Getting Fit: Know the Terms Before You Go
By: Patrick Stephenson
As golfers, we often find ourselves wondering if a bad shot was caused by our clubs or if it was entirely our own doing. While there’s no simple answer, one thing is certain: having the right clubs can make a big difference. If you’re thinking about getting fitted to ensure your clubs are perfect for you, I’m here to help you understand the process. I’ll walk you through the steps so you can make sure your fitter is checking all the boxes to get the correct clubs in your hands.
Choosing the Correct Shaft
Choosing the right golf shaft is crucial for optimizing your game, as it can greatly influence your ball’s launch and spin characteristics. One of the key aspects to consider is the kick point of the shaft, which determines where the shaft bends the most during the swing.
High kick point shafts produce a lower launch angle with reduced spin, making them ideal for players with fast swing speeds who want a more penetrating ball flight. Medium kick point shafts offer a balanced launch angle and spin rate, providing versatility and control for a wide range of players. Low kick point shafts are designed to promote a higher launch angle and increased spin, making them perfect for players with slower swing speeds who need help getting the ball airborne and maximizing carry distance.
Shaft flex is another important factor to consider when selecting the right golf shaft. Flex refers to the shaft’s ability to bend during the swing, and it is typically categorized into extra stiff, stiff, regular, senior, and ladies flex. The appropriate flex can be influenced by your swing speed and desired ball flight characteristics. For example, extra stiff and stiff flexes are suitable for fast swing speeds, while regular, senior, and ladies flexes cater to moderate to slower swing speeds.
Swing speed isn’t the only factor, however; launch conditions and the unique feel of different brands’ flex ratings also play a role. A good club fitter will help you navigate these nuances, ensuring that you get a shaft that complements your swing style and enhances your performance.
Torque, the shaft’s resistance to twisting, is another crucial consideration. Measured in degrees, lower torque shafts twist less and offer more control, which is beneficial for stronger players. Higher torque shafts allow for more twisting, providing a softer feel and helping players with slower swing speeds square the clubface at impact. Matching the torque of the shaft to your swing characteristics can lead to more consistent contact with the center of the clubface, improving accuracy and distance.
A knowledgeable club fitter will explain these concepts and help you choose the right combination of kick point, flex, and torque to optimize your game and make your golf experience more enjoyable.
Selecting the Correct Lofts
Selecting the proper lofts for your golf clubs is crucial for ensuring optimal performance and achieving consistent distance gaps between clubs. A key aspect of a club fitting session is determining the appropriate lofts for each club in your golf bag.
It’s recommended to aim for an 8-12 yard gap between your mid to short irons and a 12-20 yard gap between your long irons and woods. However, the stock iron lofts found on off-the-shelf clubs might not naturally provide these gaps for everyone. Therefore, it’s essential to get fitted and, if necessary, have your clubs adjusted to the correct lofts to achieve the desired distance gaps and improve your overall game.
Loft adjustments aren’t just important for irons; they are also critical for optimizing the performance of your driver. The loft of your driver can significantly influence your launch angle, spin rate, and, ultimately, your distance off the tee. For optimal performance, most golfers aim for a launch angle between 12-14 degrees and a spin rate between 2000-3000 RPM. These parameters help maximize distance while maintaining control.
Additionally, the shaft you use plays a significant role in affecting the launch and spin characteristics of your shots as well. The combination of shaft and loft must be carefully matched to your swing characteristics to optimize your performance. A skilled club fitter will take into account your swing speed, attack angle, and other factors to recommend the best shaft and loft combination typically using a launch monitor for measurement. Any good fitter will take this nuanced approach of not only helping you find the correct shafts and lofts but he will marry the two together so you can find the perfect launch profile.
Let’s Talk About Length and Lie Angle
A good club fitter will ensure that your clubs have the correct length and lie angle, both of which are essential for consistent shot-making and proper swing mechanics. Standard golf clubs are typically built to suit the average golfer, but they are rarely perfect for anyone without some adjustments. When your clubs are either too long or too short, it can hinder your ability to swing correctly, forcing you to make compensations in your swing. These adjustments can lead to inconsistent shots and reduced accuracy, ultimately affecting your overall performance on the course.
The length of a club is critical because it affects not only your stance and posture but also your ability to control the clubhead. Playing with clubs that are too long can cause you to stand too upright, potentially leading to a swing that is too steep. Conversely, clubs that are too short can force you to bend over excessively, leading to a flatter swing plane. A good fitter will measure your height, arm length, and other factors to determine the ideal club length for you. This precision ensures that you can swing naturally and comfortably, leading to better consistency and accuracy in your shots.
Lie angle is another crucial factor that a skilled fitter will address. The lie angle is the angle between the shaft of the club and the ground when the club is in a playing position. If the lie angle is too upright, the toe of the club can point up at impact, causing shots to go left (for right-handed players). Conversely, a lie angle that is too flat can cause the toe to point down, leading to shots that go right. This misalignment can be particularly frustrating when you feel like you’ve made a good swing, only to see the ball go offline. A good club fitter will check and adjust the lie angle to match your swing, helping you hit straighter and more accurate shots.
Moreover, the length of the club also affects its lie angle; lengthening a club effectively makes it more upright, while shortening it makes it flatter. For every half inch change in length, the lie angle changes by about one degree. This interplay between length and lie angle highlights the importance of precise fitting.
Having the proper length and lie angle of your clubs sets you up to learn proper fundamental mechanics as well as have the best opportunity to find consistency on the course.
Grips Size Matters
Grip size is something that can easily be overlooked in a fitting, but a good fitter will take this into account and will leave no stone unturned. If your grip is too small, it can cause your hands to become overly active during the swing, sometimes resulting in a flip or snap at impact, which can lead to inconsistent shots. On the other hand, a grip that’s too large can make it difficult to properly release the club, potentially reducing your ability to generate speed and causing pushes or blocks.
For many golfers, the standard grip sizes available off the shelf don’t perfectly suit their hands. In such cases, a good fitter will adjust the grip size using additional layers of grip tape. This customization can include building up the grip under one hand more than the other to address specific swing issues. For instance, if a player tends to hook the ball, adding extra tape under the bottom hand can reduce hand activity through impact, helping to straighten out their shots. By ensuring that your grips are the right size and properly customized, you can enhance your comfort, control, and overall performance.
Key Takeaways
Importance of Correct Club Fitting: Having the right clubs can significantly improve your golf game. A proper fitting session ensures that every aspect of your clubs, including shafts, lofts, lengths, lie angles, and grip sizes, is tailored to your unique swing characteristics. A good fitter will cover each of these areas.
Choosing the Right Shaft: The shaft’s kick point, flex, and torque are critical factors that influence your ball’s launch and spin characteristics. High kick point shafts are suitable for players with fast swing speeds who desire a lower launch, while low kick point shafts help slower swingers achieve a higher launch. The correct flex and torque settings ensure you achieve the desired ball flight and control.
Correct Loft Selection: Proper lofts for each club are essential for achieving consistent distance gaps and optimizing launch conditions. A good fitter will adjust iron lofts to ensure appropriate gaps between clubs while optimizing the driver’s loft to adjust the launch angle and spin rate, typically aiming for a launch angle between 12-14 degrees and a spin rate between 2000-3000 RPM.
Length, Lie Angle, and Grip Size: The correct club length and lie angle are crucial for consistent ball control and maintaining proper swing mechanics. A grip that fits your hand size can prevent excessive hand action or difficulty releasing the club. A good fitter will ensure your clubs are adjusted for these factors, enhancing comfort, control, and overall performance.