Get into the Swing of Things
for Great Spring Golf: Get properly fit for
Golf Clubs!
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Chris Mitson,
RhodyGolf.com Technical Editor
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Get into the swing of things
for the spring, with a little free and friendly
advice from The Chop Shop.
So here is the situation: You are all excited
for the upcoming golf season (been too cooped
up over the winter, watched too much Golf Channel
and tortured your significant other to the point
of hysteria about the new swing and what tools
are going to be needed to whip all sorts of
butt this year at the course) and you are going
to purchase a new set of golf clubs.
Now the quest begins. You go to your local golf
retail store, driving range w/ pro-shop, eBay,
or country club in search of the perfect set
of sticks. After only one day of looking, 'demo-ing',
Internet research, and salesmen telling you
that one set has better metal than another,
you think your ready to make a purchase.
But are you? No, you are not, because the dilemma
you find yourself in is that the choices are
vast and you now possess way too much info.
What to do? At any of the above mentioned facilities
there are certified sales associates or golf
professionals that can assist you in narrowing
down the seemingly endless club selections.
Simply ask for some assistance (don’t
rely on your pals to help you spend your hard
earned dollars).
Ask your sales associate or professional if
a club-fitting session is available (this service
is offered by most facilities since customization
is a must--you want your clubs fit to you and
not the other way around). This takes the guesswork
out of the equation, and allows and creates
a focus that is on a player’s game as
opposed to dwelling on equipment and wondering
if it is suited for the individuals needs.
REASONS FOR GETTING
FIT FOR GOLF CLUBS
The lie angle of your clubs is VERY IMPORTANT.
more so than you may have initially thought.
If a club has a lie angle that is incorrect
by two degrees that equates to a golf shot that
will likely be 20- 40 yards off line in relation
to the intended target.
A poorly fit set of clubs impairs shot-making
ability.
The game of golf is difficult enough, and a
player should not have to worry if his clubs
are going to be working with him or her on any
given day.
HOW TO PREPARE
FOR A GOLF CLUB FITTING
There are a few thing that you can do prior
to the actual fit. Find clubs that appeal to
your eye. Decide what type of feel that you
like, heavy or light-weight clubs. If you would
like steel or graphite shafts. The size of the
club head, example blade, midsize, or oversize.
Take some notes and do not be afraid to ask
what the differences and benefits are to different
clubs.
Now that this information has been gathered
it helps the salesperson or golf professional
focus on club selection as opposed to being
the great swami trying to figure out what your
really looking for. At this point the individual
is at the point to set up a time to be fit for
the new set.
What may be required?
- An appointment
- Comfortable non-slip shoes
- A warm-up bucket of balls prior to your fitting
appointment
What will
be used?
More than likely the fitter will have a cart
or rack with numerous 5 or 6 irons. These clubs
are of different length, lie, and flex, so that
any of the individuals needs can be met and
addressed properly regardless of ability.
- Lie board- which is basically
a hard piece of plastic that is used to hit
golf balls off of (note: you will not break
it during use)
- Face tape- this is used on
the face of the club and once a ball hits it
leaves a mark where the ball was hit (i.e. on
the toe, heel, high or low on the face). Reminder:
do not be concerned with where the marks are.
Leave this to the fitter.
- Lie tape- used on the bottom
of the club and does the same thing, as face
tape with the exception that the marks left
will score the tape near the heel, toe, or center.
These marks are key in determining if a club
is upright, flat or perfect.
Again, do not try
to alter your swing to get different results.
Leave this up to the fitter.
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