Understanding The Science of Golf BY GARRETT HICKEY
M
y goal for my golf game has always been TaylorMade to continue to improve enough so that every time I step on the course I am consistent and 135 3845 17.00 confident in what I do. I have been playing/practicing my golf game Taylormade consistently for the last 6 years and have improved tremendously. As I continued to play I realized I needed a new set of clubs. My 136 2569 18.67 parents had given me the set I currently use some 15 years ago when I was still in high school. It was time for an upgrade. As I sat with a friend one day talking about new clubs, he told me that I should look into getting a club fitting. I was not sure that was what I needed or how to go about getting one, but he had recently done this and continued to boast about it. Eventually, I went home and looked up GOLFTEC, as I remembered it being close to my parents’ home in West Hartford. I scheduled an appointment to have a full bag fitting and, boy, was I happy! My fitting coach David Souza explained to me the science behind taking a person's swing and matching it with a club that will get the most out of that person’s potential. David was able to communicate the numbers, graphs, and pictures in such a way that was easy for me to understand (I could even recognize and identify it on my own almost immediately). The first thing we looked at was my driver, which is the weakest and most inconsistent club in my bag. David started by having me hit some balls with my current driver and explaining to me the numbers that were showing up on the screen. These numbers all correlated to why my club/ball was doing certain things. My numbers were supposed to be showing up in the center of the gauge but I wasn’t even close. Next, he measured my hand to figure out the size grip that is best for me, looked at shaft weight and a bunch of other things. Then we spent time hitting different clubs and making adjustments STUDENT
Fri Feb 12th 2021
YOUR CURRENT CLUB
Swing Average
Burner
BACK SPIN
RECOMMENDED CLUB
as needed. Although I did not hit my driver as consistently as I would have liked, by the end we found a club that I was hitting 23 yards farther than my current driver (when I hit it properly). I was very happy and surprised as I had no idea about all the different things he 32.0 46.50 220.8 changed to find a club that was best for me. I am excited to get back for a lesson with my driver to start improving upon some of the things David showed me during my session. Next came the iron fitting. I did not 29.7 43.00 243.7 need to hit every single iron in my bag because David explained that the 7 iron is a median for the rest of the cubs in my bag. I began hitting my shots at a much more consistent rate. Then we started doing the same thing as I did with $529.99 the driver, changing the grip size and texture, shaft weight, angle of the face of my club, etc. David even gave me a little pointer on how to set up my iron shots every time to keep my ball striking more consistently. After all was said and done, I had about 11 more yards on my 7 iron shots with this new club. Again, I was extremely happy with those results. When I walked outside I said to myself,“I can’t believe all the science and numbers behind this stuff.” More importantly, I was so happy and pleased with working with David for those two hours. It is not the easiest thing to continually hit in front of someone knowing they are watching and recording you. But he made it very comfortable and even after a few bad shots I didn’t feel discouraged. The entire time I was locked into his knowledge and all the different aspects to look at in a swing. When I now go to simulators and hit, I actually can look at the feedback and make adjustments and understand what I am doing right and wrong. This is just after one session with David. For me that is the mark of an outstanding coach: take something a bit complex and turn it into something that can be easily understood. I am very excited to get my new clubs and to go back and work with David on my game and I highly recommend you reach out to GOLFTEC before you hit your course. n CLUB FITTER
Garrett Hickey (860) 466-0831 ghickey1120@gmail.com
DRIVER FITTING
LAUNCH ANGLE
Ball Speed
Back Spin
Launch
MPH
RPM
DEG
Swing Average
SIM 2
BACK SPIN
Launch
MPH
RPM
DEGREES
+1 MPH
-1276 RPM
+1.7 DEG
GRIP SELECTION
Brand: Golf Pride Model: MCC Plus 4 Black-Grey Size: Midsize
ORDER SUMMARY
Head: Taylormade-SIM-2-8-RH-Driver Shaft: Taylormade-True-Temper-HZRDUS-Black-65-S-0.335 Flex: S
Length: 45.5" Loft: 8° CPM / SW: 238 / D2
DESCENT ANGLE
O ine
Descent
Distance
YDS
DEG
YDS
LAUNCH ANGLE
Back Spin
Ball Speed
Website GOLFTEC West Hartford 1146 New Britain Ave. West Hartford CT 6110 (860) 222-2299
DESCENT ANGLE
O ine
Descent
Distance
YARDS
DEGREES
YARDS
-2.3 YDS
-3.5 DEG
+22.9 YDS
Recommended Driver Price:
Additional custom shaft and grip pricing may apply
Price shown does not include relevant sales tax. All prices are subject to change. Pricing re�ects normal shipping and delivery rates. Expedited or special shipping needs may require additional fees. All merchandise purchases including golf clubs and golf equipment are �nal. Stock (not customized) merchandise that is unopened and unused may be returned within 30 days from the date of purchase for a full refund less any applicable restocking fees. Merchandise that is defective may be replaced or repaired at the option of GOLFTEC. No refunds will be given on merchandise after 30 days from the date of purchase. Refund policies may vary based on the location of purchase.
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Vol. 11, No. 1, 2021 west hartford magazine 27
