golfrewind.com

After going through Golfsmith's online Club Fitting section, this is what popped up:

My example was a set of Irons, Cobra FP

Shaft: Stiff

Club length: 3/4 inch shorter

Lie Angle: + 59 degrees

Grip size: Mens plus 1/64 inch

That's it... numbers wise, should I just stick with finding a standard set or use the custom recommendations.

Appreciate any responses.

I would not put all of my stock in an on-line fitting. They give you a good idea, but I feel are not as accurate of getting it done professionally. For example, when I bought my last set of Pings, before I went to the Ping fitting, I did the on-line one, and it pointed me out to all standard (black dot), white grips, etc. It was completely different with my club fitter. I was fit to a red dot, smaller grips, and a stiff shaft. The only thing standard with my clubs is the length.
If you can afford it, I suggest you to go get professionally fit, it is really worth it.

I think I would find myself a professional club fitter that I could personally go see about getting fitted before I would jump off the "deep end". It might cost 25 to 50 bucks, but in the long run, it would be the best money you ever spent. The "on-line" fitting might get you in the ball park, but would you buy an expensive pair of shoes without actually trying them on?....I don't think so. Golf clubs are a LOT more expensive than a pair of shoes. Get it right the first time...get personally fitted by a professional.

Thanks for the tips guys. I did not know that the professionals would do anything different than what they showed on the site, so I was basing it off that. I will go get a fitting done.

This is the point where I definitely want it done right, so i will take your advice. My next obstacle is deciding to go with a more mainstream club, or something that is not as popular, like snake eyes. I know I will probably go with a cavity backed type club for my level of play. I have no golfsmith anywhere close by to try out the Snake Eyes clubs. I do however have access to most of the iron sets locally that I am considering:

Cobra FP
Adams Idea OS2
Walter Hagen set I hit at Dicks and liked. Not sure model.
Nike Slingshot

As has already been posted, you can't go by what an online fitting is telling you. Totally useless in my book, so are all those "lists" of what flex shafts you need, based on your swing speed or what club you hit for a 150 yard shot. Total junk. You sound like a fairly new golfer, going by your questions, so I'll say one last thing on club fitting. "Before you go and get fit, Make sure you can make the same swing repeatedly". If you don't have a good repeatable swing, you will have more than one swing, and the club fitter will have to "PICK" one of those swings to fit your clubs to. And that's not a good idea. If you have a good repeatable swing, then by all means go get fit. If not, then learn how to make a repeatable swing, and then get fit if you need to.

Agreed! Find a reputable professional.

On putt I beg to disagree with you.
The higher the handicap golfer, the more a GOOD fitter can do to improve your game. Shaft flex is extremely important as is the proper offset loft and lie. Length is critical as well. Grip size can make a difference. If you are starting with poorly fit equipment you will have a much more difficult time even improving your game at all. I have proven this many times in fitting sessions. So Please get custom fit by a qualified fitter who knows what he is doing. Many pga pro's may be great teachers but so so fitters so find someone who has the credentials and knowhow to back it up.

Well after some searching, I found I have a great custom club fitter a few miles away from home. So last night after i got off work I stopped by. Guy was extremely helpful, small business, one man shop. I spent about an hour with him and got a fitting. I paid $20 for the fitting and he did all the measurements needed. I found that I do have a very repeatable swing so the fitting should be accurate. I plan on getting him to make the clubs for me and he then deducts the fitting cost from that.

Oh, by the way, his measurements were way off what the Golfsmith site said! I am glad all of you set me straight on this.

He did say if I had any major adjustments in my game, that it will probably be seen in lie angle. he can adjust that to fit my game as it improves. Swing speed is generally done in 10 mph increments, so I don't see that changing any time soon. I have stopped growing so length should be fine. I hope to get a set of clubs soon.

Thanks again for the tips!