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The Fitting Experience


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Often on the forum you can read a response similar to this, “to get to the next level you need to get your clubs fitted” this is a bit of a paraphrase, although I am sure you get the meaning.  I have looked through the different posts and never saw anything that goes further.  How serious do you have to be to say you are ready to have a club fitting?  Should I be under a 10 handicap?  Should I be someone who is working towards competitive golf?  Can anyone benefit from this?  To answer this I decided to embark on doing just that.  Firstly, there are many places that offer club fitting.  Prices vary, as well as requirements.  It is best to decide for yourself what you want to accomplish.  You must be real and true about your abilities and goals.  I know there have been those who post a club head speed higher than the PGA tour average. Those that claim distances that seem generous.  Those that for all purposes should find a new sport.  To those this statement is true …. You need not apply.

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After looking through online reviews, and different web pages, I chose “The GoldWorks” located in Newark, OH to have my iron club fitting.  After careful thought I think it best to choose what clubs you want to be fitted with.  Since I seem to struggle with my irons it was an obvious choice.  Others may want to have the entire bag fitted.  My budget was also a factor as in the end you will have to pay per club to have them adjusted, or purchase new.  The fitting fee is waived if you spend a set amount of money, so that is also a bonus.  Then there is time of day.  I think it best to have your fitting in the morning, so you are fresh and with your best swing

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Once I arrived at the fitting, I was taken to the bay, where I would be hitting, since the weather did not allow for outdoor activities.  There was a launch monitor and screen to my right that made me a bit nervous at first.  The instructor told me to take out my 7 iron and start hitting some balls to warm up.  After about 20 balls he ask if I felt ready, and off we went.  (Side note; he told me after that he already had a length in mind from watching me.)  Once I was ready, he gave me a club from the test group that best matched my current club, both in style and shaft.  He had me hit another set of balls stopping to review where the marks were on the face of the club, as well as the carry and launch angle.  He told me since the clubs had tape on the face the distance would be about 10 yards off, and the ball spin would not be accurate.  I was busy looking at those numbers and that of the club head speed.  Since these numbers seem to be discussed often.  He kept telling me to just relax hit the ball and he would look at the numbers.  He then gave me a different club that was longer than the previous, and we did it all over again.  Thirdly he gave me another club longer yet, and away we went.  This time though I noticed I was hitting the matt like hitting a very fat shot.  That was where we went back to the length previous.  This time though with a different shaft.  I went through the process once more and noticed an incredible change.  Launch angle jumped from 16.4 to 28.6 and my carry increased 25 yards.  Incredibly though my club head speed was slower.

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Now for fine tuning, as it were.  Lie Angle, is the next step in the evolution of proper fit and proper ball striking.  So he placed a piece of tape on the bottom of the club and a hard plastic plate on the matt in front of me.  Place a ball on the center and had me hit it.  Then placed a second and had me hit again.  Then measured the area marked by the hit.  And there you are Lie Angle.  Seems so simple now that I went through it.  I hit a driver a couple of times to see where I was there and decided not ready for that part yet.DSCN5264.JPG.92b3021062485093be8ea668e8d248cb.JPG

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In the end saw on the launch monitor improvement on launch angle, carry, and smash factor as the last couple I hit sere only .9 feet off center.  I really hope that this translates onto the golf course this year.  When it was all done I purchased a set of irons 5 –SW   I will return to this post periodically during the

 

 

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:cobra-small:             F7+ w/Fujikura Pro XLR8 Graphite Shaft

Ben_Hogan_Golf_Equipment_Company.jpg.b9602c912623c841ad9ad52593c15dee.jpg                3-I  MPF H-Series3B2M graphite Shaft w/Winn Dri-Tac grip mid

MALTBY.png.a2a7b0f0659df827f6200a68ab77f34c.png            STi   Irons 5-SW   KURO KAGE  70IR Flex-R  Lamkin Grips

 :cobra-small:             King F6 Hybrid Matrix Red Tie HQ4 Graphite Shaft

MALTBY.png.a2a7b0f0659df827f6200a68ab77f34c.png           Forged FGT  60* wedge KURO KAGE 70R SS cross Comfort grip

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Good on you for getting fit! Did he happen to mention anything about the lie angle provided by the launch monitor? Seems intriguing that he would use a lie board and not the much more accurate camera based system of the GCQuad to determine lie angle. Also, what set did you choose? What shaft did he fit you into? Any metrics in particular that stood out to you from your fitting?

