Golf Clubs | Game improvement through customisation

Custom fitting of golf clubs is to be considered by anyone about to invest in a quality set of golf clubs. As every golf is an individual, size body shape and swing will all differ from the next person, a custom fit is the only way to ensure the clubs are right. They can be specifically altered to all of meet all of these criteria for the golfer purchasing.

Though a standard set may be suitable and never present a problem for a golfer there are often slight adjustments golfers will make in their game to accommodate ill-fitting golf clubs.

A club-fitting can usually be carried out in a pro shop or by the golf pro, though the benefit of the pro having seen your swing may prove to be the most valuable factor in the fitting. It is a common misconception that the process has to be long winded and expensive. The basics of a custom fit club-fitting might take as little as 15 minutes, with the average being 30-45 minutes.

More in-depth fittings can take a half day, but are only likely to be necessary for the very best players.

As for price, some custom-made golf clubs will give you a fitting free of charge as long as you agree to purchase your new golf set from them. Most charge a modest fee, perhaps $35 to $50 being typical. During the fitting, the golfer hits many variations of the same golf club. For instance, a well-equipped fitting center might have dozens (in some cases, hundreds) of a particular club, say a Ping 6-iron. Each of the Ping 6-irons will be different from the next in some way.

The idea is to find the best combination of shaft (length, flex and kickpoint), loft (standard, strong or flat), lie (strong or flat), grip and swingweight, among other factors. By watching the ball flight produced by each variation of a club, and checking chalk marks left on adhesive strips attached to the clubface and sole, a clubfitter can quickly narrow the search and lead the student to the best fit.

Fittings can be done for every golf club in the bag, including putters, but iron fittings are most common, with driver fittings following closely behind. Of course, a fitting only works if you follow up by purchasing a set of clubs custom made to those specifications. Two things to keep in mind: If you want a set of, for example, Titleist golf clubs, the ones you order after a club-fitting will cost approximately the same as the same set of golf clubs bought off the shelf; and a golfer is under no obligation to purchase golf sets from the pro doing the fitting.

So there's little reason for anyone in the market for new golf clubs to avoid a club-fitting.

The Sports HQ is a trading company of Sports PLC – and is a European division for Confidence Sporting Goods, inc., the famous manufacturer from Palm Springs, California. Sports PLC supplies a wide range of ladies golf equipment, including golf clubs from major brands such as Confidence, Palm Springs, Forgan, Prosimmon, Texan Classics, Ram, Bay Hill and Wilson – other products include: Golf Balls, Lake Balls, Golf Trolleys, Golf Accessories, Golf Bags, Golf Clothing, Golf Shoes and Golf Clothing. Because we sell directly to you, you can expect to save up to 85% on normal retail prices when buying from us.

The Sports HQ (2008) - Golf Clubs