Confused about fitting

[sixdoubleo]

New golfer here...  I've taken about 4 lessons so far, and as of yet haven't bought any clubs, but am looking to do so soon.

I understand the concept of what a fitting tries to accomplish, but where I'm confused is exactly what they do to the clubs to MAKE them fit you, and further, which clubs can actually be custom tailored.

For instance, my friend has a set of Wilson Staff Di11's which I have hit and I actually feel very comfortable with, and would consider buying.  Using these clubs as an example, are these clubs that could actually be custom fit to my specific characteristics?  Or would these be an example of a one-size fits all off-the-rack club?

Furthermore, in browsing people's signatures and seeing the iron sets they use, I've looked many of these up online and beyond specifying Left or Right Handed and Regular/Stiff flex, I don't see where any of these clubs can be configured with specific lengths or lie angles, or what have you.

So I guess I'm confused as to exactly how the pro shop custom fits a club for me, if many of these popular clubs I see people using don't appear to have size/lie options available.  Are there only certain brands/models that can be custom tailored?

[Shindig]

Any major OEM, including Wilson (which you mention above) can be tailored to you. Here's how it goes: you go to a demo day for the company (do NOT pay for a fitting at this stage; and if you do this in a store, be prepared to order the clubs, otherwise they're just finding a "closest fit" among what's in stock). They'll tell you what the specifications are. You can then go into a golf shop and order them. When I got fit for my MP-57s (let's talk when I bought them initially; my current specs are a little different), a representative of Mizuno took some measurements and suggested a shaft length of -1/2" (that is, one half inch under standard length). He took some swing speed measurements and suggested a shaft with flex of R300. I hit a few shots off of a lie board and we determined standard lie. I decided which subset of the standard 3-P I wanted, and went to the golf shop - Mizuno is not a retailer and cannot sell directly. The golf shop called Mizuno, ordered the clubs with my specifications, and billed me the pro-rated cost (I ordered 4-9, so I paid 6/8 of the set of the cost for the set; I also ordered wedges separate, and paid for those). I suggest going to demo days looking around at what they have. Don't say beginner's - just say something like "high handicap irons" or "mid-to-high handicap irons" (depending on how much you intend to practice in the coming year or so; if you're at the range every day, you'll quickly outgrow what are typically "beginner's / bad players" irons). If you wanted the Wilsons you mentioned, go to a Wilson demo day, hit a few, ask about a fitting. I typically suggest trying at least three company's worth of irons before buying a set, unless you've got some pre-determined reason to look at one solely. For example, if you worked for Nike in some capacity, you might want to limit yourself to their clubs. Some sets I may suggest as good for a beginner but that you could grow into are Nike MachSpeeds, Cobra S3 and/or S3 max (assuming you aren't of the age that Cobra brings to mind a villain immediately; incidentally, there is also a Snake Eyes brand not affiliated with Cobra), and Ping K15. In summary, and to answer other things you asked: - The bare minimum things that you should have tailored to you are lie angle, shaft length, shaft flex, and grip size. Any reputable OEM will measure you for these for free at a demo/fitting day. - You will typically have to wait 7-10 days for the order to come in. It is worth the wait. - You can also customize shafts -- most companies have a huge list of shafts you can get. Whether or not they're worth the extra cost at your level depends on the money you have available, but I'd say not yet. - Before you shop for clubs, decide on a "forgiveness" level you want. If you're taking a few lessons, but are then just going to play monthly with your friends on a Sunday, you might want to stay at the max forgiveness level. If you're going to the range 2-3 times a week, and are going to play regularly, consider getting "just" game improvement irons and working your way into them. It won't take long, especially with regular range visits and lessons. - Advanced: if you really want to, you could mix sets. I don't suggest doing this quite yet.

[Grndslmhttr3]

Originally Posted by sixdoubleo

I understand the concept of what a fitting tries to accomplish, but where I'm confused is exactly what they do to the clubs to MAKE them fit you, and further, which clubs can actually be custom tailored.

I've also wondered this. Aside from the club length, how do they change the lie and whatnot?

