Club Fitting Series With Doc Griffin: Clubheads

Wed, 03/07/2012 - 23:42 -- Don Trahan

Today we have the latest installment of Doc Griffin's series on Custom Club Fitting. In this one, Doc talks covers all the important stuff on clubheads, from why size really does matter to why he couldn't care less about how a shot feels when he gets to the part of the process where you select the amount of offset you want in a club. If that sounds a bit harsh, don't worry, Doc hasn't gone off the deep end on us. It's just that if he's done everything right up to that point in matching the best club head and shaft for your particular swing, then he's built you a club that you can square up and come close to the sweet spot on every swing. And it's hitting the sweet spot that that matters and the amount of offset you choose will not make a centered shot feel any different. It's purely what looks best to you.

Sit back and enjoy this one--it's one of Doc's best.

Keep it vertical!

The Surge

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Comments

MikefromKy Go Bama. Go Irish's picture

Submitted by MikefromKy Go B... (not verified) on

 LOL

5 over and 3 over not sure how that equates to playing like crap. Sounds like a couple decent rounds to me.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

 Hey T.
I'm about 99.999% sure that Russty was completely tongue in cheek because someone was sure to complain, as they always do. ;-)

MikeM's picture

Submitted by MikeM (not verified) on

Doc, I've never been an elite golfer; I used to shoot in the low-mid 80's and as I've gotten older I"ve lost 10-15 strokes. My issue is club-fitting:  Everytime I have ever been at the range with my wife and I try to illustrate a swing (the blind leading the blind), I take her club and every shot is crisp and straight, much better than I hit my own clubs. Is there something in the length, weight, etc of women's clubs that could be better suited to me? I've thought about getting fitted but I don't know that my swing is grooved and consistent enough - what fits my Tuesday swing may not fit my Wednesday swing.

mark's picture

Submitted by mark on

I would be interested, but live in Green Bay.  Maybe we could get a few more interested in a fitting and find a common place of interest to have the fitting done.

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

He's talking about the slight echo in Doc's videos. That's a consequence of being in a big space with lots of hard surfaces and not many soft surfaces. A lapel mic could help a little, but it's really not that bad. Some people are just begging for something to complain about.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Hey Roy,
Mike and I joke all the time that we would be better off with her hybrids around the green, especially this time of year with the dormant, wet Bermuda. I don't know about him but I'm not so sure I'm joking about it. ;-)

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Well, here's how it equates:
When you miss three or four greens per side that you should hit and end up settling for pars (or worse) and when you miss three or four birdie putts per side that are right on the edge and when you hit it in the water two times and when you blow a few easy chip shots, the definition is crap. ;-)
About the only thing that went right is that I kept it in play and was never really out of a good chance for par except a couple of times.
The scenario usually went, good tee shot, hit the green and miss the putt. Or good tee shot miss the green, mess up the chip, miss the putt. Or bad tee shot, great second shot, miss the putt.
Seems like the putts are the common denominator. Ha ha!
Bad thing is that every putt was perfect speed and just where I was trying to putt it. Always misread by an inch or two. Putts that have had a certain break for years went dead straight and putts that have been straight for years were breaking. (Crap).

T Medley's picture

Submitted by T Medley (not verified) on

 Steve and Russty,

Thanks, you are probably right and I should have realized that if my brain worked right. Sorry Russty, still,  both yours and my reply post together might get through to others who need them.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

 I ain't Doc but I can tell you that your wife's clubs could absolutely be better for you than your clubs in regards to "length, weight ect."

On the second part:
Would you have a better chance of your swing ever getting "grooved" with clubs that fit, or with clubs that don't?

It would be like trying to drive nails with a sledge hammer and waiting around for the day that you were really good at it before buying a regular framing hammer. Good chance that day will never come because you have the wrong tool.

