| With the prices of golf equipment where they are | | | | · How experienced is the PGA Professional? |
| today, it only makes good sense to be custom club fit | | | | · Will I be fit outdoors to see the entire ball flight? |
| for your new clubs. Yes, it may cost you another fee | | | | Contrary to the belief of many, this does not have to |
| to be club fit for a set of golf clubs but, trust me; this | | | | be a time-consuming or expensive endeavor. A very |
| will be less than 10% of the price of your new | | | | basic clubfitting might take as little as 15 minutes, with |
| investment. If this still seems like to much money, find a | | | | the average being 30-45 minutes. |
| local PGA professional who will include the cost with a | | | | As for price, some clubs will give you a fitting free of |
| purchase of a Driver or a set of golf irons. To use the | | | | charge as long as you agree to purchase your new |
| phrase from Nike, Just Do It. Let me tell you why | | | | set from them. Most charge a modest fee, perhaps |
| owning a set of golf clubs that is built to your | | | | $35 to $50 being typical. |
| specifications is so important. | | | | Expect to hit many variations of the same type club. |
| All golfers are not created equal. Every single golfer is | | | | For instance, a well-equipped fitting center might have |
| a little bit different in size, body frame as well as the | | | | dozens (in some cases, hundreds) of a particular club, |
| shape of their golf swing. A proper custom club fit will | | | | usually a 6-iron for men and a 7-iron for women. Each |
| result in a set of clubs that are specifically suited to | | | | of the 6-irons will be different from the next in some |
| your height, strength, club head speed and individual | | | | way. |
| swing characteristics. | | | | The idea is to find the best combination of shaft |
| What most people do not realize is that off-the-shelf | | | | (length, flex and kickpoint), loft (standard, strong or flat), |
| golf clubs are one-size-fits-few. Approximately 10% of | | | | lie (strong or flat), grip and swingweight, among other |
| all club fittings end up with standard specs. Actually | | | | factors. |
| golf manufacturers have changed their standards | | | | By watching the ball flight produced by each variation |
| multiple times over the last ten years. Since custom | | | | of a club, and checking chalk marks left on adhesive |
| fitting has gained popularity with the average golfer, | | | | strips attached to the clubface and sole, a clubfitter |
| manufacturing companies have made lie angles more | | | | can quickly narrow the search and lead the student to |
| upright and lofts stronger. This obviously is in an | | | | the best fit. |
| attempt to help the average to higher handicap golfer. | | | | The club fit procedure can be done for every club in |
| A club fit can be performed by a PGA Professional. | | | | the bag, including putters, but iron fittings are most |
| How do you go about finding the right PGA | | | | common, with driver fittings following closely behind. |
| Professional to fit you? Ask a lot of questions. Just like | | | | Of course, a proper club fit only works if you follow up |
| you are trying to find a doctor or a dentist, ask your | | | | by purchasing a set of clubs custom made to those |
| friends, co-workers and call golf shops. The proper | | | | specifications. Two things to keep in mind: If you want |
| questions to ask are as follows: | | | | a set of, for example, Titleist clubs, the ones you order |
| · Is the professional certified by a major | | | | after a proper clubfitting will cost approximately the |
| manufacturer to fit their clubs? | | | | same as the same set bought off the shelf; and a |
| · Does the PGA Professional have a fitting cart or | | | | golfer is under no obligation to purchase a set from the |
| multiple fitting carts with what you are looking for | | | | pro doing the measurements. |
| (Mens, Ladies, steel, graphite, right-handed, left-handed | | | | So there's little reason for anyone in the market for |
| clubs) available? | | | | new clubs to avoid a proper club fit. |