We all love to watch the greatest playing golfer, Tiger Woods and no one on earth can hit the shots that he can hit on a golf course and in a golf tournament.

But I bet Tiger Woods has a fitted set of golf clubs, what do think?

I got an expert fitter set of golf clubs back when I first started to get really serious with my golf. That’s why my fitted golf clubs work so perfectly and will keep working well. They work so well because they fit me – to a tee.

Buying golf clubs without a personal club fitting is like buying a suit without checking the size. Custom fit golf clubs will tailor the golf game to the golfer. This is a very well crafted article and incredibly informative which appeared at Suite101.com titled, “Golf Club Fitting - Custom golf club fitting can make a huge difference in performance,” and was written by Alan L. Hammond.

The golf clubs displayed at golf shops and pro shops are built to standardized specifications. If the customer doesn’t fit those specs, the equipment won’t fit the customer. Without the proper club fit, no golfer will reach optimal performance. It is a necessity for golfers to receive a custom club fitting, from a trained and experienced club fitter, before making a golf club investment.

A good professional club fitter will test the following seven interrelated variables during a custom fitting session: shaft length; lie angle; shaft flex; shaft type; grip size; golf club head design; and set make up. Each variable is briefly explained below:

• Shaft Length: Among other things, shaft length will impact where on the clubface the ball is consistently struck. The correct shaft length will prevent a golfer from having to alter a natural swing arc in order to make optimal impact.
• Lie Angle: This is the angle formed by the shaft and sole of the club. Having a correct lie angle will cause the center of the clubhead to touch the ground. If the toe of the clubhead is raised, a hooking shot may result. Should the heel be raised, a push or slice may result.
• Shaft Flex: The shaft flex impacts things such as trajectory, accuracy, distance and consistency. During the golf swing, the club “flexes” throughout until squarely meeting the ball at impact. An incorrect shaft flex significantly reduces the chance of making consistently solid contact.
• Shaft Type: Here, again, personal characteristics make the decision. The composition of steel and graphite shafts, their kick (or bend) points, swing weights and torque ratings are considerations
• Grip Size: The right grip size can impact the golfers ability to return the clubface to a square position and release the wrists through impact. Also, with the variety of grip compositions, personal preference is a determining factor.
• Clubhead Design: With the advent of MOI (moment of inertia) importance, this factor has become a big consideration, particularly with higher handicappers. When shots are struck outside the sweet spot, a high MOI reduces twisting at impact, delivering shots closer to the target area.
• Set Make Up: The new hybrid clubs have given golfers a wider range of choices in the clubs they carry in their bag, their set make up. Numerous lofts and designs in woods, hybrids, irons and wedges make the need for professional custom club fitting more important.

Due to the interrelatedness and number of variables, it is difficult, if not impossible for anyone aside from a professional to conduct a proper club fitting. Online golf retailers offer club fitting, but often all factors aren’t considered. Club fitters should be able to give golfers personal attention and many often use technology in the form of launch monitors as one means of assessment.

A launch monitor typically measures clubhead speed, ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, carry distance and overall distance. Measuring these characteristics, along with others, will help the club fitter select the proper clubs for each golfer. Many golf shops will offer club fitting without requiring club purchase, albeit for a fee.

After a custom club fitting, golfers will feel confident that they have made a good decision in their investment. The added confidence will enhance performance almost as much as the custom fitting itself.

Only after I went through the fitting process, did I see the results of all my lessons, practice and course time start to pay “HUGE” dividends. Why not give Mike and Evan a call – What do you have to lose – a few more strokes off your handicap?

Now what are you waiting for, you love golf and you want to play better golf so get over to Legends Custom Clubs and go through the fitting process, it will be the best golf money you ever spent. Plus if you work with Legends Custom Clubs, you get one of the KZG 2008 World’s Top ClubFitters – Evan Sturdivant

Legends Custom Clubs | 571-275-1707 or email info@legendscustomclubs.com.

Maybe you fall into the once a year category or maybe every other year. But no matter you eventually need those grips changed.

That’s where the guys at Legends Custom Clubs come into play, no one has more experience replacing worn grips than Mike and Evan at Legends Custom Clubs. And if you want to keep up on all that’s going on in golf in the Washington, DC area especially in Reston Virginia then tune into their new blog Legends-CustomGolf.com

If an average hacker plays 20 times a year or so, do clubs get worn out on 3-4 years? How about grips in the same period of time?

If you play 20 times a year, depending on the initial quality of your grips and the climate you play in, they will last two, or even three years if taken care of properly.

Good Luck!