How to spot an incompetent fitter?

Recently saw this in a publication. Food for thought, although i don't necessary fully agree with it. But it is up for discussion, if you have been to any reputable fitter that match up to this list.


 

How to spot? When you club head flew off with the ball?

sounds like golf house "fitters". Total waste of time with them

why the need to spot for an incompetent fitter? I rather spend some  time researching for a competent one.

and where else is a better place to look for information than GR.

I believe everyone started out as an impressionable newbie golfer. Discussion inputs and information sharing from all the experienced grians would be greatly beneficial.
Even more so if the professionals can share their take on this.

Rule of thumb imo, don't take information wholesale as they are represented. Take it with a pitch of sea/bamboo salt. To good health, everyone.

Cheers,
Lousy

Bro lousyswinger,

For the benefit of GRians here whom do not have a single idea what club fitting is about, can you throw something here which will enlighten us on this subject?

Okay, I also new and impressionable. Maybe high hands in the forums can explain better.

For now, found this: http://www.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_get_fitted_for_golf_clubs

Cheers.

Thanks Bro! Will check it out.

I think all Fitters are certified capable and competent but most of them just have other obligations/priorities in their minds. But then again, who will do it for FREE...???

TDO wrote:

Sometimes it's not the clubs' problem but rather the player. To me, I think the craftsman's skill is more important than his tools. A skilled craftsman with a decent set of tools can produce a good product. I have a friend who has his irons with him for the past 18 years and he is still playing wonderful golf with his clubs. By the way, he is a 7 handicapper and just proofed that skills is more important. Even with God's gift of the best clubs in the world, if the skill is not there, it's just not there and it would be worthwhile to spend the money on improving the skills rather than the club. This is just my person view.

Well said form a wise man. However, if I am forking out the hard earned juices, I will like to know that it is well spent. Thus the subject matter is of paramount interest.

IMO, incompetent fitters are:
- Doesnt have any certifications or training (Golfsmith certification is a good indication).   Most fitters in the retail shops are like this.  They think they know about clubs but most don't.  But most fitters in specialized custom fitting studio are better than the one in retail shops.
- Never play a single game of golf.  Most golf store employees are like this.  Never played golf and don't understand what people want.    
- Analyze your swing by using the LM data alone without looking at your swing.  I think those computerized data are not as accurate as a real shot.  You might get 250 yards of distance from a LM but in real life you are only 230 yards.   I also don't understand how the device a get the roll distance.  That's an estimate. 

Most golfers said if the fitter tries to sell you something, he's not trying to improve your game.  Well that's not true.  How can someone make a living by giving a free fitting for 30 minutes?  They make a living by selling you the right product.  I also don't like branded custom fitters from Tmag, Titleist, Callaway.  Of course they only recommend their own company's product and not the club best fitted for you.

TDO wrote:

Sometimes it's not the clubs' problem but rather the player. To me, I think the craftsman's skill is more important than his tools. A skilled craftsman with a decent set of tools can produce a good product. I have a friend who has his irons with him for the past 18 years and he is still playing wonderful golf with his clubs. By the way, he is a 7 handicapper and just proofed that skills is more important. Even with God's gift of the best clubs in the world, if the skill is not there, it's just not there and it would be worthwhile to spend the money on improving the skills rather than the club. This is just my person view.

TDO: Well put, couldn't agree with you more. Find clubs which gives you comfort and confidence when you sit it behind a golf ball and learn to use it to your best advantage.

TDO wrote:

Sometimes it's not the clubs' problem but rather the player. To me, I think the craftsman's skill is more important than his tools. A skilled craftsman with a decent set of tools can produce a good product. I have a friend who has his irons with him for the past 18 years and he is still playing wonderful golf with his clubs. By the way, he is a 7 handicapper and just proofed that skills is more important. Even with God's gift of the best clubs in the world, if the skill is not there, it's just not there and it would be worthwhile to spend the money on improving the skills rather than the club. This is just my person view.

I'm somewhat disagree with this comment.  Even the best golfers in the world (Tiger, McIlroy, Phil) use a prototype clubs from their sponsors based on their swing data.  Those clubs are specially made for them and not available in retail.  Not too mention the shafts are optimized for their swing.  The loft are tweaked to the 0.1 degree accuracy.  I think Tiger wouldn't like using a beginner set he sees at Wallmart.

I guess the bottom line is that the golf scene in Singapore is young and rapidly growing, plus the vast information that you get from the internet are making businessman jumping into this bandwagon to capitalize on the growth.
Agree that everyone is trying to make a living on their best ability. Consumer just need to exercise due diligent and do your home work. We can always smile, say thank you and walk away from a fitting session.
I remember 1 pro shop actually told me that fitting session is 30min and cost $50 if I didn't make any purchase at the end otherwise it is free. I did not make any purchase so I paid for fee. They go further by cleaning and maintaining my set of clubs and gave a packet of tees. I think it is fair.

TDO wrote:

superputt wrote:

TDO wrote:

Sometimes it's not the clubs' problem but rather the player. To me, I think the craftsman's skill is more important than his tools. A skilled craftsman with a decent set of tools can produce a good product. I have a friend who has his irons with him for the past 18 years and he is still playing wonderful golf with his clubs. By the way, he is a 7 handicapper and just proofed that skills is more important. Even with God's gift of the best clubs in the world, if the skill is not there, it's just not there and it would be worthwhile to spend the money on improving the skills rather than the club. This is just my person view.

