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Article #2: What to Expect
From a Professional Clubfitter
So you’re thinking you might
check out a set of custom made clubs. “Warning Will Robinson!” While a
competent club fitter/builder will always strive to give you the best
product possible there are many out there who are willing to just build you
a set of clubs and send you on your way.
Here are some things to look
for in choosing a custom club fitter/builder.
First and foremost does he offer a money back guarantee? Any
professional is willing to stand behind his work. Does that mean just
because you don’t get that extra 20 yards has he not done his job? No, there
could be other factors at play (your swing dynamics could be the bigger
problem).
Second, what components does he use? There are several companies that
make custom components that rival or even surpass components that the OEMs
use. Stay away from clones or knockoffs. Most components in this category
are made from much inferior materials and the variances in composition and
production methods will surely show up in the finished product.
Third, what methods does he use for assembly? There are many out
there that just throw clubs together by cutting the shafts to a set trim
pattern specified by a shaft manufacturer and glue the heads on and put on a
grip. These are called cut and gluers. A competent professional will make
sure the flexes of the shafts are consistent from club to club and that
either swingweighting or moment of inertia matching (MOI) is used to ensure
the clubs feel the same from club to club. Component heads that feature a
weight port are ideal for this purpose. Look for that feature when choosing
a head.
Fourth, what is his fitting process like? How does he go about
finding what’s right for you? Did he take any measurements such as height
(wrist to floor measurements work also if the arms are not proportionate to
the body). How about swing speed? Careful on that one, it doesn’t always
tell the story. Did he use any type of swing determination by either a
launch monitor or video swing analysis? Does he have an area that you can
actually hit clubs from (not into a net, full swing with full ball flight).
Fifth, has he kept pace with technology and/or developments in the
golfing industry? There are many out there that may have been doing this for
eons but they’ve been doing it the same way for eons. Too much information
and knowledge has been obtained in the last 20 years about golf clubs. Make
sure he’s up to date.
Sixth, and probably the most important of all is, does he instill a
feeling of trust? Just because he works out of a basement or garage
doesn’t mean he’s not a great club builder. Some of the best professionals
may not have that fancy storefront. By the same token a fancy storefront may
not ensure a competent professional. There are a great many club builders
that this is a second profession for them, and usually they are discovered
by word of mouth. Just because it is not their primary vocation doesn’t mean
they aren’t passionate about providing the absolute best product to their
customers. In many cases that’s what brings new customers to their door.
In the next installment I’ll be discussing what to look for in the clubs
themselves, plus why custom components can be far superior to off the shelf
products.
Have a question or comment
for Ted? Contact him here:
Ted.Strickland@itron.com |
