Are you an off the rack guy? Have you ever experienced a custom tailored suit? All of you fall into either category, so in this feature, I will let you know the "real deal" on Club Fitting and expel the myths.   

'Custom golf club fitting can make a huge difference in performance' 

The golf clubs displayed at golf shops and pro shops are built to standardized specifications. Every golfer is a bit different in size, body shape and the shape of their golf swing, so a custom fitting will result in clubs that are specifically suited to an individual's height, strength, clubhead speed and swing characteristics. 

If the customer doesn't fit those specs, the equipment won't fit the customer. Without the proper club fit, no golfer will reach optimal performance. On top of that, the adjustments a golfer makes in his or her game to compensate for an ill-fitting set can make grooving a great swing that much more difficult. 

It is a necessity for golfers to receive a custom club fitting, from a trained and experienced club fitter, before making a golf club investment. A club fitting can be performed by nearly any pro shop or golf pro, although it's best to get with a teaching pro and be certain to hit balls outdoors so that the ball flight can be observed. 

By watching the ball flight produced by each variation of a club, and checking chalk marks left on adhesive strips attached to the clubface and sole, a club fitter can quickly narrow the search and lead the student to the best fit. Fittings can be done for every club in the bag, the most common fittings are done with Drivers and irons, however, more recently the importance of fitting wedges and even putters has become popular. 

Contrary to the belief of many, club fitting does not have to be a time-consuming or expensive endeavor. A very basic club fitting might take as little as 15 minutes, with the average being 30-45 minutes. 

More in-depth fittings can take a half-day but are only likely to be necessary for the very best players.