Recent Club Fitting

Follow Thread

By John Nagel

  • 0 Likes
  • 6 Replies
  1. John Nagel

    John Nagel
    Lawrenceville, GA

    At the end of last golf season I had made the decision that it was time for some new irons.  I was 99.9999999% sure that my choice was the AP1's.  

    After doing some research on Titleist's website i decide to get fitted for my new irons while on vacation at a retailer that I have had positive past expierence and because they had the sure fit bag according to Titleis'ts website.  

    My wife was gracious enough to give me a gift card for Christmas to help defer my cost.   I walk into the store and told the sales associate that I was in the market for some news irons, he asked me if I had a particular brand in mind then asks which model. 

    He then tells me that the 710 AP's are now on sale but i told him that i am more interested in the 712's so that i can be fit for them.  After hearing me say that it was if I had told him I just ran over his dog.  I was asking this guy to do his job ?  what was I thinking ?  

    He then asks if I had ever been fitted before and if so where, how and what my specs were.   we then walk over to the hitting area and after some quicking stretching and 3 or 4 warm up balls he hands me another iron to hit.  i guess he didn't understand I said titleist NOT the other brand.  Not hard to tell which brand he was trying to push on me.  

    i told him to get me a Titleist club he looks around then can't find the 6 iron so he grabs one off the display set, put's impact tape on the bottom, sets the impact board down and places a ball on it.  after hitting 2 balls yes only 2  my fitting was completed.  I was at a complete loss of words to say the least. 

    He tells me the 2 degrees upright and this shaft will do the trick.   The idea of turning on the launch monitor never even crossed his mind.   Wasn't hard to determine that I wasn't going to get anywhere from this retailer or fitter so against my better judgement I ordered the clubs.  i was between a rock and a hard place  1,300 miles from home  I don't have this retailer anywhere close to my home and i have a gift card that is useless to me anywhere but there.  i haven't received the irons yet, but i am hoping I didn't throw $800 out the window.   

    While on vacation I decided that I had a little extra money so it was also time for a new driver and hybrid, but after the iron expierence I decided against these 2 purchases until i returned home and visit my local retailer here that also shows up on Titleist's website.   Guess what ?? another fitting debacle   

    I walk in tell the associate what i was looking for and off to the hitting area we go. I proceeded to hit the 9.5 and 10.5 D3 and the 10.5 D I asked to hit the 9.5 D2 but they couldn't find the head. I ask about different shaft options and was told we only use this shaft.  

    The associate then walks off to help another customer and comes back 20 minutes later and then hands me a TM product and tells me to try this one.  I politely refused.

    The monitor only tracked carry, roll and launch angle  no spin rate.  he then tells me that I needed this shaft for my swing.

    Once again call me stupid but driver and hybrid are in my hands.   because of where I live I only have 1 real option to purchase in person. 

    Anyway i have not adjusted either club to see what the different setting will or won't do for me but the driver is super no complaints but the hybrid left alot to be desired last night on the range.  maybe it just my swing last night, time will tell when i spend more time with it.  

    Maybe i am wrong but my perception I have after these 2 "fittings" are that these retailers don't want to take the time to do it properly, it's likes its a burden and a pain in the a$$ for them to actually do their job.  why would you not want to make sure your customer is 100% happy and if I am 100% happy the chances of me telling my friend, co-worker, neighbor etc.. about my great expiernce will lead to more sales to the retailer ? 

    Anyone else ever expierence such a disapointment as I have just recently ?

  2. Cath D.

    Cath D.
    Carlsbad, CA

    Hi John,

    We are disappointed to hear about your two experiences.  Can you give us a call at Team Titleist?  1-888-TITLEIST

  3. John Nagel

    John Nagel
    Lawrenceville, GA

    I want to say a big THANK YOU to Cameron, Mark, Sid and whoever else that might have been involved in helping with getting fitted properly.   I appreciated all that was done and you have a very loyal customer for life.  I guarantee you that I will never purchase anything the rest of my life that doesn't say Titleist or Foot Joy on it.  I can't wait for my clubs to arrive so i can start playing.  Thanks again much appreciated

  4. Carlo Angelo

    Carlo Angelo
    Rancho Cucamonga, CA

    I feel your sentiment John... I have some few stories myself. But what I've learned is this... your the customer, its your money and your choice... if you don't get the service you want, don't give them your bucks.

    Based on my encounters as well, sometimes its just the "salesperson"... people are different. Sometimes they sense if you're just browsing around or seriously buying. How about talking to another salesperson or better yet talk to the manager.

    One story I could share was when I bough my 910D2, a few weeks it just came out. I entered the store with my old 909 Driver in hand. Went straight to the Titleist racks and browsed. A few minutes later somebodys asks if I needed help, I said I wanted to try the new 910's (eyeballing my old driver). He calls for somebody else to help me (more qualified, as I would find out later). I said I'd like to trade-in my old driver and get a new one. This other person would spend another 45 mins with me in the hitting bay helping me decide which 910 model to get. I guess the reason why I got a nice service is because the sales people knew that I was spending that night, I could have paid them first and even gotten a better service. I mean, modesty aside sometimes you just have to "SHOW THEM THE MONEY" to these store people. But don't get me wrong, not all people are like that though...

    When you go for fitting, check their credentials first. Ask questions and interview them. Stores usually post their certificates, ask for the ones qualified.

  5. One Putt

    One Putt
    Winnemucca, NV

    I totally feel your pain. I paid $200 to get fitted and too was led in a different direction. I felt like my money was stolen. I was very aggressive in making it clear that I wanted Titleist!! Game was on point that day too!! It was an advanced fitter in California...I was very disappointed in the fitting and lack of respect in the listening catagory!! I will find a new fitter and give it one more try!
  6. Cath D.

    Cath D.
    Carlsbad, CA

    Hi Greg,  I did talk with your fitter and he confirmed that you wanted and asked for Titleist equipment.  He has extended an invitation for you to come back and be fit for free so they can find the best Titleist equipment for your game.  Hope that works for you!

  7. Christopher P

    Christopher P
    Hollow Rock, TN

    My experience when getting fitted was the exact opposite of what you guys went through……

    Our local Titleist fitter (Chip @ Jackson Golf and Country Club in Jackson, TN) was fantastic.  I wish they had a launch/spin monitor to work with as this would be the icing on the cake.  He let me get loose then started the fitting process.  We went through all the Titleist club heads I was considering and all the shafts he had available with each head.  My swing speed is in excess of 110mph but he even asked me to hit a few with the graphite shaft (hit those way too high).  In his words “just to make sure I look at every option with you”.

    As I was hitting, he just stood back and watched each shot until it hit the ground (watching the entire ball path).  Then he would look at the sole and face of the club to see where the marks on the tape were.  As we progressed, and he got me closer to what I needed, I could tell a big difference in my ball flight.

    Once we were done with the fitting, he then gave me a few things I needed to work on with my swing.  He said it was a "free mini lesson for coming to get fit with us".  

    To say I was pleased with him is an understatement.  I’m going back after the new 91X woods come out to get fitted for them, and I will purchase from him just because of his courtesy and professional attitude.  

Please login to post a comment.

Sign In

Haven't registered for Team Titleist yet?

Sign Up

Find a golf store near me