Where is the right place to go for a fitting?

[Jakester23]

I'm looking for some advice on how to go about finding a fitter for a driver? I would like somewhere that has a launch monitor as well as an outside range.  I guess I'm wondering if it is better to go to a fitter who only specializes in one manufacturer products. In theory they have a lot of knowledge on those clubs. Or should I go somewhere that has more clubs to try maybe having more options but not as much knowledge on each particular club? Ive only been fit for my edel putter at this point. Any advice or previous experience would be appreciated. 

[cnl390]

I lucked out and there is a fitter in San Antonio (MK Golf Technologies) that is on Golf Digest's top 100 list.  I first got fitted for irons, then my driver. When I received my new "fitted" irons my ball strikes and accuracy improved substantially, which in turn improved my confidence level.  I have played 2 rounds with my driver (my fitting was a shaft change) and am hitting straighter, with more loft, and 10-20 yards longer.  

 

[onthehunt526]

On 8/21/2016 at 9:24 PM, Jakester23 said:

I'm looking for some advice on how to go about finding a fitter for a driver? I would like somewhere that has a launch monitor as well as an outside range.  I guess I'm wondering if it is better to go to a fitter who only specializes in one manufacturer products. In theory they have a lot of knowledge on those clubs. Or should I go somewhere that has more clubs to try maybe having more options but not as much knowledge on each particular club? Ive only been fit for my edel putter at this point. Any advice or previous experience would be appreciated. 

Don't go to like a Golf Galaxy or Dick's. A single company fitter isn't going to really help you either. You should go to a "shop" that specializes in fitting, usually the best fitting centers have GC2 or FlightScope. Don't hit more than one or two balls with each Driver. 

When I was fit for my whole bag in the winter, I did it in 3 sessions, Driver and Fairway wood(s) in one, hybrids and irons in another one, and the short game in a third. Fitting also is not cheap (I had a full set fitting GC so I didn't pay $150 for my fitting)... It's not cheap, but worth every penny... Don't take it lightly either.

The one piece of advice I'd give you, ask questions. A good fitter will be able to answer your questions objectively, including the whys and hows.

[Patch]

If it' possible to find "quality" person in your area, a combo club fitter/builder could be an option. If you can find one that's also a swing guru, that's even better. They have access to components for various club make ups, which usually saves the end user a ton of money over the big brand names. Good components and big brand names are pretty much equal in quality,  and playability. Just a thought. 

[WUTiger]

9 hours ago, onthehunt526 said:

Don't go to like a Golf Galaxy or Dick's. A single company fitter isn't going to really help you either. You should go to a "shop" that specializes in fitting, usually the best fitting centers have GC2 or FlightScope. Don't hit more than one or two balls with each Driver. ... 

First of all, Dick's never was in the same class as GG, even though Dick's owns GG. Dick's tried to have clone the GG model on the cheap, but the in-store PGA pros at Dick's all got fired in 2014. Often, the golf section gets manned by someone who sells baseball bats on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

As for Golf Galaxy, it depends somewhat on the store. In StL, the Chesterfield Golf Galaxy superstore has a "Tour Van" equipment repair facility embedded, a fitting specialist for most of the major golf OEM's, and does fittings for Edel wedges and putters.

The Brentwood GG got closed, due to disagreements over lease renewal. The Fairview Heights store has a much smaller staff, but the primary repair and fitting people have solid professional certifications and training.

GG has some variation store to store, usually related to turnover, but overall GG does a good job.