Doc Griffin's picture

Submitted by Doc Griffin (not verified) on

Great idea.  Can't do it as it's not related to SSGM.  Can't do it on my site as I don't have any more room for pages to put up.  However,  I can keep a master list of people that are interested and then put them in contact with each other as the minimal number is reached.  Great idea and thanks.

So, if people interested in mobile fittings want to send me an email with location and contact info, I'll start the list.

T Medley's picture

Submitted by T Medley (not verified) on

Yes, it was slightly so, but not enough to be complaining about. As you stated, some folks are just impossible to please, even with free gifts that they use,enjoy,and benefit from.

Roy Reed's picture

Submitted by Roy Reed (not verified) on

Doc Griffin:  This is another GREAT video in your fitting series - and I thank you taking time to explain the particulars about club head type.  I love the clubs you built me, especially that awesome 12* offset driver!  My game has really improved, and even though I can't hit the ball far (2011 season driver average of 182 yds), my ball striking is very consistent and I have 100% confidence in every club in my bag.  It is SO nice to have straight arrows and the confidence of a repeatable swing.  As always, hit 'em straight!  R2

Dick Lee's picture

Submitted by Dick Lee (not verified) on

 Steve

So you are playing in a gusting heavy wind and you end up 5 over and 3 over and had a bunch of other birdie putts that you missed.  I hope I can do that well when I take my PAT.

There is no crying in golf pal, suck it up and stop squawking.
Dick

Gil B.'s picture

Submitted by Gil B. (not verified) on

Great video Doc. You certainly cleared up a lot of misconceptions about many things during your "Club fitting" series but this one is exceptional. The golfing public is exposed to many gimmicks,aka technological advantages, by the golf club manufacturers, obviously to promote sales. I know which club manufacturer in Arizona you're referring to because I live here. I, too went there for a fitting where they have you in a fitting booth with all these fancy monitors and gauges in the booth to detail all that is happening with the particular club you happen to be hitting. After about 45 minutes in the booth hitting all kinds of clubs a computer generated printout spits out what they feel is the best head/shaft combination is best for you. As it turned out, there was nothing unique about my swing in terms of a special head/shaft combination and they suggested the standard set that is basically "off the rack". I tried a couple of these clubs at the local golf shop and at the outdoor driving range and they performed no better than the Cleveland CG16's that I presently play. In fact, the feel of their irons were more of a harsh feel versus my clubs and my old Cleveland Launchers were more forgiving and longer than their so-called new technologically advanced woods. My woods have a much smaller head too. It was a real eye opener for me. So I guess that the newer technologically advanced clubs will work for some, but not for everyone. Anyway, thanks again for the great vids and information. If you're in the Tucson,AZ area and doing a fitting I'd love to see and hear what you would suggest for me. Thanks Doc, stay healthy.

Lee Allibhai's picture

Submitted by Lee Allibhai (not verified) on

Hey Doc,

Would love to get fitted by you if you could make it up here to Vancouver Canada. Anyone else in the Greater Vancouver area intrested in getting fitted please send Doc your contact info.

I would be willing to drive up to Bellingham or even Seattle to get it done if we can get a group of 4 and Doc would come up here.

Lee

Dragonhead's picture

Submitted by Dragonhead (not verified) on

Doc,
      The day before yesterday on my nostalgia day, I took out @570016915e285bccff3c26414d0d130d:disqus y old PingZing 'blonde' woods for an outing. I remembered that I used to hit the 5Wood a fair way. Well,what a revelation it was! I hit it off the tee on the 1st and 2nd. It went where it was aimed and was dead straight. On the 2nd, a short Par 4, where the green is tucked around a sharp right very short dogleg,guarded by over hanging tall trees.On only a couple of occasions have I had a view of the green.That was until I hit the 5W. It went further than my modern drivers had been sending the ball. I will persevere with it and work up to the 3W and Dvr for a few rounds. The change to an interlocking grip and a slightly more upright stance, may have contributed to the results. The irons are  G2 cavity back and are working well. Accurate and consistent. Still a happy chappy after going back in time with the clubs.Who would have guessed it?
Love the fitting videos, they address a part of the game few care about, but should. No good going through GBSAPS and then firing with a bent arrow.DH

