3 things to understand before being custom fit for golf clubs
Getting custom fit for clubs is one of the most important things golfers can do to maximize their performance on the course… but there’s a right way, and a wrong way to get fit. In the video above, I explain the 3 things golfers need to understand before they go for a club fitting.
This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.
I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.
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Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.
With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.
Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!
Club Junkie
Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast
The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.
Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.
If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.
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Club Junkie
Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie
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I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.
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Matt
Jun 29, 2016 at 4:55 pm
Agree with Mark, a fitting is as much of a lesson as it is trying to find the right equipment to suit your swing/game. I love teaching the game of golf to people and when custom fitting I will work with the player to address the needs of the swing and the equipment! It is crucial this is assessed and addressed when custom fitting otherwise all else is void. Strike is also imperative and must be looked at in conjunction with the performance of the shots to find the right balance.
jimjim
Jun 28, 2016 at 4:31 pm
This is completely biased from a swing-coachers perspective.
Of course, mark’s emphases are consistently around the swing. most clearly when he says, “the clubs aren’t gonna do that much of a change” (6:09 mark). While that is partially true, modifications can be made to the club that can promote certain ball flights, spin rates, etc.
I’m not arguing in favor of the club-fitter, but that there needs to be more balance between fitter/teachers out there.
larrybud
Jul 22, 2016 at 12:27 pm
I’ve seen proper driver fittings give a guy an extra 25 yards!
Rancho Bob
Jun 28, 2016 at 3:03 pm
The thing I find interesting is that the fitters I’ve been to generally use range balls for the fitting.
When I was fit recently by Cool Clubs in Irvine, they used range balls, many of which were fairly beaten up. Lots of different shafts and heads to pick from, but I have to wonder if my new driver is truly optimized for my swing given the balls that I was hitting.
Rarebit
Jun 28, 2016 at 3:19 am
You’ve just sent the entire retail section of golf club equipment sellers into a real hiding Mark! Oh boy, are you in trouble now! Most, and I mean most, do exactly as you were saying, they are there to sell clubs, not give lessons. Besides, those retail outlets do not have qualified players nor teachers, they are all mostly SALESMEN and WOMEN in the traditional sense. So what do we do about that, Mark?
Jim
Jun 28, 2016 at 7:50 am
That would depend on what they have on hand as far as fitting equipment. Golf Galaxy near me has a fitting cart for Titleist, TM, Mizuno, and Callaway. Another local shop has those same brands plus Ping and Wilson.
For me I steer away from a sponsored fitter unless I want that specific brand. You can’t go to a titleist fitter and expect to get a quality fitting for anything other than titleist. Brand loyalty is a killing point.
The other part, which Cain brought up is fitters who try and talk you into a set of clubs. I’ve always maintained its your money that is being spent, not theirs. If there is a specific club you want, you are paying them to fit that club for you, you are not paying them to sell you a different club because of what they think is better.
Rarebit
Jun 28, 2016 at 3:08 pm
Did you even WATCH the video? Mark said a fitting is also a lesson. Would you like to take a lesson from one of these so-called fitters who is, in fact, just a retail salesperson who has no qualification, who is there to sell clubs and equipment because retail shops do have to meet the bottom line?
Jim
Jun 29, 2016 at 6:39 am
Yeah I did watch the video…What does that have to do with my comment? I was replying to you on the whole retail section. Some places, even retail have pro fitters. Golf Galaxy near me does. I would trust him over Dick’s Sporting goods that is right down the road and is the parent company. Why? Because as I mentioned he has more fitting carts for more brands, which to me is a big deal. Again I don’t trust any place that only fits “one brand”.
The lesson parts depends on who is fitting you. If it is the salesman, than it is a total rip off. You’re wasting your time. But if you go to Miura and ask for a fitting they will first start off with asking “What suits your eye” not “What is your handicap”. The notion of getting fitted for clubs that someone else thinks is “best” for your game, is a sales tactic and a gimmick.
So how are our replies any different at all? I’m merely agreeing with you, hence why I replied.
B
Jun 30, 2016 at 3:00 am
Yeah you completely misunderstand what Mark was saying. We didn’t need your opinion on different retailers, some having pro fitters and other not. You started your whole argument about this by saying it’s about what the retail shop carries as far as what kind of fit cart, you did not start your point by agreeing with Mark as he says, that a fitting is lesson and if it is not, then it’s a useless fitting and just a equipment sale.
