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Taking Custom-Fitting One Step Further: Fitting for Club Matrix

At Innovex Golf, we are all about customization – we customize for lie, length, grip size, shaft flex, shaft torque, kickpoint – but even more, we custom-fit for club matrix – or, the set of clubs itself. What club types and loft combinations you carry can have a dramatic impact on your scores.

How so? Click http://www.innovexgolf.com/kevins_corner/chapter18.asp for a full explanation of why club matrix is so important.

So, how do you go about being fitted for club matrix? There are a number of ways we can help you select the right clubs:

1. Visit our HQ, any Innovex Golf retailer http://www.innovexgolf.com/retailers/index.asp or a club-fitter that utilizes a launch monitor (not a simulator).
2. Visit our Tour Van, The Innovex Golf Experience, when it comes to your local golf course or driving range.
3. Contact us via phone at (866) 402-6097 – our professionals are ready to assist you.
4. Utilize our Build-A-Set feature – click http://www.innovexgolf.com/pricing/build_a_set.asp .
5. Contact us via email – be sure to tell us about your game – distances, swing type, clubs currently utilized, etc.
6. Continue to read here – we’ll go through the process of selecting the right fairways, hybrids and irons.

Let’s begin by going through the clubs that each golfer should carry. If we divide up the bag into 14 “slots” (assuming that we’re going to follow the USGA rules), we should all start with the following clubs:

1. Driver
2. 3 wood
7. 7i
8. 8i
9. 9i
10. PW
11. GW
12. SW
13. LW
14. Putter

So, we all start with the same ten clubs – of course loft of driver will vary for each golfer – visit http://www.innovexgolf.com/pricing/build_a_driver.asp to find out the right driver for your game.

There are 4 slots where multiple club choices are available – which club you select depends mostly on the ball speed you generate. The faster your swing, the more likely you are to carry on the right side of this grid; the slower your swing, the more likely you are going to be better off with the options on the left side of the grid.

You see, the slower your ball speed, the more benefit you will receive from clubs with a lower CG – i.e. fairway woods and hybrids.

3. 5 wood (19) 3 hybrid (18)
4. 7 wood (23) 4 hybrid (22) 4 iron (22)
5. 5 hybrid 5 iron
6. 6 hybrid 6 iron







Ladies and seniors will benefit from a combination of 5w, 7w, 5h, and 6h. Most men will fare well with a 5w, 4h, 5h, and 6i combination. Stronger players will do well with a 3h, 4i, 5i, and 6i combo.

*Caveat to this….long hitters interested in carrying a 64˚ ULW, will eliminate the 3w and 3h, and add a 4w in order to make room for the versatile 64˚ ULW.

What I carry personally and why (carry distance in parentheses):

12˚ Driver
5w (215)
7w / 4h (200)
5i (185)
6i (170)
7i (158)
8i (146)
9i (134)
PW (120)
GW (105)
SW (90)
LW (75)
ULW (60)
Putter

Personally, I opt to carry the 64˚ ULW, as I am very confident with it in the 50-60 yard range and around the green. Also, I find that I generally don’t hit the 3w or 4w much farther than the 5w, so I opt for the club that goes higher. Depending on the course and conditions, I select between the 7w and the 4h. On shorter courses and, in wetter and windy conditions, I go with the 4h. Otherwise, I like the very high ball flight of the 7w.

Our goal is very simple: To put a set of clubs in your hands that fits you in terms of length, lie angle, shaft type, shaft flex, grip size, and club matrix. This will give you the most confidence and will lead to lower scores.

Cool explanation. Good thing I'm a stronger player.

I did this matrix fitting with Kevin and it has really shown to be so valuable on the course in that I have confidence in every club in my bag, and excellent yardage coverage. This is definately bringing the scores down.... along with a lot of practice. I am amazed that this type of bag setup isn't talked about more amidst all the talk about the importance of fitting.

Questions on this?

Thanks,

Kevin

I carry a 5 Hybrid about 180-185, and love it...but would there be any course conditions... wind etc.. in which it would make sense for me to carry the 5 iron instead. Although it would be hard for me to take it out of the bag because of it's versatility around the greens. Also what do you see as far as a difference in accuracy between a 4H and 7 wood if any.

All things being equal, the hybrid is going to be the better option for most golfers. I carry the 5 iron, but am considering the hybrid - it's pretty easy to hit, and like you said, usable around the green.

As far as the 4 H vs 7 W, 7 wood will go higher and probably a little further, but given the .335 shaft and extra club length, dispersion will be greater too. I do carry both around, but when push comes to shove, the 7 wood can land and hold a green from 200 at times when the 4 H cannot.

Does that help?

Kevin