WHEN to Get Fitted for New Clubs?

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By Jerry R

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  1. Hi,

        I've been reading with interest many of the great discussions in this forum on club fitting.   I'll be 69 years old in January, and am in the process (again) of making swing changes by taking lessons from a local pro.  My swing has already changed a lot since I started the lessons in early November.   It's a good time to make a change since it is winter here in Ohio, so no worry about intermediate results of ball flight!

       I'm reading and looking at options to change out my irons that I've been playing for a number of years to either 714 model AP1's or AP2's (leaning toward AP2's due to the thinner top line).   But, I want to know WHEN I should get fitted for new clubs given that I'm in the midst of a swing change?   I've been picking up a demo AP2 6-iron to practice with, and it appears to be a LOT more forgiving on off-center hits compared to my current miz MP32's.

        I currently have a 9.5 index, coming off my worst year of ball-striking in a long time.   So, swing changes will tighten up the swing to make it better and more consistent, which is really needed.   Still, the worst part of my game is my chipping, which I am also working on nearly every day to make changes in as well.

       I currently play a set of miz MP32 irons with RIfle Flighted 5.5 FCM shafts in regular length and lie.   I currently hit my 6-iron about 165 yards (carry) with a decent ball flight.

        So, WHEN should I get fitted for new clubs and shafts?    After my instructor says my swing has settled down?    After the start of the new golf season when I have had a chance to play outside?   Some other time?   Some insight from someone in the know would be helpful.    Thanks in advance for your replies!

  2. steve b

    steve b
    edmond, OK

    Jerry,
     you bring up a lot of good points --  First of all, congrats on continuing to improve your swing. That influences ball flight more than anything else.  The best thing would be if your instructor is a good fitter. He will know best if your swing is at the point of getting you a good fit. If he is not look up a good fitter on the Titleist locator service.  Possibly have him and your instructor talk so that everyone is on the same page.  Your swing does not have to be perfect in order to get a good fit.
      This fitter should have a launch monitor, use Pro V golf balls and do all his fittings outdoors from real grass.  With these conditions he will be able to tell whether the Ap 1 or 2 works best for you simply by measuring your ball flght with the monitor. Either model will be more forgiving than the MP32's.  
       Just a guess -- if youve been used to looking at the top line of the MP's you are probably going to like the look of the Ap2's the best. And, being a 9.5 you are probably plenty good enough to play them.

    steve ball,
    PGA Master Professional
    Top 100 Fitter, Golf Digest

    ps -  you might also look up a Certified TPI ( Titleist Perf Institute) instructor in your area.  MYTPI.com…..   The information they have for flexibility and the fitness side of golf is some of the best stuff you can use.  You are probably in top 1% of 69 year old golfers being a 9.5  -- and you'res till working on it !!!!  But the TPI curricula  will keep you going longer without injuries….. 

     

  3. Steve,

        Thanks so much for your reply.    I agree with you.    I also went and talked with an expert fitter (Class A) nearby me who was recommended by the head of the Golf School at the Ohio State University (my wife worked in the same building with him).   He recommended this fitter, so I can be pretty sure he is really good.

        I stopped by to talk with the fitter (Jeff Jackson) in Granville, Ohio.   He carries all the major brands (Titleist, png, miz, TM) and a lot of different shafts for each.   He also has a Trackman setup that he can use outdoors on the golf range that is also associated with it.    Jeff recommended that I wait until my golf swing has settled down and becomes consistent; whenever that is.    I also might wait until I get a chance to take my new swing outdoors; either on my home course, or on a range with grass, so I can see what my ball flight looks and really feels like.   Then I'd go for the fitting.

         I also talked with him about whether to get the newest model golf clubs out there, or go for the previous year's model to save a bit of money, and he said he would always go for one of the newest models, as there usually is a reason that manufacturers come out with new models because they have better features.    Since I tend to hang onto clubs for a number of years, I think he is right.   Over the life of my use, the difference in cost won't matter.

