Mike,
There is an old maxim in club fitting circles. It is the long lasting tale of the famed intelligence test. Each player is given sound recommendations for their new clubs based on actual data that they can see and hold in their hand: impact tape markings, lie board indicators, swing speed monitors, the works. You can even get the to hit a series of repeatable and consistent shots with a fitted 6 iron in a regular shaft that is two degrees flat and has a full cast cavity back. Eighty percent will stop there and be happy with their new found game and live happily ever after. The other twenty percent think you have somehow found their swing for them and want to try out the forged no bounce no offset blades. They chunk and flare shot after shot after shot only to respond, “Boy, I had it going just a second ago, I must be tired now.” Get me a set of those forged babies and put some S300s in ‘em, I’m gonna get in shape and I’ll be swinging harder.” The fitter reminds them of how well they hit the ultra forgiving club. Again they respond, “But I was hittin’ the ball pure. You’re a great teacher! Get me the blades.” Again the fitter shows them the impact tape markings, the lie results, and points out the cluster of ball on the range, as well as reminding them of their 23 handicap. The player responds, “You’re right, I should get ‘em two up so I can hit a little more of a draw.” Good idea. At this point, the player has failed the intelligence test. The player gets the blades with stiff shafts, that are two up, and wonders why he is now playing a trap swing and every miss is a low duck hook while the good passes are dead push blocks.
Two months later he’s back in the shop, asks for another fitting session, with great hope the pro schedule the appointment for Tuesday at the range, 8:00AM in hopes of getting the player into the right irons. Tuesday comes and the fitting cart is wheeled back out to the practice tee. The player shows up, looks at the pro and says, “What’s with the iron cart. I need a new driver and three wood. I think this swinging smooth with my woods and hard with my irons in screwin’ up my timing. Got anything in an X with about 8 degrees of loft?”
The moral of the story is you can’t help stupid! You can try to inform and teach ignorant, but stupid is stupid. Given that most boards are made up of 12 or more members, that give you 2.4 stupids and if there are three, the board will never pass the intelligence test. Take their money, they want you to have it. It will make them happy!
Cheers!
JT