Custom fitting for last season's kit

[Tiger]

I'm a big fan of custom fitting. Well custom fitting done properly! My first irons and wedges were a very poor static and custom fit. I had them for five years and they were detrimental to my game. But my current irons and wedges are fantastic and I think I could be about to have a great season as a result. Anyway I digress...

A lot of people on here bemoan the premium cost of new releases and others espouse the benefits of the reduction in last year's model. But this is my question from my understanding when a new model is released companies take back the fitting cart for the old model. So is it actually possible to get fitted for the old model but buy at reduced prices without waiting six months for price drop?

 

[DCB]

Generally, no. Last years model is just that, old hat. Manufacturer will have shifted as many sets for off the shelf sale as they possibly can when the new model is released.

You could go for an aftermarket custom fit, but that may well be a lot more expensive if you need shafts changed and specific grips etc. A local club fitter would give an idea of what this would cost.

 

[Tiger]

Kind of what I thought DCB. Looking at drivers at the moment. My coach does Ping and Cobra and after my previous experience she/fitting centres are the only ones I trust. Mmmmm might have to see if I'm a standard shaft guy and then wait for the price to drop...

 

[SammmeBee]

You could probably get fitted but wouldn't be able to buy as they will no longer be selling any new sets. The new models will be far better anyway - that's why they bring them out!!!

 

[Tiger]

You could probably get fitted but wouldn't be able to buy as they will no longer be selling any new sets. The new models will be far better anyway - that's why they bring them out!!!

I don't doubt that they are. Just can't afford it right now but if I could get fitted for say a G30/Fly-Z now I'd be tempted

 

[ChrisB0210]

I don't doubt that they are. Just can't afford it right now but if I could get fitted for say a G30/Fly-Z now I'd be tempted

You'd probably be ok with the Pings, my understanding is that they run the old model off over 12 -18 months alongside the new. Until recently, G25's were still available brand new, and I was told that a fitting would be possible as long as they still had the right colour coded head in stock.

 

[john0]

Won't be much difference between the old and new models, so just get custom fit on the new model then shop around for the same spec on the old model, sorted.

 

[UlyssesSky]

I guess it kind of depends what degree of fitted you're looking for.

If it's just shaft club head, shaft length and lie angle, you could probably either look for a place that this has lots of different sets on stock or go for a fitting now and wait until the next generation of clubs come out and snatch a set that matches your specs then (this works obviously better if you're close to standard specs..).

If you're after the full fitting experience, including after market shafts, you probably won't find any discount offers on this kind of clubs, since they're typically built-to-order...


One more idea: go get fitted for the newest version of clubs, then try and find a set of the previous kit that matches your specs. Chances are the difference between the sets won't be that big and your fitting results should be valid for last season's kit as well.


Oh, and, if you're going for a fitting without planning to buy the clubs from the fitter, go somewhere where you have to pay for the fitting. It's a little bit more expensive, but it's the right thing to do.

 

[ManinBlack]

Ś

You could probably get fitted but wouldn't be able to buy as they will no longer be selling any new sets. The new models will be far better anyway - that's why they bring them out!!!

"Far better"? Slightly better, if that. "that's why they bring them out!!!" No they bring them out because they have to sell clubs, that's their business & bringing out new models is a way of persuading gullible punters that the new model will improve their game. Over a 5 year period you might see some improvement, but not usually from one model to the next.

 

[UlyssesSky]

Ś
"Far better"? Slightly better, if that. "that's why they bring them out!!!" No they bring them out because they have to sell clubs, that's their business & bringing out new models is a way of persuading gullible punters that the new model will improve their game. Over a 5 year period you might see some improvement, but not usually from one model to the next.

You forgot to turn your irony detectors on when you left the bed this morning...

 

[Hacker Khan]

Ś
"Far better"? Slightly better, if that. "that's why they bring them out!!!" No they bring them out because they have to sell clubs, that's their business & bringing out new models is a way of persuading gullible punters that the new model will improve their game. Over a 5 year period you might see some improvement, but not usually from one model to the next.

I suspect he was being ironic. Either that or he is very gullible and a marketing mans dream.

 

[SammmeBee]

I never said it would improve your game just that the new model was 'better' than the old ones......

 

[ManinBlack]

I never said it would improve your game just that the new model was 'better' than the old ones......

You said "far better" and if it doesn't improve your game what's the point. I think newer models of clubs do make things easier if there is a real technological improvement. For example, I changed my Mizuno MX 23 irons for the JPX850 and the Boron in the new ones genuinely let's me hit them further. I didn't change my SLDR for an R15 because I didn't think it would make much difference. The M1 definitely is longer & easier to hit, because it uses new technology, I proved that to myself before taking a deep breath & buying it. The manufacturers want everyone to buy every new model. Most of us can't afford it!

 

[ManinBlack]

I suspect he was being ironic. Either that or he is very gullible and a marketing mans dream.

Ironic doesn't come over too well in print!

 

[SammmeBee]

I'll stick with 'far better' then....

 

[shewy]

You said "far better" and if it doesn't improve your game what's the point. I think newer models of clubs do make things easier if there is a real technological improvement. For example, I changed my Mizuno MX 23 irons for the JPX850 and the Boron in the new ones genuinely let's me hit them further. I didn't change my SLDR for an R15 because I didn't think it would make much difference. The M1 definitely is longer & easier to hit, because it uses new technology, I proved that to myself before taking a deep breath & buying it. The manufacturers want everyone to buy every new model. Most of us can't afford it!

I doubt it's the boron, more likely the loft and length of the shaft.

 

[rudebhoy]

You'd probably be ok with the Pings, my understanding is that they run the old model off over 12 -18 months alongside the new. Until recently, G25's were still available brand new, and I was told that a fitting would be possible as long as they still had the right colour coded head in stock.

A place near me does custom fitting, £35 for irons, £25 for woods, or free if you buy clubs from them. Saw the other day they were doing G25s for £349 (5-SW). Was very tempted, but spoke to our pro and he advised me to wait for a few months until he has got my swing totally sorted before getting fitted.

Just looked again and they have put the price up to £399.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Ironic doesn't come over too well in print!

I know. That was an incredibly interesting post by the way.

 

[ManinBlack]

I doubt it's the boron, more likely the loft and length of the shaft.

My MX 23 4iron was 1½" longer & 2° stronger than the JPX850 & I hit it exactly the same distance, as measured on the same launch monitor. Combination of the Boron & improved lightweight shaft.

 

[ChrisB0210]

A place near me does custom fitting, £35 for irons, £25 for woods, or free if you buy clubs from them. Saw the other day they were doing G25s for £349 (5-SW). Was very tempted, but spoke to our pro and he advised me to wait for a few months until he has got my swing totally sorted before getting fitted.

Just looked again and they have put the price up to £399.

Your Pro's advice is spot on imo. I've asked both our club pro (who sold me my driver and 5w) and my teaching pro about changing my irons and wedges. Both said the same, that is that my current set up is ideal whilst I'm still improving my technique and to look at changing once I start to score consistently and (hopefully) reduce my handicap by a good few shots.

In in respect of wedges, my club pro suggested that the manufacturers advice to change every 12 - 18 months was not valid for most amateurs as the majority of us don't hit the ball hard enough to wear them out as the manufacturers suggest. He says he only changes his every 2 years or so and he hits the ball a lot harder than the majority of amateurs.