For today's video, I called upon our director of club fitting operations, Doc Griffin. We had a question sent in from a Surgite named Ron. He claims that he is hitting all his clubs great, except his 5 wood. He was hoping for an explanation about what he could be doing wrong. Well, as Doc will attest to, the problem most likely isn't with Ron's swing, especially if he's only having trouble with his 5 wood.
I am 90% there with the PPGS, however I cannot get my 5 wood to attain proper trajectory. It is always too low and hooks to the right. Even when I hit it straight, it is still too low.
Ron
Since Ron says he's hooking the ball to the right, Doc and I assume he's a left handed golfer. But, Doc has prepared explanations for both hooks and slices in the event that Ron has his terminology mixed up.
If you hit every other club in your bag well but have trouble with your 5 wood, do you think the problem is with your swing or the club? I hope you said the club because it should be an obvious answer. Instead of trying to fight with that last, stubborn club in your bag, go see Doc or another PPGS Certified Fitter and get rid of the club that's causing you so much grief.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL LIST OF PPGS CERTIFIED CLUB FITTERS
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
Comments
swing weight and feel
Doc,
Real nice to see you. Thanks for sharing those thoughts on causes of the slice and hook. I think that one of the things that may be true for many is that there fairway wood may not be a match for their set. It may be one they have purchased off the shelf at a golf store but even though it is also sat 'regular' R flex shaft as are the rest of the clubs in the bag it is not the same characteristics as the other shafts in that bag. Different feel often gets different results.
Swing weight and feel can really effect results for sure. I have been 'tinkering' and assembling clubs in my garage now for 2 years now. Amature fitter at best (have to start somewhere right?). So though I I am still learning and accumulating the needed tools I am having fun and it's a great hobby. Many of you know I re-built a set of Mizuno JPX 800 irons recently (4i-gap- 8 clubs). Got the project X 5.0 shafts for them. Had trialed them several times and felt the were a fit. Installed a set of vibration damping 'SensiCore' inserts and of course as I previously mentioned I put the Enlow grips on. Okay so after assembling these sticks I took them out 5 times over the last two-three weeks. Wanted so badly to say I was happy with them and at times did hit them well but far from comfortable. Hmmmnnn..........
What was the over all difference from these sticks and my long reliable set which are still perfectly fine? In a word feel.
The Matrix Studio shafts are 64 grams (graphite)
The Project X are 115 Grams (steel)
The Vega VC-01 iron heads are 277 gr.
The JPX 800's are also 277 gr.
My Jumbo Max grips are 107 grams
The new Enlow 144 gr.
Over all club weights-
Matrix/Vega/JMax = 448
PX / JPX/ Enlow = 536
Net total weight difference = 88 grams
Now i will admit, one of the key tools missing from my garage is the swing weight scale. It's on my list. Meanwhile I was sure my swing weight had gotten too far off from the Matrix set. So yesterday I completely disassembled mt Mizunos and the mad scientist was back to work. I added 4 gram tip weights to the Px's and removed the Enlows and replaced them with the Golf Pride j Tour wrap jumbos (tiny and lite compared to the massive JMax's and the Enlow) only 74 grams each.
Results?
JPX head 277 gr
Project X 115 gr
Gp jumbo grip 74 gr.
tip weight 4 grams
Total weight = 470 grams
Now the over all weight is 66 gr. less than the 536 version.
However it is where the weight is now that is a big factor. With grip 70 grams lighter and the head 4 grams heavier it yields a feel of 74 grams more in swing weight felt in the head end.
Now I am not at all sure how many swing weights that equates to but all I know is I shot a 39/41 today for an 80 (that included two 3 putts) and hit a whole bunch of really good irons. Was really happy with the 'feel' and results with the latest adjustments.
I did not do to well on the greens missing several in the 6-10 foot range. One tap in birdie after a 105 yard gap wedge to 1 foot. I am determined to hone the putting and expect to better scoring soon.
edit: I am planning on getting the swing weight scale
My Friend the Club Fitter
Robert-listen, my friend, you should just go ahead, get certified, and make it "official". Clearly, you enjoy the science and nuances and challenges (and success) for fitting and tweaking things golf. Very cool stuff.
Speaking of assessment, golf clubs matter, but it's amazing to me how seemingly few get a knowledgeable review of their own physical fitness and capabilities. A few years ago, I balked at paying a couple hundred bucks to hire a good fitness trainer. Long story short- those sessions changed my life. It takes work. But it's the best $200 I've ever spent.
So, us guys will go plunk $$$ to keep the car running well. If we have the means, why not do the same for our fitness and health? Seems a great investment.
Edit: was reminded of the importance of D3 this time of year. No sunlight?
Encourage ya'all to consider vitamin D3-it's cheap and the science for the benefits is overwhelming.
Assessment
SG,
I may actually get certified some day. Right now it is just an expensive hobby. He he! Really it is the initial investment on golf repair and build tool's that is a tad costly. I figure long term I am certainly saving money on my wifes and my clubs now. It is fun and i do enjoy the learning journey. Have worked on clubs for friends and family and who knows where it will lead. Frankly, I'd really love to be PPGS qualified to teach the swing. If my putting improves I just may some day. feel like my 78 and 80's could be 74's and 76's if I could tame the short stick.
