Just like many golfers, I've always tinkered with clubs and putters. Always trying to buy more distance and accuracy with the latest drivers or putters that I thought could help me more distance and better putting results. So, after seeing many commercials and feedback from the different companies (Golf Tec/Club Champion/etc) I decided to try and once and for all get a complete review to tell me what I should I buy and use with equipment. I was fortunate enough to have a Club Champion location very close to my office in Nashville.
Brett did my fitting and I couldn't have asked for more feedback or information. As he stated, "The numbers are the numbers - they don't lie". Be prepared to answer the basic question of why are you there? Do you have old clubs and want to upgrade for the best for you? Do you tinker like me and want to get some confirmation? Are you starting out and just want to know what to hit?
All those questions and many others can get answered.
Be prepared to swing a lot. To get sweaty and get a good workout.
So when you have a certain swing speed and it's consistent, along with the ball speed, which may swing a few points with different shafts or clubs, you'll get your smash factor result. I started with my irons - Brett explained to me that, with my 2018 PING irons, I had one of the hottest on the market today, so when I hit my 6 iron about ten times (some good/some not), we got our picture of what an average/normal shot I played. We reviewed the numbers and this is where it got surprising. Brett explained to me that with my numbers, and using good equipment, I wasn't going to get anything better trying other clubs. He could have easily had me hitting different brands and compared them all. He offered that, but also explained that I wasn't going to see very much of a difference. Certainly, not enough to spend $800 - $1000 on new irons. A nice surprise. Brett could have swayed me towards new irons or different shafts, but no he spoke about the numbers. Brett said you're at optimal smash factor numbers - with your swing speed and ball speed, I wasn't going to get any better numbers. The only way to increase the numbers was by getting stronger and a faster swing speed.
We then hit my drivers (Taylormade M4 and the Callaway Epic Flash) which I was pondering which one to use. Funny, when they both had very similar numbers - either one would work for my swing speed and swing, with the Epic Flash just slightly better technology. We hit about five additional shafts, with different specs. Only one showed any significant increase and that wasn't enough to really put out $400 for an updated shaft. I hit the new shaft a little higher, but my Taylormade and Epic were on more of piercing pattern - all three were the same final distance, within a couple yards. Would have bought it - probably, but Brett made it clear, I'm not here just trying to sell you something, I'd like you to be a long term customer and Golf Champion doesn't want be known as just slapping new equipment on anyone that comes in the door. Pretty amazing. Brett also explained a lot about the stock shafts in equipment you buy online and in normal golf stores. Some scary info.
We then did some putting with equipment to measure every aspect of the stroke. With an open stance, the numbers and feedback came back exactly what we expected. I had two putters with me and probably another 8 in my garage. In fact, the putter that I should be using was sitting in my garage. No push to buy another one or try something else that could be better. The numbers never lie.
Overall, I thought it was a good day. For @$350, I got the answers I wanted. I didn't get pushed into buying or changing equipment, although I could have easily been pushed in that direction. I feel good about my equipment now and know that the latest gadget that comes out isn't going to be my saving grace in getting an extra 20 yards. It's going to save me money trying to buy that distance.
What I need to do is practice and get a better short game. And if I get stronger and faster, then I'll go back to Brett to find out what I should play.