Custom fit v off the shelf

[mwm118]

One problem i have found with custom fit when the lie or other things are changed is that it can reinforce a bad part of your swing. For me I have a flat dynamic lie which causes a mega hook in normal clubs, but my irons' lie angle has been reduced and now to hit straight I have to swing it flat. I have changed my swing recently and so may go to a nearby academy thing that remeasures your lie and adjust it accordingly, so not all is lost

 

[fundy]

If I was a club designer I would want the majority of people to pick my club up off the shelf and hit it better than other manufactures. To do that I would have to design it to "fit" the majority of users without adjustment.

and you leave a nice niche market for someone to offer a more bespoke fitted alternative for those of us who want it

 

[Alex1975]

The only real drawback with custom fit i find is you get fitted for the swing you turn up with on the day, most amateur golfers are at best inconsistant

Na, most armatures present the same numbers day in day out. Could be crap numbers but usually very much the same.

 

[Alex1975]

One problem i have found with custom fit when the lie or other things are changed is that it can reinforce a bad part of your swing. For me I have a flat dynamic lie which causes a mega hook in normal clubs, but my irons' lie angle has been reduced and now to hit straight I have to swing it flat. I have changed my swing recently and so may go to a nearby academy thing that remeasures your lie and adjust it accordingly, so not all is lost

Flat dynamic lie would not make you hook. The flat lie would also mean face open. I would think its your reaction to the open face that is making you hook.

 

[ScienceBoy]

and you leave a nice niche market for someone to offer a more bespoke fitted alternative for those of us who want it

Absolutely, win-win.

Half my set is out the bargain bin, got me down to shooting low 80/high 70s

If I can do it then anyone can.

 

[Snelly]

Custom fit never used to exist before about 1995, probably later than that even. Before custom fit, golfers of all shapes and sizes used standard clubs and were far better players than any of you on this thread who feel qualified to proffer expert opinion, extolling the virtues of the process.

Being fitted for clubs is fun for many and can have tiny incremental positive effects on your golfing prowess. This is a fact. But generally, it is just a marketing strategy, designed to maximise cash extraction from gullible golfers that don't have the time available to improve through meaningful practice.

This is borne out by the fact that we all know loads of golfers who have been custom fitted for all kinds of clubs and they were wretched players before the fitting and are still absolutely hopeless. Conversely, several of the best golfers I have ever played with have never been fitted for anything and are fantastic at the game.

 

[BoadieBroadus]

Custom fit never used to exist before about 1995, probably later than that even. Before custom fit, golfers of all shapes and sizes used standard clubs and were far better players than any of you on this thread who feel qualified to proffer expert opinion, extolling the virtues of the process.

Being fitted for clubs is fun for many and can have tiny incremental positive effects on your golfing prowess. This is a fact. But generally, it is just a marketing strategy, designed to maximise cash extraction from gullible golfers that don't have the time available to improve through meaningful practice.

This is borne out by the fact that we all know loads of golfers who have been custom fitted for all kinds of clubs and they were wretched players before the fitting and are still absolutely hopeless. Conversely, several of the best golfers I have ever played with have never been fitted for anything and are fantastic at the game.

I concur with this, though i feel the real push towards custom fit coincided with the explosion of ebay and thus the increase in availability of second hand sets...

 

[BTatHome]

I can have a swing of easily 10 shots between a good round and poor round (possibly even on the same day) does that mean my custom fit works and then fails in the space of a few hours .... or more likely we are amateurs that don't have the repeatable swing to make it work all the time.

One less thing to think about that could go wrong .... if your paying full price then get custom fit, if your looking for a bargain then you might get lucky if you know (believe) your numbers but to be honest your more likely only looking at the price rather than the specs.

 

[USER1999]

I kind of agree, but then back in the day, shafts were steel, and regular or stiff. Most had regular.
There is now an enormous choice of shafts to chose from. Sure, eventually you could get any shaft to work, which is effectively what used to happen, but is that ideal? Choosing that shaft may not make you score better, but if it is more comfortable to swing, it makes playing golf more fun, and less of a slog.

If I had to play with project x I would soon give up golf.

