Many high-handicap golfers believe that a custom fitting for golf clubs would only benefit golfers of a higher skill level. But in reality, it is actually high-handicap golfers that could see some of the biggest gains by going through the process.
The PGA TOUR Superstore offers both in-depth studio fittings as well as its popular Fit and Go service to help golfers across the US get more out of their game. Below we’ve listed the top ten reasons as to why a high-handicapper golfer should consider going and getting fitted before they purchase their next set of clubs.
1. Added Distance
One of the things a higher handicap often seeks is more distance, particularly from the tee, and a well-fitted driver is an absolute must for anyone with this goal in mind. While purchasing a new driver is certainly a sizeable investment, the rewards of newer technology through slicker aerodynamics, faster clubfaces and added forgiveness are a sure-fire way of seeing club and ball speeds go up as well as carry distance.
2. Improved accuracy
Wayward tee shots and approach shots can lead to double-bogeys or lost balls, so improving accuracy on all shots will make a drastic difference to your scores. A lot of higher handicap golfers suffer from a dreaded slice but are unaware that there are drivers out there designed to counteract this common miss through clever internal weight positioning. Most of the best golf drivers also feature an adjustable hosel, which allows the face to be opened or closed depending on the shot shape you desire.
3. Sharper Short Game
While drivers and irons are by far the most common areas of the bag to get fitted, properly fitted wedges can have a big impact on short game success. Getting fitted into wedges and gaining an understanding of what grind and bounce options best suit your technique when pitching and chipping can massively improve your consistency of strike around the green. A good fitter will also take into account what ground conditions you typically play on when selecting the design of wedges best suited for your bag.
4. Hole more putts than ever before
The most under-utilised club fitting for a high handicap golfer is, without doubt, the putter. Reducing the number of three putts you have is a great way of seeing scores tumble and having a properly fitted putter that considers head type and shape, neck configuration, lie angle, alignment systems and even grip will all have a big influence on a golfer's putting stroke and the ability to start the ball on line consistently. Blade putters will typically provide golfers with more feel while mallet putters will provide greater stability, making them the best putters for high handicaps. These are a few things to consider, but trusting what model a fitter puts you in will likely see your ability and confidence on the greens soar.
5. Optimised Shafts
Whether you’re a beginner or a higher handicapper looking to reduce your handicap, understanding what shaft flex and weight will suit you is crucial in creating a greater consistency of strike. A big misconception is that weight and flex should always be matched up together. For example, a lighter weight and softer flex, but that isn't always the case and only by going through a fitting in store will you discover which combination works best for your swing.
By having properly fitted shafts, your fitter will be able to match up the weight and flex to suit your swing speed and release patterns to help you not only find center contact more often but also achieve a ball flight that is in the correct window, maximizing distance and accuracy. Your local PGA TOUR Superstore is the ideal place to try and test different shaft options and the expert fitters will ensure you walk away with the right shafts for your game.
6. Getting The Most Out Of Your Investment
The price of a new set of golf clubs is a notable investment, no matter what brand or mix of clubs you’re looking at. If you’re a higher handicap golfer in the market for a new set of clubs, spending a little more on properly fitted clubs should accelerate your improvement early on. There is nothing worse that wanting a certain club or set of irons for a long time, purchasing them directly off the shelf and them not performing how you were hoping. Going through a fitting means you know your clubs are tailored to your game and should put your mind at ease.
7. Loft And Lie Adjustments
You would never go to the shops and buy clothing or footwear that you haven’t tried on or that is the wrong size, so why would you do the same with your golf clubs? We are all different heights, with different arm lengths, all swinging and delivering the club in different ways. Having the correct lie angle on your clubs is so important to make sure the clubface is pointing in the right direction at impact. A lie angle that is too upright will see the ball travel left off the clubface as a right-handed golfer and if the clubs are too flat, the ball will likely miss to the right. Having the right lofts can also make a huge difference as to the gapping and yardage each club travels as loft will affect ball speed, launch and spin rates.
8. Clarity On Your Set Makeup
When purchasing a new set of clubs, it can be a minefield understanding what your bag makeup should look like. How many wedges should you carry? How many woods should you have in the bag? These are questions a lot of higher handicap golfers may not have the answers to, but a fitter will. Historically, sets of irons have been sold from 4-iron through to pitching wedge, but in reality, most high-handicapper golfers would benefit from either a hybrid or high-lofted fairway wood replacing the 4-iron and arguably even the 5-iron. This will help with launch, distance, and accuracy when attacking a green from longer range. So have a conversation with a fitter to work out the best 14 clubs for your bag.
9. Faster Improvement
While the main aim of having a fitting will be to walk away with a tailor-made set of clubs built to your exact specifications, a good fitting from an expert can provide you with so much more insight into your game. Properly fitted clubs allow the feedback on misses to be so much more valuable and a good fitter should also be able to provide insights on your swing, explaining what specifications they’re building your clubs to and why. This can help down the line by communicating this to your PGA Professional and helping address these issues with technique.
10. Greater Enjoyment and Confidence
The goal of undergoing a club fitting is to give you the best chance of playing your best golf, with clubs that are built and designed for your specific swing. This should result in more consistent golf shots and better scores when our on the golf course, providing both greater enjoyment and confidence, which is something you can't put a price on.
If you're interested in getting custom fitted, be sure to visit your local PGA TOUR Superstore where its friendly staff will be able to go through the process with you and answer any questions you may have.
