I Was Wrong About Florida Golf
As I walked off the fourth different golf course in five days in sunny South Florida (business trip?), I traced my usual disdain for southern golf to a single course - the course I grew up playing. I’ve probably played it 100+ times.
It’s childhood trauma disguised as finishing 8-6 (far too frequently) on two of the worst finishing holes I’ve ever played.
I’d never given it much thought up to 3 days ago, as 95% of my rounds were concentrated at this club for the better part of the past 20 years. I assumed my preference for northern golf was innate. It’s not.
The other 3 courses I managed to slip away and play while on “vacation” quickly became 3 of my favorites in Florida to date.
The final step to complete my full 180 on Florida golf?
Learning how to chip on into-the-grain Bermuda so I’m not pulling out my putter from 20 yards away.
Growing the Game the Right Way
While the charlatans at the USGA tweet fancy numbers about net new rounds added and new players “onboarded” (how is this tracked?), places like The Park and Cobbs Creek are actually teaching kids how to play the game correctly at a young age.
As we finished up our brisk 4 hour walk at the Park (it’s a public course!), we strolled up to the practice putting green littered with young kids (dressed properly).
It looked to be a putting clinic of some sort, with the parents watching intently from the bar. Classic.
The Park, if you are unaware, is the local Palm Beach municipal golf course. Designed by Gil Hanse, it’s in fabulous condition and opened a few years ago. It exceeded all expectations of what a public golf course should be. It’s what public golf must be in order to continue growing the game sustainably.
The 17th, photographed by yours truly
While I could've done without the loud music on the range at 8 am, the environment for introducing, engaging, and retaining new players to the game is second to none.
Jokes aside, an early introduction to the game at a nice golf course is necessary to learn proper etiquette. I’ve seen enough TikTok and Youtube clips to understand the detriment it causes the younger generation.
On-course immersion is pivotal to learning the correct fundamental skills and coinciding etiquette of the game. And, it looks like the Park has adopted this mentality and is acting on it. Bravo!
How to Identify an Elite Club Fitter
The Club Fitting Directory
Following up on one of my New Year's Resolutions, I decided to act on my mission to extol boutique club craftsmen after a visit with my brother in south Florida.
My brother caught the “gear-head” bug pretty badly a few years back, and I’m afraid it’s incurable. A quick visit to his apartment yielded instant conversation about the plethora of heads, shafts, and putters littered around his spare bedroom. The visit sparked the idea for this post and the website below.
I built (with the help of a friend named Claude) what I hope will be the one-stop-shop website for independent club fitters in the United States. I am to support the local guys by any means necessary. This is just the start.
I built the website as an antidote to the PE-funded marketing slop churned out by Club Champion, among other national chain fitters. We currently have 20 states listed, and my goal is to have at least two shops in every state in the country. (Alaska and the Dakotas may be tough).
Traits of Elite Fitters
Ok, onto why I believe in the independent club fitters. These guys spend 99% of their waking hours in the workshop building clubs or studying shaft load on primordial computers.
I’ve never met an independent fitter who didn’t live, sleep and breathe equipment at every waking moment. Sure, they might caddy for a few Korn Ferry hopefuls to grow their network, but if you’re ever looking for them they can be found in their workshop, which usually has strange hours that aren’t advertised on the website. (Also, 50/50 that they are there during advertised hours. Call ahead)
Here’s what to look for if you are on the hunt for a good fitting and an equipment guy you can trust:
Non-existent Internet Presence
Most will have websites, but they will be from 2004 and look as if built by a first-grader. They don’t need fancy SEO or websites because their work is so good it markets itself.
Some examples:
Shady or Unmarked Storefront
In a similar vein to the point above, you’ll never find these shops in “prime” commercial real estate buildings. You’ll find them in strip malls and dimly-lit office buildings. These guys tend to be very introverted and reclusive at times, which is directly reflected in their choice of office location.
Office Paraphernalia
The messier the better. Items should include:
Club heads, wrenches and a visible crafting table.
Club manufacturer signs (They are not loyal to just one!)
A prehistoric computer
Bonus points for a scale that measures total weight and swing weight.
Under no circumstances should it look neat and tidy. That’s for professional scam operations like Club Champion.
The below images are from The Complete Golfer in White Plains, New York. If you live in the area I can’t recommend it enough.
Tim, the builder, is ex-NASA. He’s a rocket scientist that builds golf clubs. He doesn’t communicate on the same wavelength as mere mortals. I was thankful to have my brother there to translate.
Signed Flags By obscure TOUR Players
The reason why these shops don’t advertise? They don’t need to. Word of mouth from golfer-to-golfer does it all. The golf community is a small one, and the professional golf community? Even smaller than you think.
The best club fitters are shared via whispers and casual conversations with players. If they’ve been around long enough, they will certainly have close relationships or have built clubs for pros you’ve heard of.
The only decoration in the office will be signed flags or posters of some sort, and maybe a few swing-sequence pictures.
A Wall Lined with Shafts
Hard to explain it until you see it, and you’ll know what I mean if you’ve encountered one. All good club fitters know the secret is in the shaft. They will have every shaft produced in the past 5-10 years on hand.
Fitters with all of these elements are rare. As always, check the directory for shops like this near you.
In Defense of Leather Soles
I’ve written about this before, but I think we’ve lost the plot with the white-soled dress shoe.
Is it a sneaker? Is it a dress shoe? It’s both, to its detriment.
I can’t pinpoint the exact moment where brands like Cole Haan started to push the look, but I’m certain it coincided with the rise of “athleisure” becoming acceptable office attire for most white-collar work.
Upon writing this section, I’ve noticed that Cole Haan calls them “Dress Sneakers”. Not great!
Sneakers are for the gym, loafers (leather or dark rubber soles) are for the office. End of debate.
My suggestion would be to buy a single pair of leather drivers or horse bit loafers from Oak Street and commit to breaking them in. At some point, they will become just as comfortable as the white soled abominations above.
3 Things I Know I Know
If taught correctly, the life skills learned on the golf course as a young kid are irreplaceable.
Find your stock shot and stick to it. The majority of golfers aren’t good enough to work the ball both ways at will. Find your comfort shot and hit it all the time.
Work ethic can only take you so far. Innate talent will ultimately dictate your ceiling. (In golf and life)
A Historic Clubhouse
The Tarratine Club of Dark Harbor in Islesboro, Maine. This small, private 9-hole course and its clubhouse, founded in 1896, sit on a remote island accessible mainly by ferry, keeping it off the radar for the majority of players.
Super cool. I love places like this.
Mailbag
From reader Adam G:
What about a braided leather belt? I like your belt recommendations but I was wondering if you have any recommendations for something a little more understated than the Smathers belts? Something to wear both to work/date but also for golf?
It’s a good question. Here are some viable options:
The Waxed Braided Belt from PM
For something more upscale, check out this one from Martin Dingman
The idea is to own 2-3 versatile, neutral belts that you can pair with just about any outfit. Leather, alligator skin or otherwise, it’s nice to have a few options.
A Hidden Gem You Can Play
Wild Horse Golf Club. Gothenburg, Nebraska. It might not be so “hidden” anymore given the explosion of NE golf…
Thanks for reading.
Talk soon,
BTG
Resources
What else would you like to see discussed?
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