At Golf Gear Direct, we understand the importance of having the right clubs in your bag. Custom fitting has become increasingly popular among golfers of all skill levels, and for a good reason. In this comprehensive guide, we'll answer the top 10 questions about golf custom fitting in the UK, helping you understand why it's a game-changer for your performance on the course.
Golf custom fitting is the process of tailoring golf clubs to match a player's unique physical attributes, swing characteristics, and playing style. It involves adjusting various aspects of the club, including:
Club length
Shaft flex and shaft material
Grip size and material
Clubhead design and loft
Lie angle
The importance of custom fitting cannot be overstated. Golf is a precision sport, and even small variations in your equipment can have a significant impact on your performance. Here's why custom fitting is crucial:
Improved accuracy and consistency
Increased distance and ball speed
Better feel and feedback from your clubs
Reduced risk of injury due to ill-fitting equipment
Enhanced overall enjoyment of your golf game
By using clubs that are specifically tailored to your body and swing, you're giving yourself the best possible chance to play your best golf and achieve better performance on the golf course.
A common misconception is that custom fitting is only for professional or low-handicap golfers. In reality, players of all skill levels can benefit from custom fitting. Here's a breakdown:
Beginners: Custom fitting can help new golfers start with equipment that suits their body type and natural swing tendencies, potentially accelerating their learning curve.
Intermediate players: As your skills improve, custom-fitted clubs can help you break through performance plateaus and achieve more consistency.
Advanced and better players: Fine-tuning your equipment can provide the marginal gains needed to take your game to the next level.
Seniors: As your physical capabilities change over time, custom fitting ensures your equipment evolves with you, helping maintain performance and enjoyment.
Juniors: Growing golfers benefit from equipment that's periodically adjusted to match their changing physique and developing skills.
Regardless of your handicap or experience, if you're serious about improving your game, custom fitting is a valuable investment that makes sense for all golfers.
A typical custom fitting session in the UK will last between 1-3 hours, depending on whether you're getting a full bag fitting or focusing on specific clubs like driver fitting or putter fitting. Here's what you can expect:
Initial consultation: The fitter will discuss your current game, goals, and any specific issues you're experiencing with your current clubs.
Warm-up: You'll hit a few shots with your current clubs to get comfortable and give the fitter baseline data for your performance.
Measurements: The fitter will take key measurements, including your height, wrist-to-floor distance, and hand size for proper grip size.
Swing analysis: Using launch monitors and/or high-speed cameras, the fitter will analyse your swing characteristics, including club head speed, attack angle, and ball spin rates.
Club testing: You'll try a variety of club heads and shafts in the fitting bay, with the fitter making adjustments based on the data collected and your feedback on ball flight and feel.
Fine-tuning: The fitter will narrow down the options to find the optimal combination of components for your game, ensuring the best performance for each club, from driver to wedges.
Recommendations: You'll receive a detailed breakdown of the recommended specifications for your custom-fitted clubs, including loft, lie angle, shaft flex, and swing weight.
Throughout the process, don't hesitate to ask questions and provide feedback. The more information you share, the better the outcome of your fitting experience.
The cost of golf custom fitting in the UK can vary widely depending on several factors:
The fitting centre or professional you choose
The number of clubs being fitted (single club, irons, or full bag fitting)
The level of technology used in the fitting process (e.g., advanced launch monitors)
Whether you're buying new clubs or retrofitting existing ones
As a rough guide, you can expect to pay here at Golf Gear Direct:
£30 for a single club fitting (e.g., driver or putter)
£30 for a partial bag fitting (e.g., irons only)
£60 for a full bag fitting
It's also worth noting that while there is a cost associated with custom fitting, the long-term benefits to your game often outweigh the initial investment.
The timeframe for receiving your custom-fitted clubs can vary depending on the manufacturer and the specific components required. Generally, you can expect:
1-2 weeks for stock components with minor adjustments
2-4 weeks for custom-built clubs from major manufacturers
4-6 weeks for clubs with highly specialised or limited-edition components
At Golf Gear Direct, we work closely with major brands to ensure the quickest possible turnaround times for our customers. We'll always provide you with an estimated delivery date at the time of your fitting or order.
Yes, in many cases, it's possible to retrofit your current clubs through a process often referred to as "club fitting." This might involve:
Adjusting the lie angle
Changing the shaft
Modifying the grip size
Adjusting the loft (for drivers and fairway woods)
However, there are limitations to what can be adjusted on existing clubs. In some cases, particularly with older clubs or if significant changes are needed, it may be more beneficial (and sometimes more cost-effective) to invest in new, custom-fitted clubs.