Furthermore, how helpful is fitting? I feel extremely comfortable using my irons, which are just standard specs all around. Would it be worth it for me to even bother getting clubs fit in the future? I have never seen the point in doing it.

[sixdoubleo]

@Shindig - Thank you for that info....that does help clear up some of the confusion some.  So if I'm understanding you correctly....I can buy a set of WIlson Staff Di11 irons as a consumer, and they will only come one way...but a club fitter has access to a myriad of other options to essentially "build"  these clubs to fit the customer.

But one thing I'm confused about is people who buy clubs online, but then say to have them "fitted".  Is the club fitter actually disassembling the club, and replacing shafts, grips, etc?  How is lie angle modified?  I guess that's where my main confusion is coming in....  I get that certain clubs can be "built" or ordered a certain way.  But when it comes to clubs that only come in one size, how are they fitted after the fact?

[Shindig]

I've also wondered this. Aside from the club length, how do they change the lie and whatnot?

Lie angle is changed by bending the clubhead or, in the case of Ping, a different, mostly matching club head (their color system) when you order. Flex is a property of the shaft; they attach a different one. Grip size can be altered either by a different grip or by placing tape under the grip. [quote name="Grndslmhttr3" url="/forum/thread/51725/confused-about-fitting#post_631238"]Furthermore, how helpful is fitting? I feel extremely comfortable using my irons, which are just standard specs all around. Would it be worth it for me to even bother getting clubs fit in the future? I have never seen the point in doing it.[/quote] It's possible that you're properly fit into the ones you have. But when you go for your next set, why wouldn't you get fit instead of buying off the shelf? It's the same cost and takes only about a week to get your clubs - compared to how long you'll have them, that's nothing. [quote name="sixdoubleo" url="/forum/thread/51725/confused-about-fitting#post_631315"]

@Shindig - Thank you for that info....that does help clear up some of the confusion some.  So if I'm understanding you correctly....I can buy a set of WIlson Staff Di11 irons as a consumer, and they will only come one way...but a club fitter has access to a myriad of other options to essentially "build"  these clubs to fit the customer.[/quote] A store might stock 2-3 variants, but they're pretty much all going to be standard length, lie, and grip size - flex might change or, in some cases, they'll stock graphite and steel. The company representatives have various ways of figuring out what works best for you. When you put in your order, instead of assembling at standard length with whatever the default shaft is, they assemble according to what you specified in the order. [quote name="sixdoubleo" url="/forum/thread/51725/confused-about-fitting#post_631315"]But one thing I'm confused about is people who buy clubs online, but then say to have them "fitted". Is the club fitter actually disassembling the club, and replacing shafts, grips, etc?  How is lie angle modified?  [/quote] Well, I know my specs; I could order from an online store who, in turn, could order from the manufacturer on my behalf, just as if I were physically present in their store. Alternately, some people buy clubs and THEN have them fit (this is more expensive). They get the shafts removed or cut, new grips attached, the lie angle bent (there are machines that can bend the clubheads for this). [quote name="sixdoubleo" url="/forum/thread/51725/confused-about-fitting#post_631315"]I guess that's where my main confusion is coming in....  I get that certain clubs can be "built" or ordered a certain way.  But when it comes to clubs that only come in one size, how are they fitted after the fact?

[/quote] It's like adding things to a car after the fact. I have my car in whatever its specifications are, but if I wanted a new music system, I could get the dealer to remove the current one and put a new one in. A club repairman can heat the club in order to get the epoxy that holds the head to the shaft to come loose. He then separates, cleans, puts the new shaft in and glues that.

[sixdoubleo]

@Shindig, thank you for that explanation...that makes much more sense now.  I think I'll go ahead and schedule a fitting for this week and see what we find.  Thanks again for all the info...it was very helpful..

[Shindig]

@Shindig, thank you for that explanation...that makes much more sense now.  I think I'll go ahead and schedule a fitting for this week and see what we find.  Thanks again for all the info...it was very helpful..

Before you do: *WHO* is fitting you? There's all sorts of issue with being fit by a retail salesman instead of a company representative (who has no benefit from sales happening). I strongly suggest checking the webpage of the company whose clubs you want and finding out when they'll be in your area.

