As The Masters quickly approaches, the unofficial start of the 2014 golf season is upon many of you. That means getting the clubs out of the basement or garage, dusting them off, and hitting the practice range. But, instead of playing another season with the same old clubs, have you thought about the advantages of being fit for your own set of custom clubs?
I want to share a few testimonials I received from Surgites who decided they wanted to improve their games by visiting PPGS Certified Fitters. I get letters like these all the time, and I think it's important for other Surgites to hear it directly from them.
The important thing to remember is that our club fitters are also the ones building the clubs they measured you for. If you decided you want custom clubs and you go to a big retail store to get measured, you're going to end up with a set of clubs that don't fit you perfectly. More than likely, the "fitter" is just going to pull them off the shelf if they're "close enough" to the measurements they made.
If the person who builds your clubs isn't the one who took your measurements, you just got SHAFTED!
Testimonial #1:
I joined the Senior League and I have never played any better. I hit, for the first time in my life, a drive straight down the middle for 260 yards without the benefit of down hill. It was beautiful and of course it felt great. On a good portion of the par 5's I was on the green in 3 so I had a chance to par every one of them. It didn't happen but I did bogey them. I was so darn excited about being on the green in 3 that I couldn't calm down enough to concentrate on my putting. Because of you and Don, my back did not bother me one bit the entire day or the next day when I usually pay for playing. My golf life is truly a do-over. Thanks so much for coming to Southern California last year.
I still want one of your golf hats so don't forget me if and when you decide to sell them. I'll advertise for you as we play a different course every week.
Your friend forever,
Ron Tripodi
Testimonial #2:
When you referred me to Bill Marshall in Lakeland, Florida for an evaluation and possible replacement of my clubs, you asked for feedback about my experience in dealing with him. I am not sure I can come up with enough complimentary words to do him justice, but I will try!
I expected to be told that I should replace everything with a new set of custom made clubs. After some observation my swing and electronic measurements of the results of my hitting balls with several clubs, he gave me his assessment. Bill told me that some changes were needed, but he could modify my existing clubs (and save me a lot of money). He replaced the shafts on my irons (which had been custom fitted by a big name manufacturer) with lighter weight shafts and then put compatible shafts in my hybrids, wedges and fairway woods. He checked the lie angles and modified clubs where required. He shortened my driver by an inch and realigned the head with the shaft (brand name driver was off quite a bit). I have hit balls on the range and played a few games with my "new" clubs, and am delighted. I especially like the feel over the range of clubs, and hope it will lead to more consistency in my swing.
My partner came along to observe the process, and was so impressed with Bill's competency and professionalism, she decided to have her clubs evaluated, too. Bill quickly spotted that her irons were much too heavy and installed new shafts. She tried them on the course and hit irons better than she had ever been able to do. Bill also shortened and realigned her driver, and put compatible shafts in the remainder of her clubs, and re-gripped them all.
I have no hesitation recommending Bill Marshall to any Surgites. He has a well equipped shop, knows his stuff, really cares about his clients, and is a great guy with whom it is a pleasure to do business!
Now, to continue to work on mastering the PPGS swing...
Bill Baker
To find a PPGS Certified Fitter near you, click here.
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
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Comments
club fitting
In your video today your emphasis was about getting shafted by the club fitter. I went to Doc Griffin a few months ago for a fitting. I paid $150.00 for the session. Two weeks later my credit was charged $1780.00.The clubs were shipped to me a weeks later. So far I like the Alpha clubs. But, after watching your video, how do I know that they were not just not off the Alpha shelf? How do I know that the clubs are fit for me? There was no follow up or advised to come back in with clubs to get re-measured with them. Don't get me wrong, I like Doc Griffin. But, it was contrary to what you said in the video. Bob LaBreck, Asheville, NC
club fitting response to mr. labreck
This is your comment to me after you had gotten your clubs.
