Anyone being “fit” for a set of golf clubs should, I believe, have some expectations on what a superior clubfitting experience will include. Here are some of the things that I believe you should anticipate would happen if you are being truly fit for golf clubs….
1. The fitter will first ask you to provide some profiling information about your clubs – which clubs you hit well, which you do not, what are the areas of your game where you would hope to achieve the most improvement.
2. You will be asked if you have any physical issues – back, wrist, etc. – that could have an influence on how you swing a golf club.
3. The fitter will ask you specifically about what you hope will be accomplished during the fitting. He will tell you what his fitting process is, and what he will need you to do during the fitting.
4. The fitter will collect some data on some of your key golf clubs – particularly the ones that are not performing well for you. Length, swingweight, MOI, flex, loft and lie and face angle for wood clubs at a minimum. It is important to know where you are starting from to help you get where you want to go.
5. The fitter will know as much as possible about how golf clubs perform and how the 21 Key Variables of Club Fitting affect club performance.
6. The fitter will take video of your swing as part of the fitting process, and do a thorough review of this video as an initial part of a fitting. The fitter will have enough knowledge of the golf swing to identify any easily fixed swing issues. In some cases the fitter may even suggest that it would be better for the player to take some lessons before a truly effective fitting can be completed.
7. The fitter will have an ongoing dialogue with you during the fitting. He will let you see results of measurements made, and let you know when possible improvements are being produced with different fitting clubs. He will also listen to you A Lot during the fitting – what clubs feel good, which are too heavy or light – your input is a key part of a truly successful fitting.
8. The fitter will let you know the final specifications for the clubs that are being suggested be built. He will be sure you agree with the results from the fitting. In some cases, particularly iron fittings, it may be necessary to build one or more test clubs for you to use before the final club specs are completed.
9. When you get your golf clubs, he will ask you for feedback on the performance of the clubs. If they are not performing as you desire, he will modify them as necessary to get the results that you expect.
10. A few months after you have started playing the fitted clubs, the fitter will ask you for additional feedback on how they are performing. Again, if there are any necessary modifications to the clubs needed, he will work with you to ensure that they play to your expectations.
There is in fact a lot that goes into a True Clubfitting Experience. Throughout the entire process, you also deserve to work with someone who will be as excited about your golf improvement as you will be when you are playing clubs that really fit YOU!!
The Fit Is IT!!
Tony