Club Fitting
Club fitting is the professional adjustment of your clubs to body measurements, swing and skill level.
During a club fitting your clubs are tailored to you — or newly put together. A fitter measures your swing data with a launch monitor: ball speed, launch angle, spin and dispersion. Body measurements such as height and arm length come on top for club length and lie angle. In the end there are recommendations for Shaft, flex, grip size, loft and club head model. A fitting is no pro luxury: Beginners and players with a mid handicap benefit most, because wrongly fitted clubs amplify their mistakes. The terms club fitting and custom fitting describe the same principle.
Here is how a fitting works in practice: You hit a series of balls on the range or in an indoor studio with your current Driver. From the data the fitter reads that your launch angle is too flat and your spin too high. You test three shaft variants and two head lofts. With the right combination your carry distance increases by fifteen meters and the dispersion gets tighter. Afterwards you receive a data sheet with all measurements — that is your shopping list, regardless of where you buy. Irons, wedges and putters can be adjusted this way too.
The most common prejudice: "I am not good enough for a fitting." The opposite is true — the less refined the swing, the more important forgiving, well-fitting clubs are. A second mistake is buying off the rack on advertising promises: Stock clubs are built for an average player who barely exists. If you already own clubs, you can often just have the shaft, grip or lie angle adjusted instead of buying everything new. That is significantly cheaper and achieves almost the same effect as a completely new set.
FAQ
Is a club fitting worthwhile for me as a beginner too?
Yes, especially so. The less refined your swing, the more wrongly fitting clubs amplify your mistakes, for example through the wrong length or shafts that are too stiff. Players with a mid handicap in particular often get the biggest jump in distance and consistency out of a fitting.
What exactly happens during a fitting?
You hit a series of balls on the range or in the indoor studio while a launch monitor measures ball speed, launch angle, spin and dispersion. Your body measurements for length and lie angle come on top. In the end you receive a data sheet with recommendations for shaft, grip, loft and head — your shopping list, no matter where you buy.
Do I have to buy a completely new set right after a fitting?
No, that is a widespread misconception. Often it is enough to have the shaft, grip or lie angle adjusted on your existing clubs. That costs significantly less than a new set and achieves almost the same effect, as long as the heads basically suit your game.