PJ87
Journeyman Pro
Numbers effect the outcome of golf. If you think they don't I don't think you understand science
Fitting - is it worth it?
- Thread starter tigerwes
- Start date
Numbers effect the outcome of golf. If you think they don't I don't think you understand science
HeftyHacker
Well-known member
It's not like the numbers are plucked out of thin air though. Clearly at some point there has been experimentation and it became a case of "right here are x number of shots with the 'golfing result' that we're looking for - oh look they all have roughly the same characteristics with regards to spin/launch angle/descent angle/club delivery etc - therefore these are the optimal numbers for that type of shot."
The fitting process then becomes a case of giving the golfer the best chance of consistently delivering those numbers for the best 'golfing result'.
I do completely agree that for most amateurs the chance of them being able to deliver those numbers consistently is very slim but surely if the fitting process matches them with a combination of shaft/grip/head thst enables them to get (close to) those desired end results a higher percentage of the time then its done its job?
adasko
Assistant Pro
Fitting is definitely worth before buying any clubs.
Difference is being fitted by chain shop/local pro and specialist fitter.
Been fitted by both and going to independent fitter is great if you have some sort of repetitive swing. They have more options to choose from.
Last year got new irons fitted and thanks to them my handicap gone down from 6.8 to 3.8.
Recently went for a driver shaft fitting and 2 iron. Difference is like a night and day.
Best shaft for the driver was expensive 330 pounds and 2 iron with upgraded shaft came up to 500 pounds but I wasn't force in anyway to make a purchase.
Simply I could pay 100 pounds for the fitter time and try to find same spec on my own or place the order and fitting was for free.
Feel with the clubs I have now I should be able get close to scratch this season.
Difference is being fitted by chain shop/local pro and specialist fitter.
Been fitted by both and going to independent fitter is great if you have some sort of repetitive swing. They have more options to choose from.
Last year got new irons fitted and thanks to them my handicap gone down from 6.8 to 3.8.
Recently went for a driver shaft fitting and 2 iron. Difference is like a night and day.
Best shaft for the driver was expensive 330 pounds and 2 iron with upgraded shaft came up to 500 pounds but I wasn't force in anyway to make a purchase.
Simply I could pay 100 pounds for the fitter time and try to find same spec on my own or place the order and fitting was for free.
Feel with the clubs I have now I should be able get close to scratch this season.
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Backache
Assistant Pro
I have no idea what is meant by no scientific basis. Numbers on which fittings are done are measured as other measurements are in Science things like distance, spin, launch angle and dispersion are just as Scientific measurements as any other.
How well differences translate into differences in score will clearly vary.
D-S
Well-known member
So what is your conclusion?
Do different clubs and shafts all perform exactly the same?
Or, if there are differences in performance, how should amateurs proceed - trial and error?
Do data sets gained via measuring various criteria, spin, carry, ball speed, dispersion, dynamic loft all carry no weight at all?
Or should an amateur not accept guidance from someone who has more experience than them and just do it themselves?
Bratty
Princess Pouty (Queen of Fish Lips)
Chaps, you will NEVER get Backsticks to see fitting as anything other than mumbo jumbo. So why don't we stop trying to change his mind, and just accept his view.
Even though none of us agree with it and believe it to be very strange at worst and completely archaic at best.
And finally, to answer the OP, I will never buy a club off the shelf or online without having tried it first with at least a pro or at best, a fitter.
I think fitting is perfectly acceptable and if you can afford it, it's always worth doing.
Tell me I'm wrong by all means, but I'm not changing my mind, so best not to bother.
Ta.
Even though none of us agree with it and believe it to be very strange at worst and completely archaic at best.
And finally, to answer the OP, I will never buy a club off the shelf or online without having tried it first with at least a pro or at best, a fitter.
I think fitting is perfectly acceptable and if you can afford it, it's always worth doing.
Tell me I'm wrong by all means, but I'm not changing my mind, so best not to bother.
Ta.
Voyager EMH
Slipper Wearing Plucker of Pheasants
Is the fitting process trial and error?
D-S
Well-known member
Yes - however it would be and is lot quicker for it to be done with/by someone at least who has experience to suggest what the error is and the best way of fixing it and making improvements rather than guesswork.
Voyager EMH
Slipper Wearing Plucker of Pheasants
HI 4.3
The result of 54 years of guesswork over every single shot I have ever played.
The result of 54 years of guesswork over every single shot I have ever played.
Or is it trial and elimination?
Bratty
Princess Pouty (Queen of Fish Lips)
Some people are naturally talented though and some need help...!
D
Deleted member 35577
Guest
I think there is someone sitting behind their keyboard laughing at all the responses his posts have provoked. He is trying to play you!
D-S
Well-known member
Just imagine how low you could have got with a proper fitting.
pendodave
Tour Rookie
There are so many strawmen (and drivers that go straight right ob) on this thread, I can't see why I can't add another one....
The OP is questioning the worth.
Fitting is (mostly) a ruse by the industry to get golfers to part with full retail, rather than go on the bay and getting essentially the same kit for half price.
If a golfer has £500 to spend, I'd argue that £250 of kit + £250 of lessons would make someone a better golfer that £500 of fitted kit.
Therefore fitting is not worth it.
QED. i rest my case mlud etc etc
The OP is questioning the worth.
