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How to do the fitting process if you know you're a cheapksate?

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shadymg

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hello awesome golfers! So i feel like my swing has finally stopped changing (thanks to a wonderful coach), and he was pretty adamant (as was my gf) that getting fitted clubs is extremely worthwhile.

So with that in mind, my question is how does the whole fitting process work? I understand that many places will charge around $150 but typically waive those if you buy the clubs from them.

I live in california, sales tax over 10%, so i typically HATE spending large dollars in-state. So is it possible to do the fitting with a place and pay the $150, get all of the measurements/lengths/lofts, and then go online and source/build a set for myself? any advantages/disadvantages to this?

Also, are all fittings the same? If i go to ABC guy or XYZ guy who use the proper equipment, then the measurements will all be the same?
 
It is definitely possible to get fit, get your spec sheet and then go online and source your own parts etc. A lot of folks here have posted doing just that when visiting some of the higher priced fitting specialists.
 
Get into #ShaftUp
 
JB said:
Get into #ShaftUp
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Easier said than done. Of course, the easiest part, without which #shaftup is impossible, is signing up for the Albatross Club. Best money I spend each year.
 
shadymg said:
help! i have no idea what any of this means :)
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$35/year will get you membership into the Albatross Club. There's a link at the top of the page. So much goodness, it's impossible to write it all out.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 
Fitting first then you can always shop around. You don’t want to lose the $$ on the purchase application. I’d suggest do the whole bag fitting, then get a driver with that $$. Then shop around for the rest that is of course unless you get fit into a brand that doesn’t allow discounting. The the prices are pretty much fixed unless you wait an entire sales cycle before you buy, and then you might have to purchase then get bent after the fact rather than direct from factory.
 
It can be done for sure, but after the comp'd fitting I'd question how much you're really save on a set of the current year's irons, especially if there's a non-standard (hopefully no upcharge) shaft in there. Woods and wedges maybe, again depending on the components you end up with. If you have an idea of what you think you'll be looking at, I'd do some research prior to the fitting and see what it looks like so you can choose when discussing price with the fitter. The only other thing to consider is if they'll be making adjustments away from standard. One of the great things about having a relationship with a fitter through a purchase is that they'll usually validate that everything comes the way it's supposed to, and even offer tweaks after you settle in if something feels a little off. I've always bought from my fitter when I've gone that route. More for peace of mind than anything, even if you just need a professional opinion or validation.

EDIT: There's also a conveniency bonus in buying there as any non-standard thing you want will, mostly thinking grips here, be done before you receive them so they're ready to go.
 
shadymg said:
what is #ShaftUp?
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Awesome event. Usually involves getting flown somewhere cool where you meet Danny Le (ust mamiya employee) who really knows his stuff. He’ll fit you for some kind of gear (drivers, irons, fairway woods) and then you play golf.

Entries will be open next year sometime, probably early spring if I had to guess.
 
thanks guys! I should note i'm probably just going to be buying Irons, since my gf gifted me some new pings last year for 3-wood and driver. So most likely i'd want to replace my 4-9 irons, and then get a hybrid as well, since i've been using the same starter Wilson set for the past long while lol.

any tips on where to start as it pertains to researching clubs? I try to read as much on here and other forums as possible, but there's just sooooo many clubs/shafts to choose from, how on earth can you possibly narrow anything down? It's crazy intimidating....and overwhelming, especially when I'm so nervous about potentially spending $500-1000 on clubs, I would not want to either select wrong or overpay.
 
shadymg said:
thanks guys! I should note i'm probably just going to be buying Irons, since my gf gifted me some new pings last year for 3-wood and driver. So most likely i'd want to replace my 4-9 irons, and then get a hybrid as well, since i've been using the same starter Wilson set for the past long while lol.

any tips on where to start as it pertains to researching clubs? I try to read as much on here and other forums as possible, but there's just sooooo many clubs/shafts to choose from, how on earth can you possibly narrow anything down? It's crazy intimidating....and overwhelming, especially when I'm so nervous about potentially spending $500-1000 on clubs, I would not want to either select wrong or overpay.
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Since you are budget conscious, why not start there? Compile a list of irons in your budget and start researching there. From there, it's about what you want/need in an iron, then actually hitting them and seeing which performs. If you do the fitting, which shouldn't cost nearly $150 for irons, you should be able to find out what works for you there. I know Club Champion is having a sale with 50% off full bag fitting and 33% off all others thru January 2019, so if you have any of those by you, not a bad place to look and save some coin.
 
