Consult your local
Golf Equipment Professional™
. . . a member of the
Professional CLUBMAKERS' Society®
WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL CLUBMAKER?
In simple terms, a "clubmaker" is one who assembles a grip, shaft and golf club head resulting in a finished golf club. However, a "Professional Clubmaker" is a Golf Equipment Professional specializing in matching your unique swing characteristics with the proper selection of components and then meticulously assembling each and every club for you.
WHY SHOULD I BUY CLUBS FROM A MEMBER OF THE PCS?
Everyone is unique. Like fingerprints, no two golfers swing exactly the same. When you buy clubs off-the-rack you are buying a "one-club-fits-all" set which was mass-produced on an assembly line. Sure, you can play golf with the clubs and they look fine in your golf bag ... but they are not built to fit your swing. If you line up three golfers with the same handicap on the practice range and have them swing an identical club, each golfer will have a different stance, swing speed, shaft load, swing plane, etc. Each swing characteristic can be measured by a Professional Clubmaker who then matches the proper shaft (or engine) to YOUR individual swing characteristics.
There are three elements of a true custom-fit set of golf clubs ... the fitting (gathering of information), the selection of compatible components and the proper assembly and fine-tuning of each club.To ensure consistency and to be properly fit, it is essential that the same craftsman fulfills all three phases of this process.
The modern golf professional is stretched in many directions. They run the pro shop, oversee the F&B operations, maintenance of the course, staffing, membership development, they teach golf lessons, plan outings and tournaments, etc. In terms of helping a golfer, they are trained as "swing professionals". On the other hand, a Professional Clubmaker concentrates on just one thing ... GOLF EQUIPMENT. They constantly keep abreast of the latest technology in shafts, grips and heads. They are trained to match swing characteristics with the proper selection of the components to maximize the golfer's potential. Because their entire focus is on equipment, their role in helping a golfer to improve their game is as a Golf Equipment Professional".
Ideally, the "swing professional" and the Golf Equipment Professional" should work together to help the golfer. A golfer should develop a consistent swing with the help of the "swing professional" and then work with a Golf Equipment Professional" to maximize the efficiency of their golf equipment.
CAN I AFFORD TO HAVE A PROFESSIONAL CLUBMAKER MAKE MY CLUBS?
This may surprise you .... absolutely! Professional Clubmaker's are often independent craftsmen who, unlike the major manufacturers, have access to a greater selection of the highest quality heads, grips and shafts available on the market today. By working with a Professional Clubmaker a golfer will benefit in many ways:
You may discover that a new set of clubs is not necessary. In many cases a Professional Clubmaker can improve your golf game by improving your current equipment. By installing the correct shaft or adjusting loft & lie angles, club length or installing new grips, a Professional Clubmaker can often improve your game without the cost of new equipment.
If new equipment is deemed necessary, you will receive properly fitted golf clubs, assembled one at a time, using the latest fitting and assembly technology.
You save by not having to pay large mark-ups created by expensive advertising campaigns inherent with major brand equipment.
You will receive individual attention from a Professional Clubmaker who understands your individual needs and who will be there to service your equipment year after year.
It is estimated that there are over 100,000 so-called "clubmaker's" today. However, all clubmaker's are not equally skilled, trained or certified.The Professional CLUBMAKERS' Society® provides certification opportunities for their members. Becoming a PCS Certified "Class A" Clubmaker™ is the PCS mark of approval. To become certified, the clubmaker must pass an extensive written exam and a very rigorous skills exam by assembling golf clubs to exact specifications as stipulated by the PCS Education &Training Committee. All PCS Certified "Class A" Clubmaker's™are required to earn CPE points to maintain their proficiencies. PCS certification separates the amateur clubmaker's from the Professional Clubmaker's!
- Members of the PCS operate their business in a legitimate manner and in accordance with local laws.
- The PCS believes that the location of a clubmaker's shop (in their home or in a retail setting) is not an indication of the quality of the clubmaker's' skills. A Professional Clubmaker will proudly display their credentials and will gladly explain the importance of their education, training and certification.
- Professional Clubmaker's use high·tech equipment in their shop to ensure consistency in every club within a set. To perform basic loft and lie adjustments (a very important factor in well-fit golf clubs) a loft & lie machine is required. This is an expensive piece of equipment that every Professional Clubmaker considers essential in their shop.
- Most Professional Clubmaker's rely on a frequency analyzer or an electronic deflection tool to accurately measure shaft flex and assure consistency when assembling duos. Either tool enables the Professional Clubmaker to fine-tune each club to match the other clubs in the set. Professional Clubmaker's consider this to also be essential in their shops.
- Professional Clubmaker's will be affiliated with a professional club making organisation to have easy access to new technology and educational opportunities. The Professional CLUBMAKERS 'Society (PCS) is a non-profit, independent, educational association for Professional Clubmaker's, worldwide.
- Members of the Professional CLUBMAKERS' Society must sign and adhere to the PCS Ethics Statement which forbids selling clubs known to be illegal copies,clones or counterfeits. If you know of someone who sells copies, clones or counterfeits beware ... check their credentials before you support their business .Professional Clubmaker's will spend as much time as needed in a fitting session with a golfer to determine the exact specifications needed for his/her equipment. A thorough fitting session will cover:
- A player evaluation and an interview to determine what you want to improve in your game.
- A thorough examination of your current equipment, if available.
- An opportunity for the clubmaker to view your address position, swing, ball flight, distance, etc.
- A detailed analysis of clubhead speed at impact, loading of the shaft, ball/clubhead impact patterns, etc.
Professional Clubmaker's will not rush to sell you a new set of clubs. A Golf Equipment Professional may recommend that adjustments be made to current equipment rather than purchasing new equipment. With the proper equipment, clubs purchased off-the-rack can often be fine-tuned to work better for the golfer.
Professional Clubmaker's will stand behind their work and will always be available to maintain your equipment. If a custom-fit club is ever lost or in need of repair, your Professional Clubmaker can exactly duplicate the club from the detailed assembly records and keep you in the game.
Experience the difference a Golf Equipment Professional can make in your game!