Finding the Right Fit: Our Process
Why have custom fit clubs? One size does not fit all and 90% of golfers are playing with the wrong equipment. Having clubs properly fitted enables you to optimize your swing mechanics by ensuring the club specifications are perfectly matched to your body and swing; leading to improved accuracy, consistency, distance control, and overall performance on the course.
As a Petersen’s client, you are fitted and tested through a proven 9-step process to gauge your specific needs for each club. From length and lie, to shaft materials and flex, we’ll figure out what specifically optimizes your game.
Petersen’s Golf Shop is a master fitter and recognized as a Callaway “top 100 fitter” and proudly offers the entire Callaway line up of custom-fitted equipment for the same price as off-the-rack.

Overview: 9-Step Fitting Process
Step 1: Pre-Fit Interview
Player assessment and understanding your current technique and performance goals.
Step 4: Shaft Length
Determine best shaft length based on your measurements and opportunity to test them accordingly.
Step 7: Lie Angle
Testing your lie angle for the most ideal turf interaction.
Step 2: Head Selection
Determine ideal head model based on player’s performance desires.
Step 5: Head Selection
Test different models to understand which works best to get the best ball flight and distance.
Step 8: Grip Size
Customized grip sizing based on personal preference and sizing.
Step 3: Shaft Flex
Based on your swing speed, we'll determine the ideal shaft flex for you.
Step 6: Fine Tune Shaft
Fitting shaft according to player’s preferences for feel and control.
Step 9: Set Make-up
Finalizing your custom Callaway set make-up.
Detailed: 9-Step Fitting Process
Step 1: Pre-Fit Interview
As you warm up and get your bearings in the TrackMan Studio, I’ll begin a conversation to find out exactly what you are looking for out of a new set or club. I want to know what you expect new technology to do for you, and what you are prepared to do to get there (other than simply buying new clubs).
Then I’ll ask you a series of question, such as:
-
Are you prepared to practice and work on your fundamentals in order to improve?
-
How long have you been playing?
-
What are your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to your game?
-
Have you learned the game on your own or have you taken lessons?
You'll bring in your current golf club set to create a baseline, and to help you feel more comfortable. Often, clients are trying too hard to impress rather than making their usual swing.A fitting should not be intimidating nor should it be a personal challenge. I am not expecting to see tour player swings and numbers, nor am I expecting those results. So please just swing the way you normally would. I’ll look at any wear patterns on your “old” clubs, and ask you how long you’ve owned them. I will also take a look at the general condition and upkeep. The first club we will put together and test will be a very close match to your present “gamer” club.
This will be done for the sake of comfort as well as to highlight the technology and how it will affect ball speed and total distance. While this is going on, I’ll be taking mental snapshots of your swing technique and the data that TrackMan is displaying on the screen. I’ll be looking at all the data, but focusing on club speed, ball speed, path, spin rates, height, and smash factor.
Before all these parameters are discussed, I’ll do a quick review of the swing videos that we’ve recorded during the warm up / interview session. I’ll then ask you about what shot shape and trajectory you prefer or would like to achieve. Are the present clubs providing those desired effects? Honesty has to be the best policy! At this stage I will also take a measurement of your wrist to floor length, and ask for your height. The Callaway static measurement chart will give me some rough guidelines on the length and lie of the irons. I’ll then observe your setup and posture to see whether or not these guideline suggestions are valid or will need some massaging. Technology is incredible, but technique is essential. It’s impossible to create consistent shots with an inconsistent swing.
Step 2: Head Selection
Head selection is the first consideration when we start to look at the components of the club.
Standard heads will fit the widest cross section of player, and will offer the fastest ball speeds and distance. However, that might not be what all players need nor desire to play with. Oversized or “Max” heads will offer a higher, straighter ball flight, but not quite the same speed. Generally, lesser skilled golfers will benefit from this type of design. These heads are also offered in ladies models that are a little lighter in weight.
“Pro” heads are a little narrower in the sole, and are generally a little more radiused. This “grind” will allow higher skilled golfers the ability to work the ball with intentional fades or draw. They do offer more ball speed than traditional “tour” heads but not as much as standard models.
You will get an opportunity to try them all, and examine the shape and differences, but ultimately, you will need to select the one with the look and feel that best suits you. Usually the data TrackMan displays influences your decision based on distance, speed, and shot shape consistency.
Step 3: Shaft Flex
Shaft flex selection will be indicated by the swing speed data provided by TrackMan. We will try a few different models, brands, weights, and kick points, to best optimize your shots. Because we are a true “Performance Fitting Facility,” we will also be able to test a wider range of models and brands than an “off the rack” retailer.
Changing shafts at this point in the fitting process will assist me in optimizing a player’s spin rates, launch angles and apex height.
I have been building clubs for over 40 years. I know that besides swing speed, you can also benefit from custom cutting shafts for custom flexes. Tipping a shaft will firm it up, and “soft Stepping” will soften the designed flex. Not every player needs this feature, but it’s good to know it’s available at no extra charge.

