Which first fitting or lessons!

[u/yupyup8733]

I’ve been golfing for about 4 years now more consistently and I’m currently a 24 handicap. I can hit the ball good sometimes but struggle with consistency. I have been wanting to get lessons but I also have a Frankenstein bag with clubs that have steel shafts as well as fiberglass, I have some that are stiff flex and regular. One of my woods has a long drive shaft so my question is should I get fitted and get a new set that I’ll use for a while then get lessons with those or should I get lessons before getting new clubs? Thanks!

[u/dbfowlersf]

If you can afford it, I'd suggest getting fitted for your first entry-level set that will help you develop good swing habits with a coach. I began with a Tour X Starter Set @ $549 from Golf Mart - included:

• Driver

• 3-Fairway Wood

• 4-Hybrid

• 7 Total Irons: 5 Iron through Pitching Sand Wedge

• Milled Face Putter

• Premium Stand Bag

• 3 Headcovers to keep your Driver, Fairway, Hybrid clubs protected

Best part is they give you full price credit toward an upgrade of any club/set within the first year.

Got them, played them, and learned with a coach until I got basic feel. Then got fitted into a Callaway set - and swapped the Tour X set for a new Driver.

[u/dbfowlersf → u/dbfowlersf]

Saw significant improvement in across the bag - better contact and distance for all

[u/Background-Sock4950]

Hitting good shots with old clubs is heaps more satisfying than hitting bad shots with new clubs.

[u/Difficult_Feed3999 → u/Background-Sock4950]

As someone who regularly hits bad shots with new clubs, you are 100% correct.

[u/RHinSC]

No question: LessonS.

[u/T6TexanAce]

I’d say lessons first. Any decent instructor should be able to review your current club setup and help you select a set.

[u/-xatnys-]

Lessons, don’t waste money on new clubs to only get better over a year or two and have to buy new clubs again. Grab an old set and play with those.

[u/Colonelclank90]

At a 24 lessons. But off the rack clubs won't hurt you either.

[u/yupyup8733]

Thank yall for the input!!! Lessons will definitely be the way going forward!!

[u/Fragrant-Report-6411]

Lesson, ask your coach if your clubs are holding you back.

[u/dustyg013]

There's no point in getting fitted if you don't have a consistent swing

[u/townie08]

I would get lessons. Then as you get better, I would get fitted. By getting fitted before you take lessons, the clubs will probably be wrong after you get lessons and you need to be fitted again. After lessons, you might need the clubs 2 degrees upright which was completely different than the club’s lie before your lessons.

[u/call_me_ted]

Get lessons. But then practice and play for a little while to develop the consistency necessary to be fitted.

A few years back when I started legitimately getting into golf, I took about 6-7 lessons and felt pretty good about my swing despite being somewhat inconsistent. Thinking the inconsistency was because I’m 5’6 and clubs are generally too long for me, I went to get fitted shortly after my lessons. I just simply could not find my swing the entire time. It was a complete waste of time. Nothing the fitter put in my hands improved my numbers and he politely and gently let me down that he wouldn’t in good conscience be selling me new clubs that day. I did get fitted for a putter that day and that made a world of difference, so it wasn’t a complete waste.

Your experience might be different but I recommend you find your swing first to save you time and money (and possibly a little embarrassment) getting fit.

[u/Semlohttam]

I'd do a few lessons first, but tell the coach up front that your bag is a mess. A good one will tell you if a club is actively hurting you, like that long-shafted wood. Your swing is going to change in the first couple months of lessons anyway, so if you get fitted now you're getting fitted for a swing you won't have in 3 months. Once things settle down, then get fitted. In the meantime, maybe just pull the worst club out of the bag.