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From Kim,
golfer: |
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I want to get my husband into golf. He has expressed an interest. I
would like to get him lessons and clubs. In what order should I do this? In
talking to my brother, he recommended frequency matching in having clubs fit.
However, it seems that you should already have a swing developed before going
through this process. I hate to buy a set of clubs only to have to replace
them soon after, especially as my husband is rather tall. Do any pros provide
clubs to learn swing and also measure for clubs? I would like advice as to how
to go about this process. |
|
PGA/LPGA
TEACHING
PROFESSIONAL
RESPONSES: |
Florida
"Great question. I would recommend lessons first
with borrowed clubs. Check out pros in your area to see who does
dynamic club fitting. Then after a few lessons the professional
will make an informed recommendation." - Mike
Dopslaff, Teaching Professional |
Florida
"Dear Kim: Lessons first then clubs. Most pros will let
you borrow a club or two (I do). I also specially fit the clubs to
the individual. Other than that call around your local area for
people that give lessons and custom fit clubs." - Sean
Gorgone, Teaching Professional |
Florida
"If your husband is over 6 feet tall, it's very important
to get fitted clubs sooner rather than later. If he's over
6'2", Henry-Griffitts may be the only company that can truly
make a set of clubs that will fit him. If you are near Palm Beach
Gardens or Deerfield Beach, there are Henry-Griffitts fitters that
can help you. Otherwis go to www.henrygriffitts.com for the name
of a local fitter. You can also start with just a few clubs and
add more later as he improves." - David
Balbi, Teaching Professional |
Massachusetts
"You should certainly get lessons before you get clubs.
I'm sure there are professionals in your area that will provide
clubs while your husband learns to play. As his swing develops his
club specifications will (hopefully) change. The age-old question
in club-fitting is do we fit the player to the swing he/she has or
do we fit to the swing we hope the student will develop. Until he
has at least somewhat developed "his" swing I would hold
off making the investment of a set of clubs."
- Chuck
Frithsen, Teaching Professional |
| Missouri
|
New
Mexico
"Kim: You pose an excellent question of the chicken or
egg variety. Either way, you'll need to seek out the help of a
golf professional so I would suggest the lessons. A good golf
professional will understand your situation and be able to help. I
personally would try to get him started with a set of rentals for
his lessons and then I could have some time to predict his rate of
improvement. I probably wouldn't put him into top of the line
clubs right away, but would try to find him some good quality used
clubs to start
with until his improvement rate "levels out." At that
time, maybe after a year or two, if he is still serious about the
game, I would suggest he be fitted by a professional and you could
make the investment into premium clubs then. Other professionals
could have a different opinion on this. The scenario to watch out
for would be someone trying to get you to spend $1200-1500 before
seeing him and his swing, unless of course money is not really a
concern. Good luck. I applaud you for your insight in your
approach." - Warren
Lehr, Teaching Professional |
New
York
"Dear Kim: You are quite correct. Your order should be as
follows. Find a qualified PGA/LPGA Pro in your area. All pros
should have some equipment for him to start his lessons on. It is
a bit too early right now to club fit him. After a few initial
lessons he should have made a great bit of progress and at this
time he may be able to discuss options of golf clubs. If the pro
you choose does not have clubs to try or immediately tries to sell
you a very expensive set be wary! Good luck and congratulations on
getting your husband started in a 'game for life'." - James
Weiss, Teaching Professional |
Ohio
"Call Natural Golf 1-888-NAT-GOLF and find out where the
nearest Natural golf certified instructor is in your area. Or get
on the web site and look for yourself. Then send your husband to
him/her for golf swing lessons. They can also give you the best
advice for how to proceed. All of our instructors are expert club
fitters. You will not regret it." - Paul
Rooney, Teaching Professional |
Ohio
"Kim:
Many
pros do provide demo clubs with which to get started. It is
never too early to get fitted for clubs. Most club fitters
will gladly change the fit as the player's swing matures and
evolves. I advocate getting fitted for clubs shortly after
starting lessons, but if your husband isn't sure what kind of
clubs he wants, he should wait until he knows that he will stay
with the game. You're right about not wanting to spend a lot
of money early on, but when you two are ready to buy clubs, get a
set that he can play with for several years."
- Patty
Reno, Teaching Professional |
South
Carolina
"Kim: You are exactly right. Tell the BIL that he can
give advice when he breaks 80. Find a reputable PGA professional
and buy the guy a series of lessons, only if he is truly committed
to learning. The bad news is that learning golf, as you perhaps
know, is a step by step process. The good news is that
there are PGA professionals who have the ability to guide, even a
high intensity workaholic, to enjoyment of the game. This means
that you big job is to interview professionals around you. True
interest in your fellows progress and a knack for dealing with
your guy. You will probably know by
instinct which is best. If not check out my website at
doctorgolf.homestead.com and you might want to send him on a short
vacation, or visit Charleston while he is being groomed. As to the
clubs, after he commits to lessons ask a pro about a used set.
They probably will not fit so do not invest a lot. He or She will
most likely have clubs he may use as well, but it should be with
the pro you select as his mentor. Classified ads are another
avenue but most think they have gold. Best wishes."
- Michael
Lucas, Teaching Professional
|
Texas
"Kim. Don't
go spend a fortune on custom clubs yet, let's find out if your
husband really will enjoy the game first. Have him go see a PGA
Professional who can not only help him with the basics of the game
but also can measure him for clubs. Club length, shaft flex and
grip size are the only things that need to be correct
now. Then purchase a good metal headed #3 & #5 woods,
irons 3-w in the lightweight steel shafts and a putter. The
whole set should not cost over $500. Variables such as swing
weight, flex point, lofts and lies will only become worthwhile
when he develops a swing that repeats on a somewhat regular basis.
As a beginner, odds are he doesn't swing the same way twice
so to custom fit now is almost impossible and may be inaccurate
once he takes some lessons and probably changes his swing. As far
as titanium head and graphite shafts are concerned, neither you,
your husband or I know if he'll even like them much less get any
extra out of them. Later, when he can get the ball airborne
consistently and keep it in play, he can look at custom fit clubs
with all the exotic trimmings (and big price tags)." - Ned
Goyne, Teaching Professional
|
Utah
"I would recommend that you visit a golf shop in your
area that does custom club fitting. If you think your husband is
possibly not going to keep playing or may cut back don't buy
expensive clubs. You can get custom clubs for $200 for the irons
and woods $100 each that look just like the expensive clubs and he
will never know the difference at this point in his golf life. The
expensive clubs are better but not if you can't feel the
difference yet! Maybe you could find a pro that will give lessons
and custom fit clubs for your husband. Let me know how this works
out!"
- Brent
Wootton, Teaching Professional
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