Is Your Putter Fit Causing a Problem?

Several aspects of the proper fitting of a putter can be important such as length, Grip and swingweight to name a few. But ask your self this Putter fitting question...are you a "square-to-square" (square2) or an "inside-to-inside"(In-In) putter?" In a square2 stroke you try to keep the face square to the target both in the backstroke and forward stroke. With the In-In, the putter curves back and in toward your body during the backswing, returnes to square at impact and then turns back in during the follow-through.
Certain Putter Styles are more suited to one or the other. Ask your Club Pro or Custom Club fitter if your putter fits you stroke.

Swing Changes Could = Club fitting Needs

Many golfers work hard at improving their swing dynamics. When swing changes are made it can make the fitting set up of current clubs out of sync. Example, I recently observed a golfer go through a swing change to get the weight shift and use of the power of the lower body into the swing.
This resulted in a better swing but a lower body position at contact from getting the lower body into the swing. This resulted into a number of fat or heavy hits and chunked shots. In this case, perhaps adding a bit more bounce to the Irons or slighly shorter club length might be justified,

Is Your Driver Loft Too Strong?

Maybe it's ego or just lack of good fitting advice but a number of golfers are playing with a Driver that has too strong a loft. They could benefit significantly from a bit more loft in the Driver.

If you have a swing speed with you driver of less than 90 mph, and your current Driver is 10.5 degrees or less, test out a Driver with between 11 - 12 degrees of loft. The slower the swing-speed the more loft will help you carry the shot for greater distance. Driver swing-speeds under 80 mph should try a 12 degree loft.

Hybrid Club Fitting

The Hybrid Woods & Irons have made a huge increase in popularity among Pro's and everyday golfers alike. Which Hybrids should a golfer select? Let's talk about Hybrid Woods because Hybrid Irons replace their corresponding Iron club.

Pick the first long iron you are inconsistent with and start there. Suppose you hit your 6 Iron OK but start being inconsistent with your 5 Iron. The lofts of various Hybrid Woods can differ by 1 or 2 degrees but basically if you want to replace your 5 Iron, start with a 27 degree Hybrid. A 4 Iron would be about a 22 - 24 degree Hybrid, etc.

Putter Fitting - Lie Angle

Among the Putter fitting characteristics most over-looked is the "lie angle". Many times I will look at Player at putt set-up and see the toe off the ground or the heel off the ground. Both are not good and can cause the toe or heel to hit the ground first and deflect the putter left or right.

Here is a simple way to check your Putter Lie-angle. Set up as if you were ready to put. Have a friend slide a 3 x5 card under the toe and heel until they just touch the putter sole. If they are not equal distance from the center of the putter you have a bad Lie and need to get the Putter adjusted.

Fitting Putter Grips

Today's putter grips come in all sizes, shapes and configurations. You see very Big oversized Putters in may options available today. What is right for you?

The key is your Stroke, Feel and Release. Try out some different sizes. Close your eyes and see which "feels' natural. Watch to see how freely your release is with small, medium and large grips, See how natural and free your release of the Putter is toward the target line. It can really help.

Putter Fitting for Length

A key aspect of proper Putter fitting is the length of the Putter. Length is important for proper feel and stance. There is another aspect that is very important...Stroke execution.

If your Putter is too short or too long the stroke back and through the ball is not natural. When you have the proper length, you have a natural fluid stroke. Too short or long and you have to contrive a stroke that is not free and can restrict your stroke.

Fitting Wedges - Check the Bounce

The bounce is the amount of sole angle. On Wedges, more bounce equals Less Dig into the ground or sand. Less bounce...you get more Dig into the ground or Sand. The amount of "bounce" on your wedges is important to Fit correctly to your game and course conditions.



Equally important to Shot making for better golfers is the amount of Bounce when you lay the club face Open as in a flop shot. Most Wedges that you lay open to get more loft on a shot end up with more bounce when open. Consider a Wedge with "zero bounce" when layed open. A Zero-golf Wedge will not increase Loft when opened.

