There are two distinctly different styles of club-fitting in the industry today. Dynamic Fitting and Static Fitting.

To determine which method is best for you, you must first decide what type of player you would like to become. Dynamic fitting involves hitting balls off of a “Lie Board” and trying various types of clubs (length, lie angle, shaft flex, etc.). This method fits clubs to you current golf swing with no regard to errors that may be in your swing (example: closed club face or over the top swing plane). Static fitting follows the process of measuring each golfers hand height from the ground, hand size and swing speed along with assessing each golfers overall posture, to determine the correct lie angle, shaft length and shaft flex for each golfer. This method allows the teacher/fitter to create a set of clubs that allows each golfer to improve their swing and overall game.

There are 9 variables to be considered in club fitting: shaft length, loft, lie angle, shaft frequency, swing weight, grip size, arm length/hand height from the ground, swing speed and set make up.

Shaft length and lie angle along with proper posture are the two most important elements in creating an “on plane golf swing” and should be done first in the club fitting process.  Determining these two factors can be done statically by measuring the distance from your lowest knuckle on both hands to the ground. Swing speed is then measured (driver/6 iron) using a club that is the proper length and lie angle. Proper swing weight is determined individually based on each golfers swing speed and over all strength. Example: The average man would play with heavier clubs than the average woman because of higher swing speeds and more overall strength. Set make-up is the last variable in the club fitting process and should be determined individually for each golfer to help make the game more enjoyable. Example: Replacing long irons with more lofted fairway woods or hybrid long irons makes it easier to hit less lofted clubs with a proper trajectory.    

Ideally, club fitting should be done in conjunction with a lesson program or should be done by a teaching professional. Clubs should be fit to each golfer to allow them to make a proper golf swing…the use of the “lie board” will create a fit based on the current swing, whether the golfer has swing flaws or not.

“Lie boards lie”.  The use of a lie board during the fitting process can be very misleading because in almost all cases, the results will show an impact toward the toe of the club indicating to the fitter that the club needs to be more upright and/or longer. For a lie board to work properly, the club must arrive on plane with a square clubface...typically only tour players and top level amateur golfers can accomplish this. If the club comes in closed, it will mark as a toe hit on the lie board. Conversely if the club arrives open, it will also mark as a toe hit on the lie board (backside of the toe), again indicating to the fitter that the club should be more upright and/or longer. According to Randall Doucette, PGA Professional/club fitter for the Faldo Golf Institute, even the tour players mark toward the toe of the club when being fit using a lie board. It is not natural for golfers of any caliber to hit down into hard plastic.

Proper club fitting should take place outdoors where ball flight can be seen and should be done by a golf professional that is also looking to improve your golf game. Indoor fittings do not allow ball flight to be viewed.  Properly fitted clubs should promote higher, straighter ball flight while maximizing distance.

If you are interested in learning if your equipment fits you properly contact Tom Ream, PGA at the golf academy. The academy offers Mizuno, Cleveland and Callaway equipment at 15% over cost. All clubs will be ordered custom to match each golfers individual specifications.

http://www.pinewildcc.com/GolfAcademy/equipmentoffers.html