Why Every Golfer Needs to Get Fit For Golf Clubs
If you’ve worked hard, put in the time, and you’re still not realizing the results you know you can achieve consistently, it may be time to examine your equipment. A crucial element that significantly impacts your performance is your golf clubs. And are your golf clubs fit for you and your swing. You can take all the best golf lessons in Orlando you want. For that matter anywhere. But if this describes you and your current situation related to golf skill improvement, it may be time to consider a club fitting session.
If you come to John Hughes Golf for coaching, I will examine your equipment during our first coaching session together. And if necessary, we’ll have a frank discussion about your equipment. Particularly if your clubs are more than 6 years old and you have tree trunks for shafts. Normally, the clubs you have now can get the job done, so long as your equipment comes close to fitting you.
But at some point, after a lot of hard work to improve your skills, equipment can get in the way of a golfer’s improvement, causing them to swing in ways we know are not efficient for that golfer. At that time, we’ll discuss how properly fitted clubs will rule out the possibility of a severely poor shot and how a club fitting session before a golf club purchase is in my client’s best interest.
I Need the Latest and Greatest!
While most uneducated golfers believe that buying the latest and greatest golf club is their “magic pill” to playing better golf, it is not always the case. Is the latest and greatest piece of equipment fit to you? Does the shaft load properties match you and your swing dynamics of load and release? Does the golf ball hit the center of the club face? Or is it still missing towards the toe or heel of the golf club?
These and many other questions can be answered during a club fitting session. It’s not about the latest and greatest golf club fixing or masking your flaws. It’s about the latest and greatest fitting you and your unique swing characteristics properly. So you can all but eliminate your equipment from being the cause of your inconsistent ball striking.
In this post, we’ll explore why golf club fitting is essential for golfers of all skill levels and how club fitting will enhance your game.
What is Golf Club Fitting?
Golf club fitting is the process of customizing your golf clubs to match your physical attributes and swing characteristics. This involves adjusting factors such as club length, lie angle, sole width, club head weight, shaft material, shaft flex, and shaft weight, along with grip material and size. The goal is to ensure that each club in your bag optimally suits your body composition, the mechanics of your swing, and your playing style.
A club fitting session should include the use of technology to accurately and objectively measure your swing and the club characteristics. Why take a guess at what may be accurate and correct for you when you can measure and quantify? Using technology to accurately measure your current clubs allows the fitter to accurately head in the best direction with your fitting session. Determining the best shaft for your swing. Then what combination of golf club head works best for you with the best shaft for you. In turn, the process will provide you with equipment optimally fit to you and your unique swing. Eliminating any chance your equipment is the cause of your poor shots.
Why is Golf Club Fitting Important?
- Enhanced Accuracy – One of the primary benefits of a proper golf club fit is improved accuracy. Clubs that are properly fit ensure the golf ball meets the club face in the middle of the face. And brings the leading edge of the golf club square to your intended target line. In turn, your strikes are consistent and on target.
- Improved Distance – Like accuracy, distance depends upon a centered strike of the golf ball to the club face. And with a properly fit shaft, increased club speed and centered strike contact creates more ball speed. And in turn, more distance.
- Optimized Swing Mechanics – Every golfer’s swing is unique. A well-fitted club complements and enhances your swing. Club fitting takes into account your swing speed, tempo, and angle of attack. By adjusting the flex of the shaft and the weight distribution of the club, a fitter can help you achieve a more natural and efficient swing. This means less manipulation of your swing to control the club. Less strain on your body. And more power in your shots.
- Increased Comfort and Confidence – Golf is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. When your clubs are properly fitted, you’ll feel more comfortable and confident with each swing. Knowing your clubs are no longer the culprit of your ill-fated shots relieves some of your stress on the course. And puts the blame on you when a mishit happens. You’ll also feel less fatigue and discomfort due to less manipulation, allowing you to focus on your game rather than your equipment.
- Better Ball Flight and Control – The ability to control your ball flight is a crucial aspect of successful golf. A club fitting session helps you fine-tune your clubs to achieve a desired trajectory and spin amount. This is especially important for controlling shots in different weather conditions. Or on various types of terrain. Whether you’re trying to hit a high draw or a low fade, having the right club can make all the difference.
- Prevention of Injury – Using ill-fitting clubs can sometimes lead to poor swing mechanics, which might contribute to injuries over time. For instance, improper lie angles can cause you to overcompensate, potentially leading to back, shoulder, or wrist issues. Longer than needed shafts can increase the pounding your arms and elbows take. Properly fitted clubs help ensure that you swing naturally and comfortably, reducing the risk of strain or injury.
The Fitting Process: What to Expect
Golf club fitting typically involves a combination of physical measurements and swing analysis. During a fitting session, a professional fitter will assess you and various parts of your body. As well as analyze your swing with your “gamer” clubs, using up-to-date technology. Based on this information, they will recommend specific adjustments to your clubs.
- Shaft: The shaft is sometimes referred to as the “transmission” of the club. You are the engine. And you can not transfer energy to the club head efficiently if the shaft you are suing is ill-fit. Shaft fitting involves measuring your swing speed and understanding where you unload the golf club as you swing. Once quantitative measurements are made and averaged, the fitter will then suggest a couple different options of shafts that may be better suited for you. As you get fit for a shaft, there are several variables being evaluated and measured related to finding the proper shaft for you:
- Shaft Flex
- Shaft Material
- Shaft Weight
- Shaft Length
- Club Head: Once you and your fitter find the best shaft for your swing, it’s time to determine which club head works best for you. Unless you’re under contract with a specific equipment company, being “Brand Agnostic” is not a bad idea. What you don’t realize is most touring professionals play with equipment that works. Not necessarily playing a club due to a name that’s on their bag. Taking a page from their book provides you options that optimize the following characteristics and ensures the club head matches the best shaft for you:
- Club Weight
- Club Material and Design
- Sole Design
- Lie Angle
- Loft Combination
- Swing Weight
- Grip Material, Style, and Size: Because we all feel things differently, that’s why there are so many types of grips. A good grip feels comfortable in your hands so you don’t choke the club to death. While maintaining good security of the club as you swing. Understanding which grip works best for you and how that grip affects the overall performance of a golf club is part of a good club fitting experience.
Where Can I Get Fit?
At John Hughes Golf, we do fit golf clubs using our partner, Callaway Golf, and their fitting cart. We do use FlightScope to analyze your swing characteristics and ball flight tendencies. And then use the various shaft and club combinations to place the best club in your hands possible. I’ve been fitting clubs since 1996. And understand when my equipment partner is the best equipment for you. Or if you need to see my club fitting partner, which I’ve learned a lot from over the years.
My club fitting partner is Club Champion. It’s co-founder and Chairman of the Board, Joe Lee, is an old friend and trusted partner. His company’s ability to create a quality fitting experience is the next best 
thing to being on tour. With over 68,000 shaft and club combinations possible during any fit, every fitting session ultimately ends in a recommendation to you of which club and shaft combination is best for you and your swing.
Conclusion
Golf club fitting is not just for professional or elite amateurs. It’s a vital step for anyone looking to improve their game. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a beginner, investing in a club fitting session ultimately leads to tangible improvements in your performance, comfort, and overall enjoyment of the game.
If you’re serious about taking your golf game to the next level, consider scheduling a club fitting session with John Hughes Golf. Or Club Champion. The insights gained and the adjustments made could be the key to unlocking your true potential on the course. And making all your hard work pay off with more precision, length, and enjoyment of the game.