Edited by TR1PTIK

Driver: :mizuno-small: ST190 9.5* Fujikura Atmos Blue 5S
Fairway Wood: :mizuno-small: ST190 15* Fujikura Atmos Blue 6S
Hybrid: :mizuno-small: CLK 17* Fujikura Speeder EVO HB
Irons: :bridgestone-small: J40 CB (3-PW) Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: :taylormade-small: Milled Grind 2 54* & 58* Dynamic Gold S200
Putter: :odyssey-small: Tri-Hot 5k Two 34"
Bag: :titleist-small: Players 5 Stand Bag
Ball: Maxfli Tour

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Since I am a novice when it comes to fittings, I do not know why the tape and board over electronic data. I will ask them when I pick my clubs up later this week. The irons are Maltby STi and my shafts are graphite. I'm traveling right now so I am not sure the type of graphite.


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:cobra-small:             F7+ w/Fujikura Pro XLR8 Graphite Shaft

Ben_Hogan_Golf_Equipment_Company.jpg.b9602c912623c841ad9ad52593c15dee.jpg                3-I  MPF H-Series3B2M graphite Shaft w/Winn Dri-Tac grip mid

MALTBY.png.a2a7b0f0659df827f6200a68ab77f34c.png            STi   Irons 5-SW   KURO KAGE  70IR Flex-R  Lamkin Grips

 :cobra-small:             King F6 Hybrid Matrix Red Tie HQ4 Graphite Shaft

MALTBY.png.a2a7b0f0659df827f6200a68ab77f34c.png           Forged FGT  60* wedge KURO KAGE 70R SS cross Comfort grip

:odyssey-small:           O-Putter 1W

                        

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I will also add that it was empowering to see and feel the difference.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using MyGolfSpy mobile app

:cobra-small:             F7+ w/Fujikura Pro XLR8 Graphite Shaft

Ben_Hogan_Golf_Equipment_Company.jpg.b9602c912623c841ad9ad52593c15dee.jpg                3-I  MPF H-Series3B2M graphite Shaft w/Winn Dri-Tac grip mid

MALTBY.png.a2a7b0f0659df827f6200a68ab77f34c.png            STi   Irons 5-SW   KURO KAGE  70IR Flex-R  Lamkin Grips

 :cobra-small:             King F6 Hybrid Matrix Red Tie HQ4 Graphite Shaft

MALTBY.png.a2a7b0f0659df827f6200a68ab77f34c.png           Forged FGT  60* wedge KURO KAGE 70R SS cross Comfort grip

:odyssey-small:           O-Putter 1W

                        

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Interesting read. 

Tape on the face and a lie board would have been issues for me. If I'm going for a fitting, I'm paying to get fit with my actual numbers. Carry numbers and spin aren't accurate? Then how can he possibly accurately fit you?

And a lie board is outdated and often causes more problems then it corrects. I hit a draw, but deliver my irons toe down. If I were to get fit on a lie board I'd have my clubs bent more upright - which would turn my draw into hooks. 

I hope your clubs work out for you 

 

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Interesting read. 
Tape on the face and a lie board would have been issues for me. If I'm going for a fitting, I'm paying to get fit with my actual numbers. Carry numbers and spin aren't accurate? Then how can he possibly accurately fit you?
And a lie board is outdated and often causes more problems then it corrects. I hit a draw, but deliver my irons toe down. If I were to get fit on a lie board I'd have my clubs bent more upright - which would turn my draw into hooks. 
I hope your clubs work out for you 
 


Amen. My self diagnosed long irons are way too upright. I tend to hook them off the course badly on my misses.
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Interesting read. 
Tape on the face and a lie board would have been issues for me. If I'm going for a fitting, I'm paying to get fit with my actual numbers. Carry numbers and spin aren't accurate? Then how can he possibly accurately fit you?
And a lie board is outdated and often causes more problems then it corrects. I hit a draw, but deliver my irons toe down. If I were to get fit on a lie board I'd have my clubs bent more upright - which would turn my draw into hooks. 
I hope your clubs work out for you 
 


Yeah, I’ve got to agree with you. A lie board has me hitting everything right because it suggests flatter lies for me. Ball flight suggests standard lengths and lies from most manufacturers are spot on.


