How important is a ball fitting?

I had a player who was fit for a driver by someone else. He wanted it when he walked in, liked it, and bought it. He had second thoughts, and ended up in front of me. We chatted. He thought a Callaway driver was right for him, but wasn’t sure on the head OR the shaft. Something wasn’t right. The performance on the golf course wasn’t as good as it was in the store. I suggested the chilly temps, no roll, etc., would all make the ball go shorter. It wasn’t that, he said… I suggested we start with his current driver, proceed to the new driver he purchased, and we move through a traditional fitting process to see where he landed.

By the end of the process, he was right at the same place where the other fitter had him. It was a great fit.

He said to me, “Is this thing accurate (pointing to the Trackman)?” I chuckled and said “Yes, probably too accurate. Why do you ask?” “What do you mean too accurate?” he asked. I explained that the machine could pick up differences in the golf ball, which would certainly account for differences in every launch parameter. I was referring to a range ball vs. a premium ball. He said “Like between different golf balls?” I said “Yes”. He said “I ask because I don’t see this kind of performance when I play golf with this driver. Do you (meaning me) think the golf ball could make a 10-15 yard difference?” I said absolutely, 100%, YES. What are you using?” He went over to his bag grabbed a ball and said “Last time I played, I used this one.” It was a competitors ball (not the point) that was beat to death. I asked him how many rounds he had played it. “I play them until I lose them, and whenever I find these, I keep them and only play those.” I asked “You never buy new golf balls??” He said he did not. This was a 4 handicapper with a 150 mph ball speed with a driver. A very good player. I was speechless.

I said let’s try something. “Hit three shots with this ball (his).” I compared that to a three shot average of his last three shots with the Chrome Tour that I was using as I was doing his driver fitting. No joke, the ball speed was 3 mph slower and the spin was 300 rpm less. The ball came off the face slower, didn’t climb as high or carry as far. When he played in the wet, wind and chilly days, he said carried the ball 220. He was over 250 in the simulator with the new Chrome Tour. His other ball had one shot (of the three) carry over 240.

I asked him to show me what other balls he had in his bag. This one was the best one. All were old, ratty balls that I might not even keep in my shag bag. I was shocked that he would actually pick these up, let alone save them and play them. He was shocked at the difference between a new ball and one that he found. Seems obvious, but maybe it’s not. Have the discussion. In EVERY fitting. The golf ball absolutely makes a difference. The player has a choice as to what ball they play – why not guide them to play the right one??

While we’re on the subject of worn golf balls – how often do you change out the ball you’re playing? As a rule, I never play more than 9 holes with the same ball. That’s just me. Perhaps this is a line of questioning to add into your pre-fit interview, or your post fit recommendation (as you go through your ball fitting recommendation for the player).

Until then, happy Fitting!!