We get asked a lot of questions about fitting. Recently, a newsletter subscriber asked if it makes sense for a 20-handicap golfer to get fitted for golf clubs.
I’ve got some thoughts on that.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard, “I’m not good enough to get fitted for golf clubs.” But here’s the thing: to me, that’s like saying, “I’m not good enough to get better.”
I can’t connect those dots. The logic just doesn’t make sense.
Sure, if you just walked off the course after your first-ever nine holes, it’s probably worth spending some more time on the course and on the range before booking a fitting session but if you’ve played enough to establish a 20 handicap (or better), you are absolutely good enough to get fitted for golf clubs.
Conquering the fitting jitters
I get it. As a beginning or higher-handicap golfer, the idea of a club fitting can feel about as comfortable as overhearing your grandmother discuss her recent bikini wax.
Yuck, Gamma. Gross.
Someone watching your swing? Potentially judging every wild slice and awkward miss? Talk about nerve-wracking. But take a deep breath. Nobody dies (probably) if you struggle at your fitting.
Look, for 99.99 percent of us, golf is just a game. Anyone who will judge you based on your swing is probably not someone worth impressing anyway. A good fitting is about understanding your game and finding clubs that can help you have more fun out there.
You’re more consistent than you think
Here’s a mind-blowing truth: Most higher-handicap golfers are way more consistent than they believe. You might think every swing is an entirely random adventure but that’s rarely the case. Most golfers actually have pretty consistent:
- Swing speed
- Attack angle
- Swing path
But here’s where things get interesting. If you dig into the details, you’ll find there are metrics that separate really good players from the rest of us.
Take the face-to-path relationship. As some of you have already figured out, it’s a measure of where your clubface is pointing relative to your swing path. Good players have super-consistent face-to-path values. Higher-handicap players? You’ve got more variation and that actually creates an opportunity for improvement.
The art of fitting: High handicap versus low handicap
Fitting a 20-handicap golfer is fundamentally different from fitting a scratch golfer. For better players, fitting is all about optimization. They’re fine-tuning launch angles, spin rates and descent angles with laser-like precision. It’s like watching a Formula 1 team tweaking every possible performance variable.
For higher-handicap players, fitting takes a different approach. It’s not about finding the absolute perfect specs. It’s about increasing good outcomes and giving you tools to improve. Think of it more like finding a reliable, forgiving set of clubs that can help you build confidence and consistency.
What a fitting can actually do for you
Think of a club fitting as something that brings you a step closer to realizing your potential. Some cool insights you might discover:
- That slice you can’t shake? There might be a driver that helps tame it. In these situations, we love clubs like the PING G440 SFT and the Callaway Elyte X.
- A slightly heavier shaft could straighten out your swing path. Shafts in nearly every club have gotten lighter in recent years but many golfers benefit from additional weight.
- A shorter shaft often creates more consistent impact.
- Bigger, more forgiving irons that help you launch the ball higher can boost your confidence (and lower your scores).
A fitting can help identify the thing (or things) that will work for you.
Fitting isn’t rocket science
A good fitter isn’t trying to turn a higher-handicap golfer into a tour pro (at least not overnight). They’re more like a golf equipment matchmaker. We’re talking about finding equipment that works with your current ability and gives you room to grow.
The bottom line
Absolutely, a 20-handicap golfer should get fitted. Seriously. A professional fitting can:
- Give you insights into your swing
- Boost your confidence
- Help you improve faster
- Make golf more fun
Remember, the goal isn’t to become a scratch golfer overnight. It’s about enjoying the game, improving a little bit at a time and maybe —just maybe—showing your buddies that you’re more serious about golf than they thought.
Trust me, your future self will thank you for taking this step. Now go book that fitting and stop overthinking it.
Steve E
1 year ago
Fittings cost a lot of money over and above the cost of the fitting because of the exotic shafts that the fitter puts you into. This has happened to me this spring even though I requested no exotic shafts. The shafts I purchased with my new irons were priced at $150 per shaft by the fitter but I later found out the manufacturers website only priced at the shafts $50. So I paid over $600 extra for these shafts because I did not have the prior knowledge of shafts. Be wary of club fitters doing this. I would advise anyone getting fitted to wait to buy the clubs and shafts until they can look at the price of the clubs and shafts on-line. Then find someone to order the components separately. Either that or know what standard shafts options are available for the clubs being fitted for so you do not pay extra.
I do like my new irons better than my 13-year-old irons. I do hit them better, but I am not sure that they are actually $600 better.