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should you get a golf club fitting when starting to play

by Michale Bernier Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Still, it’s not a bad idea to get a club fitting when you first start playing. You can get a set of clubs that are fit for your body and your swing that will help you learn good fundamentals and proper mechanics.

Beginner golfers should get fitted for golf clubs because they have the most to gain from playing the right clubs for them. All golfers adapt their swing to their clubs so if beginners choose clubs which are not well suited to them they will immediately form bad habits that become hard to break.

Full Answer

Do you plan on getting fit for golf clubs?

If you do plan on getting fit for clubs, it's important to understand a process where disconnect exists between consumers and many in the golf industry. One person who knows as much as anyone about professional club fitting is Ed Grabowy, head club fitter since 1991 at The Golf Doctor in Woodstock, Ga.

How often should you get a golf club fitting?

“If that’s a year, then yes, get fit, but more likely it’s going to be every three or five years. Sometimes, even though you don’t feel you are getting everything from your clubs, you truly are and at least the fitting will confirm that. That gives you the confidence, that you are playing the very best.”

Should I get a PGA Pro or a club fitting?

I truly believe that beginners will see more benefit and gain more value for money by spending time with a PGA pro rather than a club fitting. At this point in your golf journey things will change a lot and, like a toddler in new clothes, you’ll outgrow your fitting quickly.

Are you “not good enough” to get a club fitting?

Many amateur golfers of varying skill levels stunt the improvement of their games by believing they’re “ not good enough ” to get a club fitting. They say that once their golf game starts to improve they’ll invest in a professional fitting, but it’s not worth it yet.

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Is club fitting worth it for beginners?

Getting fitted as a beginner can help build positive swing habits on the golf course. Having the correctly customized clubs can prevent problems like hooking the ball, slicing the ball, or hitting it thin or fat.

When should I get fitted for golf clubs?

Regular golfers should get fitted for clubs every 5 years. Wedges & forged irons need checked every 2 years due to extra wear & tear but fitted putters last a lifetime. Drivers are worth checking with fitters every 5 years for better options but gains vs. costs need to be assessed at each fitting.

Is club fitting really necessary?

Is it worth getting custom fit golf clubs? The simple answer is yes, it's definitely worth getting custom fit golf clubs. If you were to look at the back of a typical set of off the shelf clubs, they would usually have various markings on them as well as loft and lie angles.

Should a high handicapper get fitted?

Whether you're a high handicapper looking to hit more consistent shots, or whether you're a tour player looking to refine and build confidence, fitting is measurably beneficial.

How much does it cost to get golf clubs fitted?

On average it costs between $250 and $600 to get a full bag of golf clubs fitted. Driver only fittings typically cost from $50 to $175 as do 'irons' fittings. Wood/Hybrid and wedge custom fittings can be cheaper at $40 to $150 but golf club fitters will often 'refund' fitting costs if you buy clubs afterwards.

What golf clubs should a beginner get?

Instead, start with a driver, a putter, a sand wedge (it's the club that has an "S" on the sole or a loft of 54 to 56 degrees) and supplement those with a 6-iron, an 8-iron, a pitching wedge, and a fairway wood or hybrid with 18-21 degrees of loft.

Can you get irons fitted after buying them?

It is possible to custom fit almost any existing golf club a player uses. Grip, loft and lie changes are the most common but the complexity and cost of retro-fitting a golfer's current clubs increases as more changes are made, making the case for simply getting new clubs stronger. It seems simple enough.

What is the most important club to get fitted?

Even if you don't want to invest in a full bag fitting at this time, you should still get the two most important clubs fitted, the putter and driver, so you are set up for success.

How long does it take to fit a golf club?

In terms of what to expect, Grabowy said that fitting a player for a full set of clubs will take about two and a half hours and include "educating" a player about his or her needs. The fitting process also remains pretty much the same for woods, irons and wedges.

Why is club fitting so difficult?

Challenges often arise with club fitting because of preconceived notions that customers have. Those who pursue professional club fitting need to approach the process with an open mind and not let their expectations -- or egos in some cases -- interfere.

How to get fitted for golf clubs?

To get fitted for golf clubs head to your local golf store or golf course and meet with a professional who will help you customize the right clubs for you. When getting fitted you can get certain clubs fitted or every club in the bag customized. Driver fitting focuses on the length, loft and shaft flex. Length helps with consistency, making good ...

What is club fitter?

The club fitter will help get you the right sole and bounce on your wedges and gap them correctly. Putters are ultimately chosen by the player and from there the putter will be adjusted for length, lie, and loft. The proper adjustments and head style will be chosen depending on your stance, line of sight, and stroke.

What is driver fitting?

Driver fitting focuses on the length, loft and shaft flex. Length helps with consistency, making good contact on the sweet spot and getting a good distance out of the drive. The loft helps determine what the correct launch angle and spin rate are good for you. It also indicates how high you hit it.

Why is consistent swing important?

Having a well-rounded, consistent swing is more important than having a swing where you’re trying to compensate for the wrong length or wrong shaft. For example, using a bag of 1980s blades probably isn’t the best idea when trying to learn how to play golf.

Is custom fit golf worth it?

It depends on who you ask but custom fit golf clubs can definitely be worth it for a beginner. Many people say beginners should start with clubs off the rack or used clubs that are forgiving to at least learn how to hit the ball solidly before purchasing.

Does Golf Galaxy charge more for putter fittings?

Other places will charge more depending on the club trying to be fitted. Some special ized club fitters not at a retail store like Golf Galaxy can charge more for a putter fitting than a driver fitting. It can be even more pricey at a professional fitter.

