Getting fitted for clubs... IS IT OVERRATED?! 

I was given a prescription for tennis after my first fitting.

I think custom fitting is pushed so hard to sell new clubs instead of the great deals you can get on quality clubs that are a few years old.

Also, fittings should include a group of 4 blokes with their hands on their hips waiting to get fitted after you.

It’s important if you’re good, and/or abnormally sized. I’m scratch and 6’5”, so a custom fitting drastically helped me. They hard stepped my irons and brought my spin and dispersion way down.

Several years ago, I got fitted for irons. I like them well enough. Still have them and use them. Last year I bought an old set of Hogan Apex irons for $70. Score the same with either set.

I have said this for years. The exact items that were brought up during this interview are my points. I've never had a custom fitting, but I have had clubs custom made for me based on my recommendations. I have a 8.5 handicap and am 67 years old. The points in this interview are spot on.

I was “fitted” for a driver yesterday after hearing all the hype. It’s interesting that the only clubs that the shop said would work for me were the 2024 TaylorMade, Ping, and Calloway. The clubs are $600. I told the “fitter” I need a jumbo grip. That’s extra and the clubs are 2 weeks out. I went to a competitor right after that and they showed me the above clubs plus several others. They put me in a bay and said swing away. It’s ironic that I hit a Cleveland Club better than all the rest. $249.00. They didn’t charge for a “fitting”. Guess where I’m spending my money at?

That’s really good insight about club fitting, something that I’ve never considered. For me, I have purchased most of my clubs online. I can get things customized on irons, such as lofts and lies, if needed. I’ve found that ‘standard’ clubs are usually a good fit for me. With how irons are now weighted, I don’t have the lofts adjusted because that could make me hit the ball too high. 10 years ago, it may have been more prudent to weaken the lofts a bit.

Being someone who is constantly looking for another way to improve my game (or as my wife says - spend money), this is the best advice I have heard! Thank you thank you thank you. What you said makes absolute sense. Me, I am a high handicapper, and it is easy to fall into the belief that I need new this, new that, get my clubs fitted etc. In an industry that is constantly telling us that the next thing is the best thing, sometimes, listening to experienced golfers telling you that you don't need things is a breath of fresh air. Thank you for saving me some money!

I don’t think it’s overrated I just think there is no standard. You get sales people trying to sell you clubs, you get club pros who know the basics, you get club pros who know a tiny bit more than the basics, you get manufacturer fitting centres and you get incredible facilities like SGGT in Scotland and TXG in Canada. Within that group are the guys who put you in a stiff or a reg shaft, a good players or a game improvement club and get you hitting off the lie board, and there are the guys who actually understand how to match the right combination of clubs for the player in front of them for them to get the most out of their equipment. I can only name 3 or 4 that I’ve heard of that fall into that last group and probably hundreds that fit into the first group.

Absolutely on point both of you.....said this for years 👍

I think that if you get fitted by a pro who has given you lessons, and knows your swing, would be a lot better, and less stressful than it would be, going to a pro, who doesn't know anything about your game.

This is an interesting question as most people think a custom fitting is going to American golf or the equivalent. Whereas if they went to a professional fitter like Scott Gourlay they would realise what a real custom fit was. And its not just trying all different clubs until you find one's that you hit better than the rest then going from there.

PLEASE PLEASE. You guys do great club reviews. Please do a video on how to choose which clubs to buy. To help us knlw what to get with out being custom fitted. Be very greatful. As looking at changing clubs after 15 years.

the boys at TXG surely have something to say about this haha

Totally agree with both of you....a really fitting is a trial and error process with a whole set of irons and wedges.

Definitely something I’d like to hear you, Ian, and Matt from TXG talk about. As someone who works in golf and performs club fittings, I can see the advantages. But when it comes down to the average 20 handicapper, I don’t think it matters what lie angle I hand them. I will usually default to lessons first.

I agree with some of this. The one thing I club fitting may help you do is allow you to try shaft/club head combos and compare that to what you’re playing now and see what works best. Maybe it is your current set.

Brilliant chat, one can not get a fitting from only a 7 Iron. How would I get a fitting for a combo set of new Callaway irons with just a 7 iron any thoughts please

Totally agree. My swing changes between the 1st and the 18th holes.

Got fitted earlier this year and clubs (Wilson D7 forged) arrived today and had a gapping session with the new ones. Would love to see a feature taking a say 12 handicapper to 3 different fittings and see how they compare. Lots of what you guys say hear really resonates, hope they perform on the course!!

