There is a big difference between custom clubs and
professionally fitted clubs...
Custom clubs are clubs that are made with characteristics
different than the norm (i.e. longer/shorter).
Professionally Fit clubs are clubs made to an individual’s
specific needs determined during a fitting session with a
qualified clubfitter.
At Pat Ryan Golf we professionally fit clubs using the most
modern and accurate equipment made for that purpose. We use
both a Sportech and Golftek swing analyzing computers to
evaluate swing with a Vector launch monitor to determine
optimal ball flight. Fittings take from 1 to 3 hours and
are conducted by the most qualified club fitters in
Minnesota.
The Pat Ryan Golf Fitting
Program is a 5 step process.
1.
Player Profile
The
individual being fitted will fill out a questionnaire
providing the clubfitter with information about their
attitudes toward their equipment, their health, their game,
and their goals. The golfer also provides the clubfitter
with valuable information about his/her wants and needs.
2. Present Equipment Evaluation
In our club diagnostic area our club fitters look at 10 elements of the irons and 11 of
the woods. These include shaft frequency, lie angle, swing
weight, shaft weight, grip size, loft, and the MOI of the
club. Knowing the characteristics of the individual's
present equipment will help the clubfitter see if the
individual has adapted his/her swing to some deficiency in
their present clubs.
3. Swing Evaluation
The
individual's swing is analyzed on a two different swing
analyzing computers. The computers measure back and down
swing speeds, swing path, tempo, solid hit factor, face angle,
face rotation, side spin, impact location on face, ball
speed, and weight shift.
Launch angle, back spin, ball speed, side spin, etc. are also observed
on a Vector Launch monitor. The club fitters at Pat Ryan
Golf are the most experienced in Minnesota at evaluating a
golf swing with the use of computer technology.
4.
Recommendations
Pat Ryan
Golf club fitters will make specific recommendations of
equipment needs or necessary alterations of the individual’s
clubs based on the individual's fitting results and the
goals they wish to accomplish.
5. Equipment built or Altered
Equipment will then be built or altered to the recommended
specifications. Equipment is built from the highest quality
components by the best trained clubmakers in Minnesota. No
corners are cut. The builders take their time and make sure
the equipment is well built, and to the exact specifications
provided by the club fitting. Our clubmakers have more
certifications and have more experience than any clubmakers
in the Midwest. They are known nationally and
internationally for their talents. Golf Digest has
them on their list of "experts" to contact when the need
information on club fitting and building.
Satisfaction Guarantee
Pat Ryan
Golf is so confident the individual will be happy with their
golf clubs we carry a very exclusive guarantee. If the
individual is not happy with the clubs fitted and built by
Pat Ryan Golf, we will re-adjust the clubs, or rebuild the
clubs. It's the individual's choice. We want our customers
to understand they are important to us and we want to do
everything we can to make a set of clubs the individual will
perform better with on the golf course. It is our opinion
that an individual will be able to evaluate club performance
within a short period of time (5 to 6 rounds or a month or
two). Pat Ryan Golf will be there to do whatever is
necessary to make the club(s) perform at the highest level
possible for the individual.
The Pat Ryan Fitting Staff are very experienced at fitting
individuals with special needs.
Low
Handicap Golfers
–
This page addresses the needs of those golfers with a low
handicap index. Low handicappers need a very experienced
club fitter who can ascertain the small differences and
nuances in a person’s swing and relate those to the physics
of the club. We have fitters with 17 years experience
fitting thousands of individuals by means of computers.
High Handicap Golfers
– This page addresses the high handicap golfer’s need.
Getting the equipment fitted correctly can be a big step in
playing at a lower handicap.
Lady Golfers
– This
page addresses the Lady Golfer’s need to be professionally
fitted with clubs that have characteristics making them
easier to hit. The lady then can be more competitive and the
game then will be more enjoyable.
Junior Golfers
– No store in Minnesota cares about or fits as many junior
golfers as we do at Pat Ryan Golf. This page addresses the
needs of the junior golfer and our exclusive club leasing
program.
