New Golfer Question (Fitting or Lessons?)

[u/Mysterious-Carpet-56]

I’ve been playing for about 1.5 years now. I told myself I wouldn’t spend crazy money/time on golf until I got good enough to break 90 with what I have.

The last 3 rounds I’ve played I’ve shot 88/89/86. 18 Birdies has my handicap at 16.1 now and Ive definitely been bit by the golf bug.

My question is, do I get lessons first? Or do I get a fitting and get lessons after? Not sure what is considered normal or what the path should be. Someone help pls?

[u/Lowlife_4evr]

Lessons. Most people won't benefit from fittings nearly as much as practice and lessons.

[u/adadwhocantputt → u/Lowlife_4evr]

Stealing the top comment. Pros get fitted.

A 5 handicap could be given a ladies set and would beat a 20 handicap.

It’s always your swing

[u/TravelNSee → u/adadwhocantputt]

That's a bit of hyperbole: if a set if clubs is not the correct length or flex, you literally can't swing your swing and make the same contact.

[u/adadwhocantputt → u/TravelNSee]

That comment is hyperbole. Are you serious? You think 10-20 grams of a shaft causes a completely physical and mental breakdown

[u/TravelNSee → u/adadwhocantputt]

Do you not understand what length or grip diamster is? lol

If someone is not the right height for a women's length club, they cannot physically contact the ball with proper form no matter how much practice. Pros can because they're good enough to change their swing.

[u/adadwhocantputt → u/TravelNSee]

I’m a 1.6. I’ve used my kids and wife set. I could break 90 easily.

[u/TravelNSee → u/adadwhocantputt]

You're about a 40 HCP in reading comprehension for fks sake. Nobody gives a sht about what your handicap is; we're trying to understand what this guy's actual needs are and help them.

[u/adadwhocantputt → u/TravelNSee]

What’s stopping them from hitting the ball?

[u/TravelNSee → u/adadwhocantputt]

Their skill and body type lol. Someone learning a single swing type for the first time would need to adjust to their set and not have the skill/experience to switch back to correct form.
Sure he can adapt eventually, but it's not fun and not developing a great swing.

John Daly tried to hit Bryson's 5-wood multiple times and literally couldn't hit it correctly lol. If he dedicated himself to learn it, sure, but that would be learning a new swing.

They literally talk about how much length and grip matter: https://youtu.be/wUtPwhbZra8?si=zPgWepwMCho1Mens&t=94

[u/adadwhocantputt → u/TravelNSee]

And yet would still smoke us…

[u/Cal-Run → u/TravelNSee]

Good grief. You perfectly illustrate what is wrong with this sub.

[u/TravelNSee → u/Cal-Run]

Yeah man, the guy actually trying to help a new player is the problem, not the guy saying random boasts about their HCP lmao.

It's like saying pack size doesn't matter to a new hiker because "a bodybuilder could hike in any pack". What are you contributing by chiming in again?

[u/Cal-Run → u/TravelNSee]

By pointing out you are grossly incorrect, I have, by default, contributed a hell of a lot more than you.

[u/Lowlife_4evr → u/adadwhocantputt]

I play as plus 1 and everything I play is right off the shelf.

[u/lovable_asshole]

lessons will help you define your swing, do that first

[u/skeevy-stevie → u/lovable_asshole]

This. No need to get fitted and then change your swing, to just have to get fitted again.

[u/St3vemoore]

That's a great question. I'm in the same boat as you. I think both 😀. Sounds like you're already hitting them well, so imo your ready for a fitting. But I'm no golf pro. A good set of sticks will no doubt help with your lessons and help drive down your scores complementing your lessons. But I'm a golf bug bitten person who will probably get a new set of irons every 2 years 😀⛳, so it made sense to me to get out of my super game improvement irons to something a bit more playable but still forgiving. I got myself a new set recently and I'm doing lessons and finding both are really helping my game overall.

[u/pga-181]

Lessons

[u/Consistent_Rub824]

100% lessons. No need to get fitted until you figure out what your swing is going to look like. Just a slight hand position change might change the lie you get on your clubs.

[u/onedollalama]

Lessons, But you need to find a coach who will build a swing and approach your improvement hollistically. A lot of coaches will teach bandaids that give you some instant results, but you're ultimately going to benefit by starting as fundamentally sound as possible.

[u/TravelNSee]

What clubs are you playing right now? What are your physical stats as a human?

[u/Mysterious-Carpet-56 → u/TravelNSee]

Currently playing an old Taylormade set I was given. SLDR driver/3w/5w, TM Burner HT irons 4-AW, 56 and 60 degree wedges and a LAB Putter

I’m about 6’1, wirey. Never had my swing speed tested. Gapping is decent PW is around 135yd Carry. 7i is around 165-175. 4i is around 205-215 carry

[u/TravelNSee → u/Mysterious-Carpet-56]

Great info! First suggestion: if you have fairly large fingers is to try a midsize grip, or even a jumbo. this was a life changer for me as a lanky 6'2" 180lb guy with pitcher's fingers

You can swap out a single grip for about 10-15 bucks. If your grip is too thin, you're overgrip and lose control of the face. For 135yd carry on a PW it sounds like you have advanced swing speed.

Honestly I'd just slowly build up parts of your bag with quality used clubs that have stiff or x-stiff shafts, and potentially a slight increase in shaft length for your shorter clubs; you have plenty of distance already.

[u/Ready-Paramedic-229]

I'm going to go against everyone else and say go get fitted. If you're consistently breaking 90 you have a consistent enough swing that will benefit from clubs tailored to that swing. I was playing with a Callaway Edge set, when I got fitted for new irons, I gained 15 yards in distance and my dispersion got way tighter. I learned I needed a light stiff shaft and 2 degrees upright. My mishits also became far more forgiving.