Minnesota Golfer - Fall 2014 - 14

(ask the expert
)
Make the Adjustment
Most pros use adjustable drivers to fine-tune their swings.
Perhaps you should, too.
Interviewed by Joseph Oberle
A
djustable drivers are here to stay-and Scott Johnson,
general manager of 2nd Swing Golf in Minnetonka,
says that's a good thing. Johnson has been in the golfclub
business for 20 years. He's been fitting golfers with adjustable
drivers for the past 15. He talked with Minnesota Golfer
about why you should get fit with one, if you haven't already.
Q Who needs an adjustable driver?
A I would say that 90 percent of players would probably benefit
from an adjustable driver. It allows us to optimize the launch
angle and spin rate. And with the technology we've got, we can
make recommendations for their game.
Q What happens at a fitting?
A We talk about a player's distance and accuracy with the driver.
We use their current driver as a baseline and have them get loose
and hit shots with it. The adjustable driver makes it so much easier
to show them the difference, such as, if they hit it one direction
we can try to correct or help minimize that. Ultimately, we can
get them into a driver that is going to perform better than the
one they currently own.
Q Adjustable clubs can alter loft, lie and weight distribution.
Which is most important?
A Ultimately, loft. The technology has changed enough in the
golf ball where you need to optimize the launch angle and get the
ball up in the air. By optimizing launch and spin you are going to
carry it a little farther.
Q Does using an adjustable just delay fixing a faulty swing?
A If someone visits a golf pro once every couple weeks and they
are working on something, they can-when the pro [helps them
fix] that swing flaw-take the driver and adjust it after the fact.
We call that a retro fitting. The beauty of the adjustable club is
that it can change with you.
Q Pros often adjust their clubs to the course-is that
recommended?
A Many folks for whom we adjust their drivers, 90 percent are
going to leave it. If their ball curves a little left or right, they may
aim to counter it, but they are not going to change that driver for
the golf course they are playing.
" We call that a retro fitting. The
beauty of the adjustable club is
that it can change with you. "
Q In the spirit of full disclosure, you have a relationship
with Ping. Tell us what's next for these clubs.
A The new Ping G30 has something that's never been done
before. They've put six little protruding fins called turbulators
on the driver that are designed to increase clubhead speed to give
you more ball speed and a bit more distance. Callaway came out
with a new driver at the end of August. TaylorMade, Cleveland
and Nike will have something new as well.
Q Do adjustable clubs help you fit golfers better?
A Absolutely. We can take one shaft from one head and put it
into another. Or say we need to go with maybe more loft, I'll
grab a 12-degree head that's got a little bit more bias. We'll find
maybe a little heavier shaft, throw that in there and all of a sudden
launch goes up and spin comes down, ball speed goes up and
you get more yardage in carry distance.
12
MINNESOTAGOLFER Fall 2014
www.mngolf.org
ILLUSTRATION BY ERIC WESTBROOK
http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Fall 2014

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