Darren Steels PGA Professional - Golf Club Custom Fitting

How does custom fitting benefit club golfers?

Everyone has an individual golf swing and each person's build, strength and ability is different. So

taking that into account, should we all buy Clubs off the rack or be fitted for our individual swing

motions? The major golf companies mass produce golf clubs to an average specification; having us

believe one set of clubs fits all. Some do offer fitting by way of a static measurement, but that is just

the starting block. I believe all golfers would benefit from being properly custom fitted. Twelve

handicap golfers and above would certainly benefit the most from a custom fit. The clubs not fitting

the individual causes a big percentage of miss hits, missed fairways and missed greens. If you are

custom fitted, the golf clubs you end up with will fit your individual swing motion, ability and strength.

You will see more distance, accuracy, trajectory, consistency and feel from your golf clubs. 

'My swing isn't consistent so how can clubs be made to fit me and my swing'

Even the best players in the world have swing inconsistencies the difference is that they are able to

replicate a similar swing more often than higher handicap golfers. However it seems, even the top

professionals do not play with off the shelf clubs that you and I can buy. They are custom made to

their exact specification. Their club shafts compliment their swing tempo and speed and the swingweight

of each club is matched for consistency. They are hugely talented but still demand custom

fitted clubs that compliment their swing motions.

So if the professional’s need fitted clubs to compliment there grooved swings, we as amateurs

certainly do. Look at it this way, it’s like driving someone else’s car, the first thing you do is move

mirrors, change the seat position, make yourself comfortable. It doesn’t make you a better driver, but

it will make driving experience easier. Custom fitting your clubs to match your swing will have the

same effect.

 Is it better to be fitted outside or inside?
You've got to get fit in real conditions. That means being outside, hitting off real grass, viewing the entire ball flight down-range. Even if there's some wind, that's a regular part of the game, so it's beneficial to see how different setups result in certain trajectories for a player against that element. And though indoor spaces are set up with enough room to swing, a lot of people can't help but feel claustrophobic with four walls and a ceiling. If this affects their comfort level, it will affect their swing, and the fitting session won't be as productive.