Swing speed analysis machines ie Vector etc

[tcarter]

Last year I went to the London Golf show and was measured for a driver by Callaway and Nike. The interesting thing was that although I was according to Nike's own swing speed machine hitting the Nike straigher. The Callaway driver went 30 yards further. On questioning this with Nike I discovered that both machines measure the swing speed/ball spin differently and they therefore Produce different results. When I commented to Nike that I was getting an extra 30 yards with the Callaway the response I got was "It depends how the machine is configured, if we want we can crank up the distance it reports back!"

So after all this talk over the last few years about the importance of
custom fitting is it really as reliable as it is supposed to be?

[Gapwedge]

That is an unusual thing to hear from an OEM club manufacturer. I have never operated one, but have used them from a fitter. Not sure I understand what he means by cranking it up to give you a false distance.
I did use 2 vector swing analyzers in the same day. In the morning session I was measured at 104 mph average driver clubhead speed. In the afternoon at a different fitter I was measured at 111 mph. Was I more relaxed and looser in the afternoon compared to the morning or did I swing the same and the machines just not calibrated the same? Dunno. Interesting post.

[golf_junkie27]

Last year I went to the London Golf show and was measured for a driver by Callaway and Nike. The interesting thing was that although I was according to Nike's own swing speed machine hitting the Nike straigher. The Callaway driver went 30 yards further. On questioning this with Nike I discovered that both machines measure the swing speed/ball spin differently and they therefore Produce different results. When I commented to Nike that I was getting an extra 30 yards with the Callaway the response I got was "It depends how the machine is configured, if we want we can crank up the distance it reports back!"

This happened to me at Golfsmith. I went to hit different irons and hybrids that I was interested in purchasing. On one launch monitor, it read that my swing speed, with a 6I, was 112MPH. I was getting 210 yards, carry. I knew this was wrong. I asked and they said the machine was off.

At the range I started going to, they can actually measure everything; swing speed, launch angle, spin, ball speed while out on the range. Your distance won't lie to you. Try and find a place that can offer this.

[thegrayteam]

You ask two questions

Launch Monitors have different settings - you can adjust altitude, temperature and wind direction - all can distort results.

Custom Fit - worth every penny/cent if you can get someone reliable in terms of judgement and interpretation as well as club building. It has to be done in person - Launch Monitor numbers are only part of the story.