Club Fitting
If you’re a serious golfer, getting fitted for clubs is something you hear about all the time. Sometimes I would ask guys that have been fitted about their experience and whether or not they would recommend it. Without hesitation or doubt the answer was always yes and always enthusiastic. Now a club fitting isn’t exactly an inexpensive venture so I made myself a rule last year before I could justify such a purchase. The rule was if I can consistently put up 18-hole rounds in the 80’s then I would be willing to take this step. Well in a countless number of rounds last year I put up one 85 and another 88. Not sure if two rounds are what most people would call “consistent”, but it was good enough for me.
Before I continue, I feel like something needs to be said. I’m not of the mindset that getting fitted for golf clubs is going to serve as some kind of magic pill that transports me to a single digit handicap. At least I know that I have the right clubs for my specific game, and they actually physically fit me. Golf is hard enough without having to hold a standard-length shaft that measures two inches longer than what a short guy like me needs. (After reading that last sentence please get your head out of the gutter…)
When I got to the fitting center, I was met by the pro that would be assisting me in this process. After he measured my arm length and the size of my hands to get the shaft length and grips correct, he had me warm up, and take a few shots with the 7 iron currently in my bag. I walked in with a PING G iron set that I got around three years ago. after hitting some shots, he analyzed some of the data coming from the state-of-the-art simulator I was hitting into and came back with three club options. He brought 3 different shaft options as well that all weighed a little different and we went through the club heads with each shaft to analyze what combination would be best. The three brands he brought me were Srixon, Mizuno, and TaylorMade. I have to say when I saw the TaylorMade club I immediately got excited. However, as I started to hit this club it became apparent that it was uncomfortable and heavier than the other clubs he brought me. Both the Mizuno and the Srixon felt great but according to the pro the Srixon was giving me the better numbers.
From the start I had ideas on what I would want. All of the flashy brands came to my mind, Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade, and PING. Even Mizuno peaked my interest, but that’s only because my cousin hits Mizuno’s and I love the way those clubs look. I would have never thought I’d be hitting Srixon’s. I did tell myself before walking in to listen closely to the pro and let him do his job I wanted clubs that best fit my game and that’s exactly what I got.
One of my favorite things about golf is the difficult nature of the game and how the chase to improve is never over. Even the smallest detail when standing over the golf ball both mentally and physically makes all the difference. You certainly don’t need to be fitted into clubs to be good at golf, but it also definitely doesn’t hurt. I’ll be on my way to lots of range sessions and lessons to improve, which of course is paramount to lowering the handicap. Just based on the experience I had I would recommend a club fitting to anybody who is interested. The amount of information you receive about lie angle, club head speed, ball speed, backspin and why or why not those specific numbers suit your golf game is very eye opening, and the fitting allows you to play clubs that at the very least give you the best chance to succeed out there. Now I just have a million other things to worry about where my swing is concerned. At least the clubs will look good as I continue to punch out of jail.
