There are 12 key fitting specifications that every golfer should be custom fitted for whether that golfer is a one or 30 handicapper.
And one size does not fit all!
This is what a professional clubmaker looks at and how he performs a custom fitting for each golfer’s specification:
Length
The length of your club will rely heavily on the distance between your wrist and the ground. This element of your golf club will set you up for an effective athletic starting position allowing you to create a more consistent swing.
The right length will ensure you are striking the center of the face with every shot.
- Distance from Wrist to Floor
- Swing Transition & Tempo
- Swing Path & Plane
- On-Center Hit Tendency
- Golfer’s Athleticism
Loft
This is how you tend to strike a ball and usually varies, on average, between eight and 14 degrees.
Some golfers hit up and lift, while others hit down and through; the correct loft measurements are essential to build clubs customized to you.
- Club head Speed
- Launch Angle/ Spin Rate
- Angle of Strike
- Low Lofts Hit Well
- Current D/FWY/HY/Ir lofts
Face Angle
This is strictly looking at the angle of your face at impact, without loft and other such factors weighing in.
Closed-faced impacts will strike towards the toe, while open-faced impacts strike towards the heel.
- Tendency of Misdirection
- Current D/FWY/HY Face Angle
Lie Angle
The sole of a club must be flat against the ground for a player to successfully strike the ball vertically at the moment of impact. This element is called the lie angle.
If this angle skews in any way, the ball will be starting already offline.
- Perform a Dynamic Lie Test
Grip Size / Style
This is all about the feel of the club in your hand. What can happen is that you are working too hard to keep a grip throughout the swing that you lose control of your consistent pattern.
You can’t strike the ball with confidence without confidence in your grips!
- Hand & Middle Finger Measurement
- Player Preference
Club head Design
Not only do clubmakers take into consideration the club head styles and cosmetic details of the golfer, but also ensure that it is working to improve overall performance.
It’s not just about the angles when it comes to bettering your game—it’s about liking the look of your new clubs too.
- Player Preference
- Tendency of Misdirection
- On-Center Hit Tendency
- Average Shot Shape & Trajectory
Set Makeup
A custom set makeup will aim to replace all of the clubs that the player is not hitting consistently well with, with clubs that will make it easier for the player to get the ball the same distance.
- Low Lofts Hit Well
- Speed of Club head
Total Weight / Shaft Weight
A golf club that’s too heavy or too light is not what your game needs.
Locating the correct total weight and shaft weight will help achieve better shot and swing consistency for a player.
Swing weight / Club MOI
This element determines how heavy the club will feel in the player’s hand.
A lighter swing weight comes from the point of balance being closer to the club head which then constitutes a lighter club.
Club Moment of Inertia (MOI) is also now recognized as an accepted way of matching clubs within sets.
To learn more about MOI club making, click here.
- Player Strength
- Swing Transition & Tempo
- Player Preference
Shaft Flex / Bend Profile
Fitting for flex means finding the shaft that works for the golfer’s club head speed as well as their swing transition and tempo.
Fitting for the bend profile means evaluating the golfer’s point of release and matching the tip stiffness of the shaft to it.
- Club head Speed
- Swing Transition & Tempo
- Wrist Cock Release
- Bend Profile Data
Golfer and Equipment Analysis
The clubmaker then observes the golfer and measures the golfer’s current equipment for reference.
Measurements and Observations
- Wrist to Floor
- Club head Speed (driver/ 7 iron)
- Hand/ Middle finger Dimensions
- Ball Speed/ Launch Angle/ Spin Rate
- Angle of Attack (real or calculated)
- Transition, Tempo, Wrist cock Release Evaluation
- Current Specific Club Lofts, Lengths, Swt/ MOI, Face Angle, Shaft Weight, Shaft Bend Profile
- Dynamic Lie Test
- Misdirection Tendency
- Average Shot Shape and Trajectory
While the clubmaker is watching the golfer hit balls on the launch monitor and during the interview, the clubmaker is analyzing the golfer.
Analysis of the Golfer
- Golfer Athletic Ability
- Golfer Strength
- Downswing Transition
- Downswing Tempo
- Wrist Cock Release
- Swing Path
- Swing Plane
- Lowest Loft Woods and Irons Hit Well
- On Center Hit Tendency
- Golfer Preferences and Goals
If you want to see your own golf swing for yourself, here are the steps to take for a DIY golf swing analysis, but we say leave it up to the pros!
There are two factors that separate the elite from the common in the golfing industry: quality of design and the care and skill with which the club is assembled.
Let a professional clubmaker fit you with a set of clubs crafted to your specifications. Call 319-404-5294 to book your custom fitting today!