Another way to improve
I have to start this week's newsletter with an apology, due to a couple of issues I have not been able to do a video for this week's top tip. Instead, I would like to explain about the custom fiiting process you will go through here at Aston Wood and also how this can benefit ALL golfers. The Custom Fitting Process for success.
Dynamic custom fitting
Let’s looks at our process involved to perform a dynamic custom fit. It focuses on the process used for fitting a player for their irons, although the method to carry out a fitting for other types of club, such as the driver, fairway woods, or wedges, can be used in the same way. The dynamic fit is the technique that will provide you with the most exact data to perform an accurate fit. Over 75% of golfers buy clubs off the shelf believing that because they have bought an expensive set of clubs this will undoubtedly improve their game. This is unfortunately not true in a large number of cases.
Most manufacturers' clubs are built to their own standard set of specifications, and the player will have to be very lucky to fit this to standard. This further complicates things because there is no industry standard to work from. It is no good to say a player requires clubs that are two degrees upright because each manufacturer will have their own version of standard.
When making a recommendation, you should work in the actual figure required. Some people may offer a “Static Fitting” but this is made up of only taking 2 measurements, Players' height and wrist to floor and on its own will not actually help the golfer, the static fit is used primarily for a beginner who has not yet developed a golf swing. It should be noted that the static fit has limitations and is only recommended for players new to the game. The importance of custom fitting and the need to have correctly fitted equipment should be introduced at an early stage of a golfer's career. The dynamic fitting process is where an evaluation of a golfer is made hitting golf balls, taking measurements at impact with the golf ball and observing the ball flight. A dynamic fit would consist of the following parts: personal interview, warm-up, taking static measurements, length fitting, lie fitting, shaft fitting, grip fitting, club head design, and finally set make-up. Stage 1. Personal Interview
This is the first step in our routine, and it will continue throughout the session. We will involve the player as much as possible during the fitting process by asking open-ended questions throughout each part of the process.
This allows us to discover how much the player knows about his or her own game, how the individual would like to improve their ball flight and to back up our own observations, as well as making you feel at ease. It is important to develop a relevant set of questions and the data be recorded for future reference on a fitting form. A copy of the sample form can be found in the attachments section. Stage 2. Static Measurements
Prior to hitting balls, measurements may be taken to establish a club that will be the starting point for the session. This will be established by using a height-based fitting chart and by taking a measurement from the wrist crease to the floor.
It will then be necessary to get the player's height and then reference made to a relevant chart. This will allow us to determine the initial length and lie for the golfer. The player's and measurements will be taken, the results of which are looked at in more detail in the grip fitting section. Stage 3. Length Fitting
The correct length of a golf club allows the player to maximise distance without losing accuracy. Determining length as a first step provides a definitive building block for the other fitting steps, and the length of a golf club has a direct influence on the playing lie of a club. As a club is made longer, the lie of a club must be made flatter, and vice versa. It should be noted that taller people do not necessarily need longer clubs, and shorter players do not need shorter clubs. A golf club that is too long will tend to lose the consistency of strike and cause an erratic shot pattern. Stage 4. Lie Fitting
Lie is the determining factor regarding the direction of the ball's flight off the clubface. To get the correct lie for a player, the following steps should be used. The first thing is to ensure that it has been established that the club being used is the correct length. In addition, a strike or lie fitting board and lie impact labels will be used. Stage 5. Shaft Fitting There are now over 6,000 different shafts available on the market. Getting the correct one is paramount. Some points to bear in mind are the shaft will influence the position of the club head at impact.
The shaft is the only component that changes shape during the swing. It is vital that due consideration is given to the choice of shaft type, flex and weight. More flexible shafts generally give more accurate results for most golfers. High-frequency or stiff shafts require greater force to be applied to make the shaft bend and therefore work properly. The weight of the shaft has a direct relationship on how fast the club can be swung. Lighter overall weight allows longer assembly, which in turn may yield more distance. But usually at the cost of accuracy. Lighter weight shafts may be swung faster. A plus for the older player, ladies or those that lack swing speed or strength. Stage 6. Grip Fitting
The main objective when it comes to ascertaining the correct grip size is to promote feel, consistency and to keep the player’s confidence. If a grip is too thick, it will inhibit hand action in the swing and cause a shot that will fly to the right of the target. Having too small a grip size will increase hand action to send the ball to the left of the target. #Although this theory is not disputed, it is also thought that an incorrect grip size may cause the player problems because of the hands repositioning on the club during the swing, having to apply too much pressure and the general lack of feel. These issues can contribute to problems with the accuracy and distance of shots, and all of them being applicable to over or undersized grips. Stage 7. Head design and set make up.
There is no longer a standard set of golf clubs, in other words, the traditional three plus nine, three woods and nine irons. The recommendations we make will be for the most suitable club head design and suggested set make-up based on the player's ability and ball striking capability. Taking you through this process on a custom fitting will give you the confidence that you know you are getting the best golf clubs for your game that will help you enjoy playing the game as much as you can.
Remember no two people are the same.
If you are looking for a new set of irons, woods, wedges or putter and want the benefit of being custom fitted contact me now through the button below for when we restart. |