I had this question via email and thought it might help other golfers. The question was: Do I need to buy new clubs or can I get and old set fit for me?
If you have a set of clubs already, there’s no need to buy new ones. If you go to a reputable clubmaker, he can fit those clubs to you. There are some caveats here.
First, your setup routine should be proper, complete, and a habit. If the setup is wrong, the clubs will not be properly fitted.
Second, the clubs should be fitted using a strike board in combination with watching the resulting shots. If you are hitting a different shot every time, the clubmaker will have no clue what to do, so find a swing that fits you and stick with it for the fitting.
If the clubmaker suggests that there may be an issue with the swing, listen, stop the process and get back to work on your movement (without hitting golf balls) If you work on movement without the distraction of hitting golf balls, you will create a consistent swing pattern that will assist a clubmaker in fitting clubs to your swing.
Clubmakers can do wonderful things to help golfers hit the ball better. If you look at the golf clubs on the market, manufacturers now make clubs for slicers and those who hook the ball. (Notice I didn’t say hookers?) The problem with special clubs is that if you ever decide to fix the swing, the clubs no longer work for you. It’s best if you can to get the swing down first and then get the clubs to match.
Leave A Reply (5 comments So Far)
Paul
1248 days ago
Although I am a mid handicapper, I use the Taylor made TP R7s. Why TP, it forces me to swing with tempo, and do all the right things in my swing, keeping my head down, turning my shoulders and completing my swing. If I don’t do everything correctly or atleast most things correctly, I will either shank or slice. The clubs are not very forgiving. Nor do they give me any extra distance or accuracy.
But they force me to swing well.
I think a much better way to play golf than getting game improvement irons and swinging badly and still being rewarded by a reasonably good shot. But the industry seems to want to help golfers, instead of improve their swings. They can charge more for the clubs, make endless variations and charge even more [like the CGB irons from Taylormade] and so on.
Much better to have to swing better. Blades anyone?
Paul
B. Thompson
1294 days ago
Hi TRacy,
I enjoy your “folksy” yet very precise and informative instruction on golf. Regarding the club fitting, I wonder if it might be worth while to include comments on “effective swing speed”. Given that one’s exisitng clubs can be improved through shaft replacement and fine tuning, ultimately the performance is determined in large part by the golfers effective swing speed and the club head design which I believe are built for specific swing speed ranges. I finally discovered that my swing speed is on the lower side of a 70 to 120 MPH range and achieved satisfaction by switching to a hybrid club head design. This was after multiple cycles of club modification and improvement in the golf swing.
Once again, thanks for your splinded educational publications
John Brailsford
1296 days ago
Hi Tracy
I went to a clubmaker with my Titleist DCI 981 clubs which I have had for 10 years. Stiff Sensicore S300 steel shaft, 1/2 longer and 2° more upright lie. These clubs were fine but 10 years on the shaft is too stiff and the club too heavy. Now I have new clubs with Maltby heads, the lightest of steel shafts and these new clubs feel great and when I have gone back and tried the old clubs its like getting into an old car that does not respond and just feels heavy.
So I am very happy to have gone to the clubmaker, although I did not get away with having my old clubs adjusted.
Antoine Graffé
1424 days ago
Hello Tracy,
Many thanks for your great website, I fully agree with your comments on clubfitting.
It makes no sense to fit clubs if the player has no swing.
On the other side, for senior players, it maid be interesting to fit them with very flexible and light shafts ,in this case the clubmaker can make the clubs a bit shorter to make them easier to hit and still get more distance for the senior player.
I am thinking about very senior players who will never have a swing due to high age,
Thanks again.
Antoine
Accredited Master clubmaker
Professionel clubfitter