Custom Fit or not...

[bazzarm]

My wife booked me in for a custom fit before Christmas and told me to get some new clubs as a Christmas present, I do love her!!

Well, anyway, I went for the fitting and was impressed with the set up and came out with the undoubted facts that I needed 3/4 inch extra length and stiff shafts. My lie angle was fine.

I left having looked at clubs but not having chosen a set.

I then spent a couple of days in Manchester doing all the x-mas shopping and stopped at the American golf there to look at some sets. Having got speaking to the manager, I picked three clubs to take out onto the range to try. Taylormades, Calloway Razr and Mizuno Jpx 800's. Before I went out however he told me that the custom fitting was a waste of time as I had been swinging with "off the shelf" clubs all my life and why would I want to try and re-invent my whole swing and stance now, especially being a 17 handicapper. If I could hit these clubs well, what was the point.

I took this on board and went out onto the range with three different 6 irons.

The Taylormade was the first up and I tried and tried but just couldn't hit it. Topping sclaffing and shanking all over the place. I put it to the side and thought I'd try it again with a few balls at the end, telling myself that I wasn't properly warmed up..., The Calloway was next and I hit tem fairly nice and they felt comfortable, I've always used Calloway I have x-14's just now, Next was the Mizuno's and I must tell you I was really impressed they felt amazing and will probably be my club of choosing.

At this point the manager came out to ask how I was getting on and I told him as above. At this point I took the Taylormade back out for the last few balls and still couldn't hit the thing. It was at this point that he told me...

The Taylormade was a 1/2 inch longer than the others and that that was why I was having difficulty in using it and that this was proof that I shouldn't be changing the standard clubs to the fitted.

I am now in a massive quandry as in what to do. I appreciate that I probably would have compensated by gripping the club further down rather than right at the top as I usually do had I know but still it got me thinking.

Any good advice on how to proceed?

 

[Aztecs27]

I'm not really qualified to answer this, but I will say, if you decide to go with the Mizuno irons, I would DEFINITELY look to book in at one of the National Fitting Centres - At the very least you will know that you have the correct shaft in the club from using the Mizuno Swing DNA fitting.

Also, what he's saying is ridiculous. By having your irons custom fit (i.e. 3/4 of an inch longer) you're not changing your swing, but making sure the clubs are the correct dimensions for the swing you already have.

I would say that if you're playing off 17 and maybe having lessons or still improving that your swing may change naturally which would maybe make the custom fit not worth it.

Someone with more knowledge will be along shortly with a better answer to your quandry!

 

[DavidO]

I've never been custom fitted, but plan to when I get new clubs in the future.

If you've been custom fitted, then surely your new clubs would fit your swing as it is now???

I would go with the custom fitting!!!

 

[Deleted member 1147]

What type of clubs did you use for the CF?
How well were you hitting them?

 

[Val]

You need a custom fit at some place that specialises in custom fitting rather than a golf shop with a range.

A proper fit will knock shots off your game.

 

[SGC001]

What happened at your fitting?

How did they determine you needed 3/4" longer stiff shafts?

I ask are there are often considered to be different levels of custom fits.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

A good costom fit should fit clubs to your swing, not to the swing you think you should have. Can I ask what your custom fit involved? Why did they recommend 3/4" longer shafts? That is a big increase so there must have been a good justification. Also, how did they come to the stiff shafts conclusion?

 

[bazzarm]

Thanks for the responses so far.

I had my custom fit in a golf shop with a driving net. We used standard clubs and a sort of plastic board that marked a sticker on the bottom of the club when you hit balls.

The club length was basically a judgment call, I think anyway, as were the stiff shafts. I was told that with my swing speed that I needed stiffer shafts which would give me more consistency and that because I hold a golf club at the very top of the shaft with no excess showing that I needed the longer shaft.

I do feel that clubs are short for me in general as I'm 6'3.

I also feel that I should be a lot lower handicap and aim to get below 15 this year. I play on average once a month but hope to be playing at least once a week this year, I have a bit more time on m hands, which should greatly improve my rythmn and short game.

 

[DavidO]

Thanks for the responses so far.

