Going to the Performance Lab at Wentworth in Surrey is a great experience, giving an insight into what tour pros have access to. The good news is that everyone can now get their clubs built to spec. There’s no excuse not to – you buy the best balls to suit your game and shoes that fit, so why wouldn’t you purchase clubs that match your particular swing?
The technology is a spin-off from film animators. TaylorMade attach reflective markers to specific locations on your body, and with views from no less than nine cameras, generate a computerised version of you and your swing on screen. After a few shots with various clubs, a picture of your swing, speed and more than 25 other factors begins to develop. That’s when the pro knowledge kicks in and they start analysing what your game needs.
Then you are given the tools of the trade and put on the TrackMan system, which starts to work more on what clubs best suit you, with regards to lie angle, shaft stiffness, kick point and so on.
Many believe the most important factor is the clubhead, but this is not true – the shaft is the ‘engine room’ of the club and hence more important. There’s a huge number of factors at play, and once you’ve been through a fitting you quickly realise you’ve been buying clubs based purely on marketing and a whim.
Our in-house golf pro Neil Docking comments: 'I was pleased with my swing but I haven’t had a fitting in a while and there were a few new additions, both good and bad. My swing speed was above tour standard (as usual) and the rest of my game looked like a tour pro but when they got on to my putting, let’s just say that it’s the reason I’m writing this and not playing alongside Ernie and Tiger on TV.'
Everyone wants to hit the ball straighter and longer. While you can’t buy a better swing, this is the best way to get the equipment that will maximise your own game. It makes sense – next time you buy shoes, a glove, a cap or
waterproof gear you’ll check the size, so do it with your clubs too. For more information, prices and bookings, call your golf pro at lifestyle concierge.
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