Titleist Performance Institute, I have had an avid interest in club fitting, born out of many hours spent watching the head club fitter there, Larry Bobka, weave his magic. That name won't mean much to you, but he had crossed paths with a certain Tiger Woods and was revered at TPI as the man for fitting clubs.

It got me thinking when I met Derek Murray, the owner at FOREGOLF, about the plethora of Larry Bobka's that seem to have sprung up in Ireland with a Trackman optimizer in one hand and an implied degree in angular physics in the other.

where he learned his craft, to the award-winning facilities and workshop at Killeen Castle. It's a far cry from the early basic beginnings on a back street in Naas, Co. Kildare! 

He says "I have seen Custom Fitting transform itself from a luxury, never heard of add-on, into a major requirement for all golfers within the golf market." His life in custom fitting now takes him, regularly to the States, with an annual stop off at Augusta National for member fittings and to Japan where his father, Don, was recently honored by Mizuno. The pinnacle for Derek and FOREGOLF was receiving the World Clubmaker of the Year award in 2010.

Trackman and also stocks the much sought after brand of "Bettinardi" putters used by the Open Champion, Francesca Molinari. His mantra is continuing education in custom fitting for putters and is an expert in this field.

consistently, run the risk of being pigeonholed when it comes to being fitted in a retail environment with "What is your handicap?" being one of the questions that could ultimately lead to a one size fits all mentality." Combining a custom fit with the art of professional club making eliminates the risk and creates golf clubs that are truly unique to the individual.

I will leave the last word to Derek Murray, "The typography of Custom Fitting has changed so much over the past 20 years. What was once a beautiful art, where master-craftsmen would hone their age-old club making skills to design, shape and build a bespoke golf club to suit the avid golfer has been hijacked by its own industry. The true art of Custom Fitting is now, in most places, merely a sales tool squeezed and shredded into nothing more than banter and sales patter. The craft is almost gone, the skilled master craftsmen are a dying breed and even the words Custom Fitting doesn't hold any of the magic or wonder that it once did."
Has custom club fitting joined the ranks of interior designers and golf instructors, in that everyone has become an expert?

thinking of getting a range finder, are they really worth the price?"

Well Matt to come straight to the point, Yes! if you are able to hit your clubs to within ten yards of a pretty good strike. At your handicap level and higher, it's all about where you don't want to hit the ball, so using a range finder to accurately work out how far it is to a hazard or how far to clear a bunker is essential to save shots in a round. How many greens will you hit in a average round of golf over a season? A lot lower than you think, so, it is vital to consider where to miss a green if you do miss it. Contrary to popular belief, it is much easier to chip uphill from just off the front of a green to a front pin than putt downhill from 40 feet. Off the tee, it is also a benefit to know that you can aim at a bunker and not reach it, on a links course the ability to be able to laser a mound in the distance is also helpful in determining your strategy for the hole. Always check your distance to the flag by lasering a second target like a bunker close to the pin to make sure the yardage is correct. Finally, laser your target while others are playing to avoid slow play!

Quotes of the Week

Life is good! “When you come out of college and into your first foray in professional golf you feel have to be this perfect player. That’s not really the case. You don’t have to be perfect. You just kind of have to get the ball in the hole.” Kevin O’Connell. Former Pro, now reinstated amatuer, and winner of the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, will be checking his mailbox this Christmas for that golden ticket to Augusta National!

Life is good! “I knew that I could get the ball in the hole and get it around but I think ultimately that’s what you need on Tour, and especially on a mini Tour. You need a load of birdies, you need to know how to shoot low to make a living out there.” Matt Wallace who took just seven months to progress from the Alps Tour to winning on the European Tour!

Life is good! “Through eleven tournaments in 2017-18, our team was 111 under par. Thirty years ago, if a school averaged 300, or roughly 12 over per round, they were winning tournaments. In 2018 they are more likely to finish last.” Mic Potter, head women’s coach at the University of Alabama.  College kids doing what college kids do!

Final word this week...

"When he swings, he applies so much force to the grip of his club, he's capable of snapping a graphite shaft in the middle, Any idea how hard it is to do that? That's Bruce Lee stuff right there."

No doubt a great teacher, Foley also has a way with words!

Have a great weekend and we shall talk some more golf on Tuesday.

Tadhg