COMMUNITY: Why fitting matters Golf tip from Steve Charters

Sometimes when talking to customers about getting their next set of irons, driver, wedges or putter fitted I hear a common phrase over and over - 'it's not the arrows, it's the Indian.”

The truth is it's both.

While lessons and practice can help one develop a consistent swing, if the clubs are not matched to height, body type, swing type, club head speed, etc., it will prove difficult to be consistent. Equipment that doesn't fit the player can result in the player attempting to consistently make compensations in their swing, set up or stroke.

For example, if your irons sit too upright for your set up, you'll consistently hit the ball left of your target, which will mean trying to make compensations in your pre-swing set up to make the clubs work. You are taking a good set up and compromising it for the equipment.

A typical fitting will fit for shaft length, flex, grip size and lie angle. In the woods different lofts, shafts and face settings may be employed to get that ideal launch angle. Many companies have different types of heads for their woods and irons, so part of the fitting also should take into account which head, with the combination of the other factors, gives you the straightest most consistent ball flight and performance.

You can be fit through the bag from your woods, irons, wedges and putter. Yes, even putters are designed to fit certain types of strokes better than others, so find out what type of stroke you have and the mystery of what different models of putters you should be trying can be narrowed down.

Fittings don't have to take all day - 30-45 minutes will take care of most people. So the next time you're thinking of getting that set off the rack, remember, for the same price, the Indian inside you will benefit with some custom arrows.

- Steve Charters