what adjustments should be made.

[TN94z]

I know I've mentioned it in every other post I've made, but my fitting last year knocked my driver back into the fairway. I was using a Callaway driver that I hit decent, but had anywhere from a hard slice to a controlled fade.

I see you got fitted for a Wishon driver. How do you like it? I went to a clubfitter last year and these were the clubs he builds. I hit the driver very well and the 3w and hybrids were REALLY hot!! The irons I wanted look just like Mizunos and I have been contemplating buying these for my next set.

[umpiremark]

I see you got fitted for a Wishon driver. How do you like it? I went to a clubfitter last year and these were the clubs he builds. I hit the driver very well and the 3w and hybrids were REALLY hot!! The irons I wanted look just like Mizunos and I have been contemplating buying these for my next set.

Tom Wishon used to design clubs for Calloway (I think) or one of the big guns. He's designed clubs for Golfsmith/Snake Eyes and then started his own company. His clubs are top quality; I've built and used a three fairway of his; I get all his catologs and read most all his clubfitting books. Just FYI off the topic ...

[TN94z]

Tom Wishon used to design clubs for Calloway (I think) or one of the big guns. He's designed clubs for Golfsmith/Snake Eyes and then started his own company. His clubs are top quality; I've built and used a three fairway of his; I get all his catologs and read most all his clubfitting books. Just FYI off the topic ...

From what I was told, he developed the forging process that Mizuno uses and that is why the clubs are so similar....

Anyway, back on topic. I would get fitted if I had the chance. That is just one less thing that can go wrong in your swing.

[Shindig]

I've had three fittings done, two of which were real fittings. The two real fittings helped; the third hurt.

Let me explain:

When I got my first set of irons, I had static measurements done and a few dynamic, but I barely knew how to swing at the time. Either way, I ended up hitting those irons well (or, at least, as well as a 30-handicapper without much natural athleticism can).

When I got my second set of irons (MP-57), I did a Mizuno fitting day fitting. Dynamic swings, lie board, different clubs, set configuration, and so on. I played very well with these clubs!

Then I went to one of these "independent" club-fitters, initially for driver fitting. Turns out that what I really did was pay someone to watch me hit balls, try to pitch me on expensive lessons, and then just recommend the most expensive standard length shafts that they said were steel (but it turns out were graphite). And I, being a sucker, fell for it and bought the new shafts. I started playing worse and worse, hitting the ball poorly, and so on. On Sunday, I brought the clubs to a good golf shop to get the old shafts put in, and I'll find out before too long if this makes a big difference.


So, in short: get a fitting, but make sure it's a fitting and not a sales pitch.

[mnshooter]

How much is it to get fit? Do you usually have to buy new clubs or new shafts?