Golf clubs were once set up in a similar manner, but could differ by manufacturer, and recreational golfers played with clubs "off the rack." In the 1960s, PING Golf founder Karsten Solheim worked with individual players to find a combination of shaft lengths and clubhead lie angles that would improve consistency. He brought what he learned to the market in 1972, and club makers have been trying to help everyday golfers find the right fit ever since.
Consistency
The goal when fitting golf clubs is for the club to strike the ball in the middle of a clubface that is square to the target. It's much easier to do if the club isn't too short or too long for your swing, and if the lie angle is set properly. A club fitter starts by measuring from the floor to your wrist to get an idea of the right shaft length. Then, you'll hit shots on a strike board. Impact tape on the face and the bottom of your club will indicate where the club is hitting the ball and the board, telling the club fitter what to adjust to get the strike to show at the center of the club's face and sole.
Shaft Adjustment
If you play in windy conditions, you'll want to hit the ball lower for more control. A club fitter adjusts or changes club shafts to help you hit the ball farther, straighter and at the right trajectory, depending on your swing. Shafts differ in the amount of flex, the point of maximum flex and the weight; altering these variables will change the ball flight, distance and spin that result from your swing. A club fitter can use a ball launch monitor to see exactly what adjustments to make.
Face Angle
During a golf round, you have to hit the ball different distances. Your set shouldn't have a wide yardage gap between clubs, particularly in the scoring clubs: the 9-iron and wedges. For example, you'd want these scoring clubs to cover the range between 60 and 120 yards in even increments. Club fitters can bend clubs to make them "stronger" or "weaker" by a few degrees to eliminate large gaps in your yardage between clubs. The actual bend required of any club depends on your swing, so it's best to work with a club fitter on a range or using a launch monitor.
Putting
Putting is 35 to 40 percent of most golf rounds, so it makes sense to have a putter that fits your height and stance. Putters even have loft, which keeps the ball from skidding and moving off-line just after impact. Club fitters adjust the lie and loft of the putter head as well as the shaft length. The swing weight of the putter can also be changed to your liking. Expect to tinker and experiment in this area--PGA professionals are always seeking the right combination to sink more putts as well.
Adjustability
The customization of clubs has even left the pro shop, with clubs that you can adjust yourself to fit your game. Nike makes drivers that can be adjusted for loft and lie angle. TaylorMade makes drivers with adjustable weights to promote or correct draws that move from right to left, or fades that move from left to right. Keep in mind that it violates the rules of golf to adjust clubs during the round.
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