Equipment: Does the dress make the woman or does the woman make the dress? It’s obvious—just
ask Valentino! All kidding aside…Players should evolve into their equipment, and at all times, the
player and their equipment are a team. Great talent will shine brighter with great equipment, but
substandard equipment would never hide great talent. That is why players should be fit for golf
equipment at the correct time.
The key to equipment is to have appropriate, fitted golf clubs at whatever playing stage the student
is currently at. Also, the equipment should be commensurate in price to the level of dedication they
are applying to the game. Here is an example of the four stages of golfers:
Beginner (25+ HCP): This would be the entry-level golfers. Players would just be exposed to the
game. These players can purchase a prepackaged set for as little as $500, which would include 11
clubs and a golf bag. Students could purchase balls, tees, and gloves and start playing. Sets like the
one being described are made by the major manufacturers. The quality is good, the price is excellent,
and the player can now begin the learning journey with clubs that will meet their needs from a cost
and quality perspective. This is a much safer route than accepting the 10-year-old garage-kept hand-
me-downs from your brother-in-law. The cobwebs are still on the bag (complimentary, of course), the
shafts are pitted from moisture, and the grips are cracking from dry rot. Spend the $500! Hint for the
men who are “trying” to get their fiancée into the game: PS: throw in a series of 3 lessons.
Intermediate Players (15-24 HCP): This player has most likely purchased a set of clubs off the rack
but not fitted by a trained PGA Professional. Depending on how many years this player has been
playing, as well as the frequency this player plays during the year, the equipment needs for this player
can vary. If this player has been playing for a lifetime and they are playing multiple times a week, then
this player should have every club in their bag professionally fit. They owe it to themselves to have
the best equipment they can afford, and that can only come with a professional fit. This process should
take approximately one hour. The trained professional will fit the clubs both dynamically and statically,
or in swing and by linear measurement. They will also watch ball flight, club and ball speed, loft, lie
angle, club length, grip, shaft, and set composition, to name the major components of a club fit.
Having your clubs fit is exactly like going to the tailor for your dress or suit. It makes all the difference
because it considers the specifics! This is the level at which players should start to take advantage of
the services offered to them when purchasing a set of golf clubs. It is the norm to get fit when you
buy clubs, so do it. It’s worth the edification at the very least. There are still many intermediate players
that will purchase online and on price alone. I understand being price conscious and respect that,
especially if you are only playing a few times a year. Here are a few suggestions for the cost:
- Getting fit for golf equipment is a value-added proposition, not an extra cost. The retailer will
charge you a nominal fee for the fitting if you purchase your equipment at the facility where
you are fit. - If the cost seems to be too good, it probably is too good to be true.
- Cheap can be expensive in the long run.
- Retailers live on reputation, so if the product fails, you will be able to take it back to the retailer,
and they will guarantee the product. - Correctly fit equipment will allow your talent to shine the brightest.
Above Average Player (6-14 HCP) and Expert Player (5-lower HCP): At this level, the question
isn’t if you have been fit, how many times have you been fit? Also, fittings at this level should not be
only when you purchase a new set of clubs; it should be each season. The reason for this is
multifaceted. First, equipment for most manufacturers is on a two-year cycle. Technology changes,
and in order to be on the cutting edge, serious players should be interested in trying the newest items.
This doesn’t mean the player has to change; it just means that they are seeking the newest information
and staying current on the technology to see if it is beneficial to their game. This is a smart player's
approach to equipment. Try and evaluate, try and evaluate until you can feel that subtle but positive
influence. This is not to suggest yearly equipment change. NOT AT ALL! The worst is an equipment
junkie trying to find talent in technology rather than practice work ethic. Take caution, be smart, and
evaluate technology—that is the message. Senior players at this level need to be very much in touch
with the benefits of technology. These players usually struggle with distance and trajectory in the long
game. It is extremely important for these players to constantly review the characteristics of the shafts
they are using as well as the ball. Fitting the shafts on the trackman and matching the ball so that
launch angle and ball spin rates are at optimal performance levels for all clubs is key. This will allow
the senior to keep playing with a consistent rhythm and tempo true to their inner golf game. When
players, especially senior players, start working too hard to create distance, it's time to review
equipment first. The gym is the next consideration.
Final Equipment Considerations and Information: The average player changes their iron set every
5-7 years. The most turnover in clubs are wedges, drivers, and putters (that order changes depending
on what retail market information is used). The lifespan of a driver is 2-3 years, with wedges being
slightly lower and putters slightly higher. When a player is fit for clubs, an important consideration for
both fitter and player to discuss is the longevity of the clubs. How long do you intend to keep this
equipment for? Fitting is science and personality comprehension. Fitting also is a fixed moment in
time; this is why it is important to fit the person. For example, if the PGA professional is fitting a 60+
year expert player that uses steel stiff shafts in the iron set, and the player only changes equipment
every 5 years, there needs to be a conversation about regular graphite or soft flex shafts sometime in
this fitting. A proper fitting always considers the lifecycle of the player's equipment. All players should
be fit for their equipment once they have committed to the game and are in the intermediate phase
of golf learning.