The benefits of custom fitting are immeasurable. You’d never wear shoes that are too small or buy a new suit without trying it on. Golf equipment is the same; there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Every swing is different, and your clubs should match the move.
If you plan to get custom fit for your next set of clubs, here’s a list of 10 things you need to know heading into the experience.
1 | CUSTOM FITTING BENEFITS ALL GOLFERS, REGARDLESS OF SKILL LEVEL
There’s a myth out there that custom fitting only benefits good players. Like most myths, it’s just not true. Golfers at every skill level can reap the benefits of fitting. Industry data published by GOLF suggests that 87 percent of golfers who are custom-fit lower their handicap by at least 10 percent. That means a 20 handicap can knock two strokes off just by having the proper equipment. For new golfers or those seeking improvement, things like shaft weight, material, and length can make an immediate difference. Fitting is not just for good players. It’s for everyone.
2 | BRING YOUR CURRENT GAMERS WITH YOU
While this seems like a given, it’s common for golfers to show up at fittings without their current set. Big no-no. Always bring your current gamers to the session, as this gives the fitter a baseline and allows them to efficiently assess the current state of your game and equipment. Worst case would be for you to bring your driver, 7i, SW and putter! The reason for the 7i is that nearly all fitting clubs come in the 7i head.
3 | BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
Buying a set of custom equipment is like entering a new relationship. If you want the relationship to last and be prosperous, you must be honest from the start. Before showing up to the fitting, perform an honest assessment of your game. You may even want to collect data for a few rounds ahead of it. Track things like how many fairways you miss left or right, what distance you miss greens from most often, and how many times you get up and down. Never guess what you can measure. This information can help your fitter build the best set for your game.
4 | CUSTOM FITTING IS AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE
Custom fitting and the tools used to perform it have come a long way. Launch monitors like TrackMan & Capto help us zero in on your swing patterns using numbers combined with our years of knowledge & experience, we can work through your patterns to find the perfect club which helps improve your swing. As the practice has become more prevalent, the price tag has come down. Fittings are 0.5-1% of the cost of a golf club. They are reasonable & worth the amount of time spent (approx 1 -2 hours). Every session data is recorded & saved, so that when you need to upgrade from your previous purchase, we do a short session, compare data & help you make a decision. Unlike pro-shops which are not qualified/trained to understand the technicalities of a golf club, #ClubWorksIndia are certified & trained. We are in a unique position to help you understand why a specific club is good for you as we are golfers ourselves & want others like us to foremost use the right clubs & enjoy the game.
5 | TRY TO HAVE A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF LAUNCH AND SPIN
Your fitter will be able to provide you with the intricacies of how launch and spin impact your game, but it doesn’t hurt to spend a little time researching it for yourself. These are the most important factors when determining the right fit. For irons, a good rule of thumb is that your 5-iron should have close to 5,000 RPMs of spin, your 6-iron near 6,000 RPMs, etc. Depending on swing speed and launch angle, drivers should have 2,000-2,500 RPMs.
6 | HAVE A (REALISTIC) GOAL IN MIND FOR THE FITTING
Come into the fitting with an outcome in mind. Do you want more distance, accuracy, or forgiveness with your driver? Are you looking to have better gapping throughout your set to hit precise yardages? Whatever your individual situation is, be aware of your goal and communicate it to your fitter.
7 | COMMUNICATE YOUR EXPECTATIONS TO THE FITTER, AKA “SCRATCH THE ITCH
This goes hand and hand with No. 6, but be sure to “scratch the itch.” What’s that mean? If you come into a fitting wanting to test a specific shaft or try a particular club, tell your fitter and make sure you try it. Whether it ends up being the right fit for your game or not, at least you’ll know.
8 | HIT THE SHOTS YOU USE ON THE COURSE
Golfers often swing differently on the range than they do on the course. While this is a tricky phenomenon to overcome, try to have your on-course swing during your fitting. One way of doing this is by having intent on each shot. Envision a fairway, the shape of the hole, or have a particular outcome in mind. You want your custom clubs to impact your performance when it really counts.
9 | IF POSSIBLE, USE THE SAME BALL TYPE YOU PLAY WITH
We realise that this won’t always be an option, but if it’s possible, try to be fit using the same ball that you currently play – or at least a ball with similar characteristics. The type of ball can impact launch and spin significantly, which are critically important to getting the right fit. At ClubWorks we have a number of different ball types we use (mid range to premium) for our sessions.
10 | PUTTER & WEDGE FITTINGS ARE A THING
Most golfers choose a putter by grabbing one off the rack, rolling a few putts, and seeing what feels good. However, putter fitting has become increasingly common and can pay big dividends. Like any other club, having the proper loft, lie, and length for your putter can help you swing free without adjusting your natural putting motion.
Wedges are your scoring clubs yet most golfers just a pick a brand or get stuck on a model. Definitely bring the your game wedge to your session. It's really important for your fitter to understand your technique and how you interact with the turf. Wedge specs that matter are: loft, shaft, bounce and grind. They should be matched to technique and your artistic slant!