tpluff said:
Since you are budget conscious, why not start there? Compile a list of irons in your budget and start researching there. From there, it's about what you want/need in an iron, then actually hitting them and seeing which performs. If you do the fitting, which shouldn't cost nearly $150 for irons, you should be able to find out what works for you there. I know Club Champion is having a sale with 50% off full bag fitting and 33% off all others thru January 2019, so if you have any of those by you, not a bad place to look and save some coin.
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Thank you, great advice!!! Not to hijack my own thread, but will top of the line clubs that are $1200 be that much better/easier for me than say an $800 set? I'm currently around a 30 handicap, but obviously hoping these help me. Was leaning towards game improvement irons given what I've read about them and graphite shafts. Not sure if i should just post another thread asking for brand/model reco's? thank you everyone!!
 
shadymg said:
Thank you, great advice!!! Not to hijack my own thread, but will top of the line clubs that are $1200 be that much better/easier for me than say an $800 set? I'm currently around a 30 handicap, but obviously hoping these help me. Was leaning towards game improvement irons given what I've read about them and graphite shafts. Not sure if i should just post another thread asking for brand/model reco's? thank you everyone!!
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You just never know, a $500 set of last years irons could outperform a $1200 set coming out next year, for you. There are tons of reviews on the forum for iron sets (heck, we had an entire Ultimate Weekend dedicated to them) and if you are brand agnostic, you're going to have some fun. The Callaway Big Bertha irons that just came out were really good for people in past iterations. The Mizuno JPX 919 Hot Metals are getting rave reviews. Cobra just released the Cobra King F9 Speedbacks and they have progressive irons, which is a brilliant idea. There are simply too many good sets to list here at so many different levels, but it's all about fitting your needs and what performs for YOU.
 
This thread is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I’m looking to get new irons as I’m long overdue for an upgrade. The consensus is get the fitting and then put the clubs together yourself. I’ve seen some stuff posted where shops will fit you for exclusive shafts so be wary of that.
 
shadymg said:
Thank you, great advice!!! Not to hijack my own thread, but will top of the line clubs that are $1200 be that much better/easier for me than say an $800 set? I'm currently around a 30 handicap, but obviously hoping these help me. Was leaning towards game improvement irons given what I've read about them and graphite shafts. Not sure if i should just post another thread asking for brand/model reco's? thank you everyone!!
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How long is a piece of rope?


Hard question to answer. For a high handicap player, like myself, I say forgiveness is #1. But which clubs? I’ve played well with old clubs, new clubs, used clubs... I recommend getting somewhere you can see some clubs in person and if you can swing them that’s better. Try everything you can, and figure out what you like and go from there.

A couple of recommendations off hand for looking at:

Cobra F7/F8/f9 OL irons.
Callaway rogue, rogue X irons.
If you’re righty give a look at the Tour Edge Clubs from last year. Full iron sets weren’t hugely expensive and they were on some fitting carts.
 
GreekGodX said:
This thread is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I’m looking to get new irons as I’m long overdue for an upgrade. The consensus is get the fitting and then put the clubs together yourself. I’ve seen some stuff posted where shops will fit you for exclusive shafts so be wary of that.
Click to expand...

Haha, does that mean you are giving me the irons you won? I kid I kid
 
JB said:
Haha, does that mean you are giving me the irons you won? I kid I kid
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If you're talking about the Hogan irons, that was the other Greek on this site haha.
 
BuckNasty said:
If you're talking about the Hogan irons, that was the other Greek on this site haha.
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Oh goodness you are right, I saw Greek and thought it was him. Different THPer.
I met GreekGodX at a THP Event a few years back, nice guy and hope he finds his new set.
 
shadymg said:
hello awesome golfers! So i feel like my swing has finally stopped changing (thanks to a wonderful coach), and he was pretty adamant (as was my gf) that getting fitted clubs is extremely worthwhile.

So with that in mind, my question is how does the whole fitting process work? I understand that many places will charge around $150 but typically waive those if you buy the clubs from them.

I live in california, sales tax over 10%, so i typically HATE spending large dollars in-state. So is it possible to do the fitting with a place and pay the $150, get all of the measurements/lengths/lofts, and then go online and source/build a set for myself? any advantages/disadvantages to this?

Also, are all fittings the same? If i go to ABC guy or XYZ guy who use the proper equipment, then the measurements will all be the same?
Click to expand...

Your instructor should be able to give you guidance regarding equipment purchases.
 
DG_1234 said:
Your instructor should be able to give you guidance regarding equipment purchases.
Click to expand...

He recommended Callaway and Taylormade. But i'm not sure how up to date on equipment he is. He's an amazing coach, was my gf's high school coach. We talk lots of time about swings, but not much about newest model of gear and stuff.
 
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