 

[Alex1975]

Before custom fit, golfers of all shapes and sizes used standard clubs and were far better players than any of you on this thread who feel qualified to proffer expert opinion, extolling the virtues of the process.

I don't think anyone is claiming to be qualified, I think its a forum and a question was asked as a discussion. Should we only talk about what you want to talk about? Should we do it in the same aggressive with veiled or not so much veiled insults.

My understanding is your an excellent golfer and for sure a no nonsense person but why not let others have an opinion too without needing to be so dismissive. There are also epic golfers who have been fitted and who are technically minded, who do not need a 3 wood or whatever other rules you have put in place for yourself.

 

[ScienceBoy]

There is a huge difference between using a machine to find the best numbers vs custom fit.

One is just picking between brands and models.

If you can walk out the shop that day with the kit then it's not a custom fit.

 

[patricks148]

I don't think anyone is claiming to be qualified, I think its a forum and a question was asked as a discussion. Should we only talk about what you want to talk about? Should we do it in the same aggressive with veiled or not so much veiled insults.

My understanding is your an excellent golfer and for sure a no nonsense person but why not let others have an opinion too without needing to be so dismissive. There are also epic golfers who have been fitted and who are technically minded, who do not need a 3 wood or whatever other rules you have put in place for yourself.

you might like to take a dose of your own medicine

 

[BTatHome]

There is a huge difference between using a machine to find the best numbers vs custom fit.

One is just picking between brands and models.

If you can walk out the shop that day with the kit then it's not a custom fit.

Is it only custom fit if your having something different?

My last custom fit gave me the off the shelf clubs as best .... should I of taken the worse performing shafts and bent the heads?

 

[Alex1975]

you might like to take a dose of your own medicine

Ill take that on board but I am not sure I state what is fact if its not fact.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Custom fit never used to exist before about 1995, probably later than that even.

Balderdash!

I went for a fitting at Ping in Gainsborough in the mid-80's and had other clubs adjusted and fitted by clubmakers.

Custom fit may have become more prevalent and cheaper in recent times but has existed since clubs were hand made in the 19th century. If you believe that previous generations of pro's and top amateurs all played "off the shelf" clubs then I am sorry, but you really should not be commenting.

 

[patricks148]

Ill take that on board but I am not sure I state what is fact if its not fact.

How do you know "that most golfers have the same numbers"??

Ive been to to look at clubs when i could barley hit the ball and my swing was all over the place so didn't bother and other times when i've hit it very well indeed, I know a few guys who have had the same experience all like me CAT1 players so we can't be unusual.

 

[Alex1975]

How do you know "that most golfers have the same numbers"??

Ive been to to look at clubs when i could barley hit the ball and my swing was all over the place so didn't bother and other times when i've hit it very well indeed, I know a few guys who have had the same experience all like me CAT1 players so we can't be unusual.

CAT1 players where the clubs made it so "they could barley hit the ball".... Really? Do tell? What did these clubs do to change what numbers to that point? Was it a spin loft thing or a face to path thing or what exactly?

 

[ScienceBoy]

Is it only custom fit if your having something different?

My last custom fit gave me the off the shelf clubs as best .... should I of taken the worse performing shafts and bent the heads?

It is a matter of definition, if terming your selection as not being custom fit has an effect then that would support the a argument that it had a mental benefit as well as a swing one?

I don't think walking out with off the shelf clubs which have not been custom fit shoulf devalue your choice. It just means you fit in the group which off the shelf clubs are suitable for. Which should be most of us anyway.

 

[Bobirdie]

i think finding the right shaft definatley helps.

I gain 10-15 yards when playing project x 5.5 over s300.

I'm average height though so standard length for me however 1 degree upright was my fitment

 

[ScienceBoy]

i think finding the right shaft definatley helps.

I gain 10-15 yards when playing project x 5.5 over s300.

I'm average height though so standard length for me however 1 degree upright was my fitment

There will always be cases where it works and where it doesn't. It's there for you if you need it or can be fit, which you did significantly here.

I chose a driver with the best numbers but really it wasn't a custom fit as the club was an off the shelf model.

Can't hit it now alway but that's another story...