Golf Club Fitting

[Gibby]

Sorry in advance if this is somewhat of a stupid question o.O

I've read a whole lot on this forum about how important club fitting is. With this summer coming up, I'm looking to replace my old Nike Ignite SGI with some player cavity backs. I suppose I should get "fitted" for these irons while i'm at it.

So basically, I was just wondering what all is included when being fit for a club? I'm aware of lie angles, shaft length, and probably shaft flex. What else? Do they let you choose grips for the clubs? Do they actually offer different shafts, or just different flexes of the same shaft? Also, about what would be the typical price for a club fitting at Golfsmith? Does it vary based on your results from the fitting?

One last thing, if I buy a used set (currently eyeing a almost brand new set of Cobra Pro CBs at the Golfsmith here on the used shelf, all look brand new except for the PW which just has a few ball marks. I don't think a full round was even played with these clubs =D), could I get a fitting? Or are fittings only offered for new clubs?

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help =]

-Gibby

[Shindig]

Hey there,

I'm glad you're looking to get fit. From your handicap, I suspect you're a good player, but aren't yet as good as you can be - with the right equipment. Getting fit is the right first path.

When I was fit for my irons, they checked lie angle, shaft length, and shaft flex. Mizuno now suggests multiple shafts in the same flex, and whether or not to do hard or soft stepping. They will typically suggest a grip size, but of course, selecting the actual grips is part of this process too.

Do you know which set of clubs you're looking for? Most companies will happily fit you for free for their brand, and many stores will fit for you for free when you go for a purchase. In fact, I'd go so far as to say to not ever pay for a fitting once you know what you're buying. There are plenty of folk on this board from your area, so I'm sure someone knows - or will know - of a fitting day in your area.

As far as used clubs, if you know your specifications, you can get them re-shafted, and grips of your choice placed on the new shafts, and the lie angle bent (for forged clubs, maybe cast too?) appropriately.

[WUTiger]

Anyone who has been playing for awhile should go with detailed fitting - a combination of static measure of lie angle, shaft length, and time on the launch monitor to see how you hit the ball - trajectory, ball speed - with different clubs.

Some companies have a barrel of six irons with different shafts flexes, lengths, etc. Others, such as Titleist, have a selection of club heads AND different types of shafts, which can be screwed into the clubhead to increase the variety of club-shaft combos you can test.

Some golf shops put the cost of a launch-monitor fitting ($40 or so) toward a new set of irons you buy. Others fit clubs for free.

Sometimes you hit your current clubs to get a baseline of how you're performing. Then, the fitter will let you hit shots with other clubs you're interested in. Between measurements and launch monitor, they can get an idea of the range of clubs and shafts useful for you. Once they have this range, they can suggest used sets which might fit your profile.

If none of the used sets really fit what you want/need, you might go with a new set. If you want a tweak or two in new clubs, it may best to custom order a set from the factory. Custom order often won't cost much more than the off-the-shelf new set, unless you request an unusual shaft or exotic grips.

If you're going to get a full club-fitting, make an appointment. You don't want to wander in during Spring Closeout Saturday and try to get it done when 400 people are running through the store.

Some outfits offer a dynamic fitting , which combines a major personalized analysis of you as a golfer, plus the static measure and launch monitor elements. The Complete Full Bag Equipment Fitting from the Golf Academy costs $150.

[Gibby]

Thanks for the replies guys. I don't know specifically what set I'm going to get, but I have an idea of a few i'm interested in. Besides the used Cobra Pro CB, if I were to get a new set, I would probably look at the Callaway X-Forged, Titleist CBs, and probably a few of the Mizuno MP sets (52,57,58). I would be getting fit with the intention of buying a set, maybe not the day I get fit...but who knows. I pretty much have my mind set on buying a new set for this summer, but I'd want to hit several different clubs thoroughly and don't want to rush a $800 purchase.

