14 replies to this topic

[stimpmeterp]

Gents,

Been a long time since I've checked.  There are some old names in this area who have been the go-to choice for fittings.  Who, today, are the top club fitters in the D.C. Area?  I live in Bethesda, but would travel to Northern VA, DC, or towards Frederick, MD if anyone stands out.

Thanks!

[stimpmeterp]

This fell quick!

[detroit59]

I think it all depends on what folks consider a "top clubfitter".  I've recently had a fitting at the Golf Fitting Studios in Clifton, VA which was pretty good and a place I'd recommend.

I've summarized my experience there below.

The Good:
- they have both a Trackman and Flightscope LM
- they have a wide range of heads and shafts to test out
- outdoor hitting range (you can see your ball flight)
- they have all the clubfitting/building gadgets (loft/lie machine, freq machine, etc)
- my clubfitter seemed pretty knowlegeable and was very friendly

The Not So Good:
- fitting was done off mats (I had mine done during the winter so I don't know if they normally do fittings on grass or not)
- range balls (I don't think there is really anyway of getting around this one unless you have an indoor fitting)
- long drive (at least it was for me.  I was looking for a place to hit a variety of clubs that had a TM and this was one of the closest)

Overall, I'd definitely recommend this place.  Price wasn't too bad considering you're getting access to a wide range of club options and a TM.

Let me know if you have any questions and I can try and answer.

[willboyrd]

What was the cost?

[40simguy]

I have two in mind but both are quite different.....Golf Tour Trailers (Jerry Donohue specifically) was a great place for a range-based studio and huge selection of OEM products.  If your goal is fitting with possible purchase then that's where I'd go.  I think GTT is in Warrenton, VA (where I went) and the 1757 Club in Dulles.  However, I used another option last year and went to see Mike Bednarcik at Custom Clubs of Frederick.  Unlike some, his was indoor (at his home but a very nice setup using Flightscope).  He's a Wishon dealer/fitter so there were fewer choices.  Having said that, I went there for basically a tune-up to check some of my recent equipment builds.  I did come away with a shaft recommendation for the driver that I still use today and really like (Aerotech Claymore).  Mike's rates were very reasonable - 2 hour on woods and irons for $150.  GTT is not so pocket friendly but you get what you pay for.  As already noted above, I've also heard great things about the fitter based at Westfields GC in Clifton. Good luck.

[NTKT10]

The Institute at Lake Presidential could be an option, I believe Probowler would be the person to ask for more info.

http://www.lakepresi....com/institute/

[TomWishon]

stimpmeterp, on 27 January 2013 - 08:43 AM, said:

Gents,

Been a long time since I've checked.  There are some old names in this area who have been the go-to choice for fittings.  Who, today, are the top club fitters in the D.C. Area?  I live in Bethesda, but would travel to Northern VA, DC, or towards Frederick, MD if anyone stands out.

Thanks!

You are MOST FORTUNATE in that one of the nation's very best clubmaker/clubfitters, and that's no BS, lives and works in the area near Frederick, MD.  His name is Mike Bednarcik and he is right at the top when it comes to knowledge, experience and professionalism in the field.  Mike really is one of the best and I have known him from him going to seminars and schools that I have taught in my career for a very long time.

Custom Clubs of Frederick
Mike Bednarcik
7706 Saint George Place
Ijamsville, MD 21754
301-865-6030

Give him a call and talk to him about your game, your swing and your fitting needs.

TOM

[gregh729]

Webb Heintzleman at Golf Care Center in Bethesda.  He is on Cordell Ave.  He's been around for a long time.  Used to do a lot of work for the pros before the tour vans started travelling the circuit

[detroit59]

willboyrd, on 27 January 2013 - 11:58 PM, said:

What was the cost?

$100/hr

[stimpmeterp]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond, these are great options!

[jokerusn]

Also, GolfDom in tysons has a callaway performance center inside.  Really good price and staff.  (if you want callaway.) not sure how they are with fitting other OEMs but they have contacts in the deepest tour centers at the OEMs - got my Classic T3 from them. Ask for Matt Trenton.

I've also been to Westfields in Clifton and they are very good.  

Heard a lot of good things about custom clubs of Fredrick (Tom gave his stamp of approval so totally worth a look) and Golf care center in Bethesda.

Edited by jokerusn, 28 January 2013 - 10:40 PM.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

I've had experience with a few of the ones, mentioned.

As for Mike B in Frederick, top notch guy in both knowledge and customer service, he will spend a lot of time with you and answer all the questions you have.  The only down side is he is more intuned to customer clubs, but if you are open to Wishon or KZG or others, he is probably the best.

The Callaway Performance Center at Golfdom is very good. I'm not a big fan of the sales guys at Golfdom but the CPC guys really do a good job.

TourTrailer in Westfields/Gainsvile.  Hot and cold, I've heard great things but had a bad personal experience.  So that one is a YMMV

Wade or Webb..Heintzleman in Bethesda...I thought it was Wade but I could be wrong.  In any case, I've never seen him, but everyone I've spoken to that has, raves about him and his knowledge.

[Boogaloo_Jones]

Carolina Golfer 2, on 11 February 2013 - 02:46 PM, said:

I've had experience with a few of the ones, mentioned.

As for Mike B in Frederick, top notch guy in both knowledge and customer service, he will spend a lot of time with you and answer all the questions you have.  The only down side is he is more intuned to customer clubs, but if you are open to Wishon or KZG or others, he is probably the best.

The Callaway Performance Center at Golfdom is very good. I'm not a big fan of the sales guys at Golfdom but the CPC guys really do a good job.

TourTrailer in Westfields/Gainsvile.  Hot and cold, I've heard great things but had a bad personal experience.  So that one is a YMMV

Wade or Webb..Heintzleman in Bethesda...I thought it was Wade but I could be wrong.  In any case, I've never seen him, but everyone I've spoken to that has, raves about him and his knowledge.

I would agree there, but ask for Matt Trenton...outstanding guy.  Dealt with him a couple of times and will only go to him for any club needs at Golfdom.

[Puppetmaster]

My picks:

Matt Trenton at Golfdom in Tysons (CPC launch monitor is a camera based system, indoors, using premium Callaway balls)

Paris Fisher at the Tour Trailer at Westfields (has both Flightscope and Trackman, outside, using range balls)

[Carolina Golfer 2]

Boogaloo_Jones, on 11 February 2013 - 03:23 PM, said:

Carolina Golfer 2, on 11 February 2013 - 02:46 PM, said:

I've had experience with a few of the ones, mentioned.

As for Mike B in Frederick, top notch guy in both knowledge and customer service, he will spend a lot of time with you and answer all the questions you have.  The only down side is he is more intuned to customer clubs, but if you are open to Wishon or KZG or others, he is probably the best.

The Callaway Performance Center at Golfdom is very good. I'm not a big fan of the sales guys at Golfdom but the CPC guys really do a good job.

TourTrailer in Westfields/Gainsvile.  Hot and cold, I've heard great things but had a bad personal experience.  So that one is a YMMV

Wade or Webb..Heintzleman in Bethesda...I thought it was Wade but I could be wrong.  In any case, I've never seen him, but everyone I've spoken to that has, raves about him and his knowledge.

I would agree there, but ask for Matt Trenton...outstanding guy.  Dealt with him a couple of times and will only go to him for any club needs at Golfdom.

Matt has been there a few years?  I believe I had a fitting with him about 7 or 8 years ago.  And it was a great experience.