How did they fit clubs in the 50s, 60s, and 70s?

I don’t imagine there were many options in the 50’s and early 60’s. Fittings were probably done by feel and ball flight.

Not sure there were more back then

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Not sure there were more back then

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Maybe, maybe not. I can think of a few that are no longer in golf stores, or have “tour vans” at tournaments. Macgregor, Ram, Lynx, Spaulding, & I’m sure I missed a few...

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Forget the golf maker (McGregor?) but basically his best driver was made for Byron Nelson. Byron didn't like it and gave it to Hogan.

Found it interesting bc basically Ben Hogan was getting hand me down clubs. Sounded like he didn't even have relationship with club manufacturer.

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That was about 1936 or so before Hogan had even won a tournament. Nelson won and won big a lot sooner than Hogan. Hogan was 30 years old before he even won a tournament.

I started in the golf business in 1968 and the only thing we really knew about fitting was the toe-down effect during the swing, thanks to Ping's research. We would have the customer set up to an iron and slide a piece of paper under the sole until it made contact about a half inch toward the heel; then you figured you had the right lie angle. The only problem was getting the club's bent because no one had bending machines and the manufacturers didn't do any custom work.

So, most fitting then was watching someone hit balls and guessing about shaft flex, and grip size and length. Those were the only fitting options back then.