Opinion & Analysis

Part 2: What constitutes a truly professional club fitting analysis?

Published

9 years ago

Dec 26, 2014

Editor’s Note: In Part 1, Tom covered the basics of a professional club fitting analysis. It discussed a number of the boxes in the overall schematics chart shown below. In this story, Tom finishes discussing all of the various inputs that professional clubfitters need to know.

Now that you understand the goals of a professional club fitting — if you haven’t already, please read Part 1 — let’s dive into the specifics of how truly professional clubfitters help you find the best clubs for you.

Key Fitting Specifications

Length
Loft
Face Angle
Lie Angle
Clubhead design
Set Make Up
Grip Size/Style
Total Weight
Swingweight/Club MOI
Shaft Weight
Shaft Flex
Shaft Bend Profile

Within the clubhead design, there is also a subset of key head design elements that the club fitter must consider when offering a valid head model recommendation for the golfer – size, shape, sole design, offset, topline thickness, CG, MOI, face design, loft and face angle options/availability. These are the 12 key fitting specifications that each need to be determined for each club in the bag for each golfer.

Everything in the fitting analysis is done to give the club fitter the most information possible from which he can determine what each of these 12 key fitting specs should be for each club being fit to the golfer. Anything less than this approach falls short in offering the golfer the opportunity for the most game-improvement through proper fitting. Now let’s take a look at some of the information needed to conduct a professional fitting analysis, starting with the orange box on the left side of the chart (above) for the Technical Data Required.

Technical Data Required

Shaft Weight Listings
Shaft Clubhead Speed Ranges
Shaft Bend Profile Measurements
Hand/Finger Measurement Grip Size Chart
Wrist-to-Floor vs. Length Chart
Optimum Launch Parameter Chart

These elements represent the reference materials/information the club fitter may need to consult to combine with the golfer measurements, current equipment measurements and swing analysis to determine the 12 key fitting specifications for each club being fit.

Most shaft and component company catalogs reveal the weight of each of the shafts they sell. Some offer a swing speed range recommendation for the shafts they offer as well. Very few provide empirical bend profile stiffness design data to allow the club fitter to know precisely how any of the shafts definitively compare in their stiffness design that he may be considering for the golfer.

From whatever reliable sources possible, the club fitter should have a database of the weight, swing speed range and the comparative bend profile stiffness measurements for all shafts the clubfitter may consider in fitting the golfer. Such information is important to be able to predict shaft performance and shaft bending feel to offer a better overall shaft fitting result than simply a “here-try-this” approach to shaft fitting.

Hand/Finger Measurement Grip Size Chart, Wrist-to-Floor Measurement for Length Chart

While the golfer has to have the final word on the right grip style and size based on his/her preference and comfort, the fitter can use a hand/middle finger measurement to offer a starting point only for the best grip size. Likewise, while specific golfer swing characteristics and golfer ability contribute the final determination of the proper club lengths, the clubfitter also needs a competent wrist-to-floor measurement chart to use as a starting point in the determination of club lengths for the golfer.

Optimum Launch Parameter Chart

Once the clubfitter obtains the golfer’s launch angle, ball speed, clubhead speed and angle of attack with test clubs of known lofts and face angles, he will need reliable reference information that reveals what the optimum launch angle, ball speed and spin rate should be to determine the golfer’s best driver loft and the best shaft bend profile to result in the most optimal ball flight shape for best overall combination of carry and roll after landing.

Golfer Improvement Goals

More Distance
Better Accuracy
Better Consistency
Improved Trajectory
Improved Feel

Changes in clubfitting specifications of golf clubs can only have a possible effect on game improvement in these five areas of performance. Knowledgeable clubfitters know which of the 12 key fitting specs have more of an effect on distance, accuracy, consistency, trajectory and the different aspects of the feel of the golf clubs. While all golfers may likely say they want to achieve all five of these game improvement goals from a professional fitting analysis, common sense and practicality says that the clubfitter has to interview the golfer and observe the golfer’s shot tendencies to determine which area of game improvement will bring the most benefit to the golfer’s overall performance and enjoyment. Once determined, this helps the club fitter focus on the specific fitting changes that can help achieve the most valuable game improvement.