I was fitted for ping at a box store. They only had standard length shafts. I ended up getting 1inch longer shafts since that's what i always played. The fitter didn't take into account that the swing weight would be off by adding the longer shaft. Thus going from a draw during the fitting to a fade on the course

I got fitted with my p790s and went from 15 to 7 in 5 months. I got a stiff 65g shaft epic flash driver off the shelf and I couldn't hit it anywhere near the distance I could when I used one on the range from another pro shop.I changed the shaft from my callaway speed driver which had a 55 gram mid spin stiff shaft and wow lol it's the best I've ever driven a ball.

Better custom fitting should be in a min of 2 separate sessions, include demo clubs to try on the course and then after the set is made, a tuning of each club for loft and lie.

I was lucky enough to have lessons with a coach that also did fittings in my area. So, my coach knew my swing on the course and in the room. My fitting was also a full iron set 4-PW where I hit each club for gapping. Then I was able to take them to the on site grass range and mess with them on grass. I was very lucky. More fitting should be like that. It made me feel more confident with the clubs and my game.

Great video and good points on custom fit. All the factors you mention are definitely an issue with amateur golfers especially. I think you must be a legitimate single handicap player in order to benefit from a fitting. A player of that caliber has a consistent enough swing to produce results that can be analyzed to produce a proper fit.

What a brilliant debate. Must agree about the nervousness during the fitting process. After several experiences over many years I no longer go down that route. I play off 8.7 but during fitting when someone standing there watching you, you would think i was a starting golf all over again. On the lie angle fitting how many shots do you hit from perfect flat lies it is always at a slight uphill, downhill, side hill lie once off the tee. Agree also on weather conditions affecting your swing, and dont forget how "Here indoors" puts her six penneth worth in.I'll stick with standard "off the shelf" but its all about confidence and if fitting improves your confidence on the coarse, go for it. What a good crack though.

Iv had 2 fittings second was very different to the first. But iv now switched back my first fit specs that was actually done on grass.

Great discussion. I'm working on a video for this at the moment, will be really interesting to see the results

I have found that the shaft flex and swing weight are the most important part of the fitting. Oh, don't forget the grip diameter as well. I used to have a set that had a swing weight of C8 and I played okay with them. I then got new clubs that had a D3 swing weight and I was way more consistent with the heavier swing weight. The shaft flex was the same on both clubs but the new clubs had a newer version of the shaft I had in the older set. I would agree that for 90% of golfer, mostly folks who play a couple times a month, custom fitting is a waste of money.

Interesting insights, this video got me thinking and I always come back to this statement one of my mentors told me, "its subjective, it depends" and what that means is it all depends on the individual, I think theyre hinting at you need to experiment a lot with every club in the bag if you want a perfect set, but I grew up hitting whatever and a fitting really helped me set a baseline for what I need, I also didnt feel nervous at all going for a fitting, quite the opposite actually, and I recommend asking all these questions to your fitter and they may give you some advice about it like length and stuff.

I’ve chosen last wedges on a demo day off grass. I’ve got shaft optimized and got my own old irons reshafted and dialed in. I’ve been custom fit twice before and settings need changing season to season. I can tell when I need loft and lie adjustments and get the gaps just right myself. My swing is dynamic through years mostly because a bad back and some seasons I’m full of confidence. Just like clothes sometimes you need to change size. Custom fitting can be good or bad depends on player and fitter.

Have been fitting clubs for over 22 years, before "Custom Fittings" became cool. Just because your client pays top dollar for the newest set available means nothing in regards to how they can play I have learned. The fitting process has become more expensive, especially when added to the ridiculous prices of new clubs. Too many times, I see an average client who couldn't hit the middle of any club face if you gave them a 100 shots. Their fundamentals are so poor, that lie, loft, shaft flex, & set make plus their swing speed vary so much that a fitter could never get an accurate set of readings to even begin to do a proper fitting. I literally had a client doing a driver fitting w/a new SIM last season, who Even the launch monitor couldn't read the numbers, of a teed up shot! as he more often than not literally missed the teed up ball in the simulator. Spend that extra money on basic lessons, not new golf toys please. Then improve and reap any benefits a fitting can provide. Too often after what I felt was an accurate fitting session, the clien disagreed w/the recommendations and went elsewhere. No, the customer is always not right??