Buy the Right GOlf Ball for Your Game

With the large number and variety of golf balls today, don't just by the most popular brand without checking into it more. Most golfers don't need the most expensive golf balls to achive good results. I read an article last year that said something to the affect that if you aren't a single digit handicapper, don't spend more than $15.oo per dozen for golf balls.

While the manufactuers advertise a lot of hype about their particular golf ball, thre is valuable information on the Box and on-line. Check it out compared to you needs before you pay a bunch for golf balls.

Custom Fitting for Golf Grips...Don't Overlook

I have posted Blogs about Grips several times...I believe it is very important. Most golfers do not have a "custome fitted Grip" on their clubs. Big mistake. The grip gives you Control, Feel and Feedback from your shot.
There are a number of Grips sizes available from Men's & Women's Standard, undersized, mid-size and over-sze grips. In addition, a custome club fitter can actually measure and custom fit the Grips to you by adding grip wrap tape to build the grip size up to your specifications before installing the Grip itself. With the golf season starting in many locals, start the season out right by getting custome grips.

Fitting Clubs with Launch Monitor

In a recent article on I-News web-site, March 4, 2010 about launch monitor fitting, the article said..."what a golfer needs more than anything else is the right golf clubs with the right specifications." I could not agree more.

If you have an opportunity to be fitted using a golf Launch Monitor, it is very helpful.. Some golf stores, PGA instructors and local Club Fitters may have a launch monitor measiring device. You can get some valuable specifications for yourself. One important fitting recommendation from launch monitors will be the "Loft" for your clubs particularly your Driver.

Club Fitting Plus Fitness

If you follow this Blog, you know how much importance is placed on choosing the right golf clubs by proper club fitting. Just as important is your Golf Fitness.


All during golf season, but particularly in those climates that have shorter seasons due to Winter weather, paying close attention to "fitness" is very important. I learned a number of years ago at a PGA golf training school about how important fitness is to playing and enjoying golf.

There are any number of good books on golf fitness and stretching exercises. You can also ask a personal traner at the Fitness centers.

Whatever your age and physical condition, efforts and consistency in staying fit and completing regular stretching exercises for you ability will really help your golf.

Consider Steel Shafts for Your Irons

As the Graphite shafts of various materials have developed and become very popular, I get a lot of questions around "should I use Steel or Graphite" shafts in my Irons?" It is an important question.

If you are a senior golfer, a Lady golfer with a higher handicap or a golfer looking for more distance in your Irons, then Graphite is a shaft material to consider. However, if accuracy and control are the objectives, then consider the following.

Manufacturers today have made big improvements in making steel shafts with special alloys much lighter. You can get quality Steel shafts under 90 grams which is nearer many graphite shafts for Irons. With lighter steel you can gain the distance affect of lighter graphite shafts without giving up the control offered by Steel shafts.

Shaft Fitting - Find the Right Bend Point

A number of factors affect how a shaft performs and can help in fitting the right shaft for your game. Perhaps the easiest to understand is "Shaft Bend Point". When a shaft is placed in a Bend Point measuring tool with a specific standard weight on the club head end of the club, a measurement of Bend Point can be made.

For most golfers, you can simply think of three Bend points; High, Medium and Low. A "High" bend point generally indicates a stiffer shaft and will hit the ball lower. A "Mid-bend point" shaft will hit the ball in a Medium high trajectory while a "Low" bend point will hit the ball Higher and the shaft is more flexible.

If you want to change the trajectory or flight of your shots, check the current bend point and then move higher or lower to match the change needed.

