Minnesota Golfer - Summer 2009 - 17

>> Ask the Expert
Adjustable Clubs
Edina pro Marty Lass talks
changeable driver heads,
movable weights and more.
Interview by Joseph Oberle
Marty Lass
P
erhaps you've seen the driver commercial in which
Masters champ Trevor Immelman hits one club,
with the same swing, to eight different spots, ranging
from a hefty draw to a high fade. What are they selling, one
wonders-eight different drivers? Is it legal?
Actually, it's an example of a new club system that offers
several options due to changeable heads, movable weights or
alternative loft and face bias settings. The system is designed
to help clubfitters like Marty Lass, head pro at Edina Country
Club, find exactly the clubs and specifications golfers desire.
Here, Lass weighs in on this new technology and explains the
importance of clubfitting.
Q: Is it legal to use equipment that is adjustable, or able to
be altered?
AA: Yes, all of this new equipment is legal to use on the course.
ccording to the Rules [Rule 4.2], adjustable weights are no
different than applying lead tape weights to your clubs. You can
do whatever you want before the round; you just can't change
anything during the round.
Q: Who are these clubs for?
A: Everyone. A better player can manipulate the equipment
for the course he or she is playing. If I were playing Dacotah
Ridge, I might tweak it so I am keeping the ball down on a
windy day. For higher handicappers, rather than just buying
a driver straight off the rack, it helps them figure out the swing
bias they need.
If you're a chronic slicer, you can shut the face or load up weight
on the heel. Later, if you want to change it, you can. For the middle
handicapper, you have the ability to make some tweaks if you are
working on your game. It's pretty simple to do.
Q: How many clubfittings do you perform?
A: As a staff, about 300 to 400 a year. We don't charge anything
for it. We have a number of different systems [from different
companies]. I am never going to say you have to switch
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equipment, but if there is something glaringly better for you-
say, 20 yards or a significantly better ball flight-it's less aggravating
for the person if they find the right equipment.
Q: Can anybody benefit from a clubfitting?
A: Absolutely. Whether a person is a beginner, middle handicapper
or scratch golfer, no question about it, a fitting can help.
A lot of people will buy a club because their buddy is hitting it.
Or, they are playing in a foursome and they borrow a driver and
just rope it. Then they go buy one, and it doesn't work for them.
There are so many options in clubs that you need to go through
the process of finding out what works for you. New equipment
is an investment. If you are going to spend $1,000 on a set of
clubs, why not have it done right?
Q: How have these new clubs changed clubfitting?
tA: Just a few years ago, you had to have a lot of demo clubs
o lay out there; the golfer had to hit a lot of different clubs and
the weights were being moved around. You were trying to figure
out which head loft worked with which shaft. Now, you are able
to work with weight off the heel and the toe, or putting it higher
or lower. All the old tour pros had lead tape all over their clubs.
We still carry it because you occasionally get a guy who wants
a little lead tape. But that's real old school-you don't need the
lead tape.
Q: Does it make your job any easier?
A: Yes, because we want people to be more knowledgeable
about what's out there. The hard part is convincing them that
this is great technology. There's some expense involved, but
golfers are avid and want to improve their game. We don't want
them to change, necessarily, but you've got to let people know
the technology is there to help make the game a little easier. It
should be part of the knowledge they have, but it's up to them
whether or not they want to embrace it.
Summer 2009 MINNESOTAGOLFER
15
PHOTO BY W.P. RYAN
http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Summer 2009

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