HELP!!! First club fitting since I was a kid

[Duff McGee]

I am finally going to buy a good set of irons. I got my first set 15 years ago when I was 17 and I got it at a one person owned shop and I'm not sure the club fitter was an expert in fitting. I had to buy the cheapest irons there (Syncron II) so I could afford the customization. I believe the irons are + 1 1/2 and 4 degrees bent. So I've developed my swing based solely on this fitting through the years and when I bought a sand wedge the other month the club fitter just made it a plus one without any bend. I can chip with it but can't really hit a full swing with the club. I am worried that the club fitter is just going to blow me off, say +1, and be done with it without really cosmos wrong my old irons and how my swing has been molded around those irons. Basically, I'm just scared of this purchase but it is much needed and I am excited. What should I be looking for today at the fitting? What should I make sure the fitter understands about my old fitting? Thanks everyone.

[MyrtleBeachGolf]

If you are being fitted for irons, make sure you hit some balls (or at least take swings) off a lie board. It will show the fitter, where the sole of the club is making contact with the ground. If the contact point is near the toe, the irons get "bent" up a few degrees. If the contact point is on the sole near the heel, the clubs get bent down (or flat) a few degrees. Also, have them monitor your swing speed so they can recommend the correct shaft. If you are comfortable with clubs that are +1" long or +1.5" long, tell the fitter that from the beginning. You can then hit those on the lie board to determine what lie you need.

[Duff McGee]

Thanks Myrtle. What is a lie board?

[MyrtleBeachGolf]

Thanks Myrtle. What is a lie board?

It looks like this. It's made of a strong 'plastic' material. They put tape on the bottom of your club, on the sole. Then you swing normal. They tape will show where the sole of the club strikes the lie board.

[MyrtleBeachGolf]

As you can see from this photo, these irons were hitting the lie board near the toe. So they are too flat and need to be bent up a few degrees. Obviously you want those contact marks to be near the middle of the sole of the club, in between the heel and toe near the sweet spot.

[Fourputt]

Thanks Myrtle. What is a lie board?

The fitter will have one if he's worth anything.  He'll put some tape on the sole of the club and have you hit a few balls off the board (at my fitting it was a black plastic board that left a black mark on the tape where the club hits).  He will also use impact tape on the face to see what's happening there.  He'll measure you for proper length.  He'll have you hit a lot of balls on a launch monitor to find what gives you the tightest shot dispersion.  He should have you hit several clubs.  I gave him my budget and a couple of club suggestions right at the start.

As you can see from this photo, these irons were hitting the lie board near the toe. So they are too flat and need to be bent up a few degrees.

Obviously you want those contact marks to be near the middle of the sole of the club, in between the heel and toe near the sweet spot.

That's about what mine looked like - resulted in a 1 degree upright lie adjustment.

[Duff McGee]

Thanks guys! This is awesome info to have going in. Do you know if Dicks does anything like this or are they just kids hired with no experience? The clubs I want are much cheaper at Dicks but I need a good fitting.

[Golfingdad]

The fitter will have one if he's worth anything.  He'll put some tape on the sole of the club and have you hit a few balls off the board (at my fitting it was a black plastic board that left a black mark on the tape where the club hits).  He will also use impact tape on the face to see what's happening there.  He'll measure you for proper length.  He'll have you hit a lot of balls on a launch monitor to find what gives you the tightest shot dispersion.  He should have you hit several clubs.  I gave him my budget and a couple of club suggestions right at the start.

At Callaway they did it a little different, and I thought it was pretty cool.  He drew a line around the ball and set it down like a tour pro would line up a putt, then put a piece of impact tape on the ball.  When I hit the ball, the line that appeared on the impact tape would be vertical if it was the correct lie (which it was) or something different otherwise.

[MyrtleBeachGolf]

Thanks guys! This is awesome info to have going in. Do you know if Dicks does anything like this or are they just kids hired with no experience? The clubs I want are much cheaper at Dicks but I need a good fitting.

I have never seen it at Dicks, but I don't go there often. They may have it there. If I had to guess, I'd say yes.

[WUTiger]

You need to find a clubfitter you can connect with. If you don't feel the person is taking you seriously, politely end the session and walk away.

Read up on what should go into a fitting, and then start a conversation with the fitter on what you want: To get fitted for new clubs after using your present set of several years.

If the fitter tries to sell you one set of irons, or one driver, with little or no comparison, you're not getting a good fitting.

Most of your better fitters have been to trade schools (GolfWorks, Golfsmith, or one of the manufacturer's schools). IF you don't see any completion certificates on the wall, be careful.

Also, the golf shop itself influences how the fitter behaves. If the fitter is pressured to sell something to everyone who walks through the door, rather than build a relationship with the golfer, you won't always have a pleasant experience.

If you know any high school or small-college golf coaches, you might ask them to recommend a good fitter in your area.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[MyrtleBeachGolf]

At Callaway they did it a little different, and I thought it was pretty cool.  He drew a line around the ball and set it down like a tour pro would line up a putt, then put a piece of impact tape on the ball.  When I hit the ball, the line that appeared on the impact tape would be vertical if it was the correct lie (which it was) or something different otherwise.

I've never seen that, but I guess it makes sense. You would want the marker line to be exactly perpendicular to the grooves. Assuming the marker line is set up completely vertical at address. Interesting. I wonder if one technique is more accurate than the other? IMO, it kinda sounds like the marker line technique is a 'shortcut' for doing it with a lie board. I'd like to know where the sole of my club is impacting the turf. I'm sure the Callaway guys know what they're doing though.

[WUTiger]

Note on Dick's : This outfit fired more than 500 in-store PGA golf pros this time last year. I'm not sure who they got as replacements.

http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/11248733/dick-sporting-goods-fires-more-500-store-pga-professionals

[oudrees]

Every Dicks I have been to for golf just has a net in a closet for you to hit into.  I haven't seen anything hi-tech to fit with.  Is it possible to buy the clubs at Dicks and get them fitted somewhere else?

[MyrtleBeachGolf]

A guy I work with is a PGA Professional and the master club fitter at GolfSmith Xtreme here in MB. He fitted me for my irons when I bought new G25 irons a couple years ago. Obviously he had no agenda and wasn't trying to sell me a certain brand or model. I knew what I wanted, so he just measured me for length, lie, shaft flex and grip size and we placed the order. I agree with @WUTiger , it's best to find a fitter that is interested in getting you the best fit possible, not trying to push a certain product on you.

[MyrtleBeachGolf]

Every Dicks I have been to for golf just has a net in a closet for you to hit into.  I haven't seen anything hi-tech to fit with.  Is it possible to buy the clubs at Dicks and get them fitted somewhere else?

Yes, you can get fitted anywhere, then order your clubs from Dicks.

[oudrees]

Golfsmith also Price Matches if you have one around you

[Duff McGee]

Thanks so much everyone! Ooooooh baby did I find me a set of irons today: Let's just say that my distances have been off a little bit with my old cheap clunkers......

[Duff McGee]

+1 and 4 degrees up