Doc Griffin's picture

Submitted by Doc Griffin (not verified) on

If you look on my "smock" you'll see a lapel mic.  Would be on the left side of V of shirt (right as you're looking at it)

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Didn't have a chance to even look at the blog until tonight. Great job on the subject of clubheads. Don't worry you'll get plenty of comments over the next 24 hours or more on this very interesting and hottly disputed subject of forged or cast,cavity back or blade and the growing popularity of hybrids and the use of channels and the deeper lower center of gravity some are offering, Offset is might be better for most of us.
      The wife and I drove all day today (actually only 8 hours) from Las Vegas to Reno to visit my ailing Uncle and cousins. Anyhow it seemed like all day. Do yourself a favor if you have choice to fly instead of drive over mostly waste land Nevada, fly! We'll be here for two days and drive back Friday. It is also a mini vacation so i may not be on here much until we get home. Didn't bring my sticks with me so no golf for a few days. Well, okay I did bring my putter, a new sleve of balls and my swingrite. So I'm not truely golf free. The carpet's even green in the hotel room! LOL!!
      Here's some of my brief experience with Doc's observations. My new set got a bit of the best of both worlds as far as my irons pw-4 iron. My pw-7 iron are my scoring clubs. After testing and trial with my fitter we went with Vega forged VC-02 cavity. The 01's are the smaller heads and the 03's are the larger more forgiving. i went with the 02's which are right in the middle. For my "longer irons" or mid/long irons I ended up with the Adams Redlines 7 iron through 4 iron. Yes I play with 2 seven Irons. The Redlines are fly further and are built with more technology along with less loft than my Vega 7 I get the proper distance golf. A mixed set Yes. Controversial? Seemingly but it works for me. the shafts and grips of course are matched up along with the other specs so I am comfortable in moving from mid to scoring clubs.
The Redlines have the volocity slot and are considered hybrids and I hit 'em longer than any irons I've ever owned or played. The Vega irons have a great 'feel' and are super from 140 yards and in.
http://www.google.com/products...

http://www.premiumgolf.co.uk/V...

So I guess you could say yes I have cavity back,forged and hybrids with channels and all are progressively offset (though mildly compared to others) among my irons all in the same bag. Works for me. Getting a personal fitting will be the only way you'll find out what truely may potentially work best for you all.

PMG

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

 When those greens get better if I don't start making putts, I'm quitting. (Probably not really..I think..Maybe).

T Medley's picture

Submitted by T Medley (not verified) on

DOC:

Just a thought, how about starting a sign up sheet, either on this site or your site, for those interested in the mobile fitting, state by state. I am thinking that most would be willing to travel a couple hrs to a central mid state location, if they new they would be seen and fitted by you yourself. If you get 4 or more interested and willing to commit in a particular state or even adjoining state, you could then try to stage it in a central location to the participants. It might generate more business for you.

Doc Griffin's picture

Submitted by Doc Griffin (not verified) on

Read Steve's comment below.  It "hits the nail right on the head"!   A fitter doesn't fit a swing purse'.  We fit the player and the dynamics of the player.  Those measurable items do not fluctuate one day to the next.

MikefromKy Go Bama. Go Irish's picture

Submitted by MikefromKy Go B... (not verified) on

Went yesterday and got my lie angles straightened out sw - 5 iron not losing shots left anymore did have 3 pulls out of a large basket but that was swing related.No more hunting and searching for a swing to keep them straight I was told that I may need to get them adjusted after I got the clubs rebuilt last year but neglected to do so until now.
Suppose to be 50 Sat and 60 Sun. so hopefully will get to play both days if it is dry enough been raining all day to day we shall see.      

