The Perfect Fit
by MICHAEL J . STOTT
One Size Doesn ’ t Fit All
M ore than a decade after Hal Sutton ’ s epic 6-iron and utterance to win the 2000 Players Championship , two Richmond golfers had rental club epiphanies leading to golf bag makeovers . Tim , a Country Club of Virginia member and occasional golfer , had his moment of truth while in Palm Springs .
“ I had terrific experiences with every rental club in the bag ,” he said . “ I hit everything farther than ever before . I don ’ t know if it was the desert air or what , but I concluded there was better ballstriking to be had . So back home I scheduled a session with CCV pro and certified club fitter Adam Smith .”
“ Adam was helpful , friendly , and listened to my comments about my 19-year-old clubs that I got after a 2004 fitting session at First Tee . This time with data gathered from CCV launch monitors , simulators , and a wall of computerization I bought a set of irons , five wedges , a newer driver and began hitting the ball much better . The fitting process was like going from stone tablets to new age technology ,” Tim says . “ After the fitting I decided it wasn ’ t the desert air at all .”
Charles , playing out of Lakeside Park Club , carries an 8.7 index . He has played golf regularly for more than 50 years , and with advancing age realized he needed more distance .
“ I had a lot of questions , especially about shafts ,” he said . “ I should have gotten fit years ago , but did nothing because I thought I knew what I was doing .”
In July , Golf Digest released its list of America ’ s 100 Best Clubfitters . First debuted in 2011 , the list considers all facilities that offer clubfitting access to the general public . Reviewed are independent shops , practice ranges , full-service performance centers , large retail stores , golf courses and national chains . Three operations receiving recognition in Virginia were The Golf Fitting Studio in Clifton / Westfields , Hodson Golf in Richmond and Tysons West Golf Center in Tysons Corner .
26 V IRGINIA G OLFER | N OVEMBER / D ECEMBER 2023