Dream fitting -anywhere in USA

[LongNwrong27]

Background , +2-3 handicap who plays in lots of tournaments, trying to drop a shot or two and contend in higher level stuff.
 

my main question, if you could go anywhere in the country for a fitting , where would you go? Sorta a ping guy but open to anything if it works better for me. 
 

main requirements would be hitting off actual grass and being able to see whole ball flight, also the ability to do wedge/short game stuff off real grass and bunkers. 
 

this may sound crazy but I’ve just never had a fitting experience that really impressed me. Have been to club champions , local shops , even a major OEM( though the low level consumer side not a high end fitting) and these basically all amounted to hitting 5-10 shots with a club, seeing if it’s better worse or same, moving on. 
 

ideally I would want something  very exhaustive like going over optimal length and lie for me , swingweight vs MOI and looking at LM results, all off grass. 
 

I could see how even a truly exhaustive iron fitting could take multiple hours so would be open to multi day things like woods one day, irons and wedges the next , etc. 

[RacineBoxer]

If you know you want Ping or TPI it's hard to beat being at their home setup. 

[MattM97]

If you're a Ping guy go do a fitting down at Ping HQ in Arizona. If you want an agnostic fit then do a Cool Clubs Complete Tour Fit, it's done at Greyhawk GC in Arizona.

[PaGolfer2]

getting a fitting at Callaway's headquarters would be tough to beat.

[me05501]

I think choosing a brand and going to the mothership with a big budget is probably the way. 

[gvogel]

I went to Titleist's Manchester Lane fitting facility and came away from the experience with better shafts and a great wedge.

 

If i lived out west, i guess I would look into their San Diego area facility.

[st1800e]

I haven’t done this, just thinking about it.  I’ve heard and read very good things about this outfit.  
 

https://www.petesgolf.com/our-staff-2/

 

if you search for “the sweet spot “ podcasts , Woody Lashen from Pete’s Golf has been on several times.  

[MtlJeff]

I got fit in Carlsbad at Callaway HQ by a fitter who had worked with Phil Mickelson.....and then got a short game lesson from Roger Cleveland.

 

That will be tough to beat lol....

 

This was back in 2017 with WRX, good times!

[BombinJim]

I went to an Artisan wedge fitting in Fort Worth in August. I was blown away by the experience.

[AmateurAmateur]

Cool Clubs for brand agnostic. If you want a certain brand call their HQ. Titleist and their TPI fitting is phenomenal as they do the physical screen. Ping is great too but they moved their fitting from their HQ to some course for the general public.

 

Foreward golf is a pretty sweet process if you have an open mind. 

[g_nw]

• Mike Taylor at Artisan
• Ben Giunta at The Tour Van (based at Pumpkin Ridge near Portland but rotates to Arizona and Nashville; in addition to his fitting business he also provides the equipment support for pros on the LIV tour at their events; 10 years with Nike on their PGA tour vans)
• OEM HQ fittings

Edited November 25, 2024 by g_nw

[Yoshifan151]

Just outside the US but I'd honestly go to Toronto and get fit by Matt Blois at Golf Liberty. 

[DArnie]

Sea Island Performance Center.

[WristySwing]

1 hour ago, Yoshifan151 said:

Just outside the US but I'd honestly go to Toronto and get fit by Matt Blois at Golf Liberty. 

 

Matt's facility satisfies none of the OPs criteria though. It is indoors off of mats and has no ability to hit short game out of bunkers. Also not in the US.

[WristySwing]

6 hours ago, doctor220 said:

Background , +2-3 handicap who plays in lots of tournaments, trying to drop a shot or two and contend in higher level stuff.
 

my main question, if you could go anywhere in the country for a fitting , where would you go? Sorta a ping guy but open to anything if it works better for me. 
 

main requirements would be hitting off actual grass and being able to see whole ball flight, also the ability to do wedge/short game stuff off real grass and bunkers. 
 

this may sound crazy but I’ve just never had a fitting experience that really impressed me. Have been to club champions , local shops , even a major OEM( though the low level consumer side not a high end fitting) and these basically all amounted to hitting 5-10 shots with a club, seeing if it’s better worse or same, moving on. 
 

ideally I would want something  very exhaustive like going over optimal length and lie for me , swingweight vs MOI and looking at LM results, all off grass. 
 

