What Constitutes a Proper Putter Fitting?

[ahender]

Hi:

  After having a really poor putting performance during my last round of golf, I decided to read the Dave Pelz Putting Bible and get fitted for a putter. I figured I would get fit for a putter and practice a few of the tips from the book as a first step.
  Not expecting miracles but simply knowing that I would now have a "properly" fitted putter would at least help with some of the mental aspects.
  With that, I went to my local retail golf establishment and talked to the owner about a fitting.
  He set me up with a time and said it would take 30-40 minutes.
  I'm thinking "great," he must take a lot of variables into account.
  That's good!
  So when I show up this morning another gentleman says he is doing the fitting.
  After about 5 minutes (at most), he said I needed a 44-1/2" length shaft with a standard lie.
  He also said a straight shaft was best since I was pulling my putts.
  All of this was based on me hitting two putts and using a laser to see if my alignment was good on my two putts.
  I said "How can you fit me for a putter if I myself am questioning whether my putter technique/form is correct?"
  You have not made any recommendations on my stance, primarily whether my eye was over the ball.
  I thought that last point would be key to a proper fitting.
  He said "We're not giving a putter lesson we are fitting you for a putter based on your style."
  I said "Fine, but doesn't my eye at least need to be somewhat close to being over the ball.  After I get fitted I will need to be working on my posture and eye/ball alignment and if you fit me for a putter when I am no where near the ball won't the putter length/lie change with my future, correct putting posture?"
  He decided he would hold the laser under my eye to see if I was over the ball.
  Now I'm no rocket scientist but my common sense dictates that you cannot hold a laser and be accurate for anything.
  I thought that was ridiculous.
  I told him that.
  He also said that regardless of how lousy a person's putter posture/form is, he will fit them with a putter based on their style.
  I found that shocking.
  We went back and forth about this until I just told him I would re-evaluate what I "really" needed.
  Am I completely wrong in my frustration with this guy?
  Does simply measuring whether my eye is centered over the ball constitute a putting lesson?
  Would that not be a valuable part of a putter fitting?
  Help me out.  What actually constitutes a proper putter fitting?
  Does having a lesson at the time of the fitting make more sense?

 thanks...alan

[bogeycentral]

I see you have found a couple things out today. The ENTER key works quite well and your local shop can't fit worth a damn.

With that out of the way there are some great guys on here that run shops that can chime in and explain what a proper putting fitting entails. Where are you located and maybe we can point you to someone that can fit you properly.

[BigLeftyinAZ]

Everyone fits different.

I make sure the person's arms are hanging freely and their eyes are directly over the ball.Then we measure for length and lie angle.

[BigLeftyinAZ]

I see you have found a couple things out today. The ENTER key works quite well and your local shop can't fit worth a damn.

No need to be a smart ass. 

[ahender]

"Everyone fits different.  I make sure the person's arms are hanging freely and their eyes are directly over the ball.Then we measure for length and lie angle."

The above were the two things I had hoped would be included in the fitting.
For those who might know of a fitter in my area, I'm located in Athens, GA.
alan

[madmaxgolf]

OK Ill chime in ! here is how our putter fitting goes !

Interview obviously, I like to let the player loosen up get a feel for the enviornment, take notice of any tendencies, Take a few videos,

I generally like to start with the players own putter on our SAM putt lab with measures 25 + different points in the putting stroke and is a terrific tool for putter fittings, after we get the results a few things happen, I might feel the golfer has the right putter and might need some instruction or we make some changes, so after getting the data with their putter , I then begin getting length and lie measurments, I like to get a player setup where they are comfortable but also when they set the putter flat their eyes are right over the ball.  from that point I find a putter that suits the golfers needs and set it up to their specs and back to the SAM for more testing, and continue until we are satisfied with the result,

All of that being said there are moments where some golfers have a style and look they prefer so we have to find a compromise on performance and look/feel...

[Cwebb]

It depends on whether it's a lesson/fitting combined or a fitting based on the style/setup that you've chosen to stick with. 

[Desmond]

Before you go for a fitting, get comfortable with your technique.

1. find technique - lessons, Super SAM, TOMI, or other evaluation aid, Pelz, Utley, Tiger-like method, O'Brien, etc.
2. Does that technique work for you?
3. Make it instinctive
4. Get fit. Fitting should involve which putter you aim best, length, lie, etc.


For a unique experience, you might try this guy if you're ready to throw some bones at them -- www.edelgolf.com

[rp]

"Everyone fits different.  I make sure the person's arms are hanging freely and their eyes are directly over the ball.Then we measure for length and lie angle."

The above were the two things I had hoped would be included in the fitting.
For those who might know of a fitter in my area, I'm located in Athens, GA.
alan

Look up Al Humphries at Precision Golf Services.