Jump to content
2024 Houston Open WITB Photos ×

Club Fitting for Beginner


Jester959

Recommended Posts

So I’ve been playing for almost 4 months. I bought a starter set just to make sure I was committed for 150$. Love the clubs so far honest - all name brand too. That said..  I’m thinking about replacing some of these clubs as I go since they are about 13-15 years old. And on that note I cracked my 6 iron shaft (mizuno mx900 - reg flex, graphite) yesterday and thought it might be time to go ahead and replace these? I’m practicing at least twice a week and always working on my swing. Im fairly athletic (played tennis for 20 years) and also 29 with a fairly fast swing speed. I’m thinking I probably won’t be needing reg flex either. 

 

So the question is.. should I get fitted or should I buy a nicer used set? Or even get fit then buying barely used if not new on eBay. Thoughts? Budget is about 7-800. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A fitting will be useful if you have developed a consistent swing. If you haven’t trouble getting the same swing each time, the fitter won’t be able to do a whole lot. Lessons and the correct training equipment will be a better use of money.

 

if you do decide to go ahead with a fitting, focus on these things, I’d focus on these things first.

-length and lie angle

-shaft weight and flex

then use that information to go get some used clubs based on that. At a few months, your swing will likely still be changing and you may need new clubs again in a year, so don’t go overboard on expensive stuff.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Appreciate the advice. This is quality. What I may do is just replace that 6 iron on eBay and get a lesson or two. Swing is consistent as that and putting is 98% of what I’ve worked on at this point (watching Rick Shiels golf show and others) I’d say but I think a lesson is likely going to tweak it some. Especially how I address the ball and lie angle in a fitting would be affected by that. 
 

Thanks! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, Jester959 said:

So I’ve been playing for almost 4 months. I bought a starter set just to make sure I was committed for 150$. Love the clubs so far honest - all name brand too. That said..  I’m thinking about replacing some of these clubs as I go since they are about 13-15 years old. And on that note I cracked my 6 iron shaft (mizuno mx900 - reg flex, graphite) yesterday and thought it might be time to go ahead and replace these? I’m practicing at least twice a week and always working on my swing. Im fairly athletic (played tennis for 20 years) and also 29 with a fairly fast swing speed. I’m thinking I probably won’t be needing reg flex either. 

 

So the question is.. should I get fitted or should I buy a nicer used set? Or even get fit then buying barely used if not new on eBay. Thoughts? Budget is about 7-800. 

 

 

 

That's always a tough question.  First of all, forget all that nonsense about needing a consistent swing.   If you don't have to worry too much about missing the ball when you swing, that's consistent enough.   Inconsistent ball flight does not mean you have an inconsistent swing.  

 

Fitting for a beginner or high handicap is different than fitting for a better player but that is far from saying it's not as important.  In fact the mid to high handicappers have the potential to benefit more from a proper fitting than the high handicap players.  Better players tend to have learned from experience what works for them and what doesn't and naturally gravitate to decent fitting equipment.  Fitting for them tends to be more fine tuning.

 

For mid and higher handicappers, a proper fitting (which usually does not include what most retail outlets call a fitting), is all about finding equipment that does not get in the way, or make things harder than they need to be, or even to help minimize the severity of the misses.  It's really about:

  • Best grip size for the least amount of grip pressure
  • making sure the club lengths are correct - irons not too short at the short end.  Longer clubs not too long. 
    • Stock driver/fairway/hybrid lengths generally are way too long for beginners and make it harder to get consistent face impact than it really needs to be.
  • Shaft weight and swing weight are a  good fit for the players natural tendencies for tempo and rhythm
  • Lie angle for irons not too far off
  • Best face angle for drivers and woods to help minimize any severe left/right miss tendencies.
  • Lastly, lofts for managing distance gaps.

