On the Road with the Titleist Performance Club Fitting Team

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By Lucas B., Titleist Performance Institute

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  1. Team Titleist Staff

    Hi Team Titleist,

    As one of the fitters on the Titleist Performance Club Fitting Van, I get to work with golfers of all skill levels across the nation helping them optimize their potential through finely tuned equipment. One of the best parts of my job is seeing a player walk away after a fitting with even more confidence in their clubs after we’re able to dial-in a new setup.

    I thought it would be fun to share some of these fitting success stories from the different stops along the way. So first up, here’s a story about a recent fit I conducted just outside of Boston with a golfer named Tony.
     

    MISSION: OPTIMIZE PERFORMANCE

    Tony was looking to optimize the performance of his driver, so the session began with him hitting his current driver to obtain baseline launch conditions. Tony’s current gamer was a Titleist 910 D3 10.5º with a RIP Alpha 60 S shaft playing at 45” and a SureFit Tour Hosel setting of A•1.

    Sometimes players have a club that is maximizing in all categories, but, in this case, we had room for improvement. Looking at the Trackman data (shown below) we can see that Tony’s steep angle of attack and the high loft of his current driver was greatly influencing launch and spin conditions.

    Noticing this, I talked to Tony about his attack angle and how it is affecting his ball flight. I always like to stress with players that this is not a golf lesson, but it’s important for us to talk about how their swing is affecting ball flight, whether it’s positively or negatively. We also want to educate the player on how the club is engineered to be played optimally.
     

    TRIAL AND RESEARCH

    Based on the specs of Tony’s current gamer, we are starting with a 915 D3 9.5º and Rogue Silver 60 S shaft at 45” with the SureFit Tour Hosel setting at A•1.  Although shaft is a very important component in the driver, my preference is to focus on head style (D2, D3, D4) and loft before moving into the shaft fitting.

    Launch conditions did not change with the initial setup so we continued to lower the loft. When we got to a 7.5º D3 a significant jump in ball speed occurred; this is when we know we are making progress. I have found that ball speed is the most influential aspect to a player’s overall potential for distance.

    By lowering the loft of the driver Tony’s average ball speed increased from 136.1 to 139.5 mph, his spin reduced dramatically from 3,700 to 2,600rpms, and his launch angle increased from 8.3º to 13.3º.

    It is also important to note Tony’s attack angle has changed from -2.8º to +0.5º.  In my opinion, the reduction in loft has enabled the player to have a positive impact on his attack angle.  It’s not accurate to assume the launch angle will decrease because of lower loft, so we always test and verify.
     

    FINDING A SOLUTION

    Tony’s shaft selection was derived mainly from feel. When we put the Mitsubishi Rayon D+ 60 S into the 7.5º head we achieved the best numbers and feel.  I encouraged him to try a few more different combinations of weight, length, and profile.  In the end, no other option provided better feel or performance than this setup, so it was confirmed as the right choice. 

    Tony walked away ecstatic and could not wait to put the driver in play. We are grateful he came out to work with us and experience firsthand why club fitting is so important.

    Here are the spec’s on Tony’s new gamer:

    Driver: Titleist 915 D3 7.5º

    Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon D+ 60 S

    Length: 45”

    SureFit Tour Hosel Setting: A•1

     

    Hope you enjoyed,

    Lucas B.

    Custom Club Fitter

    Titleist Performance Club Fitting Van

    East Coast Team

  2. Steve S

    Steve S
    Tuckerton, NJ

    Hello Lucas B. Was just wondering if the fitting van has any plans on stoping in southern N.J. The south Jersey shore to be more exact. Would love the chance to try it out. Thanks for your time,

    Play Well,

    Steve S.

  3. Team Titleist Staff

    Hi Steve,

    Thanks for your interest in the Titleist Performance Club Fitting Van.  Unfortunately we will not be back into the New Jersey markets until spring of next year.  With new 716 and 816 product launching we have a full schedule fitting our staff players.  We then chase the weather down south until it breaks for the spring.  Keep us posted when we get closer the the beginning of next season.  And if you happen to make it south in the winter, be sure to inquire!  Thanks for the support.

    Best Regards,

    Lucas B.