Fitting is (mostly) a ruse by the industry to get golfers to part with full retail, rather than go on the bay and getting essentially the same kit for half price.
If a golfer has £500 to spend, I'd argue that £250 of kit + £250 of lessons would make someone a better golfer that £500 of fitted kit.
Therefore fitting is not worth it.
QED. i rest my case mlud etc etc
Voyager EMH
Slipper Wearing Plucker of Pheasants
How do you know that I am not able to fit myself?
Or that my club's pro is not able to give a proper fitting? Known him a long time. Played golf with his dad when the current pro was in primary school. Dad still plays too.
Take some bashes with a few clubs and see which works best. Been doing that for decades.
Trial and elimination or trial and error - it all amounts to the same thing. You end up with what suits from what is available.
Being able to hit long irons effectively is a big advantage it appears. Learnt to do that when I was a nipper.
2.3 at my lowest since WHS started.
Never ever felt that my clubs were holding me back in any way.
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Well not all of us have natural born talent so we have to make up for it in other ways!
Voyager EMH
Slipper Wearing Plucker of Pheasants
Never regarded myself as naturally talented. Just stuck at it with relentless determination.Some people are naturally talented though and some need help...!
And I always seemed to have plenty of better players to play with and learn from at all stages.
Learnt to play the right way round though. Two years of putting then two years of pitch and putt.
Then came bashing it with a spoon (3-wood) on a golf course along with two irons and a putter.
Made steady progress from there.
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TigerBear
Active member
Funny story circulating online about Sergio. His dad was a fairly good golfer playing to a good standard.
TM had made up custom irons for Sergio and his dad. Sergio ended up taking his dad's set in error, wrong lie, S shafts, etc. ... Sergio went on go win a tour event that week
TM had made up custom irons for Sergio and his dad. Sergio ended up taking his dad's set in error, wrong lie, S shafts, etc. ... Sergio went on go win a tour event that week
richbeech
Hacker
At the amateur level I believe in a fitting process of sorts, I definitely believe in trying new clubs first and trying different heads and shafts, but I personally don't get too caught up in launch monitor data. When you've got the right head and shaft combination you don't need a launch monitor to tell you what's right, the ball flight and strike will tell you what's right. That's what you really need to pay attention to. Also focus on what 'feels' right for you. The best fittings I've ever had I basically fit myself, without a launch monitor, just bashing balls and watching the ball flight, listening to the sound of the strike and tuning in to which one felt most comfortable for me to swing. If a club isn't quite right it'll tell you, you'll mishit more, it'll be harder to get the ball in the air, it'll feel like you've got to work harder.
I'm quite fortunate in that I've got a good relationship with the local range where I get all my equipment from so it enabled me to take a club from the fitting bay and a few different shafts and I spend a good hour trying them in a bay. Within 5-10 minutes I'm usually able to whittle it down to 2 heads / shafts and then I spend more time hitting those 2. On the most recent occasion there was little to separate two clubs performance wise so I went with which one which felt the best. Feel is hard to describe but think of it in terms of how easy does it feel to swing the club and how does it release through the ball.
I can appreciate that not everyone will be able to do it this way but if you can, go into your local range (if they do fittings) and just ask if you can try a club yourself in a bay to get an initial feel for it. There's also less pressure when you haven't got someone watching over you and you feel like they're judging your swing.
I'm quite fortunate in that I've got a good relationship with the local range where I get all my equipment from so it enabled me to take a club from the fitting bay and a few different shafts and I spend a good hour trying them in a bay. Within 5-10 minutes I'm usually able to whittle it down to 2 heads / shafts and then I spend more time hitting those 2. On the most recent occasion there was little to separate two clubs performance wise so I went with which one which felt the best. Feel is hard to describe but think of it in terms of how easy does it feel to swing the club and how does it release through the ball.
I can appreciate that not everyone will be able to do it this way but if you can, go into your local range (if they do fittings) and just ask if you can try a club yourself in a bay to get an initial feel for it. There's also less pressure when you haven't got someone watching over you and you feel like they're judging your swing.
apj0524
Head Pro
I have went to a fitting session for the new SM10's, mainly because I have recently become confused what bounce suits my swing the best, I ws looking for two wedges as I have a T200 48 deg.
I have been fitted for my irons, woods and driver perviously but I have to say this was fitting I got the most from. trying different lofts and bounce combinations blind using trackman then taking the best combination onto a shot game practice area to try them out chipping onto the green and out of a bunker.
I currently am playing 52 F and 60M bent 2 deg weak, I fitting clearly showed that a 54 S and 58 T suited my swing the best and I learnt a lot from the fitting.
The only down side is a £180 Pre Launch price was a jaw dropping moment so I'll wait to see what the online retailers price them at next week.
So my take on all this is that its worth doing but very much depends on the skill of the fitter
I have been fitted for my irons, woods and driver perviously but I have to say this was fitting I got the most from. trying different lofts and bounce combinations blind using trackman then taking the best combination onto a shot game practice area to try them out chipping onto the green and out of a bunker.
I currently am playing 52 F and 60M bent 2 deg weak, I fitting clearly showed that a 54 S and 58 T suited my swing the best and I learnt a lot from the fitting.
The only down side is a £180 Pre Launch price was a jaw dropping moment so I'll wait to see what the online retailers price them at next week.
So my take on all this is that its worth doing but very much depends on the skill of the fitter
