Getting fitted
Do I need a club fitting at my handicap?
If your clubs don't match your swing speed, a fitting helps at any handicap: ELDRICK sets flex, shaft weight and driver loft from speed, and uses handicap only to start the iron head type. Speed varies at every level; in ELDRICK fittings a typical 16-20 handicap swings the driver at 100 mph, which already calls for a Stiff shaft.
| Handicap | Median driver speed | Driver flex at that speed | Median 7-iron speed | Iron flex at that speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scratch or better | 113 mph | Extra Stiff | 92 mph | Extra Stiff |
| 1-5 | 109 mph | Extra Stiff | 90 mph | Extra Stiff |
| 6-10 | 105 mph | Stiff+ | 88 mph | Stiff |
| 11-15 | 103 mph | Stiff | 86 mph | Stiff |
| 16-20 | 100 mph | Stiff | 84 mph | Stiff |
| 21-24 | 99 mph | Stiff | 82 mph | Stiff |
| 25+ | 96 mph | Stiff | 81 mph | Regular |
ELDRICK's golfers skew fast, since many bring launch-monitor numbers. Your own speed is what counts.
Median driver speed by handicap
Only 17 mph separates the median scratch golfer from the median 25+ here.
What handicap changes, and what it doesn't
Handicap starts your iron head type and sets one boundary in driver heads: at 5 or better, a modest open face keeps a standard head. Everything else about the build (flex, shaft weight, length, lie, loft) comes from speed, measurements and ball flight. See iron set makeup by handicap.
So a high handicap with a fast swing in senior-flex shafts is badly fit, and a low handicap in shafts from a decade ago may be too.
Signs a fitting will help
Your driver speed is in a different flex band from your shaft. Your 7-iron is far from the length your wrist-to-floor calls for. Your clubs are 5 or more years old, which is when ELDRICK recommends a new head and shaft rather than adjustments: see how often to get refitted.
Starting is free on ELDRICK. You'll need your speed if you have it; no launch monitor is required.
Frequently asked questions
Is a club fitting worth it for a high handicapper?
Yes, if your clubs don't match your speed. ELDRICK's flex, weight and loft rules don't depend on handicap, and higher handicaps in ELDRICK fittings still swing the driver 96-100 mph at the median.
Should beginners get fitted?
A basic fit for length, lie, grip size and flex helps from the start. Those come from your measurements and speed, not your scores.
What does handicap change in a fitting?
In ELDRICK, the starting iron head type and one driver-head boundary at handicap 5 or better. Not shafts, length or loft.
How much does a fitting cost?
Starting an ELDRICK fitting on eldrick.com is free, and every ELDRICK account includes 10 fittings a month inside AI assistants.