Fitting Advice ?

I'm getting back into golf after a 15 year break and are being fitted for a iron set soon, I've been testing out some clubs already trying to decide what i'm leaning towards before my fitting, my question ? this is the first time I've had to pay for a fitting, how many different irons should I be down to for the fitting ? The reason I ask is that they ( Club Champion ) sell brands that I don't have access to locally and can't try out before the fitting, also, any tips? TIA

It honestly depends a lot on how much you trust your fitter. Personally, I'd have 4-5 heads that I want to try before I go in. I'd also have some idea of what stock shafts are offered in those clubs and make sure you hit the stock shaft that you think you might want in each head. That way if you don't think there's much improvement between what comes stock and the upcharge shaft club champion will sell you, you can order straight from the manufacturer.

The thing to keep in mind though is a good fitter might spot something in your swing or delivery that makes them want to try you in something you never thought of. You might go in thinking you need a GI or SGI, but you might actually be better off with the better turf interaction and smaller sole of a blade or players cavity. You might think you need a lighter shaft, but you may actually get a better swing path with a heaver shaft.

Go into a fitting with an open mind. The fitter will be giving you a pre-fit interview that will whittle down what type of clubs you should be playing. Then they will be handing you those types of irons and once a head is finalized, fine tuning with shafts and grips will happen. Maybe the iron CC picks for you will be one of the ones you can buy locally, or maybe you might have to buy from them?!

If you're going to Club Champion, go in with an open mind and since they have a great selection, you'll be able to try just about any combination you can think of. However.....keep in mind that the fitter is also a salesperson. I wasn't thrilled with the experience that I had. The fitter assumed I knew nothing (I have a fair amount of experience) and definitely was in salesman mode. The quote he gave me for recommended clubs (Driver, 3 wood, two hybrids and new irons) was almost 7k......lol

Good advice from tomg to keep in mind the fitter is a salesman. Their job is too sell, the whole fitting industry has become a gold mine. Really not that difficult to go to a shop hit different, clubs, shafts, and make your own decision. You can do that easily at places like Golf Galaxy, Dicks Sporting Goods and many others hitting into a golf simulator getting data and all for no cost.

Club Champion just opened a branch across the street from our local store (Louisville, KY - Golf Headquarters)... The owner of GH just laughed. He knows his staff is better trained and willing to take the time to build long term relationships for repeat business. I go there often and dick around... haven't bought much from them, but buy exclusively from them... When I rebuild my bag, it's going through Tony / Greg (owner, my fitter)... Finding the right person to do the fitting is the hardest part of getting fit, I think... I like the guys at my local club, but they don't have access to much outside Taylor Made and Callaway... Not their fault, they are staffers for those 2 brands and don't move enough equipment to carry anything else.

I agree the fitting industry has become a revenue stream Go in eyes wide open. CC will show you a lot of clubs. You'll likely have several that you hit well. They will make some recommendations and prepare to be absolutely floored by how much will quote you to buy from them.

Though I do like the idea of places that charge for a fitting fee. They usually do a more comprehensive job. But more importantly, you've compensated them for their time and don't feel compelled to buy from them. (Seriously CC price will be double the retail cost and they will try to convince you their 'puring' and handcheckiing every detail is worth it.)

Fitting yourself at a big box is an option. Though you are usually getting a fitter or who is not as trained or are 'doing it yourself'. Though if you do, buy the club from the shop. Don't be that guy who uses their equipment and hitting bays to test clubs, then go buy it somewhere else to save a few bucks.

Another option is to wait for the demo days this spring. Especially since you are looking at irons....hitting off actual grass tell you a lot about how they will actually play.

I know several people who got fit at cc. They are happy to fit you and quote you the moon, but also give you your specs so you can buy the same set elsewhere.

Also, check this video out from txg...

I had one experience at CC. My brother got a driver fitting. I thought it was very thorough. The only issue I had was they kept introducing him to these shafts which were at least $300. Sorry but I am in the camp that says there are very good shafts for 1/2 or less $ than that.

He ended up buying the driver elsewhere with the cc specs. The shaft he went with was an Oban shaft (which I'm sure is a quality product). That being said, CC hawks them pretty hard from what I read.

In your iron fitting, ask them to at least try a reasonably priced shaft.

I would upgrade the clubs you were using 15 years ago and get back into the game before I got an expensive fitting. If you were playing G5's, you could try a set of G25's for not a lot of money, as example.