“I’m not good enough to get custom-fit” is the refrain of so many golfers who buy their irons off the rack. Convinced their swing inconsistencies override the potential benefits of clubs built just for them, these modest souls don’t allow that sometimes the chicken came before the egg. Fitters say the reason a lot of people hit it sideways is because they haven’t been custom-fit. Trying to figure out the swing with clubs whose length, weight, lie angle, shaft flex or grip size don’t match the body encourages players to make unnatural compensations that prevent them from developing proper mechanics.If a shaft is too stiff for a player, he’ll hang back on his right side to get the ball airborne, and if the length and lie angle are off, then their posture is doomed from the start. The higher the handicap, the more necessary it is for that player to get fit.

But only during a complete fitting are factors such as face angle, launch angle, spin rate, ball speed, attack angle and club path scrutinized to discover the head-shaft combination that optimizes distance and consistency. Plus, an experienced fitter will likely recognize swing flaws stemming from ill-fitted equipment and consider intangibles like a player’s level of fitness and tempo.

Another of the most overlooked problems of buying off the rack is set makeup. Certified fitters at The Harvest strive to get the person into the mix of irons, hybrids and fairway woods that gives them the exact right distance gaps. Sometimes getting custom-fit can be cheaper because we won’t sell people long irons they don’t need.

Many fitters believe it’s worth measuring launch conditions once a year, like going to the doctor for a checkup. You likely won’t need new irons, but if your swing has evolved significantly, the specifications might need to be tweaked.

Q: Is it better to be fitted outside or inside?

You’ve got to get fit in real conditions. That means being outside, hitting off real grass, viewing the entire ball flight down-range. Even if there’s some wind, that’s a regular part of the game, so it’s beneficial to see how different setups result in certain trajectories for a player against that element. And though indoor spaces are set up with enough room to swing, a lot of people can’t help but feel claustrophobic with four walls and a ceiling. If this affects their comfort level, it will affect their swing, and the fitting session won’t be as productive.

If you are interested in being custom fit, a no obligation fitting can be booked with one of our certified club fitters at any time. In addition, local representatives from Taylormade, Ping and Callaway visit The Harvest almost weekly, bringing with them the latest in ball tracking technology to produce the most accurate fitting specifications.