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| Custom Clubs |
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| It's time to make the move to custom clubs. You've seen how custom fitted clubs help the pros shoot lower scores. You've perused article after article dealing with the game improvement potential of custom made woods, irons or a putter. You've listened to the hosts on the Golf Channel and other television shows tout the benefits of matched clubs. Lately, you've even personally witnessed how quality custom-built clubs have helped some of your opponents take some cash out of your pocket! Now it's your turn...but just how do you go about making sure you pick the proper clubs and have them fitted and assembled by the proper source? Your custom clubs should fit you as perfectly as possible; make sure you are comfortable with the manner and qualifications of the person working to help you lower your handicap. Here's how to proceed: |
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| The first thing to do in your search for the best clubmaker for you is to listen. Listen to what other players in your group, league or at your course are saying. Listen especially to players of your own ability who have had experience with a custom clubmaker. Very often there will be one or two names that are prominently mentioned and praised. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising; keep your ears open to what your golfing friends are saying. You need not usually travel very far to work with a top-quality clubmaker; try to find someone local if at all possible. Should there be any fine-tuning of the custom clubs needed, it will save you time if your clubmaker is just a short drive away. |
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| Once you have listened to a few fellow player recommendations, take a trip to a couple of the choice custom clubmaking shops. Look at the clubs that are displayed. Check out the product names, not only of the heads, but of the shafts and grips as well. Do not recognize any of the names? I'd look elsewhere. Clubmakers who don't use nationally known brands such as True Temper and Golf Pride, to name just a few, may be selling the customer short on quality and product consistency. Not that lesser-known name companies offer inferior product, but a top-notch shop should certainly offer recognized brand name materials to customers who may be best fit with them. A good mix of brand name and private logo components is indicative of a quality clubmaking shop. |
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| Examine closely at the workmanship of the clubs on display in the shop. Are the ferrules finished to match the hosels? Are the grips aligned properly? Do you see any epoxy smudges on the shafts? What is your honest opinion of the cosmetic look of the sample clubs? If the clubmaker?s display clubs are less than perfect, there is a good chance that your clubs from this person may be less than perfect as well. Attention to detail is key. Be very critical in your mind as you pick up and waggle the clubs in the shop. Any self-doubt should indicate that perhaps this clubmaker is not the one to whom you should trust your game. Good clubmakers never build or display a club they would not be proud to play themselves. |
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| One of the best ways to learn if the clubmaker is right for you is to simply talk with him or her. Does the clubmaker seem to be able to answer your questions? Is he or she abreast of the latest in equipment technology? Is the clubmaker able to explain to you the playing characteristics of the heads in the shop? Can he or she give you an explanation as to various components of shaft fitting? Be satisfied with the amount and quality of time the clubmaker spends answering your questions, regardless of how elementary or how in-depth they may be. A good clubmaker maintains current knowledge related to all facets of the game. Each week on TV, a player may use a new or different piece of equipment. Does your clubmaker know what that equipment is and why it may or may not be best suited to your game? A combination of knowledge and rapport will yield a winning combination for your game. |
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| Ask to see the actual clubmaking work shop and not just the showroom. You should immediately notice whether or not the work area is orderly. While not every good clubmaker is a "neat freak", tools and equipment out of place may indicate his or her attention to detail when it comes to your clubs. Is the shop overly dusty? While clubmaking does naturally create dust, you should not be able to write your name in that dust on every piece of equipment in the work place. Ask if the clubmaker has such machines as a frequency analyzer or a loft/lie machine and ask how they function. An absence of these machines or a hesitation to show you how they work may show the clubmaker is not as technologically advanced as he or she should be. Better clubmakers are proud of the shops. Once they start talking and showing you equipment, it may actually be difficult to get them to stop! |
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| Always, and I emphasize always, look for a clubmaker who offers dynamic fitting. Dynamic fitting involves having you actually hit balls with a number of test clubs in order to determine what is best for you. If you do not hit balls as part of your fitting, it is impossible to be best fit with a custom set of clubs. While the clubmaker may take some static measurements such as grip size, perhaps fingertip to floor, or some other similar measurements, hitting balls is paramount to a good fitting. Demo clubs should include various face angle, length, lie and shaft clubs at a minimum. Grip size samples and perhaps a few loft selection clubs should be available as well. In addition, better clubmakers label and organize all demo clubs neatly and logically. If the fitting is done indoors, look for a fitter whose shop has a hitting net that features some type of computerized device that shows, at the very least, swing speed, tempo and face angle. Many modern swing analyzers show much more, and
