Advances in computer technology, high speed photography, and materials research have given designers new information on golf club performance. This information has revolutionized not only the science golf club design but also the art of club fitting. While there are objective criteria which are helpful in choosing the correct golf clubs the subjective factors of personal comfort and confidence are at least as important.

Club fitting can be thought of as a combination of 4 factors:

• Regular (or medium)
• Stiff (or firm)
• Extra Stiff (or strong)
• Seniors (or light)
• Ladies

1. Increasing or decreasing the shaft length changes the length of the swing arc, just as changing the radius of circle changes its circumference. As long as a player swings at the same tempo and is strong enough to handle a longer club, a longer shaft will give more club head speed and distance.
2. Changing shaft length changes the plane of the golfer's swing. The golf swing takes place on a plane formed by the golfer's shoulders and the ball at address. When a longer golf club is used, the golfer must stand further from the ball. Thus the plane is "flatter," or closer to horizontal. When a shorter club is used the golfer must stand closer to the ball and the plane is more "upright" or vertical. Generally an upright swing is more accurate since the club face is aligned with the target for a longer time in the swing. A flatter swing, However is more powerful for many players.
3. The longer shaft changes the position of the club head at impact. Because the golfer is standing further from the ball. The heal of the club head will move downward and the toe will move upward.   

A club which is too upright for the golfer will hit the ground with the heel. This will tend to cause a pull or hook because the face tends to close through the hitting area and because the face is actually aiming to the left (for right-handed players.)

A club which is too flat will hit the ground with the toe. This generally causes push or slice since the face will open and is already aiming right (for right-handed players.) Clubs that are too upright or to flat also cause decreased distance since the twisting of the club head at impact absorbs energy.

Correct lie angle is a function of shaft length. The longer the club, the flatter the lie angle should be. The shorter the club, the more upright the lie angle should be. While the best way of determining correct lie is on the driving range, the following chart is a good indication.

Distance from the wrist (crease closest to the hand) to the ground when wearing ordinary street shoes

Approximately 25% of golfers will benefit by ordering golf equipment which is flatter or more upright than standard.

The loft of a golf club is the angle formed by the face of the club and the shaft. The loft effects the trajectory the golf ball will travel after impact and the distance the ball will carry. In irons and fairway woods the loft is usually a matter of club design. In the driver, however the loft must fit the golfer's swing.

Three factors determine optimal loft for a driver:

1. Club head speed: The greater the club head speed the more backspin is imparted to the ball and less loft is required for best trajectory.
2. Swing consistency: decreasing loft also increases the side spin associated with impact with the face open or closed. It is there fore harder to control a low-lofted driver.
3. The material and design of the head also effect optimal loft. It is therefore incorrect to assume that if a given loft is right in one model that it will be right in another. For instance, it is common for golfers to require 1 to 2 degrees less loft with the new titanium drivers.

Due to variations in individuals swings, the face may have more or less loft at impact than when the club is held in a neutral position at address. Thus finding the best loft necessarily requires some trial and error. Nevertheless the following table is helpful for indicating the proper loft of steel headed drivers.

Since control is always more important than distance, it is advisable to ere in the direction of extra loft.