Overview
Whether you're a beginner just getting in to the sport or a skilled golfer looking to step up your game, having properly fitted clubs will help you cut strokes and bring your handicap down to a respectable size. A good pro shop or golf-specialty store can help you with a club fitting, but there are a few basics you can mull over when you're hunting for that perfect fit.
Basic Factors and Measurements
Not all golf retailers use the same principled approach in the fitting process, but certain factors and measurements will affect what type of golf equipment will best fit your game. Gender, height in socks, distance from your wrist break to the floor, age, handicap and clubhead speed are all important elements in getting the proper fit.
Club Length
Although there is no exact measurement for how long a club needs to be, length is generally determined by your height and the length of your arms. Men typically have a shaft length of 43 inches for a driver with a steel shaft. Clubs get shorter on down the line, with 35.75 inches for a steel-shafted wedge. For graphite, add an extra inch for woods and a 1/2 inch for irons.
Shaft Flex
A number of variables, including swing speed, age and skill level, go into what type of shaft your clubs should have. Beginning golfers may not start off with the best clubs on the market. Because of this, the best option is using a steel-shafted club with durability and less flex. But graphite is the industry standard for shafts, and manufacturers have made big strides in the last decade. Graphite will give you lighter weight and greater flexibility; the average graphite shaft weighs 50g to 85g, with steel shaft weight starting at 120g.
