Golf News for Wednesday, September 27, 2006 | Business

Max Out Golf Performance Laboratory uses science to fit clubs

High Tech Performance Lab A Perfect Fit For Golf

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. -- Houston, we have a problem. Your drives are
launching left into the weeds. Abort round and proceed to your nearest Max
Out Golf Performance Laboratory for launch angle, ball velocity, spin rate,
club head speed, and shaft load analysis. If this sounds more like rocket
science than golf, in part, it is. Welcome to the brave new world of high tech
club fitting.

The brainchild of former US Amateur Champion Mitch Voges, Max Out Golf
centers use a proprietary gauntlet of launch monitors, wireless shaft load
analysis tools, high-speed cameras, sensors and accelerometers called the
Integrated Golf Measurement System (IGMS), manned by a staff of PGA
teaching professionals, to help golfers improve their game.

Though the four billion dollar golf equipment industry cranks out new clubs
year in and year out, most are designed for the "average" golfer. The problem
is, there are no average golfers. This under-publicized truth is the basis by
which Voges and his team make equipment recommendations: Everyone's
swing is unique and each golfer needs to play with clubs that best address
how he or she strikes the ball.

The Experience

At Max Out Golf, club fitting is a dynamic process and that means hitting
balls. Lots of balls. Upon arrival, you'll fill out a Player Profile Assessment
detailing your game, types of courses you play, ball striking goals, etc., while
your existing clubs are measured (many are surprised to learn their "stiff"
shafts are actually another manufacturer's "senior flex"). Then on to one of
the high tech hitting stalls for a few warm up shots while a PGA pro provides
tips on how to improve your natural swing.

Next, a wireless transmitter is velcroed to your left wrist with a cord leading
to the shaft of a special club that measures your "shaft load profile." This is
the first component of IGMS dubbed ShaftMax, another Max Out Golf
innovation. Basically, it measures how much load you put on the shaft
including when and where it bends and releases to determine the best flex,
bend profile, tip section and gram weight for your swing. Simple enough,
right? Don't worry, it really works.

For the next two hours, you're hitting balls while other IGMS components
(accelerometers, launch monitor and video analysis) diagnose ball speed, spin
rate and direction, launch angle and flight characteristics as you try different
club head/shaft combos. A computer plots your progress until you find just
the right shaft/head/grip/ball combo (Voges "quick connect" system lets you
try out different shaft/head combos in seconds). Equipment really does
matter: most see 20-50 more yards - with the right equipment instantly.
Think what ball you play doesn't matter? Think again. Most average golfers
can't make use of the popular Titleist ProV1 ball pros use because they don't
compress the ball enough. Too much or too little spin means lost distance
even if you have a Tiger-like swing.

Getting your clubs

After arriving at recommendations for irons and drivers (and yes, there is a
full high tech putter evaluation and fitting service as well) don't expect a
hard sell on the latest clubs in stock - Max Out Golf is vendor neutral not
affiliated with any one club manufacturer

About Max Out Golf

Founded by US Amateur Champion Mitch Voges, Max Out Golf is the game's
most advanced performance laboratory combining high tech custom golf club
fitting, PGA teaching services and retail equipment sales. The Official
Performance Lab and Fitting Center for the PGA of Southern California, Max
Out Golf has locations in Sherman Oaks, Palo Alto, Beaumont, California;
White Plains, New York and London, England. Max Out Golf is not affiliated
with any golf manufacturer yet can source and tailor customized sets from
any of the world's leading golf companies. For more information please visit
www.MaxOutGolf.com



 
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