Our club fitters use launch monitors to measure things like clubhead speed, spin rate, and distance. They do this so that you understand the method to their madness. Without these numbers, it would be more difficult for them to build you that perfect set of golf clubs.
Brad Cordle mentioned the growing popularity of launch monitor systems and sent in a question asking how the PPGS stacks up when measured on one. We hit the ball high, so our launch angle certainly stacks up against other types of swings. But, this provides me with a great segue to talk about how different club fitters will interpret the data they get from a launch monitor differently. The information is the same, but their recommendations are not. Why is that?
Don,
I took lessons from you in 1996. I can honesty say, I played my best golf ever after your lessons! I shot my best competitive round of 65 with two bogies and finished with 71 next day. My question is, with the popularity of Doppler radar based launch monitors (trackman) How does your swing theories stack up?
Thank you,
Brad
Be sure to watch the video today as I share some interesting stories of my experiences with launch monitors, including when DJ was first turning pro.
Like anything else, when it comes to measuring your statistics, make sure you check with a PPGS Certified Fitter as to what the numbers mean for a vertical swinger -- not a rotational swinger!
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work.
Comments
Golf Instuction
I have been trying for weeks to line up a three day class with Derek Hardy in San Clemente,Ca. I have emailed him,and so has Customer Support.CS just tried to call him,and they couldn't reach him either.This is very frustrating! I've been doing the PPGS for 3 years.I bought new clubs,had them fitted by the only PPGS fitter in my area in Northern California.I have totally bought in to the Swing Surgeon golf system.Although very helpful,the daily tips aren't as good as personal instruction.Derek Hardy is the closest instructor,over 400 miles away.I am retiring soon,and my wife's gift to me is a three day instruction.I want to do this the first week of May,2014.As you might imagine,I need to line up flight,car,and lodging for this trip.So, not having any contact is starting to sound as if I should forget about it altogether.
Derek Hardy
I hope he has not run into physical problems that prevent his ability to teach. Look to the certified instructors to see who is the closest and may be able to meet your needs.
Derek Hardy
Jong,
Contact customer service. Perhaps they will be able to contact Derek and certainly find out his situation for you. You'll see SUPPORT under DAILY VIDEO.
Click on support an scroll down to where you can fill out the info and send a question and inquire with them concerning your trials. They will help you within a few days, perhaps not till Monday because of the Holiday but they will be of assistance as they always are. Don't be ready to "forget about it altogether" just yet. He is a good man and teacher and there will be an answer.
Launch Monitors
Thanks for the daily on Launch Monitors.
I recently bought a set of Irons from a golf shop and there was free club fittings for purchases of certain clubs.
I probably his about 120 balls with 7-iron's trying with 6 different clubs.
In the "fitting" there were no adjustments made the the chosen clubs. New Grips were put on the clubs and that was it.
I spoke with several experienced golfers and was told that it was rare that a club would "fit" anyone off the rack. Made me suspicious of the "Fitting" process. Could you comment on Club Fittings in more detail?
Dan Belshaw
A "fitting"?????
Yep. Lots of things are called "a fitting". Most are not much of one.
If some part time worker has you hit some clubs on the launch monitor and then goes back and gets a club off of the rack that is supposed to be the same as the one you were hitting...It's not much of a fitting.
Read this:
http://swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/ppgs-myth-buster-5-fitting
Club Fitting and Launch Monitors
Steve Smith,
Thanks for your comments. I read the article on the 7 options of club fitting.
I really didn't know what to expect from the fitting. I'd seen dozens of Doc G's videos and it just seemed like the fitting I received was option #2.
Many golfers who have been golfing for years....and good golfers....don't know what a real (option #7) fitting is.....Very few are educated on what a fitting is, why you should have one, and how it can benefit your game. I guess I should have known better....
Dan Belshaw
Fitters
Maybe you should have known better, as you have a large selection of fitters there. You would have no luck finding a good fitter in New Zealand at the moment. Apparently they only make it as far as Australia & then turn back.
Maybe one day, one will slip through the gap & jump the ditch.
club fitting
we've been addressing this for quite sometime. you can go to my web site: www.docgriffingolf.com and go to the all about fitting page and read about a true fitting and then watch the video on that page. it's a long one but it will answer your questions.
Lesson
Unfortunately, Derek does seem to not answer emails etc. I wish I could help you.