So lets go with the scenario of buying a new set. I go to Golfsmith, let them know I'm interested in buying a set a player cavity backs, tell them a couple of sets im interested in. And I say I'd like to be fit for them as well. Would the process of being fitted be free then? And then how much would it cost to have lie angles bent etc? Also, I'm not sure if I'm understanding this right, but does the fitting process vary based on what brand of club you buy? For example, would Titleist have different shaft options than Mizuno or Callaway? Or do you get fit for a shaft, and then they can put it on any club you want? Also, what would be the procedure for getting different grips put on the clubs, would it be any different than coming in with a set of clubs I already own and having new grips put on them? Like lets say I buy a set and I want some Golf Pride Multi Compound grips put on them. Would I be paying for each grip and also a labor fee? Or would this somehow all be included in getting fitted?

[Bullitt5339]

When I went in a few weeks back to buy new clubs, I simply walked into Pro Golf and the salesman asked me if he could help, and I told him I wanted to hit and possibly buy new irons and get fitted for them. I had already hit quite a few irons at different shops, and knew which 3 or 4 sets I was most interested in and told him that I would like to hit them, and see which one I liked the most.

While he was taping up the 6 irons for me to hit them, I casually mentioned "If I buy a set today, can you fit me for them for this price?", and he said Yes, as long as I stuck with the factory grips. If I wanted different grips, I would just have to pay for the grips. So I went through the fitting process, chose the irons I liked the most, and paid for them. 2 hours later, I got the call that they were finished. I chose a Friday in between most people's paydays to go, right after lunchtime, and was one of 3 people in the store, so they weren't busy at all.

[B Keller]

I would go somewhere who is going to do this be something very similar:

IPAC’s 7 Step Clubfitting Process:

Interview & Performance Profile: An in-depth study of your game, your history, your physical capabilities, your skills and a review of your goals, preferences and expectations.

Evaluation of your Current Equipment: The evaluation includes an analysis of what clubs are working for you and what clubs are not, with an explanation of "why" by your professional fitter.

Static Measurement: A complete evaluation of your physical measurements, body type, swing plane and tempo.

Ball Launch Analysis: A session on a launch monitor to track all aspects of your swing and ball flight with a thorough evaluation of spin rates, dispersion patterns, ball speed, and other critical factors.

Equipment Trial: Selection of the right clubhead for maximizing your performance and for assuring centeredness of hit. Selection and testing of the correct shaft in the right cpm frequency for your swing speed and tempo.

Custom Build: Precision building of your custom fit clubs to the exact specifications as ordered by your Professional Fitter, including frequency matching every shaft within 1 cpm, head and back-end weighting, precision altered loft and lie angles, shaft spining, bend points and weight sorting.

Post Fit Check Up: Follow up consultation to track your progress with your new clubs and to make any adjustments if necessary.
http://www.ipacgolf.com/sites/course...566&page;=29465

I don't know anyone in Illinois, but I know someone who should know a qualified fitter if you would like me to check.

[Gibby]

Hmmm thanks for the suggestion, butit seemsas if something that thorough would cost a lot of money,and would require I travel a ways to find a rare place to do a fitting that in depth. I could be wrong though. I was hoping for a fitting that would be free. I'm serious about improving my golf game (high school varsity, high hopes for making it to atleast regionals if not state next year), but i'm no Tiger Woods, and I don't have a lot of extra money to throw around.

[B Keller]

It isn't as much as you'd think and there are places that will either not charge for the fitting or at least charge less for it if you buy from them. And if I am reading your post right and you are still in high school you could also see if there is anyone your coach knows.

[Shindig]

I'd want to hit several different clubs thoroughly and don't want to rush a $800 purchase.

Good rule for life: never rush a purchase over some set, small amount. I think long and hard before I spend anything north of $50.

So lets go with the scenario of buying a new set. I go to Golfsmith, let them know I'm interested in buying a set a player cavity backs, tell them a couple of sets im interested in. And I say I'd like to be fit for them as well. Would the process of being fitted be free then?

Probably. You should ask this

before the fitting - is it applied against the purchase price of the clubs, and if so, how long do you have after the fitting to make the purchase?