I could see how even a truly exhaustive iron fitting could take multiple hours so would be open to multi day things like woods one day, irons and wedges the next , etc. 

 

There's only a finite number of "good" swings a person has. Some can do it, but there are very, very few people who can hit balls for 2-3-4-5+ hours at a time without a break and without their swing faltering. I know you're an elite player but even you would start to slip a bit I would wager. I get what you're saying would be an ultimate dream, but realistically, how much would you pay for something like that? I think most people would laugh you out of their shop if you weren't willing to pony up at least $1000, on top of whatever you were recommended to buy. There's just too much time commitment for something like that without some sort of revenue guarantee. 

[LongNwrong27]

14 minutes ago, WristySwing said:

 

There's only a finite number of "good" swings a person has. Some can do it, but there are very, very few people who can hit balls for 2-3-4-5+ hours at a time without a break and without their swing faltering. I know you're an elite player but even you would start to slip a bit I would wager. I get what you're saying would be an ultimate dream, but realistically, how much would you pay for something like that? I think most people would laugh you out of their shop if you weren't willing to pony up at least $1000, on top of whatever you were recommended to buy. There's just too much time commitment for something like that without some sort of revenue guarantee. 

Ya agreed, would think after a couple hours there would be lots of fatigue. I would def be open/prefer splitting it into 2 days. 
 

I would pay 1k or even a touch more for this. Totally understand it’s not a common request but basically I just don’t want to hit a bunch of clubs into a screen on a quad and have them tell me to buy the driver that spins the least and goes the furthest, etc.
 

also very realistic about my ability and know there are hordes of people better than me , but in a decent position financially and willing to spend some dough to eek out some slight improvements if possible.

 

Canada would be doable location wise if truly the place to be but ya I don’t think deblois is what I would want. From what I’ve seen on txg I would generally classify that as the whole launch monitor golf club fitting vs actual golf club fitting which to me are two diff things. 
 

I can hit a club on quad that goes mega far but it isn’t the best option on the course 

Edited November 25, 2024 by doctor220

[WristySwing]

35 minutes ago, doctor220 said:

Ya agreed, would think after a couple hours there would be lots of fatigue. I would def be open/prefer splitting it into 2 days. 
 

I would pay 1k or even a touch more for this. Totally understand it’s not a common request but basically I just don’t want to hit a bunch of clubs into a screen on a quad and have them tell me to buy the driver that spins the least and goes the furthest, etc.
 

also very realistic about my ability and know there are hordes of people better than me , but in a decent position financially and willing to spend some dough to eek out some slight improvements if possible.

 

Canada would be doable location wise if truly the place to be but ya I don’t think deblois is what I would want. From what I’ve seen on txg I would generally classify that as the whole launch monitor golf club fitting vs actual golf club fitting which to me are two diff things. 
 

I can hit a club on quad that goes mega far but it isn’t the best option on the course 

 

As someone who worked at TXG pre-Club Champion sale and for a little bit after, I can say that the "ball go far" mentality you see championed in a lot of fits is not what we strived to do as a company, and for sure wasn't something I aimed to do. Usually the extra gear came from significantly improving ball speed and middle face contact. I am not saying everyone was like me, but Ian wanted us to focus on strike first, the rest second. I think this is really largely about who is doing the fitting. There are some great fitters at CC, as there were at TXG, as there are probably at a local Golf Galaxy, you just need to find out who they are. Based on what you are striving for in a fitting, one of the outdoor facilities is going to blow you out of the water, as long as you have a good fitter. I was lucky enough to go down to Callaway's Carlsbad facility in 2017 and learn to fit from their tour van guys when I still worked as a big box fitter and that facility is impressive. If you're a Ping guy, I have heard the Arizona facility is equally mind blowing. I also have heard nothing but good things about the guys at Artisan, however, the caveat to a lot of these fittings is they are not agnostic.