  4. Steve S

    Steve S
    Tuckerton, NJ

    Lucas B,

    Thanks for the quick response. I sure will keep you informed come springtime. I am a supervisor for a county owned course in southern Ocean Co. It used to be a private club that was bought by Ocean Parks Dept. in 1989. It was built by George Fazio in 1962 and has much history.  Good luck on your summer and winter months. So much looking forward to getting a chance to see the fitting van and meeting all the class people that run it.

     Thanks again.

    Play Well,

    Steve S.

  5. How about Western Mass?

    Thanks

    Sterling Troy

  6. Team Titleist Staff

    Hi Troy,

     

    Like I was explaining before, we are on our big staff fitting blitz and making our way down south for the fall/winter.  We will be back in the northeast early spring of next year.  Please keep us informed of your whereabouts and we can certainly help find you a place near you.  Thanks!

  7. Hi Lucas! 

    I'm based In Knoxville, TN but am frequently in Charleston, SC and Jacksonville, FL. Any chance you'll be in any of these areas over the next couple of months?

    Thanks!

    Chris B

  8. Team Titleist Staff

    Chris,

     

    We will be in Knoxville/Chattanooga area in the second and third weeks of October.  We have not finalized our Florida schedule and are still working with the reps in the area.  Please send me a direct message Chris and we can work with the local sales rep to find the best avenue in which to get you taken care of.  Thanks!

  9. Denny W

    Denny W
    Danville, IN

    Lucas, any chance you would be close to Indianapolis Ind in Sept or oct?
  10. Chris P

    Chris P
    Katy, TX

    Lucas,

       Any plans to be in the Houston area this year?  I was lucky enough to work with Glen during the SM5 release a couple years ago when they rolled through Houston.

      Safe travels,

    Chris

  11. Hi Chris,

    Glen and Brad will return to the Houston market in November. No locations have been finalized as of yet, but please inquire as the time nears.

    Enjoy the weekend,

    Chris

  12. Chris P

    Chris P
    Katy, TX

    Will Do...Thanks
  13. Ricky H

    Ricky H
    Garner, NC

    Any chance you will be in North Carolina this fall or anytime in 2016?

  14. Team Titleist Staff

    Ricky,

     

    We do have plans to be in North Carolina this Fall.  As of now we are targeting late September early October.  What part are you in and are you a member at any local clubs?

  15. William S

    William S
    Birmingham, AL

    Any luck on being in Alabama?

  16. Andrew B

    Andrew B
    Apex, NC

    Hi Lucas B.  I am also in North Carolina and would love to get a professional fitting from Titleist.  I recently upgraded my png G10 driver and 3 wood to Titleist 910 D2 driver and 913 fairway wood.  I have a Diamana S+ 60 shaft in my driver and a Diamana S+ 72 in my 3 wood.  I hit them well even though I've always played stiff shafts in my woods and irons.  Curious to know if I need to jump up to the stiff shafts or what my best setup would be.  I live in the Raleigh/Durham area.  Hope to see you in the Fall!

    Andrew B.

  17. Team Titleist Staff

    Hey Andrew,

     

    Hard to give you a direct answer about the shafts as I dont know much about your player dynamics.  We will be in north carolina at the end of the month.  Are you a member at a club in Raleigh/Durham and have access to a local professional?

  18. Andrew B

    Andrew B
    Apex, NC

    Thanks for the reply Lucas.  To answer your question, I am not a member of a club in the Raleigh/Durham area but I have seen a few pros who've recommended the regular flex Diamana S+ shafts that I use.  I hit them pretty well but it would be great to know why my exact fitting should be.  I am a former college golfer (Cornell University) and about a 3 handicap.  I don't play much these days since I am busy with my 2 young kids but I'm starting to play more and want my equipment to be right.  I am 46 years old and swing in the low 90s on my 3 wood and in the mid-upper 90s on my driver.  I had a RIP Phenom 70 Extra Stiff in my 910D2 before I swapped out the shaft last week.  Really like the Phenom shaft but the extra stiff was just too much for me.  Hope to see you in the area soon.

  19. Team Titleist Staff

    Andrew,

    Thanks for the Titleist support and interest in the program.  I have a reply to Ricky just previous to this one giving some insight to our program.  If you are willing to make the drive to Pinehurst, that may be the best solution to schedule and appointment with us.  Please let me know via direct message if that is soemthing you are interested in. Thanks again!

     

     

    Lucas B.

