Putters - Fitting For Loft

Many of my custom club fitting customers don't realize that putters actually are lofter. The usual putter loft is in the 3 - 4 degree range. The pupose of putter loft is to get the ball rolling right as it is struck. A "rolling" putt, end-over-end at the target will hold th line much better.Most golfers I fit for putters actually set up and stroke the Putt wih hands forward and maintain this hands forward during the putting stroke.
A "hands-forward" stroke de-lofts the putter, reducing the natural roll inducing effect of loft. If you are a hands forward putter, consider adding 1 - 2 degrees of loft to your putter (usually by shaft bending). the added loft will get the Putt rolling. and will off-set the hands forward effects.

Club Weight - Fitting for Your Game

Total Club weight is an often overlooked factor in club fitting. There are competing advantages/disadvanatges to lowering over-all club weight. A Club that is too light. resulting in a lower Swing-weight, is hard to control because you lose "feel" for just where the club head is during the swing.

A club that is too heavey can create fatigue and and some difficulty is squaring the face at impact. That said, most seniors, most women golfers and all golfers who have slower swing speeds can benefit from lighter clubs because you will most often gain swing speed with a lighter club.

Since most club heads are weighted to a fairily narrow standard, a lighter total club weight is achieved by re-fitting your clubs with lighter shafts and lighter grips. Today's Ultra-light shafts, now under 60 grams, and a variety of lighter grips make it pretty easy to lower total club weight.

Fitting The 3-Wood

Most golfers have somewhat of a love affair withthe 3 Wood. I very seldom find a custom club customer whose current set did not have a 3-Wood. My observation is that in most cases the 3-Wood is used much less than you might think.


A 3-Wood fitted to each golfer's unique specifications can be the valuable tool we think/wish it could be. First, figure out how you will use it the most. If it is often a replacement for your Drive (because you hit it straighter), consider adding about 1 inch in length. If you your 3-Wood is intended more for shots off the fairway consider a head with a weight port in the back of the head. Add more weight in this port to increase ball trajectory (higher) and easier to get airborn.

Hybrid FItting

I am really high on the value and playability of Hybrids. When fitting the Hybrid-Wood (versus the shorter Hybrid type Irons) you need to know whether the "Fairway" Woods are a better choice. Both the Hybrid-Wood and the Fairway Wood are intended for the same longer fairway shots. So...which may be best for you?

While some people like the look of one or the other at address, the real fitting difference appears to be "swing plane". If your swing plane is Flat, the shorter length of a Hybrid compared to the corresponding Fairway Wood is a better choice. If your swing plane is more upright, the longer Fairway Wood may be better.

Another factor is consistency of direction. If you need help hitting the ball straighter, the shorter Hybrid may help. Another fitting technique for hitting it straighter is to use the longer Fairway wood but have it shortened just a bit.

Fitting Clubs - End Of Season

For many in the USA and other parts of the world in the northern climates, the golf season is winding down. This is a good time to evaluate your clubs, game and game improvement needs. Take stock of how your game is working and make a list of areas where your skill or Clubs may need some work.

I recommend you break it down as follows. Set up three columns on a sheet of paper; Game Areas, Skill Issues & Club Issues. Under the "Game Areas" heading, list the following; Putting, Chipping, Pitch Shots, Middle Irons, Long Irons, Hybrids, Fairway Woods & Driver.

For each list and Skills you need to work on and any golf Club problems where a club just isn't working. Start with this list to develop your improvement plan going forward.

Fitting Hybrids

The Hybrid golf club is a very important addition to almost all golfers set of clubs. There are basically two types; Hybrid Irons and Hybrid Woods. Which type is right for you is based on several consideration.

If you have trouble hitting most if not all your Irons, selected Hybrid Irons or a transitional set of Irons, moving form more traditional irons in the short Irons to more Hybrid Irons in the middle and long irons. Hybrid Irons are made the same length as the regular Iron it replaces. Because they are shorter than Hybrid Woods, they provide more control.

Hybrid Woods should be fit as you would your Fairway Woods.

Fitting the Irons - Sizing

Getting the proper length for your set of Irons is a key to consistent ball striking. There are various tables and references available that provide a good starting point. But before you make changes or buy that next set of clubs, think about doing this first.

You can get some "face labels" (on-line or at a Golf store). These are stick on labels that you place on the face of each iron and then hit 4 - 5 balls at the range. When you hit the ball it leaves an impression/mark on the label. You will see immediately if you are striking the ball on center. If not...check the length.

Fitting Loft & Swing Speed

One factor of importance to may golfers and many senior golfers is the affect of "Loft" on distance. Swingspeed is the speed in miles-per-hour through the "hitting zone" at point of contact with the ball. The higher the swingspeed the farther the ball goes.

This works for those golfers that have swingspeeds in the 100 mph and over levels. They need and can benefit by lower lofted clubs particularly in the Driver. With higher swingspeeds the energy transferred to the ball, called "ball speed", can propel the ball to roll farther when it hits the ground. At slower swingspeeds, there is not enough energy transferred to the ball, with lower lofted Drivers, to get much roll once the ball hits the ground and encounters resistence.

With slower club swing speeds, in the area of less than 90 mph, greater loft that carries the ball farther in the air before it first hits the ground, will result in greater over-all distance. Don't hesitate to test Drivers with 11, 12 or more degrees of Loft.