What types of places offer golf club fitting?

Club Fitting FAQs

Golf club fittings can be done in a variety of settings, from high-tech studios to local pro shops. Each type of fitter offers a different experience, price point, and level of brand neutrality. Here’s how they compare:

Independent Club Fitters

These are specialists who don’t work for a specific manufacturer and often carry a wide range of brands and shafts. Many use tour-grade technology and are staffed by experienced fitters who focus on your swing, not brand sales.

Pros of Independent Fitters:

Brand-neutral recommendations
Large inventory of heads and shafts
Highly technical and personalized
Typically you're paying for the fitting expertise, not built-in markups or sales incentives.
Independent fitters are more likely to help you build a full bag strategy over time, not just sell you a new driver.

Potential Cons:

Cost can sometimes be more expensive (often $250+ for a full fitting)
Clubs, depending how custom you go, can take weeks to receive

National Chain Fitters

There are a couple of national chain fitters like Club Champion and GOLFTEC. Between these two, they have over 400 locations.

Pros of National Chain Fittings:

Convenient locations
Access to most major OEMs
Sometimes there are discounts or credits toward purchase

Potential Cons:

While this has been reported less of lately, some have felt there might be a bias toward specific brands
Fitters may have variable levels of experience

Big Box Retail Fitters

These are found in stores like Golf Galaxy, PGA TOUR Superstore, and others. They often offer access to multiple brands and technology, though some (not all) may push house brands or commissions.

Pros of Retail Fitting Studios:

Convenient locations
Access to most major OEMs
Discounts or credits toward purchase

Potential Cons:

Sometimes there is a bias toward specific brands
Fitters may have variable levels of experience

OEM-Affiliated Fitters

These fittings are offered directly by manufacturers like Titleist, Ping, TaylorMade, Callaway, Mizuno, Srixon, etc. They often host mobile fitting days, demo days, or appointments at brand facilities.

Pros of OEM-Affiliated Fitters:

Deep dive into one brand’s offerings
Fit by manufacturer-certified experts
Often free or low-cost

Potential Cons:

Locked into a single brand
Less comparison with other options

Local Golf Pros or Coaches

Many teaching pros offer basic fittings using launch monitors or personal observation. While they may not have extensive brand access, they provide great insight into how your swing and clubs work together.

Pros of Local Golf Pros & Coaches:

Personalized, coach-driven advice
Can blend into lessons
Ideal for beginners or casual players

Potential Cons:

Limited tech and inventory
Not always a full club fitting experience

Quick Takeaway
As you can see, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best club fitter is one who listens to your goals, uses real data, and has access to enough equipment to find what truly fits you.