Golfers Recover Lost Distance and Overcome Injuries Through Custom Club Fitting
It’s no secret that age and injury can drastically affect a golfer’s game, making for less enjoyable rounds. The good news – with a professional club fitting, most golfers can hit farther and more accurately so they can once again enjoy the game.
A Golf Magazine study found that 90% of US golfers may be playing with improperly fit clubs. Many players buy off the rack or think a grip change constitutes a customization, when in reality, the entire club should be adjusted to fit an individual’s swing. World-renowned instructor David Leadbetter says, “It never ceases to amaze me that golfers buy clubs off the shelf and assume they’re right for them. Whether you’re a great golfer or a casual one, getting a custom club fitting is one of the quickest ways to improve your game.”
The discrepancy between potential and actual performance is much greater for older golfers. Similarly, those recovering from injuries may have movement restrictions hindering their swing. Both groups can uniquely benefit from a fitting. By working with their exact swing mechanics, a master club fitter can maximize what’s working without putting pressure on injuries or areas of the swing that may be declining. One fitter, Club Champion, has a proven history of success.
After recovering from a stroke and two major surgeries, 84-year-old former Navy pilot and Olympic athlete Sherwood Schoch (Topton, PA) shot 74 with his custom clubs. “It’s been a game-saving experience,” Schoch shared. “Between health and age, I was on the brink of throwing in the towel, but no more. Now it’s a rare round if I don’t shoot my age. The fitting changed my world!”
Schoch’s fitter Brett Castleberry said, “We went with a lighter shaft, but needed a heavier swing weight to create more lag. It increased his clubhead speed by 3 mph and helped him make more consistent contact. As a result, he gained 15 yards on his irons.” As for overcoming Schoch’s physical problems, Brett continued, “We went with graphite shafts for two reasons – they are lighter and they can dampen vibrations which helped us address the problems with his hands.”
While anyone will benefit from premium club fitting, it’s for golfers who want to optimize performance. Bill Rees (68) from Poland, OH was playing poorly. Age was robbing him of distance, and he thought his equipment might be partially to blame. After playing his custom-fit clubs, Bill stated, “My investment in equipment paid off. I’m playing far better and much more consistently. My average drive went from around 225 yards to 240 yards, which was the distance I hit it when I was younger. For someone who is serious about golf, this is the way to go. Club Champion exceeded my expectations.”
Schoch and Rees’s experiences weren’t anomalies. A Golf Digest study found that eight out of nine Club Champion custom fit golfers lowered their scores by as much as six strokes per round and added an average of 21 yards off the tee. Legendary instructor Hank Haney believes, “There isn’t anyone who can’t benefit from club fitting. At Club Champion, you get a truly professional fitting. For somebody not to take advantage of Club Champion’s expertise, they’re wasting a tremendous opportunity.”
Club Champion delivers a Tour-quality fitting that produces longer, more accurate shots with a nearly 100% satisfaction rate. Their approach is unbiased; no specific vendor is promoted. The only goal is to find the best combination of components to lower your scores. Leadbetter adds, “Club Champion is the #1 premium club fitter, builder and retailer of the best brands in golf. Their master fitters and builders are unrivaled experts. With over 35,000 combinations, Club Champion will build the perfect clubs for you.”
Ranked by Golf Digest among the 100 best club fitters nine years in a row, Club Champion’s unique coupling system allows them to combine any head and shaft together. Golfers hit the precise combination to be custom-built for them. Club Champion stands out because they build clubs in-house, to exacting, unrivaled tolerances. Variables such as swing weight, length, lie and flex DO alter performance. Experience and in-depth understanding of golf equipment is what separates Club Champion from its competition.
There are more than 50 Club Champion studios across the country, with more opening every month. At Club Champion, you don’t just buy clubs, you buy guaranteed improvement! More information at clubchampiongolf.com or 888-890-3218.
About Club Champion
Established in 2010, Club Champion is a national club fitting and building company headquartered in Chicago, IL. The company currently has more than 50 studios in major markets across the country and will be adding 20 new locations by March 2019. The studios carry all the top golf club, shaft and grip manufacturers in the industry, which allows for 35,000+ equipment combinations for customers to trial. Studios are equipped with advanced analysis technology with highly trained certified fitters and builders that must complete an extensive training program. Services include custom fitting and building for all club purchases, repair services, personalization, and highly engaging corporate and personal entertainment events. For more information about Club Champion, visit www.clubchampiongolf.com.
Individual Success Stories
Chuck Baldwin (age 76, Nottingham, New Hampshire) had been fitted in the past, but was disappointed by the limited shaft offerings he’d seen. His previous clubs were six years old. He loved the fact that at Club Champion he could mix and match heads and shafts to suit his needs.
Chuck bought new Callaway irons and fairways and Cobra hybrids. He was able to use his old driver head, but with a new shaft. He improved his smash factor with all the clubs and was switched to a lower trajectory and ball flight with his driver, which gave him additional roll. He increased an average of 15 yards with his driver. Chuck went to Club Champion because he wanted to regain distance and he was satisfied with the results. Chuck particularly liked the ability of Club Champion to tweak the lie angle on his irons during the fitting. He said, “It took about six iterations to dial in the specs I needed. This type of service was not available from any other fitter.”
Duke Garvin (age 56, Boston, Massachusetts) plays approximately 60 to 70 rounds per year and was dealing with some musculoskeletal issues. He had a natural fade, but he was trying to learn how to hit a draw. Instead of changing his swing, he decided to change equipment. After his fitting at Club Champion, Duke added 25 yards on his driver and an average of 10 to 15 yards on his irons, all while improving his accuracy. He lowered his handicap five strokes, from a 19 to a 14. Duke said, “I spent $4000 on a full set of clubs but look at it as an investment, not a cost.” For his irons, he went with the Miura IC610’s. They had the look of a blade but were extremely forgiving. He has since referred at least three more customers to Club Champion.
John Spiccia (age 62, Cleveland, Ohio) went to another custom fitting company but was not satisfied with the results. He turned to Club Champion and was told to keep his current clubheads for his driver and fairways but switch to different shafts. They also changed the length and kick point of each of the shafts. The change produced an average of 21 additional yards on his driver. John shares, “Mike took all the time we needed. He bent, shortened and re-gripped my putter, instead of trying to sell me a new one. At Club Champion, it’s just not about the bottom line. It’s about getting you to improve your game. I would’ve bought anything they told me to buy. I believe I’m on the cusp of greatness.” With his new driver, he often stripes it around 250 yards with more than 230 yards of carry. Previously, he felt he was lucky to fly it 200 yards.
Media Contact
Leonard Finkel | 760.822.3465
leonard@clubchampiongolf.com
