Six GOLF magazine staffers of varying skill levels underwent comprehensive club fittings at major manufacturers to assemble ideal 2026 bags. The nine-day Fully Fit 2026 project aimed to offer relatable insights for everyday golfers seeking personalized equipment. Participants shared key learnings on swings, preferences, and the importance of professional fittings.
The Fully Fit 2026 initiative marked a shift in how GOLF tests golf equipment, moving away from generic reviews to personalized full-bag fittings. Over nine days, panelists Johnny Wunder (handicap 2), Jake Morrow (0), Jack Hirsh (2), Wadeh Maroun (2), Maddi MacClurg (5.6), and Sean Zak (7.8) visited six facilities: Ping Proving Grounds in Phoenix; TaylorMade Kingdom and Callaway's Ely Callaway Performance Center in Carlsbad, California; Titleist Performance Institute in Oceanside; Cobra Tour Fitting Experience in Encinitas; and Cleveland/Srixon/XXIO at Navy Golf Course in Cypress.
At Ping, the group tested the G440 K driver and S259 wedges, noting their forgiveness. TaylorMade's session featured Qi4D drivers and Spider putters, while Titleist emphasized iron fitting with the 'three Ds' and Vokey SM11 wedges. Cobra's OPTM metalwoods impressed with tour-level customization, aided by rep Ben Schomin. Callaway focused on speed with Quantum drivers and Chrome Tour balls, and the final stop at Cleveland/Srixon highlighted ZXi irons and RTZ wedges.
Scratch handicapper Jake Morrow adopted a no-ego approach, leading to quicker, more effective fittings. He selected a mixed bag including Callaway's Quantum Triple Diamond MAX driver and TaylorMade Qi4D fairway woods, praising a custom 3-wood for its versatility. 'The single most important lesson was realizing that if I completely ignore any ego, my fits are quicker, more fun, and perform better,' Morrow said.
Seven-handicapper Sean Zak discovered that club aesthetics influence his performance, favoring sharp lines in Titleist GT2 woods and T150 irons. He addressed gapping issues by adding a 5-wood and utility iron. 'My brain works best during the takeaway and through contact when I’m looking at those sharper lines,' Zak noted. The project includes follow-up playing tests to assess long-term impact, underscoring that every major OEM produces elite gear suited to individual needs.