And then how much would it cost to have lie angles bent etc?

If you're buying new, they'll come that way. You'd order your irons +1" length, .75° upright on the lie angle, or whatever your measurements are. If you're buying used, and adjusting, yes, you'd pay a loft/lie adjustment fee. Out here, it's about $5/club or $25/set if you're adjusting existing clubs.

Many people get their lofts and lies checked on some regular basis, especially if you have forged clubs and hit off of mats.

Also, I'm not sure if I'm understanding this right, but does the fitting process vary based on what brand of club you buy? For example, would Titleist have different shaft options than Mizuno or Callaway?

For woods - and wood-like clubs - the stock options are sometimes different. Some companies have Mitsubishi as a standard, others with Grafalloy, yet others Aldila. Some have multiple options. And just about any shaft can be put in just about any club. It's slightly more complex if you want graphite in a club-head built for steel, or vice versa, but in general, it's very doable.

Or do you get fit for a shaft, and then they can put it on any club you want? Also, what would be the procedure for getting different grips put on the clubs, would it be any different than coming in with a set of clubs I already own and having new grips put on them? Like lets say I buy a set and I want some Golf Pride Multi Compound grips put on them. Would I be paying for each grip and also a labor fee? Or would this somehow all be included in getting fitted?

Different grips are a simple matter of looking at the grip selection, finding one you want, and getting it added. A friend of mine just ordered his Adams A7 irons with a non-stock grip -- one that Adams didn't even stock. The golf shop ordered the Adams clubs without grips and then put my friend's selection on it themselves. If you re-grip, you'll typically pay for each grip and the labor fee; sometimes, labor is included in purchases over a certain size.

I hope I've answered your questions. Please let me know if you have more.

[ronbo25]

I have found that the smaller private club fitters are willing to do a bit more for you than the large chains, i.e. Golfsmith. For example, I was just fitted for a new driver at a small private fitter. After spending an hour on the launch monitor with several drivers / shaft combinations, had it down to 2 drivers. The pro there would not sell me either driver until I took them out and played them both on a course. I don't believe that Golfsmith would give you clubs to take out for a round or two (I could be wrong).

I paid $75 for my fitting, of which $25 was applied to the price of the driver. His prices were exactly the same as the large chain prices. Fitting was worth every penny. I got a great driver with a shaft fit for my swing. (BTW, i got the Ping G15, 10.5*, Serrano shaft). Also got a matching 4W (17*).

[muzz]

I was in Edwin Watts last week, so I asked about getting a Mizuno Fitting done using that new optimizer.
The guy said it was $50 for the fitting, but if I buy from there the fitting is waived.

Must be nice, get $50 for putting a couple of pieces of tape on a club, attaching the optimizer, and letting a guy take a few swings on your Lie Board..sweet, where do I sign up........

[B Keller]

I was in Edwin Watts last week, so I asked about getting a Mizuno Fitting done using that new optimizer.

And is that truly a fitting anyway?

[Alohaed]

Wow. That's pretty good, most places taking the fitting charges off the price of the irons/clubs, when purchasing them. I have a local pro shop whos is excellent. For a full blown irons fitting(launch monitoring, shaft testing, you name it), they charge $100. And that is it, not deducted from the price of irons. Same thing for the $100 for a driver/woods fitting. When I asked about it, I was told it is not really a fitting session, but a "analysis", because the want to look at everything done with my old, current clubs first, to determine if I even would need new clubs. Yet, regardless of old clubs, buying new, and how great of a reputation this place is, it seems expensive. Similarly when I was fitted for my new hybrids last year, no monitor, a static fitting, I paid $60. Plus the full price of the hybrids.

[fredsco]

I just bought a new set of Mizuno MP-58s at golfsmith via golftec. They did the physical measurements, Shaft optimzation, lie check plus launch monitor time. If you have one locally, it is probably at least worth checking out. I'm very happy with the result.

Now, if only Spring would arrive for us Northeasterners...