Choose the longest shaft that still allows you to make good contact with the ball.

In these days of high-tech, custom-fitted sports equipment, no serious golfer would dream of using a set of golf clubs "off the rack." But what sorts of things are important when a player sets out to customize a set of clubs to his or her size, swing and level of play?

Richard Chavez is a leading PGA teaching professional and head pro at the Santa Barbara Golf Club. In 2000 he was recognized by the Southern California PGA as Golf Professional of the year. Here he offers his expert advice for customizing your golf clubs for maximum performance:

• Adjust lie angle.
  Chavez always looks at the divot first. If the toe or the heel is hitting the ground first, the lie angle can be changed by around two to four degrees.

• Maximize shaft length.
  On average, a longer golf club will allow a player to hit the ball farther. You'll want the longest shaft that still allows you to make good contact with the ball.

• Pick proper shaft flex.
  Normally, when your swing speed is higher, you need a stiffer shaft.

• Higher handicap; higher torque.
  A golfer with a higher handicap will want a higher torque shaft. Steel has a torque factor of about two degrees, while graphite can have up to seven or eight degrees. If your handicap is high, graphite may be the way to go.

• Lower your score.
  Once you've consistently been able to repeat a golf swing, says Chavez, club fitting is the main key to lowering your golf score. So don't settle for pre-fit clubs; go out and get them customized today!

Santa Barbara Golf Club
ci.santa-barbara.ca.us/departments/parks_and_recreation/golf/

Henry Griffitts
www.henry-griffitts.com/default.asp

Golf Help
www.golfhelp.com/golf-help-html/Golf_Equipment/Custom/index8.shtml

The United States Golf Association
www.usga.org/index.html

Custom Built Golf
custombuiltgolf.com/customer/home.php