Virginia Golfer November / December 2023 | Page 30

Golf is so expensive . If you are going to spend that kind of money , why wouldn ’ t you get fit properly with the right shaft , head , loft , weight and draw bias ?” — Andrew Hodson

BY THE NUMBERS

77 % of serious golfers have been fit for clubs at some point

55 %

Estimated total custom fit irons and drivers sold in 2023
Three Generations : Andrew , Peter and Drew Hodson .

Average amount serious golfers get new fittings : ONCE EVERY four years

* Source : Golf Datatech
WHEN GETTING FIT , LOOK FOR SOMEONE WHO IS :
• Brand agnostic
• Technologically savvy , knowledgeable and willing to fit any and all brands
• Offers observable ball flight and turf hitting areas
• Provides service after the sale
CUSTOM FITTING CHAINS
Club Champion
• 120 U . S . locations , also in Canada Australia , Europe
• Six in Virginia ( Richmond , Charlottesville , Fredericksburg , Virginia Beach , Fairfax , Ashburn )
Golf is so expensive . If you are going to spend that kind of money , why wouldn ’ t you get fit properly with the right shaft , head , loft , weight and draw bias ?” — Andrew Hodson
GOLFTEC ( 180 locations in U . S ., 240 worldwide )
True Spec
AT WHAT COST ?
Sample pricing on full bag fittings :
• “ Allow 3.5 hours , $ 400 ” – Mitch Schneider , Club Champion
• “$ 350- $ 450 is a good average ” – Andrew Hodson , Hodson Golf ( as with other fitters , any club purchases go towards the fitting fee )
• “$ 250 ” – Larry Bleich , The Fitting Studio at Westfields

$

* All fitters have separate pricing for individual fittings ( driver , irons , woods / long game , wedges , etc .) ** Prices vary . Special promotions often available .
of heads and shafts . I ended up with Srixon irons and a Ping G425 driver , and learned the fitting was all about the shaft .”
All in , for fitting , irons , driver and complimentary follow-up , Charles ’ investment was $ 1,200 .
Up North
An attorney by trade , Larry Bleich , founder and owner of The Golf Fitting Studio at Westfields , has made clubfitting his day job for more than 20 years . Before fitting anyone he fills out a customer equipment and player profile . Then he employs one of two Trackman bays and state-of-the art computer monitored swing analysis to assess player needs .
“ While club length and lie angle are important , shaft selection is the controlling dynamic to the fitting process ,” he said .
“ Most nobody on tour plays 3-irons . A typical bag for a mid-to-high handicapper with low to moderate swing speed would be 7-iron up , 5 and 6 hybrid , a fairway wood , driver and wedges . There is no reason for a high handicapper to have 14 clubs ,” Bleich said . “ I fit a lot of people with 10-club bags . With putters , length and lie angle can make a huge difference , but you can learn to play with any putter . If you are putting well with what you ’ ve got , you probably have no need for a new one .”
Fit or Fit to Be Tied ?
In an ideal world , and for best performance , every golfer , serious , occasional or beginner , would do well to get fit before teeing off . However , golf and life are not that simple .
“ There are times when we will suggest to someone to work on their game and then get fit .” Hodson said .
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANDREW HODSON
28 V IRGINIA G OLFER
vsga . org