Difficult Conversation...

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By BNewton

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  1. BNewton

    BNewton

    So... Here's a difficult conversaiton we should all have. And before I get started, be realistic with your game and your performances.

    Fitting. It matters or it means nothing to me?

    That's the real question everyone should ask themselves. And I bring that point up because we're looking at an essential question. Before I spend $1500 on a new set of irons or $700 on a new Driver... Do I really need to go into someone to tell me what I should and or should not be buying shaft, head, loft, lie wise?

    For me, yes you have some aspects of that whole equation that are absolutely critical. BUT... don't get lost in the sauce with the process. And I suspect that MANY are getting lost and buying equipment that is no better for them than if they went in and bought the box off the shelf.

    Let's take for example the T-150 irons I'm playing. I was a T-100S guy. They came with the DG 120 Black shafts. I replaced the shafts with some Steel fibers and loved them. However, admittedly, that whole thin top line made me cringe and pucker from the backside as I get up in the 5 and above. Got rid of them and tried something else, hated it, and then bought a set of T-150's. They came with the stock LZ shaft. Now that was sight unseen. I was certain I'd replace the shafts and go with the Steel Fiber 110 CW shafts I played previously in the S's, but I played 2 rounds with the stock shaft in there and was blown away with the performance. That has continued for the past 1 year that I've had them too.

    So is the question, did I get lucky or is it i really didn't need the whole full blown fitting? I think the answer is somewhere in between. The lie and lofts are important and I fully support that. BUT, I think you can get too crazy and then lose yourself in the process. The lie and the dispersion are the key components. No matter what someone tells you, I've never seen any data that supports otherwise. If you dial in dispersion and the flight, then the rest is all relevent. Just what I've seen.

    But, please, tell me your experience and lets have a discussion. I'd love to hear everyones opinions.

    Hit them straight! Newt

  2. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    Most pros can adopt their game to just about any rack set. I’m not a pro and need to get fit to match the clubs to my game other than putter, none of my clubs are off the rack. Being LH and 74 closes that deal. I’m at the end of the bell curves in so many ways.
    Why purchase new clubs? Ego/vanity is one reason. From time to time, I have done that. At this point, if a new club fitted can improve over the last, I will likely do it. Playing one club shorter into a green is really helpful now.
    For those that are satisfied with the performance off the rack, great. But getting fit and updating with performance changes is also a valid pathway The less expensive options typically sell only 6 & 7 club sets. Maybe with a shaft option. Buying Titleist costs more but the flexibility to buy by the club is a value in itself.
  3. Craig D

    Craig D
    Canton, OH

    I would always prefer to have a fitting as it is fun to try new things. It has helped eliminate some possible choices where maybe on paper the shaft/head looked to be a likely candidate, but when I actually tried them in a fitting, I knew right away it was not going to work. I have experienced it both ways though in when I was fit and walked away with a T100-S/T200 combo (2021), it just did not work out after playing live rounds for 6-8 months after receiving them. Ended up having the clubs reshafted and then did not hold on to them long. Currently playing the T150 (2023) that I did not go through a fitting for, but based on some research and experience with the same shaft manufacturer in my Tsi3 Driver and Tsi3 3W, worked out really well. Did have a small adjustment in lie angle from my usual (2 up) though based on how they sat in they just looked too upright, but at 1 UP, great result.
  4. JYoung

    JYoung
    Ohio

    I had never been fit for clubs until last year. Always bought what I thought I needed or wanted off the shelf. After doing a fitting I can say I really enjoyed the process. Did a driver/3w fitting last year and an iron fitting this year. My handicap has gone down from 14 to 9 but not sure I can say it was all because of the fitting. New clubs definitely helped but they weren't the only reason. I also took lessons for the first time over the winter. While I do hit each club further than my old set, my swing has improved too. Fittings are great but you also need to improve yourself to get the most out of those new clubs. You can't just try to buy talent.
  5. BNewton

    BNewton

    That's such a great point. So in that equation, which had more of an effect? Lessons or the fitting?

    Clubs can do a lot to help us, but honestly for me 100% i believe the lessons are far more the impact on your handicap and decreasing your average scores.
  6. Listentomewine - CJ Andrews

    Listentomewine - CJ Andrews
    Valencia, CA

    I don't think this is a difficult conversation. I am a huge believer in getting fit. I also think the best way to get fit is outdoors, off of grass, with the ball that you play. Seeing what the ball is doing in the air is much better than watching a tracer line on a screen. I have had experience being fit indoors and out and by far and away the three outdoor sessions (PXG and then two separate Titleist sessions) have yielded the most improvement for my game. It's also important to let the fitter do their thing and not get too in the weeds about what you think you need and keep an open mind to their suggestions. Being able to provide solid feedback about what you are seeing and feeling is crucial to the process. They will make the necessary adjustments for you, especially the Titleist fitters. I can't say enough good things about my Titleist experiences. In regards to putters, I believe the same rules apply. Outside, on greens you normally play! Roll 5 footers, 10 footers and lots of lags. Head weight is important based on the length of your putter and the green speeds you play. You will find the right gear that works the best for you, faster, rather than having to continue going back to the rack!

