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Fits You Nicely, Sir!
by Colm Gill
Why Choose A Custom-Fitted Club?
In simple terms, a 'clubmaker' is one who assembles
a grip, shaft and golf club head resulting in a finished golf club.
However, a 'Professional Clubmaker' is a qualified golf equipment
professional specialising in matching your unique swing characteristics
with the correct selection of components and meticulously assembling
each and every club for the individual customer.
Why should I buy clubs
from a professional clubmaker?
Everyone is unique. Like fingerprints, no two golfers
swing exactly the same. When one buys clubs 'off-the-shelf' you
are buying a 'one-club-fits-all' set which was mass produced on
an assembly line. Of course, you can play golf with them and they
look good in your bag…but, they are not built to fit your swing.
If you line up three golfers with the same handicap on a practice
range and have them swing an identical club, each golfer will have
a different stance, swing speed, shaft load, swing plane etc. Each
swing characteristic can be measured by a Professional Clubmaker,
who can then match the proper shaft (engine) to your individual
swing characteristics.
There are three elements in a truly custom fit set
of golf clubs: the fitting (gathering of information), the selection
of compatible components and the proper assembly and fine-tuning
of each club. To ensure consistency, and proper fitting, it is essential
that the same craftsman fulfills all three phases of this process.
Custom Clubmakers is very lucky to be able to offer
golfers this service at the magnificent Greenlife Golf driving range
and academy situated in Marbella's Elviria Hills. We work hand in
hand with three PGA professionals, who will advise on options and
assist in the selection of components.
Can I afford to have a Professional
Clubmaker make my clubs?
This may surprise you, but, absolutely! Professional
Clubmakers are often independent craftsmen who, unlike, major manufacturers,
have access to a greater selection of the highest quality heads,
grips and shafts available on the market today. By working with
these craftsman:
- You may discover that a new set of clubs is not
necessary. In many cases a Professional Clubmaker can improve
your game by improving your equipment. This may be done by adjusting
loft & lie angles, looking at club length, installing
the correct shaft or simply replacing grips. A Professional
Clubmaker
can often improve your game without the expense of a completely
new set of clubs.
- If new equipment is deemed necessary, you will
receive properly fitted clubs that are assembled one at a
time, using the latest
fitting and assembly technology.
- You will receive individual attention from a
Professional Clubmaker who understands your individual needs
and who will be there to
service your equipment year after year.
How can I tell if my clubmaker is 'Professional'?
It is estimated that there are over 100,000 so-called
clubmakers today. However, all clubmakers are not equally skilled,
trained or certified. The Professional Clubmakers'
Society (PCS) provides certification opportunities for their
members to become a 'Class A' clubmaker by passing an extensive
written exam; passing a rigorous skills exam by assembling golf
clubs to exact specifications as stipulated by the PCS Education
and Training Committee. All PCS Certified Class A Clubmakers are
required to earn CPE points to maintain their proficiencies. PCS
certification is one way of distinguishing Professional Clubmakers
from the amateurs.
Professional Clubmakers use high-tech equipment
in their registered shop to ensure consistency in every club within
a set. To perform basic loft & lie adjustments (a very important
factor in well-fitted clubs) a special loft & lie machine is
necessary. This is an expensive, but fundamental, piece of equipment
not found in all "clubmakers" workshops.
Professional Clubmakers will spend as much time
as needed in a fitting session with a golfer to determine their
exact specifications. A thorough fitting session will cover:
- Player evaluation and an interview to determine
what you want to improve in your game.
- A thorough examination of current equipment.
- An opportunity for the clubmaker to view your
address position, swing, ball flight, distance etc.
- A detailed analysis of clubhead speed at impact,
loading of the shaft, ball/clubhead impact patterns.
In summary, when you drive a car for the first time,
you adjust the seat position, rear view mirror and wing mirrors
before driving off, this is similar to your golf clubs, you will
drive better if the equipment is adjusted to your own particular
requirements - not those of Mr. Average.
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