Going for a custom club fitting is now easier than ever, and there are so many benefits to going through the process. As a high-handicap golfer, I am always looking for ways that I can make improvements to my game, and while I take time to have lessons and practice, I wanted to make sure my clubs were giving me the best chance of being successful on the golf course.
When I arrived at American Golf’s Trafford Store for the first time, I was impressed by the set-up. A driving range, a shop floor packed with the best golf clubs on the market and a number of hi-tech fitting bays.
Benross has a reputation for providing quality clubs at an affordable price so I was eager to get started and see what their latest products, along with thorough fitting, could do for my game...
1. Learn About Your Lie Angle
One of the first things you are asked to do in a club fitting is hit a few balls with your previous clubs. This gives the fitter a chance to analyse your swing using the latest shot-tracking technology, and come to a conclusion on areas that could be addressed through a change in equipment.
After I had struck a few balls onto the expansive range at American Golf’s Trafford store, Steve (my fitter) immediately identified something that he thought could help me improve my iron play strikes.
The lie angle of my current clubs is two degrees upright, which evidently was a factor in my regular miss off to the left. Steve advised me to try the new Benross Delta XT Irons with a one degree upright angle, which immediately produced a sweeter strike.
2. Seek Out The Right Shafts
The next thing we focused on was the shafts in my previous clubs. My swing, although often unpredictable, generates quite a lot of speed.
The shafts I have used for the past two years were regular flex, which meant that I had a tendency to shut the face too quickly through impact - sending the ball left.
By switching to a stiff flex shaft, both with the Benross Delta XT Irons and the Delta XT Driver, I was able to deliver the club face more squarely through impact, narrow my dispersion and as a result managed to instantly improve my accuracy and add distance.
3. Liaise Over Loft
When I pulled the head cover off my previous driver and sent a few poorly struck tee shots into orbit, Steve immediately questioned the loft. My original driver was set at 10.5 degrees, and while many of the issues I have with my long game come down to technique, Steve assured me that with a slightly lower loft I could see instantly better results.
So, with the new Benross Delta XT driver in hand, set at 9.5 degrees, I immediately saw a better shape in my shots. Thanks to a slightly lower ball flight, I saw increased distance and what felt like an increased level of control over the golf ball, all of which helped me to feel more confident pulling the big stick out of the bag in the future.
4. Dive Into Data
After hitting plenty of balls, Steve and I went over to the screen for a debrief. The detail in which the fitter analyses your game is truly impressive, and their insights not only help you to make better decisions about your equipment but also allow you to deepen your understanding of your overall game.
We went through a number of shots, with Steve highlighting areas where equipment changes led to an improvement in my performance, all of which was backed up by an easy-to-follow visual simulation of my shots. Agreeing a plan moving forwards was simple, as I took on-board his expert advice while also feeling in control of the decision making process.
5. Confidence On The Course
One of the great benefits of a Benross club fitting with American Golf is you don’t have to wait too long for your new toys to arrive. Most customers receive their orders within two weeks and that means more time getting acquainted on the course.
From the moment my new clubs arrived, I couldn’t wait to test them out. The entire set looked incredible in the bag, and I couldn’t believe the high level of quality on offer in relation to the very reasonable price. I had plenty of compliments from my playing partners too, who were audibly shocked by my upturn in form after I striped my new 7-iron 160 yards to the middle of the green.
The gains I found in the fitting bay certainly translated to the course, and immediately I felt a boost in my confidence as I knew I had the gear I needed to get my handicap down and play better golf. In my first round of golf with the new clubs, I improved my best ever score by a massive seven shots and I am very pleased I took
the time to invest in my golf game.