Jim
Jun 30, 2016 at 7:52 am
I’m not quite sure where I misunderstood what Mark was saying. I am just expanding on parts of it.
A quality fitting will include a lesson, and I also mentioned that I look for how much fitting equipment they have as well. I don’t care how good the lesson is, if all they have is Titleist (for example) to me it is still a waste of time. I’m there to get fitted not just for one brand. I guess you missed that part. I guess next time I just won’t use examples.
Quality fitters are hard to find. They also have more than just one or two brands of fitting carts. That was my point on top of what Mark was saying. Another way to determine the quality is what they have available to fit you to. How do you not get that?
jc
Jun 30, 2016 at 4:18 pm
Your understanding of English is very poor
DK
Jun 30, 2016 at 7:50 pm
Nobody in this thread understands the video, including rarebit. The video had nothing to do with retail shops to begin with. Jim was trying to elaborate more on why retail shops are not good. So really no one has a clue.
Marks video is about quality fitters and what you should be getting out of one. No retail shop has quality fitters. However; mark points out that even some quality fitters will still mislead folks.
Nobody from rarebit down understood the point of the video, and nobody even understands what those who reply mean. It’s easy to see how Jim was also bashing retail. However; Jim doesn’t even get the video.
Sad really. Maybe comment specifically on one of the three points and how that relates to retail…
DK
Jun 30, 2016 at 7:55 pm
The video is about custom fittings. Since when does retail give custom fittings? You want a custom fitting you have to go see a custom fitter. Retail almost never custom fits. The closest thing to custom fitting at the retail level is a pro fitter. Taking static measurements and adjusting clubs is not custom fitting. Custom fitting fits every club to you the individual. Tom Wishon is a custom fitter….Not retail.
Do you even understand the video? Did you even watch it?
2x
Jun 30, 2016 at 11:11 pm
Yeah you’re clueless as well DK, but only 2nd to Jim
Signed, wum
Xav
Jun 27, 2016 at 12:16 pm
After much trial and error I finally found a set of irons that I am truly happy with: Mizuno MP53’s. The shaft they were fitted with were Dynamic Gold SL S300’s were just not the right fit and a full inch over standard in length.
Wanting to dial in my equipment (length,lie,shaft stiffness) I went to my local PGA superstore that offered a “free fitting.” The lady who initially performed the fitting had very poor knowledge and I felt that I was there less to do a shaft fitting and more for her to try and sell me a brand new set of clubs. I started getting aggravated because she was doing everything she could to have me test new equipment on the monitor as opposed to getting my shaft dialed in correctly.
Finally I got another one of the salesman involved who was much more knowledgeable and got me fitted for TT’s XP115’s.
So ya for you guys out there looking to just get your current equipment dialed in… make sure you step into the right shop for your fitting. I would suggest you go somewhere where you can use the Mizuno Shaft optimizer for good measure. I hope this helps!
Dave
Jun 27, 2016 at 11:42 am
Could not agree more with Cain been there and done it . Got talked into buying a club that some flat belly 20 something would use. Bought it took it golfing hit it three times then give it to my buddy to sell . Yup fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me, never again. Lesso learned.
Cain
Jun 27, 2016 at 10:46 am
NUMBER ONE, get fit in Clubs You Want to Play, If you see that a set of irons fit your eye and the first thought when picking one up is “I love this club” those are the ones you will play best no doubt…you may need a little more or less in shaft flex or a little up or down on lie angle but get fit for something you love….too many guys and gals let the fitter talk them into a brand or style of club that just does not fit players eye..almost without fail the customer will never play their best because it is not the club they really wanted and it is easy to be the club you come to hate..even if it fits…..
4pillars
Jun 27, 2016 at 9:23 am
Interesting and makes sense apart from the last bit.
In my experience there are very few coaches who use Lunch monitors and have a good range of clubs and shafts with a good fitting cart.
Seems more an Utopian dream.
john
Jun 28, 2016 at 1:47 am
ive had the opposite experience, everyone has fitting carts and most clubs have a launch monitor (usually an overpriced trackman)
Rarebit
Jun 28, 2016 at 3:20 am
You must state where you are to qualify and quantify anything you say, John, otherwise you’re just a WUM