What Is a Golf Club Fitting and Why Do You Need One

As a golf beginner, you may be tempted to simply go out and buy a set of clubs off the shelf. However, it is important to realize that buying a set isn’t enough to ensure your success in this sport. You need one-on-one attention from a professional who can determine your playing style and then help you choose a club that will work for you.

How to Find a Qualified Fitter

Finding a qualified golf equipment fitter is the first step to getting fitted for clubs. You can ask friends and family members who they use or you can try to find someone at a local club. You can also contact golf companies directly since they usually have the best relationships with qualified fitters in the area.

What to Expect During Your Fitting

A professional fitter will take you through a series of different clubs to determine which club best suits your swing. They’ll ask questions about your playing style, including how often you play and what your goals are for the game.

The Benefits of Getting Fitted for Clubs

There are a number of benefits to having your clubs custom fitted for your playing style. If you’ve never had a golf club fitting before, here are some of the most important benefits you can expect to enjoy:

How to Choose the Right Clubs for Your Game

While it’s important to choose the right equipment, choosing the right clubs can be one of the most difficult decisions when you make the leap from beginner to the seasoned player. One of the most important decisions you will be making is which club to use when trying to hit a particular shot on the course.

Conclusion

A golf club fitting can seem like a daunting process, but it’s important for beginner golfers to get fitted so they can start off on the right foot (or swing). By taking the time to find a qualified fitter and go through the fitting process, you’ll be able to select clubs that are best suited for your individual playing style.

How to set yourself up to play golf?

In conclusion, here are the recommended steps to take in order to set yourself up to to play great golf and enjoy the game for years to come: 1. Get a basic club consultation from an expert. 2. Make the proper alterations to your current set, or purchase a budget-friendly starter set (anywhere from 1-14 clubs) 3.

What happens if a golf club is too short?

If a club is too short, too long, too light, too heavy, the lie angle is completely wrong, the club itself is the wrong design, or any of a number of factors are off , you could be setting yourself up for failure. The game-improvement irons on the left will be much more forgiving and enjoyable for beginners than the blade irons on the right.

What clubs should I use for Sones?

Sones recommends beginning students start with just a few clubs that fit correctly. For example, you can start with just a sand wedge, a pitching wedge, a 7-iron and a driver. This gives you a few proper tools to learn with. Once you get a few clubs or a full set that’s in the right wheelhouse for your skill level, physical size and budget, ...

Why is it important to get fit for beginners?

“It’s very important that beginners get fit because we develop our swings around the gear we use without even realizing it ,” Briand says.

Will my swing patterns change?

It is likely that your swing patterns will change after a number of lessons. Your angle of attack may change, your method of releasing the club could shift, and you will (hopefully) gain some speed and strength, too.

A Golf Evangelist

Like many of you, I’m perpetually trying to get more people to play golf . From my wife (check), to my kids (results pending), to my friends (mainly failure), I want more people to enjoy the game that I love so much.

One Good Shot

Through the Plugged In Golf Podcast [listen HERE] and conversations with playing partners, I’ve asked dozens of people how they got started in golf. Almost every single person has the same answer, “I hit one good shot, and I was hooked. ”

Acceptance

Golf is intimidating. There’s a lot of equipment. We have books full of etiquette and rules. It’s expensive. And, it’s hard.

My Perspective

For background, Ricky is a good athlete, a three-sport competitor in high school. He’s also very humble about what he was able to do with his fitted clubs. To my knowledge, Ricky had not swung a club in years prior to our trip to the golf dome with his new PXGs. Without warm up or instruction, his first iron swing produced a high, straight shot.

Clubs vs. Lessons

This being not my first rodeo, I know that the most popular comment I’m going to get is, “They don’t need new clubs, they need lessons.” Please feel free to read that in the “Get off my lawn” voice.

What Should a New Golfer Buy?

If I were advising someone with a limited budget on what to get for a new golfer, I would suggest a four-piece set.

What is the most important aspect of junior golf club fitting?

The most important aspects of junior golf club fitting are - lie angle, shaft weight, shaft flex and length. The lie angle is the angle that the club sits on the ground. As kids get older the weight of the shaft is key and can be a big factor in being consistently accurate. Some shafts are designed to keep ball flight down and others keep ...

Why is it important to fit a junior golf club?

A good junior golf club fitting will ensure that that your junior's golf equipment matches and supports their swing. As a junior golfer gets older and stronger and hits growth spurts it is important to have a professional club fitting in order to help them realize their potential.

How old do you have to be to fit a junior golf club?

As juniors get stronger, the shaft needs to get stiffer, generally speaking, to accommodate higher swing speed and retain accuracy. Usually around 10-12 years old or when they are ready for US Kids size 60-63 clubs, a professional junior golf club fitting can make a big difference for your child.

What is the best speed for a junior golf driver?

A lightweight junior, senior or ladies flex shaft is often a good option for juniors with driver swing speeds of less than approx. 85 mph. A slower tempo also benefits from a more flexible shaft whereas a faster tempo can benefit from a stiffer shaft.

How fast can a junior golf club go?

Juniors that are "in between" kids and adult clubs (swing speeds of approx. 80 to 90 mph and ages 10 to 12): Junior golf club fitting starts to become more important in this age group but not essential, especially at the younger end. The U.S.Kids Tour Series are still a great option up to 11 or 12 years old.

What are the factors that affect the performance of a golf club?

Many variables affect the performance of a club including shaft weight, club head weight, shaft length, total club balance and weight (including shaft, club head and grip), shaft flex, shaft kick point (flex point) etc. This can be extremely technical and very confusing but don’t worry, we’re going to boil it down to the most important factors in ...

Why is a junior club lighter than a standard club?

This is especially important with drivers. A lighter weight head can make it easier for your junior to keep the club on a good swing plane thus helping with desired club head position at impact and more center face strikes.

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