Golf Talk

We were able to get photos of the new Titleist iron line for 2012. It looks like there is going to be a new AP1, AP2, CB-Forged and MB-Forged in the line up.

Golfers pay for the “right” to get fitted for their clubs, whether they take advantage of that right or not. Getting the right 14 clubs in your bag is actually worth the time and, in some cases, expense so you only have to make one swing. And it can start with one element at a time.

An excellent analysis of equipment optimization was presented in the February 28, 2011 issue of Golf World. Five key areas were identified that a golfer can focus on for accomplishing this goal:

1. The Launch Monitor: Adjustable clubs (swappable heads and shafts) have given golf-fitters like Klees Golf Shop many of the same capabilities as what the tour vans offer the pros. The launch monitor can help you see what happens with a variety of shafts, lofts and ball types. What is “optimum” is the combination of these elements that gives you the best results for the swing you use most of the time.

Most of the manufacturers of irons provide fitting carts to their dealers so that golfers can try out different combinations of shafts (weight/length/flex), lie angles and model playability. Mizuno Golf introduced a fitting system that enables a golfer to actually measure these important specs during the swing using the Shaft Optimizer.

The Shaft Optimizer is designed to measure club-head speed, swing tempo, toe down (refers to lie angle), kick angle (refers to flex) and release point (also a flex reference). These metrics enable the club fitter to pick out three shafts and two or three head models likely to best match the golfer's swing.

Since the heads can be interchanged with the shafts it is fairly easy to verify the shaft-head combination that feels and performs the best for that golfer. The clubheads have different weights so that a golfer needing a longer or shorter club will get an accurate reading right away.

The length, lie angle, flex and grip size are determined and verified using the typical measurements and strike board test (see CLUB FITTING).