Using the right clubs, ball, and other fitted golf equipment can make the difference between you breaking 90 or breaking a club over your knee. It’s an often-overlooked factor in your ability to play your best golf. Using the right clubs, ball, and other fitted golf equipment can make the difference between you breaking 90 or breaking a club over your knee. When visiting a golf academy in Orlando to improve your skills to break 90, will your experience include assessing and making recommendations about your golf equipment? As part of the process to improve your chances of breaking 90? It should be! At John Hughes Golf, we always assess all our clients’ golf equipment.
At your skill level, a lot of golfers think that fitted golf clubs are a waist of time and money. Quite the contrary. In fact, it’s your skill level that can benefit the most from owning and using fitted golf equipment. Whether it be golf clubs, the ball, apparel, or other golf equipment, when it fits you, odds are in your favor to improve. Fitted golf equipment will minimize the effects of your not so consistent swing that influences ball flight.
Whether you visit us for a golf school or any other golf coaching program, John Hughes Golf always assess all our clients’ equipment. We make recommendations as to how a golfer’s current golf equipment is influencing their ability to improve their score and enjoyment of the game. And we provide club fitting

services using our partner, Callaway Golf, and their fitting cart at Omni ChampionsGate Golf Club in Orlando. We also utilize our partner, Club Champion, for those clients wanting to make a serious investment in their games, as well as their equipment.
Using the best fit clubs and golf ball, and other golf equipment can significantly influence your performance on the course. Ill-fitting or mismatched equipment can hinder your progress. Ultimately preventing you from breaking 90, even if your technique is sound.
The Impact of Ill-Fit Clubs
Clubs are the most vital piece of golf equipment. Allowing you to make solid contact with the middle of the club face with every swing. Or forcing you to fight against the club to do the same.
Golf clubs come in all shapes, sizes, and designs. Each manufacturer is attempting to accommodate all golfers’ swings and needs. When clubs don’t suit your swing or body type, no matter which manufacturer, it can lead to inconsistent ball striking, poor shot control, and frustration.
At the end of the day, it boils down to confidence. Confidence in the golf equipment you’re using every shot. Eliminating the fear of whether your equipment fits properly and works efficiently for you and your swing. Without that confidence, there will always be doubt in your mind as you address every shot.
Let’s discuss some of the major elements and parts of a golf club that can have a drastic and positive impact upon your ability to break 90 more often.
Shaft Flex and Weight
The flex and weight of the golf shaft you are using is the #1 cause of poor ball striking. And probably the #1 piece of golf equipment you should replace if the shaft is not correct for you and your golf swing.

Think of your golf shaft as being the transmission in your car. You’re the engine. And the club face is the wheels. The energy you produce in your swing (the engine) must efficiently transfer to the club face. For you to make solid and consistent contact with the golf ball. If you and your body or swing is the equivalent of a 4 cylinder/small car engine, and you’re using a Maserati transmission as a golf shaft, chances are the transmission is too good for the engine. And in turn, not transferring the maximize amount of potential energy the transmission is capable of as you swing any club. It works opposite too. If the shaft you are playing is too small as compared to the energy your swing produces, you’re not transferring maximum potential energy to the golf ball through the face of the club.
The most common fault seen at John Hughes Golf is a golfer using a shaft that is too stiff and/or heavy to match the golfer’s swing speed. Ego plays a large part in this happening so often. Golfers with slower swing speeds who use a stiff or heavy shaft will lack the distance they are seeking. As well as lacking the accuracy and consistency they are desiring. Preventing them from reaching greens in regulation. And making it harder to break 90.
Remember that to create a stiffer golf shaft, the wall of the shaft will get thicker and in turn, heavier. Although technology breakthroughs are allowing shaft manufacturers to custom design and mass produce impressive golf shafts of various weights and stiffness profiles, the bottom line is how you manage the weight and stiffness of the shaft.
As a general rule, you want to have a shaft in your golf clubs that maximize flex without sacrificing accuracy, length, and consistently. A shaft that is too light or flexible you’ll fight just as much, if not more than a heavier stiffer shaft.
Club Length
One of the most common golf equipment issues is using clubs that are too long or too short.
If your clubs are too long, it can cause you to reach too far for the ball, leading to poor posture and a less efficient swing. As well as fat shots, hitting the ground before the ball. On the other hand, clubs that are too short can result in an upright posture, causing you to hit the ball inconsistently and lose distance. As well as hitting shots thin.
The most common mistake we see golfers making is using clubs that are too long. Remember, as you add length to a club, you’re also adding weight. And if you can’t control the weight of the club, you’ll compensate throughout the swing to do so.
Ideally, you should only be lengthening a golf shaft if your arm length is significantly shorter than average. And/or you are significantly taller than the average golfer and adjusting lie angle is not enough to make a significant difference in ball striking capability (see lie angle next). Both scenarios make it difficult to achieve proper mechanics, which directly impacts your ability to break 90.
Lie Angle
The lie angle of your clubs refers to the angle between the club’s shaft and the ground when the club is in a neutral position (Static Lie Angle). And when contacting the golf ball (Dynamic Lie Angle). If the lie angle is incorrect at the moment of impact, you’ll contact the ball with a misaligned club face. Causing shots to veer off target. This can be especially problematic with irons when accuracy is key.

