Scratch Fitting Today

[Hstead]

I finally made it to Chattanooga for a fitting with Patrick. I am very very glad I went as now I have zero questions or doubts about the equipment I decided to purchase.

 

First off, Patrick has been a champ as I have asked quite a few questions via email, phone, etc and he has been more than helpful. He spent a great deal of time with me today and I am grateful.

 

We started off on the range hitting some balls with a 58* wedge. I started off with a DD grind as I told Patrick I was a digger and after I hit two shots he said you are not a digger. I actually had a lesson the day before and my teacher used the Trackman and my AoA was averaging around 3.2 or so which would also verify I am not a digger now. I tried a SS and then the DS and it was apparent fairly quickly that I was a DS grind candidate.

 

Next I hit some 6 irons with the DS grind. I started off with the AR and hit several and then he handed my the SB. It was obvious I hit the SB much better. I am not sure why, but this is the third time I have had a fitting and hit the blade better. I am not sure if I just concentrate more because the blade is shorter or if it is less offset, but for some reason I hit a blade better. There is no comparison as it isn't even close. I hit 15 balls with the AR, couple of different shafts, with not so great results, so so contact. As soon as I switched to the SB the first ball flew like it is supposed to and so did the subsequent next 40. I loved the feel and the clubs look great. Compared to my 690MBs, I felt like they were softer feeling and they have just a tad less offset which I like. So findings here, I needed a DS instead of the DD and I need the SB all the way through the set, two questions I wasn't sure of.

 

Now came the shaft. I hit the Modus, Supre Peeninng Blue, SP Orange, C-taper, and the Steelfiber in 125. I hit all of the shafts in both S and X flexes except the Steelfibers which only came in S. I really hit two shafts better than the rest, and that was the SP Blue and the Steelfiber. The SP Blue was launching the lowest and felt good, but overall the Steelfiber was launching a touch higher and spinning sideways less. The ball didn't have a large amount of movement on it and my misses with it were straighter. It also felt AWESOME. I couldn't keep the Modus on this side of the hemisphere. I tried both the S and the X and everything went straight high and right which is usually what happens to me with a soft butt, light weight, and not so strong flex. That shaft is NOT for me. The SP Orange felt good, but launched too high. I couldn't find the center of the face as well with any of the shafts like I could the SP Blue and SF. The C-taper was okay, but just not as consistent for me as the SF. We then headed to the practice green to test the grind for the flops, pitches, and sand shots.

 

The club was effortless to hit from the sand and with the relief on the grind, it was easy to lay open and flop. It didn't take me long to really like the DS grind around the green. I then settled on the 1018 as I like the feel better and the shape. So the wedges will be 53 and 58 in DS with Areotech Steelfibers S flex, straight in except 58 will be 8 iron shaft.

 

We then went back to the range to make sure which I would choose between the SP Blue and SF. I went back and forth for just a little while and it became obvious I was finding the center better and the ball was flying better with the SF. AFter hitting the SP Blue the last time, I thought I was finished and Patrick said "hit that SF one more time to make sure". I hit one last ball and flushed it and I handed it back to him and said "we are done". I couldn't hit one better and it was a good one to end on.

 

Lastly, Patrick took me around the shop and I got to watch Don pound out some ARs with no offset for a customer. I got to see behind the curtain a little and that was cool, how they make the Tour Department stuff, etc. I really like the off the shelf retail look so I settled on retail blades. It will be a little while until I get them but it will be worth the wait.

 

Conclusion, I am really glad I went down as I would have ordered the wrong grind and always wonder about the shaft. Now I know I am a DS and I loved the Steelfibers. Patrick was more than accommodating and I made him miss lunch lol. Can't wait to get them as I think they are going to improve my ball striking, game, and scores.

[sncgolf03]

that sounds like an awesome experience! Congrats

[Dscvrr St Louis]

Sounds like an amazing experience and to see Don do some work...wow...an amazing artist there! Patrick has always answered my questions quickly and completely!

[kekoa]

Nice!! I def would like to go out there for a fitting with patrick.

Im a bit surprised u werent able to take a retail set home with u

[LoveSick666]

Would also love to get out there for a real fitting but since that wasn't possible for me, i spent a good amount of time emailing back and forth with Patrick. I fully agree he is a pleasure to talk to and work with. From the info i gave him he fit me for ds grind as well but i decided to take the plunge and get the TD SB1's. Can't wait till they get here in a few weeks. Patrick even sent the 9 iron head back for the black pvd finish a 2nd time since it didn't turn out good enuf by their standards the 1st time. Top notch clubs and even better service.

[finalist]

Great write up. Made me get that fuzzy Christmas morning feeling I had while planning my set. The SB-1 shape is very addicting and once it becomes your gamer it's impossible to change to another topline and offset design.

[Doc420]

Hope you like your set and that you decided to just drive down and get fit with Patrick. Like I have said in the past, if you are thinking about scratch and you live with in 7 hours of so you need to make a trip down there to be fit in person. you may think you know what you need, but there is always a grind, shaft etc that may be just that much better, and you will never know unless you are able to see the flights.

[OrangeCrush]

Awesome! Glad the i125's worked out for you.

[Hstead]

[quote name='Doc420' timestamp='1354387687' post='6004855']
Hope you like your set and that you decided to just drive down and get fit with Patrick. Like I have said in the past, if you are thinking about scratch and you live with in 7 hours of so you need to make a trip down there to be fit in person. you may think you know what you need, but there is always a grind, shaft etc that may be just that much better, and you will never know unless you are able to see the flights.
[/quote]
Yep couldn't agree more.

Orange, I loved the feel of the Steelfibers and they also flew the best which was a plus.

[Gutz_it]

I'm pretty jealous
I just ordered a set of the 1018
But I'm on Australia
So no fitting for me
Hopefully my answers were accurate enough to give good results
Can't speak highly enough of their customer service
I dealt with Paul and he was flat out awesome
Now to play the waiting game