Custom Fit - Essential or Unecessary?

[sev112]

... I can't think of other sports where custom fitting is such a common thing. Never been fitted for a squash racket. Just have a hit with a few and buy the one that works best.

All fair points being made

Bg difference in flex between competition standard graphite squash raquets and the graphite ones from JD Sports etc

String type and tension in tennis raquets

Individual footbeds in ski boots, and every different type of ski to suit your style, speed, agreession, snow type

runners (and footballers) have gait analysis for foootbeds also

Cricket bats have different weights and different centres of gravity aboive their toe

Snooker cues have your favourite player's signature on them

Different coloured stickers on the sides of boules

 

[Snelly]

Interesting examples but not really like for like comparisons.

 

[StuartD]

Watched this thread with interest and disappointed that it has not gotten into the usual fighting.

Somebody asked about the guys who were recently fitted through GM for their opinions.

I was fitted for my irons so has it made me a better player? The answer is yes and no. Probably more towards the No as my handicap has not changed.

My worst fault is coming over the top and producing a big pull hook. I also tended to have a slight push some of my irons when I hit them well. I thought this was initially an alignment problem. It turns out that I needed my irons 1deg upright. This is stopped the toe hitting the turf first and opening the blade therefore my push has gone. I am hitting my irons slightly closer so in that respect I am better. My putting stats have also improved as a result on average of 0.7 strokes a round.

As said earlier my worst problem is a pull hook. This is the most destructive part of my game. It can cost me 2/3 or even four lost balls/penalties a round. Has my custom fit helped? Not in the slightest. Lessons would be the way forward to get rid of the pull hook.

In my opinion custom fit can help you, but only slightly. I would be far better putting the money for a new (if I had to pay ) custom set of irons towards lessons. The lessons would get rid of the pull/hook and its obvious my scores would certainly fall by a lot more

 

[Snelly]

I think StuartD sums it up pretty well. My opinion based on the replies in this thread has changed a little. I am of the view that custom fitting is beneficial but it is not a panacea and the level to which it benefits you is down to both the individual and the fitter that you go to.

In hindsight, I think I have been custom fitted for all my clubs, albeit in a less formal way. I have bought all my clubs since about 1984 (apart from any I have won) from my friend's shop - Sheffield Pro Golf. Whenever I buy them, it is almost solely on the advice of my mate, who I have known and played golf with for about 30 years. This is custom fitting of sorts. He is an excellent golfer, an old friend and he knows the level I play at and what type of swing I have. Invariably whenever I go in, he asks me what I want and I tell him. He then picks something out and says that this is right for you. He has rarely, if ever, been wrong.

I didn't realise it until now but clearly, I am a massive fan of custom fitting! The difference is that no machines are used. Just the keen eye of someone knowledgable.

Great shop by the way. You should all check it out. And I think they do proper custom fitting there too with all sorts of impressive machinery! I doubt I will ever use it though..

 

[viscount17]

I was fitted in February and should I get new clubs would do so again.
In my case it was not just the physical change to the clubs that has made a difference but the masses of advice, comments etc about the way I swing, strike etc. My fitting session lasted 3 1/2 hours!

My fitter is an independent, and also idiosyncratic, club builder. He holds very strong views and is no fan of the high street brands - you can accept them or not, it's your choice. One example - he will not bend clubs, and hasn't for 12 years. Every time I've been put on a strikeplate I've been told I needed my clubs bent 3 deg up - his answer - no you don't you need longer shafts. Now I'm adapting to them I'm getting more and more cleaner strikes.
I now have only two shafts in my bag, a properly graduated, and aligned set from 4-iron to lob wedge, and a properly graduated, and aligned set from driver to hybrid.

A lot has improved and a 2.3 cut is hopefully just a start but as Stuart says lessons would also help - I have that nasty pull hook too.