Question for Clubfitters/builders

I'm looking for some advice on how to deal with a situation involving a custom made club. I visited a clubfitter (had all the proper certifications, etc.) and was fit for a driver. After the fitting, I authorized him to build me a club - it is a Wishon 915CFE head (420cc) with an SK Fiber Lite Revolution Shaft. When he delivered the club, he gave me some lead tape and also clear taped the head on the toe and top of the driver. I paid him 1/2 of the price at that time. The deal was that I should take the club, hit balls on the range and course, experiment with the weighting, and then get back to him to finalize.

He did a great job, and I love the club. I hit about 200 balls or so with the club to get the weighting right. But when I was getting ready to bring the club in to be permanently weighted, I noticed as I took the clear tape off the toe that a very tiny circle of paint had pulled off the head right where the "W" logo was. I looked at it under a magnifier and could not see any evidence of impact. I brought this to the attention of my fitter, who sent the head back to Wishon for evaluation. He called tonight, and said that the guys at Wishon were giving him a hard time about it - apparently they believe that the paint chip is due to impact. I believe they are wrong - I religiously used the head cover and did not hit the toe on anything. They are supposed to take it into Mr. Wishon himself who will decide whether to replace the head or not.

This small chip has no bearing on the performance of the club. But I do believe that if there is a finish defect, they should make good. I also believe that the fitter did his job, and he shouldn't be left holding the bag. I'm wondering if any of you fitters out there have had some experience dealing with Wishon and what advice you may have for resolving this. I love the club, but I am paying top dollar for it and I believe it should be perfect. Having said that, I will not stiff the fitter. Does anyone have any experience with Wishon (or other component companies)? I'd appreciate any insight you have.

I make and sell allot of Geotech stuff drivers and such.. They and never given me a problem.. I call them tell them the problem and the part is out the same day, they dont even wait to see the product I have with the problem.. I do buy allot of stuff from them though..

do you still have the piece of tape with the paint chip on it?? if you do then send it to them, then there would be problem at all..

Aqua, I'm afraid I didn't think to save the tape - too bad for me.

My fitter says that he deals with Wishon fairly regularly and up till now hasn't had problems. We'll see what Wishon decides.

I played with a Taylormade prior to this club and after about six months a crack developed on the sole. I thought I was out of luck - after all, the sole does occasionally make contact with the ground (when you're a high handicapper). TM replaced it within 2 days no questions asked. I'm beginning to wonder whether its better doing business with one of the larger companies and just have a stock club customized.

Luckily, this is a relatively small defect.

I read a series of reviews on the KZG Gemini head, all basically saying the head is great but easily chipped in the bag. I have an Infinity Propulsion and anything seems to chip it. I have a SMT High Bore and it is bullet proof as well as a great head.

there are pros and cons with the big names..

Thought I would give an update on the situation with the driver head. Wishon looked at the chip further under a loop and determined that it was not due to contact - that it probably pulled off when the ghost tape was removed. So they FEDEXED out a new head next day. I'm glad that they had the diligence to look at the problem and do the right thing - it speaks very well of the company. As far as advice for dealing with issues like these, I found that the best advice is to trust the club builder and let him/her leverage the relationship with the component maker to get to the right place.

That brings up a question about ghost tape. Can tape have too much adhesive and thereby mar the finish of the club? If you have to use the tape, what is the best kind. My test club was covered with a clear tape that was pretty sticky. Is this advisable or should you use something less sticky like a painters masking tape?

"That brings up a question about ghost tape. Can tape have too much adhesive and thereby mar the finish of the club? If you have to use the tape, what is the best kind. My test club was covered with a clear tape that was pretty sticky. Is this advisable or should you use something less sticky like a painters masking tape?"

I have had good success with PUP Pop Up Protector you can find this company on line moderate pricing and quick shipping... some Edwin Watts shops carry this line of head protector tape too.

Happy golfing,

Dale

If you feel it chips too easy take it to a paint shop and have them put a good clear on it.