Problem is, now some companies are kind of forcing your hand. For instance, once Taylormade bring out a new line/model, they cease production of the previous line almost immediately. So no pro/fitter is going to say 'you will be fine with some M6's, but i cant get them for you, go on ebay'. Hence they will always only offer the latest and greatest. I know some brands like Ping will still produce older models, but i am not sure if this means the retail price remains high as it would be a custom order and technically not old stock.

I’d go pay for a fitting with the idea of not buying anything. Avoid a free fitting so you don’t feel pressured to buy anything. Then pick something on the second hand market that’s as close to your spec as you can.

Depends if you are upfront with your intentions. Some just want to know their specs and get an idea of ideal set up, hence they would be charged a fee for the fitting. If you book a free* fitting then you should be in the market for clubs. So to most people it would be rude to get all the info and then go and search around for the best price elsewhere, especially if its your local club you are trying to undercut. Best practice is to have an idea of what you want/like the idea of & price them on the market before you go see a pro. After you get fitted and land on a decision, tell the fitter/pro that you may have seen a certain set for $X elsewhere and see if they play ball. If they can't come to a 'good' price or you really want to buy elsewhere, then simply pay for their time spent on your fitting. Fair.

@@scottmckeon5542 I am thinking of paid fittings; I understand your point about free fittings. Although I have been thinking of getting some new irons - mine are very old - the current supply situation makes me feel there is no point buying a new set until well into next year. Besides, I am making some significant swing changes and am more interested in finding out where I am with my current clubs in terms of suitability. Of course if I discovered what I am using at the moment is totally inappropriate I would change. I have no problem buying from whoever does the fitting even if it costs a little more.

I’ve a full bag fitting scheduled soon, that is expected to take 3+ hrs

If your scheduled for a specific part of your game such as putter, or wedges, irons, that maybe fine. (45 mins)

I have new Sim2 irons having come from traditional lofts. I was all over the place for 5 rounds. I know they are two clubs stronger, but could not get them right. Has a gapping session on the Friday on the Saturday dropped 6 shots.

Same here, my irons were 30+ year old as coming back to the game. They had always been good for me. Have bought new set of Wilson’s where the loft is much stronger and they are about two clubs different. Mentally find it hard to think 5 iron is like my old 3 iron which I could hit but struggling for consistency with the new set. I have actually bought a 3,4 iron in the new set which I am working on via driving range. Looks as though they will hit the ball same distance as my 5 wood. Will be interesting to have a gapping session in a few months and see if there is any real change as he describes between 3-5 irons with my swing. Of course cost is important, but fitting does not have to be a full fit of shaft etc as most fittings are based around the 7 iron eg the old 5 iron. Lie angle can be set for any clubs even when bought of the peg / second hand and that is a minimal cost

Someone looking for club fitting videos pours enough money into golf that a 300-500 fitting is worth it to them

These fitters must seriously laugh their heads off when they sell £2000 worth of golf clubs to a 24 handicapper.

Very few will get full demo sets. Still usually get the ol' 7 iron selection with most brands

@@scottmckeon5542 Exactly, so how do you know if you should end your set at a 5 iron, 4 iron, 3 iron or should even look to blend in more forgiving clubs without buying them all? So much talk about blending sets and irons into hybrids but no idea how it works in reality?

@@adrianjackman9422 i believe most pro/fitters already have an idea of what brand/head theyre going to try sell you before you even swing a club, surprise surprise most leave with callaway/TM/Titleist. Just shaft profiles tend to change with the fitting. The pro will generally be the ones to offer the blended options based on their opinion or experience, not so much based on your current fitting. Always a good way to get the 'utility' sale on top of a full iron set. Thats why Srixons, Clevelands, Cobras get labelled as 'under estimated' or 'surprise' quality in reviews, because most fitters simply dont offer them or focus only on the big 3. Youd most likely need to ask in advance if they even have Srixons available for trial. when its a $500-$1000 stab in the dark, especially when starting out, it can be very hard to find what you really need. Also, alot of mid-high handicappers seem to plateau when they get to 5,4,3 irons and get very similar distance. Hence why hybrids and utilities tend to take over for alot of people as the hotter faces and lighter designs give a bit more omph for the long shots. But in turn, these are totally different feel to an iron you used in the fitting, so once again tough to know without taking a leap of faith on purchase. I know everyone harps on about fittings, yes they're worthwhile before you spend big on brand new clubs that dont suit you. But if you do a basic bit of research on shaft length appropriate for your height, swing speed info to match up with shaft flex and try a few of your mates clubs to get an idea of different feel you may like, a new/high handicapper would be better buying a 2nd hand set that is in the ballpark of their specs*. *Granted this would be an educated guess.

@@scottmckeon5542 That seems a really fair and well balanced reply. I don't doubt there are benefits to custom fit but do feel it is greatly over sold especially with regard to gapping and blending, as no one I am aware of actually offers this, well short of saying get rid of that and buy something extra. I also doubt if you looked at all the manufacturers you mentioned and also added the likes of Mizuno, Ping, Cobra it would matter much to most golfers who you chose, which product within their range would matter much more than which manufacturer, the same goes for shafts

@@adrianjackman9422 I agree with that. I dont care what brand I have. I have a head shape and an angle at address that I prefer, and thats what I look for because it gives me confidence. Not the brand. But....I will say this, once you find a shaft design/spec you get along with, id suggest sticking with it. Shaft makes a huge difference, hence why most good players keep their old shafts and whack a new head on it. I couldnt currently have any wood/hybrid without either an Atmos TS or a HZRDUS Smoke in it. The confidence of knowing a clubs flight pattern is a huge bonus and IMO the biggest benefit of a fitting. But, the flip side is that if you are still very inconsistent in your game, then that flight is still going to vary on every shot. So is it worth getting fit for an ideal club spec when you dont make enough ideal swings? New/high handicappers should value forgiveness above all else. Spin and distance tech advancements arent going to help if you arent hitting the middle of the club consistently. But forgiveness always helps.

Literally every single video Golf Monthly do is an ad for Auschnet, TM or Callaway. Wait until they do their monthly recycle of 'must have gadgets/equipment' basically an ad for buying FootJoy rain gloves and whatever rangefinder company floated them some cash/product.