Savvy golfers prefer buying fitted clubs. Why—because they can be tailored specifically to their games. Fitted clubs promote an efficient swing. That’s because they reduce the need for in-swing adjustments—adjustments that can rob you of power and impede consistency. If you’re looking for clubs that can really help you reduce your golf handicap, buy fitted clubs.
The fitting process is painless. It’s also informative. It benefits players with all kinds of golf handicaps—high, low, and everything in between. For some, using fitted clubs provides peace of mind. These golfers know they’re using the right clubs. For others, fitted clubs boost confidence—a great benefit. After all, golf is a game of confidence. And you can buy this jolt of confidence cost-effectively.
We often suggest buying fitted clubs at our golf lessons.
So how do you buy fitted clubs? Below we describe four ways to do that. The descriptions include helpful golf tips to help you sort things out:
Club Manufacturers
Several club manufacturers offer club fitting direct. Titleist, for example, features its Titleist Tour Fitting Network. It includes club fitting at Titleist’s facilities in California and Massachusetts. It also includes the Titleist Tour Fitting Van and regional fitting centers throughout the U.S.
Manufacturers, like Titleist, use the same methods, tools, and expertise with you that they use with Tour players. You may also get some free golf tips thrown in for nothing. Other manufacturers offering club fitting services are TaylorMade and Ping.
Club Fitting Studios
Independent club fitting studios are another option. Studios will do as good a job as the manufacturers. Many use the latest-high speed video equipment and software to analyze your swing. Many also use high-tech launch monitors combined with precise measurements of your swing and ball flight. This information helps greatly when fitting you with clubs.
Studios also give you the advantage of either buying a customized set of brand name clubs or adjusting your current clubs’ lie and loft angles. Most studios are indoors. So you won’t be able to follow ballflight. But a few national chains have outdoor facilities. So check out the studio first before making an appointment.
Club Professionals
Club professionals are a third option. Many are very knowledgeable. Overall, they do a good job of fitting you. Some will also throw in golf tips. But the way pros fit you varies. If the pro represents a specific club manufacturer, she’ll favor that brand of clubs. If she uses an independent fitting system, she’ll be more objective in recommending clubs.
Many pros have high-tech equipment just like the studios. And they’re trained to use this equipment. But some still like to use the old school method of taking static measurements while you hold a club at address. This method is more of a trial and error process than the high-tech approach. With club pros you’ll often be fitted on an outdoor range. So you get a chance to see ballflight.
Golf Shops
Golf discount stores and golf department of sporting goods stores also offer fitted clubs. Many stores have launch monitors. But you have to be careful with the stores. Clerks who haven’t been properly trained can mis-fit you. Some large chain stores employ PGA pros to do club fittings.
Ask fellow golfers what shops are reliable. We generally advise students in our golf instruction sessions to visit two or three shops until they find one that they like and feel comfortable with.
You can also fit yourself. Some shaft companies and some manufacturers, like Ping, offer interactive fitting services on their websites. But to get a truly proper set of clubs fitted to your game, follow up with your own fitting with a visit to one of the four other options.
Fitted club cans take your game to a whole new level. They promote an efficient swing. They increase accuracy, consistency, and power. And boost confidence. More importantly, fitted clubs can help you whittle down your golf handicap. And they can do it cost-effectively.