Edited November 25, 2024 by WristySwing

[DB Golf]

This doesn’t answer your question, but the thread title got me dreaming. My perfect fitting might be to spend a week with @TomWishon

[Phabs]

Tour Van

Ian Frasier 

Been fit for a putter at artisan and am going down next month for wedges 

[MFBach]

I’m a bit partial, but WRX/TM teamed up to send a few of us to The Kingdom in San Diego a couple years ago… and I can’t imagine any facility could beat it outright. I’m sure the TPI locations are great and I’ve seen positive stuff come from their videos, but honestly, if you could get to a major OEM’s primary practice/fitting facility, it’s going to be a great experience. 
 

Infinite combinations of shafts and heads, 3D modeling and down range radar for more accurate flight results, adjustable floors and every possible angle for putter fitting, top level fitters, top level software, indoor and outdoor ranges, multiple grass/sand types, various lies and shot types. Literally a practice facility beyond your imagination. If you ever get the chance at any Tour level facility, jump on it. 
 

 

ETA: if you’re someone that likes to cycle through new clubs and shafts, try new things, mix up the bag, etc. … an experience like this will completely ruin your habits. It’s hard to swap a set of irons or pick up a new driver when a Tour level fitter sticks something in your hand that works. It kinda ruined my obsessive club churning habit. 

Edited November 26, 2024 by MFBach

[3step]

For someone who is a top tier player who wants to contend in high end events, you have to think differently than just searching for a “Dream Fitting”.

 

Here is a checklist for you-

 

1- For top players, you have to understand the relationship between your swing and your equipment. You swing, drive, iron, chip, and putt, according to the specifications of your equipment. This reality had trapped many a good player on a certain performance plateau. You instinctively react to your equipment. Therefore, if you want to play your best, you must choose your most efficient swing, AND THEN, select your equipment to support your swing. This is the path that Bryson D, for example, has followed. He has worked towards finding his swing, and then built his equipment around it.

2- Part of this means that you better have a coach that understands you, can assess you, and together you develop a common path to finding your best performance. 
3- Next- reach out to other players in your category who have been down the equipment road and found success. You are not looking for a good fitter- you want a good fitter that has had success working with players of your ability.

4- As you go through the equipment part of your journey, always keep asking your body and swing -

questions like- Is this the shaft that is allowing my most efficient swing? Is this the sole of my irons that supports my best delivery into the turf? Is this the weight that is a partner to how I play my best game?

 

3step

[svlido]

I'm about the level that you're at.  I've qualified for a few US Ams and have been able to network through those tournaments to get some access.

 

I doubt anything in a full bag fitting is going to give you a shot or two.  Without knowing your bag, the lowest hanging fruit is probably a wedge fitting.  I did the Vokey wedge fitting at TPI and it gave me the tools to decide how to pick wedges and shots in the future.  It was as much of a lesson as a fitting for me and was well worth the time.

 

The biggest gamechanger for me was to have access to TrackMan and GCQuad for all of my practice and warmup sessions.  When you compile enough data over the course of time, it becomes drastically easier to make decisions on how to set your bag up and what you need to work on.

 

If you've got your mind set on doing a full bag fitting, I would just suggest making a trip to Ping.  I've gone through it in the past and it's as good as you need. 

[LongNwrong27]

1 hour ago, svlido said:

I'm about the level that you're at.  I've qualified for a few US Ams and have been able to network through those tournaments to get some access.

 

I doubt anything in a full bag fitting is going to give you a shot or two.  Without knowing your bag, the lowest hanging fruit is probably a wedge fitting.  I did the Vokey wedge fitting at TPI and it gave me the tools to decide how to pick wedges and shots in the future.  It was as much of a lesson as a fitting for me and was well worth the time.

 

The biggest gamechanger for me was to have access to TrackMan and GCQuad for all of my practice and warmup sessions.  When you compile enough data over the course of time, it becomes drastically easier to make decisions on how to set your bag up and what you need to work on.

 

If you've got your mind set on doing a full bag fitting, I would just suggest making a trip to Ping.  I've gone through it in the past and it's as good as you need. 

