Custom Fitting Experience

[Jates12]

Im looking to get some new irons after Christmas as I want a little more forgiveness than my current MP-60s (Gorgeous irons but not ideal for my average handicap) Have hit pretty much all of the new offerings off the shelf but i want to get properly fit for them instead of the guy at american golf telling me i've hit them the furthest so they are the ones you should buy.

Should I go to a Brands fitting centre at one of the larger golf clubs (The Belfry) or an independent fitter to get the best results?

Any feedback or reports on previous experience would be greatly appreciated!:thup:

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It is a tough one. If you have a specific brand in mind you cant beat going to their custom fit HQ but if you want to try a number of makes and models then an independent fitter would make more sense.

 

[stevelev]

It is a tough one. If you have a specific brand in mind you cant beat going to their custom fit HQ but if you want to try a number of makes and models then an independent fitter would make more sense.

To second this, if you are undecided, try to find an independent fitter local to you, they usually charge around £100 but well worth it if you are not preferring one particular manufacturer.

 

[Jates12]

I havent a clue where to start when looking into a local fitter, I know the location of all of the manufacturer's HQs in the local area. Ive googled but I want to get value for money and the right experience because parting with that cash is a big decision!

 

[Alex1975]

Independent club fitter

 

[daverollo]

These aren't too far from you

http://www.theclubbuilder.co.uk

http://www.fourcountiesgolf.co.uk

No idea what they are like though

 

[Jates12]

I've found a couple but I am a little sceptical. Going to a manufacturer are you not guaranteed a solid custom fit and the right product? Big decision!

 

[daverollo]

I've found a couple but I am a little sceptical. Going to a manufacturer are you not guaranteed a solid custom fit and the right product? Big decision!

Yes you'll get that manufacturers irons and likely a choice of a dozen different shafts if you include reg and stiff.

I was fitted by Mizuno in 2006 for my MP60's, was a good experience and loved the clubs.

I'll be getting fitted again soon, but for certain, I'll be using an independent fitter. Larger choice of shafts and heads and as you are paying for the fitting, no pressure on you to buy or them to sell.

If they do it properly the clubs will sell themselves

 

[Jates12]

Yes you'll get that manufacturers irons and likely a choice of a dozen different shafts if you include reg and stiff.

I was fitted by Mizuno in 2006 for my MP60's, was a good experience and loved the clubs.

I'll be getting fitted again soon, but for certain, I'll be using an independent fitter. Larger choice of shafts and heads and as you are paying for the fitting, no pressure on you to buy or them to sell.

If they do it properly the clubs will sell themselves

I think it's the pressure of having to buy is what I'm looking to shed, I just want what's gonna help me out most. I love the new callaways, and considered going to them directly to be fair. Absolutely 100% confused haha

 

[stevelev]

I think it's the pressure of having to buy is what I'm looking to shed, I just want what's gonna help me out most. I love the new callaways, and considered going to them directly to be fair. Absolutely 100% confused haha

A nice place to be fitted is TourX golf in Wigan, he was in Warrington but now moved a couple of junctions up the M6. Nick Hibbs used to work on the tour for Adams has fitted the likes of Tom Watson, Bernhard Langer etc... He has a massive array of shafts and various manufacturers, but if you have a certain brand in your head he can get them in for you to use in the fitting process. Expect to be there for over an hour, and there is no pressure to buy. Well no pressure from Nick, but seeing all that shiney stuff you will want to buy something. Just trust the figures and enjoy the experience, go with what works.

See him on Twitter @TourXNick, lots of pics of the various pro's and professional sportsmen he has worked with and fitted.

 

[Hobbit]

True fit on Widnes Rd, Warrington. Its just off the A57 between Widnes and Warrington. Does all the leading manufacturers, and you're hitting out onto a range - you'll get to see the ball flight. I've been there a couple of times...

 

[3565]

It depends on your budget tbh. Going to an independant can be just as if not more expensive. If your into your branded clubs Titliest, Ping etc then go to their fitting centres, but if you want Orka, Wishon, Muira then seek those who deal with them.

 

[Jates12]

A nice place to be fitted is TourX golf in Wigan, he was in Warrington but now moved a couple of junctions up the M6. Nick Hibbs used to work on the tour for Adams has fitted the likes of Tom Watson, Bernhard Langer etc... He has a massive array of shafts and various manufacturers, but if you have a certain brand in your head he can get them in for you to use in the fitting process. Expect to be there for over an hour, and there is no pressure to buy. Well no pressure from Nick, but seeing all that shiney stuff you will want to buy something. Just trust the figures and enjoy the experience, go with what works.

See him on Twitter @TourXNick, lots of pics of the various pro's and professional sportsmen he has worked with and fitted.

Cheers mate! Will have a look into him!

 

[Ethan]

The manufacturers who offer a fitting service usually do so free, and they tend to offer a pretty good service and should have the biggest range of stock and custom shafts for the specific clubs. so if you know you want Callaway, Titleist, etc, go there.

Independent fitters fall along a spectrum. You have local driving range pros who will fit a range of stock and cyst shafts for a number of brands, up to the Precision Golf types who do a lot of exotic shafts. The latter usually charge a fee on top of the price of equipment.

AG and the currently moribund Direct Golf don't offer a good service, in my opinion and I would avoid these.