"Just a short note to advise you that I have had the opportunity to practice and play a few rounds with my clubs. I am very pleased with the feel and performance. I agree " better golf is just a fit away." Thanks... "
First, Alpha does not have off the shelf clubs. They are a component company and I am one of their dealers. Surge and I both play their club heads. They are a very top notch company and make a great product.
I have also told Surge in the past that some of his comments are mis-placed and incorrect when it comes to the fitting and building procedure but it seems to get lost at times. When you do a fitting and build there really is no need for follow up! If the clubs are WRONG, then there is nothing that can be done about it! NOTHING. There are no tweaks one way or the other that can be done once they are made. Most of my people come from distances that also make it impossible for them to personally pick up their clubs. So, I have one chance to get it right. So far, my track record is really good. I'd say that your comment via email to me also verifies that.
I do tell folks that they need to have the lofts and lies checked once they have played the clubs and the frequency for that is based on how much they play. Normally, a once a year check is sufficient and I do them for free if the player wants to and can make it back to me to do it.
I did your fitting and did it well I might add. To suggest that the clubs are possibly just "off the rack" is so wrong in many ways. As stated, there are no off the rack Alpha clubs to begin with. Your clubs are definitely made to your specs that were determined the day of your fitting.
Surge will sometimes get really wrapped up in wanting to make a point and says some things that are just a bit beyond the scope of reasonable. He does a great job at teaching but does not really understand the complete ins and outs of fitting and building as it pertains to the total process.
There are several comments that come across time to time that I just have to ignore and let go. But...we do have to admire the zeal and passion and that is what is important. We just can't always take everything that is said as being the "gospel" when related to another field of expertise. The point here is this. You get a fitting. We gather the data. Then, your clubs are made to the specs that are determined during the fitting. The proof is in the end result and final product. Either it works or it doesn't.
Seriously, he read a letter from a guy that was in Southern California regarding his driver (I built other clubs as well) that was built from a fitting we did on one of our road trips. Certainly he knows that we did not get back together and do anything after the fact. What exactly was there to do any way? What could be done? NOTHING! If I don't get it right the first time and even could do anything to the clubs after they are built, what would make one think I could get it right the second time?
Simply put, if you do the fitting correctly, then there is no need for the player to come back personally to do any thing. Should there be a problem, I always stand behind my work and I do believe as we were saying our "good bys" on the day of your fitting that I said to let me hear from you. And....you did. Your response was you really liked your clubs. So, as I see it, I did my job and did it correctly. Therefore, I don't see the problem. If there is, please feel free to contact me personally and I will make it right.
Club fitting
Doc, I am so sorry, I did not realize my comment was "public." I was just attempting to make a point with Surge. I am satisfied with my clubs. I am more satisfied now that I read your response. Again, please accept my apology.
Response To RON
Ron,
BTW, we do have hats now! :)
zeal and passion
Doc,
Well worded in your response. You know I am the self proclaimed biggest Surge fan. Still am after 5+ years of following and buying every teaching video produced by Don and experiencing his lessons and seminars twice in person. Yes his (and yours I might add) zeal and honesty have been proven to me many times. That said I agree it was a matter of time till Surges insistence that we receive and approve fitted clubs in person was due to raise a question some day. I too recieved my PPGS fitted golf clubs by mail from my California fitter. I was fit in person and then the clubs arrived a little over one week later. They were exactly as we had decided apon. I have been thrilled with them and they are still my go to clubs:)! As you said, if they're right they're right!
My new clubs from Doc Griffin...
I Recieved my new clubs,which I was fitted for in Phoenix, Az. at Ken Mcdonald golf course, about a week ago. I truly really like them and just have to play with them as often as I can and practice when ever I can't get out on the course. I can't say enough about the fitting session with Doc Griffin. I really had some expert opinion and instruction about my swing and alinement which I was very thankful to recieve. I have played with my new clubs just a couple of times and I did hit the shots some what straighter and with more confidence. I have always watched Don in his back yard during most all of his video instruction sessions. I really get alot of good tips and does help when I go to the one of five of our golf courses here in Sun City. I just wanted to write and thank Doc and Don for all their help and I will continue to watch Don with his golf instruction and tips.