Significant to note in this section of the blog is how clubs are built regarding lie angle. The shorter the club, the more upright the lie angle. This is a design feature that enables the more vertical nature of a swing made with a shorter club to make more flush contact with the ground at impact.
Because most golfers swing path is more outside to inside, it becomes necessary to adjust the lie angle of clubs more upright. If your divots are thin and towards the toe, as well as going across the ball to the inside of your body, the lie angles of your irons are too flat. This will cause the ball to fly even more right than normal for the right-handed golfer. Opposite for the left hander.
Grip and Grip Size
Which grip you use is more a personal preference than anything else. However, if the size of the grip forces you to place a death grip on the handle, you’re not transferring all the energy of your swing through the club to the ball.
Grips are made with different materials as well as in different shapes. As regulated by the rules of golf. Your choice of material and style is more a decision about comfort than anything else. Yet, the comfort aspect plays right into the size of a grip and how your hands, wrists, and arms release the golf club.

If a grip is not comfortable, you’re likely to squeeze the handle excessively. Doing so causes tension in your hands and wrists. Sacrificing your ability to transfer maximum potential energy through the club to the golf ball. If you’ve ever played a round of golf and your hands were sore afterwards, you experienced what was just described. As well as experiencing a few poor shots during the round.
For a grip to fit you, be sure your grip tension is enough to secure the club, not choke it. If you need a grip size bigger or smaller, for either hand, let your clubfitter know your needs. A good clubfitter can provide you with multiple options to insure security and comfort are correct for you.
The Right Golf Ball
I get asked the question often by clients and others if there’s a difference between all the golf balls on the market. Short answer, YES! Long answer is that you should be using a golf ball that allows your swing speed to compress the ball to your potential. While also reducing miss hit errors that adversely affect spin and spin axis.
Ball Compression
Your ability to compress the golf ball directly affects your ability to hit the golf ball for longer distances. Energy transfer from the club to the ball will compress the ball. Transferring the energy to the ball’s core.
With technological advancements, golf ball manufacturers are now able to use different materials for the golf ball’s core. Enabling golfers with slower swing speeds to gain maximum potential energy transfer

from their swing to the ball. Regardless of what club they’re using. Golf ball cores are now made in varied sizes too. Theoretically, the bigger the core, the more energy it can store. The more energy stored, the longer the ball will travel.
When choosing the proper golf ball for you, pay attention to how soft or hard the ball sounds when struck. The softer the sound at impact, the better. And be willing to experiment with different golf balls to determine the best brand and model that allows you to compress the ball best with your swing habits.
Spin Control
Some golf balls are designed to provide more spin. While others are built for less spin to reduce slice and hook tendencies. A golfer who struggles with a slice might benefit from a low-spin ball to reduce the side spin. Called “spin axis”, some golf balls can reduce the degree at which the ball spins. And in turn, assist with straightening a curved shot in any direction. A player with a more neutral ball flight, on the other hand, might benefit from a ball that provides a higher spin ratio for better control around the greens.
In both cases, the correct ball choice can impact your short game and accuracy, two essential areas for any golfer aiming to break 90. Again, experiment with different golf balls and dimple patterns to determine the ball you can compress the most. And can reduce spin axis extremes that cause your shots to fly off target.
Other Pieces of Golf Equipment Worth Fitting
While golf clubs and golf balls get most of the attention when it comes to custom fitting, there are other pieces of golf equipment worth fitting as well.
Footwear
The shoes you wear on the course play a pivotal role in maintaining balance, stability, and comfort throughout your round. Also worth noting is most golf courses always have water to deal with throughout the round. Whether it is morning dew, irrigation, or rain, having a waterproof shoe is a requirement, not an option.
Any shoe purchase should be taken seriously. Buying a pair of shoes because it’s on sale often leads to blisters, poor ankle stability, and wet feet. Regarding your stability and balance, wearing ill-fitting shoes will lead to poor swing mechanics, reducing your ability to perform under pressure.
Be willing to pay more for a shoe that fits you well. While providing long-lasting comfort along with superior stability.
Rain Gear and Outwear
If you play golf in the rain. Or cold conditions. You’re adding at least one layer, if not more, of clothing to your body. Which can lead to inhibited mobility, less flexibility, and errant shots. Most golfers do not think about outwear as a piece of golf equipment. Which is why their scores explode in adverse weather conditions
In the case of outwear for cold conditions, small thin layers are always best. Technological advancements in cold weather apparel have made it possible to wear as many as 3 layers of clothing and still have full functionality of your golf swing. Try on new outwear over at least one extra layer of clothing. And make golf swings as you do. Be sure you feel comfortable and free to make the golf swing you are accustomed to before purchasing.
Same with rain gear. Is it easy to make a swing in? Is it easy to get on in a hurry as rain develops during your round?
Conclusion
Tailoring and fitted golf equipment enhances your chances of breaking 90. Remember that golf equipment plays a significant role in achieving that goal. Clubs, balls, shoes, outwear, and more all need to be tailored to your swing mechanics, body type, and playing style. Ill-fitting golf equipment can lead to frustration and poor performance. Which will stand in your way of shooting consistently lower scores.
Before you head out to the course, consider scheduling a custom fitting for your clubs to ensure they match your swing. Take the time to experiment with different golf balls to find the right compression and spin rates for your game. And don’t forget to invest in comfortable, stable golf shoes to support your posture and balance throughout your round.
By using golf equipment that complements your unique playing style, you’ll be well on your way to breaking 90 and beyond.
Let John Hughes Golf know if you’d like to schedule a fitting session at Omni ChampionsGate Golf Club to insure your fitted golf equipment is working best for you!