COMMUNITY

WHERE THEY DID THIS
This ball fitting was done at a range. For me, I greatly prefer a fitting on the range, instead of at an indoor bay. The only thing better would have been hitting on grass instead of mats. The tester even mentioned the degree to which that influences spin rates on the wedge and iron shots.

WHAT THEY DID
Titleist uses a launch monitor and has the player hit several shots to a target 50 yards out, hit some full 6-iron shots and then a few driver shots. You use your clubs. They measure everything with the launch monitor, but that isn't the only input they use for ball selection. They also ask a number of questions about your game. They also pay attention to what they see in your swing, type of shot you choose to hit to that 50 yard target, consistency (or lack thereof). I stuck around long enough to see them work with high, mid and low handicap players.

All this was done with one Titleist tester, so I can't generalize. But this guy was great interacting with players of all abilities. Great blend of honesty, tact and just making it a helpful and pleasant experience.

HOW IT WENT
Everyone had a reservation and they spent about 15 minutes with each player to actually hit shots on the monitor and go over the results. They had a second bay that the next player could use to warm up.

WHAT I LEARNED
I'm quite a geek when it comes to wanting to understand the process and see all the numbers and what they are looking for, but I'll get to the bottom line.

- I got fitted for a new driver about 6 weeks ago and verified that I'm getting the optimal launch angle, azimuth and smash factor with my new driver. That was important to me, because sometimes you don't perform in a fitting the way you do on the course or after you've had a club for awhile and settle in with it.

- The Pro V1 is the best ball for me. In my case, the difference maker was the spin rate on the 6-iron.

WHAT OTHERS LEARNED
I heard the Titleist guy recommend Pro V1, V1x and NXT Tour to different players. The latter was a nod to a player who generally isn't willing to pay $40+ for a dozen balls. Everyone got a recommendation and an alternate (second choice). Everyone also got two 2-ball sleeves--one of their recommended and the other of the alternate, so they could do further investigation on their own.

I heard a couple of occasions when the tester made an observation that went beyond ball fitting. In one case, a club that was ill-fitted to the player. He also explained how addressing that club problem would likely affect the ball fitting results. In another the player revealed a swing change 'in process' and the ball fitter explained what he saw and made a suggestion on what might help in making the transition.

WHAT SURPRISED ME
I expected after the fitting they'd have some offer to buy some balls, but that didn't happen. Not by Titleist or the sponsoring course.

I was pleasantly surprised at the time they spent getting to know the player and all the factors they took into account.

All in all it was a pleasant experience that was well worth the time.

I do a ball fitting before every round. If it fits in the hole on the practice green, its good to go.

There is ball fitting, driver fitting, putter fitting, this and that fitting, which I am sure has their benefits. But honestly what it boils down to is the individual has some form of flexible/athletic ability which includes hand/eye coordination.