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Interesting, I would not have thought any different had you not introduced those comments. They are definitely questions I will ask when I pick up my clubs. I think that's what, 10 new questions? . I appreciate the honest feedback. Thanks

Sent from my XT1635-01 using MyGolfSpy mobile app

:cobra-small:             F7+ w/Fujikura Pro XLR8 Graphite Shaft

Ben_Hogan_Golf_Equipment_Company.jpg.b9602c912623c841ad9ad52593c15dee.jpg                3-I  MPF H-Series3B2M graphite Shaft w/Winn Dri-Tac grip mid

MALTBY.png.a2a7b0f0659df827f6200a68ab77f34c.png            STi   Irons 5-SW   KURO KAGE  70IR Flex-R  Lamkin Grips

 :cobra-small:             King F6 Hybrid Matrix Red Tie HQ4 Graphite Shaft

MALTBY.png.a2a7b0f0659df827f6200a68ab77f34c.png           Forged FGT  60* wedge KURO KAGE 70R SS cross Comfort grip

:odyssey-small:           O-Putter 1W

                        

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I was able to pick up my clubs yesterday after work, and I ask the gentleman there a question in regards to lie board verses the digital.  His name is Kris Zahler and he 20+ years of experience.  He has worked for many of the major OEM's as well and his response is simple.  "The lie board is the most accurate tool for non-tour players"  If anyone wants to discuss with him further I can DM his contact info.  He would love to continue the conversation, not to argue, but to discuss.  Also he follows the teaching of the founder of "the GolfWorks" Ralph Maltby.

Now onto my clubs,

They are the Maltby STi heads with Mitsubishi KURO KAGE 70IR  Flex-R shafts, and Lamkin grips.  Pictures attached.IMG_20190314_204843590.jpg.a606451fe094423f56e1578201851d83.jpgIMG_20190314_204850737.jpg.e993065289c347628c55b0fbc722a79f.jpgIMG_20190314_204902991_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg.88157bfded294147a749d1911f5c0c91.jpgIMG_20190314_204907564.jpg.7cda6aa2abe53c41105327be1b54611a.jpg

Thanks for all the responses.   I will return to this thread periodically during the year to update my performance and the performance of the clubs, as well as any feedback I have.

 

:cobra-small:             F7+ w/Fujikura Pro XLR8 Graphite Shaft

Ben_Hogan_Golf_Equipment_Company.jpg.b9602c912623c841ad9ad52593c15dee.jpg                3-I  MPF H-Series3B2M graphite Shaft w/Winn Dri-Tac grip mid

MALTBY.png.a2a7b0f0659df827f6200a68ab77f34c.png            STi   Irons 5-SW   KURO KAGE  70IR Flex-R  Lamkin Grips

 :cobra-small:             King F6 Hybrid Matrix Red Tie HQ4 Graphite Shaft

MALTBY.png.a2a7b0f0659df827f6200a68ab77f34c.png           Forged FGT  60* wedge KURO KAGE 70R SS cross Comfort grip

:odyssey-small:           O-Putter 1W

                        

