Is my clubfitter a complete tool?

Our local golf shop of 25 years is closing at the end of this month and we're left with WallyWorld, Kmart and a small custom shop around the corner from my house as the only places to pick up the trappings of our chosen pastime.

We all know how bad the big boxes suck, but let me tell you a story about the custom shop.

I went in a couple of weeks ago to pick up a spike wrench and have a look around. I started asking about custom clubs and what goes into them and all that and here are some highlights of my conversation with the guy who works there...

After asking me what my distances were with different clubs (good, but not impressive), he proceeds to talk about how he can go 400 off the tee and 190 with his 9 iron. He says distance is 85% shaft flex and 15% club loft and by getting me a slightly whippier shaft and bending my lofts a couple of degrees strong he can add 15-20 yards to each club with everything else (swing speed, ball contact) being equal.

He showed me his draw driver and told me that most pros use one, but you can't make it out on TV because of camera angles and whatnot.

When I asked him if it would be best if I got my swing to a point where it was fundamentally-sound before I started thinking about custom clubs, he said no (of course), and that a custom club would compensate for swing flaws.

I don't necessarily want custom clubs for performance reasons, mostly for comfort. I'm using secondhand Fat Shaft II's and I think they might be a touch too short for me. All his clubs are clones (turbo power, etc.) and he says he can build me a set for $320. I've seen places online (thanks to TST) that sell the same clones for $100-$200 a set, but I thought if this guy really knows what he's talking about, it would be worth the extra money to get the correct setup instead of potentially guessing wrong and being in just as bad or worse shape.

So what say you, TST? Do I run far, far away from this guy, or does he actually know what he's doing despite his Internet braggadocio in meatspace?

It'll be after the first of the year before I can entertain the idea of new clubs, custom or not, but if I can get them locally instead of having to drive 100 miles to the nearest Dick's, I'd prefer to do that.

stay far far away from him.  He is like a snake oil salesman.

I'd stay away..

400 off the tee and 190 with a 9-iron.... Jamie Sandlowski??

Let's see, make your clubs strong and put on some senior graphites.  Run!

Run.... then run some more...

Funny sidenote:

I've played with a guy who could hit it that far.  I just showed up one day after work, and we paired-up on the first tee.  He was a competitive long drive guy.  After playing a few holes, I asked what his clubhead speed was.......140 was the anwser! ....and I have no reason to doubt him after watching how far he it the ball.  He hit some very impressive drives, but he was a basket-case from 150ys and in.......LOL

Does he also market a line of products with the word "Hammer" anywhere in the title?

Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot. Mind = blown.

Why would you run away from someone who can give you 400yrds off the tee? That's Hammertime baby!

Can he give me 50yrds with my putter? That would be great! Get rid of all those pesky pitch shots that I'm so horrible at.

So yeah, 400yrds off the tee and a nice and consistent 50yrds with my putter, where do I sign up

And some rocketboots for the more hilly courses (I don't like to cart).

all i gotta say is, for just one payment of $99, that's right, $99 you can get The Hammer, which is forged out of Zolex, can yield you 300 yard drives. just buy a putter. call in the next ten minutes and we'll throw in the Hammer 3 wood....(why you'd need it if you hit 300 off the tee is beyond me)

For the short par 4's so you don't drive it over the green

Ha Ha, that's exactly what I was thinking! Sometimes you gotta layup!

I read the first paragrah and lauged,

this guy is a tard, if this was true everyone woud be doing this..

and also, who the f*** wants to hit a 9 iron 190 yards, what is the point.  you will just loose so much acuracy swinging that hard, your mistakes will be magnified.

This guy clearly escaped from a mental institution and should never be aloud to teach anyone about golf ever again

But wait.  Everyone of those commercials has a But Wait feature.  Buy two and we will throw in the third one free.