What a GOOD custom club fitting should be like! | Club pro stories!

[@RickShielsGolfShow]

Full episode on Apple Podcasts here - podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-rick-shiels-golf-show/id1406443091?i=1000514017465

[@rileyfellows7789]

Rick, as someone who is in the middle of the pga program & trying to become a professional/work in the industry. This podcast has become an amazing learning tool! Keep up the good work, I look forward to these each day!!

[@anthonyparkinson3928]

I'm looking at new irons and he sounds like the kind of person I should be seeing. I've had fitting sessions before and not received this level of service he talks about 👏🏼👏🏼

[@richhodyl5483]

Watch Ian Fraser at Tour Experience Golf (TXG) on KZbin and you will learn more about fitting than anywhere else online.

[@andrewfilbertgolf]

Without a doubt

[@RecklessRusty]

For the absolute golf nerd like myself.

[@TenPester]

Problem with watching TXG is that you expect that level in the UK, and it's just not there. Luckily i live near SGGT which TXG recommend. Looking forward to seeing what they are like.

[@MegaMikeTheSituation]

Very likeable episode and pro!. Would 100% use his service due to honesty and transparency.

[@waynecalvert206]

Perfect fitting everyone should have this attitude

[@scott4770]

This makes me feel better about my coach. After a series of lessons, I was ready to book my fitting after my last lesson. He told me to practice more for a month or so to get used to my swing change then schedule the fitting. He did not want me to spend that kind of $$ and possibly get the wrong shaft. I have my fitting scheduled for later this week!

[@stevencarrier5060]

How did it go? Big changes?

[@danielkendall2842]

I love Dan Webster’s outlook on retail and the fact that buying online golf clubs is a minefield. It’s a very refreshing point of view.

[@stephenliik5704]

I just shared this video with a buddy of mine. We were just talking about club fittings and if they are beneficial or not. It just depends on the service you are provided.

[@chris_h_7749]

I went for a new driver fitting with Dan and he was totally honest and I had a lesson with my current driver and gained 50yds. Honesty straight off

[@kbob9625]

I got fitted at club champion and they actually had me keep a few clubs in my bag because the numbers were perfectly in line with what they would expect and I was already comfortable hitting it. The guy told me not to fix what isnt broken. The fitting also took a little over 4 hours.

[@inuvik491]

Touched on some good points, most people who are investing time and money are not stupid, customer service SHOULD be everything, the client has a choice. Nice Podcast .

[@efreck12]

Awesome and wish there was a fitter like him near me.

[@robh316]

Well hopefully I'll find out in May rick when I go for a full bag fitting at tour x golf looking forward to it

[@williamkerner]

My last club fitting I picked up between 7-12 yards. I was initially thinking of getting Mizuno HMB, because I loved how they looked, but I ended up getting the Mizuno Hot Metal Pro irons. There was a big difference between the performance and feel of the clubs. I'm big on club fitting. You get to try multiple different clubs out and you also leave with confidence knowing that you've tried 4-5 different clubs, different shafts, and you're walking out with the one that is best for your game. That gives you a greater degree of confidence in your clubs.

[@oldmate5779]

As much as it could be the new and latest tech, the way club lofts are doctored these days is where you get a false sense of gained distance - prime example between the two models you’ve mentioned, there’s 3 degrees of loft difference between a Hot Pro Iron and the HMB from 4i thru 7i on each club, that’s another club worth of gapping.

[@williamkerner]

@@oldmate5779 Yes...well aware of the differences with loft.

[@williamkerner]

The biggest difference between the JPX 912 and the HMB's was the feel, the HMB's had a thud feel off the club face the Hot Metal Pros had a much more spring effect off the club face. I actually would have preferred the HMB's because from an aesthetic perspective I like them more. I place performance above everything else. I also tried multiple different irons out, some the same lofts some different, with multiple different shafts. We tried some fancy shaft that was a combination of metal and graphite and my shots were horrible. Only by going through this process, trying different clubs, different lofts, and different shafts can you find what works best for you. I tried 5 different irons out and the the JPX 912 was the best regarding 1) feel 2) length and 3) dispersion of shots. We also found that by making my irons 2 degrees more upright I had less shots left. Having gone through this process I have a high degree of "confidence" in my selection. Anyway....you can't compare this process with simply buying off the shelf irons or just by hitting a couple of different irons on a range. Hitting them on a simulator, and using a good launch monitor, gives you so much information (spin rates, smash factor, carry distance, total distance, height of shot...) and you can track all the shots you make. I'm big on club fitting and having the right person do it.

[@TenPester]

It's nice to be fitted, but the biggest money saver is to make sure you do it once you're 100% swinging it the way you always will. If you're going through lessons, or there could be a swing change coming, do not get fit, because most fitters will close the door on you the second you walk out with that new club, and when your swing changes, and the club now longer works for you, it's good luck and off the to used market to trade it for something that does work. Especially places like American Golf.

