Is Getting Your Current Golf Clubs Fitted Possible?
Getting your golf clubs fitted has many well-known benefits. No matter how far along you are, or how long you have been playing, fitted clubs can help elevate your game.
But there enters the conundrum- you've got a pretty expensive set that you've been using for a little while, but which you never got fitted for.
is it possible to get your current clubs fitted? Or is it only possible to get fitted for new clubs?
The answer, it turns out, is a bit of both. If you're set on getting your current clubs fitted, there are a few things that you can do to make it happen. But, sometimes, it might not be practical or possible to get your current clubs fitted- and in those cases, buying new clubs might be the best option.
Is Making Changes To Clubs Easy?
On paper, making changes to clubs should be pretty straightforward. After all, golf clubs are designed to be adjustable. But the reality is that making significant changes to clubs- especially if those changes are going to require special tools or knowledge- can be difficult.
Some people do not even fully appreciate the concept of fitting, so not surprisingly, a set of mismatched clubs that "feel" fine might not even be noticed by the average player.
Many golfers also believe that they can save money by buying a used set of clubs and then adjusting them to fit their own swing and game.
But while it is theoretically possible to adjust clubs on your own, the process is often more difficult than it seems. It can be hard to tell if the changes you're making are actually having an impact, and it can be easy to make a mistake that ends up costing you more money in the long run.
Some changes are simply just easier to make and are smarter financially.
Wondering what these changes might include? Let's check them out now.
Grip
One of the easiest changes to make to your clubs is the grip. Golf grips wear out over time, and they can also change in response to different weather conditions. Because of this, it's important to regularly check your grips and make sure that they are still in good condition.
If they're not, then you'll need to replace them. This is relatively inexpensive and easy customization to make during your fitting, and it can have a significant impact on your game.
While this is amongst the easiest changes to make during your session, not every single grip change is foolproof.
This is because grip changes can lead to weight changes, which can, in turn, affect the club's head weight distribution- and that can have a knock-on effect on your swing.
So while you might be able to get away with changing your grips without getting fitted for new clubs, it's worth bearing in mind that this change could have an impact on your game.
The good news, however, is the fact that most professional fitters know better than to change your grips without also changing the club's weighting, and that's why DIY is not always the way to go.
Shaft
The next easiest change to make is the shaft. Like grips, shafts can also wear out over time- although this process is usually much slower, especially if you take good care of your clubs.
But even if your shafts are in good condition, it's still possible that they might not be the right length or flex for you. And that's where fitting comes in.
A professional fitter will be able to help you determine whether or not your shafts are the right length and flex for you, and they'll also be able to make any necessary adjustments.
While it is possible to do this on your own, it's worth noting that the process can be a bit tricky- especially if you don't have the right tools.
And even if you do have the right tools, making changes to your shafts can still lead to weight changes- which, as we've already mentioned, can have a knock-on effect on your swing.
So while you might be able to save yourself some money by making changes to your shafts on your own, it's worth bearing in mind that this is not always the best option.
You'll know if it's the right fit or not by the way it feels.
Loft and Lie
The loft and lie of your clubs can also be adjusted, although this is a bit more complicated than simply changing the grip or shaft.
The loft is the angle between the clubface and the ground, while the lie is the angle between the shaft and the clubface.
And while it is possible to make changes to these angles on your own, it's worth noting that the process can be a bit tricky- and not recommended for you to do on your own.
Some forged irons are subject to bending over time, which necessitates correction of the angle. In contrast, cast iron is much sturdier and resistant to alterations in loft and lie.
It might actually make more sense to just change the entire club head instead, which is where getting fitted comes in.
A professional fitter will be able to help you determine whether or not your clubs need to be bent, and they'll also be able to make the necessary changes.
Club Length
It's surprising to discover that more people really don't modify the length of their clubs, owing to the massive variation in height that exists among the playing demographic.
On the one hand, it's understandable since each modification of the shaft length would need to be accompanied by a weight correction- since common sense would indicate that if you remove metal, weight is going to be affected.
This is where the difficulty lies. It's really not practical to do this on your own- and that's where getting fitted comes in.
A professional fitter will be able to help you determine whether or not your clubs are the right length for you, and they'll also be able to make any necessary adjustments. Your fitter can also make weight corrections, although we aren't huge advocates of this because it often leads to issues with the club's balance.
Club Head
Finally, the club head is perhaps the most important part of the club- and it's also the most difficult to change.
This is because club heads are not standardized, which means that they come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes.
And while you might be able to find a new club head that's a similar size and shape to your old one, it's likely that the weight distribution will be different- affecting your swing pattern.
So while you might be able to save yourself some money by changing your club head on your own, it's worth bearing in mind that this is not always the best option. Most of the time it's not worth the trouble or technicality involved to do so.
Head weight
Like shaft weight, also contributes to the overall swing weight of the club. A change in head weight will require a change in grip size and/or shaft length and/or weight to maintain the same swing weight.
It's also worth noting that different club heads have different centers of gravity- which can affect the trajectory of your shots.
So while you might be able to save yourself some money by changing your club head on your own, it's worth bearing in mind that this is not always the best option. Most of the time it's not worth the trouble or technicality involved to do so.
How Often Do You Need To Get Fitted?
Getting fitted is not a one-time event; it's actually something that you should do on a semi-regular basis- especially if you're a serious golfer.
As you continue to play, your swing will change and evolve, and your clubs will need to be adjusted accordingly.
We recommend getting fitted at least once every 5 years, although specific clubs are subject to faster wear and tear and may require more frequent intervals.
Buying New Fitted Clubs
Ultimately, buying newly fitted clubs is going to be the best option for most golfers. While it might be possible to get your current clubs fitted, it's not always going to be practical or cost-effective.
And while you might be able to save some money by changing your club head on your own, it's worth bearing in mind that this is not always the best option.
If you have multiple fixes to do, this is definitely a sign for you to just get a new set and have them fitted on the spot.
That way, you can be sure that everything is going to work perfectly and you'll avoid any potential issues.
Final Words
Getting fit is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself on your way to bettering your golf game. That is if you're really serious about playing as well as you can. Do that, and elevate your in-game nutrition with a power-packed Whole in One Bar and make the world your oyster!
