Getty Images
When purchasing new clubs to help improve your golf game, it is important to take the time to get your fit right. Whether you’re an advanced gamer looking to get every last bit of performance out of your tools, or just a beginner trying to make your game a little easier, working with an fitter is one of the best ways to succeed.
But something many people don’t realize is that the club installation industry does not have a worldwide certification program, and club technicians are either self-taught, learn on the job, or are trained directly through equipment manufacturers. All of these teaching methods can make for a knowledgeable and helpful instructor, but it’s still important to know when you’re most likely to be in the midst of a bad experience.
Top 3 ways to spot a bad club fitter
Unique focus on distance
Although distance is a major factor in helping to get lower scores, it should not be the only thing the fitter focuses on with either the driver or the barbell.
During a round of golf, you will probably hit 10 to 14 drivers off the tee and each one is as important as the other. It is not productive to have a driver who may go 15 yards one out of five times if you lose the ball or hit the other four. Proper driver fit should focus on maximizing distance off the tee while also maintaining consistency and better dispersion left and right and in longer to shorter drives.
The same goes for iron, too. If you’re with a fitter who’s simply trying to find you the set with the longest 7-iron without looking at pitch angle, swivel, power off, left-right and front-to-back scattering, there’s a good catch. These clubs may not be very useful on the golf course.
Lack of general knowledge
An important tip for any level of golfer going for a fit is to ask questions. Not only does this help you better understand your equipment and how it relates to a hammock, but it also helps build confidence in your experience.
If you ever feel like you’re being sold based on price or any other reason, there’s nothing wrong with asking Why Club Fitter believes that any given club will help your game. Being a good communicator is part of the club fitter role and having the knowledge base to explain something is an essential part of the job.
If the club you’re working with is ignoring questions – that’s a big red flag.
Feeling rushed during the process
Club fitting experience is a process and you should always feel that no stone is left unturned when it comes to finding the right equipment. As the golfer and client, you should be asked questions from your fitter such as:
How does this club feel about you?
– Do you like the look of this club?
Is there anything specific you want to try?
– do you have other questions?
All of these are things that need to be brought up during the installation process. Furthermore, the final step of grip selection should feel like part of the process rather than an afterthought.
Now, there are exceptions, and certain times when a combination may come together quickly and the right player and golfer find the best solution at the right time, but make sure you feel comfortable at the end of the process and confirm anything within the available date.
Want to fix your bag? Find an industry-leading True Spec golf course near you, and for more on the latest equipment news and information, check out our latest fully equipped podcast below.