New Irons how to go about it?

[Norm66]

I'm ready to get my first set of name brand, fitted irons. I've got my eye on Cobra FPs in part because they've dropped down to about $350 at Golfsmith et.al. I want to have them fitted because my instructor told me just by looking at me he'd make my clubs at least 1" longer than standard so I know standard isn't for me.

I live in West Virginia and the closest place that does real fittings I've found thus far (Golfsmith) is about 2 1/2 hours away in Columbus, OH so I'm not really able to just stop by the store to check things out so I figured some folks here might be able to help me out.

I'm interested in the Cobras, but I'd like to hit a variety of irons to see how they felt. I definitely want a real fitting, not just measure my ground to wrist distance. Is this done on a walk-in basis or would I need an appointment? How long can I expect between the fitting and the clubs being ready? Does Golfsmith even do live fittings? Any idea of the cost of the fitting?

I'm new to this so any other tidbits I might need would be very much appreciated.

[Big_M]

Fitting should be FREE as long as you purchase a set of irons.

No appointment is necessary, but I would go during the week if you can, as they are likely less busy.

you should be able to demo any club in the store... does that golfsmith have an outdoor range? If not, I would find someplace that does to demo clubs.

a "real" fitting will include... length of club will be based on wrist to floor measurement... you will then hit off a lie board to determine if clubs need to be upright or flat... they will also check swingspeed and ask about feel to determine shaft flex... and finally they will determine grip size and preferrence. After all this it should take 5-10 days for the OEM to build and ship your clubs, they may be able to ship them right to you.

[Norm66]

Thanks Big M! I appreciate the help. I don't think this golfsmith has an outdoor range, but dont' they have the simulator doodad? I don't think hitting balls into a net ten feet away from me will tell me much about new clubs. I'll have to look around and see what's available.

[klaymon]

Golf Galaxy in Columbus (since you mentioned coming here) does fittings. They have a simulator with a screen, but no outdoor area. As far as the simulator goes in telling you how you hit, I think it does a pretty good job. It shows you where your ball lands so you can get an idea of whether you are slicing, etc.

They charged my father-in-law $50 for a fitting and since he ordered clubs through them, they applied the $50 to the price of the clubs. They take measurements and have you hit balls. They have some kind of divot mat that shows how much of the club is striking the ground so they can adjust lie angles.

When I talked to them last, they told me that I need to order clubs about a month before when I want/need them.

[Norm66]

Klaymon, thanks! I didn't even know there was a golf Galaxy in Columbus. I'll check them out.

[klaymon]

There are actually two. One is at the Easton Center (NE side of town) and one is near Tuttle Mall in Dublin (NW side of town and the one I go to). The pro in Dublin, Todd Nemenz, is a great guy. He does the fittings and the lessons.

[Norm66]

Klumon, thanks. The Easton one is closer to me (WV), but IIRC my wife has a cousin in or near Dublin so it might be easier to sell the trip if we could do a visit as well. I really liked the fact that Golf Galaxy has a section explaining what & how they do fittings right on their site. Golfsmith's didn't really spell out what they did or why so I'm definitely leaning toward Golf Galaxy now.

[jaragon126]

I too am in the same boat Norm66 ... I will be getting a new set of named brand irons soon. I got a ton of Gift Certificates from Golfsmith for xmas, so I will be getting my clubs (and fitting) from them.

I have sort of a side-question about this process though ... when is the best time of the year to get new clubs?

I am in Colorado, so playing golf in the winter here is pretty much out of the question. I have been able to get out to the driving range a couple of times & hit off the mats there though.

Is it better to get new clubs in the winter, so that you have all winter to try to get used to them (what little you can because of the cold weather)?

Is it better to get new clubs in the fall, because your swing is in full effect & you will get a better fitting ... and you will have all winter to get used to the new clubs?

Is it better to get new clubs in the spring, because you can actually go out & hit the new clubs on the course & see if you like them?

[Masa]

I too am in the same boat Norm66 ... I will be getting a new set of named brand irons soon. I got a ton of Gift Certificates from Golfsmith for xmas, so I will be getting my clubs (and fitting) from them.

That kind of depends. I would think the best time to get fitted would be when your swing is at its best, but sometimes people need something new to give them some confidence. If your swing is tuned, but you don't have any confidence, I'm not sure that's all that much better. A lot of it will depend on you, my swing never really completely goes away, it just takes me a little to get the timing back, so when I get fitted won't change the results much. It could easily be different for you though.

Out of curiosity, where are you at in Colorado? A couple of guys that I've worked with on fittings are all at the Golden store. Mario, Mike Paav, and Scott are all great. I'm not sure what irons you are looking at but Golfsmith does have their playability policy which is for about 3 months, but I think it is only good for irons around $550 and up.

[jaragon126]

Hi Masa ... yea, I am thinking the best time to get new clubs would perhaps be in the fall at the end of the season since the swing is at it's best. I do not lack confidence ... I have been playing for about 7 yrs, and my handicap is just over 7. I usually shoot in the low 80s/high 70s. Most of my work needs done with the short game (as always).

I have been to the range a couple of times this winter, and it's not like I'm hitting slices & hooks all over the place at the range. But I do know my swing isn't as tight as it normally is when I play every day in the summer.

Unfortunately, I got a bunch of Golfsmith gift cards for xmas, and I don't really want to wait until next fall to use them.

I am in south Denver, Colorado. So the Golfsmith store I would probably go to is down at Park Meadows Mall. Golden isn't that far away though ...

The clubs I am looking at are over $550. I'm looking at either the new Calloway x20 or perhaps some new Taylor Made.

That's the other thing ... the Golfsmith playability policy where you can return them if you don't like them. If I buy my clubs now, I can't play them until spring, so I won't have much time to see if I like them. Maybe waiting until closer to spring is better then since I don't want to wait until next fall?

[Masa]

That would be my suggestion. Wait until it warms up and then buy them towards the start of the season, that way you get 3 months of prime season to try them, if you don't like them you still have enough time left to try out the next set before winter hits again. Maybe get fitted in mid-March to early April, that way your clubs will be in your hands by May and have some good months of play to really test them. Fitted orders from the manufacturer's typically take about 2-3 weeks to arrive unless they run out of something.

[TommyD69]

Norm, Oglebay has all those golf courses (which I love to play, but haven't had a chance to get down there for a few years). Isn't there a driving range and a pro shop/pro there on site? Plus, there has to be a Golf Galaxy in WVA some place close to you no?

Pittsburgh is probably closer to you than Columbus, but I can understand why a mountaineer would not wanna go into Panther country!!! How cool would it have been if Ohio State and West Virginian ended up in the BCS championship? Oh well...........

[Norm66]

Tommy, I'm originally from Youngstown, small world eh? According to their web sites, none of the big golf stores are in WV at this time. As it turns out, Columbus is in fact a little bit closer to me than Pittsburgh (where I'm going tomorrow for a Penguins game; but won't have time to shop).

I was definitely hoping for a WVU vs. OSU game, but WVU blew it. Doh!