Is Golf Club Fitting Necessary?

• Factors

  The main factors in fitting club length are your height and arm length. The custom-fitting may also factor in gender, age, skill level, stance, ball address and distance (gauged by which club you use at the 150-yard marker). All of these impact what length of clubs are best for you.

• New and Used

  If you are buying new clubs from a golf or pro shop, having them custom fitted is usually free. You may also have the clubs that you are using now fitted to you, although there is usually a fee, usually around $20.

• Methods

  Online golf retailers, such as Golfsmith.com and Pinemeadowgolf.com, have methods of custom fitting golf clubs that may work for you if you are comfortable analyzing your own swing. Otherwise, golf pro shops and fitting centers use a launch monitor, which will help fit clubs to your swing.

• Lie and Loft Adjustments

  Lie and loft adjustments are made to fit your address of the golf ball, which is affected by your stance. The adjustments are made to change the clubs' head angles. These adjustments should be made in person with a golf-fitting professional.

• Making Your Decision

  Most golf pros agree: if you're going to be playing golf, you should have your clubs custom fitted. Beginners especially benefit from custom club fitting, as it helps them avoid picking up bad swing habits that can be tough to correct. For less than the cost of most green fees, you can have a set of clubs that fit properly. If you are an experienced golfer and happy with your game, you might not need custom-fitted clubs as much, though you can still benefit from having the loft and lie of your clubs adjusted to fit your swing. Tip: April is PGA free-fitting and trade-up month, an ideal time to have your golf clubs fitted.

References & Resources

• Golfsmith.com
• Pine Meadow Golf
• "There's Nothing Better Than Custom Fitted Golf Clubs" By John Bolt