Ya more so looking at fractions of a shot realistically at best if any. I guess more so to just try to optimize everything and remove any doubts , though I don’t think any of my current stuff fits me poorly or etc. 

[K48]

@doctor220 I read an article at MGS about numerous fittings for custom handcrafted irons with P53 in Fort Worth that I believe describes  your dream fitting. 

[SBH9458]

On 11/26/2024 at 1:22 AM, MFBach said:

Tour level fitter sticks something in your hand that works. It kinda ruined my obsessive club churning habit. 

I would called that “solved” instead of “ruined” and I’d love to get that solution!

[flognut]

On 11/25/2024 at 9:46 AM, st1800e said:

I haven’t done this, just thinking about it.  I’ve heard and read very good things about this outfit.  
 

https://www.petesgolf.com/our-staff-2/

 

if you search for “the sweet spot “ podcasts , Woody Lashen from Pete’s Golf has been on several times.  

i know several folks who give Pete's a 10 of 10 rating. they are top notch all around

[CTG77]

On 11/25/2024 at 10:26 AM, g_nw said:

• Mike Taylor at Artisan
• Ben Giunta at The Tour Van (based at Pumpkin Ridge near Portland but rotates to Arizona and Nashville; in addition to his fitting business he also provides the equipment support for pros on the LIV tour at their events; 10 years with Nike on their PGA tour vans)
• OEM HQ fittings

Artisan wedges have long been on my list, as are the P53 guys after recently reading that article...because well, if money isn't an option...

[PedronNiall]

On 11/25/2024 at 11:24 AM, AmateurAmateur said:

Foreward golf is a pretty sweet process if you have an open mind. 

 

Honestly this would be my route if I'm making a trip of it to get a fitting with the expectation of something as close to optimal as it gets while also remaining relatively agnostic all around. Emphasis from everything I've read here is on no preconceived notions on grip size, lie, bounce, or shaft weight/flex. Don't know of anyone else who does this and I'm thinking of heading that way sometime during the winter. The best part is them giving you standard OEM options that fit your tendencies, so you aren't forced into their irons if you find something else in that wheelhouse more appealing. 

 

Titleist, Callaway, Ping, PXG, and some others offer their full cart, full service fittings on grass at a number of places, so there's no need to do an out of the way trip just to meet those requirements. If my aim were to come out with the widest range of starting considerations pared down to what produced the most consistent results I'd drink the Forward Kool-aid, regardless of them doing the fitting indoors at their studio/shop--though I think one or two of their partnered fitters may be somewhere that offers grass. A lot of people are finding options that work for them that other fitters truly wouldn't even consider putting in their hands. 

[vernon]

Not meaning to hijack the thread but I've been considering putting together a trip to the Phoenix area to visit some friends and play some golf in the January - February time frame but was primarily hoping to set something up to get as comprehensive of a Ping fitting as possible while I'm out there.  

 

I'm a little confused though as to what differences there might be between the different locations now that Ping no longer does fittings at the factory.

 

Does anyone happen to know if one is better than another?  

 

I noticed the 2nd Swing location even indicated that "a fitting fee may apply".

 

I don't really want to travel that far and go to the trouble of making arrangements if it just ends up being the same sort of deal that I could get at one of the big box stores here at home.

 

Best of luck to the OP - wish I was worthy of the fitting you seek but those days have long passed for me!

 

 

 

 

[kiddoc]

On 12/12/2024 at 12:48 PM, vernon said:

Not meaning to hijack the thread but I've been considering putting together a trip to the Phoenix area to visit some friends and play some golf in the January - February time frame but was primarily hoping to set something up to get as comprehensive of a Ping fitting as possible while I'm out there.  

 

I'm a little confused though as to what differences there might be between the different locations now that Ping no longer does fittings at the factory.

 

Does anyone happen to know if one is better than another?  

 

I noticed the 2nd Swing location even indicated that "a fitting fee may apply".

 

I don't really want to travel that far and go to the trouble of making arrangements if it just ends up being the same sort of deal that I could get at one of the big box stores here at home.

 

Best of luck to the OP - wish I was worthy of the fitting you seek but those days have long passed for me!

 

 

 

 

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