DJ's club fitting was with Chip Usher, of Usher Golf in his club fitting studio. Yes, this is an indoor fitting session, hitting into a net and using a launch monitor. I am not totally in sync with launch monitors, especially outdoors, because all the data is captured within a few feet of the ball coming off the club. All the data produces is basically arrived at through mathematical calculations on the few feet of ball flight the monitor captures to determine the launch angle, spin rate, ball speed, flight height and arc, and flight shape and distance of carry. Launch monitors, when used outdoors, do not have the capability to account for the external effects of wind and other variables that can affect the ball flight. In other words, outdoors there is more room for error than indoors, but the data definitely is good for evaluating and making more informed decisions that will be checked and validated or dismissed by the player hitting the clubs. We can never discount the feel and preferences of the player in what he/she wants to see and feel. That is the final deciding factor.
What I liked about Chip's monitor is that his captures 3 ball positions as compared to many that capture only 2 positions. I think it is obvious that one more set of numbers from the 3rd ball position gives more accurate data. And, since all the data is captured in a few feet off the club, hitting into a screen indoors does not alter the numbers or change the results. They may be even more accurate because of a more controlled environment. The only thing missing is seeing the ball flight to add to the player's evaluation of each shot.
My main goal for DJ doing this fitting was for Chip to see his swing, get the data and make his recommendations as to what DJ should be hitting in terms of shaft models in his woods and irons the flex/frequency, the length, lie, and grip size. Then I wanted him to check DJ's clubs against his TItleist set to see where they stand relative to his recommended specs. If there was a difference I wanted him to re-shaft DJ's clubs or for DJ to have the Titleist Tour techs build a set to Chips specs so DJ could test one against the other to see which he likes and performs best. I was not questioning his Titleist clubs. I only felt it was time for a second opinion from a club fitter I trusted. I felt it was time for DJ and me to know, through trial and error testing, if there was a change that could help improve his ball striking.
Chip started with DJ hitting the driver. My main concern was that I felt that DJ's driving distance stats were going too short and I also felt that he couldn't really power up with his present driver. I saw players outdriving him by too many yards that I felt, and DJ somewhat agreed, should not be that much longer than him, if at all. I felt that he was hitting it pretty good for accuracy and control but the loss of distance and the ability to go after it for the extra yards needed on longer par 4's and par 5's he should be able to reach, needed to be analyzed and answered.
After hitting around 10 balls, the data was consistent that DJ was hitting the driver with a lower than accepted launch and a descent spin rate. Chip, like me, likes a higher launch and spin rate. DJ had another back up driver, matching his Gamer, and after hitting 10 balls with that one the data was just about the same. With that, Chip went into his workshop and tested DJ's driver on the frequency machine and said he was good with the frequency/stiffness which was an X-stiff shaft as DJ needs. He then said that the shaft in DJ's driver was designed for lower launch and suggested another type of shaft that he feels is the best there is out there today and would really be the best for DJ to raise his launch angle as well as perform better overall. He point blank told DJ that with the present driver shaft he was loosing at least 20 yards air carry, never mind more roll, and the new shaft he mentioned would give it to him.
When Chip mentioned the shaft, Trahan, who was with us, jumped up with his driver in hand and walking forward holding it out mentioned that his driver has that shaft in it and Chip built it. Tup added that 2 weeks ago, after the Barclays Championship at Liberty National, he and DJ went and played Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. DJ had to use his clubs (DJ's caddy Todd took his clubs to the Deutsche Bank tournament for him) and he drove the ball really good and he really liked the feel and performance of the shaft. He went on to remind DJ and tell us that DJ shot 4 under from the dead back tips, first time seeing the course.
DJ hit around 5 or 6 drives with Tup's driver and just as Chip predicted, the launch angle and spin rate was up , his arc was higher and his distance, as calculated by the monitor, was an average of 20 yards longer in flight carry as he predicted. DJ commented that he likes the feel of the load and kick of the shaft, and even hitting it good it felt a little weak. Chip not remembering exactly what flex he built Tup's driver, checked it on the flex meter and it came up to a mid to high range stiff, which is around a half flex too weak for DJ.
With chip again re-stating his recommendations for the shaft, DJ put up his hands and said hold it, reached into his pocket, pulled out his cell phone, hit a few buttons and put the phone to his ear. It seemed awkward and even inappropriate that DJ would interrupt this important conversation and make a phone call until I heard him say 'Tutey, I need a favor.' Tutey is a nickname for Tuten, the last name of his Titleist Tour Rep that DJ works through for all his golf club needs. Next he said 'Tutey, I need you to make me a new driver with a XXXXX brand shaft at my specs (concurring with Chip that he stated everything properly) and 44 inches, AFAP, and can you get it to me by tomorrow.' Chip chirped in, 'Can they make one at 44 ½ inches also to try?' DJ added that to his request. DJ's next words were 'Great, thanks. I'll hit it tomorrow and let all of you know how it works.' Then he pushed a button and dropped the phone in his pocket and with a big grin said 'That's taken care of. What's next?'
What was next was to hit his 3 and 5 woods and see how they performed, as they both had the same shaft as his driver. Like his driver, Chip felt they were launching too low and with too low spin and recommended that he should try the same shaft in them as he is getting put in a new driver. With that, DJ put up his hand and said,'Hold it!' He pulled out his phone and in a few seconds said, 'Tutey, I need a 3 wood and 5 wood to match the drivers. Thanks,' and hung up. Then with a big grin he looked straight at me and asked me if that was fast enough and if I was happy. I said, 'Absolutely fast enough, and happy especially if they work the way we are looking for, which I am confident they will.'
That ended the driver and fairway woods part of the club fitting and also ends this article. Tomorrow I'll cover the fitting and checking out his irons.
The Surge!