I asked Lynn to give you some answers to all the email and blogs he got with his article on MOI and shafts. Wow. Take it away, Lynn.
The Surge!
Thanks for your response to my first article. Surge thought it was about time I answer a few of your questions.
One of the first things I want to address is a result of a conversation that I just had with The Surge! He recommended to one of his students that he needed to get fit for his equipment. So, the gentleman took the advice and went to see a fitter. The first thing the fitter did was tell him that his swing was too vertical. Upon explaining that he wanted his swing vertical, the student was told that there weren't any good players with vertical swings. The student brought up DJ, Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus, suggesting a few players that do and did rather well with a vertical swing. The fitter still insisted that the student needed to get flatter and more rotational.
To address this situation, I first want to say that only a few fitters are also qualified instructors, very few! Secondly, a good fitter would never tell you that you can't swing a particular way! NEVER! First, that's not our business. Secondly, who are we to say how you can or can't swing? I can think of three professionals, that if they had gone to this fitter, they would have never played. Those players would be Jim Furyk, Miller Barber, and Arnold Palmer.
My advice is this. If you go to a fitter and he tries to tell you how to swing, thank him for his time and leave. Our job as fitters is to get you the best equipment that fits your swing, not change your swing. Now, with that being said, as a certified instructor, if I spot something that I can suggest to a player that will assist him in playing better golf, I will work it into the conversation, but I'd never be so presumptuous as to try and change a player's swing.
Ok, I'm off my soap box.
One of the more common questions regarded being fit by the retail or big box stores. While this may be better than nothing, it is a far cry short of what a complete fitting entails. A fitting at a retailer will involve determining lie angle, length of shaft, shaft flex, and grip size. The shortcoming of this method are:
#1. They will use any club with any shaft and have you hit off a lie board to determine lie angle. Using a lie board is not the best method for determining lie angle and it's also essential to use the shaft that you will be playing as different shafts will have different toe down or droop effects.
#2. Most companies are trying to get you to play longer clubs rather than what is manageable. Reason is that in theory, the longer the shaft, the more distance you'll get. This simply is not true.
#3. Flex is what? A true fitting will find what the proper frequency is for you, the right weight of shaft, the right torque of shaft, the right kick point, in essence, the RIGHT shaft. In the retail shops, you will only have the option of shafts that the manufacturer decides to put in the club.
#4. What is the right grip size? The right grip size is the one that feels best in your hand and lets you grip the club with the proper tension. You can't find that out by putting your hand on a size chart as they will have you do at the other places.
I've hit the high spots here but there are many other major differences. Big Box stores don't measure for the proper MOI and they certainly don't orient the shaft in the club in the optimum playing position. This one aspect alone creates consistency in your clubs. You are also stuck with standard length deviations, ½', as well as standard deviations between shafts in their flexes, usually 4 CPMs. What if you don't need ½' between clubs and .4' fits you better and 3 CPMs difference between clubs is a better fit? The answer is: TOUGH! They can't do it.
Now, let's talk cost factors. There are two schools of thought regarding the perception of having clubs made for you by an independent club builder. One view is that they are more expensive than off the rack clubs. NOT TRUE! A set of Ping G10 irons can set you back $600 to $800 and a set of TaylorMade Burners would set you back $700 to $900. You can get a professional grade set of clubs made to your exact specs for lots less. While prices will vary from region to region, you can generally expect to save about 15% to 20%.
Why are we able to do it for less? The answer quite simply is you aren't paying us for huge advertising budgets and Tour player endorsements. But you say that you just bought that expensive set of clubs so what can you do now? If you have a set of irons that you like, you can always have the set retro-fitted. Retro-fitting involves taking your current set and reworking them from the ground up and having them conform to your specs. The cost for this service is about half the price of getting a totally new set built to your specs and about 60% less than getting a set at your local retailer. You may want to consider this option if you have a relatively new set of clubs that you like and they are in good condition.