  20. Andrew B

    Andrew B
    Apex, NC

    Thanks very much Lucas.  Can you tell me when exactly you will be in Pinehurst and at which particular location?  I may want to take a drive down there since it's only about an hour from where I live.  I appreciate the reply.

  21. elrising

    elrising
    Roswell, GA

    Lucas -

    i see see you will be in Tennessee in October and then heading to Florida. Any chance you are stopping in the Atlanta area?

    Thanks,

    Eric

  22. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military
    Hi Lucas B, Will you be on the East coast of Florida? I'm a member at Pointe West CC in Vero Beach and we have one of the largest practice facilities in the area James Muir is the head golf professional. It's a great place to come to. Thanks, Frank P
  23. Team Titleist Staff

    Frank,

     

    Again thank you for the interest in the program.  We do make a trip to the Vero Beach area, we typically stop at John's Island Club as we have some amazing partners there.  The best way to go about having the van at your location is to express the interest to James and he can let the sales rep in the area know that they would like to host our program.  This is the best and most effective way to go about scheduling an appointment/day with our program. 

     

     

    Lucas B.

  24. Bryan W

    Bryan W
    Hillsboro, OR

    The Pacific NW? When will you be in or around the Portland OR area?

  25. Team Titleist Staff

    Eric,

     

    Thanks for the interest in the program!  We will be in the Atlanta area last week of October and first week of November.  Like I have mentioned in previous posts, we just have to find the right partner who is looking to fill appointments from outside players. Please direct message me some more about yourself and we can hopefully find you an appointment in the area. 

     

    Lucas B.

  26. Ricky H

    Ricky H
    Garner, NC

    Not a member of a club, I am in the Raleigh area.

  27. Team Titleist Staff

    Ricky,

     

    How our program specifically works is our sales rep presents to a Titleist partner within his territory.  We typicall target private clubs as we find the most success through the structure that a private club provives.  Because we do it that way, some events are closed to the public due to the host wanting to allow their membership base exclusive access to the program.  Not only to potentially sell more clubs, but to service the membership with all of the resources we can bring.  With that being said we have some exellent partners who are very open to hosting players.  Pinehurst is on our schdule and seems like the best location if you are willing to make the drive.  I am in contact and have inquired to the hosts and will certainly keep you posted.  I hope this helps

     

    Lucas B.

  28. Thomas B

    Thomas B
    Old Greenwich, CT

    Hey Lucas B.

    You guys are the best in the business. Tony's Fitting story is a great example of how you can't just rely on Trackman numbers. You have to look at other aspects such as the delivery of the golf club at impact and any unusual swing elements. Thanks for sharing and get back to the Met. Section soon.

  29. Steve N

    Steve N
    Sarasota, FL

    Hi Lucas,

    Just was wondering if the fitting schedule online includes your schedule?  Last time we met I had my driver, woods & hybrid fit.  Now I need to look at irons.  I can get to anywhere in FL, GA, SC or NC. this December & January.

  30. golfinnut

    golfinnut
    Leesburg, VA

    Lucas,

    what are the chances you will be in the Northern VA/MD area sometime in the winter or spring 2016?  I would really like to be fitted by an actual "Titleist" guy before I drop the funds on a new set of irons.  You know ... the better half won't approve of me buying "yet another" set every other year.  So these will have to last.

    Thanks :) 

    Chris B.

  31. Team Titleist Staff

    Chris,

    Thank you for your interest in the Performance Fitting Van progam, unfortunately we will be in mostly Florida this winter as the weather is more ideal and predictable.  We will be in the D.C. area right around Easter time.  The dates are not solidified yet sinnce we are so far out.  Your best bet is to inquire to Titleist via phone to help you potentially get an appointment. 

     

     

     

     

  32. golfinnut

    golfinnut
    Leesburg, VA

    Awesome!  Thanks Lucas :)  

    Looking forward to some more wonderful things from Titleist in 2016!  

  33. Denny W

    Denny W
    Danville, IN

    Thanks Lucas for the response however I was in Oak Ridge Tenn.last month and was fitted by a Titleist fitter

  34. Team Titleist Staff

    Denny,

     

    Glad to hear you were taken care of by one of our Titleist fitters in TN.  If this was not a Performance Fitting Van member, it most likely was a local Tech Rep.  Our program only consists of 5 employees that service the entire country and as you can imiagine it is impossible to be everywhere at once.  Our schedule follows the weather and the seasons in each market we go to.  Thanks again for you support!

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