Step 4: Shaft Length
The Callaway guidelines suggest now is when we measure the wrist to floor and client height. However, I prefer to do this step earlier in the process. Experience tells me that players appreciate, see and feel the difference immediately when presented with clubs that are the right length for them, but most importantly, better in “lie” for their needs.
Again, these parameters are a static measurement. The true fitting process is a dynamic (motion) fit. Your posture is key.

Step 5: Head Selection
As mentioned earlier in Step 1, I will begin reading the TrackMan data early on. I’ll be watching launch angles, spin rates, and ball flight height. Optimal numbers are player technique dependent.
For example, steep swings will yield higher spins and launch angles. Therefore, these optimal numbers will have to be taken as suggestions only. We will try different shaft weights and kick points to try and get as close as possible to these numbers, but again, your technique is the key factor.

Step 6: Fine Tune Shaft
At this step, we might try either a Graphite or Steel Shaft. There are distinct advantages to both, but there are also some compromises that can oppose those benefits.
The most common shaft is steel. As mentioned, there are many different brands, models, weights, and kick points to shafts. Steel offers the widest variety. Steel is also an excellent transmitter of energy, therefore, you’ll get immediate feedback in your hands as to where and how solidly the ball / face contact was on a shot.
Steel is generally a less expensive material for golf shafts, and Callaway offers several varieties of specifications at no premium charges on many of their club models. There are also some “upgrade” models that will be tested should we see a need for some of their characteristics.
Graphite shafts, on the other hand, offer superior vibration dampening. If you suffer from arthritic fingers, or tendinitis in the elbows or shoulders, graphite will offer much less vibration. Great for those with these ailments.
Graphite shafts are also generally lighter, so I often try them on players who require extra-long clubs. A club steel club extended by even 1” will feel very heavy, and the shaft a little sloppy*. A graphite shaft extended by 1” will feel pretty much like a standard club.
On the down side, quality graphite shafts are more expensive to produce, and therefore cost a little more in a set. It costs roughly $20 more per club. Well worth it for those who benefit from lighter / less vibrating clubs. I usually “tip” clubs that I fit extra long, just to make the load on the shaft equal out to the designed flex. Conversely, when a shorter club is needed, I will often “soft step.”

Step 7: Lie Angle
Now we move onto testing lies. A special adhesive tape is placed on the sole of the test clubs and on a “strike plate.” The interaction between the tape and the plate during the test swings will indicate where the sole of the club is contacting the turf. As seen in the diagram, creating drag towards the toe of a club will open up the face and could create a fade or even a slice in extreme cases. The opposite occurs for heel strikes.
The beauty of fitting with me is the availability of test clubs with flat, standard, and upright lies. We can see the benefits of custom lies in shot shape immediately, and while we’re fitting clients.
I have also began assessing this step in my mind, as early as in step 1. The wrist to floor measurements in step 4 gives me a general idea of needed length as well as lie. Our testing is not assuming what lie and length will do once the clubs are built and delivered, but rather, we can test with thousands of shaft, length, and lie combinations.

Step 8: Grip Size
Grips are probably the easiest and most common customizing component of a golf club. Regrips at the shop are sized to your hands. There are 4 sizes of grips that the manufacturers produce (undersized, standard, midsize, and jumbo). Each can be sub sized by adding layers of thane to the shaft prior to installing the grip. This “bloats” the outer diameter of the grip so it fits your hands properly.
So what is a proper fit? I’ll take a look at how you hold the club with your upper hand (I am always surprised by how many golfers have fundamentally poor hand placements on the club). Ideally, when you close your hand around the grip, there should be the slightest contact between the middle and ring finger to the thumb pad. This, however, is subjective, and some experienced golfers might prefer a larger or smaller fit. The above guidelines are (pardon the pun!) a rule of thumb.
Different compounds and materials should also be considered. I will ask if you generally dry skin or perspire heavily? Rubber / cork grips, silicone based grips, or multi-material grips should always be assessed at this stage.
Step 9: Set Make-Up
During your assessment, we have to ask what clubs you find are most and least consistent to play with. If you struggle to hit 4 and 5 irons dependably, then why buy them? There are alternatives. We’ll try hybrids or even loftier fairway woods. We are looking for consistency, height, desired distance, and shape of shot.
An additional benefit to buying a custom set, is that we have more choice. Sets are no longer consistently made up of 4 iron through 9 iron, and a couple of wedges. Callaway Custom offers “open stock” selection, which allows you to buy the clubs you want and feel the most comfortable hitting with.
I have always believed the game is played and scores improve from inside 120 yards rather than outside 220 yards. Wedges are scoring clubs. Many models offer several loft options for wedges to allow one swing creating different lengths of shots.
In a perfect world, all golfers will have a skill set that can dial up full shots, 3/4 swings, and 1/2 shots. That takes a considerable amount of practice, skill, and confidence, which not all players possess. Buying the clubs that offer a 10-15 yard gap will make the game less stressful, a lot more enjoyable, and hopefully lower scores!
Petersen's Golf Shop
(located in The Golfer's Academy)
2392 Industrial Street
Burlington, Ontario
Canada L7P 1A5