Finding the best iron setup for your game has never been easier. For most golfers, having a certified club-fitter in your corner during the testing process is a surefire way to lower scores. A good fitter will ask the right questions and eventually narrow down the field to several worthy options that deserve further testing.
But what happens if you don’t have a fitter nearby or want to do your own homework in advance? With the introduction of Titleist’s iron selection tool, it’s possible to get a headstart on possible iron options ahead of a fitting.
The selection tool is easy to navigate — there are only six questions — and focuses on the current models in Titlesit’s T-Series iron lineup. Simply answer questions about everything from your preferred iron look, 7-iron carry distance (the most common club used during iron fittings) and divot tendency to generate a model recommendation and alternative set.
From there, golfers can set up a professional fitting with a certified Titleist fitting expert, if they so choose, or print out the report and take it to their own fitter.
To highlight the tool’s ease of use, three GOLF.com staffers went through the selection tool process and highlighted their learnings. (And if you want to take the iron selection tool for a spin, simply visit Titleist’s website.)
Jack Hirsh, Assistant Editor, 1 handicap
What’s your experience previously with virtual fitting tools?
Typically when I try these online fitting tools, I feel they usually end up pointing me to the clubs I want to/aspire to be playing and not necessarily the ones that our best for me. I may have expectations for my own game that aren’t necessarily in line with what is best for
What’s the benefit Titleist’s selector tool provides for the average golfer?
For an average golfer, they might not be as in tune with what their game needs as an elite player. Tools like these provide them with a good starting point to expect when they get fitted. Or if they can’t get fitted for some reason, it makes a decision of what to buy off the rack much simpler.
Did the process ask you any questions you hadn’t considered before when selecting a set of irons?
Not really. It was the kind of questions I’d heard before.
Any surprises when you went through the process?
Actually yes, initially I was matched with the T100 model when I first filled out the survey, but when I went back and only changed the first question from “Tour Caliber blade” to “Compact shape” (which is probably closer to the irons that make up half of my current set), I was matched with the T200 which is a club I wouldn’t have expected to match me for a whole set. Now that it had, I can definitely see the benefits of it.
How effective did you find this tool to help make the club selection process easier?
As mentioned, it definitely gives me a good expectation of what a fitter might start with for me and then build out a full set from there.
Jessica Marksbury, Multimedia Editor, 7.9 handicap
What’s your experience previously with virtual fitting tools?
I’ve never used a virtual club selector, but I have gone through questionnaires online for other things, like golf balls.
What’s the benefit Titleist’s selector tool provides for the average golfer?
Choosing the right club profile can be daunting, especially when a manufacturer has multiple models on offer that all seem similar. Narrowing the selection down based on your own preferences is really helpful.
Did the process ask you any questions you hadn’t considered before when selecting a set of irons?
I liked the toggle button. The ability to choose an in-between option was useful!
Any surprises when you went through the process?
No, it was all straightforward and simple to navigate.
How effective did you find this tool to help make the club selection process easier?
Very. I had a definitive pick at the end, which is very confidence-inspiring as a consumer!
Braden Reed, GOLF.com digital content intern, 13.7 handicap
What’s your experience previously with virtual fitting tools?
I’ve used virtual fitting tools before, including Titleist’s, and find them to be a good way to get a general idea of clubs/balls that I could be putting in play. Nothing beats getting fit in person, but they can definitely be good barometers to think about what gear your game would pair best with.
What’s the benefit Titleist’s selector tool provides for the average golfer?
The tool is great for the average golfer because it asks questions outside of the nitty-gritty club specs. Asking things like your preferred look in an iron addresses important info about club selection that goes beyond anything numbers will tell you.
Did the process ask you any questions you hadn’t considered before when selecting a set of irons?
I’d never been asked the longest iron that I was comfortable playing, and I thought that was a really intuitive way of Titleist getting an idea of your ability level as a golfer while also making the player themselves think about their own game.
Any surprises when you went through the process?
I wouldn’t say that I was surprised by anything, but the entire fitting tool was very clean and simple to use. It fits in perfectly for a company that seems to pride itself on simplicity but also effectiveness.
How effective did you find this tool to help make the club selection process easier?
If I were looking to buy a new set of irons, this tool would definitely help me give me a good foundation for what I should be expecting when I go in to get fit in person. Instead of showing up to an hour-long fitting and having to spend 15 minutes to get a feel of the type of iron I should be playing with, I’d have a clearer idea of what I should be looking to buy.