I had my custom fit in a golf shop with a driving net. We used standard clubs and a sort of plastic board that marked a sticker on the bottom of the club when you hit balls.

The club length was basically a judgment call, I think anyway, as were the stiff shafts. I was told that with my swing speed that I needed stiffer shafts which would give me more consistency and that because I hold a golf club at the very top of the shaft with no excess showing that I needed the longer shaft.

I do feel that clubs are short for me in general as I'm 6'3.

I also feel that I should be a lot lower handicap and aim to get below 15 this year. I play on average once a month but hope to be playing at least once a week this year, I have a bit more time on m hands, which should greatly improve my rythmn and short game.

I would definately go for the custom fit then!!

Depending on your budget, can you go to a local fitting centre to make sure all is correct??

 

[Region3]

Lie angles amongst different manufacturers standard clubs can vary. My current irons are 1 degree flatter as standard than my old ones, so unless you get clubs of the same manufacturer that you used when you had the fitting then that might need doing again.

Also possibly a factor although this might be going overboard a little, is that different manufacturers stiff shafts might flex differently to each other, including the amount of toe down at impact, which could also potentially affect the lie angle you need.

 

[Scottjd1]

Find somehwere a bit like this they are based in Kingswood, not sure where you are based but lots of places offer a similar service...

http://www.internetgolfstore.co.uk/performance-golf-studio

Or if you like the Mizunos, get to one of the NFC's you can book up wia their website - all free!!

 

[Val]

Thanks for the responses so far.

I had my custom fit in a golf shop with a driving net. We used standard clubs and a sort of plastic board that marked a sticker on the bottom of the club when you hit balls.

The club length was basically a judgment call, I think anyway, as were the stiff shafts. I was told that with my swing speed that I needed stiffer shafts which would give me more consistency and that because I hold a golf club at the very top of the shaft with no excess showing that I needed the longer shaft.

I do feel that clubs are short for me in general as I'm 6'3.

I also feel that I should be a lot lower handicap and aim to get below 15 this year. I play on average once a month but hope to be playing at least once a week this year, I have a bit more time on m hands, which should greatly improve my rythmn and short game.

That's not a custom fit, you need someone to stick you on a trackman or the likes to check ball flight with particular shafts plus proper loft and lies.

 

[Guns]

That's not a custom fit, you need someone to stick you on a trackman or the likes to check ball flight with particular shafts plus proper loft and lies.

Agreed I recently looked at a new driver and was amazed, I went to a local place called the 3 Hammers and they set me up on a Tracksman and comapred shots to my current driver.

The analysis allows to see what the technology difference is compared to you current clubs and allows you to try different set ups to shows which will benefit your ball flight.

A guy I play with went direct to Mizuno custom fit in Wrexham if your near Manchester thats where I'll be going if I was you. He dropped 3 shots in the matter of 2 months 15 to 12...........

 

[needmoreclub]

Had a mizuno (jpx 800 irons) 'custom fit' in February, worst mistake of my golfing life. Being a bit 'vertically challenged' i thought i'd benefit from clubs made to suit me, ended up with 1/2 inch short soft step shafts, 2 degrees flat, and two layers of tape under the grips, always played standard clubs from being at school and was looking forward to 'my custom' clubs. To cut a long story short, i struggled all year with very inconsistant shots, no pattern. I've always hit a slight draw but never been long and my short game kept me in single figures. Suddenly i'm fading the ball. i stuck with it all season but it never got any better, so i decided to go back to a standard set, and 'hey presto' draw is back and consistant again. I've got to say that the 'fitting' was a good experience, but just not for me.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Thanks for the responses so far.

I had my custom fit in a golf shop with a driving net. We used standard clubs and a sort of plastic board that marked a sticker on the bottom of the club when you hit balls.

The club length was basically a judgment call, I think anyway, as were the stiff shafts. I was told that with my swing speed that I needed stiffer shafts which would give me more consistency and that because I hold a golf club at the very top of the shaft with no excess showing that I needed the longer shaft.

I do feel that clubs are short for me in general as I'm 6'3.

I also feel that I should be a lot lower handicap and aim to get below 15 this year. I play on average once a month but hope to be playing at least once a week this year, I have a bit more time on m hands, which should greatly improve my rythmn and short game.

