As Lifestyle Editor for The Daily Duffer, I’m always looking for ways to elevate our golf experiences beyond the score. It’s about how the game integrates into our lives, making us better and happier people, both on and off the course. Recently, I was captivated by a colleague’s journey through a golf club fitting process, and it struck me: this isn’t just about getting new clubs; it’s a metaphor for continuous self-improvement and embracing a thoughtful approach to life.
My colleague, Sean, chronicled his “Fully Fit” odyssey through the hallowed halls of golf equipment manufacturers in Carlsbad, California. He described it with an analogy that resonated deeply with me:
“My future was spelled out — a week bopping around Southern California, from company to company, getting “Fully Fit” for new golf clubs at each spot. And I was as froshy as 7-handicaps get — anxiously interested in being there, in much the same way my 18-year-old self was anxiously interested in going to the University of Wisconsin. I understood my game upon arrival, but I also knew this experience would be very good for me. I knew I would learn a ton, would have a bunch of people looking after me, and that I’d probably make some friends along the way. These collegial vibes made sense, I would soon learn, because like many things in golf, an equipment journey can feel a lot like college.”
This isn’t merely about shaft flex or clubhead design; it’s about investing in oneself, seeking expert guidance, and being open to new knowledge. It’s about understanding that sometimes, the tools we’re using might not be serving us, even if they feel familiar.
How many of us cling to old habits, old routines, or even old relationships, simply because “that’s what I’ve always done”? Sean’s story is a powerful reminder that growth often requires letting go of what’s comfortable and embracing the tailored fit. For years, he played with blade irons, convinced he’d eventually “learn how to hit them.”
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Adam Christensen/GOLF
Beyond the Ego: True Self-Awareness
My conversations with golfers, from weekend warriors to aspiring pros, constantly circle back to confidence. And while it might feel good to swing the same clubs as a Tour superstar, is it truly serving your game? Sean realized that his “butterknife irons” were ultimately creating “gapping issues and extreme inconsistency.” This is where the lifestyle parallel truly shines. How often do we make choices in our lives – from our career paths to our fitness routines – based on what we *think* we should be doing, or what looks good on paper, rather than what genuinely suits *us*?
One profound moment from the fitting process occurred at TaylorMade, where a fitter challenged Sean’s shaft choice:
“Why are you swinging a telephone pole?” he asked. My eyes wide, my mind racing, I hoped he was joking. “That’s what Rory McIlroy uses,” he continued, chuckling. “You don’t swing like Rory McIlroy.”
This isn’t just about golf; it’s about accepting and optimizing for who you *are*, not who you aspire to be overnight. Rory McIlroy’s clubs are perfectly fitted for his elite swing, just as your daily habits should be tailored to your unique strengths, weaknesses, and lifestyle. This wisdom applies to everything from our diet and exercise to our personal goals. Are you trying to force a “Rory McIlroy schedule” into your “everyday golfer” life? The result is often frustration, not improvement.
Actionable Takeaways for Your “Life Fit”
Sean’s journey wasn’t about finding the most expensive clubs; it was about finding the *right* clubs that delivered predictable results and confidence. Here are a few ways to apply this “Fully Fit” philosophy to your everyday life:
- Assess Your Tools: Just as Sean had to honestly evaluate his irons, take stock of the “tools” in your life – your habits, your routines, your support systems. Are they truly working for you, or are you just using them out of habit?
- Seek Expert Guidance: Sean actively engaged with fitters, asking questions and learning. In your own life, consider finding mentors, coaches, or professionals who can offer objective insight. Whether it’s a fitness trainer, a financial advisor, or a life coach, fresh eyes can reveal powerful truths.
- Embrace Forgiveness: At Titleist, Sean discovered T150s and T250s, which offered “extra forgiveness just outside the sweet spot.” This translated to “much tighter dispersion and carry distance.” In life, we won’t always hit the sweet spot. Build in systems and habits that offer “forgiveness” for those off-center hits. Maybe it’s a meal prep routine for busy weeks, or a meditation practice to recenter after a stressful day.
- Mind the Gaps: Sean realized his long irons were creating “nonexistent” gapping, with everything going “roughly 220 yards.” Identify the “gaps” in your life – areas where effort isn’t translating into desired outcomes, or where you’re struggling to bridge a skill gap. For Sean, it meant exploring 7-woods and 5-woods to fill the void. For you, it might mean learning a new skill, delegating tasks, or asking for help.
The biggest learning from Sean’s week wasn’t about a specific club, but about understanding his own “experience, his action, his strength, his skills, his hand-eye coordination, his brain.” This deep self-awareness led him to embrace fairway woods over aesthetically pleasing long irons, because they simply *worked better* for him. It’s about finding harmony between your aspirations and your reality, and then optimizing for that reality with the best tools and approaches available.
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Your “Fully Fit” Life
Sean’s experience is not just a tale about golf clubs; it’s a blueprint for a more intentional and effective lifestyle. It’s a reminder that personal growth is an ongoing process, much like a college education that never truly ends. We’re all on a journey to find our optimal “fit,” whether it’s in our careers, our relationships, our health, or our golf game. By approaching life with the same diligence, openness, and self-awareness Sean applied to his club fitting, we can all graduate to a more fulfilling existence.