Choosing The Right Golf Clubs

In a recent article on line in Golf Swing Managazine, about picking golf clubs in the article... A Guide To Choosing Golf Clubs the info indicated the following.
"Whether you are new to the game or a seasoned pro, buying clubs can be a minefield." "Therefor, to gather an effective set of golf clubs, you must primarily acquire an essential knowledge about the different types and specialties of each type club."
We couldn't agree more and that is why we created a program specifically to provide each golfe r
with the knowldege www.choosinggolfclubs.com

When Beginners Should Have Golf Clubs fitted

If you are just starting the wonderful game of golf, it might be very wise not to rush out and purchase a set of golf clubs without some experience. I would first recommend you seek out a local teaching professional or Golf Clinic for beginners. Borrow or rent gold clubs or ask the Pro for a starter set. Get your swing developed, plan and practice a bit and then think about your first set of fitted clubs.

Ask your teaching Pro or find a local custom club fitter to set up your first set of personalized golf clubs to your unique swing and level of skill. Play first...Pay later!

Begginers Need Custom Club Fitting Too!

In a recenty article on Golf On Line titled Versatility and ball control offered with Nike golf irons, the article described how Nike clubs used by Tiger Woods ...."among the clubs in his golf bag that were pivotal to his performance were the Nike Victory Red Forged TW Blade golf irons" and how"other pros like Nike CCi Forged golf irons."

The point is the beginner needs clubs fitted to their unique needs. Assuming that buying a specific brand of clubs, partuclarly "Forged" irons from any quality manufacterer (and Nike is a high quality manufacturer) is right for beginners is just not true.

Get properly fit clubs. That is what every beginner needs first.

Mikelson Being Mikelson

In the San Diego Union Tribune web-page, an article was published on "What is Mickelson Thinking" The article described the recent controversy surrounding Phil's decision to "use his old square-grooved Ping Wedge at Torrie Pines." While this may be "Phil being Phil", it points out an important golfing issue.
Don't lose focyus by getting caught up in a distraction. Phil's inconsistent play certainly did not benefit from his precious and politically volatile square-grooved wedge and 1980's rules loop hole. He took on a cause and lost his way on the golf course.

Beware of Manufacturer Club "Hype"

2009 saw golf equipment sales down for most name brands. The 2010 golf year will see golf club manufacturers promoting heavy Ads and streched promises of how their clubs will improve your game.

Game improvement, as most golfers really understand, is the culmination of three indisputable factors...Skill, Practice & Club Fit. There are a number of quality name brand and original equipment golf clubs available. The bottom line is to select clubs that are Fit for your unique needs. Don't believe anything that over promises and likely under delivers.

Fit Your Clubs in Three Parts

In a recent article on the web-site DIDIM, titled Choosing Golf Clubs there was a reference to thinking of a golf club as having 3 parts..."a Head, Shaft and Grip." This is a good basic way to look at it. These are the Key Club components.
Each has a unique set of fitting parameters and all shoud be custom fit to each golfers unique needs. When the three parts are fit correctly and integrated into your set of golf clubs correctly, you will have a much higher performing set of Clubs.

Game Improvement Plan - Is It Fit For You?

Great time to sit down and list the areas of your game that you would like to improve for the 2010 golf season. Think about 1 or 2 areas where improvement would make a difference. Has putting been a problem...do you average 2 Putts or less per Hole. If not think about why? Did you hit at least 50 - 75% of the fairways from the Tee box? Is this a skill issue or is your Driver not Fit properly to help you?
What about those long Iron shots...should you add Hybrids to your clubs and replace the hard to hit long Irons? Are your Wedges calibrated with no distance Gaps in between? Maybe you need a Gap Wedge or need to check the lofts of the Wedges.
Whatever it is...write it down and build a Plan. The ultimate Golf Insanity is expecting things to change but not changing the things!

Are Your Clubs fit for the new Season?

It's a good time to check you golf equipment for a new year of golfing enjoyment. First, cehck the grips. Are they warn and the right size? Next check the Iron grooves. Do they need cleaning? What about your golf Shoes...need new spikes? If your Woods had adjustable weights..do you need to alter the set up or tighten the weight screws?

Check you golf Bag...clean it out (probably find a couple of dollars in change!). sit down with a 3 x 5 card and right down you game improvement goals, Get a head start!

