If you’ve been playing golf for a while (at least a couple of years) you know the answer to this frequently asked question: Should I get fitted for golf clubs? – and the answer is a resounding YES!
But if you’re a newbie at the game, still trying to decide if you really want to keep playing… the answer is more ambiguous. Because until you are properly fitted for clubs, you’ll never know if you’ll be good at this game. Borrowing your Uncle Charlie’s old clubs, or buying a boxed set off the rack at one of those big box stores will give you a set of clubs to use, but unless you are very lucky (and I mean VERY), the clubs will be too long, too short, too stiff, too flexible — anything but right for you and your swing.
When you get fitted for clubs, club length, weight, lie angle, shaft flex and grip size are matched to your swing. A private session with a club fitter should take at least an hour. By testing and swapping out a variety of shafts and club heads a good fitter will find the perfect club to match your swing.
Where should you go for a club fitting? – Many golf club pros do custom fittings for the public as well as their members. (I would discourage you from getting fitted at one of the big retail golf stores. Unless they have a pro on board, you are most likely being fitted by a salesman.)
Take advantage of Demo Days at local golf clubs. Try out a variety of club manufacturer’s products and see which you like and which you don’t.
How much does a club fitting cost? – The biggest obstacle I hear from golfers is that getting fitted for clubs is expensive. It can be if you decide to buy an entire set of clubs from driver to wedges. But you don’t have to buy the whole shebang right off. Buy just one club that fits you and try it out.
If you don’t see any improvement in your game, take it back and ask for an adjustment or advice on how to fix whatever is going wrong with your swing. But most likely, if you’ve been properly fitted for the club, you’ll be happy with the result. (I recently upgraded one of my long irons to a new hybrid – with great success. I love the club and using it has given my confidence a big boost. Read about my latest club fitting here.)
As to cost? The cost of the fitting is often waived if you buy at least one club. And one big advantage – the golf fitter will stand by the club you bought. If anything goes wrong, he or she will fix it.
How often should you get fitted for clubs? Buying a golf club, one at a time or a full set is not a “once and done” thing. As you play and improve your swing may change. As you get stronger, older, fatter, thinner…. your swing may change. If you suspect your game is going off the rails, it might be time to get a club fitting check up. Find out if the clubs in your bag are matching your swing.
Bottom Line Pros & Cons
The Pros: Your clubs will match your swing, you’ll play better and with increasing confidence, and you’ll know if you do hit a bad shot the problem is not with your club.
The Cons: It takes time, money and a commitment to the game. Not much of a “con” if you really want to improve. If you continue to play with Uncle Charlie’s old clubs you’ll never know if you could do better. Is the problem in your swing or in you club? You’ll just never know.
Have you been fitted for clubs? If not, what’s holding you back? If you have, how did your game improve? Add your comments in the space below.