I think if you are only getting fit once or twice every couple of years, there is a distinct benefit in knowing how your swing is changing as you age or improve. As far as extracting value out of buying new clubs, I think it's more important that you understand which type of clubs you like and don't like. Which ones you hit consistently and which ones you don't. After you know those things, you can begin searching the market for a good deal. The benefits are there, but it certainly is a method of business to sell you on the newest and more expensive clubs just released.

I've had many custom fits down the years and many "self-fits". With the exception of 1 set of Mizunos (MP58) I generally play better with "self-fit" clubs than proper custom fit ones. Fits done on a mat, flat lie, everything square. There's barely a flat lie anywhere on my course except the tees.

Need a Rick Shields comparison video playing one round each with custom fitted and off the shelf golf set...

The fitting process is way more relevant to the low hcap guy than ever it is to a newbie or high hcap guy simply because the low guy is far more likely to put a consistent swing on it so that the variables of the club then become more apparent and can be fine tuned

The fittings and the equipment help inline with your skill level. I'm a 10 and I can really suck with my fitted clubs as well as hit some nice shots.

100% agree for so many reasons including those mentioned! I want to scream when ALL the pros on tv and you tube say “you must get fitted”...!! I tried a few times and it failed every time costing me a fortune buying new clubs off the rack... I’ve since spent 3 years buying, trying and selling clubs though eBay and have now landed on my perfect 14 clubs through trial and error, learning what heads (spin, size..) and shafts (weights, torques..) I like. I enjoyed the process and yes it’s cost me a few quid but not massive as I look after the clubs and sell them for pretty much the same as purchase price. I also feel like I now know more about clubs than the “fitters” who tried to “fit” me!! If you’re interested “my” perfect bag; callaway epic driver, callaway epic flash 3w/strong hybrid, cobra F7 weak hybrid (rails are brilliant out of the rough), srixon z545 5 iron, srixon z745 6-PW (awesome irons for decent ball strikers), titleist SM6 52,56 (F grind) wedges, Taylormade Hi-toe 60 lob (awesome versatility), Ping Anser 4 putter (& Nike sport lite bag). Haven’t decided on the ball fully but I use proV1s, Bridgestone and srixons and for my level (7 hcap) I don’t actually think there’s much of a difference. Oh and I’m sure you all know this but I’ll say anyway - there is virtually no difference in perf if clubs between now and the last 6 years or so and although getting your bag “right” will help your golf it will only shave the odd shot off your score, to get better at golf you need to improve your fitness and technique and of course play regularly. So do “lessons” work?? Well there’s a whole new story...???!!! 🤯😄

I one hundred percent completely and utterly agree, and there are so many variables that come into play which means that people may well end up fitted with something that will ultimately not suit them "in the real world", especially for higher handicappers, as their swing is likely to be way more inconsistent

Hi guys thanks for the good information. My self I have played for many years and I have never ever been properly custom fitted. My set is very old 2014 Titleist AP 2 irons KBS C taper 120g and Taylormade M6 5 wood and Driver is Cobra F8 + adila nv green x stiff. Now currently I am looking to get properly fitted,any ideas the best place to go to for this. Later this year I'll be heading out to South Africa and Dubai later this year. Appreciate any help.

I like the idea of club fitting. I tried the hot metal 921 irons and I bought them with some custom changes to buying them off the shelf. However, as I hadn’t had a new set since 20 years...really anything I hit was going to be longer than my old TA 845. So I’m pretty happy with them.

I've often wondered about this, especially since I'm a regular 5' 10" 160lb dude with probably a 95 mph average swing speed that just plays on the weekends. Isn't the standard club already made for me? I'm guessing I can walk in the PGATourSuperstore and compare a few in their bay over the course of a month or two, and walk out with something that is at least 95% as good as anything I might come up with no matter how much deliberation goes into it during a single fitting. If something is "sub-optimal", I figure I would naturally adjust to it. In the end, the variability of my swing from one to the next would have a far greater impact than the variability between any two sets of clubs (within reason, I'm clearly not going to pick out a Tour blade set, after all).

I recently got a full bag fitting at Club Champion. Partially I was ready for new clubs when mine were all 20+ years old, and partially I was able to splurge on the fitting (with wife's buy-in was a no brainer!). I thought the experience was great. Will I play significantly better with these new clubs vs the same clubs off the rack? Probably not, but I think the confidence of having hand picked my shafts and grips from the trackman data is worth a couple shots a round.

