When we’re talking golf equipment and golf instruction the boundaries are often blurred yet perilously linked.
So, if you’re looking to improve it can often be a daunting prospect to commit to which path you want to go down. Do you stick with the clubs you have and commit to a series of lessons, or do you get some clubs that will be better for you to grow into as you improve as a golfer?
To be honest the answer is most likely a bit of both. Your equipment and your technique are intrinsically linked and used together can be a powerful tool, if used correctly, to lower your scores.
So how can you use lessons and club fitting in tandem to become a better golfer?
When looking at how a golf club performs in your hands it’s vital to look at swing and club delivery.
This is where the lines between club fitting and instruction can become blurred. Due to the availability of technology and specifically launch monitors, fitters can show you what’s going on in your swing and how it affects your needs when it comes to equipment and conversely coaches are able to see what your clubs are doing to help or hinder the progression of your swing.
In this sense, it’s valuable to have an ongoing relationship with your coach as the best way to progress in your game is to have a long-term roadmap to improvement through instruction to support well fitted equipment.
Here at Peter Field Golf Shop in particular, all of our coaches are all experienced and accredited club fitters as well. So, they will be able to inform you when your clubs become a hinderance to your improvement and you may need a fitting, or adjustment .
During your progress of improvement, technically, the correct clubs will make it easier so ensure it’s not overlooked.
As your club speed changes, you’ll have different requirements regarding shaft flex and weight, improvement in strike can change which head style will suit you best so it’s important to not hamstring yourself by using equipment that isn’t suited to you.
A fitting can be a really informative experience and can tell you plenty about your swing so is never completely separate from instruction.
A good fitting always includes conversation about your progress, improvement and aspirations as a golfer and when referencing your club numbers at the same time as looking at the best fit, there is always space to discuss where you’re going as a golfer and how far away from a different club spec you are. To this end you’ll never get fitted for a set of clubs that you’ll quickly outgrow.
Certain facets of a club fit such as lie angle are also something that may need changing as your swing changes such as club path, that is a specific aspect that you can change quite easily on existing clubs. We have a digital loft and lie machine in which we can adjust the lie angle of your clubs to make sure the sole of your clubs are interacting correctly with the turf and not causing directional misses. This is particularly relevant when looking at bounce and grind in wedge fitting. Book in for a golf club loft and lie mot here.
The important thing to remember on this topic is that it’s subjective. Everyone’s situation will be a little different so the best way to figure out your best course of action is to talk to someone who knows. If any of this applies to you then come into store and have a chat with us so we can put you on the right track.