 

But that also means that the benefits from a fitting will really be more dependent on how bad a fit your current clubs are.  It's certainly possible a beginner can stumble into a decent fitting set of clubs.   It also means it's not always easy to find someone actually knowledgable and able to do a good fitting for beginners.  Unfortunately, anyone who wants to can call themselves a fitter.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Stuart_G said:

 

 

That's always a tough question.  First of all, forget all that nonsense about needing a consistent swing.   If you don't have to worry too much about missing the ball when you swing, that's consistent enough.   Inconsistent ball flight does not mean you have an inconsistent swing.  

 

Fitting for a beginner or high handicap is different than fitting for a better player but that is far from saying it's not as important.  In fact the mid to high handicappers have the potential to benefit more from a proper fitting than the high handicap players.  Better players tend to have learned from experience what works for them and what doesn't and naturally gravitate to decent fitting equipment.  Fitting for them tends to be more fine tuning.

 

For mid and higher handicappers, a proper fitting (which usually does not include what most retail outlets call a fitting), is all about finding equipment that does not get in the way, or make things harder than they need to be, or even to help minimize the severity of the misses.  It's really about:

  • Best grip size for the least amount of grip pressure
  • making sure the club lengths are correct - irons not too short at the short end.  Longer clubs not too long. 
    • Stock driver/fairway/hybrid lengths generally are way too long for beginners and make it harder to get consistent face impact than it really needs to be.
  • Shaft weight and swing weight are a  good fit for the players natural tendencies for tempo and rhythm
  • Lie angle for irons not too far off
  • Best face angle for drivers and woods to help minimize any severe left/right miss tendencies.
  • Lastly, lofts for managing distance gaps.

 

But that also means that the benefits from a fitting will really be more dependent on how bad a fit your current clubs are.  It's certainly possible a beginner can stumble into a decent fitting set of clubs.   It also means it's not always easy to find someone actually knowledgable and able to do a good fitting for beginners.  Unfortunately, anyone who wants to can call themselves a fitter.

Stuart's suggestions are all really good. Based on your comment about your age & athleticism; I'd wager that you'd benefit from heavier & stiffer shafts. The suggestion at going shorter in your woods is also valid. Most OEMs stock length have been creeping longer for years and now are 45.5" - 46.0". Again, if I were you, 45.0" would be the longest I would play to start.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, eth4and said:

Stuart's suggestions are all really good. Based on your comment about your age & athleticism; I'd wager that you'd benefit from heavier & stiffer shafts. The suggestion at going shorter in your woods is also valid. Most OEMs stock length have been creeping longer for years and now are 45.5" - 46.0". Again, if I were you, 45.0" would be the longest I would play to start.

 

The point about weight is a good one.  

 

Howard's tutorial for self fitting help is a great read for anyone.   Although the title targets drivers, the methods he describes to figure out best playing length, shaft weight and swing weight are valid for all the longer clubs (hybrids, fairways, as well as driver).  And if you ignore the length issue,  the same tests for shaft weight and swing weight can be used for irons.

 

For a beginner, if the focus on the results is limited to consistency of the ball flight and face impact, they should be able to get pretty close to a good fit w/o needing a launch monitor.  Then the only thing left is to figure out what might be needed with lofts to optimize the distance gaps.

 

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, Stuart_G said:

 

The point about weight is a good one.  

 

Howard's tutorial for self fitting help is a great read for anyone.   Although the title targets drivers, the methods he describes to figure out best playing length, shaft weight and swing weight are valid for all the longer clubs (hybrids, fairways, as well as driver).  And if you ignore the length issue,  the same tests for shaft weight and swing weight can be used for irons.

 

For a beginner, if the focus on the results is limited to consistency of the ball flight and face impact, they should be able to get pretty close to a good fit w/o needing a launch monitor.  Then the only thing left is to figure out what might be needed with lofts to optimize the distance gaps.

 

 

Would you recommend getting fitted for clubs in then buy some in the 800-900$ range (budget) vs buying a more premium set barely used and get fitted for the right shafts and lie angle etc.? 

Edited by Jester959
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, Jester959 said:

Would you recommend getting fitted for clubs in then buy some in the 800-900$ range (budget) vs buying a more premium set barely used and get fitted for the right shafts and lie angle etc.? 

