Golfer Behavior Survey: 'Golf Performance' Ranks as Top Recommended Club Fitting Studio – Insights on Fitting Experience, Effectiveness, Cost Perception, and Concerns (Survey by Golf Live)

Golfer Behavior Survey: 'Golf Performance' Ranks as Top Recommended Club Fitting Studio – Insights on Fitting Experience, Effectiveness, Cost Perception, and Concerns (Survey by Golf Live)

Survey Background

In recent years, the widespread adoption of launch monitors such as TrackMan and GCQuad has increased attention on 'club fitting'—selecting golf clubs based on data rather than just 'feel' from test swings.

However, many golfers still have not experienced club fitting, and the actual situation remains unclear.

Therefore, Golf Live Co., Ltd.—which operates a golf-focused email newsletter with over 500,000 members—conducted a survey on golf club fitting as part of its latest research into golfer trends.

Survey Overview

- Survey Period: May 15, 2026 to July 9, 2026 - Survey Organization: Golf Live Co., Ltd. - Target Audience: Readers of the 'Golf Live (https://g-live.info/)' email newsletter - Valid Responses: 930 - Method: An email requesting participation was sent to Golf Live newsletter subscribers, and responses were collected via the web service 'SurveyMonkey' (https://jp.surveymonkey.com/).

Respondent Attribute 1: Average Score

Among 930 golfers, the average score over their last 10 rounds was surveyed. Results were: '120 or above' (3.13%), '110–119' (8.63%), '100–109' (27.62%), '90–99' (45.20%), '80–89' (14.35%), and '79 or below' (1.08%). This survey primarily includes golfers with scores between 90 and 109.

Respondent Attribute 2: Golf Experience

Golf experience was '10 years or more' for 84.19%, '5–10 years' for 10.00%, '3–5 years' for 3.23%, '1–3 years' for 2.15%, and 'less than 1 year' for 0.43%. The survey is centered on experienced golfers.

Survey 1: Which golf club fitting studio do you most recommend?

Among respondents who recommended a fitting studio (522 valid responses, including open-ended answers), the top choices were:

- Golf Performance (Force One Custom Fitting): 87 responses - Golf 5 Prestige: 83 responses - Golf Partner Fitting Studio: 35 responses - Futami Golf Fitting: 20 responses - PING Fitting: 13 responses - Mizuno Fitting: 10 responses - Fujikura (Shaft Fitting): 7 responses - GolfTEC: 7 responses - Others: 4 or fewer responses each

In the 'Others' category, responses included Golf Live, Daiichi Golf, Tsuruya, TaylorMade, HONMA, and local custom workshops, but no studio received more than four mentions.

The results show that 'Golf Performance,' known for integrating lessons with fitting, is the most recommended studio among Golf Live's newsletter subscribers.

'Golf 5 Prestige,' a retail chain studio, followed closely with 83 responses, indicating these two studios dominate golfer preferences. A notable number of respondents also mentioned manufacturer-operated studios such as PING, Mizuno, and Fujikura.

Survey 2: Have you ever received club fitting?

- Never: 57.71% - Once: 23.09% - 2–3 times: 14.99% - 4 or more times (regularly): 4.21%

The results show that about 60% of golfers have never experienced fitting, while about 40% have, indicating that club fitting is gradually gaining traction among golfers.

Survey 3: What changes did you experience after club fitting? (Multiple answers allowed)

- Clearer criteria for club selection: 18.04% - No noticeable change: 19.82% - Improved shot direction stability: 13.72% - Improved scoring: 7.62% - Increased distance: 5.84% - Greater swing confidence: 5.84% - Never received fitting: 50.70%

Open-ended responses included many specific benefits such as 'gained 10–20 yards in distance,' 'scores improved from 120s to 90s,' and 'reduced OBs and improved average score.' However, about 20% reported 'no noticeable change,' suggesting that fitting quality and post-fitting practice significantly affect outcomes.

Survey 4: What factors do you prioritize most when choosing a fitting studio? (Select up to top 3)

- Fitter's experience and track record: 50.43% - Accessibility from home or workplace: 42.94% - Low and transparent pricing: 42.65% - Type and accuracy of measurement equipment (e.g., TrackMan, GCQuad): 29.83% - Integration with swing analysis or lessons: 28.10% - After-sales support (post-purchase adjustments): 22.62% - Variety of supported brands and shafts: 20.61% - Reviews and reputation: 11.38% - Ease of booking and business hours: 10.09%

The results indicate that when choosing a fitting studio, most people prioritize the human factor—the fitter's experience and track record—over the equipment itself.

Survey 5: What price range do you consider acceptable for fitting services? (Diagnosis fee only, excluding club cost)

- Free to ¥3,000: 29.05% - ¥3,000–5,000: 27.18% - ¥5,000–10,000: 31.19% - ¥10,000–30,000: 8.84% - ¥30,000 or more: 3.75%

The results show that nearly 90% of golfers prefer prices under ¥10,000, with the acceptable price range concentrated in 'free to ¥10,000.'

Survey 6: What concerns or barriers do you have when considering club fitting? (Multiple answers allowed)

- Unclear or perceived high cost: 46.96% - Uncertainty about which studio to choose: 39.97%