If you’ve had a club fitting in the last couple years, or been researching where to get fit, you’ve probably heard some buzzwords thrown around: “machine learning,” “data-driven recommendations,” and yes, the big one… “AI.”
What does that really mean for you, the golfer standing on the mat trying to figure out why your 6-iron only goes 150 yards while your buddy swears his goes 190 yards, with a little draw?
Let’s dive into how AI is stepping up in the world of club fitting, and where it still needs a little human help.
First off, AI doesn’t mean a robot is handing you clubs and giving you swing tips like it’s Iron Man on the range. When it comes to fitting, AI is more of a behind-the-scenes data wizard.
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Here’s how it plays its role:
– Data crunching at light speed:
AI takes your swing data, clubhead speed, ball speed, launch angle, spin rates, smash factor, and more. Then, processes your numbers against thousands (sometimes millions) of shots stored in its database. It knows what combinations have worked for players like you, and it can spot patterns and outliers faster than any human can.
– Recommending clubs based on trends:
Instead of the trial-and-error approach of trying every club in the shop, AI can narrow down your options. It might say, “Hey, players with your swing speed and tempo tend to perform best with a low-spin driver and a mid-launch shaft.” That can save a lot of time and guesswork. Not to mention all those swings it’s saving your back from making.
– Smart optimization:
Some advanced fitting systems use AI to simulate thousands of potential setups. The AI model can make recommendations for shaft flex, lie angle, loft, head model, grip size, among other things. Then, rank them based on how well they’d likely work for your swing. That means you might get suggestions you’d never considered but will actually perform better than what you thought you needed.
In a brand agnostic world, where the manufacturer doesn’t influence your decision, AI can narrow down tens of thousands of combinations to the top few contenders.
– Consistency and objectivity
AI doesn’t have a favorite brand. It doesn’t care if you swear by TaylorMade, Callaway, or Titleist, or if you think blades are just prettier. It’s about performance numbers, period. Being data driven helps to remove any human bias from the fitting process. That applies to the player and the fitter.
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The pros of AI in fitting
- Speed: Faster recommendations based on real data.
- Accuracy: AI can pick up on subtle trends you and even experienced fitters might miss.
- Customization: Fits can be tailored more specifically to your swing metrics or goals as a player. (Think speed VS control)
- Data Power: Access to a massive amount of swing data and prior fittings means smarter choices and more accurate recommendations.
- Consistent output: AI will make even a new fitter look like a club wizard who can help your game.
The cons of AI in fitting
- AI can’t feel what you feel: AI doesn’t know if a club feels “clicky” or “solid.” Sound, feel, and aesthetics are deeply personal, and AI isn’t swinging the club, you are.
- Dependent on data input: Garbage in, garbage out. If your swing is inconsistent during the fitting, the AI might misfire on recommendations.
- It’s still a tool, not a guru: AI can recommend, but it can’t see you. It doesn’t know your posture, your body language, or that you’re tired from hitting 40 drivers trying to impress your fitter.
The human element: The ultimate variable
Here’s the thing, golfers aren’t robots. We’re moody. We change our swings. Our “feels” change day to day. We react and are results driven. What feels like “the perfect swing” on Tuesday might feel dead on Thursday. That’s where the human fitter still reigns supreme.
A good fitter knows how to interpret both the data and you. They’ll notice if you don’t like the look of a club at address. They’ll ask if that last driver felt better, even if the numbers weren’t top of the chart. And they’ll help you balance what the AI is recommending with what you actually enjoy playing with. AI + Human fitter = the sweet spot
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Also available at: Cobra Golf, Amazon
So, is AI the future of golf club fitting? Absolutely. But it’s not the only future. Think of it as a super-smart assistant. One that never gets tired or distracted, but it still needs a skilled human to interpret, translate, and connect it to the golfer being fit.
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