04/10/2020
What am I, a Clubfitter or a Clubmaker?
There is a lot of confusion in the professions related to golf clubs. Normally players are unaware of the differences, but many times we use the denominations interchangeably. Why do we say Clubmaker when we refer to a Clubfitter? Are all Clubmakers Clubfitters? Are all Clubfitters Clubmakers? Are Teachers golf material experts or not? As we sometimes have doubts about these questions, my opinion is reflected in the following article.
GOLF CLUBS AND PROFESSIONS
Given the proliferation of publications, articles and opinions these days talking about swing and golf equipment, I see that there is quite a bit of confusion when it comes to golf clubs about what work is done by whom. Perhaps it's because over time the one person has carried out multiple jobs or simply because the professions are so related an appropriate distinction isn't made.
Is a Clubmaker, a Clubfitter or a Teacherthe same thing?
In the game of golf, swing can basically be defined as the action or movement in which a player hits a ball with a tool, in our case a golf club. In relation to this club there are three activities, jobs, professions which are well differentiated: that of Golf Teacher, which is related to the movement of the club by the player, that of Clubfitter, which is related to what type of club is most appropriate for a player and that of Clubmaker, which is related to the making of that club.
Golf Teacher, called Master or Pro, has the function of teaching the player how to produce the movement of the club, although his work covers other fields as well and is sometimes even a psychologist, physical trainer, game strategist and more.
Clubfitter, also called Prescriber or Fitter, has the function of analyzing, diagnosing and prescribing the characteristics of the material, specifically the most appropriate club or set of golf clubs for a given player. In addition, he sometimes performs functions as a salesman, psychologist or game strategist.
Clubmaker, also a manufacturer, has the function of manufacturing the golf club with specific characteristics such as weight, length, balance, flexibility, club angles, etc. and like other professionals, sometimes performs other functions as a designer, seller or repairman.
Are they mutually exclusive and incompatible professions?
Although anybody can carry out several of these aforementioned professions, they are undoubtedly different professions. They are carried out in different locations, sometimes closely located for convenience but keeping their workspaces separate, and other times in different cities or even countries. All of them require independent studies, practice, preparation and as with studies of other professions where there are general subjects and specialized ones, the same also occurs in these.
Knowing the different parts of the club is essential for all three, however other knowledge such as the laws of ball flight or knowing how to interpret the data from launch monitors is essential for the Teacher and the Fitter. Knowing the influence on the functionality of the club when modifying its characteristics are the responsibility of both the Fitter and the Clubmaker and having manual skills to master sanding, cutting, assembly, frequency meters or scales are only essential for the Clubmaker.
Mastering several of these professions simultaneously complements the results that a professional can achieve in the development of each. But, just as to be a good doctor it is not necessary to know how to operate or be able to manufacture medicine, the same applies to these professions: A Teacher can be competent in his work without being a specialized Fitter, although his work will be limited to bringing out the best swing with the clubs the player is using. A Fitter can also be good at his job without being an expert in swing biomechanics, but his job will also be limited to providing the best performance out of the player's current swing. The Clubmaker is the professional who, in order to carry out his work perfectly, does not need to complement it with the mastery of any of the other professions since all he needs is the prescription of the characteristics of the club provided by a Fitter, a specification sheet or the use of a sample model. So, in my opinion, the profession that complements and enriches the work of any of the other two is that of Fitter.
In conclusion, all three are complex, complete and distinct professions, and each one requires specific knowledge. After having worked in this sector for more than 20 years, I want to highlight that this knowledge is not acquired in a matter of days. The three professions require continuous training over time since it is necessary to keep up to date and adapt the techniques of each activity to new technologies applied to work tools and golf equipment. And of course, each of these professions have their own independent certification process.