        Thanks again for your advice and insight,

    Jerry

  4. Tom P

    Tom P
    Stanley, NC

    Your work ethic and common sense approach to your current situation serves as a role model to all of us.  You are definitely on the right track.  IMO, Titleist equipment is the best.  I also think it's best to stick with one company for the majority of your bag.  The variations in loft and length between manufacturers can cause problems with the yardage gapping between clubs, especially with hybrids and wedges.  Good luck and let us know the rest of your journey.   

  5. Thanks Tom,  I'll write back when I finally get my fitting done and let everyone know how it goes and what I feel about the new clubs I'll get.

    Jerry

  6. Jerry, congrats on your quest! It sounds like you are on your way to the Senior PGA Tour!

     

    I enjoyed reading the comments so far and agree, I would add one thought...confidence is a big factor in golf as we all know, that being said if you find the new AP2's are that comfortable and forgiving relative to what you are using now it sounds like it is time to upgrade and get fitted again!

    In response to getting fitted for clubs, due to technology changing, and I may be extreme, but I like to get fitted once a year (normally at the end of the year when Titleist is bringing out changes to their product line) to see how shaft technology and club technology may or may not be making a difference to my set.  Just a thought...the Titleist rep you have in northern ohio is first class and for Columbus I would not hesitate to attend a demo day with him (or in conjunction with a Titleist fitter you like) when he is nearby.  I am in southern ohio and our rep is great with comparing and contrasting to see if changes are needed.

    Good luck!

    Chris

  7. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Also a part of regular maintenance is having your lie angles checked  periodically on your irons (particularly if you notice that one specific iron seems to be off target while the others are on; also important if a club you normally are consistent with becomes difficult to hit and the others are OK).  There's a thing called "metal memory" where a lie angle may slip a half a degree or degree either way after use. 

    If you have changed your swing, allow time for it to work before being fit again.

     

  8. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Tom P said:

    Your work ethic and common sense approach to your current situation serves as a role model to all of us.  You are definitely on the right track.  IMO, Titleist equipment is the best.  I also think it's best to stick with one company for the majority of your bag.  The variations in loft and length between manufacturers can cause problems with the yardage gapping between clubs, especially with hybrids and wedges.  Good luck and let us know the rest of your journey.   

     

    That is the beauty of Titleist for woods and hybrids...... If you are used to TM clubs, you set them max upright lie angle and if you are used to Callie or Png, you set them at the flattest lie angle. TM drivers, fairways and hybrids are horribly long and have very upright lie angles; I've had to cut them 1" and put on a lite grip to get them to hit properly.  Callie and Png keep their shaft lengths somewhat sane but the lie angles are so flat they feel uncomfortable to hit.

    Without a doubt. the best irons I have ever hit are Titleist (had some DCIs a couple years ago and have been playing AP1s for 2 years now).  Png has a 3/4* spacing between irons and you are stuck with the lie angles you are fitted on with a 7 iron because most fitters won't touch them with a 10 foot pole (also, the Mitchell machines they use for lie angle adjustment are 2* off from what Png uses). 

    I've been using Vokey wedges for 7 years now - best ever! Plus you have a wide selection of lofts, bounces and grinds.   I don't play the standard 52-08, 56-11, 60-07 setup; mine is 54-11 and 60-10 (bent 1* strong) and 64-07.

  9. PRO V

    PRO V
    golf course

    Jerry!

    Congrats on your progress!  Keep up the great work!

    I got fitted the first time in Oceanside at the test facility.  I would say this is MUST for anyone seriously interested in golf, especially TITLEIST GOLF!

    I got fitted a year later by a local guy, but I wish I did it again at TP1.

    I got all new equipment after only a year.  I love it!

    I'm going to make this a yearly trek to Oceanside and get a complete fitting every year.

    I usually do it in early December so I can have my new sticks in a new bag with new shoes, gloves, hats, balls, ect. every January.

    Not only is it a great feeling.  It's the best motivator in the world!  A great way to ring in a new year!

    Keep us posted and make an appt in Oceanside!

    Happy 2014!

    Vern

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