The East of England’s Number 1 Custom Fitting Centre.
At Thorpe Wood Golf Course, Peterborough.
The importance of using the best equipment for your golf game cannot be over emphasised. Consistency, distance, trajectory, control and accuracy are all affected by the use of unsuitable equipment.
Recently, golf club technology has dramatically changed. Club heads are now bigger and more user friendly than ever before, you to hit the ball consistently further and straighter.
Using modern day equipment is essential, but it must be suitable for you. Standard clubs are available off the shelf, but there is no industry standard. Therefore to maximise your playing potential, you must use clubs that offer the playing characteristics you desire.
Your clubs must have the correct:
- DESIGN
- LOFT
- SHAFT FLEX
- LENGTH
- LIE ANGLE
- GRIP THICKNESS
Golf Club Design
Golf clubs vary in appearance and playing characteristics. The type of club best suited to a player depends on skill level, ball striking ability and desired playing features. Beginners or improving players will suffer from a variety of swing faults affecting accuracy and distance. Through club design, common swing flaws e.g.: slices, can now be accounted for helping the ball fly straighter and further!
Custom Fitting - How important is it that your clubs suit you?
Selecting the correct club head design to best compliment your game is essential. Once this is achieved, custom fitting the club(s) to ensure they suit you is essential.
Shafts
The correct shaft is vital, as this enables the ball to travel further with more control, optimising launch angle and controlling ball spin rate.
Launch Angle
Launch Angle is the angle the ball leaves the clubface in relation to the ground at impact. It is identified during the first half of the ball’s flight. To maximise distance this must be optimised.
Spin Rate
Spin rate is the amount of backspin and sidespin imparted on the ball at impact, which affects distance and accuracy. It is visually identified during the second half of the ball’s flight.
A low trajectory occurs, when there is not enough backspin on the ball. This causes the ball to fall quickly, loosing distance. When the ball flies too high, it has too much backspin, reducing distance, as the ball starts too low, then quickly climbs upwards and drops.
The ideal type of shaft (steel or graphite) and flex for a player varies according to their swing speed, ball flight and swing characteristics.
This chart illustrates the importance of choosing the best shaft and flex:
Too Flexible a Shaft
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Too Stiff a Shaft
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Correct Shaft
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Increase in trajectory
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Lower trajectory
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Correct trajectory
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Increase or decrease in distance
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Potential loss of distance
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Distance potential maximised
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Decrease in accuracy. The club head gets ahead of the players hands, the shaft releases too early, with the club head closed at impact and the ball flies left.
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Decrease in accuracy. Club head often impacts the ball in an open position flying to the right.
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Club head square at impact, improving accuracy.
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Impact head speed is reducing from maximum value resulting in lost distance.
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Club head does not reach max speed at impact resulting in lost distance.
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Maximum club head speed at impact.
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Kick Point This is the point where the shaft bends during the forward swing. Players with a slow club head speed generally benefit from a lower kick point, which helps get the ball into the air more easily, resulting in a higher trajectory, longer carry and greater distance.
Torque The correct level of torque helps ensure the clubface is square at impact. It refers to the amount of rotation that occurs in a shaft. A value under 3 indicates low torque, so the shaft twists less, offering a harder feel.
Shaft length
The correct length helps players consistently deliver central strikes, producing maximum ball speed and control. Longer shafts produce more club head speed, but consistency and control can be lost. A player’s address position, swing mechanics, ball striking, shot pattern, posture during their down swing, height, and wrist to floor measurement must be considered as this affects shaft length.
Lie Angle
With irons, once the correct shaft length has been determined, the lie angle must be established. This measures the angle between the sole of the club and the centreline of the shaft,
If a club is too upright, the ball starts left of the target. Too flat a lie results in the ball flying right. Therefore ensuring your clubs have the correct lie angle, gives you the best chance of hitting the ball straight!
Grip Size
Grip size is important. The grip must feel comfortable, and fit your hand. Grip size can even reduce the effects of some swing faults.
Why not let your equipment start talking!
Book a Custom Fitting Session Today
The standard custom fit fee is £25, however standard club customisation is FREE when purchasing clubs from Thorpe Wood.
If you would like to have your launch angle and spin rate tested using the Vector Pro Launch Monitor and have the ultimate club customisation, please call 01733 267701 to book an appointment.
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Our Custom Fit Centre. |
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Custom Fit Centre |
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Demo Centre |
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Multi Camera |
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In the Fitting Room |
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Video Swing Analysis |
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