Tailored Golf Clubs: A Game-Changer at Hawk's View Golf Club

Let's get this straight: I'm a 6'2", 200lbs hockey player. Hockey has always been my sport, although I realized it too late in life. Growing up, I played football, basketball, soccer, baseball, and tennis. Golf was never at the top of my list, so a golf club fitting never crossed my mind.

At work, I wear custom-fitted suits. For hockey, I have a stick and skates tailored to how I play. Even my casual clothes fit my style. I never imagined I'd get a custom set of Callaway Rogue ST golf clubs. But why not? If everything else I own is tailored to fit my needs, why not my golf clubs? Here's my experience working with Hawk's View Golf Club's Head Professional and Callaway-Certified Master Club Fitter, Jake Bandi.

My First Golf Club Set

My first set of clubs was a beginner Dunlop set. Over time, I upgraded a few clubs, with a Callaway Big Bertha Diablo Driver being my first big golf purchase. I also received a hand-me-down set of Big Bertha Irons from my father-in-law. Despite playing sporadically, I developed a strong drive, consistently carrying the ball an average of 250 yards without formal training. Whether the drive was straight or playable was another story.

When I started working at Hawk's View as the Marketing Director, I gained a better appreciation for the sport. Following the 2022 season, the course closed and the simulator opened. I decided to work on my swing using the rental clubs at Hawk's View. That's when I realized I didn't know how to swing a golf club.

My First Lesson

Having no formal golf training, our professional staff helped me tweak a few things. The biggest change was how I gripped the club. This led to not being able to hit the ball at all with my previous posture and swing. After practicing on the simulator and early season range time, I started making better contact with a more consistent ball. My driver carry increased to 285 yards on average, straightened out more, and set the stage for one of the most unique experiences you can have in sports.

Complimentary Club Fitting

Jake Bandi, Hawk's View's Callaway-Certified Master Club Fitter and Head Golf Professional, knows his stuff. We picked a day, and he brought out all the equipment, including shafts, club heads, the Foresight Sports GC Quad Launch Monitor, and a bucket of balls. After a few warmup shots, I pulled out my Callaway Big Bertha 7-Iron with a graphite shaft, and we got to work.

The fitting was complimentary, as are all club fittings at Hawk's View. The downside was that I had to subject Jake to my golf swing, which is still a work in progress. Sorry, Jake!

The Golf Club Fitting Process

After determining my average ball speed, Jake grabbed a couple of shafts at varying weights and flexes. He screwed on a Rogue ST 7-iron head, and I went back to work. The first shaft felt light in my hands, and my ball speed jumped to around 140 mph, but the ball's path was erratic. Jake then swapped it for a heavier shaft. This felt more stable, with a ball speed of 135+ mph, but the flight pattern remained inconsistent.

We settled on a shaft that was a few grams lighter. After adjusting my grip and focusing on my hips through the ball, this one felt different. It wasn't as heavy as the second shaft nor as whippy as the first. I felt in control of the club, with a consistent ball speed of 135 mph and a carry of 185 to 190 yards. Mishits with the right club were still playable.

##Re-define Your Golf Game

Custom golf clubs might sound expensive, but they are worth it if you're serious about your game. For me, we determined that I needed an extra quarter inch in length, a 1° up lie angle, and PX Rifle, X-stiff, 105-gram Tour Flighted steel shafts. A standard set of Callaway clubs off the rack wouldn't fit my tall, athletic build.

Will this new set of Callaway Rogue ST irons make me play like Jon Rahm? No. But they will help me focus on my swing without changing my approach, backswing, and follow-through. It's time to re-define your game by rethinking what's in your bag.

Explore the benefits of a custom club fitting at Hawk's View Golf Club and see how it can transform your game in 2024.