My opinion is for the vast majority of golfers it doesnt matter. I think custom fitting helps when you know your swing and can make repeatable swings. I would say it helps most at the lower handicaps. But at the high handicaps I agree with you guys.

As a beginner golfer I agree with your opinions. I’m constantly changing aspects of my swing with every club so my swing will most likely be different a month after the fitting. I will research, read and watch reviews, make a purchase. Then I will learn how to hit that club.. I have a fitting in a few days and am wondering if it’s worth it.

Most of the time in the UK we have wet muddy courses and windy conditions. How do you account for this with a fitting?

Custom fit driver for a newby vs a decent adjustable club and time spent hitting and setting up at the range / course ?

I'm currently saving for a 5 wood, driver and putter also the extra to pay for the fitting time. Am I waisting my time?

So what should you do? Get fitted or go with a standard set off the rack?? I play now with old irons my Dad gave me (15+ years old) and I’m looking to get a set of new updated irons. I’m a pretty inconsistent golfer high handicap but the clubs feel fine. I bought a driver off the rack from Dicks and hit it just fine.

Very interesting information, hopefully this content will get people thinking about the process. Maybe it will bring about some changes in the industry.

I went for a fitting and got fitted for p790 with Dynamic gold S300 105 shafts. In the meanwhile my golf improved. Due I need to go for an updated fitting?

I think the better you are the more you will get out of it. Someone who is just starting out and learning to play has a lot more important things to worry about and their swing is going to change quite a bit over the next few years, especially if they are taking lessons.

Hi rick. Some fitters are putting customers in shafts which are to stiff ?

LOL this is funny. I just had a fitting for wedges yesterday. Hit off grass at my own golf club next to the 10th tee. Took my own 9 and PW to know those distances as a gauge. After finding the right distances for me, took several models of the same clubs with different grinds down to the chipping green for twenty minutes to get a feel for what suited me and what I needed/wanted from them. My experience seems a little different to your discussions. 🤔 hopefully in a couple of weeks when they turn up I’ll be happy. 😜 in any case I’ve got some serious gaps at the bottom I needed to fill that was driving me spare... especially 112 metres. Last two weeks that’s been killing me. Lucky I can chip and putt.

Just had a fitting with Cobra in Australia. Club pro was there too but I had 2 beers before so wasn’t too nervous haha. Was hitting off the 10th tee at my local club, no one else around, hitting off the grass with tracking computer. Was very relaxed and those guys really helped me out. I’m playing off 14 and will buy new irons based off that fitting session within the week. Difference between the shots I was hitting with my old irons and the new ones was night and day for me. Definitely worth it if you can get into such a relaxed setting

Bought Ping irons from 5 different generations and three different dot colors from thrift stores. Played the same as I do with my Taylormade CGB’s

Something my fitter did, and no one does anymore (except maybe mizuno in a simplified fashion), is use strain guages to map deflection in the swing. I guess some gears or other advanced systems can kind of do that? But it was nice in that I did not see numbers, so wasn't chasing more more more!

I purchased a book on fitting and how clubs are made. Was able to get everything figured out to exactly what I needed. I then went to a fitting and they didn’t really care and the clubs they recommended was exactly what I already had figured out.

The TXG boys would like a word with you 🤣 decent points though. I think with these things in mind you can bring them to a fit to make it even better. A good fitter would try and make sure some of these things don’t happen.

