The Advantages of Club Fitting

John Stahlschmidt
PGA Director of Instruction
JW Marriott Camelback Golf Club
Scottsdale, AZ
http://www.jjsgolf.org
jjs.golf@hotmail.com

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Over the past few months I have been asked on multiple occasions if going through a custom club fitting makes a difference. I have always contested that having the correct set of custom clubs for you as an individual is paramount. Having a good golf swing is only part of the equation. If your clubs don’t fit your individual swing, you will not strike the ball consistently. The process can be a bit intimidating but is well worth it in the long run. You would never buy a pair of pants or a shirt without trying it on, correct? So why would you buy a set of clubs off the rack without having a club fitting specialists help?

There are many good club fitters in Arizona with very good reputations.  My advice would be to seek someone out that has a launch monitor.  This technology is very important to measure several critical data parameters pertaining to your swing in order to provide the best fit possible. So, what are good fitters looking for?

The first element is club length. We are all built differently. Arm length and overall height is a critical factor. If your clubs are too long or too short, acquiring the correct golf posture will be impossible.  

Shaft flex or frequency is very important, as well. If you are a slower swinger a softer or more flexible shaft is right for you. If your club head speed is on the faster side, a stiffer shaft is better.

Lie angle is another critical factor in the club fitting process. The angle in which the club head attaches to the shaft can either be flatter or more upright. If you are shorter or have long arms a flatter lie angle will allow you to strike the ball more consistently and vice versa.

Finally, something that is often overlooked is the makeup of your entire set. For example, a 60 degree wedge might be great for you or not.  Perhaps a 5 wood carries farther than your 3 wood.  Maybe a 13 degree driver will give you the appropriate launch angle over a 10.5 degree. An experienced fitter will recommend which clubs would benefit you the most and which ones won’t.

There are many opportunities to get fit throughout the valley. You could attend a “demo day” at an area golf course or you can call a local retailer to set up an appointment. If you have any questions or need suggestions, I am happy to assist. One of my favorite golf quotes is, “Not until you have clubs that fit you properly will you be rewarded for a good golf swing”.

John Stahlschmidt is the PGA Director of Instruction at the JW Marriott Camelback Resort Inn and Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. To schedule a lesson, email John at john-j1@msn.com or visit his website at jjsgolf.org.