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 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.