Why the best club fitting starts with asking the right questions

Before embarking on any venture, it helps to define your goals. Club fitting is no different.

As a master fitter at True Spec Golf, one of the first questions I ask is simple: What would you like a new set of clubs to do that your current clubs don’t? That answer will help establish a clear path for the fitting process and determine how your new set should be built.

Not surprisingly, the most common goals golfers mention are accuracy, distance and consistency. In a perfect world, a well-fitting club meets all three requirements. In reality, there are often trade-offs.

Distance versus accuracy: choosing the right trade-off

One driver can cover the most distance, but has difficulty spreading out. Another might be forgiving and consistent, but give up a few yards. Whether a club helps or hurts your game depends on what you need most.

Take the player with a high swing speed who already carries over 300, but sprays it off the tee. For that golfer, sacrificing a few yards to improve accuracy can be a net gain. More fairways lead to better approach shots, which create more scoring opportunities.

Now consider the opposite player. Someone who hits straight, but lacks speed. If a driver can add 10 yards without sacrificing accuracy, that could mean one less full club on the green. The greens are dramatically improved in regulation and proximity to the hole, even for amateurs, when approach shots are hit with shorter clubs and wedges.

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Solving real problems on the job

This is where the fitting becomes less about the launch monitor numbers and more about solving real problems on the track.

Imagine a tee shot at your home club that constantly causes you problems. There’s a perfectly placed bunker that you simply can’t carry. Every now and then you sneak past one by rolling out, but you struggle to launch the ball high enough to fly over the hazard.

In that case, adding loft or switching to a lighter, softer flex shaft with a different kick point can increase launch and spin. That extra height can be the difference between lying back and confidently carrying the bunker.

Finding the right clubs between driver and irons

One of my favorite parts of the bag to fit in is the space between the driver and the long irons. Fairway woods, hybrids and utility trees all live here, and proper spacing is critical.

You may need a reliable fairway finder if your driver goes sideways mid-round. Maybe you want a club that gives you a realistic chance of reaching a par 5 in two. Trust plays an important role in determining which option works best.

Why higher lofted fairway woods are popular

Some players prefer the larger profile of a fairway wood, and the rise of mini drivers and higher-lofted fairway metals has opened new doors for golfers who struggle with drivers or low-lofted woods.

Clubs such as 7-woods and 9-woods have shorter shafts and more loft, making them easier to swing and easier to control. Spin equals control. In most cases it is much easier to reduce launch and spin than to add it.

That’s why higher-ranked fairway woods can be such effective solutions, especially for players with steeper swings who struggle to launch a traditional 3-wood.

Hybrids vs. Utility Irons: Forgiveness Matters

Hybrids tend to play closer to long irons than fairway woods, but with significantly more forgiveness. A good example is Fred Couples, who has 4-, 5- and 6-hybrids, with his longest iron being a 7-iron. If one of the greatest ball-strikers in recent history sees value in replacing long irons with hybrids, it’s at least worth testing it out during a fitting. No matter how good long blade irons look in the bag, the results often tell a different story. Ego can be expensive.

Driving and utility irons are typically reserved for stronger ball strikers who prioritize control and workability. They allow players to control the ball and shape shots, but offer the least forgiveness compared to fairways and hybrids.

Matching iron types with performance goals

Iron fittings follow the same principle. Whether the goal is more distance, tighter dispersion, or improved peak height and stopping power, different iron categories exist for a reason.

Game improvement irons make it easier to launch the ball thanks to the low center of gravity and weight distribution to the perimeter. These design features increase moment of inertia and help limit face rotation on off-center hits.

Player-distanced irons focus on extra ball speed without sacrificing forgiveness. Manufacturers are packaging advanced materials, often dense tungsten, into more compact shapes that combine bag appeal with performance.

Cavity-back irons for players offer a balance of forgiveness and workability, with thinner toplines and less offset than traditional game-improvement designs. Traditional bladed irons provide maximum control and spin, but offer the least forgiveness and are best suited for elite ball strikers.

Building smarter iron sets with combos

Combo iron sets allow installers to combine multiple iron categories into one cohesive set. Typically this means more forgiveness on the long irons and more control on the scoring clubs, allowing players to maximize their performance where it matters most.

Wedge mounting: where precision matters most

Fitting the wedges requires more input from the player than any other part of the bag. Bounce, gravel and loft choices depend heavily on swing type, surface interaction and course conditions.

Two key factors in wedge fitting are loft gap and bounce variety. Good spacing ensures consistent distances and builds confidence on short approaches.

Bounce selection affects the way the club interacts with the grass. Players who take deep divots often benefit from more bounce, while those who shoot with blades may need less. By wearing wedges with different bounce profiles, golfers can adapt to different lies, grass conditions and hitting demands around the greens.

True Spec Golf Club Fitting

With over 70,000 club head and shaft combinations, True Spec Golf custom fits and builds a precise set of clubs.

Trust the process

Honest communication is the most important part of the fitting process. Whether the goal is to squeeze out extra ball speed, close dispersion or gain more control inside 100 yards, relying on an experienced fitter can turn weaknesses into strengths.

A master fitter at True Spec Golf doesn’t just build clubs. They help you build a game that suits you.

Want to give your bag a makeover in 2026? Find a club fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

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