Too Short Too Long Is All Wrong

Improper golf club length is very common. Many golfers buy their clubs "off-the-rack" or pay little attention to getting clubs with the proper length. It is not just that a set of clubs that are too long can result in hitting the ground too soon before the ball or that a club that is too short may cause thin shots or loss of distance. It is what improper length does to your swing fundamentals.
You have to adjust your swing to counter the results of the wrong club length. This can cause you to be too upright in your stance or two bent over. You swing plane gets to upright and vertical or too flat and horizontal. You lose control, distance or proper hip turn. Your swing just isn't natural. Get you club length checked on your entire set.

Driver Distance Can Kill Your Game

The efforts most golfers make to find clubs that will hit the ball farther are totally misguided for the majority of amateurs. We all would love to have more Driver distance...IF we could be assured of hitting the Fairway.

Hey, you want more Driver distance? Get a Driver with lower loft, lengthen it to 48 inches or more and get a $300 super light shaft! Now you will be set up to hit the ball farther into the rough or farther out of bounds!!! You need to have a Driver custom fitted to your unique needs with one goal. Hit the Driver into the fairway. You can get very adequate distance by getting the Driver set up so you hit it in the middle of the club face most of the time.

For most of us, hitting a lot of fairways will reduce scores better than long shots out of the fairway.

Fitting Clubs To Your Goals

As all golfers move into the new year, it is a good time to set some goals for game improvement linked to proper clubs. You may know by now my motto....you deserve golf clubs that fit your unique skills and abilities.
Pick out the top three problem resulting from various golf shots you are experiencing. Start with the top issue and make that a goal you will deal with first. Suppose it is hitting a lot of Iron shots Fat...digging in too much.
In this example, check your Irons for how much "bounce angle" the Irons have and how thin the leading edge of the Irons is set up. Both of these can cause the club to dig in if the bounce is too low and the leading edge to thin/sharp.

Custom Fit Flexibility for Your Golf

It has become very clear as I get older that you loose a lot of flexibility. Even younger golfers may lack flexibility. Just like I promote custom fitting your golf clubs, I believe we need to custom fit our bodies flexibility for golf.

Key areas for sure are you Hips, Shoulder turn, hamstrings, legs and shoulders. Injuries, pulled muscles and sore backs can be helped by gradually increasing your flexibility through stretching exercises, Yoga and working out. I suggest asking the trainer at your Gym or going on line and searching "stretching exercises", "flexibility techniques" or "Yoga" (yoga for golf). find some drills or stretches that work for you, go easy at first and consult your physician if you have injuries or medical issues.

Fitting The Golf Ball To Putting Stroke

This may sound like an unusual title but there is a school of thought regarding putting that recently caught my attention. We have all heard the term "paralysis by analysis". Basically, some of us may become too technical particularly when putting. I think I may fall into that category. My approach is pretty disciplined for putting, find the line, pick a spot or "arc" in the case of a big breaking putt, take 3 practice strokes at set up, point the line on the ball at the spot or top of the arc line. It works prettey well for me but maybe there is "less" to it?

For many people, approaching putting from a "feel" point of view may be better. Try this out. Get your line, take your practice strokes for distance feel from behind the ball not at set up. Remove the putting alignment mark most of us draw on the golf ball (so you don't get too technical at set up). Set up and aim at your spot, relax and stroke the Putt.

Fitting Questions To Consider Before You Buy Clubs

Before you run out an buy a new set of clubs, you need to consider each of the following:

• Have you made a list of the 2 -3 swing problems you would like help to improve with the proper clubs?


• What is your "swing-speed" with a Driver & 5 Iron?


• Where do you "Release" the golf club during the downswing, when the natural 90 degree angle between the left arm (right handers) and the club start to release? If you release early, mid-way down or late in the down-swing.

If you don't know these three things at a minimum, you really are not ready to layout your hard earned dollars.