...Fitting, Demos, and Etc at Big Box Stores
Given some of the suggestions I have read regarding fittings or expressing confidence in non-Titleist representative work (shaft replacements, club alterations, etc), I decided to share with the TT community an experience from last season.
Approximately mid-season, I decided to visit my local Big Box store for a fitting. This decision was in-part based on questions related to the driver I was using. While my iron striking wasn't bad, upwards of 80% of my tee shots missed the fairway - with at least 50% of those misses coming to rest in the rough across the adjacent fairway (part equipment, part swing mechanics). My "power-fade" became the talk of my game, being that I could easily drive the ball 300 yards (150 straight then 150 right - right across the other fairway).
Anyway, during the process, the Big Box rep, put me on their launch monitor and had me swing away with several drivers. Based on the monitor figures, the Big Box rep, looked at this handy little chart and suggested that for optimal ball flight I shouldn't use a stiff shaft and should gravitate more towards a more forgiving driver (460cc). That said, the recommendation was a TM Burner 2.0 or a Cally something. Though I liked the feel, look, and sound of the D3, I complied with the Big Box rep's suggestion, purchasing the 2.0.
Fast forwarding a bit, the recommended stock TM driver did little for control. Actually, my driving became worse with an increase in fairway hits. I guess the whippy nature of a regular flex shaft coupled with it being 46 inches really overly exaggerated flaws in my swing.
As a result, during the off-season, I decided to attend a Titleist demo day. The Tileist rep was much more thorough, while using "less" eye-catching technology than the BIg Box store. Leveraging a basic launch monitor, measuring ball speed and launch angle, coupled with visually watching the ball flight within the indoor range, the Titleist rep was able to more accurately assess my swing characteristics. The resulting make-up is as follows:
- Titleist 910 D3
- 9.5*
- A1 Surefit Setting
- UST Proforce V2 77g Stiff Flex Shaft
As you can see, this is completely opposite of the Big Box recommendation. However, as a result, I am much more pleased - my fairway hits have increased and my shot dispersion is much tighter. So far, when I miss the fairway, I find myself on my side of the trees, slightly (<5 yards) off the fairway. Apparently, the R-flex shaft is much too whippy for my swing and the added length of TM driver shafts create control issues.
Given "my" experience, I would recommend fittings with either Titleist-reps or a certified Titleist fitter. I would not recommend Big Box stores, as their goals and/or experience may not align with your best interest.