Should Golfers Considering a Clubfitting Wait Until They Are 'Good Enough'?

For as long as there have been clubfitters, there have been golfers wondering: Do I have to be "good enough" to benefit from one? Is there any point in being fit for clubs if I'm just not very good yet? Should I delay getting that clubfitting until I reach my goal of a lower score?

Those are all different ways of asking the same question: Do clubfittings benefit all golfers, or just those "good enough" to get something out of it?

And the answer: Don't let the idea of "good enough" get in your way — if you want to lower your scores, regardless of whether you currently average 110, 95, 85 or 72 — get golf clubs properly fit to your body and your swing. There is never a bad time for a clubfitting: All golfers will benefit if a visit to a clubfitter shows that your current set is not best-suited to your swing type and body type.

Many clubfitters believe that a fitting benefits higher-handicap golfers more than it does lower-handicappers. Think about it: High-handicappers are likely to have swings that are, um, quirky. Therefore, we benefit from a set of eyes (and a set of gadgets) looking at that swing and making adjustments so that our equipment better fits that swing.

Still, a lot of higher-handicap golfers think, well, maybe I need to get my handicap down from 25 to 15 before a clubfitting is any value, or my average score from 100 to 90.

Others higher-scorers think, "If I get a clubfitting now, and then in six month I'm scoring 10 strokes better, won't I just need another clubfitting?"

It's true that some golfers might improve quickly enough to rapidly "outgrow" the set or the specs the clubfitter puts you into. But, really, how likely is that? How often do golfers improve rapidly? Most of us improve — if we improve at all! — incrementally, and very slowly.

Don't let the fear of improving too quickly dissuade you from a clubfitting either. First, it's not likely to happen! Second, if it does happen, well, that's a good problem to have, right?

Look for a fitter or fitting facility that is not contractually obligated to push any particular equipment brands. You want to work with a fitter who can help you consider many different brands without being obligated to market specific ones to you.

We'll sum up by returning to the original question: Should you wait until you are "good enough" for a clubfitting? No — if you are interesting in a fitting, go do it. The fitting itself might wind up being what helps you reach that "good enough" goal.