Doc Griffin: Sole Width and Sweet Spots

Tue, 10/29/2013 - 12:00 -- Don Trahan

I've had some really good club fitting questions come in recently, so I've been sending them on to Doc Griffin, our Director of Club Fitting Operations. I can usually offer a pretty solid answer when it comes to basic club fitting, but Doc is the true expert, which is why I brought him in to field today's question.

Doc will talk about a club's sole width and the purpose behind each club's design. He'll also talk about why the general consensus of a club's sweet spot is dead wrong. Is there really a sweet spot? If so, how big is it? Get these answers and learn more about the role of sole in today's daily video!

Keep it vertical!

The Surge

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Comments

Doc Griffin's picture

Submitted by Doc Griffin on

So so true!

boogmc's picture

Submitted by boogmc on

Good point, Jon! I think and believe any troubles one may have with their clubs after being properly fit are strictly between the ears. We all have read or heard,in this vast media world we live in, many of the Pro's talking about one of the key things that they look at when being fit for another set or testing clubs along the process is that they have to match the eyes.
That's one of the things I liked so much with my session with Doc. After I finally hit enough balls well enough for Doc to get his swing data,we went about the process of choosing my irons. He brought out several models from different manufacturers and asked what I was looking for, I told him I was a bit of a traditionalist and wanted a classic look when I addressed the ball.He had me take a few swings with each,after he culled some from his offering,without looking at the sole or back of the club. He didn't want me to see the head manufacturer name or logo until we had finished choosing the one that felt right to me and matched my eye. The ones I chose and he built for me where the EC II by KZG. I didn't even know that until we were back down in the shop and closing out the fitting with my grips and he told me all my particulars. I love them! I also know that any errant shots are the Indians fault and not the arrow. They have a nice thin top-line and are sweet to hit,as you say, when I don't let myself get in the way.

Tee On 13 Golf's picture

Submitted by Tee On 13 Golf on

Boog...

Doc made KZG OC II's for me...nice feel....love them!

Phillip

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

Boog,
I think Doc's style of having clients test without seeing the soles or backs of the irons. Very cool. It obviously helps eliminate expectations and simply finds what works best. Interesting. I like it:)

JKPassage's picture

Submitted by JKPassage on

After I became a Surgite, I tried contacting a PPGS certified fitter (per the PPGS web site) on the south side of Indianapolis. He never contacted me back, so he must not be interested in my business. Are there any other PPGS certified club fitters in Indiana? Thanks, Jeff P.

Doc Griffin's picture

Submitted by Doc Griffin on

I would assume that you mean Bob? Sorry that you did not hear back from him. It's quite possible that he did not ever get your email attempt.

If you get nothing back, I may just have to come up there myself next year! We are going to be working on my schedule for 2014 next week so it would be good to get some input from folks that would be interested in having me come to their town.

citation@gci.net's picture

Submitted by citation@gci.net on

OFF TOPIC SORRY.....

Don ...Would you mind sharing the brand and model number of your back yard driving range practice net?

Thanks,
Ron

Brady's picture

Submitted by Brady on

We'll get that information out soon. Don has a few other things we are about to share with the Nation that he uses.

JKPassage's picture

Submitted by JKPassage on

Ron, on ebay or Amazon, you can buy a decent practice net (the tent type) for $60-$90. It comes with metal stakes to secure the net into the ground. I have mine set up in my basement. My local indoor facility opens on November 1, so I can go there and hit balls.

declanfwalsh@eircom.net's picture

Submitted by declanfwalsh@ei... on

Doc
You refer to low club head speed when talking about sole with on clubs. What do you consider a low club head speed ?

Look forward to your rersponse

Doc Griffin's picture

Submitted by Doc Griffin on

With at 38" club (standard length 5 iron) anything that is in the mid to low 70 mph range.