Titleist fitting

[Tiger]

Yes I know I'm mad with more money than sense BUT I don't care. So for the naysayers that think this is a god awful idea for a high handicapper that can't hit his 3 wood straight your feelings of consternation and words of wisdom are duly noted and respected but, in the name of all things shiny and making me smiley, in this instance they are being overlooked.

Right prologue over it's my birthday in two weeks. It looks as though my wishes are being answered and I will be given some cash towards a new Driver. Having tried a few demo clubs I know that I can hit the 910 D2 fairly well.

I am aiming to give myself a little time to continue my swing work so planning on going for a fitting probably in early October giving me the winter to become acquainted with my new toy.

I believe 100% in club fitting and intend to book into the National Fitting Centre in St Ives. Now I understand they charge £40 for the priviledge but you get a dedicated 1.5 hours for your wonga and I think they might give you a few balls as well.

I have two questions:

1. I was thinking of getting fitted for a driver and wedges. Should I just use the whole 1.5 hrs on the driver?

2. Is anyone else thinking of getting fitted about then and fancy coinciding our appointments and grabbing 18 holes on the inland links at St Ives?

 

[john0]

Just go for it Tiger - the sooner you get yourself a driver the sooner you can learn to hit it. You may even be like me and find it easier than your 3 wood

I would of thought that 1.5 hours is more than enough for a driver fitting, so if your after wedges also then why not use the time for both.

As for point 2. - Sorry cant afford a new driver, plus St Ives is a little far to travel even for the pleasure of meeting you

 

[Snelly]

Your first sentence sums up your post. You are mad and you have more money than sense.

Having these clubs and getting custom fitted for them won't make the blindest bit of difference to your game in my opinion. If your handicap is 27.4, then I am sincerely sorry if it sounds harsh but believe me, your clubs are not the issue. The only positive I would think you would get from this is that you would have a driver in your bag to practice with.

That said, if you want to spend the cash and like having new clubs then go for it. They are sure to put a smile on your face if that is what floats your boat. I would guess it is fairly academic as to how you spend the time at the fitting....

 

[Guns]

Hey go for it lots of people get extra enjoyment about having decent gear in the bag, and at the end of the day if it put a smile on your face it's all good!

 

[TobyRich1928]

i think u should go for it! about point 2, i played there for one of my junior matchs, and the course is still growing in! if u hit the fairways and hit the greens u will enjoy it, but there is little rough and lots of cracks in the ground! there are a few scars on the greens as well, but if u wait till late, the course will probably be in better nick!

 

[HRC99]

If you've got the money and want to do it, then go for it.

But I'd agree with Snelly. Off 27.4, having your driver custom fitted isn't going to make a fat lot of difference. You'd be better off buying a decent second hand driver and spending the rest on lessons (or even more lessons).

 

[Tiger]

Question. Is the issue with

a) not really benefitting from custom fitting off my handicap
b) spending that amount of money on a driver
c) should get a second hand model and learn to use it before splashing the cash

I may seek council from uncle Bob at Thetford

 

[brendy]

All of the above with the greatest respect tiger.
Getting fitted is one of the last things a player should get done as they get better.
Think of it as modifying a car, you can remap one straight away but as soon as you start changing other performance engine/exhaust parts, you will need to get it programmed again to see the benefit.

Golf shops and pros CF to pay their bills,they won't turn anyone away, they can also only fit for what they are presented with on the day, todays swing could be completely different.
Get the swing you want sorted first, make it solid then get the clubs sorted. Noone, but noone Has come on here saying how much better their game has come on with fitting alone.

 

[HRC99]

A combination of A and C for me. But, if you've got the cash to spend, then enjoy it and get a shiny new toy but, if you're after value, pick up a decent second-hand driver and spend a bit of time with it before going for a new driver.

The other advantage of that is that as you get better with it, your swing will probably change and you'll get a different custom fit later on anyway.

 

[USER1999]

If you are off a higher h/cap, I can't see titleist drivers as being remotely suitable. Sorry. They don't make anything in their range for 20 plus. Even the ap1s are meant for a sixteen h/cap according to titleist.

Yes, the 910 is adjustable, but they aren't claiming a 90 yard instance fix unlike some.

 

[RGDave]

I'd like to get a set of fitted Titleist clubs.

Trouble is, every time I look, I can find no mention of senior flex or 13 degree drivers.

Maybe I should consider Ping instead.

 

[Golfmmad]

Tiger, I think you would be better off asking your Pro to tape up a driver for you to take out on a practice round. You'd use it at least 14 times in proper conditions so will know whether it feels right for you.
If you start the process now, by the time you have the money you could have tried half a dozen or so different drivers.
Can I also suggest you first of all try Taylormade and Ping which are reckoned to be the most forgiving and easier drivers to hit. And Titleist would be my last choice.

