Club Fitting for Beginners: 3 Key Adjustments
Which irons should you buy? Which driver? For Grant, from the Good Good channel, the real question is something else entirely: as soon as your swing is reasonably consistent, get a fitting. He explains how a fitting can make a difference when it comes to irons, grips, shafts, and putters.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
When you buy standard clubs, you're accepting a standard sediment angle, a standard grip, standard settings. But very few golfers are truly “standard.” Grant therefore recommends waiting until you have a a swing that is more or less repeatable, and then get fitted. A taller player will often need more upright irons, while a shorter player will need more laid-back irons. Another tip: No blades to start with. On an off-center hit, a blade club loses much more distance than a thicker, more forgiving iron.
For wood and hybrids, the key lies in handle and grip size. If your fingers sink into the palm, the grip is too small and your hands may rotate at impact. As for flex, there’s no point in choosing a very stiff shaft if you swing around 90 to 95 miles per hour: the ball will fly too low. Finally, the putter is chosen based on your swing. A putter with toe hang (the tip drops when you balance it) accompanies an arcing motion; a putter face-balanced (facing upward) is suitable for a smooth backward and forward motion. The weight of your head also matters, depending on whether your movement is slow or more abrupt.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Work on your swing until it's more or less consistent.
- Go to a fitting center instead of buying off-the-shelf clubs.
- Have the lie angle of your irons checked based on your height and swing.
- Choose forgiving irons rather than woods.
- Check the grip size: your fingers should not sink into your palm.
- Choose the shaft flex based on your swing speed.
- Try out a putter with toe hang and a face-balanced putter to see which one suits your swing.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying off-the-shelf irons without checking the fit.
- Skip straight to the blades because they're beautiful.
- Using a grip that's too small for your hand.
- As a general rule, choose a very stiff shaft.
- Picking up a putter without knowing whether your stroke is arcing or straight.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Balance Test for the Putter: Does the Tip Drop?
- Checking your grip: Do your fingers touch your palm?
- Measuring swing speed before choosing a flex
Your Questions
When should you get a fitness assessment if you're just starting out?
According to Grant, as soon as your swing is reasonably consistent. Without that, the fitter doesn't have a reliable basis for adjusting the lie and selecting the shaft.
How can I tell if my grip is too small?
If the fingers of the top hand sink into the palm when you close your hand, the club is too small. This can cause your hands to rotate on the grip at impact.
What is the difference between a toe-hang putter and a face-balanced putter?
Held in balance, the first one lets its tip drop: this accompanies an arcing motion. The second one remains facing upward: this is suited to a straighter motion, whether backward or forward.
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Video posted on YouTube by its creator. Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.