Southern California's No. 1 Golf Source
SITE
SEARCH
GOLF RESOURCE GUIDE:
equipment
|
||||
 Bill Bowers (Photo: Eddie Meeks) According to clubfitter Bill Bowers, that’s exactly what the majority of golfers do when they buy a new set of clubs. “Eighty-five percent of players aren’t fit properly for clubs,” said Bowers, a clubfitter for Hot Stix Golf, which just opened a new custom clubfitting lab at Tijeras Creek Golf Club in Rancho Santa Margarita. “And if you don’t have clubs that fit you properly, you will struggle.” Bowers should know. He’s been doing this for nearly a decade and can take you through the clubfitting process like a tailor with a tape measure. It starts with the most important component of any golf club: the shaft. Bowers says without the proper shaft, you’ll spend your time compensating to make the club work for you rather than making your natural swing. “The shaft is what responds to your swing,” he said. “If you don’t have the right shaft, you’re probably not going to do very well.” Using Hot Stix technology, Bowers will test your shafts for consistency to determine exact stiffness or softness. “With different shaft flexes in your irons, you can’t swing with the same tempo and expect the same results,” Bowers said. “It’s not possible.” Once your shafts have been tested and the data analyzed, Bowers will take you to the range and have you hit a variety of shots to determine your swing DNA — which he describes as the elements that make your swing unique. This is done through the use of a computerized launch monitor that pinpoints your exact ball flight, backspin rate, distance, height of the shot, launch angle, clubhead speed, and ball speed. By comparing your swing DNA to the performance data of various golf clubs and components, Bowers is able to determine the ideal makeup of your set of clubs, including the precise loft, lie, length, shaft and grip for each club. In the end, the process is meant to serve one fundamental objective: improving the way you play. “My job is to put golfers in the best equipment possible to better their game,” Bowers said. “Not so much in terms of getting more distance, but in terms of shot dispersion. I’m concerned more with accuracy than with distance.” Top 8 reasons for a Hot Stix custom fitting: Bill Bowers is a professional clubfitter with Hot Stix Golf, which recently opened shop at Tijeras Creek Golf Club in Rancho Santa Margarita. Here are his top 8 reasons a custom clubfitting will improve your game: 1) Accuracy. Your shot dispersion will become tighter. Translation: you’ll have more good misses. 2) Consistency. With properly fit clubs, you’ll hit more consistent shots and shoot more consistent scores. 3) Distance. Having the right shaft profile in your club optimizes launch angles and spin rates. What does this mean? More distance. 4) Less putts per round. Choosing the right style, length and lie of putter is the first step toward fewer putts per round. (A little practice helps, too.) 5) Confidence. You’ll swing with more confidence knowing your clubs will perform the way they should. 6) Proper set makeup. With custom fitting, you can determine the proper set makeup to maximize your skills. 7) More enjoyment. With lower scores thanks to more accurate shotmaking, you’ll enjoy the game more. 8) Less money spent. So, how much have you spent over the years on stock shafts? Make a real investment that will start paying dividends right away. Hot Stix Golf is considered one of the industry’s leading independent custom clubfitting and equipment testing labs. It is based in Scottsdale, Az., and recently opened its newest location at Tijeras Creek Golf Club in Rancho Santa Margarita. Fittings cost $125 for woods, $125 for irons and $50 for a putter. To make reservations or to learn more about Hot Stix Golf, call (877) 513-1333, or visit hotstixgolf.com. Or, email Bill Bowers at bill.bowers@hotstixgolf.com. |
||||
RSS SubscribeReaders Feedback:
how long for each session also the price for all locations how far in advance
| Comment at 12/30/2008 |
