Custom Fitting, what to expect?

[Monty_Brown]

So further to my comments above about where to get fitted (looking for a driver and 3-wood), I had a chat with the pro who runs the shop at my club (although he's not my teaching pro).

I asked how he worked when fitting clubs, and when I mentioned launch monitors etc, he said he didn't use them. His reasoning was that he can see how I'm hitting it on the range and work out shafts and lofts that way. If I went with an adjustable driver, again, he said he'd set it up based on what he sees on the range.

TBH, I quite like this approach... he's using his expertise and judgement, rather than following a formula laid down by the numbers from launch monitors. Plus, I can try all the big brands without being stuck to one at a national fitting centre.

As for the big retailers, when I mentioned them, he said, if you want a spotty 16-year-old to choose your clubs, be my guest...

 

[Ethan]

So further to my comments above about where to get fitted (looking for a driver and 3-wood), I had a chat with the pro who runs the shop at my club (although he's not my teaching pro).

I asked how he worked when fitting clubs, and when I mentioned launch monitors etc, he said he didn't use them. His reasoning was that he can see how I'm hitting it on the range and work out shafts and lofts that way. If I went with an adjustable driver, again, he said he'd set it up based on what he sees on the range.

TBH, I quite like this approach... he's using his expertise and judgement, rather than following a formula laid down by the numbers from launch monitors. Plus, I can try all the big brands without being stuck to one at a national fitting centre.

As for the big retailers, when I mentioned them, he said, if you want a spotty 16-year-old to choose your clubs, be my guest...

Your pro is a big of an arrogant sod, isn't he? He has also offered you a false dichotomy which he knows is untrue.

Tour players all rely on launch monitors and detailed technical fitting because no pro can see by eye what a properly calibrated launch monitors can. That is part, but not all, of what is involved in fitting. Expertise and judgement are also used. But eyeballing alone is not enough either.

The choice is not between him or a feral youth in AG. There are plenty of trained highly skilled fitters who will use proper equipment and judgement to advise you on a wide range of equipment choices.

 

[Monty_Brown]

So further to my comments above about where to get fitted (looking for a driver and 3-wood), I had a chat with the pro who runs the shop at my club (although he's not my teaching pro).

I asked how he worked when fitting clubs, and when I mentioned launch monitors etc, he said he didn't use them. His reasoning was that he can see how I'm hitting it on the range and work out shafts and lofts that way. If I went with an adjustable driver, again, he said he'd set it up based on what he sees on the range.

TBH, I quite like this approach... he's using his expertise and judgement, rather than following a formula laid down by the numbers from launch monitors. Plus, I can try all the big brands without being stuck to one at a national fitting centre.

As for the big retailers, when I mentioned them, he said, if you want a spotty 16-year-old to choose your clubs, be my guest...

Your pro is a big of an arrogant sod, isn't he? He has also offered you a false dichotomy which he knows is untrue.

Tour players all rely on launch monitors and detailed technical fitting because no pro can see by eye what a properly calibrated launch monitors can. That is part, but not all, of what is involved in fitting. Expertise and judgement are also used. But eyeballing alone is not enough either.

The choice is not between him or a feral youth in AG. There are plenty of trained highly skilled fitters who will use proper equipment and judgement to advise you on a wide range of equipment choices.

Now i'm confused again

But yes, he was definitely an arrogant sod!

So, from reading all the advice on here about CF, the issue for me is trying to find the place that covers
- PGA qualified, competent fitter
- proper technology to analyse whatever is needed in my swing
- wide range of makes, models and shafts
- good price

Finding someone that covers them all seems harder than I thought.

 

[Ethan]

Now i'm confused again

But yes, he was definitely an arrogant sod!

So, from reading all the advice on here about CF, the issue for me is trying to find the place that covers
- PGA qualified, competent fitter
- proper technology to analyse whatever is needed in my swing
- wide range of makes, models and shafts
- good price

Finding someone that covers them all seems harder than I thought.

Where are you located?

 

[viscount17]

a club fitter will not necessarily be PGA qualified, that is (and I stand to be corrected) primarily a teaching qualification although it does I think include an element of fitting, and not all of those with a pga qualification fit clubs. many just teach, a few should stick to selling mars bars.

that the fitter is not pga qualified does not make him any the less able, it can often mean that he is more a specialist in his field.

 

[Monty_Brown]

Now i'm confused again

But yes, he was definitely an arrogant sod!

So, from reading all the advice on here about CF, the issue for me is trying to find the place that covers
- PGA qualified, competent fitter
- proper technology to analyse whatever is needed in my swing
- wide range of makes, models and shafts
- good price

Finding someone that covers them all seems harder than I thought.

Where are you located?

Near Bishops Stortford, Hert/Essex border. Someone earlier in the thread has recommended the Direct Golf north of Cambridge, near Huntingdon I think. Proper range, launch gear and decent staff. I'm definitely prepared to drive a fair way to guarantee the quality and choice. I would have liked to support my club's pro shop, but not if the service isn't up to scratch.

 

[GB72]

Now i'm confused again

But yes, he was definitely an arrogant sod!

So, from reading all the advice on here about CF, the issue for me is trying to find the place that covers
- PGA qualified, competent fitter
- proper technology to analyse whatever is needed in my swing
- wide range of makes, models and shafts
- good price

Finding someone that covers them all seems harder than I thought.

Where are you located?

Near Bishops Stortford, Hert/Essex border. Someone earlier in the thread has recommended the Direct Golf north of Cambridge, near Huntingdon I think. Proper range, launch gear and decent staff. I'm definitely prepared to drive a fair way to guarantee the quality and choice. I would have liked to support my club's pro shop, but not if the service isn't up to scratch.

That was me, I use them and Viscount has been there too. They are certainly worth a go. Their dedicated fitting bay is superb and I trust the staff. That is just my opinion though.