Just my opinion of course.

Good luck.

Golfmmad.

 

[john0]

Tiger just ignore these lot, go and get yourself a 910 D3 8.5 with a X-stiff shaft - and if you dont get on with it ill do you a swap for my Taylormade Tour Burner, sound fair?

 

[Tiger]

Tiger just ignore these lot, go and get yourself a 910 D3 8.5 with a X-stiff shaft - and if you dont get on with it ill do you a swap for my Taylormade Tour Burner, sound fair?

Genius! Thing is I took a Ping G15 and hit it higher than a skyscraper. I tried an R9 and we didn't get on very well. I went out on a course a couple of times with a 910 D2 with a ka'ali shaft and hit it pretty straight but a little too high. too much spin. Tried the D3 couldn't hit it so figured a d2 with the right shaft would be a good fit. Now I know I can get one I was planning on going out with some demo clubs to make sure it's the right call.

Anyway I was interested in getting thoughts from here. As said before I think I'll have a chat with Bob on Monday after we play at Thetford

 

[HRC99]

Genius! Thing is I took a Ping G15 and hit it higher than a skyscraper. I tried an R9 and we didn't get on very well. I went out on a course a couple of times with a 910 D2 with a ka'ali shaft and hit it pretty straight but a little too high. too much spin. Tried the D3 couldn't hit it so figured a d2 with the right shaft would be a good fit. Now I know I can get one I was planning on going out with some demo clubs to make sure it's the right call.

[/QUOTE]

Seriously? I'm astonished that you think that, off 27.4, you think the shaft in the driver is the problem. Unless you've got a ladies spec shaft or a tour stiff shaft in those demo clubs, it ain't the shaft or the driver, its the swing.

Off a modest 12 handicap, I know its my crap swing that causes the ball to go left, right, too high or too low not the shaft or the driver.

 

[Tiger]

My swing makes it go left or right but when you hit a good strike and the ball starts spinning upwards and upwards and then up some more it must be related to the shaft and/or head. When I got fitted for my irons I created way too much spin with the DG shafts, switched to the PX 5.5 and got a much better ball flight.

In my defence I think I am an individual case but until you see me play you kind of won't understand. My pro says I am a backwards case. Most people who start playing you teach them how to strike the ball then you teach them how to control it. I can strike the ball well but have difficulty controlling direction with my longer clubs. As a result I lose a lot off shots off the tee through going OOB or losing position on my approach shot.

Someone on here said that the AP1 irons are designed for a 16 handicap, I think I hit them pretty well. I value your comments but I think that to a degree that are affected by your perception of how a 27 handicapper plays golf.

I know its my crap swing that causes the ball to go left or right or if I catch it a bit thin or sky it. I don't believe a new driver will be a magical cure and knock ten shots off my game. I do believe that I need to get a driver and learn to use it. With a shaft that compliments my swing speed and adjustability that allows the fitter and my pro to make adjustments as my swing improves.

Apologies for the length of the post, which I hope does not read like a rant. I respect the opinions on here which is why I ask certain questions. The jury is out on this one and I still may end up going down the second hand route but so far the best purchase I have made (by a long way) were my irons and they are the only clubs for which I've been custom fitted.

 

[Snelly]

My perception is based on the fact, according to your blog, that in one year, you have come down 1 shot from 28 to 27. Given that you are on a mission to get to a low handicap in 5 years, then I would argue that things are not quite going according to plan.

The biggest handicap jumps that nearly everyone makes are when you start to improve from your initial handicap. If I was you, I would be aiming to get to 20 in year 1, 15 in year two and then incremental stages from there. Or faster if possible. The point being that you should be aiming for big cuts pretty soon after you get an initial handicap.

The fact that you haven't, and I fully accept that I don't know you or how you play so I may be being very unfair, suggests that you have either got fundamental golf problems or are not playing in any competitions that would cause you to get cut.

These problems whether they relate to ball striking, set-up, course management, something else or a combination of these, cannot be and won't be fixed or even affected in any meaningful way by purchasing a custom fitted driver.

My opinion, purely based on your posts here is that you don't need to get better equipment. You just need to get better. A lot better. And faster.

The way to do this, again, purely in my opinion, is by playing golf and I mean meaningful golf on a course against people or the card in a purposeful, competitive environment. Not hitting balls on a range, not loads of lessons, not with new swing thoughts, not with magazine articles, not in instruction books and certainly not be spending money on new custom fitted Titleist drivers.

