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If you've never been clubfitted – or even if you have – you might find some good information here. Todd Beach, the senior vice president of research design & engineering of Taylor Made Golf, knows the ins and outs of how golf clubs work and how you can get the most out of your equipment.
Bailey and Beach caught up at the TaylorMade Kingdom of Golf at Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Ga., recently to discuss the science of clubfitting and building clubs. Reynolds' facility is one of just two such Kingdoms in the United States and the only one accessible to the public. You can subscribe to the podcast on one of these services;
Or listen below:
Among the topics discussed:
- Beach talks about the latest technology in TaylorMade's new linup in the products, including some dynamic new hybrids, irons and its latest drivers.
- Why clubfitting is important for every level of golfer and why golfers should get a checkup every so often as their games and bodies change.
- Questions from our readers on clubfitting.
Comments (4)
I’ve been fit several times. I would never go to a TaylorMade fitting center (I play TaylorMade driver and 3 wood). You’ll deprive yourself of the opportunity to get fit into a more appropriate club by another manufacturer. Go to a fitter who’s agnostic. Numbers don’t lie. Play the clubs that improve your game whichever that manufacturer is. My irons are Srixon, hybrids are Titleist and putter is Titleist cuz those were the best clubs for my swing. Just my 2 cents
Appreciate your comments, Paul, and don't disagree with what you have to say. In this case, I don't think Todd was saying you have to be fitted by them or only play TaylorMade clubs exclusively (though I'm sure he wouldn't object to folks who want to do that), but rather he talked about the importance of clubfitting and what they do at the Kingdom. Also, it's important to point out that fittings don't have to be comprehensive. For example, let's say you're at Reynolds and you've decided to get a new TaylorMade driver. Well, you can just get fit for the driver, and who better to handle that than TaylorMade at this wonderful facility? But yes, if you want to try out everything, go to a facility that has a wide variety of manufacturers' equipment.
I am relatively new to golf (3 seasons) and am now 69. I have been an accomplished tennis player growing up and am now trying to learn golf. I have taken a number of lessons over this time and have practiced a lot, and have progressed "okay." I don't know if I have progressed enough to really be fitted; I don't know if I am consistent enough to have a "good" swing even to get fitted well at this point. What do you say?
Funny you should mention tennis, Bernie, since I, too, am a tennis player and believe that these sports complement each other well (many professional tennis players play golf well, and vice-versa.) Since you've been playing golf for 3 years, I think a clubfitting would no doubt be beneficial. In my humble opinion, fitting for shaft flex and driver loft are critical, no matter what your skill level. And having properly fitted clubs will increase your chances for improvement. As you get better, as Todd Beach says in the podcast, you can get fit again, but a fitting for your current game will certainly do you no harm and you may see immediate improvement.