Golfer and Equipment Analysis — Measurement and Observations

Wrist-to-Floor Measurement
Clubhead speed (Driver or 5 iron/6 iron)
Hand/Middle Finger Dimensions
Ball Speed/Launch Angle/Spin Rate
Angle of Attack (real or calculated)
Transition, Tempo, Release Evaluation
Current Club Lofts, Lengths, Swing Weight, MOI, Face Angles, Shaft Weight
Dynamic Lie Test
Misdirection Tendency
Average Shot Shape and Trajectory

There are a number of measurements and swing observations the fitter should perform to obtain certain key points of information, which will be combined with test club hitting analysis to determine the golfer’s best fitting specifications.

Wrist-to-Floor Measurement, Hand and Finger Measurements

As stated, these measurements are simply to establish a starting point only for the eventual determination of the golfer’s best lengths and grip size. The final determination of these fitting elements requires more input from swing analysis and input from any acquired preferences the golfer may have.

Clubhead Speed with the Driver/Middle iron. Ball Speed, Launch Angle, Spin Rate Observations

The golfer’s average clubhead speeds with the driver and a middle iron must be accurately measured to contribute information for helping to determine the driver loft, shaft swing speed ratings, loft gapping between wood, hybrid and iron heads. The most predominant launch angle, ball speed and spin rate need to be obtained from having the golfer hit shots with a driver/iron of absolute known loft at the actual point of impact on the face. To look at launch monitor outputs without knowing precisely the loft at the point of impact for the club used to reveal launch angle and spin renders upcoming fitting decisions to be less accurate.

Dynamic Lie test with an iron of known loft and length

More recently, clubfitters will perform the dynamic lie test as the last procedure in the fitting after test clubs with each of the golfer’s final determined fitting specs are built. This way, the dynamic lie is added to what everything else being what it will be for the golfer’s final fitting specs. In addition, performing the dynamic lie test using the ink line on the back of the ball method has shown to offer more reliable lie fitting results than the impact tape on the sole method.

Current Specific club Lofts, Lengths, Swing weight/MOI, Shaft Weight, Shaft Bend Profile, Etc

It can be helpful to know some of the key specs for a number of the golfer’s existing clubs so the club fitter can observe launch monitor outputs for the golfer with his existing clubs to form a baseline for performance observations. In other words, knowing the golfer’s results from specs that are absolutely known on his present clubs can help the club fitter know what specs may be OK and what needs to be different. This helps the club fitter apply a more specific focus on the investigation of the new specs required by the golfer.

Misdirection, Mis-Hit Tendencies, Average Shot Shape and Trajectory

Both by interviewing the golfer as well as by observing his shot pattern during the warm-up ball striking phase of the fitting, the clubfitter has to learn what the golfer’s most predominant misdirection and miss hit tendencies are – low, high, fade, slice, straight, draw, thin, toe, heel, etc. Each predominant mishit or misdirection tendency begins to tell the experienced clubfitter what specs may or may not be correct for the golfer on his present equipment as well as what specs to focus on in the fitting to come up with the most improvement.

Paying close attention to the most predominant ball flight is a much better way to evaluate whether a golfer has a definite spin problem that may or may not be able to be addressed by fitting changes than to simply focus on the spin numbers coming off the launch monitor. In other words, if the golfer’s ball flight shape and trajectory with the driver is fine but the monitor reads the spin at 3000+, the clubfitter knows to ignore the spin number because the shot shape and trajectory is the key element.

Looking for more info? I thought you might be. Starting in January 2015, I will begin a 12-part series that outlines what goes into making the decision for each of the 12 key fitting specifications. Study the inputs in the Blue Boxes in the chart and early next month I’ll start explaining how the club fitter uses the inputs and other information to start making the decisions for each one of the 12 key fitting specs for the golfer.

Part 1: What constitutes a truly professional club fitting analysis?