I wholeheartedly concur! Recently I've had two fittings that were completely different. I just had a fitting with Titleist irons a few days ago, and I was paired with T200s, standard loft, 2 degrees upright and AMT red S300 shafts. The fitter was all for me just placing the order there and then, but I explained to him that I really wanted to at least try a 7i on course, using the analogy that I wouldn't buy a car after only trying it in a car park for 10 minutes. My pro shop had the correct shaft, so the next day I went out to play 18 holes using the 7i for as many shots as possible, from the tee to the flag where I could, par 5s and all. I lost 4 balls after 3 holes and just about lost my mind - big pull left or an unwanted big draw was all I got until I gripped right down, and then it was short but straight. Frustrated I walked off on the 10th and back to the pro shop, where after a lot of confusion from the pros, they set the hossel to standard lie. I went out on to the par 3 175yrd 18th and effortless hit 3 balls right on the green, all within 4' of each other. Delighted, I left it at that as it was pouring down with rain, but with the intention of returning the next day, so I went back yesterday hoping for a better, more conclusive test drive, but, alas, a different pro set it to the same lie as the day before, insisting that the lie was flat to her eye at address, despite the fact that I could clearly see it wasn't - she just wouldn't listen to me! Not wanting a confrontation, I went out and tried it again - same sh!t, different day! 5 balls gone, me doubting myself and being extremely frustrated! I had emailed the Titleist fitter the night before, questioning what was going on, but no reply, so, feeling defeated, on course I called Titleist and spoke to Will, who was prompt, pleasant and very helpful. I asked him what the hossel setting should look like for 2 degrees upright, like the fitter suggested for me, and right enough, that is what it was set at. I doubted myself again and just continuing the round, but the same again, I was having to grip right down to get straight, but short. A little vexed I walked off on the 10th and back to pro shop again. They seemed bemused, but set about trying to find out what was going on. The pro got me to hit a strike board with parcel tape on the sole of the iron, not Titleist's approach, but I was familiar with that method (with proper tape) having been fitted for Ping. The result, not particularly scientific or conclusive, suggest that I am actually a standard lie for the T200. I went through the same with the TaylorMade P790 7i, just to see what it is like, and found that I'm 1 degree upright with them, the same as the blue dot for Ping that I was fitted for previously. So, I took both irons out and hit a few shots on course. I have to say, I do prefer the T200, and would like to buy the set, but, when I told my pro I'd like to hear back from the fitter to know what went wrong, and hear his reasoning for why he was 2 degrees out on my fitting, she said I was being very particular! Not wanting to argue, I couldn't be bothered to explain to her that it completely and utterly defeated the whole purpose of getting "fitted" in the first place! She just wanted me to place the order, and I just said that I'm not doing it until I hear back from the fitter. The jist of this is: the corporate management are pressurising pros to make sales so much that they couldn't really care if you're getting the right "fitting" so that you're a happy customer. It's so short sighted and dumb, but I guess that there are enough gullable folk out there with way too much money who just go on to think it's their golf that is bad! To these guys £1200.00 is nothing, but I've paid less for a car than that! These pro shop guys just want a sale to keep the management off their backs. It's a completely and utterly shocking state of affairs, and, just out of principle, I now don't want to give them my money! I was made to feel like I was being fussy, when in reality the fitting process was far more indepth than me just whacking a bit of perspex with a golf club a few times, and the pro then straining their wrist a little on a torque wrench a few times and acting like they were going to the ends of the earth for you! I haven't been impressed with whole fitting process. I think you'd can't beat being methodical yourself and experimenting. I just wish they'd sell you a set of irons that had the adjustable hossle like the demo model, it's good enough for woods! But, then they wouldn't leave you feeling like you need new irons everytime a new set come out! Mugs that fall for perseved obsolescence have got a lot to answer for!

Makes sense. Another aspect of this is that the customer needs to be clear what the objective is and to provide appropriate feedback ar each stage of the fitting process. The best "custom fitting" I've had was for skis in a French resort. Before even starting I had to fill out a 2 page questionnaire about my skiing experience, whether I was having lessons and importantly my skiing ambitions. Based on my responses and a subsequent discussion I was then given 5 skis to test in a particular order with the fitter telling me which he felt I would like best - and he was spot on. I've never really been asked much about my golf aspirations in the few golf fittings I've had which I've felt was a bit odd. I am still trying to improve and don't want to be forced to change my clubs because my swing has changed after a year. I've had 4 or 5 fittings over the years for various clubs and feel I now have enough experience to get more out of the process but I don't think that was the case before.

Had some clubs custom fitted.As a senior I was told I needed a lighter club with a more flexible shaft and in graphite.From the computer readings I was hitting the ball further and each club was straighter.However I found I lost my short game.I couldn't hit any half shots or delicate chips as I found it difficult to feel where the club head was.How you score is based largely on your short game,and I found I was throwing shots away.Couldn't wait to get my old clubs out again and give myself more marketable putts.

Very good, also, the better player, who may think they're the one who may benefit most from fitting are constantly tinkering with their swing, it's constantly changing! I put this to a well known club fitter who didn't have an answer.

If I go in with a bad slice, hitting the ball with open club face... not hitting my irons as long as needed and leaving heavy divots... how will my $350 worth of fitted clubs work 2 yr down the road when my swing gets better and I start doing the things that experience fixes? Now my fancy fitted clubs are junk and dont work for me. Am I right?

I would say "most" fittings are useless. Some offer value though, but, it's more about the archer than the arrow.