[rustyredcab]

Two kinds of fittings: static and dynamic.

Static fitting takes measurements and gives you specs for your body and a "proper" swing. That's how I get fitted for my clubs length and lie.

Dynamic fitting fits the swing you have. Great for finding the right shaft and getting the feel you want. Done by hitting balls and getting readings from launch monitors and or watching ball flight.

For someone learning a new swing, I recommend static fitting -- get fitted for the swing you want. I'm standard length and 1* flat. If I check that on a lie board and find it is not right, it is the swing, not the club that needs to change.

[sixdoubleo]

Im taking lessons at a golf course here, and as part of the deal it includes a free fitting at the pro shop.  If you end up buying your clubs from them, they also give you two half hour private sessions with the golf pro.

I figured I might as well take advantage of the fitting I get as part of my lessons, but that is a good idea you bring up.  I will look into that as well.

[Shindig]

That'll be fine then. Just make sure they know that you're OK with ordering and waiting for proper fitting clubs to come in, so they don't think they have to have it in stock. The pros are more than salesmen, don't worry. My concern was that you were going to go to a sporting good store and get someone there to figure out which you should buy (I've seen more than enough people do this). Actually, the "free fitting, plus bonus lessons from your pro if you buy here" sounds like a great deal, assuming their prices are competitive.

[Grndslmhttr3]

Originally Posted by Shindig

It's possible that you're properly fit into the ones you have. But when you go for your next set, why wouldn't you get fit instead of buying off the shelf? It's the same cost and takes only about a week to get your clubs - compared to how long you'll have them, that's nothing.

Ahh, I was under the impression that getting fit cost some ludicrous fee on top of what would probably be around $700 or more for a set of clubs. Thanks. Probably won't be for a couple of years that I get a new set, anyway, but when I do I'll definitely give it a look.

[Shindig]

Ahh, I was under the impression that getting fit cost some ludicrous fee on top of what would probably be around $700 or more for a set of clubs. Thanks. Probably won't be for a couple of years that I get a new set, anyway, but when I do I'll definitely give it a look.

Well, if you want one of those where you hit many combinations of different brands and every imaginable shaft, yeah, it's going to be expensive. Those certainly exist. But there's also a simple static fitting for free at most shops, and a simple static + small dynamic fitting free via most companies. Ping rolled this out for the first time many years ago. The idea is that you'll play at least as well as you do now - probably better - if you're fit for your clubs. And most companies want you to play well with their clubs, because then others will see you doing so, credit it to the clubs, and then go and buy a set too.

[sixdoubleo]

As an update....

This morning I made an appointment for a 3:30pm fitting and club consultation.  I show up 10 minutes early, they charge me $50, explain that it's refundable if I purchase my clubs there, and am told to go out to the "Player Performance" building.  I head on out there and wait.

As I was waiting, I now see what you guys are talking about.  Essentially each club mfr. has their own little customization station.  For instance, I saw a W/S station (which included the Di11's I've already hit, along with various other W/S models) which had each of the iron heads, and then every length and type of shaft all in an organized club building station.  It also included various grips, as well as custom tools for building the club.  Around the room were similar "stations" outfitted with components for each club product line.  Now I get it.  :)

So anyway...I waited out there for a half an hour, spoke to two different staff members and nobody could find the golf pro.  Evidently somebody in the pro office put me down as a lesson, and not as a fitting.  The golf pro ended up waiting for me out in the lesson area and I'm waiting for him in the fitting station.  By the time somebody figured out what was wrong, there wasn't enough time to do a proper fitting and club consultation without being rushed.  Needless to say I was pretty frustrated.  Off the rack clubs are looking pretty good right about now!  Anyway, I sent an email to the golf shop director for the run-around I received.  Doubt I'll get a response, or that they even care about a beginner like myself, but at least he knows why he lost my business.

So with that, can anybody recommend a good club fitting service in the Sacramento, CA area...one that can keep an appointment (and one that ISN'T Haggin Oaks)??