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I was able to pick up my clubs yesterday after work, and I ask the gentleman there a question in regards to lie board verses the digital.  His name is Kris Zahler and he 20+ years of experience.  He has worked for many of the major OEM's as well and his response is simple.  "The lie board is the most accurate tool for non-tour players"  If anyone wants to discuss with him further I can DM his contact info.  He would love to continue the conversation, not to argue, but to discuss.  Also he follows the teaching of the founder of "the GolfWorks" Ralph Maltby.
Now onto my clubs,
They are the Maltby STi heads with Mitsubishi KURO KAGE 70IR  Flex-R shafts, and Lamkin grips.  Pictures attached.IMG_20190314_204843590.jpg.a606451fe094423f56e1578201851d83.jpgIMG_20190314_204850737.jpg.e993065289c347628c55b0fbc722a79f.jpgIMG_20190314_204902991_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg.88157bfded294147a749d1911f5c0c91.jpgIMG_20190314_204907564.jpg.7cda6aa2abe53c41105327be1b54611a.jpg
Thanks for all the responses.   I will return to this thread periodically during the year to update my performance and the performance of the clubs, as well as any feedback I have.
 

So what was your biggest takeaway from the fitting.


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There are a couple things that stand out for me. Firstly the obvious one, enjoying the feeling when hitting the ball with the right club. There is definitely a difference in feel and sound.
Because I did not know what to expect, every question I asked was like a another facet of the diamond sparkling. Having my swing explained really opened my eyes. I found myself saying, that makes sense as to why ....


Sent from my XT1635-01 using MyGolfSpy mobile app

:cobra-small:             F7+ w/Fujikura Pro XLR8 Graphite Shaft

Ben_Hogan_Golf_Equipment_Company.jpg.b9602c912623c841ad9ad52593c15dee.jpg                3-I  MPF H-Series3B2M graphite Shaft w/Winn Dri-Tac grip mid

MALTBY.png.a2a7b0f0659df827f6200a68ab77f34c.png            STi   Irons 5-SW   KURO KAGE  70IR Flex-R  Lamkin Grips

 :cobra-small:             King F6 Hybrid Matrix Red Tie HQ4 Graphite Shaft

MALTBY.png.a2a7b0f0659df827f6200a68ab77f34c.png           Forged FGT  60* wedge KURO KAGE 70R SS cross Comfort grip

:odyssey-small:           O-Putter 1W

                        

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Enjoy those clubs! I’d say he’s probably not far off on his assertion about lie angle (based on my own experience at least), but it could very well just depend on what else he sees with the launch monitor in assessing your skill level and such. I’m one of the few (according to TXG) that fit into the lie board mold and can get fit that way. No doubt GCQuad is still one of the most accurate methods however.

Driver: :mizuno-small: ST190 9.5* Fujikura Atmos Blue 5S
Fairway Wood: :mizuno-small: ST190 15* Fujikura Atmos Blue 6S
Hybrid: :mizuno-small: CLK 17* Fujikura Speeder EVO HB
Irons: :bridgestone-small: J40 CB (3-PW) Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: :taylormade-small: Milled Grind 2 54* & 58* Dynamic Gold S200
Putter: :odyssey-small: Tri-Hot 5k Two 34"
Bag: :titleist-small: Players 5 Stand Bag
Ball: Maxfli Tour

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I know that the tape was on the club, but I really hope that your fitter didn’t have you leaving with a 28 degree launch angle on your 7 iron. It’s pretty tough to tell how far you’re going to really hit that club if it’s only spinning at 3100RPM as well. My guess is that your spin numbers will be at least 2000 RPMs higher with a better ball on course.


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I know that the tape was on the club, but I really hope that your fitter didn’t have you leaving with a 28 degree launch angle on your 7 iron. It’s pretty tough to tell how far you’re going to really hit that club if it’s only spinning at 3100RPM as well. My guess is that your spin numbers will be at least 2000 RPMs higher with a better ball on course.


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Practice on the race, then once mother nature will allow course play. I'll let you know how it's performing.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using MyGolfSpy mobile app

:cobra-small:             F7+ w/Fujikura Pro XLR8 Graphite Shaft

Ben_Hogan_Golf_Equipment_Company.jpg.b9602c912623c841ad9ad52593c15dee.jpg                3-I  MPF H-Series3B2M graphite Shaft w/Winn Dri-Tac grip mid

MALTBY.png.a2a7b0f0659df827f6200a68ab77f34c.png            STi   Irons 5-SW   KURO KAGE  70IR Flex-R  Lamkin Grips

 :cobra-small:             King F6 Hybrid Matrix Red Tie HQ4 Graphite Shaft

MALTBY.png.a2a7b0f0659df827f6200a68ab77f34c.png           Forged FGT  60* wedge KURO KAGE 70R SS cross Comfort grip

:odyssey-small:           O-Putter 1W

                        

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  • 1 month later...

