Finally. For the first time since I received my new custom-fit clubs, I actually got out and played a round of 18! So now the new clubs have 27 holes, plus some range time, logged on them. I still don’t think it’s quite enough, but I’m going to try to make a fair judgement as to the added value of a custom fitting. You asked for it, so here it is.
Firstly, in fairness to my clubs, I stink at golf. I understand there are many golfers who are worse-off then me, but I’m still pretty freakin’ bad. No club is going to make a real significant impact on my game. Stinky Golfer Greg has pointed out previously that the way to get better at golf is to play…constantly. Well, I don’t have that kind of time. So I play as often as I can, which is not nearly as much as I would like, and nowhere near enough to show any real improvement. The point I’m trying to make here is, I don’t get to use the clubs as much as I should.
That being said, let’s move along to the clubs themselves. Obviously being custom-fit, the clubs are tailored around my swing. So one would have to imagine there would be immediate benefits to having a club built to strike the ball where it should be struck and hit the ground where it should be hit…And one would be correct. Thing is though, I didn’t realize how much it would affect the result of the swing. Due to the new found distance these clubs seem to provide, it looks like I’m going to need a bit more range time. After overshooting a couple of greens which I had no business overshooting, along with reaching a few traps I had no business reaching…this became quite clear.
So I need to work on my distances. But what about accuracy? Well, that’s another thing I’m going to need to get used to. I’ve spent the past twelve or so years with a swing that, I didn’t realize at the time, was compensating for my clubs. But now that the clubs are in order…my swing isn’t. I can feel when I hit the ball correctly. And when I do, the shots are great. However, right now, those don’t come as often as I would like. But once I get used to the clubs and stop swinging like it was my cheap, old, off-the-shelf set, I think I’ll be fine. But in the meantime…it looks like I’ll be spending a little while at the range working on that also.
In the end, I can tell the idea and the process of custom-fitting will be time and money well spent. Obviously I have some work to do and adjustments to make. But I know once I work out the kinks and get used to them, the new clubs will make a noticeable difference in my game – even though this past weekend produced one of the worst golf scores I have posted in my life, there were upsides and, even better…legitimate excuses!
So if you’re in the market for new clubs, I definitely recommend the custom-fitting process. I already can’t wait until next year when I can spend an entire golf season with the new sticks! If you’ve never done it before, but you’re going to spend the money on a new set, then you might as well spend the extra time (and cash if necessary) to make sure the clubs you’re getting will be of some benefit to you rather than just some shiny new showpieces. Just be prepared for the adjustments you’ll have to make.
Swing ’til you’re happy!
So, its five years later. How is your game and how do you feel about your custom fit clubs now?
Wow! Has it really been that long? Honestly Ron, I’m really not sure. While I like the feel of the clubs better than my store-bought, off-the-rack set….I don’t know that they improved my game. While I certainly feel like I play the game better, my scores don’t really reflect it. I think it really goes back to a very simple idea – if you want to play better golf, you need to practice and play constantly. I truly believe that any decent set of clubs will get the job done. But if you don’t practice and play a lot, it doesn’t matter what clubs you have. A good carpenter never blames his tools.
Thanks for checking in Ron!