Senior Golfers
– Senior Golfers can have special needs. No one knows this
better than Pat Ryan Golf and this page addresses the senior
golfer.
Physically Challenged Golfers
– An
individual can still play golf no matter what the physical
challenge and we can fit them with clubs that will make it
possible. A golfer with a physical challenge needs to read
this page. The Pat Ryan Golf staff are experts on Adaptive
Golf Club Fitting.
Left-handed Golfers
– The left-handed golfer is almost ignored in most stores.
Not at Pat Ryan Golf. If you are left-handed and golf
reading this page is a must.
Driver Fittings
Ever
since the early days of Pat Ryan Golf, we have conducted our
"Search for the Perfect Driver". Sometimes, it seems like
the search for the Holy Grail. Once in a while, a true
"Perfect Driver" appears for an individual. It is much more
common is to improve driver performance by making small,
incremental changes - guided by launch monitor testing. A
couple of yards here, another couple there and you will be
surprised by the distance and control that you might be
leaving in your bag.
Pat
Ryan Golf performs the most comprehensive driver fittings
available anywhere - and that includes the fancy "fitting
studios" run by the major club companies. Unlike companies
that sell only their brand of clubs, we are completely brand
agnostic. Our only desire is to find the driver that
performs the best for you, and prove it, regardless of brand
name. Here are some ideas about a mid season checkup for
your driver.
Club Length
The
most crucial driver specification is club length. A "one
size fits all" strategy is wrong. Pat Ryan Golf driver
fittings start by testing your own driver. We then develop
test clubs of varying length and weight then test again.
Most players find that they hit the ball farther and
straighter with a driver that is shorter than they are
currently playing. Why should that be a surprise? On the PGA
Tour, most professionals use drivers that are 44".
If you're looking for more distance from a longer driver,
make it count. We have high performance test drivers up to
48" long. Launch monitor testing will pick up increases in
ball speed if you have the right swing to take advantage of
more length. There is no need for unreliable, random
testing.
Shaft Flex and Bend Profile
Our sophisticated computers are capable of providing the
information needed to determine the correct shaft flex, bend
point, torque, tip stiffness, and weight of the shaft. All
of these are important in maximizing the individual’s shot
quality. Relying on swing speed alone for shaft fitting is
unreliable.
Head Weight
If you buy "off the rack" - the head of your driver will
weigh 200 grams, plus or minus a gram or two. Tour players
know that drivers played at shorter lengths require heavy
heads and/or heavier shafts. Most Tour drivers have heads
that weigh 206 grams and up. At Pat Ryan Golf, we are
experts in balancing head weight with shaft weight, length
and flex. Whether we utilize internal weighting or lead
tape, we can make your driver feel right and produce the
highest possible ball speed.
Sometimes lighter heads are necessary. That is especially
true when you're going to a longer driver.
Optimizing Launch Angle and Spin Rate
Given your talent and technique, you will achieve a certain,
maximum ball speed. For every ball speed, there is a
"perfect" launch angle and spin rate. Our Vector Launch
Monitor takes two pictures of your ball milliseconds after
it leaves the club face. We can measure the exact launch
angle and spin rate that you impart and compare that against
"theoretically perfect". You will know if you are leaving
yardage in your bag.
We will also compare the performance of your driver with
some of our test clubs. If a new driver will produce higher
ball speed and better launch and spin characteristics, you
will know exactly what it takes to gain yardage on the
course.
The Grip Is Important
You may not realize this, but the company that manufacturers
the sophisticated, radar-based Trackman launch monitor has
been out on the PGA Tour checking statistics with the
Shotlink program. They have found that a firmer grip can
increase ball speed by up to two miles an hour. Soft grips
could be costing you distance.
At Pat Ryan Golf, we are set up to provide the ultimate grip
fitting. We can size and contour your grips during your
fitting. We carry a huge assortment of grips that can be
fitted to your exact size. You never have to be satisfied
with a grip that is "close" to what you need.
Click here to read Tom, Senior's responses to questions
concerning drivers.
