Club fitting for my son in Melbourne

[Deeks]

Hoping for some advice from the oracles and sages on here please.

My son has an 18th birthday coming up so was looking to get a set of fitted clubs for him as a gift. Skill level...keen beginner and golf at least gets him off the computer and into some fresh air. As it's an 18th present so the fitting experience and ending up with a set of clubs he is happy with is important.

As I see it I have a couple of fitting options - fitting at well known golf store or fitting from a more specialist fitter.

Store fitter as I see it is likely to get him into a set of clubs at a much more reasonable price point with the risk being a set of clubs that deliver the shop the greatest margin or that they have in stock.

Fit by a specialist will be considerably more pricey but should more of a guarantee of getting the right set make up and I would hope unbiased advice on which clubs are the best fit for his game and ability.

For a beginner who is shooting around the century mark but improving, would you consider the extra cost for the specialist fitter justified or is there better value in getting measured and starting at a lower price point. Like all things with kids, no guarantee he will still be playing in a year.

Either way, I'll also be investing in lessons and practice (for us both).

Also hoping this damn Covid thing will go away so we can get back to the course

[markTHEblake]

Store fitter is reading ffom a brochure and end result is you stil get a set of clubs assembled in a factory by unskilled workers. Go see a specialist, the one wearing an apron and dirty hands. He wont be more expensive.

[andylo]

Hi Deeks, I have a son who is also a golfer now, he is 13 and he's growing.

For the very first set of golf club (when he was 8 years old) all I care for are 1) club length is suitable and 2) the club is actually very easy to airborne the ball so it wouldn't discourage my little boy.

It worked really well until he start growing in height.

So with his second set (which is what he currently using) I went for an more expensive option which comes with a very comprehensive fitting procedures which allows him to have better flight performance.

In your case, a 18 yrs old: You just make sure 4 things for his first set:

1) Right length, and its not like he's gonna grow taller
2) Very easy to airborne the ball so he wouldn't get discouraged
3) Since he's 18, he will want some "bling" So get him something is nice but not too expensive
4) Invest a lot on lessons with him, and spend plenty of quality time with your boy

By the time he got better, you (or himself) can go for a more expensive option with full detailed fitting.

[markTHEblake]

So with his second set (which is what he currently using) I went for an more expensive option which comes with a very comprehensive fitting procedures which allows him to have better flight performance.

Your doomed now Andy. From now on you gunna be getting his hand me downs. No point you buying expensive golf gear for yourself, he is only gunna nick it anyway. Just buy him good stuff so that you know you will get it in 12 months or so.

And if the 'accountant' starts complainng about excessive golf purchases just point to the boy and tell her it cant be helped because he keeps growing.

[oldracer]

Hit up Cool Clubs, I am a keen advocate of them as I believe you will get the right product. Ask about the total cost of the experience and set that against your budget and see if that's where you want to go with his present

[andylo]

Your doomed now Andy. From now on you gunna be getting his hand me downs. No point you buying expensive golf gear for yourself, he is only gunna nick it anyway. Just buy him good stuff so that you know you will get it in 12 months or so.

And if the 'accountant' starts complainng about excessive golf purchases just point to the boy and tell her it cant be helped because he keeps growing.

Haha