Russty Kiwi's picture

Submitted by Russty Kiwi (not verified) on

Just a couple of suggestions, Doc. I find the lighting a bit bright & the volume a bit loud for me , so if you could tone that down a bit would be great . Will deffinitely take you up on the mobil fitting program as soon as I can con 3 mates into it. Is Auckland ok with you? LOL.  This fitting series has realy thickend the plot for me & which way to go from here is going to be interesting. I had my swing speed with the driver done the other day & came out at 85 mph. I have stiff shafts in all my clubs & believe I should be closer to regular. As to which club head, I dont know where to start. If I can find more than 4 , would you come help us ?  
  Thanks Doc ,for all the info, Gives me heaps to consider & cheak out. The more I find out the more I realise I need to get fitted properly.
      
        Cheers Russty

MikefromKy Go Bama. Go Irish's picture

Submitted by MikefromKy Go B... (not verified) on

I would be happy to play that well this weekend especially not being on a course for 2 months. It was windy here today 10 - 15 out of the NW rained all day and chilly. Was not going to go to the range tonight but on the way home from work decided to go was itching to get some time in with changing  the lies on the irons nice crisp solid shots with the wind blowing the way it was left to right I was getting little bleeders to the right. So I thought I would try hitting some little draws back into the wind to hold straight last week I could not hit that shot can hit easily now. Can't wait to get and play and see how it goes.     

Russty Kiwi's picture

Submitted by Russty Kiwi (not verified) on

Its all good T. I should'nt really try & be a smart arse,but I cant help it sometimes.

Dick Lee's picture

Submitted by Dick Lee (not verified) on

 Dan

I have all 3 of those video and the putting one too.  The only thing better than great golf videos is great golf videos at a discount.

I hope you get as much from the videos as I am.  I watch them all at least once a week.  Each video is great, but using them all together is really helping me get it together.

You will be out there soon, don't give up hope pal.
Dick

Sehumphy's picture

Submitted by Sehumphy (not verified) on

You are absolutely right. I woiuld love to hear what Doc Griffin has to say but i have given up. I hear Surge just fine. It is not on my end or anyone else's....it is the way the audio is set up in his studio. I keep giving Doc's lessons a try but so far they are useless because only a small fraction is audilbe. And I don't need anything to complain about; I need to be able to hear what I think is valuable information he has to tell us.

T Medley's picture

Submitted by T Medley (not verified) on

Doc,

Sent you a message through your site contact link. Good luck with generating some extra business. Folks, if you are interested in the remote fitting coming to a central location in your area, please let Doc Griffin know through his message center at this link. You can also find the IN SHOP prices on fitting's there as well. The remote full bag fitting price is $250.00 per person. Here's Doc's link.
http://www.thegolfstop.net/

Kbexperience's picture

Submitted by Kbexperience (not verified) on

Sure would like a fitting from Doc. I live in the UP of Michigan. Four or more folks for a fitting, Doc will come to us...Is anyone interested??    kbexperience@yahoo.com

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

 Good luck!
You've been to the range enough this winter to probably not make the time off of a course too bad.

The wind at my house was about 5 to 10mph but at the course no telling what is was. All I know is it took a full 6 iron for a 150 yard shot against it.

I think that edge of the mountain has to be the windiest place in Alabama. I told the course owner today that he should put up some windmills and solve the energy crisis for the entire country. LOL

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

It always helps me to remember the definition of sarcasm: that gap between your understanding my sense of humor and my giving a --- I'll adjust and say crap here.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

 If it's not on your "end or anyone else's" (sic) why can I hear it just fine on my laptop?
It's not a magic laptop or anything, just a regular one.

Ed Stegman D.C.'s picture

Submitted by Ed Stegman D.C. (not verified) on

Doc; Re: Rusty Kiwi's remarks about the video, I noticed immediately the the additional lighting from the front;good job.
I guess he doesn't know he can adjust volume right there on the desk trop.
 Doc Ed

Doc Griffin's picture

Submitted by Doc Griffin (not verified) on

Sure, I'll come there!  But...........the price would be a bit more than what I charge for the mobile fitting in the states.  Put it together and we can discuss.

