6 Signs Your Fitting Specs Are No Longer Right For You

When I order golf clubs, my irons are typically built half an inch short and two degrees flat. That setup works, for now. Recently, I was fitted for a new wedge set and found that the standard length gave me better results. That doesn’t mean my iron specs are suddenly wrong. It just means golf fitting isn’t static. Your body changes. Your swing evolves. And, sometimes, what used to work no longer does.

We don’t want to start second-guessing every golf fitting you have had but if you’re struggling with ball striking, it might be time to re-evaluate. Here are six signs your fitting specs are no longer right for you.

You’re fighting ball flight you didn’t use to have

Every player has a natural ball flight. If you’ve always hit a slight draw but now you block every shot or hit an unintentional fade, it could mean that the lie angle is off or the shaft is too stiff or too soft.

If you have access to it, compare recent launch monitor data with the data from your original fitting. Look closely at spin, launch and face angle to see if there could be something equipment-related that’s causing these changes.

Your misses are suddenly all the same

Did you spend years battling inconsistency in your game and now, all of a sudden, you hit the ball thin or strike it on the heel every time? Your shaft length could be wrong for your posture. Perhaps your setup has changed and you need to adapt to find the center of the face.

The first step is to use some face contact tape over multiple practice sessions. If you’re consistently low on the face or missing off the toe or heel, it could end up being an equipment issue, not just a swing flaw.

You’ve had a physical or swing change

If you have recently lost or gained weight, increased your flexibility or changed your swing plane or tempo, it could be impacting the way your golf clubs work for your game. Your body is moving differently through the ball and your posture may alter the dynamic lie angle.

It’s a good idea to go for a fitting if you’ve gone through anything that you could consider a “major” change to your body or swing. Even a quarter-inch length change can shift your center face contact by several grooves.

You switched playing conditions (or moved)

The equipment you use should also fit the courses you play. If you go for a wedge fitting, in addition to the loft that you need, your fitter will talk to you about playing conditions. Is the sand fluffy and soft or is it hard-packed? Is the rough thick or are you mostly hitting from tighter lies?

The bounce and sole grind may no longer work if you have recently switched courses or moved to an area with different playing conditions.

You’re losing distance for no clear reason

If you have the same ball in play and are putting in the same amount of effort but noticing less distance, it could mean that your shaft flex or its kick point no longer fits your swing speed.

The first step here is to spend some time with a launch monitor. Look for peak height, launch and spin. If your numbers are down and you haven’t lost speed, the club may no longer be optimized.

You’re still using specs from a decade ago

If you had a fitting back in 2014 and haven’t been fitted again, it may be time to consider another one. Even if your swing and specs haven’t changed, the fitting equipment and technology have. You may get more accuracy from this fitting and be able to dial in the fit more to your specific game.

Don’t think you have to buy a whole new set. You can make tweaks to your current setup but it may be time for a refresher.

Final thoughts

Even the best fitting doesn’t last forever. Just because your specs worked five years ago or even last season, doesn’t mean they still do. Like the pros who tweak lofts and shafts based on course, weather or form, you should monitor your club setup regularly and get fitted if you think there is an issue.