I'm sure there are some people out there who, like me, wonder if doing a full fitting at TPI is worth the price. The main question my wife asked was why go through the hassle and cost of flying to San Diego, renting a car, booking a hotel AND paying a good bit more for a fitting when I can get one "just as good" closer to home?

In my wife's defense, it was a pretty fair question, especially considering I currently carry a 17.5 handicap.

After doing a LOT of reading on other people's experiences and comparing costs, I ultimately decided the extra time and cost was justified and I believed, and still do, that going to the source was going to be the best option. Why not do that if you're getting ready to spend a couple thousand dollars on new clubs? Do you really want to leave your fitting at a box store or golf course wondering if you really got the perfect set of clubs for you? Or did you get sold on a set that is what is being pushed this week?

When I arrived at TPI, I felt like I was walking into another world. The man at the gate was expecting me. He even pronounced my name correctly (I have people butcher it seconds after I've pronounced it to them).

I arrived a little early but was greeted in the parking lot by one of the staff. He helped me unload and get my bag into the building. I was told I could use the locker room to change clothes and/or shoes. I was a little surprised when I walked in and my name was on the locker. Nice touch, guys.

I was a little early so my fitter and I chatted for a few minutes and made our way out to the range. The spread was impressive. There was a tent with snacks and a cooler with water and Gatorade. There were carts full of shafts and bags full of clubs. Each station had a tent set up to shade you from the sun. The grass was excellent. Brand new Tif Tuf 2 bermuda. Not a ball on the range. Not a chunk of grass in sight. All divots filled with care. It was like walking onto the finest course and being the first person of the day to hit the range. Well played, guys.

I was given the go-ahead to warm up and let my fitter know when I was ready. I normally only hit a few balls before I play so I was done pretty quick. It's go time.

I hit my 7-iron and we get some numbers. I explain my misses and some feedback was given. I hit my 5-iron a few times and it became very clear to me that there was something seriously wrong with my gapping. My 5-iron was going only a few yards further than my 7. Let's fix that.

Now begins the fun stuff. I'm given another 7 and things start looking better. Another 7. Things improve again. Yet another 7...oh, let's go back to the last one. We do a bit more of this with the 5-iron and wind up with some nice numbers.

Now, we get to the fun part; the driver. We find out what I'm doing with my current driver. Compared to my typical playing partners, I hit it pretty far. I think the gentleman at the end of the range can attest to that. The problem is my ball flight is somewhere between too high and low-earth orbit. I think one of them was about 170 feet. Most were near that high. Problem identified: too high, no rollout.

A few shafts and heads later, I may have lost a couple yards of carry but I gained them back, and then some, with getting the ball to roll out. My misses were still playable. Normally, when I miss, I don't even bother to look for the ball. It's gone. Either deep enough in the woods I should be wearing camo and deer hunting or far enough into a swamp I'd need snake boots and waders to find it. The TSR4 with HZRDUS Black 70 was the best fit.

Now we knew what kind of gap we had to fill between the 4-iron and driver. After a handful of shots, we landed on the TSR3 with HZRDUS Black 80 and hybrid TSR2 with HZRDUS Black 90. Gaps filled, success.

On to the wedges. Here is where things really got interesting. If you've seen the videos of wedge fittings, you'll be familiar with the blind "taste test" as I call it. You don't choose the club, the club chooses you, was explained to me. It felt like someone doing a magic trick; pick a card, any card. I think I picked the right card because the first shot, over a bunker, to a short-sided pin, went in the hole. Never thought I'd do that.

We move over to a tighter lie and do a little more testing. This was eye-opening. I never thought I would be able to make a ball spin enough to dance around and stop from a tight lie. With a little help from my fitter, I did. I think I made 2 from that spot.

We repeat the process from a little further away and then move to the bunker. After a few minor struggles, we identify the problem, correct it and then test the wedges. We land on the correct wedge and it's like I was playing a whole new game.

At this point, the fitting was pretty well wrapped up. We go into a very nice room with all kinds of clubs and clothes and balls and big meeting table, to go over the results. The clubs that worked best were listed and I was able to order them right there. I did.

We wrap that up and I change back into my regular shoes. We chat for a few minutes and then I load up and head to the airport for my flight home.

Chris Baingo was my fitter and I intentionally omitted his name for most of the recap because I believe you will get an excellent fitting along with an amazing experience regardless of who you work with. I can't say enough good things about the fitting and his willingness to help an average guy like me.

If I was asked if I would do this all again, my answer would be yes. Absolutely, yes. As a matter of fact, I probably will do it all again in a couple years once my game has improved.

Would I recommend anyone carrying a similar handicap to do it? Yes. Higher handciap? Yep. Lower handicap? Without a doubt. If you know what end of the club to hold, you need new clubs, and can consistently make the ball go forward? Yep.

Is it cheap? Not really. But the value is there, 100%. Looking back, I think the question should really be, why would you not go?