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Question 1

Describe Karsten Solheim’s influence on club fitting.

Answer 1

• Pioneered the fitting concept in the 1960’s helping PGA Tour Professionals.
• Karsten asked the Professionals: “What’s the favorite club in your bag?”
• He then calibrated the specs of each iron to match the favorite club, in turn creating a matched set.
• Tour wins confirmed his belief that properly fitted clubs were critical to a golfer’s performance.
• In 1972 he introduced the Color Code System and made fitting a staple of the PING brand.

Question 2

What are the 5 steps of the PING fitting process?

Answer 2

Step 1) Interview

Step 2) Static Measurements

Step 3) Dynamic Swing Test

Step 4) Analyzing Ball Flight

Step 5) Monitoring Performance

Question 3

What information do you want to gather during the interview?

Answer 3

1) What equipment is the golfer currently using?
2) What ball flight is the golfer getting with their current equipment?
3) What ball flight does the golfer desire?

Question 4

What static measurements are taken during the fitting?

Answer 4

1) Height (asked)
2) Wrist to floor (from the floor to the finger crease where the finger joins the palm)
3) Hand (from longest finger to where the finger joins the palm)

Question 5

What does lie angle effect?

Answer 5

Lie angle impacts the direction of the shot.

Question 6

If a 7 iron is 2 color codes off how much impact could it have on ball flight?

Answer 6

It can cause the ball to travel 10-20 feet off line.

Question 7

How accurate is PING’s static color code fitting?

Answer 7

70% of the time it ends up being within 1 color code.

Question 8

How many degrees are the color codes separated by?

Answer 8

The color codes are separated by 3/4 of a degree per color.

Question 9

Should players wear their shoes when having measurements taken?

Answer 9

Yes. You want them as they will be on the course.

Question 10

What should be done to prepare the golfer for the dynamic swing test?

Answer 10

1) Select a target.
2) Allow player to warm up.
3) Explain the benefits of the correct color code.
4) Explain the toe down effect.
5) Ensure that the board and feet are level.
6) Select a static color code with a suitable shaft.
7) Ensure that the player grips each club consistently.
8) Reassure the player before hitting from the board.
9) Commence dynamic swing test.

Question 11

What does a mark on the heel of the impact tap indicate?

Answer 11

The club is too upright and you need to try something flatter.

Question 12

What does a mark on the toe of the impact tap indicate?

Answer 12

The club is too flat and you need to try something more upright.

Question 13

Where do you want the mark on the impact tape to be?

Answer 13

In the middle.

Question 14

What are some key elements to consider during the dynamic swing test?

Answer 14

• Be weary of consistent toe marks (over the top)
• Player adjusting if the mark doesn’t move with color code.
• Establish dynamic color code.

Question 15

What should you do if the player is inconsistent or unable to produce a noticeable pattern?

Answer 15

Revert to the static color code (70% accurate)

Question 16

What are some key points to remember when analyzing ball flight for color code?

Answer 16

• Start with the dynamic color code.
• Consider what the golfers desired ball flight is.
• Try various color codes with suitable shaft options.
• Use process of elimination to establish the best performing color code.

Question 17

What should you take into consideration when determining the proper shaft length?

Answer 17

• Start with the suggested length based on height and wrist to floor measurements.
• Consider suggested length and player preference.
• Longer than suggested lengths are ok- provided the player can maintain a centered impact position. To establish, conduct face-impact test.
• Compare and analyze impact positions.
• The more centered the impact pattern- the greater the average distance and accuracy.
• Longer/shorter lengths may impact flex.
• No need to alter color code for longer/shore lengths.

Question 18

Why is there no need to alter color code for different lengths?

Answer 18

PING’s loft and lie gauges compensate for length. For every 1/2 inch change in club length, lie angle is changed by 3/4 degrees. Shorter clubs are adjusted more upright, longer clubs are adjusted flatter.

Question 19

How do you determine the proper shaft type and flex?

Answer 19

• Consider player’s shaft type and flex preference.
• Establish preference for steel (with or without cushin insert) or graphite.
• Refer to shaft selection chart and identify suitable shaft options.
• Consider the player’s desired ball flight.
• Using the process of elimination, conduct player tests evaluating preference for trajectory, weight, feel, and desirability.

Establish the best performing/feeling shaft.

Question 20

How can you help make a model recommendation?

Answer 20

• Consider the likes and dislikes about the look, feel and performance of the player’s current irons.
• Explain the benefits of each model.
• Consider the player’s skill level.
• Identify model options with suitable shafts from fitting mix.
• Use the process of elimination.
• If required, conduct face impact test to show consistency.
• Remember, it is possible to mix models and create a combo set.

Question 21

How do you determine the proper grip size?

Answer 21

• Measure the total hand size and longer finger of the glove hand (refer to measurements to grip chart)
• Establish grip size in conjunction with color code.
• Consider the player’s desired ball flight.
• Identify grip options from fitting mix.
• Consider physical limitations (for example, )
• Use the process of elimination.

Question 22

What is the last step of fitting and what does it entail?

Answer 22

Monitoring on course performance.

• Recognize undesirable shot patterns.
• May effect the entire set or a particular portion (i.e. long irons or wedges) of the set.
• Color code can be adjusted to improve performance.
• Discuss retrofitting service and procedure with the golfer.
• Download performance fitting form from ping.com our use the PING locker room.