Titleist - An Excellent Fit

I visited the Titleist fitting centre in Brampton last month. Here's what he made of it: 

After the initial introductions with Titleist staff, I was assigned to Club Fitting Technician and professional Daniel Friend. 

Daniel started by asking me about my game, the clubs I currently used and the shape of shot I hit. He then took me through the ball fitting process which you can do for free online at www.titleist.co.uk/ballfitting. 

The ball fitting is a green-to-tee fitting which focuses on the shots that most affect players scores. After answering a few simple questions I was recommended the Titleist Pro V1 with the Pro V1x as an alternative. It is advised to take both recommended balls onto the course and evaluate which model you feel most comfortable with. 

I was then asked to hit a few balls to evaluate my shots. 

I used a Titleist CB 6-Iron which is similar to the irons I currently use. Once Daniel could see how I performed he decided that I would be better suited to the Titleist AP2 irons. I have to say I was very pleased to hear this, as these are the clubs I was interested in. The Titleist website explains that the AP2 irons take the design mission of "Advance Performance You Can Feel", and I completely agree. These clubs look attractive and because they are slightly larger then the CB you feel more confident that these will be a more forgiving iron. 

An iron was then 'taped' up and I was asked to hit shots off a lie board. After hitting half a dozen balls you could see what area of the face I was hitting and if the club's lie needed to be changed. I was told that standard length and lie would be perfect for me. 

A number of different shafts were attached to the club head to find a set up which would help me with a consistent 'rainbow' shaped shot. All my results were recorded onto the computer using a shot tracker, which measured the 'smash factor' and 'spin' generated from shots I hit. 

After evaluating the shots it was decided that the Dynamic Gold High Launch shaft performed the best, I got more height with this, which in turn generated more distance. 

Next up were the metal woods. I have been using a 9.5 degree driver for the past few months and have been hitting straight consistent drives; therefore it was going to take something special for me to turn my attention to Titleist.

The first wood I was given was a 909 D2 with 9.5 degree of loft with an Aldila Voodoo stiff flex shaft. In my opinion I didn't think the flex was right and felt too 'whippy' but I still gave it a go.

Perhaps the seed was planted but I just couldn't hit this club at all. My first shot was a pull left, the second a big high slice right and confidence was leaking out of me. 

Daniel decided after three shots that this wasn't the right club and changed to the 909 D3 with 10.5 degree of loft. Initially I was sceptical, I would never have dreamt of picking up a driver with that much loft but what I didn't know was that this club has a deep face which is why more loft is needed. 

This club was perfect for me. The head is larger, much larger then I have used before which again makes you feel that if you were to catch the ball out the heel or toe that you wouldn't lose any distance. After hitting my usual shape (a soft fade), I decided to try other shaped shots. I never managed a draw but what I could see was a ball flying through the air loaded with topspin which I thought would be perfect for hitting into a headwind. 

I tried a variety of shafts and it was decided that I should go for the Graffolly Pro Launch Red in stiff flex.

It may be worth pointing out that if you struggle with your driver, visiting a custom fitting centre such as Titleist could improve your game dramatically. All my shots were recorded onto a computer where I could see the distance and accuracy of every shot I hit, plus any poor shots such as tops or thins can be deleted, so your averages aren't affected. 

I then moved onto the fairway woods and it was decided that I should go for a 909 F3 with 15 degrees of loft. I currently use a Titleist 906F2 which I love. I can hit any shot with that club so it was going to take something special to make me change. 

I have to say that there isn't much difference at all between these two clubs.

Perhaps the new 909F3 looks more attractive and if I was in the market for a new 3 wood this club would be hard to overlook. I hit the 909 well and gained extra height, I just didn't get the same confidence as I did with my current club, which I have used for the past 18 months. 

I had already explained that I wasn't a huge fan of hybrid clubs, I currently own the Titleist 585H with 19 degree of loft and my mind wasn't changed after using the Titleist range. 

I was therefore advised that I may be better suited to something different. I was given an 18.5 degree 5-Wood with the same Proforce shaft and pretty much nailed every shot. The head is a lot larger then a hybrid therefore you get extra confidence that you will hit the ball cleaner and longer. My only concern is playing from longer grass as I would prefer to hit a hybrid from the semi rough. 

My final fitting was for a pair of Vokey Spin Milled wedges which are available in a number of loft and bounce options in either C-C or regular grooves. Amateur golfers can use these until 2024.

I currently use 54 and 60 degree, however I wanted to swap the 60 degree for a 58 degree as I only used the club for bunker shots and tended to hit shots heavy when going for more distance. 

Daniel explained that this could be something to do with the bounce of the club. Not for the first time on the day Daniel was proved right. I struggled with the 58 degree. It was decided that I should stick with a 60 degree wedge but flatten by one degree to stop my heavy shots. 

The Titleist wedges come in three different finishes, Carbon steel in Tour Chrome, Oil Can and Black Nickel. My current wedges are in gun metal black therefore I opted for the Black Nickel. I feel that wedges are a personal type of club like putters. I have never seen two the same so it is worth trying out a few different clubs with the same loft to get the one you feel most comfortable with. 

At the end of the fitting my grip size was measured and I had a variety of different grips to choose from. They really leave no stone un-turned. 

My final club specs were as follows:

Driver:
10.5 - 909D3 - Pro Launch Red - Stiff flex 

Fairway Woods:
15 - 909F3 - Pro Force V2 85 - Stiff flex
18.5 - 909F2 - Pro Force V2 85 - Stiff flex 

Irons:
3 - PW - AP2 - Standard Length / Lie - Dynamic Golf High Launch S300 

Wedges:
54 - 5414 Black Nickel
60 - 6010 Black Nickel (1 degree flat) 

Grips
Golf Pride Tour Velvet Round - Standard Size - Placed upside down (writing on back)