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Tom Wishon

Tom Wishon is a 40-year veteran of the golf equipment industry specializing in club head design, shaft performance analysis and club fitting research and development. He has been responsible for more than 50 different club head design firsts in his design career, including the first adjustable hosel device, as well as the first 0.830 COR fairway woods, hybrids and irons. GolfWRX Writer of the Month: February 2014 Tom served as a member of the Golf Digest Technical Advisory Panel, and has written several books on golf equipment including "The Search for the Perfect Golf Club" and "The Search for the Perfect Driver," which were selected as back-to-back winners of the 2006 and 2007 Golf Book of the Year by the International Network of Golf (ING), the largest organization of golf industry media professionals in the USA. He continues to teach and share his wealth of knowledge in custom club fitting through his latest book, "Common Sense Clubfitting: The Wishon Method," written for golf professionals and club makers to learn the latest techniques in accurate custom club fitting. Tom currently heads his own company, Tom Wishon Golf Technology, which specializes in the design of original, high-end custom golf equipment designs and club fitting research for independent custom club makers worldwide Click here to visit his site, wishongolf.com

47 Comments

Hank

Jan 6, 2015 at 3:14 am

I find it funny that you talk about all these little factors. I know at the Nike Oven and TaylorMade Kingdom the technicians use very little technology and are able to fit the tour players without even using trackman, the trackman is just a visual to show the players numbers. Yes the TaylorMade Kingdom has a MAT-T to measure all the fine specs but that is geared more towards the average players.

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Ben

Jan 5, 2015 at 9:30 pm

I went out to Titleist in Oceanside,CA and did the full fitting and it was well worth it. I got instant results, the ball flies dead straight with a perfect arc and my handicap went down to single digits. Of course you should get a fitting for clubs + lots of practice.

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Tom Wishon

Jan 5, 2015 at 1:59 pm

Are all people who give lessons and teach the golf swing at the same level of knowledge, expertise and skill to identify the swing problems and get the golfer into the right direction of swing improvement? No they aren’t.

Same with clubfitters. I’ve written many times about this, warning golfers that if they want to go get custom fit, they need to do a good bit of investigation to find who in their area is competent and who isn’t. No different than finding a good mechanic for your car, good tradesperson for re-modeling or repairs around your house, good accountant for your business, etc.

I do the work I do to research Nth degree fitting technology in an effort to TEACH those who are in the field how to do it better. There has to be some place for those interested in being better clubfitters to gain the knowledge to improve their skills. That’s one of my roles within this side of the industry.

But as the old saying goes, “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink,” it’s the same way with what I research and write about. It’s there for those who want to learn and get more competent. Some have and do take advantage of what I teach and when they go put it into practice, they do become better fitters. But some who call themselves clubfitters do not. Hence the reason for golfers to perform adequate due diligence when seeking a competent fitter with whom to work.

Really good fitters who follow this methodology in their fitting analysis do exist and those golfers who have found them most certainly are pleased with the result. Sorry there are not more of them. But until the day comes when someone with my knowledge can open a school that offers the prospective fitter a 3-4 to month training curriculum, golfers are just going to have to do some real investigation to find a good fitter with whom to work.

No different than with a teaching pro when you want to take lessons.

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leftright

Dec 31, 2014 at 11:09 pm

I saw a Wishon driver once cut open and the Ping was beside it cut open. If I cut open every manufacturers drivers people would play nothing but PING. I don’t even use a Ping driver but they have “by far” the best quality in the business. Titleist is okay but what do you expect for a set of irons costing 1100.00 that should sell for 700.00. Pings have more accurate lies and lofts, swing weights but Titleist insists on having it’s corporate headquarters in Massasshutes where the cost of living is high and Wally has to make millions a year. Titliest is perpetuating a fraud on the public and their drivers are the shortest in the business. Looking nice don’t cut it nowdays when a KMart special will go farther than a Titleist. Manufacturers, all except Ping sell the public junk, then the public goes out an buys a 400 dollar shaft that isn’t as long as the 5.00 chinese made special that they advertise as real when it isn’t. I challenge all manufacturers to show their stuff is as good as PGA tour stuff. Show it is accurate, well made and of good quality. Taylormade pretty much proved it selling heads for 400.00 because they were “tour” heads. Is it different Titanium, maybe the weight is golf plated or the CEO touched it? What a fraud, what a farce. Golf manufacturers have corrupted the game and sold the public a pig advertised as a princess.

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- Fred
  
  Jan 3, 2015 at 2:05 am
  
  Kudos to your rant. 100% agree. I appreciate Tom’s lengthy comments in the forums. But, I wish I could block his articles, so I never see them again.
  
