Good points for sure but most all of the readers of GD believe that the custom clubs used by the guys on tour all come from the OEMS and know very little if anything about real clubmakers like you and everyone else here. And the worst part of it is that because they are aware of the tour players using custom shafts, or this or that, the regular golfers tend to believe that custom clubs are only for better golfers. So the education process really needs to almost start all over again.
Well, don't count on GD to be a part of the process. Frankly -- whoops, bad pun; you'll see why in a moment -- they're a big part of the problem.
I just went to their web site, to see if I could find your article. Could not, but I did find Frank Thomas' monthly Q&A about equipment. One of his answers reinforced EXACTLY the misimpression you cite:
"Q - I am a middle-handicapper looking at new clubs. Should I go through a fitting or just order a set I like? -- Sean Pahut, Shelby, Mont."
"A - if you are between 5-feet-8 and 6-feet-2 and have a swing speed of about 85 miles per hour with your driver and hit your 6-iron about 150 yards, then a standard-length set with a regular-flex shaft and C-9 to D-2 swingweight should be fine. You do, however, have to make sure that the lie angle is correct (too flat, ball will go right; too upright, ball will go left). That's where a good fitter can help. A fitter also might offer advice on your set makeup, show you the benefits of different weight shafts or explain more subtle refinements like adjusting grip size and tweaking iron lofts. Of course, these adjustments matter more to a better player."
No cheers this time! DaveT
