What happens when you fit your tail off and it get’s no better for the player? For example, a player has a path that is 8* out to in with a club face that is 10* closed at impact. What do you do? I hope you’re thinking give him lessons, because that could be a very real possibility. You might be thinking “could be?” read on, it might not be.

In the example above, what could we try? 

The first thing you have to do is analyze your environment. Are you indoors or outdoors? In this case, being outdoors is a huge advantage. You can use your eyes when you are outdoors. You can SEE the flight and determine if the data on the launch monitor matches the ball flight that you see. If it does not, it may be as simple as an alignment issue with the player and the machine – if they are BOTH not aimed at the same place, the data will be off (possibly significantly). It could be as simple as asking the question – “are you aiming there?” and re aim the machine. If you are inside, where do you have him line up? What if he does it wrong?? Does the swing look 8* out to in?? Let’s say in the example above that he is aimed 8* left. The launch monitor assumes the player is lined up towards the same place as it is. In this case, that shot will actually have a square path with a 2* closed face, but the machine doesn’t see it that way. Is he coming over the top and flipping the face closed? Not really. The algorithm that the launch monitor uses will show a drastically different shot. Face to path will still be 2* closed, but how it looks and where the machine says it goes will be very, very, very different. In the absence of being able to see the flight (as opposed to seeing the flight on the screen – which is calculated based on where IT THINKS the player is trying to hit it), you are relying on data that may or may not be accurate. If you see this, try to get him to aim where you want him to (read: where you aimed the launch monitor), OR, better yet, re-aim the launch monitor to suit where he likes to aim. You CAN’T proceed with a good fitting until this is done.

Suppose all of this is OK, and the data is as it appears – unfortunately. At this point, I might think this is more of a swing issue and I may not be able to help him. Yet, we trudge on and move on to the club to try to fit it. What can we try? A heavier shaft? YES. A head that is toe weighted to make it harder to release? Yes. How about a shorter shaft?? Good idea. Shorter is easier to control. so, maybe… But, if he’s that far away from an acceptable swing at the golf ball, lessons may be your best option. 

Here’s where the fine line comes into play. Do you (a.) give him a tip or two to get him patched up so he can hit a decent shot, or (b.) suggest a lesson series and we re-visit the fitting? The fine line is this… If the tip can become a permanent change – go for it. If it can’t, and he reverts back to his old swing, you are more than likely fitting him for a club that will be misfit when he gets it. In this case, I would opt for a short series of lessons. 

The question isn’t can I get him hitting it good. That answer is almost always yes. The question is how big of an overhaul do I have to do to get him to hit it good. Too much, and you’re just trying to sell him a golf club, as opposed to helping make him better. Beyond a certain point, lessons become the better choice.

I hope this helps!! Happy Fitting