Not fitted for my clubs. Is that a problem?

[kleraudio]

So I got these clubs that were given to me a few years ago. King Cobra SS Oversize irons.

Im 6'3" tall and I have no idea if these clubs are standard or what not. I went to the golfsmith website and did their online fitting and it said I was standard size.

Anyways, I am gonna assume these clubs dont really fit me, can that be detrimental to my game? I have shots that are beautiful and shots that arent so pretty (just like everyone else) Is it worth it to bring my clubs to golfsmith and get fitted into the clubs I already own? I dont have money for a new set, thats why I ask.

Thanks in advance everyone!

Jim

[gmanuel25]

Go to a reputable club fitter or pro, Golfsmith would just use a static measurement to 'size you up'.

I went to a local Dicks that has a LPGA pro on staff. She watched me take several swings and then applied that to the static measurements. It wasn't a dynamic fitting (which can be costly), but it was better than I would get at Golfsmith.

[kleraudio]

They have a launch monitor at golfsmith by my house.... They said they test swing speed, launch angles, etc... when they fit people...?? Is that what your talking about?

Thanks

Jim

[ControlJunkie]

Do you still have the URL for that golfsmith page?? If so, can you post it please? I'm curious to see what it says.

As for your original question, I'd say it depends, but most likely, yes, it is a problem. It's going to depend on your wrist/knuckle to floor measurements. From there, it's best to get on an impact board to see if lie angle adjustment is needed.

The reason I say it probably is a problem is because I'm 6'2" and it's a huge problem for me. My irons are off the shelf. I recently read Hank Haney's book and made some pretty big changes in my swing. Since I've made these changes, I've gone from slicing with my driver to hitting the ball very straight and even drawing the ball. As I've gotten better off the tee, my iron shots have gotten much worse. My point is that I know my swing is getting better because of the results I've seen off the tee. Since I need an inch to inch and a half longer on my irons, I have to stay down much lower in my stance, and when I stay too low, I dig the club into the ground. My divots end up being much deeper on the toe end, meaning that I need them bent upright a few degrees. When I stay on the correct plane and on the correct height, I still end up strking the ball off the toe. If they were adjusted upright, that shank ends up being a nice, flush shot.

I definitely say go and get them fitted. You can get extensions to help with the length of the club if needed, and they should be able to bend them as well. Mine cant be bent because they're cast, according to a clubfitter at the course that I play at, but I've heard otherwise. Supposedly forged irons are bent much easier. Make sure whoever you go to gets you on an impact board as well. That will be the tell tale sign for lie angle.

[ControlJunkie]

Go to a reputable club fitter or pro, Golfsmith would just use a static measurement to 'size you up'.

What do you mean by dynamic fitting? Going further than just wrist to floor measurements, using an impact board, etc.?

[gmanuel25]

What do you mean by dynamic fitting? Going further than just wrist to floor measurements, using an impact board, etc.?

Definitely going further, usually done outside rather than chopping balls into a net. Therefore the fitting professional can watch your ball flight and determine what your tendancies are and can try to make adjustments on the fly. I was handed different clubs with various lengths, lie angles, shaft flex and anything else needed to get me into the best set of clubs for my ability.

[ControlJunkie]

Definitely going further,

That kicks ass. I thought that's what you were talking about, I just wanted to make sure. That's definitely what I wanna do after I save the cash for my new irons later this summer. Screw the monitors and computer sims. I wanna see the ball in the air before I make a decision. I was telling a friend that a couple of days ago. If I cant find someone near me that will do it that way, I'm taking a road trip and finding someone that can!!

Thanks for the info.

[kleraudio]

Hey Control, thanks for the help, and everyone else as well.

You think thats why I'm hitting them so fat sometimes? I put some serious divots into the ground. I have to bend over quite a bit for my PW and 9iron, and it hurts my back at the range from bending so much. I wonder if thats the prob..

I hit off the toe more than I would like too.....

What type of place do you guys recommend to get my clubs fitted at? And how do I find this place. If I get fitted somewhere and I end up needing new clubs, do I have to buy my iron set from them too?

Like I said I want to keep my current clubs, but try to get them fitted for my swing. Actually, just looked at the shafts and they are regular steel flex on my irons. My swing speed is pretty fast so maybe its time for some new clubs......

I dunno...

Jim

[ControlJunkie]

Hey man, no problem at all, glad I could help. Like Bill Clinton said, I feel yer pain. I definitely think that's why you hit them fat. Do you have a problem with topping it sometimes as well?

At address, I'm bent at the hips at roughly 20°, the rest of the distance down is made up by bending at the knees. For me, that's an uncomfortable distance down, and my first movement in my swing ends up being an upward movement, even though I dont want it to be :) The problem with bending at the back too much is that you take your hips out of your swing, and some of your shoulder turn.

As far as where to get fitted, you're in golf heaven down there in Tampa, and near Orlando as well. I really hope to move down there at some point. There should be a ton of good places to go. I'd say ask around at the course you play at the most. The people there should be able to give you good advice on which local retailers will do the best work. I'd throw a name of a bigger retailer out, but it seems as if that's kinda hit and miss from place to place.

And I know if you buy a new set from Edwin Watts, the fitting is included in the full price, but if you buy a used set, you have to pay for the fitting. I'm not sure how many others have this policy.

[kleraudio]

Sweet man, yea I'm gonna ask around. Im pretty sure I need to get my clubs extended. I come up right after impact too, and like you, I dont want to come up, but I kind of have to...

Oh well, one more thing to worry about. I can still shoot in the 90's but I HATE fatting my approach shots after a sick drive....

Jim

[ControlJunkie]

Was this the fitting system you were talking about on golfsmith.com? http://www.golfsmith.com/ps/oem_ocf....Fitting-_-link

[enis750]

i am also 6'2"..alway had clubs "off the shelf"
never been fitted and have played as low as a 2 hcp, currently playing 7-9 hcp
longer clubs have never even crossed my mind
i dont doubt that fitting is a good idea, but personally dont think its worth the $$
thats a lot of cash you can spend on green fees, etc..

a lot of poeple think that spending BIGG $$ on newer clubs, drivers etc. will make them a scratch golfer
TAKE LESSONS, spend time on the range, putting surface and from 100 yds in
do this until your blue in the face, then play golf
you will get better
yes, technology is good now and better
my whole bag retails over 2500...im in less than 1k

buy what you can afford, buy used if you have to and practice, practice, practice

my buddy is 6'7" and plays w standard clubs

[kleraudio]

Control - Yes thats what I used , just a quick online thing.

enis- that is well said man. Thanks a lot, I think your right about a lot of what youve said. Most clubs should be and are ready to play once you buy them... Maybe im just stressing too much.

I will take your advice to heart.

Jim

[ControlJunkie]

I think it ends up being different for everyone. I also think my arms are disproportionally short to the rest of my body. :) I'm tellin ya, from everything from my 6 iron up through my wedges, I'm so uncomfortable because of how much I'm having to bend at the knees. The thing is, I'm far from upright. I've got between a 20 and 30 degree bend at my hips, but the rest I'm having to make up for in the knees. I can definitely see how off the shelf clubs work for some taller people though, if their arms are long enough to make up the difference in their height vs. the club length.