Getting fit for clubs is both a fun and educational process for golfers of all skill levels. Not only do you learn how your clubs interact with your swing, but you also learn how to maximize that performance on the course.
Whether you’re an experienced golfer or just a beginner going to your first club fitting, these are the top 5 mistakes to avoid to make sure you get the most from your time in the fitting bay.
Hitting too many balls the day before
Similar to the funny scene from The Office where Andy decides to hit 1200 golf balls the day before playing a round with a client and ends up with severe blisters on his hands, we don’t suggest straying too far from your normal routine before a club fitting.
Think of your next fitting as a round of golf, if you maybe hit a few golf balls the day before then stick to that. You’ll always be given lots of time to properly warm up before the fitting process, so don’t stress and don’t feel rushed. The last thing you want is to not feel like you’re making your normal swing during the process.
Speaking of swings…
Wasting swings
One of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen golfers making while getting fit is trying to get something out of a club that isn’t quite working. A comprehensive fitting is going to have you hitting a lot of shots during the process and wasting swings on a club that either isn’t working or doesn’t feel right to you is a bad idea.
Sticking to your natural swing in a fitting is a key to success during the processGetty Images
This is a big reason why you don’t see Tour players pounding golf balls when trying something new on the range at a Tour event. If they don’t see the results they’re looking for within a few swings, it’s human nature to want to make it work, but that could result in making bad swing adjustments, and that’s truly the last thing they want to do.
This leads directly to the next mistake…
Not speaking up
Club fitters aren’t mind readers, so it’s important to speak up if you like or dislike a club you are hitting. Whether it be based on sound, feel, looks, or how the club weight feels in your hands — all of this is critical information that the fitter can use to help narrow down selections and get you on the right track for finding the best gear.
And let me be real honest with you here, as someone that has helped golfers of all skill levels and abilities get fit for clubs, there is no such thing as a bad question or piece of feedback. Any small details from grip size to club sound help a fitter help you.
Trying to impress your fitter
A fitting bay is a judgment-free zone, and the fitter is there to help you get the most from your swing, not the swing you think you need to make. If you usually play a fade off the tee, stick with what you know and let the fitter help you find what’s going to work best.
I have seen too many golfers get into a fitting bay for the first time and try to max out for distance and, what I used to call, “get a high score on the launch monitor.”
As Arnold Palmer once said, “Swing your swing. Not some idea of a swing. Not a swing you saw on TV. Not that swing you wish you had. No, swing your swing. Capable of greatness. Prized only by you. Perfect in its imperfection. Swing your swing.”
Be yourself
To quote one of my kid’s favorite books (as told by the fluffy little monster Elmo) “Yes, it’s absolutely positively true. There’s just one and only wonderful you” and I believe it’s a great philosophy for golf and in life.
When you’re in a club fitting, just like when you’re on the course, you’re going to perform your best when you just be yourself. If you want to dress like you’re ready for 18 holes — do it. If you prefer to hit golf balls in comfy shorts and a T-shirt — do it. Just like it’s important to swing your swing, it’s just as important to be the golfer you are on the course in your fit.
Want to overhaul your bag? Find an industry-leading True Spec Golf fitting location near you, and for more on the latest gear news and information, check out our latest Fully Equipped podcast below.
Ryan Barath is GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com’s senior editor for equipment. He has an extensive club-fitting and -building background with more than 20 years of experience working with golfers of all skill levels, including PGA Tour players. Before joining the staff, he was the lead content strategist for Tour Experience Golf, in Toronto, Canada.
