NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA – November 1, 2006 – KZG, the #1 Custom ProLine, has begun accepting applications for the World’s Top 100 Club Fitters Awards, to be announced in January 24, 2007 at The First Meeting of the International Professional ClubFitters Association.
"When it comes to custom fitting golf clubs, there are pretenders who take a few static measurements, or ask how a handful of demo clubs feel before making a recommendation, and then there are the contenders," says Jennifer King, President of KZG. "The contenders are skilled professionals who are passionate about equipment and equipment design. They understand how valuable launch monitor data – such as launch angle, spin rate and ball speed – is to the fitting process. These professionals care about their customers and want to help them improve. KZG’s dedication to custom fitting makes it natural for us to want to honor those at the top of this very important profession."
It was an unbelievable year for the 2006 World’s Top 100 ClubFitters. The recognition received resulted in more fittings, more local press coverage and overall increase in business and prestige. Being recognized as the "best of the best" in any business is a sure way to success. And the World’s Top 100 of 2006 reaped the rewards.
Last year’s winners were scattered across the globe, from the United States to Norway to Taiwan. It was interesting to note that only 52 of the 100 were from the United States. Last year’s winners came in all sizes and shapes: there were tiny shops in rural areas serving a small population of golfers with one fitter, and then there were large operations doing huge business with multiple fitters, multiple teachers, and multiple hitting bays.
The World’s Top 100 Professional ClubFitters are the elite of the profession. The honor is designed to identify those professionals that possess the skill, integrity, business ingenuity, and passion required to take clubfitting to the next level. So once again, we seek the 100 "best of the best" in the Profession for 2007.
An independent panel of industry experts will evaluate the criteria necessary to be a top Professional ClubFitter and what is expected in a bonafide fitting. The panel of experts will include club designers Clay Long and Art Chou, equipment analyst Gene Parente of Golf Laboratories, Steve Benzin, KZG’s Director of Fitting and Education; Kim Braley, world renowned shaft designer (formerly with Rifle); Dr. Christian Reichart, author and doctor of sports medicine and fitness, and Ken Starr of Zelocity Launch Monitors.
Each application will then be evaluated on a point system and those receiving the top number of points will be the winners. Points are given for the level of sophistication of the fitting process, an understanding of head and shaft design and how they affect play, the proper use of launch monitors and fitting systems, understanding the golfer and his needs and goals, marketing, advertising, providing first-class service and facilities, and overall success (always a good indicator of one’s reputation in the area). Points are also given for integrity, for those professionals who put their customer’s needs ahead of sheer profit and that standby their work and who grow the game and the profession.
"Seeing the big picture is really at the core of what we’re doing," says King. "When golfers play with clubs that fit, they play better and enjoy the game. When they enjoy the game, they play more, and the game grows. In the end, it’s a win-win for everyone who loves golf."
Professional ClubFitters that either own or are employed at a legitimate retail facility such as a golf shop, custom shop, driving range, performance center, golf academy, golf school, or tour van and would like to apply – please contact Derek Jennings by phone at (800) 200-8800 or e-mail at derek@kzgolf.com.
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