thus make for more complete fittings. If the fitting is done outdoors, such devices are not so necessary; the fitting can be done through close observation of ball flight, by both you and the clubmaker. |
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| Has the clubmaker been qualified by any organization? The Professional Clubmakers? Society, or PCS, the only independent clubmaking organization in the world offers an accreditation to its members. This accreditation, known as the "Class A Clubmaker" shows that the clubmaker to whom you are talking has passed a rigorous written and skills test. He or she is among the elite 500 or so clubmakers in the world so certified if you see a "Class A" plaque on the wall. The PCS offers a no-cost clubmaker referral line at 800-548-6094. If the clubmaker has not taken the "Class A" exam, but is a member of PCS, this is a good indication of their dedication to their craft; a definite plus. Golfsmith, the largest component company in the world, offers a similar test to the PCS, but the Golfsmith test is a written test only. Those who pass the test receive a status known as the Golfsmith Clubmaking Association (GCA) Certification. Both the PCS and Golfsmith annually recognize clubmakers from various regions and countries as the best in their field. Should you be fortunate enough to live near one of these internationally recognized clubmakers, consider making him or her a first choice as your clubmaker. |
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| If the person has not taken an accreditation test, ask if he or she has attended a clubmaking or fitting school or two. Typically you will see plaques on the wall to show this attendance. Continuing education is an asset; look to a clubmaker who has recently attended a class or seminar. Knowledge in the golf industry changes quickly; it is a key factor to keep up on the latest trends in the industry. Dynacraft, the Golfworks and Golfsmith offer a number of schools to educate clubmakers in the latest ins and outs of clubmaking and fitting. If the person advertises, look for the PCS logo or copy in the ad stating that the clubmaker has attended some type of class. But do be aware that the size of the ad and the quality of the clubmaker are not always synonymous with one another continuing education is much more important. |
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| What will your clubs cost? While this may not be a totally fair question to ask prior to the actual fitting, and will certainly be influenced by set makeup and material composition of the heads and shafts, the clubmaker should explain the benefits of these factors prior to beginning a fitting. You and the clubmaker need to agree on some approximate price so that the clubmaker does not show you components either above or below your price (and ability) range. Remember when considering price and a set of custom clubs that each hit of each club will cost you fractions of a penny over the club?s life. If you think that you may want a certain club that is a bit more expensive than you planned to spend, seriously consider it, especially if you have had success when you test hit it. It?s better to be confident with the club you really want than to buy something that may not perform quite as good as you believe it should over the long term. |
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| Ask what type of warranty comes with your custom clubs. Just about anything but a lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship is unusual from top clubmakers. Ask what happens (and if you pay) if slight adjustments need to be made after your clubs are built. These adjustments are not uncommon; they do not show any lack of skill on the clubmaker?s part ? just the opposite; willingness to make adjustments shows commitment on the part of the clubmaker; something you definitely want in your quest for game improvement. Ask if you will receive a specification sheet when you pick up your finished clubs. This sheet will detail such things as shaft type, length, frequencies, grip type and size, to name just a few. A qualified clubmaker should be willing to offer this, usually without you even asking for it...be wary of a clubmaker who balks at providing the information once you have received and paid for the clubs. Quality clubmakers are proud to provide the workmanship specifications on the clubs they build and fit. |
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An honorable reputation |
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Recognized product |
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Quality workmanship |
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Ability to answer questions |
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Good customer rapport |
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A full service type of shop |
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A willingness to make adjustments |
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A long-term warranty |
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Value-added service |
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Fair pricing |
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Accurate and up to date dynamic fitting equipment |
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Some type of accreditation or schooling |
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| Find these and you have most likely found a top clubmaker who will do, within reason, everything that can be done to make certain that your equipment matches your game. Lower scores are important to you; trust them only to an experienced and educated clubmaker with whom you are comfortable; you?ll certainly be glad you did! |
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