I played for 10 years but was only down to 20 handicap. Loved golf, so was going to buy new irons & went to get fitted. (If I'm going to spend £500 I want the set that's right for me) I tested 5 models against my existing clubs (6 iron) & ended up getting some I would not have chosen just by looking at them - TM Burner 2.0 - 1 inch longer & 2 degrees more upright. Result was I was down to 14 within a year!

#1 reason custom fittings are bad for most golfers...you end up with clubs designed to reinforce your swing faults instead of forcing you to improve your swing. That's why 18 HDCP, over the top, casting swingers end up with 3 degree upright clubs that would hook off the planet if they ever put an on-plane swing on the ball.

Interesting take on fittings. Other than hitting off the mat, thinking back to my fitting, none of those things were issues fo me. They had my balls and I used them to fit. They accounted for my miss shots when making head recommendations or changing shaft profiles. I didn't hit off a lie board, they analyzed data from GC Quad - loft/lie at impact. I went to a fitting with my golf coach and I am friends with the fitter, so I really didnt feel any performance pressure. (I do understand that's not the case for everyone). Lastly, I didn't take too many warm up shots, but also I always try to hit the range before a round anyway. I hate going to the tee box feeling tight. All in all, the information I gained from the "why" I was fitted for a particular club, shaft, swing weight, ect, ect, was extremely valuable. It also educated me, and provided real side by side comparison to what happens if I hit a club that was very aggressive (P7TW) vs. very forgiving(G425). In the end, I know not everyone has the same experience or same quality of fitting, so I do understand what they are getting at. However, just like any scientist implementing controls on an experiment. A fitting is a great way to compare what you hit now vs. Potential replacements for the bag in a controlled environment, while gaining insight about actual club dynamics that apply to you as a golfer. Yes, it's not real world, but it is a great way take out the variables and make a more apples to apples comparison.

What are your thoughts on putter fittings? Say with the SAM Lab. Thanks

100% agree on hitting off grass instead of a mat. And also you only get to hit the 7 iron. My lowest lofted iron is a 5, never even saw it until I ordered the clubs. I think they should have more than 1 fitting club. Maybe 5,7,9? Then you decide how many clubs to order

so, i recently got fitted for my irons. I'm playing with very old regular length ben sayers at the moment that i had when i was about 12. I'm now 6'5 so decided to get custom fit purely based on my height. I went straight into hitting them without warming up like the argument in the video, I did hit off a board for a few shots but really the main reasoning for the fitting was to make sure that having longer shafts was going to be right for me. I ended up going with +1inch and 1 degree upright, in a normal case I don't think i would have bothered to get fit, and now that I know the length suits me (after hitting regular, .5 and 1inch) I probably won't get fit again. All in all my experience to be custom fit was a good one, and as a newer golfer having someone there to ask me the questions in a simplistic way made the experience a positive one and i left feeling happy about the choices i made on my new set.

I recently got fitted for irons and the pro took lots of things into consideration. I hit 4 for different irons all a 7 iron with different outcomes. And in the end it came down to two choices. I had an half hour lesson beforehand by the same pro and he offered me a choice of 3 different balls to hit. But I do agree on some of the points like hitting of a Matt it’s nothing like grass. I basically think club fitting is a little overrated but it’s essential that you do it because a beginner might go and buy a set of the shelf and totally get a wrong set up and golf is expensive.

Rick I couldn’t agree more, custom fitting with irons is such an unreal environment. I know I need 5 to GW and a lighter stiff shaft. I buy a set on eBay after lots of research, then get to try a full set for a couple of months and if I don’t like them I sell them on and at worst lose £25. Where else can I try a full set for that length of time for £25. I then look at the shot shape with my club pro and he adjusts as required , normally flat lies in my case.

The other thing I haven’t seen at a fitting cart with any regularity are different sized grips. Some people undersized, others over, most mid. Then you get into how many wraps you need total or for your bottom hand if you need a slightly less tapered grip. It can get so technical that you’re in over your head. That being said, the easiest way to do it, at least in my experience, is grab a few different makes, put in the “stock” shaft (if you can get various lengths if you’re tall/short, great) and see which one feels best. Most mid-to-high handicap golfers don’t need clubs scientifically fit to them. Bottom line, if the club feels good in your hand, is visually appealing and feels good when striking a ball, then you’re good to go.

