Too busy. Too expensive. Too far away. Those are the most common reasons golfers cite when they tell us why they haven’t been fit for golf clubs. The good news for them is that the growth of the custom-club industry has led to options that are faster, more affordable and in this case, only as far as way as a golfer’s smartphone.

Online custom club fitter fairwayjockey.com has released an app called Shaft Select (available for Apple and Android devices) that can fit golfers for every shaft in their bag, sans the putter. Downloading the app is free, as is a wood-shaft fitting. If golfers want to learn what hybrid, iron or wedge shafts are for for them, however, an annual fee of $2.99 unlocks those tools. And those ready to take the plunge can then make their way to fairwayjockey.com to build their completely custom club or clubs.

Can an app really fit golfers accurately for shafts? To answer that question, we spoke to Mike Robinson, Founder of Fairway Jockey.

WRX: The Shaft Select app asks golfers to answer a few simple questions depending on the type of shaft that’s being fit. How did you come up with those questions and criteria?

MR: The series of questions ask the player the most important concepts that should be covered during a custom shaft fitting. Shaft Select uses a player’s tempo, transition, and shaft release to compute a high-level recommendation. It goes a step further and gets the player’s input on ball flight needs, directional miss information, and feel to narrow the recommendation down to specific models that will work for their swing.

WRX: How many shafts are in the Shaft Select database? And how does the app sort through the different shaft options to offer a recommendation?

MR: The Shaft Select database has every model, weight, and flex from 15 of the top shaft manufacturers. Through shaft testing and fitting knowledge, we programmed the fitting tool to sort through the data for each shaft to compute non-biased, data-driven recommendations for our clients.

WRX: As a fitter, what do you recommend for golfers who aren’t quite certain of their swing tempo, transition or release? How can they get that information so they can use the app effectively?

MR: The ideal solution would be to get the information from a PGA professional or a club fitter. However, there is not always access, so there are some general ways to diagnose your own swing tendencies. For example, a golfer can time their swing from start to finish. Closer to 1 second would be a fast tempo, and closer to 2 seconds would be a slow tempo. For transition, a golfer can determine if they are aggressive or smooth at the top when they start their downswing. The swing release is when the wrists typically unhinge during the downswing. Most mid-to-high handicap golfers have an early-to-mid release, and most low-handicap golfers have a late release. If there is any doubt, we are always a phone call or email away for assistance.

WRX: When golfers call you for assistance, what are the most common misconceptions about shafts and the fitting process?  

MR: There are a couple misconceptions that come to mind. Specifically, many golfers will focus primarily on swing speed as the only determinant for the proper shaft. We like to get the golfer thinking about other factors such as directional miss (to ensure proper weighting) and feel preferences (to select proper torque). The second misconception that comes to mind is in the selection of the proper playing length when having the shaft built by Fairway Jockey. Many golfers will request a playing length without considering the effect it has on the swing weight of the club. A swing weight that is too light or too heavy can have a negative impact on the golfer’s ball flight. We always recommend that our clients consult with us to ensure a proper setup.  

WRX: The last question golfers get when choosing a shaft on the app is about price. What advice do you have for golfers buying shafts on a budget?

MR: I would say the higher your swing speed, the more critical it is that you lean toward purchasing a more premium shaft. If you have a slower-to-average swing speed, I would recommend that you purchase a shaft that fits comfortably within their budget.

To download the Shaft Select app, click here.