    Cheers,

    Chris
  7. JoeyD

    JoeyD
    Texas

    Honestly, I don't believe a fitting is necessary unless and until you have a repeatable swing. If you are constantly searching for a new way to strike the ball, a new way to hold the club, a new way to release the hands then it will change everything you need to be fit for. Most people I see, do not swing consistent enough to benefit from a real club fitting. And I stress this as a "real" club fitting too because most people going to pga tour superstore think they're getting a real fitting but are not. I'm a single digit handicap and I have to tweak my clubs every now and again when I change something in my swing. I use a lie board and swing weight and bend my own clubs as needed. Yes a basic club fitting for a beginner may help choose between shaft flex for their swing speed but until they are hitting consistently, there's really no need for an in depth fitting.
  8. duke m

    duke m

    I am an average golfer (10 handicap). My iron golf swing can vary from day to day. Some days my natural draw is working fine, but other days that natural draw becomes a hook. This is why I always warm up before a round of golf to see what swing I have for that particular day. Now when most golfers get fitted it is for one day. So the key question is what is the test-retest reliability of the golf swing for the average golfer. It is pretty good for the professional, but not that reliable for the average golfer. There is really very little research on the topic (please see pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.../ for the best available research. For me I am better off taking a set of irons to the golf course for a few days to see how they perform. I believe this is a much more reliable method for the average golfer. Golf stores like global golf allow you to return most clubs at no cost, so this works fine for me.
  9. Eric H

    Eric H
    Ridgway, PA

    Interesting take, I kinda agree with you a little bit. I think avid golfers who play or practice regularly are going to be able to adapt to whats in their hands. These days equipment is made so well and with the thought of trying to make it easier for the player to be successful. As long as you have a general idea of what you need from the aspects of iron shapes and shaft flex's etc, I think someone can figure it out and the difference would be negligible.

    If you are seeking specific things in any category like spin, launch or distance, or if you are trying to see if the new driver will beat your current gamer and you feel like you might have 5 more yards of carry to find, getting the fitting experience from a good fitter is probably the answer. Shaft technology is significant in my opinion.

    So, i think it can go both ways and I think if you're gonna spend a bunch of money, you may wanna get it right the first time with a fitting or at least hitting the equipment before you buy it.
  10. ACastro

    ACastro
    Arlington, Tx

    For me, a fitting was beneficial so that I could visually see on the simulator what my dispersion was like, along with my distances, launch angle, etc. However, I am a 18 to 20 handicap at present. Buying a $1500 set of irons or a $500 driver would not get me to a 10 handicap, let’s say, unless I played and practiced a lot. I can only go out to the golf course about 10 times a year. I practice maybe three times a month. However, I’ve been to two fittings, one with PXG and one with 2nd swing (twice). I felt the fitting at 2nd swing was a lot more beneficial for me. My results, in my price range, for a driver was between a cally Epic Max and a Titleist TSi3. After hitting balls with different shafts, I went with the cally Epic Max because I had a tighter dispersion than the TSi3. Distances were about the same. Price range played a huge factor on my selections of drivers I could afford. I went back a second time for my driver because I heard a click or cracking sound out on the course after gaming it about 3 rounds. I went back and we found a better shaft. The fitter was awesome and he gave me a full hour each time I went.

    Bottom line, get fitted. It does help improve your game and it’s nice to see your results on the simulator so you have a visual of your dispersion, launch angles, etc. And it’s ok to buy pre-owned equipment. I will say that if you get fitted at Titleist, PXG or similar, they’re fitting you for brand new equipment that will be top dollar. You have options at places like 2nd Swing where equipment in your price range are available options for you.
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  11. Tyler_S

    Tyler_S
    Cypress, TX

    In truth, the majority of golfers can use standard equipment off the rack. Fitting comes in to fine tune the little specs of your personal game. If you have played golf long enough you will naturally discover what your game needs. Is it more height, more distance, stiffer shaft, stronger lofts...

    Fitting helps create consistency in the clubs performance. I can remember my first fitting at TPI with Lucs Bro, he told me "North and South is the club, East and West is you." I heard it again in Utah while working with Kyle S. at the TT Open. Fitting takes care of the North and South, it's up to me to handle the East and West.

    I believe in fitting, not because the fitter will tell me something I don't already know about my game but for the second set of eyes to match what I feel I need to play my best. (North and South)

    Lessons help in developing a repeatable swing or proper mechanics (East and West).

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