Here's a quick look what we're thinking about for summer 2011. We're putting the finishing touches on the "plan" so any good advice will be appreciated. If you feel inspired, reply by email. If there is enough expressed interest, we might incorporate the conversation into a "google group".
One of the big "leaps" is "taking your game to the course".
There is no substitute for dirt, grass and slope when you're testing golf clubs. Next year, we're planning a "Skills Tour" - Poppy Ridge, Coyote Creek, Bayonet, (your private club?) - all likely candidates. A good grass range and a short game area are mandatory. We'll start by calling it "skills day at the range".
We have a prospective partner - Miura. They like the idea is that we would use all Miura irons for demos and fitting. Think of a classy Demo Day by appointment only. An interesting option might be full Miura rental sets available for play on the course that day.
When you are thinking about a premium irons purchase, it is perfectly reasonable to expect your clubmaker to provide a test club built to the specifications that he recommends. Better yet, he provides several test clubs to explore differences in feel, ball flight and consistency. That testing is best done outdoors with grass, dirt and wind.
We also want to take AimPoint back outdoors. We know it's easier to learn AimPoint fundamentals indoors. It also helps to make sure your stroke is reliable by training. But the proof is on real greens. We plan to offer an active schedule of AimPoint clinics - including practical, on-course green reading experience.
We think that the most important reason behind the Skills Tour is making efficient use of practice time for our clients. The "expensive" time you pay for a lesson is dwarfed by the time you spend getting ready, getting there and getting back. Much better to dedicate as much time as you can - without tiring.
In addition to Club Fitting and AimPoint, we're thinking about other options.
It would be a great help to hear back with your ideas about activities that would make the event a "must attend" for you. Here are some ideas:
"Short Game Clinic" - All of the first-class facilities have green complexes for short game practice. We envision bringing in a PGA Professional with credentials as a short game guru. We'll supplement that with bags full of Miura wedges - all lofts, all bounces and all grinds including custom grinds. If you want to know how a wedge feels and behaves - the only way to know is to hit it. Combine that with some expertise to add some shots to your bag and you might have one of the most important two hour periods for your game.
"Flightscope Launch Monitor Analysis" - it's now simple enough that you can "do it yourself". Other things you might want to do include:
Driver shaft fitting with every fancy shaft available.
"Gapping" your bag - how far do you hit each club? Are your loft progressions correct?
Counterweight Fitting - Ultra Lightweight Shafts reveal greater balance effect.
Wedge Fitting - the only way is outdoors, grass and sand.
Irons Fitting - every Miura model, every reasonable shaft, every length, every flex.
And, what else should be on the menu?