  Side note- what type of driver do you use?
  
  Reply Report comment
leftright

Dec 31, 2014 at 10:56 pm

The computers lie. Trackman, Flightscope or whatever fraud they are using this week all lie. Take a demo out and hit it. In 5 swings you can tell if it is for you or not. Disregard the professional fitting BS, it is all a lie and has been proven a like by most. Tom is trying to help out fitters, pro’s, golf shop owners but don’t try that BS on me. The trackman has cost golfers’ many thousands of dollars and is not an accurate measurement of performance on the golf course. These guys are starting to sound like Congress and Obama, nothing but lies. Tom, I challenge you anytime, anyplace and will prove you wrong in multiple instances of the fitting process. Variables are just that and golf swings are not predictable, no more than the weather is. I recommend WRX tell Tom to go take a hike. Tom you have my email, I will bet your “any” amount of money I can prove you wrong. The trackman and it’s equivalents are the biggest fraud in golf, bar none.

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- Tom WIshon
  
  Jan 6, 2015 at 1:00 pm
  
  Have at it then, prove me wrong that proper fitting can’t help a very high percentage of golfers play to the best of their given ability. Don’t know how you plan to do that, but you must feel you have the proof to come charging at me like that. Ball’s in your court.
  
  With regard to what you say about cutting driver heads open, I take it that you have actual experience in driver head design and production so that you really know what you are looking at and talking about? Somehow I wonder if you are looking at the inside of an investment cast titanium driver vs a 4-piece construction head and thinking that the 4-pc is deficient in some way?
  
  Interesting that the vast, vast majority of driver heads today are being manufactured in the 4 pc construction. Been that way since the early 2000s. Cast titanium drivers are going by the wayside for several reasons not the least of which involve being able to do many more performance related things in the design with a 4pc than with a casting. Happy to outline them all if you want to know.
  
  Don’t know why you want to bust my chops so much. All I do here is offer information that you can’t get anywhere else in the face of all the poor, misleading information that is out there concerning golf club performance for golfers who are as different as can be in their size, strength, athletic ability and swing characteristics.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - simon
    
    Jan 19, 2015 at 6:11 pm
    
    do you think 4 piece construction is as good as a 2 piece construction on a driver?
    bombtech golf claims 2 piece has more benefits than 4 piece with their grenade driver.
    thanks for your thoughts.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - simon
      
      Jan 21, 2015 at 8:51 pm
      
      hi Tom
      still waiting for your insight to my above question ..thanks
      
      Reply Report comment
- Charles
  
  Jan 19, 2015 at 11:15 am
  
  leftright, I’m sorry to tell you that you are humongously wrong. Launch monitors are for golf the same as microscopes were for Biology. Launch monitors are very accurate and what you get indoors will likely get on the course. And by the way, club fitting is just like a tailored suit. Do you like bets? I bet that you hit a 2 hybrid with graphite R- flex shaft way better than a 2 iron forged blade with steel X-flex shaft. That’s club fitting. To find what makes you strike the ball better. If you play golf and buy clubs that is not fit for you, I bet you are having a hard time on the course. Open your mind, go find a skilled club fitter and get a set of clubs that fit your game, you will have much more fun on the course and play faster, the groups behind you will not have to wait you find your ball in the woods. In the end, you will thank me.
  
  Reply Report comment
John

Dec 28, 2014 at 8:20 pm

Wow a lot of thoughts plus and minus. I play to a six handicap and am 53. I have had that 6 for about 35 years give or take a shot or two. I played a variety clubs over the years and here is what I know for me. I believe some simple fitting will take care of 90% of the golfers. I play 10.5 driver with a stiff shaft shortened to 44.5 inches. My irons are standard length bent 1 degree flat and (2 flat for Titleist). When it is time for new clubs, I demo them outside and pick what looks good to my eye, feels good, and looks right in the air. I also choose a ball and stick with it for the entire season.

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Justin

Dec 28, 2014 at 10:22 am

I’ve seen both ends of the spectrum. I’ve seen people play to par with clubs bought off-the-rack, I’ve seen players play to par with fitted clubs. I’ve seen the opposites, as well.

