Got professionally fitted for the first time this past week -- learned a TON!

Had been playing Ping G-15's with the ATW standard flex shaft. Also played some Hogan Apex Plus irons bought on eBay with the Apex 4 shaft. Had a tough 2011 (Handicap went UP 2.5 strokes), but played better with the Hogans.

After 1.5 hrs (and some bad outside-in swings), the fitter shows me the stats and with the right shaft/loft/lie/swing weight I was hitting the sweet spot more often (toe hits were a problem) and picking up ball speed, carry and length. Here's what he came up with for recommendations:

Dynamic Gold or Rifle Shaft, X-100 flex with high flex point
D-6 swing weight (didn't do well with light clubs)
37" length for 7 iron, lie angle of 61

Hit an Alpha forged players cavity back and a Louisville Golf blade with both shafts -- both felt great. Am looking at Wilson FG Tour V2's in a couple of weeks at a GG event.

Fitting was a great experience -- learned the Ping shafts were way to flexible for my swing, and the club was way too light. Combine that with the offset no wonder I was going left a LOT.
Anyone know anything about Alpha or Louisville golf? Any experience with the Wilsons?

I can't respond to your questions about the various clubs. Hopefully another Oober has some insights they can share.

I would, however, like to ask whether you thought getting fitted after a long layoff worked well. It looks like you last played in October. Unless you spend a lot of time hitting balls indoors, I would expect you to be rusty.

I have purchased a fitting (date to be determined). My thinking was to hold off until I played some this spring in hopes that the swing I bring to the fitting somewhat resembles how I ordinarily play. Did you feel that how you swung during the fitting matched how you play during the season?

Finally, thanks for the report. It makes me feel better about my future fitting session.

bkuehn1952 wrote:

I can't respond to your questions about the various clubs. Hopefully another Oober has some insights they can share. I would, however, like to ask whether you thought getting fitted after a long layoff worked well. It looks like you last played in October. Unless you spend a lot of time hitting balls indoors, I would expect you to be rusty. I have purchased a fitting (date to be determined). My thinking was to hold off until I played some this spring in hopes that the swing I bring to the fitting somewhat resembles how I ordinarily play. Did you feel that how you swung during the fitting matched how you play during the season? Finally, thanks for the report. It makes me feel better about my future fitting session.

Good thought about getting fit amidst a layoff. Hit some balls, but certainly not enough to matter before going in.

Talked to the fitter about it at the time- I had a pretty consistent outside-in swing path that day -- said my best swings weren't THAT bad, and slight corrections would make it more inside-out. Would still have made the same recommendations.

Will see what Wilson says at the demo/fitting.

Alpha makes top of the line components. Can't go wrong there, but they're a bit pricey.