Thanks again with all my appreciation.
Sun City, Az.
Lou Triguero
Club fitting
Doc built me a new driver after assessing my swing 2 years ago on his first visit to Australia and I am still amazed at how much control it has given me, going from an uncontrolled slicer I now hit the centre of the fairway about 80% of the time and can control it flight for a fade or a draw at will. It was the best money I ever spent, I look forward to catching up with him and getting my irons done on any future Visits.
Mini Driver
Was only a matter of time before they had to go the other way.
Good for them (and the people that switch).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxjTiETDmWI
No shocker
You are so right Steve. When Phil played so well with the Frankenwood last year I predicted that it wouldn't be long before they came out with the new small headed driver as the latest and greatest. I thought it would have been Callaway first and not Talormade though. They lost the early opportunity. Like you said, it was a matter of time. Look for several others to follow including Callaway. My wife loves her KZG 355cc SP700 driver-14*. They big boys only had one direction to go and after Phil's success last year it became a logical direction for them to go. let's see how many others follow.
From a land down under
Another Aussie wins again. What's that 4 or five this season? Super come back by Matt Jones to finally break through. Congrats to him. If his thumb holds up I am still picking Jason Day to win the Masters this week. Who knows, I might have the wrong Australian as Gramme Delett looks like he may be the one too. We'll be watching with great interest as the Tiger-less Masters gets under way.
As a side note, among other points, it was a good reminder by Doc in his comments that we should have our lies checked at least once a year. I check and adjust mine 2-3 times a year because I play 1-5 times a week 12 months a year. Many of you are starting your season of golf finally. When is the last time (if ever) you had your lies (and lofts) checked on your irons? Remember, just 2-3 degrees off can mean a miss left or right by 5/10 yards. It's a cheap tune up that most fitters can easily do but worth every dime. They can do the lofts at the same time. Making sure we are gapped properly between clubs is important too. Whether we can afford new clubs or a complete fitting or not, loft and lie maintenance should be automatic at the beginning (and or end) of every season.
Club Fitting
My club fitting experience has been fantastic. After meeting PPGS club fitter Joe Redoutey at Surge school at Harbor Hill CC in Lady Lake Fl., I was so impressed with his candor and integrity that I went back 3 months later to be fitted. I did get my new Driver the next day and was so happy with the new club I decided to get the irons. Since Joe already had my specs all I did was call him and I had my new irons in about eight days. I cannot believe what a difference it has made in my ball striking on the occasions when I make the proper PPGS swing. The ball goes further and straighter without a doubt. Don's golf school was great and Joe's club fitting and professionalism are very much appreciated by me. Semper fi!!
Club fitting experience
Surge,
I took your advice and made a day-trip from Atlanta over to Columbia, SC last year to meet Doc Griffin and to be fitted for a full bag. It was the best money I've ever spent for my golf enjoyment. I honestly get a few raised eyebrows when I explain that my clubs were custom fitted with Alpha heads, etc, but it doesn't matter. I realize they can't know what they don't know. All I know is that I love my clubs. When I pull each club out of the bag, and set up to the ball, I can not tell you how comfortable, and confident I feel. It just seems to fit perfectly! They have a good weight to them and are very solid sounding. I couldn't be more pleased! I sometimes slip into some old swing habits and will make a bad shot, but it's never about the club. Doc is a fantastic club fitter and one fine individual! The whole encounter was a thrill to me! Thanks Doc! Thanks Surge! Keep up the good work!
club fitting
Earlier this year Doc came to Houston and we had a club fitting session. I was a little disappointed with the fitting as it made no difference what I said Doc just did what he wanted to. I received the clubs a few weeks later and played several rounds with them I lost 15 yards off all my Irons and 30 yards off my driver. I do hit them straight however it was hard on my ego to lose so much yardage. and when I swung too hard I would duck hook almost every club in the bag. Two weeks ago I decided to compare my old clubs against my new Doc Griffin fitted clubs. I instantly picked up the 15 and 30 yards losses and stopped duck hooking. My new clubs now sit in the garage. Regards Doug Walt
Loss of yardage?