If i started to play recently should i buy good clubs now or wait until i get better and get fitted

You make some great points. I think Woods and putters need to fitted more than irons strangely enough. A Prime example was my driver fitting. At the time I was shooting 95-100, and I was playing a callaway xr16 with a stiff shaft. I showed up to a fitting and got fit into a ts3 with an x stiff shaft and extra weight in the head. I was finally able to feel where the head even was. My tempo and aggression with swinging just did not work with that callaway head/shaft combo for me. If I was a better player, I could have made it work. I am not though and finding a combination that works with my swing makes me more consistent. I gained thirty yards of carry on average and my dispersion went from 75 yards left to right to 45 yards left to right. I still hit extremely bad shots with the fitted club, but before the fitting I was losing 5ish strokes a round on penalties alone. It sort of goes with what are your golf goals. Finding clubs that 'work' for you might be a quicker fix to knock off a few strokes, but if you want to improve your golf game as a whole, lessons matter way more. I can compare to my experience as a basketball player and basketball shoes. I have extremely high arches in my feet. That causes me to sprain my ankles more due to a lack of support and stability. My old basketball team finally had a nike rep come in and fit us to our shoes. When I found a pair that fit properly and worked to give me proper stability, I haven't severely sprained my ankles since. Did that make me a better player? Not inherently. Did it allow me to continue enjoying the sport and provide myself with more enjoyment? Absolutely. The shoes gave me confidence that I was less likely to get injured. In the same way, a fitted driver gave me confidence that I was less likely to have a massive two way miss. I'll still get injured until I get in the gym to fix my stability issues, and I'll still miss both ways until I get lessons. I've just been able to minimize those chances basically overnight with my fittings.

I take demo irons on the course and compare them ! It’s the only way to test in real conditions!

I understand the sentiment that it's more important to work on your game than just taking a technological short cut, but that said literally every single person's swing is different so the idea that stock clubs will work perfectly for everyone's swing is just ridiculous.

Hot Stix hits off grass. My static measurements are 4' upright, and I've tried flatter, but returned to this measurement after many, many rounds of golf as it is my best fit. The problem for me in fitting sessions is changing my swing to try to meet fitter's "perceived expectations" or showing off (my ego!) or that my swing is in flux. But there are great tools and ever-improving tools available if you have right mindset and good fitter to guide you.

Well i was all set to go for a iron fitting next, not sure now. I was going to drop 90 $ on a fit then go shopping knowing my specs etc, but what if those specs are wrong. What do i do?. Guy has just mind shagged me!

I agree with some of this guys point! I hate hitting off mats and it’s part of the reason why I haven’t got a custom fit . I hit irons good but some reason when I hit off mats I don’t hit the ball as good! My lowest score to date has been a 79 and I always go to store and buy off the shelf.

I agree in my opinion, no custom fitting needed. Research heavily, try out where you can and make a decision based on your skill level and knowledge base. I mean we all used to play with hand me down Dunlop, Wilson before moving into Ping, Taylormade, Titleist etc once we became responsible adults. Now so many options and digital research that we did not have. Only real wall you would run into is shafts if you want to experiment, but even that you could go swing a variety of at local shop or simply research and give it a go. Also, if you have custom fitting money you could simply buy more clubs and have extra around for friends anyway.

I totally agree! Most handicap golfers just don't put the same swing on everyday...you get fitted for a swing for that session...your body can feel different everyday with aches and pain or feel really good? Also, golfers can adapt to what ever you put in their hands. I know what specs work for me day in day out...I had an iron fitting once (just to check and feel the irons before I bought them) and told the guy what works for me....we went from 2 down to 2 up and I can hit the same shot, you compensate. I play 2 down standard length and on the course that's what works for me...I agree that fitting can help, but you need to be fitted over a few sessions in different conditions. Don't get me started ha ha

I fit myself. Let me explain. My driving range had multiple heads and shafts to try. I knew I wanted new irons, so I was able to hit multiple brands and narrow it down to which felt better. Then when I got it down to my favorites, I then concentrated on shafts. This process took 3-4 months. Now at my driving range we hit off grass not mats. Once I felt I was confident in my swing, then I went to get professionally fitted to fine tune what I was going to order. The numbers from the fitting confirmed what I was seeing on the range. When it came to the lie test with the board, I wasn't scared. Just made my normal swing a few times. In the end I knew what I was getting is what I had worked towards but with professional help at the end to get the fine tuned product.