If you get shaft, length and lie, you can work with one of the direct to consumer companies to buy clubs at a slightly cheaper price. I’ve had a wonderful experience with Sub70. The owner actually has his phone number and email on the site, and if you give him what you were fit into, he will find the equivalent in what he has. Great experience, customer service and good value. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, Jester959 said:

Would you recommend getting fitted for clubs in then buy some in the 800-900$ range (budget) vs buying a more premium set barely used and get fitted for the right shafts and lie angle etc.? 

 

To me, it's how well the specs fit the player that's important, not the price.   If you want to save some money than sure go ahead and buy used if you can find the right combination of head, shaft and specs.

 

Just realize that buying used and modifying the length can be problematic because of the head weight management.  Lie angle and lofts, even grips are ok to tweak on a used set.   Shafts can be changed but that can end up costing more in the long run than buying new with the right shaft.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Our picks

    • 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Discussion and links to Photos
      Please put any questions or Comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Monday #1
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Monday #2
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #1
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #2
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #3
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Thorbjorn Olesen - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Ben Silverman - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jesse Droemer - SoTX PGA Section POY - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      David Lipsky - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Martin Trainer - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Zac Blair - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jacob Bridgeman - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Trace Crowe - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jimmy Walker - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Daniel Berger - WITB(very mini) - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Chesson Hadley - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Callum McNeill - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Rhein Gibson - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Patrick Fishburn - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Peter Malnati - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Raul Pereda - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Gary Woodland WITB (New driver, iron shafts) – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Padraig Harrington WITB – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      Tom Hoge's custom Cameron - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Piretti putters - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Ping putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Kevin Dougherty's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Bettinardi putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Erik Barnes testing an all-black Axis1 putter – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Tony Finau's new driver shaft – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
       
       
       
       
       
      • 7 replies
    • 2024 Valspar Championship WITB Photos (Thanks to bvmagic)- Discussion & Links to Photos
      This weeks WITB Pics are from member bvmagic (Brian). Brian's first event for WRX was in 2008 at Bayhill while in college. Thanks so much bv.
       
      Please put your comments or question on this thread. Links to all the threads are below...
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 31 replies
    • 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #3
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Matt (LFG) Every - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Sahith Theegala - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Cameron putters (and new "LD" grip) - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Bettinardi MB & CB irons - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Bettinardi API putter cover - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Swag API covers - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Golf Pride Reverse Taper grips - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 15 replies
    • 2024 Cognizant Classic - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #1
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #2
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #3
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #4
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Brandt Snedeker - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Max Greyserman - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Eric Cole - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Carl Yuan - WITb - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Russell Henley - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Justin Sun - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alex Noren - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Shane Lowry - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Taylor Montgomery - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jake Knapp (KnappTime_ltd) - WITB - - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Super Stoke Pistol Lock 1.0 & 2.0 grips - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      LA Golf new insert putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Garsen Quad Tour 15 grip - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Swag covers - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jacob Bridgeman's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Bud Cauley's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Ryo Hisatsune's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Chris Kirk - new black Callaway Apex CB irons and a few Odyssey putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alejandro Tosti's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 2 replies
    • 2024 Genesis Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #3
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #4
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Rory McIlroy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Sepp Straka - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Patrick Rodgers - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Brendon Todd - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Denny McCarthy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Corey Conners - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Chase Johnson - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tommy Fleetwood - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Matt Fitzpatrick - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Si Woo Kim - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Viktor Hovland - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Wyndham Clark - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Cam Davis - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Nick Taylor - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Ben Baller WITB update (New putter, driver, hybrid and shafts) – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Vortex Golf rangefinder - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Fujikura Ventus shaft - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods & TaylorMade "Sun Day Red" apparel launch event, product photos – 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods Sun Day Red golf shoes - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Aretera shafts - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Toulon putters - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods' new white "Sun Day Red" golf shoe prototypes – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      • 22 replies

×
×
  • Create New...