Longdrive 'fitting'!

[johnny]

Evening All,

So I've spent days and weeks and months trolling the forums hoping one of the 'big' boys is going to let slip with some life changing latest and greatest shaft/head/combo because all relative newbies like myself are always asking 'what is the best setup...' only to be told unanimously and frustratingly (by Americans?) that it's 'what works for you - trial and error'...TRIAL AND ERROR? Compared to what??

Which is why in exasperation I'm appealing to the other Europeans out there because is it just me or is it not gdamn expensive ordering kit from the states just to 'try' it and if that fancy krank firewire setup you looked forward to receiving in the post for 4/6/8 weeks and then got bled to death by the customs charge only to find it hits like a shanked 7 iron just with more of a bang?!

SO - here's my question: is there ANYWHERE in Europe/less than 16hrs flight from the UK where I can just pitch up and have a 'fitting' and be provided not just with a HOF of random stab-in-the-dark-hope-for-the-best type/trajectory/stiffness etc but rather a range of all of them as well as all the new heads like Krank White Ares etc and then have it all put together properly? I'm sure whatever I pay for the flights/hotel/fitting and eventual perfect setup will be far cheaper and less frustrating than picking up someone else's unwanted/outdated kit for a small fortune by the time it arrives...

Anyone? Honestly any advice would be immensely appreciated, I've been through about 10 different setups but that's just me banging a few not even round anymore practice balls over the back of the net of my local range because the only place that I've found in London with a decent trackman is £80 an hour and misses half my shots anyway so I feel like I'm chasing my tail!!

Thanks guys!

[BigButSmall]

Jonny, I started in LD only last year and had the same problem. There is nowhere in the UK that you can go to and try different heads and shafts akin to say golf direct (there maybe in Sweden and hopefully one of the guys will chip in and confirm) what there are in the UK and Europe as a whole is a great group of people involved in LD that are always happy to give advice and guidance to a newbie.
 I am very fortunate that where I live (in North Lincolnshire) 2 of Europe's top hitters, Tom 'Hollywood' Hollingworth and Dan 'Ukrainian/Konyak' Konyk, both live not too far away and are really great guys and very knowledgeable about the golf and LD swing (Dan is a PGA teaching professional too). My local range at Grimsby has just had Trackman fitted and they charge a very reasonable rate.
Another idea which I'll Chuck out there is why not get over to Amsterdam on the 18th of Feb for Martijn's event and meet everyone and maybe even be able to hit some different clubs on his simulator?

What are your current Trackman numbers?

Matt

[AP]

In Sweden, check with Peter Almgren, Longbowgolf. I think he is bpa59 or something on here. He has alot of different shafts and heads. Check his site.
Trial and error works too
Other than that, go to events and talk to players. Ask what they use and I´ll bet they will let you hit a few to try out. The problem with getting the right gear is if you have somewhere to measure what is needed, there is seldom many things to try or vice versa. Sorry

Or buy a LM yourself, a decent one at 7-8k Euro, and save yourself 2-3 years of testing
It took me 3-4 years to get dialed in decently, still searching though as the swing evolves. Best tip is lend a club indefinetly, as soon as you buy it, it´s BAD

[ukrainien]

johnny boy , we got it sorted - between myself , tom hollingworth and Matt Big butt small , weve litterally got every set-up imagineable - plus we can hit on a trackman which is very consistent (if not stingy) - ive got cswing video analysis software and am pga qualified , so if you wanna come up north for a few hours we can help you out no problemo!

we (i) may take the piss out of your crap shots though!

let me know

[Yvan-Paris-France]

I would offer the testing of my 32 drivers... Holly //XXX//!!! 32...
Just come to Paris or to Amsterdam at Martijn indoor event... Even if I won't bring the 32 there...
32!!!
Still can't believe it...
I am mind fuuucked

[BigButSmall]

johnny boy , we got it sorted - between myself , tom hollingworth and Matt Big butt small , weve litterally got every set-up imagineable - plus we can hit on a trackman which is very consistent (if not stingy) - ive got cswing video analysis software and am pga qualified , so if you wanna come up north for a few hours we can help you out no problemo!

we (i) may take the piss out of your crap shots though!

let me know

Correction, Dan WILL take the piss out of crap shots he will also however give you some of the best advice you will receive and it wont be sugar coated

Matt

[ceejay]

I would offer the testing of my 32 drivers... Holly //XXX//!!! 32...
Just come to Paris or to Amsterdam at Martijn indoor event... Even if I won't bring the 32 there...
32!!!
Still can't believe it...
I am mind fuuucked

lol
I've got a few aswell, but only use 2 of them

[MartijnBruins]

If you can come over to Amsterdam 18 feb you can probably try out 100 diff drivers that we all have in the bag and dont use anymore.
Bare in mind these drivers are just as good as any we have, for some obscure reason we keep buying new ones to find a nonexisting "secret".
So i guess if you bring a bit of cash you can pick up some mint condition 2nd hand "long" drivers.
That will be your best bet by a long margin.

And then with these aqcuired 2 or 3 drivers for a much better price compared to new, i would suggest you go up north to Dan Konyk for a couple of times to get some lessons for a proper longdrive swing.

[johnny]

32 drivers?? And I thought I had a problem!!!

Thanks anyway guys, all very sound advice - I will defo try make a plan for Amsterdam! And Dan given that I pretty much haven't hit a longdriver since Mesquite there might be a lot of laughing! Either way that sounds like a great idea, especially as I'm on gardening leave for the next two months so whenever you guys are out together give me a shout and I'll make my way up there to give you a bit of entertainment!