- 1). Determine proper length. To accomplish this, you will use your measuring stick to measure the distance from the golfer's wrist to the floor. With the golfer standing straight up, arms at his sides, and wearing normal street shoes, place the measuring stick against the side of one of his legs.
Note the measurement at his wrist. For greatest accuracy, measure from the crease closest to the palm. The standard for a man is 34 to 34.5 inches, while standard for a woman is 30 to 30.5 inches. If your measurement is outside of these ranges, consult your fitting chart for precise club lengths. - 2). Determine shaft flex. After the golfer has properly warmed up, have her swing five or six times, and measure her swing speed on each swing. If fitting for irons, have the golfer swing a 5- or 6-iron, and if fitting for woods, have her swing the driver.
Add up the speeds for each swing and divide by the total number of swings to get the golfer's average swing speed. Using this number, select the shaft flex that is most appropriate for her.
Manufacturers often have their own names for shaft flexes and recommended swing speeds for each flex. As a general rule, if the golfer swings below 80 miles per hour with a driver, she will use the equivalent of a ladies or senior flex. An 80- to 90-mile-per-hour swing would be the equivalent of a regular flex, a 90- to 100-mile-per-hour swing a stiff flex, and more than 100 miles per hour an extra-stiff flex. - 3). Determine lie angle. If fitting for a set of irons, center a piece of impact tape on the sole of a 5- or 6-iron. Have the golfer hit five or six shots off the impact board and then look at the tape. You want to notice where the heaviest mark is and measure from that point to the center of the club face.
If the mark is toward the heel, the golfer will need a flatter lie angle. If the mark is toward the toe, he will need a more upright lie angle. As a general rule, each half-inch is equal to 1 degree. You can also compare your results to the chart you used for the length measurement. - 4). Determine grip size. If the golfer is right-handed, have her grip the club with her left hand, and if she is left-handed, have her grip the club with her right hand. Look at her two middle fingers. If the grip is the right size, the fingers should be comfortably touching the palm of her hand. If they are creating a deep indentation in the palm, the golfer needs a larger grip. If there is a gap, the golfer needs a smaller grip.
- 5). Determine golfer ability. So far in the process you have seen the golfer hit thirty or more shots. Does he hit the ball straight or does he tend to hook or slice the ball? Does he hit the ball high, or does he need help getting the ball airborne?
About 80 percent of golfers will be best suited with oversized, cavity-back, perimeter-weighted irons, with a low center of gravity and an offset hosel. This combination will make it easier to get the ball airborne, reduce a slice and be more forgiving on mishits.
Golfers with a handicap of 12 or better will likely want to have the ability to "work" the ball more than the average golfer. They will be better served with no offset on the hosel, a more traditional head shape and a smaller, or progressive, cavity-back design. If optimal feel is important, they will be best served with a forged club head.