I am very pleased with how the clubs are performing. I have an additional 10-15 yds carry per club than I head before. Yes there is a high loft to the clubs, but I like that. I'm going to work on a left to right shot shape that seems to already be there. You do have to take into account which direction the wind is coming from. I had a shot look like it froze in mid air when the winds hot it head on. End result shot was 10 yds short of desired or expected length.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using MyGolfSpy mobile app

:cobra-small:             F7+ w/Fujikura Pro XLR8 Graphite Shaft

Ben_Hogan_Golf_Equipment_Company.jpg.b9602c912623c841ad9ad52593c15dee.jpg                3-I  MPF H-Series3B2M graphite Shaft w/Winn Dri-Tac grip mid

MALTBY.png.a2a7b0f0659df827f6200a68ab77f34c.png            STi   Irons 5-SW   KURO KAGE  70IR Flex-R  Lamkin Grips

 :cobra-small:             King F6 Hybrid Matrix Red Tie HQ4 Graphite Shaft

MALTBY.png.a2a7b0f0659df827f6200a68ab77f34c.png           Forged FGT  60* wedge KURO KAGE 70R SS cross Comfort grip

:odyssey-small:           O-Putter 1W

                        

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I am very pleased with how the clubs are performing. I have an additional 10-15 yds carry per club than I head before. Yes there is a high loft to the clubs, but I like that. I'm going to work on a left to right shot shape that seems to already be there. You do have to take into account which direction the wind is coming from. I had a shot look like it froze in mid air when the winds hot it head on. End result shot was 10 yds short of desired or expected length.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using MyGolfSpy mobile app

:cobra-small:             F7+ w/Fujikura Pro XLR8 Graphite Shaft

Ben_Hogan_Golf_Equipment_Company.jpg.b9602c912623c841ad9ad52593c15dee.jpg                3-I  MPF H-Series3B2M graphite Shaft w/Winn Dri-Tac grip mid

MALTBY.png.a2a7b0f0659df827f6200a68ab77f34c.png            STi   Irons 5-SW   KURO KAGE  70IR Flex-R  Lamkin Grips

 :cobra-small:             King F6 Hybrid Matrix Red Tie HQ4 Graphite Shaft

MALTBY.png.a2a7b0f0659df827f6200a68ab77f34c.png           Forged FGT  60* wedge KURO KAGE 70R SS cross Comfort grip

:odyssey-small:           O-Putter 1W

                        

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 4/29/2019 at 9:07 AM, kardboard.kid said:

I am very pleased with how the clubs are performing. I have an additional 10-15 yds carry per club than I head before. Yes there is a high loft to the clubs, but I like that. I'm going to work on a left to right shot shape that seems to already be there. You do have to take into account which direction the wind is coming from. I had a shot look like it froze in mid air when the winds hot it head on. End result shot was 10 yds short of desired or expected length.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using MyGolfSpy mobile app
 

Glad to hear the new irons are working well.  Really like the pictures; they are nice looking.  I experienced the same thing at a recent fitting where we increased my shaft length and it lowered my ball speed a little, but added distance as well as moved my strike more towards center.  What was the cost of of your fitting?

:ping-small: G410 Plus, 9 Degree Driver 

:ping-small: G400 SFT, 16 Degree 3w

:ping-small: G400 SFT, 19 Degree 5w

:srixon-small:  ZX5 Irons 4-AW 

:ping-small: Glide 2.0 56 Degree SW   (removed from double secret probation 😍)

:EVNROLL: ER5v Putter  (Evnroll ER5v Official Review)

:odyssey-small: AI-One Milled Seven T CH (Currently Under Product Test)

 

 

 

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