The new custom-fitting studio at Oulton Hall, Leeds, has proved to be a ‘perfect fit’ for golfers from across the region.
The studio, which features a state-of-the-art Trackman 4 launch monitor and is supported by Cobra Puma Golf, was refurbished earlier this year and is now booked up for weeks in advance. Staffed by qualified PGA fitters, the studio ensures new top-brand clubs – from TaylorMade, Callaway, Cobra, Titleist, Ping or Mizuno – are matched towards individual golfers’ swings rather than simply providing a one-size-fits-all ‘solution’.
And the results are palpable as David Cox, Oulton Hall’s golf retail manager can testify. He has seen, personally, the improvements in golfers’ performance following a raft of personal fittings – and has experience in working on Tour truck club-fitting services.
He explained: “Any golfer looking to achieve better accuracy, more consistent ball flight and increased distance needs to have their swing analysed to determine the correct clubs to achieve it. It’s not simply a case of taking a set of clubs off the shelf and heading off to the tee – the game has moved on, and so has the technology.
“That’s where the Trackman 4 – and our other equipment – comes into its own, determining all the required technical data to inform the PGA professional fitter what clubs will be suitable. In recent weeks I’ve seen a number of members here amazed by the difference a correct fitting can make to their game.
“We shouldn’t be surprised really, the club and swing in golf is an extension of the body and we’d all struggle to walk correctly in shoes that were too small or too large. The equipment needs to be fitted to the swing in a similar way.”
Member Andy Haywood, 54, from nearby Oulton, is one of those to have already benefited from the service provided by the studio.
He said: “From what can be an overwhelming array of choice, David worked through options until I got a feel for two or three potential sets. We then worked through these until I made my choice. Throughout the fitting he offered advice and tips, but it was always my decision.
“Since I’ve had the new clubs, I feel more confident and I’m hitting the ball further, but, more importantly, with more control.”
And Kieron Durkan, 32 from Horsforth, added: “I had a fitting as I was getting too much spin on my driver. I was losing distance and the ball flight was too high. David immediately identified the reason for me having such a high spin rate was due to using the wrong shaft type.
“I switched to a stiff shaft and the spin and carry improved instantly. David also advised using a shaft with a ‘high kick’ and this also improved the ball flight a great deal. Once I’d settled on the Ping G400 with the custom shaft features I was able to add an extra 30 yards carry to my drives with less spin and improved ball flight.”
Craig Verrinder, Cobra Puma Golf’s marketing manager, added: “Cobra Golf is delighted to be partnered up with Oulton Hall and the new refurbishment of the fitting facility. It will be a great resource for us and our media activations over the coming seasons – also a real benefit with it being so close to our custom-build facility. We look forward to creating some great content in 2019.”
Oulton Hall – managed by RBH, the UK’s leading independent hotel management company – features 27 holes designed by leading golf course architect Dave Thomas and outstanding practice facilities, boasting the north of England’s leading golf performance centre.
The Claret Jug course restaurant is the ideal place to re-energise after a long day on the course, while Oulton Hall’s unique 18th-century former family mansion is the perfect choice for a hotel, with landscaped gardens, sweeping spiral staircases and a state-of-the-art spa.
As the largest golf resort operator in the UK, RBH manages 10 championship and tournament golf courses across the UK, hosting events from the European Tour, European Seniors Tour, Ladies European Tour and the PGA.