How to Fit Golf Clubs to Players
By Steve Silverman
As a golf fitter, you have a big responsibility. Many golfers today are not content to walk into a sporting goods store or a golf discount shop and buy a set of boxed clubs off the shelf. Instead, they want to get fitted for clubs that fit them almost perfectly.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate
Bring the golfer to the golf simulator in your establishment. Have him take two swings with a driver and two swings with an iron. This device will take readings on the golfer's swing speed, angle of loft and spin rate. These are very important in determining what type of clubs the golfer needs.
Talk to the golfer and get him to give you the details of his game. How long has he been playing? What is his handicap? What are the strengths of his game? What are the weaknesses of his game? All of these answers will help determine what kind of clubs are needed.
Take measurements on the golfer. You need to know his height. You need to know the length of his arms. Most importantly, you need to know the distance from the ground to his wrists. That figure determines the length of the club the golfer needs.
Go back to the golf simulator where you and the golfer can look at the videotape of the golfer's swings. From the videotape, you can tell what the golfer's swing is like. If he's a big hitter but lacks accuracy, stiff shafted clubs will probably be best. If needs to add distance, flexible shafted clubs will help you the most.
Make your recommendation to the golfer on the type, style and length of clubs. You should be prepared to explain your reasoning behind all of the decisions. You should also give him an example of the type of clubs you are recommending so he can swing them and get familiar with them.
Tips & Warnings
The measurements on swing speed, launch angle and the distance from the wrist to the ground are the most important when taking a golfer's measurements.
About The Author
Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer, covering sports since 1980. Silverman authored The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Who's Better, Who's Best in Football -- The Top 60 Players of All-Time, among others, and placed in the Pro Football Writers of America awards three times. Silverman holds a Master of Science in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism.
