T-Time Podcast // Ep. 17: All the Club Fitting Questions Answered with #TeamTitleist

Today on the show, Tori is joined by representatives from Titleist to answer questions about getting fitted for golf clubs. Bobby Flood, the Titleist's club fitting program manager, and Kayla, a fitting specialist, share their expertise. Kayla shares her experience teaching golfers who struggled with ill-fitted clubs and how Titleist fittings made a world of difference in their game. She emphasizes the importance of proper club fitting for golfers to improve and enjoy the game.

Club Fitting

Four fundamental questions come up every time concerning club fitting:

1.   Who should consider getting fitted?

Golfers who play regularly and want to improve their game should consider getting fitted. It is especially important for golfers who work on their game and want to ensure they are not being held back by poorly fitted equipment.

2.   How would old clubs affect your game?

While it's okay to use hand-me-down clubs initially to establish your fundamentals, old clubs can eventually hinder your game. When you start fine-tuning your fundamentals, it's time to consider getting fitted for clubs that will make the game easier.

3.   What can you get fitted for?

You can get fit for anything other than putters. When you go for a fitting, you can choose what category you want fit for, and the fitter will prioritize what to focus on based on your goals and swing characteristics. The fitting typically takes about 45 minutes per category.

4.   What expectations should one have going in cost-wise?

Expect to pay a fitting fee of $100, which goes towards any purchase you make through the fitting. The fee is non-refundable, but getting an expert quality fitting from someone who cares about improving your game is worth it.

Should Golfers Spend Money on Improving their Game instead of Buying Clubs?

Golfers who can consistently make contact and have some consistency in their swing can benefit from getting fitted for equipment to improve their game. However, those still struggling with making contact or getting the ball in the air may benefit more from lessons with a teacher who understands how proper club selection can help them. Golfers tend to beat themselves up too much and should remember that it's supposed to be a fun game. They are often more consistent than they give themselves credit for, and their equipment can help them improve their game.

The Process of Club Fitting

At Titleist, club fitting is a personalized and interactive process that begins with a conversation between the fitter and the golfer. The fitter brings a wide range of products, including options for left-handed golfers, to ensure that the golfer has access to all available options. The fitter strives to make the golfer a part of the process and understand their needs, wants, and expectations. This conversation allows the fitter to build rapport with the golfer and make them feel comfortable before they begin the process. The fitter also asks the golfer to bring their current clubs to understand their golf game and needs better. The goal of the fitter is to eliminate variables and allow the golfer to play freely and confidently with the right equipment.

3Ds in Club Fitting

Club fitting in golf is a crucial process that involves finding the right set of clubs to suit a player's specific needs. One important aspect of club fitting is the 3Ds, which are distance, dispersion, and descent angle. These three factors are particularly important in iron fitting, as golfers want clubs that can perform different tasks and not just repeat the same functions. While distance is critical, it is not enough on its own. A tight dispersion (i.e., the degree to which shots deviate from a straight line) and a good angle of descent are also essential. At Titleist, they emphasize these three factors during the fitting process, as they all need to be present to ensure that golfers are equipped with the best possible clubs for their game.

Club Fitting Jargon

When receiving a golf lesson or playing a match, specific terms and jargon may be used that can be confusing, especially when nerves come into play. It's important to take note of these and try to relate them to what a specialist has said about a specific club and how it can help with certain aspects of the game. It's important to find a balance between not talking down to someone while also not assuming that they understand everything being said. This is where open dialogue and a good rapport between the fitter and golfer come in, creating a comfortable environment where the golfer can ask questions if they need clarification.

Things Measured to Concentrate on while Fitting Someone

When fitting someone with irons, the three D's (distance, dispersion, and descent angle) are important, with the descent angle being especially crucial to ensure the ball lands and holds on the greens. With drivers, the fitter pays attention to the attack angle, which is hitting up on the driver to get the desired launch and spin rate for optimal ball flight. The fitter will share this information with the customer if they are interested in technical details but won't overwhelm them if they prefer not to know. Fittings provide an opportunity to bridge the gap between technical knowledge and lessons, helping customers achieve a more consistent ball flight and easier game.

How can one get Fitted with Titleist?

Getting fitted with Titleist is relatively easy in a major metro area as many of their fitters are located there. However, they have fitters all over the place, and you can use the geo-located area on https://www.titleist.com/ to find a fitting near you. If they're not in your area, you can still request a fitting on the website, and someone from Titleist will get in touch with you to coordinate with a local fitter or a partner location that has Titleist fitting tools and has been trained to use them.

We Go Farther Titleist series

The We Go Farther series from Titleist is a four-part story about how they got back into the driver game. The Titleist Speed Project was the initiative that reinvigorated their metal woods, and they are now the most played on the market. Kayla, who fits Titleist clubs, can attest to how they help golfers daily. It's been an amazing journey, and everyone at Titleist is proud to be a part of it. They love talking to people about Titleist and sharing their amazing tools to help them play better golf. The goal is to provide life-changing experiences for golfers during the moment of truth when they get paired with one of their fitters.