Interesting you mention fitness trainer. That is another line of work I am considering. I have been a gym rat most of my life and am more into health and fitness now than ever. My whole life style is becoming more and more holistic. my wife and I have been eating mostly organic for many years and I have recently kicked it up a notch making really healthy green/fruit smoothies. Vitamins and supplements? Suffice it to say that I may know more about that than golf. Healthy I am aside from a shoulder that gives me more heck on some days than others. Nutrition and exercise are key for me along with yoga/stretching.
Good health and good golf to you :)
swing weight and feel
Robert:
Just curious now -- when will you install your new launch monitor? I am sure you have one on order!!
As for a "back yard" one-off comparison --- My visiting friend was recently "fitted" for new clubs by his club pro. He has him playing R-11 Driver and FW -- all with very light "senior" graphite shafts with oversize grips. My friend asked me ot hit a few drives and give him my opinion - so I did. Compared to the Driver that Doc built for me, the ultra light R-11 has ZERO feel -- like trying to hit a nail with a feather, compared to a standard hammer. Much to my surprise, I did manage to hit a few decent drives with it, but I was very suspicious of it, because of no feel. Maybe I swungl it a little faster than normal, but it sure felt strange - and the distance advantage, if any, was minimal. however, it seems to be a good fit for my friend.
Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG
Amos
That is what fitting is all about
Amos
You brought up a perfect example of why having your clubs fitted for you is so very important. I can't begin to tell you how many people show up at the golf shop and want to buy a particular club because their friend got one and they love it. When it is all said and done, that same club will not work for the other person.
No two swings or golfers is just alike. It sounds like your friend found a fitter who was able to put him in the right club for him. And, Doc was able to put you in the right club for you. I never realized how important that all is until I started doing it. A good doctor can have two guys come in with what looks at first glance to be the same problem, but after checking them out and talking with them and looking at their medical history, will end up recommending two totally different treatments.
That is the nature of a good club fitting,
Dick
Launch monitor
Not sure how soon I'll have a L.M. Amos. Expensive tool for a good one. My next tool purchase will likely be one for frequency matching. That actually may be more logical than the swing weight machine I mentioned earlier. I am currently at my spending max on 'golf toys' and will have to make due with my current tools. As they say, it's just a matter of "time and money".
Golf Tools
You're right on the tools being expensive. I bought my swingweight scale for half what they want for it now, but mine is about 12yrs old from Golfsmith. I didn't realize they were well over a hundred now. I'm with you on the frequency machine though. It would probably serve a better purpose than the s/w scale. I doubt that I'll ever get one, or a launch monitor for that matter. Some of the tools you and I now have are more than what they worked with a few decades back. It's hard to believe that they were shooting in the 60's with wood shafts and heads and no high tech tools for shaft or club matching at all. Those guy's were good!
Loved the House Call Doc
Hey Doc
It is always a pleasure when you do a video for us. I hope all is well with you folks. Great info.
Thanks Doc,
Dick
Thanks
I sure do appreciate it. Seems that I have few "patients" any more. :)
There are still a lot of sick clubs out there
Doc
Seems the blog has been a little slow lately. Don't worry, the golf bears are just starting to come out of their caves.
It will pick up, there are still a lot of sick clubs out there pal.
We still need you,
Dick
Time saver for the little troll, mercermacp
mercermacp
If you read this before you watch Doc's 7+ minute video, let me save you the time.
Doc always ends by saying "Remember, better golf is just a "fit" away."
There, now you are free for the rest of the evening.
Again, you are very welcome,
Dick
Rotator cuff surgery
I had the surgery on Thursday, good news it was not a tear. Debridement and some shaving of the bone was required. Started PT Friday and will follow the schedule, anticipate 4 to 6 weeks before swinging a club. Hopefully, I can attend the one day school in Allen, TX.
Robert, what did you decide?
Tom
Rotator cuff surgery- wow!
Tom,
Very interested to see how your recovery goes. Good news that minimal repairs were needed. I am currently on hold as it were. No plans for surgery yet. Shoulder seems to be improving with some personal rehab and care. If it again takes a turn for the worst I may go for it though.
Do keep us posted. Glad to hear it went well so far
I Am Curious
Tom, I think we will all be interested to see how your rehab goes.
In particular, I'm interested in the vertical lift element vs a slightly laid off BUS.
My work created a repetitive-motion injury that was painful with any true upward vertical lift. Interesting. But laid off a few degrees and there was much less pain during my rehab.
Rotator Cuff update
Met with PA to get a check up. 10 days after surgery and 5 PT visits. He shared that more bone scraping had to be done to create more space less impingement. It is sore but I was able to putt yesterday and light chipping in a week. Range of motion is improving every day. The PA said I should be golfing by the end of March. Hope so, attending Surge clinic in Allen, TX.
Tom