The people I play with, the majority aren’t out there to maximize some ideal of their potential… they’re there to have fun. I catch myself thinking the same thing: how does one “optimize” their driver when hitting indoors, into a net, in a controlled climate, when golf’s played outdoors with uncontrollable climates? The swing you bring to the fitting may not be the one you have next week, or six months from now. Even the slightest change, be it ball position or tee height, has rendered that “optimized” ideal to moot.

Former USGA Tech Director Frank Thomas has a very interesting book, “Just Hit It”. In it, he states that “The Silver Scot” Tommy Armour had 12 sets of irons shipped to his local course; 6 were “R” flex shafts, the other 6 were “S” flex shafts. People would come to him asking about a proper set. He’d play a round with the person and at the end he’d “special order” a set just for them. He’d tell the person behind the counter to call the individual in a week to pick up his new set- even though it was already sitting in the back!

I guess the point is, there’s something to say about the psychology of golf. People see a $1000 shaft and think it’s the best thing since itself, or spend $1000 on a fitting and think they’re getting something extra special. I don’t want to make it sound like this is all snake oil, because it isn’t. I know from personal experience it isn’t. But is there a point of taking it too far?

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Shaun

Dec 28, 2014 at 9:14 am

I flew out to Durango to be custom fit by a Wishon specialist earlier this year and have one word to describe my experience, “disappointing”. I believe there are a lot of aspects to custom fitting, however, I do not believe all fitters, even those who are allegedly the ‘top fitters’ and ‘approved fitters’ take into account all of the aspects outlined in these articles. Its one thing to write about something in theory, its another to actually practice what you preach. Not all golfers are naive. The concepts make sense in theory, but in my experience working with the Wishon brand and those who are suppose to be the best at fittings, these articles are dust in the wind when you actually spend the money to participate in one of those fittings.

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- Tom WIshon
  
  Jan 6, 2015 at 1:03 pm
  
  I’m sorry to hear that your experience with Don Greenwood at our R&D center was so disappointing to you. Did you voice that to him or to us when you realized your disappointment? I’d be interested to hear what was not up to your expectations because in all honesty, this would be the very first time that anyone who was fit at our facility was not happy with the outcome.
  
  Reply Report comment
Rich

Dec 28, 2014 at 8:42 am

I’m not saying that custom fitting doesn’t matter but has anyone seen Mark Crossfields video on does shaft flex matter (in terms of the shot data)? He does a video with a friend of his that has a high swing speed compared to his (120mph vs 100mph speed from memory) and the numbers both of them get with the same driver head and both using an A flex shaft and then an x flex shaft. I think a few of you will be surprised. The numbers are very similar. It all comes down to feel and confidence really. Custom fitting can be useful to a point but I think like a lot of things in this day and age it is just made much more complicated than it really needs to be by people who want to keep themselves relevant or in a job. I’m not saying Crossfield is all knowing either but just take a look at the numbers. Cheers

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- Justin
  
  Dec 28, 2014 at 10:00 am
  
  Barney Adams, in a different WRX article, states that the old (and well-loved) PING Eye2’s all had X-flex shafts.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Rich
    
    Dec 29, 2014 at 9:32 am
    
    And as you say, we’re well loved by many. Custom fitting has it’s place but I don’t think it’s the be all and end all.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - leftright
    
    Dec 31, 2014 at 11:13 pm
    
    Ping Eye 2’s came in 3 flexes with the ZZ lite shaft. You could also get them in the KT shaft which was heavier. These shafts were lightweight steel. Your comment is generic in that not all Ping Eye 2’s had x flex. I had a set of + Eye 2’s in ZZ lite and they were like a board but that was in 85 when I could swing 115 with the driver. I personally think the KT was the best shaft they ever made but it was pretty stiff.
    
