When did you get fitted?

[misterlau]

I don't think that there's much debate over the benefits of a proper fitting, but there are different schools of thought on when is the best time. Obviously someone who is very tall or short, or has a very unique body type, may find standard length and lie uncomfortable and may have no choice but have adjustments made. But what about an average sized person who can get by with standard clubs without discomfort? Does not ingraining poor habits trump developing a consistent swing and fundamentals? Or is it a waste for someone who can't even grip the club properly or swing and hit the ball repeatedly with solid contact?

 

I'm interested in knowing how long you waited to go get fitted from when you first started playing.

After all the experience you have had up to today, how long would you recommend a beginner to wait before fitting?

 

Also, feel free to list what you consider benchmarks for when to get fitted. Obviously, everyone plays/practices at different frequencies and intensities, so time probably isn't the best measure. Maybe you waited until you shot a certain score, or could hit the ball a certain # of times in a row, etc.

[monkeyboy]

I'm in the camp of self education. How you get there is a different story. You could get fast feedback from a fitter or you could buy and sell clubs until you find a combination that works for you...either way is OK depending on your wants/needs/budget.
I'd say though, that you should have a repeatable swing when going to a pro fitter. Also may want to get fit every few years as you progress - depends on your budget.

Best fitting I ever did was for my putter, yet it is often the most overlooked.

After awhile - I learned my swing and characteristics and was able to get myself in the ballpark for equipment...maybe I'm leaving a few yards on the table - but I don't feel like spending $$ each time I get fitted. If I were an aspiring amateur - it would be a different story.