During your fitting session, the professional will assess your current clubs and advise whether retrofitting is a viable option or if new clubs would be more beneficial for your game.
The frequency of refitting depends on several factors:
Your skill level and how quickly your game is improving
Any physical changes (e.g., significant weight loss/gain, injuries)
The condition of your current clubs
Changes in your swing technique
As a general guide:
Beginners and rapidly improving players: Every 1-2 years
Intermediate players with a stable handicap: Every 3-5 years
Advanced players: Every 2-3 years or when making significant swing changes
Remember, you don't necessarily need to replace all your clubs each time. You might benefit from refitting or replacing only certain clubs in your bag, such as getting a new driver fitting or updating your irons.
Absolutely! High-handicap golfers often stand to gain the most from custom fitting. Here's why:
Confidence: Knowing your clubs are tailored to your swing can provide a significant mental boost on the course.
Consistency: Properly fitted clubs can help reduce the impact of common swing faults, leading to more consistency and fewer bad shots.
Comfort: Clubs that match your physical attributes are more comfortable to use, encouraging better technique and more practice.
Learning curve: Starting with well-fitted clubs can help you develop proper techniques more quickly, which is a great starting point for improvement.
Enjoyment: When you hit better shots more often and see improved ball flight, you'll enjoy the game more, encouraging you to play and practice more frequently.
While custom fitting won't instantly lower your handicap, it provides the tools to help you improve more efficiently and enjoyably. You might even find yourself sinking more putts and achieving greater carry distance with your fitted clubs!
During a comprehensive golf club fitting, several key measurements are taken:
Static measurements:
Height
Wrist-to-floor distance
Hand size (for grip sizing)
Arm length
Dynamic measurements (taken during your swing using launch monitors):
Club head speed
Ball speed
Launch angle
Spin rate
Attack angle
Club path
Face angle at impact
Smash factor (efficiency of energy transfer from club to ball)
Club-specific measurements:
Lie angle
Loft angle
Shaft flex and kick point
Swing weight
These measurements, combined with observational data from the fitter, help determine the optimal specifications for your clubs, from your driver down to your wedges and putter.
Choosing the right fitting centre is crucial for a successful custom fitting experience. Here are some factors to consider:
Technology: Look for centres with up-to-date launch monitors and analysis software.
Brand options: A good fitting centre should offer a wide range of brands and components to try, including options for shafts, clubheads, and grips.
Fitter qualifications: Check if the fitters are PGA professionals or have recognised fitting certifications.
Customer reviews: Look for testimonials or ask fellow golfers for recommendations about their fitting experience.
Fitting process: A thorough fitting should include both static and dynamic assessments, as well as a gapping session for irons and wedges.
Follow-up service: Choose a centre that offers good after-sales support and the ability to make adjustments if needed.
Cost transparency: Ensure all costs are clearly explained upfront.
At Golf Gear Direct, we pride ourselves on meeting all these criteria, offering state-of-the-art custom fitting services. Our team of experienced fitters uses the latest technology, including advanced launch monitors, to ensure you get the best possible outcome from your fitting session.
Custom fitting is a valuable tool that can benefit golfers of all levels, helping you play better, achieve more consistency, and enjoy greater satisfaction on the golf course. By understanding your unique swing characteristics and matching them with the right equipment, custom fitting can be the key to unlocking your full potential in golf.
Whether you're a beginner looking to start with the right equipment, an improving player aiming to break through to the next level, or a low-handicapper seeking those marginal gains, custom fitting has something to offer you. From driver fitting to ensure maximum distance off the tee to wedge fitting for better stopping power around the greens, every club in your bag can benefit from the custom fitting process.
At Golf Gear Direct, we're committed to helping golfers find their perfect fit. Our experienced team, state-of-the-art technology, including the latest launch monitors, and a wide range of options ensure that you'll walk away with clubs that are truly tailored to your game.
Remember, golf is a journey of continuous improvement. Custom fitting is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process that evolves with your game. As you grow and change as a golfer, your equipment should adapt with you.
We invite you to experience the difference that custom fitting can make. Visit us at Golf Gear Direct, and let's take your game to the next level, one perfectly fitted club at a time. With our expertise, you'll see improved ball flight, more consistency in your shots, and ultimately, lower scores and more enjoyment on the golf course.
Happy golfing, and we look forward to helping you find your perfect fit!