    Reply Report comment
- mookie
  
  Dec 30, 2014 at 8:54 am
  
  well done rich,
  i too saw that video by mark crossfield and really opened my eyes about shaft flex and
  fitting in general
  
  Reply Report comment
- don granger
  
  Dec 31, 2014 at 1:46 pm
  
  My experience with Wishon fitting has been very beneficial Lowered my handicap 5 strokes..New irons and new driver..irons are terrific with feel and distance..Driver took more work went back for another fitting and ended up going down in loft with 1 degree closed face made all the difference…It is a rare drive that I slice and when I do it is not more than 25 yards off center..As I speak I am traveling to Palm Springs are for winter and another fitting to fine tune..used Marc Holcutt golf..he is patient and very willing to work with you on getting things right…
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Rich
    
    Dec 31, 2014 at 10:13 pm
    
    Fair enough Don. I’m sure there are many out there who have had good experiences with Tom Wishon fitting and product and indeed other brands. I guess all I’m saying is that I think people are taking the fitting thing a little too far now and there’s a point at which it can paralyse your game with so much detail. As the saying goes, paralysis by analysis. Good golfing. Cheers.
    
    Reply Report comment
Joe Johnson

Dec 28, 2014 at 1:13 am

Recommendations on a fitter in the Ann Arbor, MI area? Is miles of golf or Carl’s golf land up to par or best to look elsewhere? Thanks.

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- Alfredo Ospina
  
  Dec 31, 2014 at 3:06 pm
  
  Gary Cottrell at Golfers Advantage in Fenton is fantastic. Much better than a big box shop doing the fitting. Love the clubs he put together for me and learned a lot about clubs from him.
  
  Reply Report comment
tarheel25661

Dec 27, 2014 at 11:17 am

I just went through a fitting like this, I found a golf digest top 100 club fitter in Waverly Oh , MCgolf custom Jim is great took his time collected the data and as we made changes you could see my patterns getting better and better if you have the extra cash its something that can add a great deal of confidence that you have the best equipment for you!

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Largechris

Dec 27, 2014 at 5:39 am

I think fitting can benefit lots of handicap levels – good example is when I was watching a keen 25 year old at the range, obviously practicing properly, working hard at his game, but to my eye his clubs were clearly an inch short. He wasn’t unusually tall, that’s just how it was for him. With fitted clubs he would be doing ten times better.

For me, I’m lucky to have very ‘average’ measurements, height, arm length etc. so off the rack is pretty good. Most people are not average.

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Taylor59

Dec 26, 2014 at 10:32 pm

Practice, who needs that? Just get some custom clubs.

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HBL

Dec 26, 2014 at 6:08 pm

Tom – I enjoyed your article but, as others have mentioned, I’m not aware of a fitter that goes through what you talk about. I go to, what I believe to be, an accomplished fitter and even he does not go through all of your steps.

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- Fred
  
  Dec 26, 2014 at 10:33 pm
  
  Oh, but then you need to go to a Wishon certified fitter… Who sells his clubs… Hence, the duality of motives you will find in a Wishon article
  
  Reply Report comment
  - HBL
    
    Dec 28, 2014 at 5:43 pm
    
    Let me tell you, the local Wishon “fitter” doesn’t go through a third of what the article discusses.
    
    Reply Report comment
- SB
  
  Dec 27, 2014 at 8:34 am
  
  A professional club fitter does not need to go through in detail all the steps that Tom lists. Someone who works as a professional club fitter needs to understand technology and physics of the golf swing. Someone who fits on an everyday basis can go through the process without the customer knowing what info he is recording and analyzing during the process. As a the customer, you need to answer questions honestly and simply hit balls.
  If you go into the fitting with a negative attitude, chances are you won’t allow the fitter to do his job.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Shaun
  
  Dec 28, 2014 at 9:17 am
  
  The experience talked about does not happen.
  
  Reply Report comment
chris

Dec 26, 2014 at 1:55 pm

So sticking and old white board x in my new Grenade and launching it 250 meters over our range fence on a cold day gets better with fitting…nah, golf is trial and error. Find what works and stick with it. I have a full closet of custom fit TM’s that I can’t hit out of my shadow. Complete and utter waste of money…

Reply Report comment
- enrique
  
  Dec 26, 2014 at 3:14 pm
  
  I totally agree. While you want clubs that fits you in lie angle and flex, custom fitting to the “nth degree” has become an industry in an of itself. Eventually you have to get out there and golf your ball. I play best with off the rack clubs and I always have. Custom fitting takes a snapshot of a moment in time but quite often I adapt to my clubs. And play great golf this way.
  
