Truth about clubfitting

[mmoan2]

I've only been to clubfitters in box stores like Golfsmith and online using the standard measurement thing, but I usually am told I need irons and wedges that are 1/2 to 3/4 inches longer (I'm 6'2 and my wrist-to-floor is like 37 inches) and upright 2 degrees. I understand that golf is a game of precision and I want the best equipment available, but am I putting myself at that much of a disadvantage if I buy a set of Mizuno MP59s standard/standard that I can get used in excellent or very good shape for about $400? It's tough to find used clubs exactly as I want them to be, and a new custom built set of Mizunos or any other name-brand is $900 minimum. Will using improperly fit irons cause bad habits to creep in?

[tristanhilton85]

I've only been to clubfitters in box stores like Golfsmith and online using the standard measurement thing, but I usually am told I need irons and wedges that are 1/2 to 3/4 inches longer (I'm 6'2 and my wrist-to-floor is like 37 inches) and upright 2 degrees. I understand that golf is a game of precision and I want the best equipment available, but am I putting myself at that much of a disadvantage if I buy a set of Mizuno MP59s standard/standard that I can get used in excellent or very good shape for about $400? It's tough to find used clubs exactly as I want them to be, and a new custom built set of Mizunos or any other name-brand is $900 minimum. Will using improperly fit irons cause bad habits to creep in?

I don't know if it's a HUGE deal, but having clubs that are fit to you doesn't hurt, that's for sure. Also, you could take the clubs and have them bent upright for about $5 each and the next time you get grips, it'll be easy enough to have them extend the shafts a bit if you want to do that.

[Golfingdad]

I don't know if it's a HUGE deal, but having clubs that are fit to you doesn't hurt, that's for sure. Also, you could take the clubs and have them bent upright for about $5 each and the next time you get grips, it'll be easy enough to have them extend the shafts a bit if you want to do that.

Exactly.  I didn't realize just how little of a difference there is between fitted and not until after I got myself a whole set of fitted irons and wedges.  Just like you, OP, I'm 6-2 (maybe 6-3) and was fitted for irons that were an inch to an inch and a half long and 2 to 3 degrees upright.  Pretty drastically different from standard off the rack clubs, yet if I threw my new clubs away and played my next 20 rounds with my old standard clubs, I would wager that my handicap would hardly go up, if at all.

But for the peace of mind, I think buying the off-the-rack clubs and having the lie adjusted for a modest cost is a perfect compromise.

[Hammer 4]

Maybe this will be of some use to you. I'm 6' wrist to floor is 32" Back in 2000, I was static fitted for irons, I chose the Maxfli revolutions, at that time they built me clubs 3-PW 1" linger, and 1 degree upright.

After my 10+ yr. layoff, I bought some used clubs last Nov. to see if I really wanted to stay in the game, so I bought some Titleist 735CM irons, standard length, what the guy failed to tell me was that the clubs were 2 degree flat..and I didn't realize until I called Titleist.

Can I play with them, yep, but what I have to do is, bend my knees much more than I did back when I was playing. Every now and then, if I forget to get lower to the ball, I wind up catching the toe of the club, and you can guess the rest.

If your buying New clubs, a fitting shouldn't cost you anything, you just have to wait for the clubs to be built, then shipped. My advice would be to get fitted, I think you'll be much happier in the long run, and if you make a bad shot, at least you'll know for sure, it's not the club.

BTW, I'll be getting new irons in a month or 2.

[snapfade]

If they are cast clubs be careful getting them bent. Lots of places wont do it or will make you sign a waiver i.e. Golfsmith. Forged no problem. If you special order a cast set after getting fit that's different because they [manufacture] have them already poured at the various lie angles.