Part of what makes golf such a rewarding experience is also what makes it difficult to master– the game is complex and challenging.
There aren’t many better feelings in sports than when you lace a string of pure golf shots on your way to a well-earned birdie putt. However, to get to this point, and to do it with consistency, you’ve got to get a handle on all the contributing factors that lead to an effective golf swing.
Taking lessons or watching videos to improve your mechanics are a great starting point. It also doesn’t hurt if you can find a high-performing set of clubs.
But to take your game to the next level, you’ve got to be sure that your clubs are working for you, rather than against you.
This is where golf club fitting comes in handy.
In a proper golf fitting session, you’ll take several swings next to a high tech launch monitor that provides detailed feedback on stats such as club speed, spin rates and launch angles. A professional coach or instructor will then look at those numbers, alongside your swing, and determine what adjustments can be made to your clubs to promote cleaner ball striking.
Each person has a distinct set of characteristics that accounts for their swing pattern– some may have greater swing speed and a taller frame while others might have a stockier build or shorter arms.
These are factors that will influence how you find the sweet spot of the golf ball. For these reasons, it’s crucial that you attain a set of custom fit golf clubs that’ll optimize your game.
Why should you get a professional golf club fitting?
There’s certainly no shortage of great golf courses within the Greater Salt Lake City Area. With such close proximity to those towering mountains and spacious canyons, the area provides a nice backdrop to enjoy your golf.
But let’s face it, we all know how much more enjoyable the game is when you’re playing well.
So how exactly can a club fitting help you up your game?
The Computers don’t Lie
The modern-day technology that we have for golf is staggering. Every last detail – from geometric angles to the pure physics of the game and its equipment – can be tracked and deconstructed by these computer systems.
This is the basis of your typical golf fitting session. Using a comprehensive system such as FullSwing Golf, a professional golf fitter will analyze your swing based on a variety of important golf statistics.
Getting a clearer look at the numbers will give your fitter an idea of where you can improve. For instance, let’s say you have a frequent problem with slicing your driver. One of things your fitter will take a look at is the face angle. If the average number is consistently high, your fitter could adjust your driver so that the face of your club is a bit more closed.
While the face angle is important, it’s just one of many performance indicators that fitters use to adjust your clubs. Some other important stats your fitter may use include spin rate, attack angle, smash factor, and club speed, among many others.
There’s an incredibly sophisticated science behind these computer systems, which in turn, provides you and your fitter the most accurate golf swing analysis available.
Finding the Sweet Spot
Ask any professional instructor or successful golfer about ball striking and they’ll tell you how important it is to find the center of your clubhead at impact.
You may have great technique and a natural feel for the game, but even the smallest margin of error in your clubs could be costing you strokes.
A good golf fitter finds solutions that’ll help you achieve centered ball striking with greater regularity. In addition to using stats as feedback for your swing, they also have a trained eye when it comes to your actual swing dynamics.
Professional fitters typically are certified and experienced golf instructors; they’ve accrued years of experience that help them spot what computers can’t.
They can also perform accurate lie angle tests for each of your clubs. Lie angle refers to how the bottom of the club interacts with the ground at impact.
The lie angle of your club is one of the most important things that a golf fitter can evaluate to improve your game. Your unique swing path might be leading to more toe or heel contact than desired. In this case, golf fitters can bend your clubs a few degrees upward or downward, which then helps you deliver more accurate contact with the ball.
Other Factors to Consider
Should a beginner get fit for clubs?
That would be a resounding YES. You can certainly get by with clubs that haven’t been fit, but it just means you aren’t going to be playing to the absolute best of your abilities.
Club fitting gives a beginner the benefits of shot forgiveness and clubface control. That could be the difference between a score of 105 and 100. For a beginner, breaking 100 is a big enough occasion to throw yourself a party.
How often should you be fit for golf clubs?
The answer to this question may vary, but the standard time frame is somewhere within 4-5 years.
Even so, everyone’s situation is different. If you feel like you aren’t getting the right distance from your clubs, or your irons and hybrids start to feel dull, these would be ideal times to seek another club fitting.
Reaching your Highest Potential
As you can see, club fittings are an essential part of improving your golf game. They lessen the amount of guesswork needed to hit good shots and they give you the confidence that your clubs will work to your favor.
If you’re serious about reaching your maximum potential, then club fitting should be one of your top priorities. Golf is a complex game, but you can make it easier for yourself by using equipment best suited to you. There’s no better way to do that than to get your bag fitted.