The next misconception regarding custom clubs comes as a result of what I call the 'stick and glue' guys that operate out of their garage. (note: this does not mean that all fitter/builders who use their garage are 'stick and glue' guys) The opinion of some regarding custom clubs resulting from the practices of these individuals and the materials that they use, is that custom clubs are cheap and inferior. You all know someone that played these clubs at some point or you yourself perhaps played or are maybe still playing a set. The clubs I'm talking about are referred to as 'knock-offs' or 'clones'. They are basically look-a-likes to major name brands that you all know. Some of these copies have names like Big Bursa or Big Brother, King Snake, Tour Edition, Tour Fire, and many others. These sets can generally be had for just a few hundred dollars and the builders may check you for lie angle and ask what you hit from 150 yards, but this is about all the fitting that you will get. Please don't misunderstand, I am not knocking these guys as I'm sure that they have their place but they have done the professional fitter/builder a world of hurt and misconception regarding their trade.
If you walk into a fitter/builder's shop the first thing you should take note of is the amount of equipment and instruments that he has. Secondly, look for certificates of achievement and awards. Ask questions about his training and ask to see his fitting equipment and ask him what his process is. Don't be afraid to engage him in conversation. If you get resistance or defensive reactions, don't walk, run. Ask to see examples of the clubs that are built. If they look like one of the name brands that you are familiar with, don't walk, run. Chances are you are dealing with a 'stick and glue' guy.
One of the main concerns of a professional fitter/builder is the grade of steel that is used in the club heads. We are very careful to verify that the heads we use are of the highest grades available. For this reason, we look for heads made of 304 Stainless, 1020 low carbon, 3430 Stainless, and 431 Stainless. These heads are equal to or exceed the quality of steel that you find in the major name brands. The heads we use are made in the same foundries as the 'big boys'. They undergo exacting standards and scrutiny for quality control. The acceptable margins for tolerances for all practical purposes are the same. However, from experience, I have found that there are smaller deviations within the club heads that we use.
Exactly what can you expect when dealing with an independent club fitter/builder? First and foremost, you'll be dealing with someone that has a true desire to see that your equipment fits you perfectly. You'll have someone that is available to make adjustments and tweaks for you as needed. You will have the opportunity to try various pieces of equipment that offer the technology that will help you improve. Many builders will even build you a test club first to verify that the specs are correct before proceeding with the full set. You will also be able to have the set make -up configured to just what you need and not be forced into buying clubs you'll never use. You will also be able to get the exact shaft that fits your swing rather than having to settle for what the 'other guys' decide to put into their sets.
Let's look at another scenario that some of you asked about. This goes back to having the retail shops or some other organization such as Golftek do your fitting. As stated earlier, the fitting is very limited. But the main thing I want to emphasize is that even though they may fit you, they aren't the ones doing the building. Also, you may find someone that can build you a set (normally the 'stick and glue' guys) but they can't fit you. The caution and suggestion here is to please get your fitting and club work, whether it's retro-fitting or total new build, done by the same person. If the guy that fit you ain't the guy who builds your equipment, you're likely to get shafted. They must be one in the same for it to be a true professional fit and custom set of irons. It only makes sense to do it this way. You're dealing with one person and he understands and knows exactly what he did and needs to do to get the best product in your hands.
Bottom line, by going to an independent fitter/builder you will have expertly made and top of the line equipment that is backed by the reputation of the individual. Remember, the most important customer that we have is you. Our lively hood is on the line each and every time. Your equipment will have the same warranty as the equipment you'd get from a retail shop. Another thing you'll get from a professional fitter/builder is straight talk and answers and unbiased information. There are no hidden agendas to sell you specific equipment because the sales staff gets paid extra money in the form of 'spiffs' from the equipment companies. In short, you will receive individualized attention to detail and to you from someone who cares about your game.
The next time you're considering the purchase of golf equipment, give some serious thought to seeking out a certified professional fitter/builder. That choice can make your game.
J. Lynn Griffin
Master Fitter/Builder
Certified PPGS Instructor