Swing and a fit: Retailer offers custom-fit golf clubs

As the weather warms, many Oklahomans are ready to hit the links, and this year a new retailer is working to outfit some of those golfers with customized equipment.

Club Champion opened recently at 1001 W Memorial Road with a niche market in mind — the amateur golfer seeking a professional-level experience. The business uses the latest technology to measure and analyze a golfer’s swing or putting stroke in order to recommend an optimal piece of equipment.

“It’s a tour level fitting experience for the average player,” store manager Trey Howard said.

The business model relies on individual appointments to work with clients. Appointments range from an hour if selecting a putter, to three-and-a-half hours if purchasing a full bag’s worth of clubs.

“We can do full bag fittings, or just drivers, irons, wedges or putters,” Howard said. “We sit down with them and find out their goals and what they are looking for.”

For putters, the process involves using a machine attached to the club to evaluate seven swings and send data to a computer. A recommended putter club style is recommended based on the analysis provided.

For irons and drivers, Howard first fits a golfer to a specific club shaft based on desired effect. A club head can be chosen once the shaft is selected for additional customization. Golfers can take full swings in-store using equipment to measure club speed, distance, loft and more.

Unlike your buddies at the clubhouse, there’s no fooling this machine with yarns of incredible drives.

“It’s very accurate,” Howard said. “It’s kind of like a lie detector.”

The bottom line for each adjustment is an improved golf game.

“You’re only as good as your miss, and if we can take this and lower your score that’s what it’s all about,” he said.

Club Champion carries nearly 50 putters and more than 35,000 combinations of club shafts and club heads. Most of the clubs are sold at prices close to market value, as the distinguishing service for the company is the fitting.

A full-bag fitting costs $350 and prices reduce based on number of clubs being purchased, the lowest option being a putter fitting for $100.

The company is offering limited-time discounts for fittings to celebrate the store’s opening. Club Champion is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.