Here in Wisconsin we have very few opportunities for fitting clubs with systems like Trackman. Having scheduled a sales trip to Texas, I made an appointment for a complete full bag fitting with Kyle Cronkright at the Jim McClean Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
Let me start off by saying that I can't believe more golfers don't pursue being properly fitted for their clubs.I see some of my buddies buy clubs off the rack, then think it's their swing that is the problem, when it's simply a club that just doesn't fit them.
In the past, I've had Trackman fittings for driver and fairway wood, but never the complete setup. My last two sets of irons had been a fitting off the Titleist cart, hitting off the plexiglas, without benefit of Trackman. This was a real eye opening experience.
I'm a 2-3 handicap, age 56, have some back problems, am in pretty good shape, but have been experiencing some loss in distance. My goal in this fitting was to see if there were solutions that could help me regain distance, with better shot dispersion in the irons.
My current setup:
- png Rapture 9*, Diamana Blue 60 stiff [fitted on png Tour van with Trackman]
- Tour Edge Exotics, CB4 wood, Fujikura Rombax stiff, cut 43" [fitted at Cool Clubs Scotsdale with Trackman]
- Titleist 709H hybrid, 19*, Diamana Blue 80 stiff
- Titleist 709 AP2 4-PW, Project X 5.5
- Titleist Vokey wedges, 50-08, 54-08, 58-04
- png Ketsch putter 35"
The new set-up will be:
- Titleist 915D3, 9.5*, set A1, Diamana Blue 60 stiff
- Titleist 915F, 15*, set C1, Aldila Rogue Silver 70 stiff
- Titleist 915H, 18*, set B1, Aldila Rogue Black 85 stiff
- Titleist 714 AP2 4-PW, KBS Tour stiff
- Titleist Vokey Wedges, 50-12, 54-14, 58-11, KBS Tour stiff
The only club we're not changing is the putter.
Kyle and I had discussed my issues and goals prior to my visit. He started me out with my irons. Then progressed into the combinations of head and shaft he thought would work. My current irons spin to much, which has been killing distance. I also hit them too high. The KBS Tour shaft gave my ball flight a more boring trajectory, fighting the wind and I gained 7 yards in distance, while still maintaining stopping power on the green.
My hybrid and fairway woods also have too much spin, especially in windy conditions, resulting in balls that balloon. I was flushing the new clubs and gained distance on those, too.
My first swing with the 915D3, I couldn't hold my finished, turning around to Kyle and going "Wow!". I'm hitting some bombs with this club. 15-20 yards gained distance. One problem with my png, is that I had a hard time hitting draws, which is my normal ball flight. I'm able to draw, fade and also hit the straight ball with the 915. It's been in my bag now for a few weeks and I'm lovin it.
Lastly we worked on the wedges. I've been frustrated with my wedge game, but put if off to me being inconsistent. I never figured on a wedge fitting before, just tried demo clubs and put them in my bag. I found out I've been playing too little bounce. The new combination of more bounce and better trajectory with the KBS Tours has me really excited about my new wedge game.
While working on short pitches and chipping, Kyle noticed I was taking the club back too far inside. It was an easy fix to something I've probably been doing for a long time. Back home, I noticed a big improvement, even with my old clubs. The new wedges arrived yesterday and in a nine hole round last evening, I hit each one once, knocking it stiff each time.
I see a lot of questions on these forums about that shaft, or this or that, might work best. Guys, make the effort to find a fitter near you and get properly fitted. It will be the best golf experience. If you are ever in the Fort Worth area, look up Kyle and get it done. It will be money well spent.
Thanks, Kyle, for being a great guy and a consummate professional!