Wow! I can't relate to that kind of yardage loss.
I can take my wife's clubs, my son's clubs, and my clubs (all different) and hit them all virtually the same distances except for a few yards with my wife's driver because it has too much loft for my optimum distance.
I also don't quite understand the part about Doc doing what he wanted to do. If I go to an expert for something I certainly expect them to know more about it than I do, otherwise I would simply do it myself.
(A head scratcher).
Edit: Just a thought. Some clubs nowadays have very strong lofts. A 7 iron has the same loft that a 5 iron used to have. Of course those clubs are going to go farther because you are basically hitting more club.
No advantage to it whatsoever other than for the club companies to sell clubs to unsuspecting customers who think they are hitting them farther. They don't have a clue that their new 9 iron is actually a 7 iron with a 9 stamped on it.
Maybe your "old clubs" have stronger lofts than the clubs you got from Doc. If that's the case you actually didn't lose any distance at all per loft. Only lost distance per the meaningless number stamped on the club.
loft
I tend to think that, like Steve said,there's a difference in the lofts of your clubs.
The best way to find out, & probably your first port of call, should be to contact Doc. I'm sure he's a reasonable guy, & he stands by his work
Loft
Thanks for the comment Russty. I believe we have it figured out, as I am in the process of having the clubs reshafted by a local golf shop.
loss of yardage
ok Lets be reasonable .My wife's clubs are two inches shorter than mine and a much softer shaft , my sons clubs are metal and stiff shaft. my sons clubs all go the right and my wife's clubs yardage is much shorter. They do not all hit the same yardage...The loft on my old clubs could have a stronger loft however they were also fitted by a professional fitter several years ago ,who I would have used again, however he passed away about three years ago. I believe the biggest problem is the shafts are to soft ,as when I get aggressive I DUCK hook the ball ..I am not new to the game my handicap is 5 (which is up from a 2 several years ago).I have hit my seven iron in thee different sets of Irons 150 yards. Because the shaft is much softer I am forced to swing easier to keep it straight, therefore the loss of yardage. I have talked to doc and his comments were : He only guarantees the quality and craftsmanship of the club but not that I can hit them.
Reasonable?
I never mentioned what you can do with your wife and son's clubs. I mentioned what I can do with my wife and son's clubs...And I assure you I can hit them all the same distance.
I have targets in the yard at 100, 125, and 140 yards. If I hit their clubs I certainly don't change clubs for the yardages.
I'm not taking a guess here. I've done it many times. Half the time we don't even bother to take but one set of clubs out there and take turns hitting at the targets and playing a game to see who gets the closest.
Like I said, I can't relate. If somebody hands me a pitching wedge that doesn't belong to me there's not a chance that I'm going to come up 15 yards short. If I were to hit 100 balls with each club there would probably be different averages of a yard or two (hence my use of the word virtually) but some would be longer and some would be shorter whether the clubs "fit" me or not.
Right and left dispersion and desired ball flight are another story. I would be more accurate with clubs that fit me...But we are talking about distance.
Loss of yardage
I was assessed and fitted by Doc during his visit to the UK last year.
I suffered a similar loss of yardage as you have, but I can tell you that I have now regained that loss. In fact I am hitting all my clubs further than before. BUT, and this is a big BUT, I am hitting the ball consistently straighter. The only time I get a slice or a hook is when I decide to 'give it some extra'. Why do we do this???
Another point I would make is that Doc told me that I should use a softer ball, due to my slow swing speed, and I am sure this has also played a part in my overall improvement.
So, with Doc, one gets more than mere club fitting!
As you will guess, I am very pleased to have had the 'Doc experience' and frequently sing his praises.
I would recommend you take a little time with your new clubs before resorting to changing anything too soon.
Best wishes in your quest.