Custom fit clubs

Afternoon all.

I'm considering trading in my set of clubs and going for a custom fit set.  The clubs I have are a cheap set, though they seem to do me ok and I'm not a big fan of the 'better equipment means better play' mantra.

However, I'm 5'6" and I'm aware that most clubs by standard are made for the gentleman with a loftier view on the world. 

So I'm looking at getting myself sorted with a nice new set, all measured to little old me, but that question is niggling at me, will it make a difference, or am I just wanting new shiny clubs?

Any opinions would be welcome.

Ta.

I bought my latest set of clubs a couple of years ago from American Golf.

Custom fitting was inlcuded in the price.

The first time I played with them I shot 84, which was my best score ever!

My old set of clubs made me fade/slice the ball most of the time, with the new clubs my ball did go much straighter.  And now I even hit my shots with a draw.

So, from my own personal experience I would say that having your clubs custom fitted will benefit your game.

Russ

It definitely improved my game.  Unlike Russ, it took me a few weeksto get used to the new irons but I wouldn't even consider buying off the shelf now. 

Have a look around your local area to see if there is anywhere that does a decent, independent custom fit.  You'll be glad you did. 

I have to agree with chris ,I have just had my old set fitted to me.It took me a couple

of games to get used to them but the next set are giong to fitted from new.

Take your time and choose carefully.  I suggest trying as many different sets as you can (within your budget) to see what you do and don't like.  Then when you go for your fitting session you won't waste time on clubs that aren't your cup of tea.  When you have got it down to three or four different ones, go and get fitted and see which are truly right for you. 

It's better to go to somewhere noted for their fitting (I went to the fitting centre at the Belfry for my woods and Golfsmith in the California for my irons) than one of the chains (American Golf, Direct Golf, etc).  Specialised custom fit companies are much better at getting it right for you and getting it wrong is worse than not being fitted at all. 

Took me four months to decide on my irons and I have not regretted my decision once.  If you take that long over it too, it'll give you time to save up!

I know Cleveland are doing an offer at the minute buy a new set of clubs and get a new set in a couple of years when the new model comes out for free.

Price should be bottom of your agenda really just becuase a set of irons are £100 less doesn't mean they are £100 worse FOR YOU. Clubs are all about what suits you and not what are supposed to be good. Better irons are often aimed at the better players so don't make things difficult for yourself but on the other hand if you forsee your handicapp tumbeling any time soon don't buy something that you are going to grow out of in a few months. If your not desperate for a set then do what Chris did really take your time over it and make sure you make the right decision I wish I had taken a bit more time over my irons not un happy with them but I think I should have gone with the G10's while I had the chance even if they were £100 more.

Jamie, set yourself a budget for the irons and also for your woods.

Then get down to your local American Golf/Direct Golf, etc, and try as many clubs as you can.

Do the same thing in the golf pro shops when you are playing.

Once you've got four or five irons that you like then find somewhere to buy them.  Most do custom fitting when you purchase the irons.

It might take you a few rounds to get used to your new clubs, but give them time and things will slot into place for you.

Good luck on your search, grasshopper!!!

Russ

Tour Burners are a better player iron you would probably struggle  bit with theseas they would be pretty unforgiving. If you fancy some Taylormades you would be better looking at the standard burner or even the burner plus depending on the level of your game.

I think I may have missed a trick not getting the new irons I bought this year, custom fit as I bought them off the web.

Does anybody know if I can still get them custom fit somewhere for me and also an approximate cost for the fitting?

 Cheers guys.

Direct Golf do it for around £3 a club Graham.  American Golf will do it too but I don't know their prices.

Thanks Chris, unfortunately there isn't a direct golf near me but there is an American Golf, might pop in and see what they say. £3 per club isn't a bad price at all. Going on holiday at the beginning of September so might leave my clubs with them then.

£3 per club is not going to amount to much work, If you are playing with the wrong shaft for your swing then they cannot put that right for £3. Don't even think about it Graham. It will be a total waste of money.

It will only be a loft, lie and length check.  Obviously if you need different shafts they won't change those for you. 

The length of your Iron shafts is the only thing that will remain constant, As your swing changes so will your lies and type of shaft. A simple Loft, Lie & Length check may be of benefit and if you keep the data you will already know where to start when looking for new clubs. You will just want the right shafts then.

TheLyth

Chris, you were very fortunate when you were custom fitted in that it was done in a professional manner, but can you say categorically that everything you have been ascribed is the best available for your current swing and that your current set is the right one, which, if this is the case, will never need to be changed.

