I often get a question that is very important when it comes to lessons and club fitting. "What should I do first? Get fit or take a lesson?"
My simple answer is this: If you struggle to find consistent contact (whether this be typically off the center, toe, or heel of the club), take lessons first. **If you need some help with finding where you're making contact, click here for a little help**
Once you're able to create a consistent pattern, whether it be off the toe or the heel, it's time to go get a set that's right for you and your swing. Obviously, if most of your shots are coming out of the center, your clubs should be right for you length wise, however, if you're struggling with a consistent ball flight, it could be the weight of the club hindering your consistency, the lie angle of the club, or even the forgiveness of the clubhead. Bottom line, if you can create consistent contact with the ball, and you're not getting the results you desire, all these factors listed above will help your fitter determine your unique specifications.
The last thing you want to happen is to hit what feels like a well struck golf shot, only to end up off line, turning one way or another. This can happen with a lie angle that is too flat or upright. Secondly, the length of the club can determine whether you're hitting it fat, thin, on the heel, or the toe, too.
This also leads to the question, "well, if I go to a lesson with a set that is wrong for me, wouldn't that make it difficult for the instructor to help me improve?" Absolutely not. You can improve your swing any which way you'd like, a lesson being the most effective. If you have a good instructor who knows what they're doing, they should be able to get you to hit the ball well enough to where the contact on the face is consistent, or trending on a consistent area on the face. If the ball is coming off the center, and still traveling off line, this is where a fitting would help. The lie angle is probably off, leading to either the heel digging (turning the face over) or the toe digging (leaving the face open).
Now, if you're making what feels like solid contact (ball first), and the ball is trending towards the heel or the toe, this is most likely a shaft length issue. If you feel you need a lesson first, or would like an idea, I have a growing online program that can help you determine your needs. My website and contact info is www.mikey.golf
**If you would like, the option of an online swing analysis is available HERE**
For any questions, feel free to contact me at mikey_golf@yahoo.com or visit my website at www.mikey.golf. You can also leave a comment below and one of our staff members will respond.
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