Dick Lee's picture

Submitted by Dick Lee (not verified) on

 Steve

Ha Ha.  Well, at least you have a plan, and are sticking to it.

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

The swing weight would go up, which is a matter of the distribution of the total weight along the length of the club. Whether that would feel "heavier" to you as a result is hard to say. You may want to stick with the oversized grips and get clubs with lighter shafts. That is, if you can afford to get fit for new proper clubs. If your hands are used to gripping oversized grips, going down to standard may be worse than dealing with the weight.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Testing this blog out.
Since I saw no comments I figure either everybody but me has the perfect club or everybody but me knows what offset is the best option for them or everybody but me knows what size club head they would hit the best.

I've hit a few forged blades with what looked like very little offset to me but haven't hit enough of them to really have a clue what I would play the best with.

Note to Doc on the hybrids stopping at the 9 or PW:

For very unskilled ball strikers (which might include me about half of the time) it is much more consistent to hit short chips and pitches with a pitching wedge hybrid and a sand wedge hybrid than it is with normal irons, especially in wet conditions.
Of course laying the blade open and hitting a flop shot is not an option with those clubs but many players can't hit those shots even halfway consistently anyway.

When my wife started using such a set it totally changed her game around the greens and it is very surprising how well she can hit soft little shots with plenty of spin. The big advantage is that the "fat shot" is all but eliminated. Also she actually loves to be in the bunkers and is probably better than Mike or I with that hybrid sand wedge, as long as it's not a really deep bunker.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

 Good grief Ed!!
Russty was just joking because other people are always complaining about the lighting and the volume.

(Scratch my  head). Hmmmm!

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Look up tongue-in-cheek in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

"Tongue-in-cheek is a phrase used as a figure of speech to imply that a statement or other production is humorously intended and it should not be taken at face value."

Dick Lee's picture

Submitted by Dick Lee (not verified) on

 Steve

Windmills?  Did you say windmills?

We have thousands of them in windmill farms out here.  The wind blows hard some days, real hard on others, but it always blows.

If you won't play golf in 15 mph winds, then you won't play golf in Oklahoma.

But, I love it out here, and more every day.

Life is good,
Dick

T Medley's picture

Submitted by T Medley (not verified) on

Mike,

I concur with what Robert below has responded with. I would add one additional comment. If you actually do wish to retain the same swing weight with the lighter grips, you can back weight or butt weight the club to retain the same overall weight and swing weight. We are probably only talking about a few grams which can easily be added at the butt of the shaft.

Like Robert says, just the size change will cause a grip change which may actually be the hardest part to deal with. I'd try it on a club or two before doing them all.

What you do kind of depends on what you are actually looking for. Do you want lighter clubs, or is it just the smaller grips you want. What is your specific desire, weight, size, both,etc....

Doc Griffin's picture

Submitted by Doc Griffin (not verified) on

Agree somewhat, but it is hard to chip a ball out of 3" rough with a hybrid.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

 One day in Missouri the wind started blowing. Not a cloud in the sky. My mom and dad were up to visit and we went to
Columbia shopping.

On the way down there I noticed that the wind was blowing the water out of a pond close to the road.

It got harder and harder as the day went along and on the way home barns and sheds were blowing across the road and when we passed that pond it was completely dry and was originally about 30 feet deep. Every bit of water had blown right over the dam and was gone.

By the time we got home the roof on my barn was trying to blow off so, like an idiot, I got up there and was trying to nail it back down as it would blow it up.

By the end of the day the sky was as dark as a thunderstorm but it was all dirt up in the sky. The TV said the wind was sustained at 80mph.

My dad asked me if that happened very often and I said that was the only time I had ever seen anything like that.

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