I am quite sure that TheLyth would play to his fantastic handicap, no matter what set of clubs one put in his hand.

I am quite sure that I would be able to play to my current standard of rubbish with even  a ladies set of clubs.

Obviously I have made a case for me not being too enamoured with this custom fitting lark, mainly because it will not be an exact science, more just a question of placing my swing within certain parameters and working from there.

I will agree that new and shiny does instill confidence, which is a major part of playing this wonderful game, but have to think back to when everyone just bought off the rack in a professionals shop.Those days produced some very fine players as did all the previous eras in the progress of equipment through the ages.

A club is only worth £300 pounds if it produces shot after shot straight down the middle, if not it is not worth tuppence.

Jamie is that ZFL Golf the 1 next to Asda at Benton? If you don't mind me asking did he give you any indication of price for the fitting and subsequent adjustments had they been needed?

I know what the guys above have said about custom fitting but I think it would be interesting to see what he suggests.

Hi Jamie ,

Just thought i'd give you my feed back on custom fitting ,but firstly i'm glad you were able to get the old set altered , secondly did the pro confirm they were ok for your handicap , golfers often go out and pick clubs they like the look of and find there not right for them and end up wasting money, so nice that he could alter your old ones ,dont worry if results dont happed straight away, things take a while in golf, eg: grip change is 6 weeks average.  anyway i've just got a set custom fitted and they have taken several weeks to get used to , My new ones are 1/2 inch shorter and 1 degree flat , i'm only 5' 7" so these suit me , also helped me knock 4 shots of handicap , so if in the long run you go and get another set , " DO " get custom fitted as it will advance your game and lessons will help ( although never had one myself until last week ) knew i had a glitch and wanted it sorting, now game progressing nicely , anyway good luck with your game , and enjoy.

regards

G

Does anyone know how long it will take to custom fit irons if they require altering?

I play regularly on a Monday and Thursday (sometimes on a Tuesday or Wednesday depending on the weather). I'm guessing he'll want my clubs for a couple of days, so I'm thinking about the end of the month as I'm away on holiday in the 1st week of September.

A whole week without golf, how will I cope?????

Graham it depends on what needs doing, if it is a lie adjustment, which is just bending the club, this would probably be done while you wait!

Got my custom fit Irons and Driver!

Oh man, how good!

Driver is L-O-N-G and straight and the irons are pin point.

Can't recommend it enough.

HI Guys , if you want a great custom fit service and you like Mizuno gear , give the Guys at "Clays Golf Wrexham" a call , very high standard of service ,and top notch clubs ,Great mizunop fitting centre.

Happy Hacking All

G

i believe the lie angle to be very important, im 6 foot tall,but with quite shortish arms,wich naturally causes me to swing on a more upright plane, before i had my i3's adjusted i sliced nearly every shot sometimes a little sometimes a lot,changed to 3 degrees upright and it straightened up my good shots,my longer irons became useable/pretty useful,still a few mishits but i dont consider my self a "natural" golfer as i only became serious about the game when i turned thirty,some people can play with off the shelf clubs,some people arekilling them selves trying to play well with clubs not suited to them,ive seen golfers range from 5 foot 2 to 6foot 7,surely they cant both swing the same club consistently,i think iv babbled on long enough,

Hi i see that a few posters have recommended American Golf and Direct golf, just a word of advice both of these will possibly try and push you down the route of purchasing their own franchised clubs being: Nicklaus and John Letters have experienced this myself and was left with a set of Nicklaus irons i disliked and could not get rid of.

Obviously they both sell other clubs but this was my experience. Just thought id pass it on.

Have a look on the Mizuno website they have a national fitting centre in Surrey and offer FREE custom fitting with no obligation to buy. I think it takes about 90mins, but you need to book and i beieve there is a bit of a waiting list.

Mally - you are right that us mere mortals dont have the luxury of getting free clubs custom made by the big names in golf like the pros do. However, if youre swing is right, you can hit any club put into your hands. John P from this site has proven that to me by once playing a shot with a childs club whilst he was at the range.

As for AG and DG, some will try to 'recommend' their franchised clubs - this is purely down to commision and they get more when selling these. I cant see why anybody would not be happy with them - if you go for a custom fit and end up buying them, you must have liked them somewhat when at the fitting session? I also believe that at our standard, you dont need the latest in technology from Nike, Callaway or Ping.

I actually play with a set of John Letters (which I got off ebay). They were a bargain at £30 and have managed to get me from a handicap of 28 at the start of this year to my current handicap - its not the clubs, its the swing and the work that has gone into it that has done that. When I have finished with them I'll give them away and buy what I want at that time!