Fitting Golf Clubs

When spending the money for a new set of golf clubs, most experts recommend that you get a custom fitting. Each golfer is different, from height to gender to how he or she plays the game. All of these things will affect club selection and design. Golf clubs that can be purchased off the shelf are made for the average golfer – for men this means someone who is 5’9” or 5’10” and who hits a 5- or 6-iron 160 yards. Unless these specifications match yours closely, the rack clubs are not likely to fit your needs and could cause a negative outcome for your game. By having a custom fitting, you can determine the exact length and design of club for you. There are several different ways to go about fitting golf clubs, but typically, certain information must be gathered and reviewed in order to determine which clubs are right for you.

Club Length
The golf industry uses different definitions of standard length for men or women, so when fitting golf clubs, the first place to start is your gender. From there, your height, without shoes, and the distance from your wrist to the floor is measured. This helps determine the ideal length for your clubs. The standard length of a men’s driver is 43 inches for a steel shaft and 44 inches for graphite. Women’s standard lengths are one inch shorter respectively.

Shaft Flex
There are many factors that go into determining the correct shaft flex when fitting golf clubs. Generally, stronger, quicker hitters do better with a stiffer shaft. Your age is a general guide to determining shaft flex since as we age, we lose some of the strength we once had. But hopefully we gain skill, so your handicap rating, if you have one, or an assessment of your skill level is also important in determining shaft flex and kick point.

Swing Speed
Golf swing speed as well as the type of club you use at the 150-yard marker or how far you hit a 6 iron all help to determine your playing ability and style. All of these things can be determined through online assessments if buying the clubs off the Internet. If you go to a golf shop or other store where you can meet with a professional face to face, they will often have you swing a club to measure your swing speed and style. Some experts recommend you meet with a teaching pro and hit several balls outdoors to observe the ball flight.

Loft & Lie
Some fitters check for loft and lie specifications as well, when fitting golf clubs. This then requires adjustments to the clubface. It has been argued that these adjustments negatively impact the strength of the clubface material and that the average player can adjust for loft and lie by selecting a different club in the bag rather than having the alterations done on each club. You may want to research both sides of this issue before having a fitting done.

Often a pro shop or golf store will perform a fitting free of charge since you are purchasing clubs from them. Others will charge a small fee, usually less that $50, which most golfers agree is a small price to pay for a custom fitting before investing several hundred dollars for a new set of golf clubs. On average, clubs made from a custom fitting do no cost much more than purchasing the same set off the street, except that you will not find a set that is designed specifically for your needs without having a custom fitting. Fitting golf clubs and purchasing clubs based on that fitting is the first important step in improving your golf game before even getting on the course.

A Word of Caution
A good golf game is a source of pride for most golfers. During a fitting, some people want to come across as a better player than they really are, so they exaggerate their abilities. This is not a good idea when fitting golf clubs because the result is that you will end up with a club that is made for someone with skills beyond your true playing level, making it difficult for you to play well at all. It is important to talk about your average game, not the best shots or scores you have ever made.

Fitting golf clubs to your specific build and playing style is a fast, easy and generally inexpensive way to be sure you are using the right clubs for your game. If you think of your clubs as tools to success in golf, you see why it is important to select gear that is right for the job. Perhaps it’s time you took the time to find out which clubs are right for you.