Radar analysis
It's interesting to me what can be learned from radar could (can) not only help club fitters get the numbers that aid in determining not only what shafts and club heads may be best for that person but it has the potential of helping a golfer know other facts about their swing that will tell them what they are really doing and what needs to change with their swing path, face angle and attack angle to improve. Radar is now used to teach. PGA players have been utilizing the Flightscope to analyse and improve their swing for a while now but it is only recently being used by some teachers like Eric Jones recently. I am not located near someone who does it but I did follow an eight week study done by Eric and my former club fitter Leith Anderson in the Bay area. Interesting stuff. While I am not currently in a position to take advantage of Flightscope for swing improvement these gentlemen believe it is the future of teaching. If you haven't heard of it and would like to take a look I will leave you with a link to some articles and videos on the study and results.
http://targetcenteredgolf.com/
One of the most important points about radar is that with a system like Flightscope one can learn his average distances with each club. Knowing how far we actually hit each club is a biggy. Of course there are less expensive ways we can figure out our distances without spending $1000's on a Flightscope. I have been able to do this using the laser range finder and gps. Not surprisingly, most would learn that they don't hit the ball as far as they think they do. Knowing our yardages helps us to be pin high more often than being one club short (or long).
BTW, I am not promoting this stuff just sharing. I know that most of us do look at other sites and are constantly looking for ideas to improve. One thing that is cool is that radar technology has been extremely expensive in the past but personal radars are becoming more affordable and user friendly all the time.
These are still high $$$$$
http://www.par2pro.com/shop/index.php?manufacturers_id=26
Of course the biggest advantage they present is helping us see what happens in the less than 1.5 seconds of the swing. There are smaller devics that are affordable but give us less data. Still there are some cool alternatives showing up on the market.
This one claims to give us such info as our swing path and club head impact angle aside from speed, et.
http://www.amazon.com/SwingTIP-Wireless-Golf-Swing-Analyzer/dp/B009GDKXZ4/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1385750276&sr=8-6&keywo...
Not imperative for us to have but may be helpful for some.
Radars and analyzers
Robert,
Very interesting. I fully agree that most of us have no idea how far we hit each club and suffer as a result. Of course, a Flightscope is only in my wildest dreams.
Do you have any idea what effect the weight of the SwingTip or similar devices that clamp on the shaft has on the overall swingweight? I would like to think that it is compensated for in the analysis, but could it be significant enough to affect the swing?
Kevin
swingtip
Kevin,
The closer I look at the Swingtip the more it tempts me. The reviews are really strong for this thing. One thing I like is you can attach it to whatever club and play your round (or day at the range) and then look at all the results later if you don't want to analyse it after each swing or during play. That way you can see your trends and tendencies.
Weight? One once which is about 28 grams. I don't think that is significant enough to throw off your swing weight. I am talking myself into getting one myself or hinting my family for Christmas:)
Here is one of the more detailed reviews;
http://www.thehackersparadise.com/?p=20075
Launch monsters and club fitting: How necessary
I recently did a club fitting with a Surge certified fitter who did not use any electronics. We analyzed my existing clubs for length and shaft properties. Guess what? Shafts too long and lie too upright. We went out to the range and hit a variety of club heads, shafts etc. I had a new driver made that I hit very well. I also had five to PW made that I hit much better than my old irons. The new irons have a thinner sole, less offset. I can hit these irons consistently on the "sweet spot" vs my old pattern of always off the toe. My trajectory is much improved. I would be really good if I could get my alignment correct. So really, how essential are the electronics to the process?
Skilled craftsman
flgolfer,
Sounds like you were fit by a skilled craftsman who like a great chef who prepares delicious meals without following notes and usual tools for measurements. Seems like he has a great eye for following your swing and results and found the right component combinations without radar and 'electronics'. Most importantly you left happy and are playing better golf.
I truly believe that shafts and lie angle are among the most important aspects of having clubs that work well. That and finding the club 'heads' that work best for you, very cool. BTW, do tell us who the fitter was. Others may want to go see this talented PPGS fitter in your area.
Skilled Craftsman is Correct
I had my fitting by Joe Redouty at Harbor Hills CC in Lady Lake, Fl. He is about 20 minutes from the Villages. While I was there I also had a lesson with Tom Leimberger. Both of them were teriffic. It was a really great day.
Skilled craftsman
Thanks for sharing. I understand we have quite a few Surgites down that way so perhaps they will seek out those gentlemen for their services.