I’m 6’8 and I am a 10 handicap or I shoot mainly in the low 80s. Should I get fitted or is it a waste of time. I do have to bend over a lot to hit the ball

I think it depends if you’re a good fitter or not as a good one is trying to fit to the most realistic level the player not just the best shots. Good ‘fitters’ don’t claim everyone needs something different from standard but that’s what they are looking to confirm.

I went from a 24 handicap to a 11 handicap in less then 6 months. I’ve never taking a proper Lesson or had a fitting and I’m using 13 year old irons. I personally still don’t think I need a fitting yet. What I need is to continue to work on my course management. And continue to work on staying fundamentally sound the entirety of a round. Just my personal thoughts 💭 🤷🏻‍♂️

Agreed! Mainly because 90% (broad brush generalized no proof statement) of "fitters" are just pushing a certain brand. I tested this at my local PGA Superstore. 4 different fitters with 4 totally different suggestions. Virtually no parallels. Same at Golf Galaxy

As someone who is 6’9”, the best thing I ever did was get a custom fitting. I was always using off the shelf, standard clubs and I would top the ball constantly because I’m so tall and the clubs were so short. My custom fitter added 2-1/2” to all my clubs and my game has dramatically improved.

I can definitely see both sides of this topic and can say I've seen both sides. I recently purchased a new set of sim max 2 irons from 5- PW and was fitted (+.5 in length, -2 lie). Was hitting all irons great in the shop but on course PW was horrible actually put my old pw back in the bag, most other clubs I hit good. Warm up every time I go to the course. I think people should be fitted to a certain extent but it should be done differently. Rick I love the topics you talk about on your podcast and your instructional videos on your other channel. Please keep up the great work. I would also love to see some more videos of you challenging friends again. Started watching about a year ago now and you are the one that got me interested in playing golf.

somehow just ran into this.....very refreshing to hear this take. went in for iron fitting today after 15 years of playing. Was fitted into an iron after an hour of tinkering and then picked up my off the rack used iron before I left and hit 15 shots that were better than the one that I was fitted into...

Does getting fitted if you're taller (6'2" in my case) have higher benefits, or should I fit my playing to the average clubs? I have a set that I bought years ago (probably 2010) that I still use. I know I need to update them, but I need to save for that. Should I get fitted while saving, or should I just save and find a set I hit well?

There are a few outdoor trackman fitting centers at public golf courses here in southern california, can’t speak to other places. Most of this conversation could be boiled down to the quality of fitter (see TXG for a good fitter.) If you care that much about the ball THEN BRING SOME WITH YOU. if you have issues with a club (lie angle etc.) after the fact most fitters will fix it no charge.

Enjoyed the podcast. I am waiting for a custom fit and maybe I won't bother. I am 5' 7" so could get way with standard length. I think you are right. I'm never going to be a pro. I play "enjoyable" golf and am happy with that. Maybe my Driver needs closer attention but custom irons are not going to change my play that much.

I got fitted twice. One back in 2006(?) if I remember, and 3 years ago (SkyTRAK). I was fitted both times with -1/2 length, lie 2 degrees up. Still struggled with irons. well TXG came along and I experimented. I bent my irons 1* degree flatter at time till I got to standard lie. To make this brief, the shaft length ended up being standard length. I wasted my money on irons fitting. Now for the driver, LAZY fitter knew I produced high spin and fitted me with g400 max stock shaft. I sold that driver and basically I fitted myself with a new driver, g410 LST with hzrdus shaft... I'm hitting more fairways than I did with the fitted driver AND... I have a one way miss. no more left or right sprayers. I've improved FIR and GIR by a huge margin and none of the specs given to me by these fitters are being used. WASTE OF MONEY and TIME! You can fix anything with RU-vid... from leaking faucets to your golf clubs. lol EDIT: I did get fitted for my putter recently. Birdie birdie, so far so very good.

When you get fitted, are the clubs and all of the shafts with the universal adapter swing weighted the same as what you order? I would not say fittings are OVERRATED, but for people at a certain level, you are not going to get out of it what you should.

The nervousness part is a big factor for me

If you are interested in lowering your score club fitting is one of the most important things to do aside from taking lessons also practicing. As your score gets lower you continue to improve on your swing along side your equipment.

I went to a club fitting as a reference and then built my own clubs with Taylormade pw-8 iron p-7mc -.25 pro modus stiff shaft / 2wraps Winn dritac 2.0 then 7 - 3 iron p-770 with same shaft and wrap