  It’s all voodoo – You don’t see GHIN indexes getting lower in the last 20 years with all this BS.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - SB
    
    Dec 27, 2014 at 8:40 am
    
    Keep buying off the rack and THAT is the reason your handicap stays where it is. Saying it doesn’t matter what clubs they are and you will adapt to them is insane. That’s like saying a sprinter can adapt to a shoe that is 2 sizes too small. Most people who get properly fitted clubs combined with instruction are the ones whose handicaps go down.
    
    People on these forums are so narrow-minded. Handicaps have stayed the same because less than 20% of all golfers take lessons. The problem is the cost of instruction as to why the 80% don’t bother visiting a PGA professional.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - enrique
      
      Dec 27, 2014 at 12:40 pm
      
      30 years oaf golf nd my handicap is low single digit, son. I don’t buy clubs that are misfit like a sprinter buying shoes 2 sizes too small. Keep buying the PURE’ing and all the other BS the fitters like Tom WIshon sell you.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - Justin
        
        Dec 28, 2014 at 10:05 am
        
        There’s arguments for and against it. How many rec-league softball players, for instance, do better with a bat that’s supposed to be “just right” for them? How many just go out, use whatever’s available, and have a good time?
        
        Reply Report comment
- Alvaro
  
  Dec 26, 2014 at 4:47 pm
  
  “Waste of money” You couldnt be more wrong. It actually saves you money in the long run. Now trial and error thats how good money gets wasted. How much have you spent on the equipment merry go round(maybe a closets full)? You may have found your needle in a hay stack, but that doesnt mean others should follow in your foot steps. Fitting may not be for everyone but a waste of money. I dont see it.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Charlie
    
    Dec 26, 2014 at 5:02 pm
    
    Hey Tom, how do I measure MOI on an OEM club in comparison to another OEM club? Each may claim high MOI, but which is better?
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Tom Wishon
      
      Jan 5, 2015 at 1:48 pm
      
      The MOI you are referring to is the MOI of the head on its own, it’s ability to reduce twisting when impact occurs off center. This MOI can only be measured with the head off the shaft, using a very sophisticated piece of equipment to do that. Something that only a head designer or company engaged in their own design work or head production factory would have. Bottom line though is that when most all driver heads today range in volume from 440-460cc and when they are all in a narrow range of headweight to each other which they are, the difference in MOI is not that much.
      
      Hence the only thing that tends to make one driver head stand out ahead of another in off center hit performance comes from the design of the face more than from the MOI of the head on its own. And here again, the consumer can’t know that in any way other than to go out and hit test the different heads over enough time that he experiences the off center hit feel and performance.
      
      Reply Report comment
  - Randy
    
    Dec 31, 2014 at 2:33 pm
    
    Maybe trial and error means demoing the clubs. I have demoed clubs I thought I would like only to find they didn’t feel good or fly well. My last set of irons I bought were compared on a monitor against 5 others. I choose what felt and flew the best. My local Golf Galaxy also has lots of used drivers that can be demoed on the course so you can see if you like it. Basic fittings can make sense but most swings aren’t good enough for such a indepth approach.
    
    Reply Report comment
- Greg
  
  Dec 26, 2014 at 5:03 pm
  
  Everyone on here who is an advocate of fitting has not ever had a true fitting as Tom outlines. Even Club Champion, Cool Clubs, etc is not this thorough! It begs the question… What are you paying for?
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Kelly
    
    Dec 26, 2014 at 8:25 pm
    
    I agree and I now play Wishon irons but I don’t really know where anyone can actually get a fitting like Tom describes.
    
    Reply Report comment
- Gorden
  
  Dec 26, 2014 at 5:44 pm
  
  100% Agree with Cris…Amature golfers over 10 handicap will NOT need anymore then a basic club fitting (Free is the most you should pay for a club fitting) Find a model you like (Ping, Wilson what ever) get a genral fitting and go out and play. If your a 10 or under, less then 20 years old and have money to spend on lots of lessons go ahead and pay a couple hundred to get fit and hope your instructors do not change your swing. My thoughts amature swings to the fitting, pro, top amature gets fit for the swing.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Brian
  
  Dec 27, 2014 at 10:46 am
  
  Most likely a result of being poorly fit. There are many people that make the claim of being a fitter but don’t have any actually fitting experience other than the fitting certificate that the OEM’s had out like candy after taking a 10 question test. When you interview a fitter you should look for the principles that Tom preaches up above. Make sure you find one that understands club performance and not what is one spiff that month.
  
