Golf swings are like snowflakes – every one is different. One-size-fits-all hardly applies to golfers and their equipment.
“You can’t play your best golf unless your clubs fit your personal swing and style,” states Kevin Gibson, Manager of the Charlottesville Golf Center on Berkmar Drive. “It is very important to have the right club to match your swing.”
One of the best ways to reduce your handicap is to take lessons from a Golf Pro. The next best way is to have clubs fitted by the professionals at Charlottesville Golf Center
To get the proper fit, Kevin and his staff consider a player’s height, swing type, the lie angle of the club and the grip size.
A player’s height determines the length of the shaft. If the club is too short, the golfer is forced to bend over too much, reducing his hip turn and creating imbalance. If the shaft is too long, it becomes more difficult to make proper contact at impact.
“Standard clubs are designed for the average golfer’s height, about 5’7” to 6’, 1’’,” Kevin pointed out. “But personal stance and arm length can also affect height adjustment.”
While fitting clubs to his customers, Kevin takes precise measurements to assure the proper length of the personalized shafts.
“Sometimes we find golfers who are still playing the clubs they used before and during college, even though they may have grown to 6’4”,” Kevin noted.
Kevin also takes into consideration a golfer’s swing when fitting clubs.
“Some golfers have a tendency to swing from the inside, and over the top,” he remarked. “In that case, the heel of the club should lie flat at impact. We make those adjustments.”
Other players may swing outside in. Proper fitting assures that your clubs will work best for your type of swing. The lie angle, Kevin says is another important factor in ball flight. If the toe digs in, the ball tends to fly right. If the heel digs in, the ball goes left.
“The proper lie angle gives you the best chance of hitting the ball straight,” Kevin stated.
Grip size is another consideration. When the grips are too large, the golfer can’t release the hands through the hitting zone. If grips are too small, the hands tend to be over-active. The release comes early causing the ball to pull left.
In fitting drivers, the Charlottesville Golf Center uses a highly specialized Vector Launch Monitor, the same piece of equipment used by many PGA golf professionals. The Launch Monitor reveals the best launch angle and spin rates for maximum driver performance.
“We measure back spin rates, side spin rates and the launch angle to fit your driver correctly and maximize distance and accuracy,” Kevin noted.
Another useful tool in fitting clubs is the Ping Fitting Cart. Charlottesville Golf Center can also custom fit clubs for Mizuno, Nicklaus Golf, Taylor Made, Titleist, Cleveland and Adams Golf. Their Callaway Optifit Cart fits drivers while the Taylor Made Cart has select fits for drivers and irons.
“We also fit golfers for putters,” Kevin noted.
If you are serious about reducing your handicap, stop by the Charlottesville Golf Center and let Kevin Gibson and his staff show you how affordable a new set of custom-fitted clubs can be. For sound advice, friendly service and the best equipment in the business – custom fitted to your personal swing and size – call the Charlottesville Golf at 434-975-4653.