Then you have the component fitters who fit brands like Snake Eyes, Nakashima, Wishon, Dynacraft. These are good brands but less familiar. These fitters tend to fit only a limited range though and may not do the big makes.

Beware the bewilderment of choice. You may see dozens of heads, hundreds of shafts and options for adjustability of all sorts, and not know what to get. The truth is that loads of the options are actually pretty much the same, and some of the minor differences in spec only make a difference to your wallet. Most of the major manufacturers now have adequate choice in their stock shafts to suit almost all average golfers.

 

[Jates12]

The manufacturers who offer a fitting service usually do so free, and they tend to offer a pretty good service and should have the biggest range of stock and custom shafts for the specific clubs. so if you know you want Callaway, Titleist, etc, go there.

Independent fitters fall along a spectrum. You have local driving range pros who will fit a range of stock and cyst shafts for a number of brands, up to the Precision Golf types who do a lot of exotic shafts. The latter usually charge a fee on top of the price of equipment.

AG and the currently moribund Direct Golf don't offer a good service, in my opinion and I would avoid these.

Then you have the component fitters who fit brands like Snake Eyes, Nakashima, Wishon, Dynacraft. These are good brands but less familiar. These fitters tend to fit only a limited range though and may not do the big makes.

Beware the bewilderment of choice. You may see dozens of heads, hundreds of shafts and options for adjustability of all sorts, and not know what to get. The truth is that loads of the options are actually pretty much the same, and some of the minor differences in spec only make a difference to your wallet. Most of the major manufacturers now have adequate choice in their stock shafts to suit almost all average golfers.

Thank you for that in depth look Ethan. Im very wary of purchasing one of the smaller brands because of their less well known status, it leaves me asking more questions than providing me with answers. Im more inclined to go to a manufacturer from what you have said in terms of shaft options and such. I dont want to be paying through the nose for something that is going to be giving me 1-2 yards.

 

[the_coach]

Im very wary of purchasing one of the smaller brands because of their less well known status, it leaves me asking more questions than providing me with answers. Im more inclined to go to a manufacturer from what you have said in terms of shaft options and such. I dont want to be paying through the nose for something that is going to be giving me 1-2 yards.

appreciate this place is a little out of your geographical area ....... but only posted it as the advice from the older experienced fitter, over 'balance' is real key thought to take to a fitting with any kinda club - as is doing level best not to react to a shot going one way by trying to over compensate with the next
much better to stick to keeping the balance letting the fitter see what shot outcomes occur & what maybes be the biggest regular miss is

real good specialist fitters are great for sure but you will be paying for that service with a 'fitting fee' that won't be coming off the final bill if you go ahead & buy

appreciate set of irons somewhat different to an adjustable driver fitting - but in a ways the key thoughts are useful as they will have a bearing on what type of head shape in regard to quality of strike, plus shaft will go to help deliver the best numbers, but this will only happen best if you swinging in balance to give some 'truer' numbers to what you'd more be achieving regularly out in play, rather than trying to 'kill it' & beat the launch monitor

[video=youtube;SZ8NTxv7JIg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ8NTxv7JIg[/video]

 

[Keyser Soze]

I went for custom fitting last year. I was asked to take the 7 & 6 iron of my current clubs (off the shelf Callaway Diablo Edge's) to give an idea of distances etc. i went withe intention of buying Pings, i'd set my sights on the I25's. The guy doing the fitting suggested that, as i already had Callaways to try out the X Hot, well, i couldn't hit them for toffee, the 6 iron i tried didn't go as far as my current 7 iron and was consistently off line (although that, presumably could have been sorted with lie angles ?), so next i tried the I25's, well, that was slightly better but not ideal, so the fitter suggested i tried the G25's. Straight away i felt comfortable with them, hit them the best of the clubs i'd already tried, we did try one or two others but returned to the G25's and i purchased them. Fitting was £30 with £15 off if i bought the clubs.

i can see the benefits of going both ways, sole manufacturer or independent, but i'm glad i went independent as it put my mind at ease that i'd chosen correctly with Ping after trying the Callaways. Although, i am convinced that if you go to the manufacturer of your choice, given the technology these days, they can fit a clubs to your requirements, but you wont know how you fair up against one of the rivals of course.

 

[Jates12]

I've actually booked a custom fitting session free of charge with a Local Independent fitter @ Alderley Edge Golf Club on saturday morning. He has asked me to take my 7 iron and i have a 90 minute session with him. I will report back with my findings on saturday afternoon.

 

[daverollo]

I've actually booked a custom fitting session free of charge with a Local Independent fitter @ Alderley Edge Golf Club on saturday morning. He has asked me to take my 7 iron and i have a 90 minute session with him. I will report back with my findings on saturday afternoon.

Nice one, we should perhaps compare notes. Booked in for a double session tomorrow morning. 1st to check loft and lie of all my existing clubs, adjust where necessary and to do a yardage check on each club in the bag. 2nd to try a variety of new clubs and shafts out to see how they compare with what I have.

Keep teasing myself with some Miura cb57's

 

[Jates12]

Nice one, we should perhaps compare notes. Booked in for a double session tomorrow morning. 1st to check loft and lie of all my existing clubs, adjust where necessary and to do a yardage check on each club in the bag. 2nd to try a variety of new clubs and shafts out to see how they compare with what I have.

Keep teasing myself with some Miura cb57's

Ive looked at those Miura's they look delightful. Post your findings on here tomorrow and ill report on saturday!