[@billtipps1010]

I agree with this fitter. As a certified fitter for a retailer, I believe that the customer looking for a professional fitting has some responsibility as well. It is far easier and less time consuming to fit someone who has narrowed their brand preferences. Hopefully, the customer has demo’d various brands, so that they can be fitted to a particular brand if at all possible.

[@Smiththebat]

I hope I can find someone with that kind of service around where I live. I’ve been playing tons of golf lately but this year I’m getting lessons and a fitting for the first time since I was a kid as I want to really improve and my clubs are ancient. I’m a bit intimidated. The club lifetime adjustments sounds like such a relief!

[@stephenadams6959]

What a great way to fit golfers. All fitters should have this approach in how they treat their customers. They are coming to them willing to spend some significant $. For too many come across as interested in doing the quickest/minimum job possible. Give you customers a memorable experience and they will come back. I've had multiple fittings and those expereinces have not been memorable. I'm still looking to find a fitter that is willing to spend the time to find the right fit rather than just looking at my initial club speed and decided model X is roght for me.

[@Jimmy-2-Times]

DAMMM!! Rick's barber must have been furloughed 😂😂

[@philipsawyers719]

Wow sounds a fantastic service as a customer it's what you want when spending £1000. Brilliant 👏👏

[@ronnleffler7201]

Got a fitting at club champion and then got one at my club and the one at club champion felt like they were trying to rush me into buying an upgraded shaft when I didn’t need it. Always go to two fitters to see if they are the same shaft and club heads you like!!

[@rn2884]

Fitting will always be. Just like clothing, there will always be preferences and biases. I.e. someone preferring a thin top line over chunky, a Ping Eye (shape), or Jumbo grips on everything. Performance: people don't want to miss out on the latest tech. And there are those that don't need the distance because they already hit it well, they just need control, certain spin range, etc. Sadly we spend all that $$$$ and still shoot bad scores, or even get injured. i.e. diff shafts, speed training, with no target/goal in mind.

[@mattwatkins7760]

Wow...didn't know this level of service still existed..Well done

[@harvey785]

I've had more poor fittings than good. I'm also wary of some of the technology in fittings - I was fitted at a retailer for mizuno irons & their fitting system gave me a choice of three shafts & I was fitted into the best performing one...they've always felt too light, launch too high & spin too much. I've finally put in heavier shafts myself & they feel & perform much better. Go figure!

[@leswiseman6395]

I started playing golf in 2019 and got fitted for a set of clubs at American golf.. I was sold a full set of ping G400 irons 3 wood and driver.. I wasnt asked anything at all and I couldn't even hit the ball... I don't know how they worked out what I needed. I wish I was educated before my visit

[@robjelley1138]

This level of service was definitely missing from my last fit and that was with a local pro!

[@richcamies9494]

This makes me feel very sad and disappointed about my own fitting experience and after hearing this it was not a fitting at all (high street store) .well done on making it a proper fitting and making it special 🙌🙌👊

[@peterkirkham25]

I wish every fitter was like this

[@austinhampton7999]

-10 under par?? No but it will help them make better contact and consistency… which is exactly what they are looking for. A fitting(assuming you go to a professional) will 100% benefit every single person. It only benefits other more than som other.

[@pipebliss]

Dan seems awesome. I have had a bunch of fittings in Canada , even at the leading shop we have here in Toronto and they were underwhelming. The best was with PXG but the last experience I had with PXG wasn't as good as the first, seems their service is sliding. It's hard to find a company that truly cares about the client and not about lining their pockets.

[@sidjones3274]

Sounds fantastic and if I lived closer, I’d be knocking on his door. Problem is, finding a fitter that’s local and provides that level of service.

[@petermartinaitis8166]

I want a full set of irons with the right gappings ....ok hit this 7 iron for an hour .

[@genotone]

It's only a fully rounded fitting if the fitter builds the clubs to spec as well. Don't rely on the manufacturer. A lot of them are flat out meeting their own specs.

[@brewssssss_]

I think it’s time to bring TXG on the podcast. Or at least Ian. Maybe open your eyes on fittings as you both said they are slightly overrated

[@dannydickson675]

Thats the way it should be, but thats not how its happening for the majority of golfers. More power to you for the service you are offering.

[@shaunbond5880]

I'd love to get a fitting from Dan

[@zacharykirkwood6495]

Hey Rick, how could I get the “level 1” fitting described in your last podcast about this? Measurements, lie angle, general stiffness etc, but not a $1300 set fitting that everyone says I need? Are there clubs and launch monitors available for testing or “off the shelf”/ used clubs that match specs without a 2 hour appointment? Love the channel, thanks!

[@RobSAFC]

Love these podcast clips, is it possible to upload the full episodes to KZbin?

