When to get fitted?

[Senseicads]

Hi Everyone,

it might be a bit of a specific problem to me this one, but it's bonus time at work I want to get fitted for some new clubs, I currently only have a starter set, and have some lessons. I've only been playing for about a year, and by myself and youtube I've got my handicap from 28 down to 23.1. To push on and carry on improving I definitely need some lessons.

My question is, can I get fitted for some new clubs before I have my lessons or do I have the lessons and then get fitted for new clubs. Is it better to have the lessons with the new clubs? Or will my swing change that significantly with the lessons that the fitting will no longer "work" for me?

I do have a bit of a deadline on this as we are going on a golf holiday in June and I'd like some new shiny clubs before then, and I am assuming I'd need a little bit of time to get used to them before I go.

thanks in advance.

 

[bobmac]

Definitely lessons first, then maybe get fitted

 

[mcbroon]

What Bob said :thup:

 

[Liverbirdie]

Yup, lessons first then fitted.

you may currently be slouched over the ball, which will give one lie angle, but after lessons you may be more upright, so is then out of kilter.

Oh aye, and 14.45 is a good time - your back is loosened up more in the afternoon.

 

[Senseicads]

thanks guys, that is kind of what I thought but it's hard to resist shiny new things when you have money in the bank waiting to be used!

 

[Dasit]

thanks guys, that is kind of what I thought but it's hard to resist shiny new things when you have money in the bank waiting to be used!

invest it

 

[thesheriff]

I'm in more or less the same boat. I know I need new irons, however I'm have lessons to make my ball striking more consistent before thinking about buying them. A custom fit can be suited to one swing, so if there's variation in the way you deliver the club head, or the lessons make changes to your swing, you may have spent hard earned cash on clubs perfectly suited to a swing which doesn't exist anymore.

Long story short, lessons first, then custom fit.

 

[turkish]

I'm gonna go against the general consensus here... I'd say get a static fitting rather than a dynamic one due to what's been said but if you're quite short or quite tall you could probably learn a more appropriate swing for your build with static fitted clubs.

I had AP1'S which were off the shelf and with me being a short a*** it's resulted in my standing the club up more which I'm now trying to get away from.

 

[Senseicads]

I'm gonna go against the general consensus here... I'd say get a static fitting rather than a dynamic one due to what's been said but if you're quite short or quite tall you could probably learn a more appropriate swing for your build with static fitted clubs.

I had AP1'S which were off the shelf and with me being a short a*** it's resulted in my standing the club up more which I'm now trying to get away from.

I'm not short or tall, but a big chunky does that make a difference? I am 6' tall, is that average?

 

[turkish]

I'm not short or tall, but a big chunky does that make a difference? I am 6' tall, is that average?

I'd say that's pretty average so you'd probably be fine but depends on a few other factors like wrist to floor etc. You could try doing pings online static fitting and then when it gives ideal dot colour check what that entails.

If you do buy off the shelf tho maybe check your iron swing speeds so you know whether stiff or regular better

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Personally I'd wait and have lessons. If you have a series of tuition it's possible that variable like plane and angle of attack will change these could impact the fit of the club. Plus lessons will give you more consistency

 

[big_matt]

Unless the OP is a very unusual size id definately go the lessons route and not get fitted until you are a better ball striker.

Ive never been convinced by fittings though for all but the very best players. I got recommended for 0.5 inch longer but there are so manh variables that must affect this. My different golf shoes have different sole thicknesses (which makes me slightly different heights). In the winter i could be sinking down into soggy ground and then on ground like concrete in summer. Does a 2cm length difference on my clubs adjust to all of this? No.

Part of the 'must get fitted' mantra for me is the industry wanting people into new clubs and to pay for fittings. If i was a 23 handicapper of averahe size id get a stock set in the sale and spend the saved money on lots of lessons.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I got down to 11 with 2nd hand clubs my uncle picked out for me.

Never saw them, never hit them.

Static fit aids the short, tall etc but as around average height I was fine.

When I'm back playing at a club in a few years and need a new set I will as mine are 10 years old this year.

 

[Smiffy]

Buy your new clubs (just pick a set you like the look of), go on holiday and smack it all round the gaff.
That's as technical as it gets at this stage.