Should You Get a Custom-Fitting?

We all have different body types, and thankfully there are golf clubs out there to suit us all. But not all clubs are available 'off-the-rack', and that's where custom-fitting comes in.

Custom-fitting isn't simply some new fad. In fact, it has a long tradition going back to nineteenth-century craftsmen who hand-made clubs to specific sizes and weights.

What are the advantages?

A custom fitting alone won't lower your score - there's no way to get out of having to practice. But there will be some improvement to your game, especially once you're used to the new set of clubs.

A lot of serious golf players want a set individually tailored to them, regardless of the other factors.

What about the cost?

Some of the big brands like Hogan, Karsten, and Titleist will offer both custom and off-the-rack clubs. Because they're big companies they won't charge extra for fitted clubs. However, you usually will have to pay the Golf Pro for the time spent on the fitting, make sure to check before you get a fitting.

Should you consider an online fitting?

Unless you're a PGA Pro, an online fitting can probably give you a good fit. Using the web is an easy and pain-free way to get a fitting, especially with tools such as the 'club fitting wizard' at Pinemeadow Golf or the 'e-fit System' at GigaGolf. Both these services are free, so you can click on either link to give them a try. It can help to have someone with you to assist with some of the measurements.

Then you can buy your clubs online, fully fitted, and save yourself from going to the mall on a day when you could be golfing.