[@payneaustin88]

Going for a full fitting tomorrow

[@mach5k]

is the full podcast available with video on any platform?

[@noahkuester4597]

Good retailers will stay alive, but the retailers that don't provide that special fitting feeling won't stay for long

[@kevinmcarthur2389]

Found this 12 months later - Dan is few and far between in the fitting game. I went to a well know fiiting service in Lothian and was under whelmed

[@greatbenzini]

this guy is amazing

[@chabbydrew]

Rick, I'm curious to what you think about the "big box" store fittings? I have a friend who went to a big box store and he said you could tell the guy doing the fitting didnt really know what he was doing so he left and went to Golftec.

[@BigAlby]

When is he opening a shop in South Carolina?

[@brad9717]

I feel like there must be a human factor to buying golf equipment. There are too many factors that play in to how well you will hit a set of irons or a driver. You can't (or shouldn't) just go buy one "willy-nilly" and hope it works out for you.

[@jaywalk4446]

The reality of 99% of fittings out there is crap. I genuinelly think if you know what your basic requirements are then fitting doesnt add anything at all. I know i like stiff flex shafts, fitters have never added anything else to the process for me, it always just sales. I'm sure there are some great fitters, but most are justva sales process now.

[@NineEyeRon]

I’m going into my fitting next week knowing the brand and model I’m going to buy.

[@kevins2961]

I thought that when I went for a fitting but that isn't what happened. The numbers on GC Quad don't lie.

[@gerardfletcher4446]

Superb 👍

[@Shane.Lambert]

@TXG Tour Experience Golf

[@neilhickman4662]

Hi Rick, what car dealership do you use? Because Jaguar at Stockport have no idea who I am when I call them. They’ve no idea what car I’ve got even though they sold it me.

[@973C8]

do you have an english verison of this?

[@sausagembape677]

Fitting in the players interest should go like this 'are you a tour pro?' no, 'your old clubs are fine'. That's it.

[@carl3831]

What a ridiculous statement to make.

[@sausagembape677]

@@carl3831 why? This game is ruined not enhanced by the golf industry. Judging by your erudite response, I'm sure you are aware that golf as a sport is dying. Millions are leaving every year and clubs are closing weekly, the ridiculous equipment industry is part of that.

[@RecklessRusty]

The golf club industry is a scam, minor changes year to year. Having good clubs makes a difference. Having clubs that are right for your game makes a difference.

[@garylucas7050]

Rick your going to need fitting for a toupee soon👨‍🦲

[@vivwilson3745]

I get fitting and it's plus points, but I don't get the lack of urgency in people fitting putters. Nigh on the only club you'll use on every hole on every course in the world. I know more people who have fitted drivers than any other club and I just don't get it. How can the club you put the ball in with be the unglamorous one

[@michaelbateson8636]

Link for going seeing this pro?

[@legend9018]

A proper fitting won’t make your good shots any better but it will make your poor shots better.

[@gooding18123]

Where is this chap based?

[@tonyg8121]

Are you waiting for a new sponsor before you start wearing hats again. FJ must be interested? 🧔

[@adamlaidlaw2689]

Hi Rick

[@jeffreymartin6182]

Poor audio quality it is very hard to understand what they're saying

[@jaymcnaught6204]

Dan this is wishful thinking, probably only in your shop yes but down south this dosnt happen unfortunately. Falling this were your shop I’ll buy mine from you.

[@dropammobro992]

Never had a good fitting and have been fitted 3 times in the last year, it’s a gimmick

[@Mr.mallaer]

I agree with you. I have been following KZbin golfers who are on this club fitting band wagon and they never end up playing better after the fitting although when they are doing fitting the new clubs were fitted to eliminate their faults. They show up the next day on the course with their newly fitted clubs and their bad shots are exactly the same as before fitting.

[@phart5690]

Your only good as the golf club you swing to your ability getting fitted is a waste of time and Is a commercial thought to inject why this would make you better golfer it's not

[@imando3239]

Waste of money... Tiger and several others on the Tours don’t go for fittings... They tend to Tweak their own golf clubs to fit there needs, not what someone else might be Bias towards some products.

[@samuelderbyshire3080]

Rick just shave it off lad

[@hunterjenkins6936]

I really wish Guy would talk less. He ruins this podcast. It’s Ricks show and I’m here for Rick. And the conversation that he has with the guest. Not the conversation Guy forces. Sorry may be an unpopular opinion.

[@RickShielsGolfShow]

Sorry you feel that way Hunter. I spend a lot of time producing the show (behind the scenes). Coming up with most of the content ideas, replying to emails, running the Facebook group, organising guests etc. So to hear I ruin it does hurt a bit. But thanks for watching. (guy)

[@joekerry656]

You don’t ruin it Guy!

[@adamlaidlaw2689]

Hi Rick