What to do before a fitting

[Joeyvee]

Ok, I have a very varied golfing history. I have never been fit for clubs. I have just returned after a few years off. More like 5 years off if we're talking consistent golfing. I have a swing, but it's been erratic lately. I used to hit my Titleist AP1 710's very well and the club ho in me has been wondering if the new 716s would work. 

So, how many rounds should I play before a fitting? I'm just worried that my swing isn't in its groove. I just shot a 102 at a pretty tough course after not seeing a course in 3 years. 

 

Also I don't usually buy brand new, retail, this years model items. I prefer to find a bargain, and my wife mandates it. So if I have a fitting is it typical that a set of clubs, whether it be irons, or complete new set, be ordered immediately after? Can I use the fitting to shop online, or would that be considered rude? 

[dbuck]

I think it depends on the fitting facility. Some businesses charge for the fitting upfront, then take that off the price if you purchase the clubs from them. In that case, I wouldn't see a problem if you elected to buy online. If the place does the fitting for free upfront with the expectation you will buy from them, I would think you would want to advise up front that you might not purchase from them. As the saying goes, honesty is the best policy.

If I was buying new AP1's, I would be careful online, making sure of the reputation of the seller.  I have actually been doing the same shopping that you have, and from legit retailers, there really isn't much difference in price. The going street price for new, 8 club sets of 716 AP1's seems to be about $899 regardless of the vendor. I occasionally see something on Ebay for maybe $100 less, but if I am spending that much, $100 is cheap for peace of mind. I have at least one fairly local vendor that has a loaner set, and does a complete iron fitting for $35, and takes that off the $899 if you buy from them.

This advice is coming from a long time scrounger, who can't pass up a pawn shop or Goodwill looking for cheap clubs. I recently bought a 913D2 for $75 and love it, so I am not above going that route. However if I am going to the trouble of getting fit, and spending $800 on clubs, I will spend another $100 to do it right.

[Joeyvee]

Gotcha. I guess I should look up local fitters and find out what I'm dealing with. I saw used AP1s in good shape for approx. $400. That's what I'm looking at. Or whatever fits my swing type. I am not above changing clubs completely. Though my Ap1s have served me very well, I have almost no brand loyalty. 

[Hategolf]

I did not get fitted until years later. My first set of real golf clubs was off the shelves, standard lie, regular flex and such. I played, practiced and got better with them. Overtime, I felt like I was not getting any more distance and my misses were too unforgiving, yet I was not comfortable with my swing...once the swing was a little more fundamentally sound..I decided to go and get fit. I chose the clubs based on my preferred look, feel, forgiveness and budget, the added value was the shaft recommendation.

I am happy with the results, I hit them longer, my misses are in play and my swing speed has increased. 

Others would go get fit on their first set of clubs, I do not feel that make sense...more times than not is the Indian and not the arrow so for me it made sense I learn the game with a basic standard set. 

[Midpack]

I would like to get fit for new hybrids/irons, but I'd like to cap spend under $1,000 for a set (if not less), Like the OP I am also just coming back to the game and my inconsistency is undoubtedly more due to my inconsistent setup/swing than my old irons. I've never used anything but forged clubs for 50+ years (more costly?), but I should probably be playing game improvement irons - and I know most of them are cast. I couldn't stand cast cavity back clubs when they came out years ago, maybe they have a different feel, look and sound now?

I've read a) custom clubs are cheaper than big name off the rack sets (maybe years ago?), b) custom clubs are comparably priced, and c) custom clubs are likely more expensive - so I don't know what to believe.

I read the free fittings at Dick's, Golf Galaxy and (even) PGA Super Stores are hit and miss at best, so I could buy clubs that really aren't well suited to me.

There's a Club Champion nearby and their iron fitting is $150 - I'm willing to pony up $150, but not if they recommend a $1500 set of irons (I've read a couple reviews along those lines). They seem to suggest there's a lot more to shaft flex, kick point (???), weight and length than a free fitting will uncover - would a high 80's/low 90's player really benefit from that level of fitting?

Can anyone put me out of my misery? Or do I just need to spend way more than I want to, to be sure...

Edited June 14, 2017 by Midpack

[xreyuk]

I'm in the exact same boat, coming back from a few years off.

I am striking well, but not playing quite as well as I was. I'm planning on having a few lessons and a couple of rounds, and then going to buy irons when I feel as though I'm comfortable and playing well.

I'm not putting a set time limit on when I should go for a fitting, as I think you'll improve quite rapidly as you start playing again, back to a decent level, but some people will improve quicker than others.