The Interview and Fitting Form

Since I do not personally know most of my customers, the first step in my fittings is for them to fill out a fitting information form. This is best done in advance. Reading your responses on this form starts me on the road to learning a little something about your equipment, your golf goals, your golf tendencies, your physical abilities, and more. Once I have reviewed the form, I normally set up an appointment for us to meet. This meeting usually starts off with a short tour of the shop and talking about how the fitting process works. It is also a time for me to be sure that I understand exactly what you are trying to accomplish.

Equipment Evaluation and Measurements

This step is where I evaluate and measure some critical aspects of your current equipment - things like length, loft, lie, flex, and grip size. Just because your driver may be stamped with 10.5 (degrees) it could easily be 9 or 12 degrees. Or just because your iron indicates it's a 6-iron it may have the loft of a 5 iron. Knowing exactly what specifications we are dealing with is invaluable in helping to determine the exact specifications for your new equipment At this time I also look for anomalies and inconsistencies in your equipment as well. Unfortunately, out of specification equipment is more the norm rather than the exception although this does seem to be getting a bit better in recent years. This is a very good time to start taking a closer look at your set make-up.

Swing Evaluation

The next step is sort of two steps at once. In one step we use launch monitor to determine your clubhead speed, ball speed, and launch angle. Then we take that data and input it into some trajectory software do determine your optimum. Also at this time a short high-speed video is taken to determine your tempo as well as your release - two bits of information that along with your clubhead speed and a little input from both of us will be used to determine a shaft and flex.

Recommendations

At this stage of the fitting I have all the data I need to start selecting components. All of our empirical data has been accumulated and together we start trying to find components that not only match our required specifications but also appeal aesthetically to the person being fit. The aesthetics of the club are factors not to be taken lightly. If someone absolutely hates loud colors, or does not like how a club sets up, etc. success can be awfully hard to achieve. Let us not forget that a lot of this game is played between the ears and no matter how much we would like to make this a science, there is an awful lot of art involved. I always try to remember that "feel" is very individual and something I can not measure and fit.

Assembly

At this stage of the process we assemble the club(s) to try out. From here we tweak them if necessary. If purchasing a set of irons, usually only a 6-iron is assembled. Then once everything is OK the rest of the clubs can be put together.

Follow Up

This is one of my favorite, although nerve-wracking, steps. I like to wait until the club has been played a few rounds and then I call to ask how the equipment is performing. This is also when I solicit feedback as to their experience and my process. I do this without exception. I believe this step serves two important functions. One, it lets the customer know I care about their game, and two, it provides me with valuable information necessary to improve my process and recommendations.