Why Custom Golf Club Fitting Is Important
Playing golf requires precision and skill to be successful. Custom fitting a golf club to one's natural swing and body type is important to achieving success. An improper fit will result in an ineffective swing, so a player will not achieve optimum performance. Purchasing new clubs can often be expensive, so an improper fit can lead to a player wasting money. Here is a look at the different aspects of club fitting and why each is important.
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Shaft Length and Flex
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The length of a club shaft determines where a player will strike the ball. An improper length will alter a player's natural swing, resulting in an arc that leads to inconsistent impact of the club head with the ball. The shaft also flexes during the swing, so an incorrect shaft flex will also result in inconsistent impact with the ball, altering a shot's accuracy.
Shaft Type
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Shafts can be made of steel, graphite, or a combination. Depending on the material, the weight of the shaft can vary, resulting in a difference in the speed and accuracy of a player's swing, affecting bend points and torque ratings. Before purchasing clubs, the player should experiment with different shaft types to see which offers the most comfort and control.
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Grip Size and Construction
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Since the grip largely determines how the golf club feels in a player's hands, the grip size will have an effect on how the club face meets the ball. There are different grip materials and surface patterns to choose from, such as rubber or polyurethane, so it is important that the player takes the time to find the one that is most comfortable.
Club Head Design
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As a rule, the higher a player's handicap, the larger the prime striking area, or "sweet spot" needs to be, since less accomplished players tend to have less control when hitting the ball. By choosing a high-MOI (moment of inertia) club head, the player will have the advantage of the weight being distributed around the outside of the head, which limits the twisting motion that often results in shanking or slicing.
Getting Help
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Unless you are a professional club fitter, it can be very difficult to determine the proper golf club fit on your own. With the aid of modern technology, such as the use of launch monitors, a professional can accurately determine factors like ball speed and distance, which can help the player choose the best possible clubs. Help in finding a professional fitter can be found at http://golf.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_next_golf_purchase
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