You need a custom fit with a trackman or the like my friend. Shaft flex is a random entity that changes from one manufacturer to ghe other and your swing speed isn't, contrary to popular belief, the determining factor. My swing speed should dictate a softer flex but they don't work for me so I have firmer ones. I wouldn't buy anything yet and I would ignore the guy in American Golf.

 

[Piece]

Thanks for the responses so far.

I had my custom fit in a golf shop with a driving net. We used standard clubs and a sort of plastic board that marked a sticker on the bottom of the club when you hit balls.

The club length was basically a judgment call, I think anyway, as were the stiff shafts. I was told that with my swing speed that I needed stiffer shafts which would give me more consistency and that because I hold a golf club at the very top of the shaft with no excess showing that I needed the longer shaft.

I do feel that clubs are short for me in general as I'm 6'3.

I also feel that I should be a lot lower handicap and aim to get below 15 this year. I play on average once a month but hope to be playing at least once a week this year, I have a bit more time on m hands, which should greatly improve my rythmn and short game.

As said above, this is not fit, it's an opinion. A proper fit should include:

Chat with you about what you want from the fit
Static measurements, e.g. Wrist to floor measurement, grip size
Test hits on range with your current club on a launch monitor. Hitting into a net isnt desired.
Test hits with the shaft recommendations, inc length.
Dynamic fit with impact tape and board.
Tweaks with shaft, loft, lie, head type, etc.
Walk away with full set of stats, ball data, etc.

 

[Mungoscorner]

Had a mizuno (jpx 800 irons) 'custom fit' in February, worst mistake of my golfing life. Being a bit 'vertically challenged' i thought i'd benefit from clubs made to suit me, ended up with 1/2 inch short soft step shafts, 2 degrees flat, and two layers of tape under the grips, always played standard clubs from being at school and was looking forward to 'my custom' clubs. To cut a long story short, i struggled all year with very inconsistant shots, no pattern. I've always hit a slight draw but never been long and my short game kept me in single figures. Suddenly i'm fading the ball. i stuck with it all season but it never got any better, so i decided to go back to a standard set, and 'hey presto' draw is back and consistant again. I've got to say that the 'fitting' was a good experience, but just not for me.

I've heard stories like this many times about custom fitting,which highlights just how flawed the process can be.Hitting balls on the range and playing around a tight tree lined course are very very different situations,there is no consequence to hitting bad shots on the range,so it stands to reason that we will swing more freely.
With the best technology,expertise,and intentions,the fitter can only fit a golfer to the swing they have that day.

 

[bazzarm]

As said above, this is not fit, it's an opinion. A proper fit should include:

Chat with you about what you want from the fit
Static measurements, e.g. Wrist to floor measurement, grip size
Test hits on range with your current club on a launch monitor. Hitting into a net isnt desired.
Test hits with the shaft recommendations, inc length.
Dynamic fit with impact tape and board.
Tweaks with shaft, loft, lie, head type, etc.
Walk away with full set of stats, ball data, etc.

This has turned into quite an enlightening topic.

The part I have put in bold above is the only thing we did except hitting about 50 odd balls with four different clubs, all of which were "my level" of club and all were standard size.

I think a trip to Mizuno itself, I really did like the feel etc of this club, is in order.

It's also maybe a good thread for people thinking the same as myself about getting fitted.

Thanks all for the advice.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

That wasn't a fitting at all. As usual, AG come out with some guff too. How could he know what you needed without seeing your stats. I wouldn't go to AG for a fitting if they were the last retailer left. My advice is to speak to your pro to start with. See if he can at least give yo some basics and maybe use an impact board to see if you need the lie adjusting or if he recommends getting them lengthened.

Other than that if you want to get a C/F set then I'd recommend somewhere that can let you try a number of makes unless you have a particular make in mind in which case go to their nearest fitting centre. I'm sorry but bashing a ball in a net without any Trackman or similar isn't going to give you the right information. How can you tell if the ball flight is what you want, even as a starting point

 

[slicer79]

I was fitted over here in Ireland last march by Foregolf (world club makers of the year 2010)

Handicap dropped from 13 in march to 8 in August. So I'm a firm believer in custom fitting