Once upon a time, yes it now sounds like a fairytale; equipment companies offered golfers a plug and play solution. At the heart of the matter was finding more distance, the eternal Holy Grail all golfers constantly strive for. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a professional or weekend warrior, everyone wants more. However, the pursuit requires greater commitment from both equipment companies and golfers. Case in point...Titleist:
Webb Simpson (T5 at the Honda) also made some recent changes. According to Titleist Tour Rep Jim Curran, “Webb revisited his 45.75" driver shafts again after previously trying a longer length but feeling he had control issues.” Following a discussion about length, Simpson moved from a Titleist 917D3 to 917D2 9.5* driver at a SureFit "D4" setting in a GDI IZ 5X shaft and saw his ball speed increase and no control drop off, according to Titleist. Testing, it said, revealed a 2 mph ball speed increase after moving from the standard length 45” 917D3 to a 45.75” 917D2. Titleist said the overall new combination versus his previous setup was over 7 yards long during launch monitor testing.
Also..Addressing his loss of clubhead speed due to his previously announced Muscular Dystrophy diagnosis; Morgan Hoffmann has worked closely with Titleist Tour Rep J.J. VanWezenbeeck to optimize his set composition. ”Morgan has always played very stiff shafts throughout his college and professional career,”.. “but with his gradual loss of club head speed, we have looked for something softer that would help his speed and maintain direction.” Hoffman started the year with a very stiff flex driver, Titleist said, but last week moved to an Atmos Blue 7X with less tipping which provided better ball speed and good direction and better spin numbers. Titleist also said he also moved earlier this year from Titleist 718 MB to 718 AP2 irons to help launch and spin.
So perhaps the moral of the story is if elite players are going to this much effort/trouble to improve their game, what must the average to avid player do to try and maximize his opportunities? There is a strong argument the “Regular Joe” has more upside if they are prepared to invest some time along with money to get the most out of their equipment and game. So when you read people on in this community guessing configurations, these stories hopefully tell a tale that taking the time and effort (and sometimes cost) for a quality fitting is paramount. I have been, like many of you, to the Titleist Tour Fitting Centers in Mass and CA, and they are worth the trip!
Cheers, Keep it in the short grass!