[hiedeemom]

I was in Raleigh today and planned on visiting about 3 different places to talk about fitting and maybe some lessons and was very excited. My 1st stop was one of the big box stores. I made my way in and the gentleman comes out and ask if I needed help. I told him that was interested in getting fitted and the response that I got was unbelievable. I told him I had been playing a lot this summer and reading and talking to several people and thought this was what I needed, He prcoeeds to tell me that I need to be a more complete player before I need to be fitted. He continues on and says that I need a game and a swing that he can work with before he will do anything. He tells me that he will do it but it will be no good because I will be swinging equipment that I don't need. I just stood there and didn't know what to say. I gatherd my thoughts and after about 5 minutes I asked about the different balls. I knew what you guys here on the baord had said and even what was suggested in the ball fitting but I wanted to see what he would say. He tells me that until I get a game and a swing that I will not know the difference in a $50 a dozen ball or a $2 ball. He tried to sell me a Max-fli (no offense to any Max-fli users) ball that was about $10. Again, I have no idea what to say. I just said thanks and went on my way.

So my question is, which comes first, the swing/game or the fitting?

BTW....I went to a different location and have a fitting session and my 1st lesson on Wednesday!!!!

[ancexttew]

i get free fittings when i sign up for my lessons at Golftec and i havn't used any of them yet because im fixing my swing. i want to get my new swing first before i use my fittings and im not seeing any issues due to my equipment right now anyway. i would at least start your lessons and work some major issues out first before getting my fitting personally.

[WrinnaArraple]

My pro suggested lessons before fitting.

[Switiespils]

There is a certain logic to the idea that you'd want a reliable and repeatable swing for the fitting to give you best results. I don't know about the answer you got though - more complete game? Weird.

I definitely disagree with him on the ball comments. I am playing to an unofficial 15-16 type number. I have spent the better part of the season experimenting with different products and can definitely tell a difference between the balls, even those within the same price point. If this version of my game is the 'more complete' game he discussed then I just got really depressed.

[pkxlugbsbv]

i did the golftec lessons last winter and did a fitting when done with my 10 lessons and yes i think it makes sence to take lessons first so you have a more consistent swing i just know it worked for me ended up buying a complete new set of clubs...

[lidya-sggf]

I would put little stock in what a big box golf employee says. Its not a knock on them as a whole, because there are many that are quite good, but in our searches (and we do this frequently) I would bet a closer number is 7-8 out of every 10 we speak with gives out incorrect information.

[marcusdexz]

I've passed up getting fit until my swing is closer to where I think it should be. However, I can still tell differences in golf balls.

[TNOULbr2]

There is a great smaller store in Apex too, if the bigger store's rubbed you the wrong way. It's called Tee to Green. They have an out door range as well you can demo on. They carry a large selection.

[eI7iqNot]

I'm torn. Seems like a silly thing for him to say, without ever seeing you swing. I also know that if you can't at least deliver a repeatable swing, fitting's going to be a crapshoot. Maybe he thinks that lessons would dramatically change your swing (which is possible) or that you've just started playing and he's just saving you the money for now. Doesn't seem like he's got terrific sales skills, though.

The bit with the balls? I know quite a few people who think that way. I disagree with it because I could certainly tell the difference between a Titleist and a StarFlite when I was starting out. I wasn't able to make much use of what the "better" ball had to offer, though. Spin tended to be sideways and I couldn't hit it out of my own shadow. End result? I usually scored better with the StarFlite. He'd have been better off saying that a $50/dz ball might not be the best for you right now.

[dietpillxanaxaxx]

I would put little stock in what a big box golf employee says. Its not a knock on them as a whole, because there are many that are quite good, but in our searches (and we do this frequently) I would bet a closer number is 7-8 out of every 10 we speak with gives out incorrect information.

I agree. I would find a PGA Professional in your area and speak to him/her about your thoughts.

[DevaRextusidis]

LOL, I'd be willing to bet $100 that the OP is referring to Dick's. The Maxfli reco is a dead give away. It amazes me the complete lack of CS and knowledge at these stores. If the CEO of Dick's would actually put people in those positions who knew wtf they were doing, I bet their sales would increase mightily.

[hiedeemom]

LOL, I'd be willing to bet $100 that the OP is referring to Dick's. The Maxfli reco is a dead give away. It amazes me the complete lack of CS and knowledge at these stores. If the CEO of Dick's would actually put people in those positions who knew wtf they were doing, I bet their sales would increase mightily.

BINGO!!!!! And after I get my lessons and my fitting and the buy the new clubs, they will get an email/letter from me about the service and how I was made to feel.

[Twelearly]

I would go lessons and get the swing a little better then go in for the fitting

[Plokiikmol]

I've been golfing for about 8 yrs now and have finally decided to get lessons... probably from GolfTEC and do a fitting with them after. So I wouldn't waste $$ on a fitting unless u had a repeating swing.

[Goalseexere]

Sounds like you happened upon an honest employee OP... he gave you some honest advice at the risk of losing a sale.

[SantaClaus]

I would say you shouldn't get fitted before you think you have settled into a somewhat repeatable swing that won't change too radically. I mean why would you get fitted if your swing may change in the period following, thus making the fitting pretty useless?

His ball comment seem a bit weird though...definitely something to be said for playing a ball that fits your game.

[hiedeemom]

You all will have to forgive me but I am still trying to get a level that I am comfortable with. I have played more golf this summer than I have played in the last 6 years/summers. This is mainly due to my weight loss and feeling better. I love playing the game but I had no idea it was a technical as it is. I guess maybe I should have done more reading and learning. With that being said, here is my question....why would I not want to be fitted with clubs that I can learn to swing correctly? that I can grow with? I don't have a great swing obvioously and not as good as some of you. I don't think however that it is a train wreck. This may be a dumb question for some of you but I would appreciate the responses.

[SantaClaus]

You all will have to forgive me but I am still trying to get a level that I am comfortable with. I have played more golf this summer than I have played in the last 6 years/summers. This is mainly due to my weight loss and feeling better. I love playing the game but I had no idea it was a technical as it is. I guess maybe I should have done more reading and learning. With that being said, here is my question....why would I not want to be fitted with clubs that I can learn to swing correctly? that I can grow with? I don't have a great swing obvioously and not as good as some of you. I don't think however that it is a train wreck. This may be a dumb question for some of you but I would appreciate the responses.

I don't think the issue is to be fitted with clubs you can learn to swing correctly. No two golf swings are alike and the reason I wouldn't advice getting fitted is not tied into the quality of your golf swing more to the fact that your swing might change a bit. A fitting done rights will fit the clubs to match your current swing (i.e. get the most out of your current swing), if you then take a number of lessons and end up changing things in your swing (even minor ones), the fitting done previously may no longer match you swing. I am speaking from experience, having done this myself. Note I am not talking about a simple fitting, i.e. one that only looks at shaft length etc, but a proper one.

Anyway just my two cents, but I have made the mistake of doing this myself.

[QQQQQ-Trek]

Don't get frustrated by this. You most definitely want to take some lessons and establish your swing before spending money on a fitting and subsequent clubs. I have been somewhat out of the game for a long while and will be taking lessons as well as establishing a new handicap before getting fitted. JMHO.