OT - Another thread about golf? Yep!
All,
I've recently got back into golf the last few years, looking to take the next step. I bought a new set of irons last year (Taylor Made M6's) and a new driver last year (Cleveland Launcher HB). I'm consistent in striking the ball and average roughly 240-250, and when I really smack it, I'm good for 270 or so. Regardless of course, I'm in low 90's, with a hell of a round anywhere from 85-90.
Anywho, been looking into getting custom fit for a driver. Carl's GolfLand offers a service for $125. Has anyone been through a proper custom fit for golf clubs? Does it make a difference? Would you recommend a custom fit for irons, drivers, woods / hybrid, etc? Or am I better off just going for lessons?
Lessons will improve your game more than anything else.
Agree go for lessons. The best clubs are only as good as the hands they are in
New clubs do look fucking sweet, tho. And the cart girl will totally be impressed with them.
Nevermind about the lessons, get the clubs, bro.
Admit it, you don't have a chance with the cart girl.
And she's too young and you're being creepy.
No way bro, new clubs will win her over for sure. She smiled at me when serving me drinks once, so I know there's a connection there.
The love runs out when the money does. Or is that just at the strip club?
If that is true, Bill Gates must be broke!!!
Just got custom fit myself. It’s absolutely worth it…but do your research. You want a true custom fit. There’s “custom fit” and there’s custom fit.
“Custom fit” is where you’ll hit a few different clubs, maybe a shaft or two (a regular vs stiff), and that’s it.
A true custom fit will find you the best club head, shaft, and grip. If you’re doing the whole bag, it’ll be upwards of 3 hours. You will likely find how ill-fitting your current clubs are. I know I did. I had no idea what direction my fairway wood was going and now I know why and got it fixed. My irons were immediately more consistent. I learned I needed a 3 hybrid instead of a 5 wood. My irons were old and had a more traditional loft. Newer irons are a bit more aggressively lofted.
the fitting also got me properly gapped. I had a 30 yard gap between my 3 iron and 5 wood. I also had a 30 yard gap between my PW and LW. I got those fixed and now it’s a lot better.
TL;DR It’s worth it.
Both will improve your game. But having proper fitted clubs are more important. If you can, do both. Some places will offer fittings for free as long as you buy the clubs.
You think fitted clubs will help your game more than lessons, if you've never had lessons before?
EDIT: Not sure why I'm getting negged for an honest question?
10.1.1Yes, I do. Because without properly fitted clubs often times you develop bad swing tendencies to overcome the improper setup. Clubs first, lessons second. I've had lessons before. I'm a person who needs very different than standard clubs. The first thing the instructor told me, "go get fit". You're not going to help yourself much by lessons with improperly fitted clubs. I may be an extreme case (+1.5" and 3* up) as a lot of people are probably much closer to standard.
PS. I didn't neg you.
I had a positive experience at Carl's when I got my irons, but I've been told that for pure fittings, Miles of Golf in Ann Arbor is the way to go.
I have found Carl's to be a much friendlier and less "golf snob" environment. I always hear a ton of good things about Miles, but have not had good experiences there.
Don’t know where you’re located but if you’re anywhere near Ann Arbor, try miles of golf. I go to the one in cincy for fittings and there is no place better.
No more gil gggggfd beans can't fishy shabby eh banned sheesh what
Go get a lesson from any of the instructors at Fox Hills with that $125.
If you’re just getting back into golf, you’re a long way away from needing custom fit anything.
agree with the lessons. the incremental benefit from custom fitted clubs pales in comparison to a better swing. a low 90's golfer should pick up a 3-5 strokes per round from being more accurate versus maybe 1-2 strokes from better clubs.
Yes, fittings and lessons certainly help.
Consider though that something like 60% of strokes on the card are from 50 yards and in. Some of the most valuable practice you can have is hanging around the chipping and putting areas at a local muni. Get real comfortable there.
Agree. And stop focusing on how far you hit your driver and work on hitting it and all other clubs straighter.
Ok, I been playing consistent golf 2-3 rounds a week plus hitting the range 2 times a week in between for the last 10 months, here in San Antonio, TX.
I am 44 years old and this has been a dream of mine for the last 20 years. I am finally to a point in life to be this consistent.
During this time, first 8 months, I was averaging 92- 98 scores, this after watching u tube videos, mostly Alex Fortay online lessons for free.
2 months ago I was paired up with a golf pro caddy and I watched him score a 77 with amazement. I never got live lessons to that point because I never knew if these instructors were really worth my time or were true experts. He saw potential in me during our round and offered me lessons for $125 an hour. So far I had 3 lessons, and have improved tremendously. I am finally breaking 90 consistently, not losing balls, not duffing or fatting shots and only 1 mulligan per round.
