PGA TOUR SuperStore Fitting Experience Can Fix Your Gaps
I walked into the PGA TOUR SuperStore with a pocketful of gift cards, earned from some fortunate finishes in Southern Nevada Golf Association tournaments.–By Brian Hurlburt, LasVegasGolfInsider.com
I also walked into PGA TOUR SuperStore with some flaws in the ‘ole golf game, among them, a gap and inconsistencies in distances between 195 yards and 230 yards.
I walked out with a couple new Tour Edge clubs and new found confidence after a fitting session in the STUDIO with longtime Vegas expert Bobby Weaver.
The state-of-the-art STUDIO is the PGA TOUR Superstore’s premium golf club fitting experience and can help any level of golfer improve their swings and their scores.
The experience includes an analyzation of current clubs and a conversation about the goals of the session. Weaver has worked with beginning golfers up to top professionals, utilizing his experience and technology to determine the best outcomes.
“Brian came in with struggles with his three and his four iron and distance inconsistencies after about 195 yards and to about 230 or so yards,” Weaver said. “What we found is his lofts were a little too low to get the ball vertical for his clubhead speed. So, we needed to change the center of gravity on a couple of his golf clubs. First, we took the 4-iron out of the bag, which had a 21-degree high aloft, and put in a 22-degree Tour Edge hybrid. After gathering the data, he gained approximately six to eight degrees in descend angle, which gave us approximately 10 yards more carry with less roll for more stopping power. I like to describe that golf club now as a helicopter: he will be able to get the ball up in the air, get it out and let it land softly at the intended number.”
So, I began the day with a 4-iron that was set up with a wrong loft and a challenge to hit consistently. With a simple club change, I gained distance and performance without changing the swing or anything else.
Next, Weaver and I went to work on the next club up following the new hybrid. We landed on a Tour Edge 5-wood, which ended up being more consistent and also with the ‘helicopter’ effect. It replaced a different hybrid masquerading as a 3-iron in the bag.
The exact ailment a golfer may have will obviously vary from my issue. Weaver was quick to point out that today’s tech means there is a club for almost every situation and hybrids can go all the way up to 11 woods.
“The most important result we want is we need that land angle getting higher along with more stopping power,” Weaver said. “They make so many hybrids these days that putting some in play can really help a golfer’s game. They make nine woods, 11 woods, so if a golfer needs those spinny woods in place of irons to get shots stopped, we offer them.”
Weaver also said what a golfer feels doesn’t always add up to reality, but the technology doesn’t lie. That was somewhat the case for me because I walked in not knowing the 4-iron could be a main issue.
“It is super important for a golfer to come in because I know we can save them at least couple shots a round by getting the golf ball to stop and fly where they need it to stop,” Weaver said. “A golfer comes in like yourself and having that one issue of a golf club that they think it goes this distance number, but it is nowhere near the number that they think it is going to be. What I do is conquer the first issue but then I make sure each distance in the bag flows with the next golf club up or down. We try to keep the distance gap to around 13 to 17 yards between each club as a starting point. Each club should flow well together and not overlap.
“Any golfer can set up a hybrid evaluation for $49 or other clubs and come in here and see if they have a gap issue,” Weaver said. “You can bring your longest iron, a hybrid, a fairway wood, whichever three or four longer golf clubs you have, and we will show you if you can actually hit them high enough to get that carry number over the lake or over the canyons with stopping power.”
The PGA TOUR SuperStore also offers full custom fittings for new clubs, putter evaluations and more.
About the STUDIO
The STUDIO features a brand agnostic fitting approach and PGA TOUR SuperStore certified fitters have no incentive to push certain products or brands. They are in the business to grow the game and improve your scores. The PGA TOUR SuperStore STUDIO in Summerlin is equipped with the best technology and fitters and golfers have access to the largest assortment of clubs and shafts that the industry has to offer.
For more information or to set a booking with Weaver or another expert, visit PGATOURSuperStore.com or call the Vegas location at 725-867-6700.