Golf is very simple indeed. You hit the ball, find it and hit it again until it's in the hole. You learn the game by making mistakes on the course and ensuring you don't repeat them too often. Spin rates, launch angles and shaft flexes weren't even in the golfing lexicon when I was learning and from that, I conclude and firmly believe that at a beginner level, they mean sod all.

I genuinely don't mean to offend, just giving you a forthright view based on 30 years of experience and having managed to achieve the goal you have set yourself.

Cheers,


Snelly.

 

[HRC99]

My swing makes it go left or right but when you hit a good strike and the ball starts spinning upwards and upwards and then up some more it must be related to the shaft and/or head. When I got fitted for my irons I created way too much spin with the DG shafts, switched to the PX 5.5 and got a much better ball flight.

In my defence I think I am an individual case but until you see me play you kind of won't understand. My pro says I am a backwards case. Most people who start playing you teach them how to strike the ball then you teach them how to control it. I can strike the ball well but have difficulty controlling direction with my longer clubs. As a result I lose a lot off shots off the tee through going OOB or losing position on my approach shot.

Someone on here said that the AP1 irons are designed for a 16 handicap, I think I hit them pretty well. I value your comments but I think that to a degree that are affected by your perception of how a 27 handicapper plays golf.

I know its my crap swing that causes the ball to go left or right or if I catch it a bit thin or sky it. I don't believe a new driver will be a magical cure and knock ten shots off my game. I do believe that I need to get a driver and learn to use it. With a shaft that compliments my swing speed and adjustability that allows the fitter and my pro to make adjustments as my swing improves.

Apologies for the length of the post, which I hope does not read like a rant. I respect the opinions on here which is why I ask certain questions. The jury is out on this one and I still may end up going down the second hand route but so far the best purchase I have made (by a long way) were my irons and they are the only clubs for which I've been custom fitted.

Don't worry, it's not a rant and didn't come across as such and my post wasn't intended as having a go either.

The key thing about being a 27 handicapper (and lower) which I've been is that the swing is very inconsistent. If it's not, then you must either be an incredibly short hitter or an appalling putter!

My point being your swing can dramatically affect the flight of your ball without skying it or catching it thin. If I catch one and it balloons upwards or is drilled low, the chances are it isn't the head or the shaft but my swing or my fundamentals letting me down.

 

[chris661]

Tiger,

This may come across as mean or whatever but it ius not meant in that way. Your handicap is 27 FFS stop getting caught up in the techniucal side of golf and learn how to hit what equipment you have. Stop reading every instructional article and learn to use what swing you have. Stop worrying about need a driver and learn to use your three wood, I can hit my three wood almost as far as my driver so even I dont need a driver and leave it out the bag fairly often and only have 13 clubs.

And MOST importantly play golf much much much more than you go to the range.

 

[Ethan]

My perception is based on the fact, according to your blog, that in one year, you have come down 1 shot from 28 to 27. Given that you are on a mission to get to a low handicap in 5 years, then I would argue that things are not quite going according to plan.

The biggest handicap jumps that nearly everyone makes are when you start to improve from your initial handicap. If I was you, I would be aiming to get to 20 in year 1, 15 in year two and then incremental stages from there. Or faster if possible. The point being that you should be aiming for big cuts pretty soon after you get an initial handicap.

The fact that you haven't, and I fully accept that I don't know you or how you play so I may be being very unfair, suggests that you have either got fundamental golf problems or are not playing in any competitions that would cause you to get cut.

These problems whether they relate to ball striking, set-up, course management, something else or a combination of these, cannot be and won't be fixed or even affected in any meaningful way by purchasing a custom fitted driver.

My opinion, purely based on your posts here is that you don't need to get better equipment. You just need to get better. A lot better. And faster.

The way to do this, again, purely in my opinion, is by playing golf and I mean meaningful golf on a course against people or the card in a purposeful, competitive environment. Not hitting balls on a range, not loads of lessons, not with new swing thoughts, not with magazine articles, not in instruction books and certainly not be spending money on new custom fitted Titleist drivers.

Golf is very simple indeed. You hit the ball, find it and hit it again until it's in the hole. You learn the game by making mistakes on the course and ensuring you don't repeat them too often. Spin rates, launch angles and shaft flexes weren't even in the golfing lexicon when I was learning and from that, I conclude and firmly believe that at a beginner level, they mean sod all.

I genuinely don't mean to offend, just giving you a forthright view based on 30 years of experience and having managed to achieve the goal you have set yourself.

Cheers,


Snelly.

I basically agree with that analysis, but would just point out that 28 is given as a maximum handicap, even if a player deserves a handicap of 40. The 27 is more likely to be 'real', though, so it is possible Tiger has actually improved more than 1 shot.