Lessons have changed my game and I was lucky to get an instructor that I trust.
My game has come down to around the green, chipping and I have invested in a new $400 Scotty Cameron putter.
in addition to all this, I have made a transition to waking the courses with a pull/push cart. I love the exercise and can keep up with anyone in a golf cart. If you are consistently walking these courses like I have, you will develop new callouses on your feet in addition to your hands from swinging those clubs. My podiatrists made me some nice orthodox, cleaned and inspected my feet. There are growing pains that go along with walking but clears up after time and becomes so enjoyable.
After 3 lessons, I feel I have plateaued with this instructor. I will get 1 or 2 more lessons but I feel it’s all up to me and I need to put in the time to one day be a scratch golfer.
Also, I feel I have a golf ball that helps. I like the Bridgestone e12, $30 a box. These balls hit nice off my 2014 Callaway Rougue driver, Diablo woods, edge callaway hybrids and Callaway XHot pro irons, and Mack dad 58,54 wedges. I am not replacing or getting fitted anytime soon.
Finally, I play better after arriving 1 hour before tee time, focusing on hitting a small bucket with my wedges only and then putting on the practice greens. I am 6’ 2” 230lbs and I try to emulate and compare myself to Pro Jon Rahm, we size up the best.
This is coming to you from a guy with a family very into, if not consumed, by the game. We all play. One played on the PGA Tour. One played on the mini tours, and has played in US Mid-Ams. 3 more played Div I college golf. 6 in the family are better than scratch. Our idea of fun after dinner is to watch golf instruction videos on the golf channel and YouTube......
For almost anyone who wants to take the game seriously, fittings are well worth it. You didn't mention getting fitted for the most important club in your bag. That's worth it, too.
The exception is the beginner, who is also not an anomolus physical specimen (Very tall or very short). They are better off spending on lessons.
With regard to instruction, if they are not using video, run away.
With regard to practice, always do it with a purpose, and always use video, especially for full swing work.
I'm also a big fan of lessons given by PGA Professionals, but you can do a lot of work on your own.
Most golfers will find that they really don't need lessons to address the most common swing faults that one can see for themselves on video, if they want to put in the time and effort. Between thinking about where your ball is going, and looking at video, the why is usually very obvious. If you have a problem addressing a fault, look up some drills on youtube and try them out.
And always be aware of the two of the things that keep you from taking your swing from the range to the course: Grip pressure and tempo. People grip tighter and speed up when they hit the course.
And, of course, always defer to The Club Pro Guy...https://clubproguy.com/pages/learning-center
Cheers!
As a PGA Teaching Professional I cannot agree with all you are saying. Video CAN be very helpful for both teacher and student but not always. Novice players often do not understand their swing or the concepts of fundamental swings enough to benefit. So saying run from someone not using video is just one persons opinion. I use it, but certainly not always. 90% of my video use is with accomplished players.
As to the lessons vs fitting debate...It is my belief that if you get fitted first and then get lessons and really improve aspects of your swing (club speed, centered strikes, angle of attack, etc) after getting fitted you will have obsoleted that particular fitting. Both fittings and lessons can help, I just think you get your mechanics optimized first and then fit the clubs into that makes more sense long term.
Sorry, I could have worded that better with regard to "run away." I meant that for him. A mid handicapper. Obviously not true for a beginner or new/ novice Junior golfer .
I agree completely with the fitting/lessons comment you made.
Go get fitted for clubs. Some years I got fitted for a driver. Immediately took 5 - 10 strokes per round. Game get easier when your drives are in center of fairway. Get fitted for a 3 wood also. Unless you hit your irons all over the place they probably o.k. I went from barely breaking 100 to mid to low 80's.
Quick story. Three years ago, I was at Carl’s looking for a new putter. Using their indoor putting area, I had it narrowed down to 2 clubs. A salesperson came by, watched me putt 1 or 2 balls, walked over to the rack and selected a different putter. He said, “Here try this one. With your setup, stance and stroke, you need a toe weighted putter.” I didn’t know there was such a thing. I took that putter and one other that I liked outside to their practice green and compared both for about 1/2 hour. I ended up buying the one he had recommended (same manufacturer). My golf buddies still remark on how much better I putt with my “new” club.
I played with the Costco putter yesterday for the first time. Awesome weapon for that price!
Now if I can just figure out how to grind that big red "Kirkland" logo off the bottom.... ;-p