I'm somewhat disagree with this comment.  Even the best golfers in the world (Tiger, McIlroy, Phil) use a prototype clubs from their sponsors based on their swing data.  Those clubs are specially made for them and not available in retail.  Not too mention the shafts are optimized for their swing.  The loft are tweaked to the 0.1 degree accuracy.  I think Tiger wouldn't like using a beginner set he sees at Wallmart.

Wrong comparison bro. They are Pros and they have sponsors, remember? We are weekend hackers, at least I am. And I am referring to people like me. Those with deeper pockets, by all means they can buy the best clubs in the world, if they think it can improve their games. Like I mentioned, I am expressing my own view.

I think you don't get my point.  I see that you are more an old school guy.  U use old clubs and don't expect any more improvement from the latest clubs.  And you spent money on  used "dented" clubs (based on your previous post).  

My point is even the best golfers use custom fitted clubs.  How can a hackers like us be play any better using an ill fitted clubs?   Use your logic BRO!

I've seen a 20 handicap use a 9.5 degree driver with X-Stiff shaft and he expects to hit it like Rory.  The point of custom fitting is not to get the best clubs money can buy.  The point of custom fitting is to get to know what clubs best for you.  Money is not the measurement but the more a performance aspect. 

Open your mind.  Custom fitting is the best money can buy in the 21st century.

Please don't get this thread locked and deleted. The purpose of the thread is for awareness only.
One type of rice feed 100 kinds of ppl. Everyone has different approach to achieve the same golf.
Golf is a game of passion. In here is a good example of passionate beings.
Likewise for golfing business, if not passion only for the dough. It will show through. 

Happy Thursdays. 

P.S. Having the right tools for the game helps to make the game more enjoyable. Having the right mentality is equally important.

No worries, I doubt the Mod will lock this thread as I can see healthy exchanges of perception and not exactly a quarrel with personal attacks on each other ... At least I thought from the above few posts between two parties ...

lousyswinger wrote:

Please don't get this thread locked and deleted. The purpose of the thread is for awareness only.
One type of rice feed 100 kinds of ppl. Everyone has different approach to achieve the same golf.
Golf is a game of passion. In here is a good example of passionate beings.
Likewise for golfing business, if not passion only for the dough. It will show through. 

Happy Thursdays. 

P.S. Having the right tools for the game helps to make the game more enjoyable. Having the right mentality is equally important.

I also see good fitters are passionate about golf.  They chose the career because they love their job.  Some people chose the business because they thought they can make good profit out of it.  Well it's not for everyone!

TDO wrote:

superputt wrote:

TDO wrote:

superputt wrote:

TDO wrote:

Sometimes it's not the clubs' problem but rather the player. To me, I think the craftsman's skill is more important than his tools. A skilled craftsman with a decent set of tools can produce a good product. I have a friend who has his irons with him for the past 18 years and he is still playing wonderful golf with his clubs. By the way, he is a 7 handicapper and just proofed that skills is more important. Even with God's gift of the best clubs in the world, if the skill is not there, it's just not there and it would be worthwhile to spend the money on improving the skills rather than the club. This is just my person view.

I'm somewhat disagree with this comment.  Even the best golfers in the world (Tiger, McIlroy, Phil) use a prototype clubs from their sponsors based on their swing data.  Those clubs are specially made for them and not available in retail.  Not too mention the shafts are optimized for their swing.  The loft are tweaked to the 0.1 degree accuracy.  I think Tiger wouldn't like using a beginner set he sees at Wallmart.

Wrong comparison bro. They are Pros and they have sponsors, remember? We are weekend hackers, at least I am. And I am referring to people like me. Those with deeper pockets, by all means they can buy the best clubs in the world, if they think it can improve their games. Like I mentioned, I am expressing my own view.

I think you don't get my point.  I see that you are more an old school guy.  U use old clubs and don't expect any more improvement from the latest clubs.  And you spent money on  used "dented" clubs (based on your previous post).  

My point is even the best golfers use custom fitted clubs.  How can a hackers like us be play any better using an ill fitted clubs?   Use your logic BRO!

I've seen a 20 handicap use a 9.5 degree driver with X-Stiff shaft and he expects to hit it like Rory.  The point of custom fitting is not to get the best clubs money can buy.  The point of custom fitting is to get to know what clubs best for you.  Money is not the measurement but the more a performance aspect. 

Open your mind.  Custom fitting is the best money can buy in the 21st century.

I am not here to pick a quarrel with you. Since when did I mention that club fitting is not good. I am referring to purchasing new clubs. My set is custom-fitted and I have been using it for more than 10 years. So you are on wrong frequency. And even if you are have you clubs fitted, it will not necessarily mean you will play better. You will strike the ball better (maybe) but in the end it's still your own skill. People who buy off the shelf and who have better skill will still play better than those who are not. Give them any club and they can still play a decent game.


You are entitled to your own opinion as much as I am to mine and you cannot make someone accept your opinion. But I do agree that club-fitting is generally good for the average golfer. Skill is still the most important factor.

Since when this a quarrel?  You are the one who started "wrong comparison bro".    I'm answering this with a logic and not emotion.

BTW if you don't play any better with custom fitted clubs, it means you are not properly fitted.

Take it easy lah.... we are just typing on the net (we can't even see the face if you are pissed or not).  Everybody has their opinion.  I'm not saying you are wrong or right.  

I do remember you mentioned about a Callaway Diablo driver dented in the sole.   I've seen your posts more frequently than other members in this forum.  I'm sorry too if that's offending to you.