Pros of Club Fittings

There are a few discussions in the Saguto Community forum on club fittings, however, I'm going to add to Tom's latest KFC Krispy Member vid tip of Club fitting based on my own personal club fitting experience.

EQUIPMENT KNOWLEDGE

It was the greatest event for my game. Not only was I able to purchase customized clubs to FIT my swing and my game improvement, I had learned so much about golf equipment in general. When you hear Tom speak of lie angles or any other golf terminology, etc...You'll know exactly the reference. I learned every piece, down to the raw materials of a golf club, and how it affects my swing. Knowledge is power!

CLUB FITTER OR SALESMAN?

A solid professional fitter will spend lots of time with your fitting to ensure your equipment works for you verses just selling you clubs. Doesn't matter whether you're a novice or professional golfer, club fittings working! If your FIRST fitting is only a one time of 30-45 minutes, rest assure the fitter is just a club salesman not a good fitter. My first time fitting session took 3-4, 1 hour, sessions, to ensure my clubs fit me and my swing.

GOLF HEALTH

My fitter questioned about my physical responses of a typical 18 hole round. My health? Really? Why? Well, how does your body respond in a round? Me? After mid way through the round certain ailments take over causing fatigue in my forearms causing me to lose my grip and/or difficulty in a full backswing... I was fitted with graphite shafts verses steel shafts. Shaft Flex and weight was determined later for the type of trajectory or ball flight I desired but graphite made my rounds more relax and pleasant where I was playing verses working golf. Fitters will take your height, natural wrist to ground measurements (plays a huge part in determining your new club's lie angle), etc.

NOTE: Ping uses a color code to determine lie angle of your clubs. Their club's are made of a tungsten based alloy which is not designed for lie angle adjustment. I was customized with Ping yellow dot which is a 2° upright lie. Black dot are 0° or FLAT lie.

PERFORMANCE

The fun part of fittings.This is where the fitter will have you hit several balls to get you to feel the many set up and equipment configurations offered for your personal club customization. A great opportunity to try many brands and style clubs. The more the equipment and brands the fitter has the offer, the better. You'll have your swing speed clocked as well. Swing speed is a great factory for club customization. However, my fitter, at the time, was licensed with Ping and Mizuno. The best part of a fitting session should be trying out your new customized clubs if they were ordered. Of course, raking them to the course the first time. Now, mind you, hit the range. Get a solid feel of the clubs and see how they perform going live for 18!

LESSONS BEFORE FIT OR REFIT?

No lessons...here's why. Your physical characteristics determining specific equipment enhancements will not change. Your swing will, however, as you learn the game so a refit is usually recommended after 5 years of initial FIT. I was a novice on my first fitting. I was swinging over the top, etc. I was fitted over 5 years ago. I still use my customized clubs. In fact, after learning the stack n tilt method from Tom Saguto and Sagutogolf online school, I shot 3 rounds under 80 with those clubs where as I was shooting 100+ when I had my fitting.

FITTING COSTS

Determine what you want fitted. Irons? Driver? Putter? Wedges? The whole bag?Ball? (Yes, there is a fitting for a ball. This involves compression rating, spin, soft, and other ball characteristics). My fitting was free with club purchase. Some charge $75 to $300 for fitting without club purchase. Check your local area for fitters. Some pro shops offer fittings. I tend to stay away from chain sport stores (ie: another name for Richard). They are there to sell you clubs, #1 verses taking interest in your game.. You could be fitted just to make their sale to get rid of inventory. Remember, they will spend however the time is needed to ensure you have the right clubs.

Google fitters...talk with golf professionals and instructors, etc. Then call to set up appointment.

THE REFIT

I was fitted with my new PXG clubs. Because of the knowledge gained from my initial FIT, it did not take as long for a fitting. By this time, my swing had developed and I knew what I wanted in my game. Most of it was done over the phone. The rest, trying them out. This time, I wanted steel shafts. (My ailment is not affected as much. The swing changed assisted with that as well) I had them configured somewhat differently than my Pings. It gave me a new game. I hadn't broke 80 with them, YET! But do shoot in 80's pretty much consistantly. Driver is always my challenge. It's primarily distances are inconsistent. Oh, putting? Yeah, another factor.

OUTCOME OF BOTH FITS

Difference between my Pings (GMAX) and PXG (0211). PXG have longer distance. PING not as long but accuracy is better than my PXG. Ball trajectory is same with both sets of clubs. I shot below 80 with PING. I only played 1 season with PXG. It took me longer to get used to them. Both clubs lie angles are upright. Ping graphite shafts. PXG steel shaft. Both regular flex. Lofts are about 3° different between 2 sets. Shaft lengths, PXG are .5" longer. Why did I go longer shafts? My area courses are full of hills and slopes, I have more adjustment on my grip handle when it comes to these hills and slopes. I can choke up or really turn that 7 iron into a 6 iron if I need it. You'd be surprise of getting over trees in front of me when I do this. I had figured out my own specialty shot for obstacles in front of me. It was developed by accident. Another story later. Trees don't bother me, especially in JAIL. My last fitting was more or less developed for my customized game strategy. No worries, I will break 80's with my PXG's soon enough.

So much advantage of golf when you go through a fitting, I am not finished posting about it. I could go on and on but do hear about the fittings from other Saguto golfers...they'll tell ya!

Go get fit!!!