Clubs that fit to a T(v)
By Katie Denbo

While the importance of properly fitting golf equipment has always been known, new crops of fitting centers and performance labs from some of the industry’s most popular manufacturers are gaining increased acceptance. Golfers of all levels now have a variety of options that were once only accessible to touring professionals, and a handful are located in the Southland’s own backyard.
Tucked into the driving range at Kip Puterbaugh’s Aviara Golf Academy in Carlsbad, the TAYLORMADE PERFORMANCE LAB utilizes the most high-tech equipment available to provide golfers with a comprehensive analysis of their swing and, based on that information, recommend equipment that would best fit their game. Until recently, the technology was only available to Tour pros (Fred Couples and former Ryder Cup captain Dave Stockton have touched up with the system), but it’s now open to improve amateur play as well.
“We’ve worked with golfers of all levels here,” says Herb Meistrich, president and CEO of MPL. “One of the best parts of this job is hearing about the results that people experience from playing with the
right equipment and when they can see themselves on our screens.”
The Carlsbad facility opened in July 2005 and is one of three locations in the world; the other two are at Fancourt Resort and Country Club in South Africa — the first location, which opened in May 2005 — and Reynolds Plantation in Georgia, which opened in November that year. A system that took nearly six years to develop, TMPL literally brings the golfer to life on the computer screen, using modified motion capture technology (the patented Motion Analysis Technology by TaylorMade, or MAT-T) that movie studios use to animate big-screen characters. TMPL has the ability to measure swing speeds, angle and motion of the club, impact locations and, perhaps most important to some, the results they are getting when
they hit the ball. The swing and animation can be viewed from all angles, including above and below.
After a basic interview including trouble clubs, body type and goals within the game of golf, reflective markers are placed on the golfer’s head, arms, hips, knees and feet, as well as on the head and shaft of the club. Nine high-speed cameras capture the movement of the markers and generate a three-dimensional animation of the golfer’s swing. Separate launch monitors measure the speed of the club, velocity of the ball upon impact, spin rate and launch angle, while the golfer repeats a series of swings with a driver, woods, hybrids, irons, wedges and putter. Based on a database of nearly 50,000 swings, the computer makes club recommendations.
“Golfers are able to get a better perspective of what they are doing well or what they could be doing differently when they can see these realistic images of themselves,” says Tom Fisher, TMPL’s master clubfitter. “We are able to compare and contrast the swing to one of TaylorMade’s sponsored golfers, and we are also able to recommend what needs to happen with a particular swing to produce better ball contact.”
The fitting experience is a mini-lesson, as well; after the fitting, the golfer is able to take demos of the clubs the computer data recommends to the driving range, where their swing is evaluated by a PGA pro, swing tips and recommendations are given and the golfer sees results. Golfers walk away from the fitting with a portfolio of their personalized information and stats, a DVD of their animated swings, and a newfound love of and interest in the game.
The two-hour fitting will cost a golfer $350, with part of the fee recouped with the purchase of custom-fit TaylorMade clubs. Clubs are generally built and shipped within 48 hours and prices are competitive with TaylorMade retailers.
“I have seen this done many times and each time it amazes me to watch a golfer go through our
fitting and then come out to the range here and hit balls,” Meistrich says. “The looks on their faces they get when they see their ball travel further than it did before they received the fitting is priceless and I think it gives them confidence and helps them enjoy the game more.”
With many avenues available in the clubfitting world, golfers don’t have to go the high-techbells-
and-whistles route. Enter KZG, which provides an ultrapersonalized fitting experience while maintaining the technology necessary for the perfect, customized fit.
KZG — labeded by Golf Digest the No. 1 Custom Pro Line of golf equipment — is located in North Hollywood, and provides less emphasis on how golfers look when they swing and more on results,
technique and performance.
“We looked into a screen on the wall that showed the swing and the results of it, but it has been my experience that golfers get too tied up in the numbers and the results on the screen,” says Steve
Benzin, KZG master clubfitter. “In our fitting center, we focus on fitting golfers with the swing that they take to the golf course, not the swing they make competing with the numbers on the screen.”
The company, founded in 1998, is built on the philosophy that every golfer, regardless of ability, deserves clubs that fit his or her swing and body. The KZG FITTING AND TRAINING CENTER officially opened in October 2004, and uses state-of-the-art ball launch monitors that tracks ball flight onscreen to show the golfer flight angle, direction and distance. There is also a complete showroom of equipment that golfers can peruse.
“One of the biggest mistakes that people can make is trying to classify clubs for golfers based on gender,” Benzin says. “The golf ball does not know gender, it only knows contact of the ball, and we’re able to determine that here.”
Golfers can’t purchase KZG equipment off the shelf; instead, they must be fitted at one of more than 2,000 dealers the company has nationwide. Benzin conducts all Master Clubfitting training in KZG’s North Hollywood headquarters.
The six-step process of the KZG Fitting System begins with a oneon- one interview and performance profile followed by a static measurement of distance of hands from the ground, physical limitations and body type, as well as measurements of the club. Benzin tests the characteristics of the
golfer’s current clubs, and then, after a few warm-up swings, the golfer hits the mat.
Using his or her own clubs, the golfer hits a series of balls recorded by the ball-launch analyzer, while contact consistency is recorded by carbon stickers placed on the face of the club. Based on watching
swing planes, speeds and ball contact and comparing them to the data collected onscreen, Benzin, is then able to build a demo club on the spot for the golfer to compare the difference, which is normally huge.
“It’s amazing what can happen when a club is a little too long or the lie angle is a little off,” he says. “The great part about this system is that we can compare a golfer’s current clubs to ones that we can build for them and they can feel the difference when they are swinging with a club that is right for them.”
KZG can then assemble the correct combination of woods, irons and wedges for a golfer to suit each person’s game and Benzin encourages the customer to return for a post-fit check-up, to make any additional adjustments and to track player progress. Fittings take up to two hours and cost $100; upon purchase of clubs, $50 is credited. “It’s important to me that everything fits and works correctly and if for some reason we need to make adjustments, we will,” he says. “We’re looking out for the best interest of the player.”