What Equipment is Right for Me?

This question is asked a lot in the golfing industry. There are many companies striving for your business, many times what is right for you can come in different shapes and sizes. The first thing to do when it comes to deciding on your next equipment upgrade is to prepare a plan. This plan can be small or large, it may take some detours, but will eventually lead you to your destination of new clubs. I have outlined some steps that will help your journey. The 4 following steps will get the most appropriate equipment to help compliment your golf game.

When I buy new shoes, I try them on for feel, comfort, style, and size. When I buy new golf clubs I buy them off the rack

-Too many

1) Research

Now researching clubs is a little different to researching the golf swing. When you read about how to correct a fault or the in-style method of swing you should always make sure it relates to you and is in line with your swing characteristics or to aid your faults. The good news is with equipment it’s good to over read up on golf technology. Try to take into consideration design, look, performance, material, and most importantly price. I like to eliminate what you can’t afford and look at the benefits of each design you can afford. The ones that have more benefits should be rated higher in your list seen in step 2. Later, in step 3, scheduling of your fitting will incur some research by asking yourself:

• How far away is the PGA Professional
• Does the PGA Professional have a launch monitor (Trackman, Flight Scope etc.)?
• What brands does the PGA Professional carry?

Launch data has become very important to determine what clubs you hit the best. Many fitters will have launch monitors, sensors and or cameras to obtain this data. PGA Professionals and Club Fitters who are more efficient in using a launch monitor will always give you a better result than those who aren’t. However, those who use just enough launch data to determine what works, linked with an education on ball flight and the explanation skills not to confuse you are always that much more successful in obtaining your correct fit.

2) MAKE A LIST STARTING WITH YOUR FAVORITE (DON’T RULE OUT ANYTHING)

The research part is always fun but, we must research so that we can create a list of products for you to test and get fit for. This step can help fitters keep everything relative to what you like in a clubhead and shaft. This list from our first point rules out a product you have no intention of buying which is important. Why waste swings in your fitting, hitting product that will never go in the bag. Remember that these products are mainly ruled out because of the price. It’s crucial that you list products in order of what you like but performance supersedes everything hence never rule anything out. There is no limit on the amount of product on your list. Show your list or speak to a PGA Professional about it so that you’re both on the same page. A good fitting is essentially formed from a good relationship between fitter and pupil.

3) SCHEDULE A FITTING WITH A PGA PROFESSIONAL

When the research has been done and the list made next is to seek out a PGA Professional to get fit by. This can be your local PGA Professional or Club Fitter, a recommended PGA Professional or the manufacturer itself. I will always advise my clients when it’s time for a fitting based on swing changes. Conversely, swing changes will often lead to getting re-fit to help boost the performance related to improvements in technique. There is no right time to get fit, but sometimes there can be a wrong time and it will be detrimental to your game. When you’re ready to schedule your fitting please make sure you aren’t changing your swing or at least inform the PGA Professional on the direction of those changes. Often, we see a fitting subsequently lead to a lesson if the golfer is struggling.

Next, try and schedule a fitting on a free day, try to avoid scheduling your fitting after a round of golf or after strenuous activity. This will have adverse effects on your mindset and physical ability. As long as you are fresh and focused a good fitting will lead to better performance. Recent polls have discovered 92% of golfers would recommend a fitting based on the results of the clubs they got fit for.

4) IT’S YOUR DECISION

As a PGA Professional my job is to guide you in the direction to the clubs you hit the ball best with and will offer the longest lasting performance. I usually show results and compare the top few clubs that rate highly, however I will always ask what you preferred and remember it’s your choice. Nothing is worse than regret of getting clubs that you hit well but just don’t like as much. With the high level of design and in a competitive climate that golf is, all manufacturers are offering similar technology to maximize performance. This leads to club designs that will offer comparable distance and accuracy. Many times, there isn’t a wrong choice but there will be the right choice and the perfect fit.

Go to your local PGA Professional or to schedule

a fitting with Nick, email nick.banks@stgeorgesgolf.com.

For more information contact the pro shop at (631) 751-0585.