[buzzy]

Has anyone done business with John Ford at the Golf Institute of America on 441 just south of 466? For $40 he will put your clubs on various measuring devices to determine if your clubs are right for you, or can be adjusted to be better. Wondering if this is worthwhile or just a gimmick.

BTW - his video demonstrates that name brand clubs are mostly out of spec on flex, loft and lie.

[TomW]

IMHO, club fitting is kind of important and never moreso as we get a little older. There is so much hype about clubs in the media it is hard to separate what works for each individaul. At the low end, one can learn swing speed and lanuch angle from about any retial outlet but that is rarely enough data to make a valid selection. On the high end, outfits like Cool Clubs Inc will do an extensive fitting and build a custom set of clubs from various name brands. The fitting alone is around $1K. If one is ready to invest a couple of social security checks in a set of clubs, a happy local alternative is to schedule a $90 "fitting lesson" with a PGA professional like Joey Hidock at the Sarasota Club Shop. So, there is kind of a range of ways to attack the fitting issue. Most people rely on the part time kid at Dick's unfortunately.

[buzzy]

Interesting. I guess that's a notch above the normal $50 fitting at the Villages Golf Academy. I am left handed, so I've had lessons with Craig Griffin because he can shoot both ways. We have not spoken about fitting yet.

[longball32159]

Buzzy

I have been to the Golf Institute and experienced their $40.00 club check.
I learned more about my equipment and the game of golf in that hour than I have in 40 years of playing. Very educational and worth the money "

[ugotme]

I see they are a distance away but has anyone used Golf Tech for fittings?

[normandy]

Originally Posted by ugotme

I see they are a distance away but has anyone used Golf Tech for fittings?

hi I read your reply and read you moved from Log island to Tamarac,fl and then to the Villages, we made the same moves, Suffolk co. long Island {retired to} Tamarac, fl and then to the Villages. welcome moved here summer of 2004.

[rubicon]

Club fitting in my view is important. Length of shaft and type, club head angle and sole even the grips, etc. Having custom built clubs is worth the price

[ugotme]

Originally Posted by normandy

hi I read your reply and read you moved from Log island to Tamarac,fl and then to the Villages, we made the same moves, Suffolk co. long Island {retired to} Tamarac, fl and then to the Villages. welcome moved here summer of 2004.

Actually not yet in TV. Bought a house on our LSV 2 weeks ago. We close on July 17th. Not sure exactly when we will move up there. Wife has some medical issues that have to be resolved first.

But when we come up - I'll let ya know.

[ugotme]

Originally Posted by normandy

hi I read your reply and read you moved from Log island to Tamarac,fl and then to the Villages, we made the same moves, Suffolk co. long Island {retired to} Tamarac, fl and then to the Villages. welcome moved here summer of 2004.

Duhhh - meant to ask you where on LI and where in Tamarac?

[Russ_Boston]

Being an avid golfer I too can value the experience of a good club fitting. HOWEVER - the vast majority of people I see on the execs (and many on the championship) courses would benefit much more by first buying some lessons! Most of these people couldn't break 100 even if they spent 10K on the clubs and fitting. Learn a decent swing before you get fit into your current swing. That makes no sense to me.

Quick story: Sam Snead was playing in a charity outing in Newport RI country club for the club's 100 year anniversary (1993) and was asked by a local sports writer if today's clubs made the golfers better than in his heyday. Sam proceeded to play the charity round with a historic set of hickory shafted clubs and shot a cool 76. Sam at the time was 81 years old.

[Roaddog53]

[QUOTE=Russ_Boston;697705]Being an avid golfer I too can value the experience of a good club fitting. HOWEVER - the vast majority of people I see on the execs (and many on the championship) courses would benefit much more by first buying some lessons! Most of these people couldn't break 100 even if they spent 10K on the clubs and fitting. Learn a decent swing before you get fit into your current swing. That makes no sense to me.

Russ, This makes perfect sense to me what you said. I too have seen numerous golfer wanna-a-bes and cringe at their swing and frustrations. Some excuses they use why they don't hit the ball solid is A hoot. But I just smile. Not my business except they seem very frustrated and slow play. I give them credit for wanting to play and trying to enjoy the game. Would these people play pickleball or line dance without first taking some basic lessons? Also, learn on a driving range, than a golf course.
I too have been playing for 47 years and have been on golf teams, in tournaments, and was pretty much a scratch player a bit ago. I was on the BOD for a major international golf wholesaler and retailer for a few years part time, and sold, gave golf tips (left the individual lessons to the pros on staff there), and fitted clubs in their store after training by each club manufacturer. Thus my background in this matter.
I can tell you there are way too many new or high hdcp golfers that do not take lessons and buy the high end clubs thinking this will solve their golfing whoas.
The idea in any sport or activity is to "first" take a lesson to get basic fundamentals down on your swing. Lots will depend on your stature, height, weight, age, physical abilities/handicaps, hand size, swing speed, swing plain..etc.. Than have clubs fitted to that swing versus trying to adjust your swing later to the clubs you had fitted at first and paid a fortune up front for clubs that may not fit. You will find a major difference in your game. It will make the game much more fun to play. Good luck!

[ugotme]

Good points Russ & Roaddog and very true.

I have only been playing for about 5 years. Have an urge to buy a new set. Decided, however, to better my game first then, maybe, a new set might help. Believe me that's tough - I love buying new toys! Wife keeps telling me to go ahead and buy it but when I move up there (soon) will take some lessons and - dare I say it???? IMPROVE ????

Currently about an 18 hdcp. Although Tiger et al have nothing to worry about would like to get it lower. We will see.

[buzzy]

Originally Posted by longball32159

Buzzy

I have been to the Golf Institute and experienced their $40.00 club check.
I learned more about my equipment and the game of golf in that hour than I have in 40 years of playing. Very educational and worth the money "

Thanks for the feedback. I did not go back for the analysis and fitting, partly for my skepticism and partly to take more lessons. After the lessons and executive play, I felt that I would benefit the most from having senior flex shafts. I had planned to get a full set of custom-made hybrids plus woods from Tree Tops. Their meter showed that my old steel shafts were stiff. The measure confirmed that I needed senior flex, but size and angles were judged to be standard. Around that time, the highly rated Adams IDEA A12-OS senior clubs (with three hybrids) went on sale, and I bought a set from the Sarasota golf shop. I am very happy, and my game has improved considerably.

[hfivo]

Looked for Golf Institute and could not find the location... do you have an address?

[buzzy]

209 S Hwy 27 441, Lady Lake, FL ‎
(352) 751-6767

May also be called Golf Academy