  Reply Report comment
Chuck

Dec 26, 2014 at 1:22 pm

Tom, this is a bit off topic but your writing at GolfWRX has inspired me to spend the cold season building myself a 43.50″ driver (an $89 ! Jetspeed head with a 106g Dynamic Gold SL shaft). This is my idea of fun in golf equipment. A $100 fairway-finding driver.

Reply Report comment
- Tom
  
  Dec 31, 2014 at 3:55 pm
  
  Chuck, who cares? seriously…
  
  Reply Report comment
- Tom WIshon
  
  Jan 6, 2015 at 3:33 pm
  
  And that is one of the fun things about tinkering with clubs to be able to experiment anyway you want. It’s what got me started way back when !!
  
  Reply Report comment

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19th Hole

Vincenzi’s 2024 RBC Heritage betting preview: Patrick Cantlay ready to get back inside winner’s circle

Published

1 day ago

Apr 15, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

Just a two-hour drive from Augusta National, the PGA TOUR heads to Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C. Hilton Head Island is a golfer’s paradise and Harbour Town is one of the most beautiful and scenic courses on the PGA TOUR.

Harbour Town Golf Links is a par-71 that measures 7,121 yards and features Bermuda grass greens. A Pete Dye design, the course is heavily tree lined and features small greens and many dog legs, protecting it from “bomb-and-gauge” type golfers.

The field is loaded this week with 69 golfers with no cut. Last year was quite possibly the best field in RBC Heritage history and the event this week is yet another designated event, meaning there is a $20 million prize pool.

Most of the big names on the PGA Tour will be in attendance this week with the exceptions of Hideki Matsuyama and Viktor Hovland. Additionally, Webb Simpson, Shane Lowry, Gary Woodland and Kevin Kisner have been granted sponsors exemptions.

Past Winners at Harbour Town

2023: Matt Fitzpatrick (-17)
2022: Jordan Spieth (-13)
2021: Stewart Cink (-19)
2020: Webb Simpson (-22)
2019: CT Pan (-12)
2018: Sotoshi Kodaira (-12)
2017: Wesley Bryan (-13)
2016: Branden Grace (-9)
2015: Jim Furyk (-18)

In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value).

Key Stats For Harbour Town

Let’s take a look at key metrics for Harbour Town Golf Links to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their past 24 rounds.

Strokes Gained: Approach

Strokes Gained: Approach is exceedingly important this week. The greens at Harbour Town are about half the size of PGA TOUR average and feature the second-smallest greens on the tour. Typical of a Pete Dye design, golfers will pay the price for missed greens.

Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds

Scottie Scheffler (+1.27)
Tom Hoge (+1.27)
Corey Conners (+1.16)
Austin Eckroat (+0.95)
Cameron Young (+0.93)

Good Drive %

The fairways at Harbour Town are tree lined and feature many dog legs. Bombers tend to struggle at the course because it forces layups and doesn’t allow long drivers to overpower it. Accuracy is far more important than power.

Good Drive % Over Past 24 Rounds

Brice Garnett (88.8%)
Shane Lowry (+87.2%)
Akshay Bhatia (+86.0%)
Si Woo Kim (+85.8%)
Sepp Straka (+85.1%)

Strokes Gained: Total at Pete Dye Designs

Pete Dye specialists tend to play very well at Harbour Town. Si Woo Kim, Matt Kuchar, Jim Furyk and Webb Simpson are all Pete Dye specialists who have had great success here. It is likely we see some more specialists near the top of the leaderboard this week.

SG: TOT Pete Dye per round over past 36 rounds:

Xander Schauffele (+2.27)
Scottie Scheffler (+2.24)
Ludvig Aberg (+2.11)
Brian Harman (+1.89)
Sungjae Im (+1.58)

4. Strokes Gained: Short Game (Bermuda)

Strokes Gained: Short Game factors in both around the green and putting. With many green-side bunkers and tricky green complexes, both statistics will be important. Past winners — such as Jim Furyk, Wes Bryan and Webb Simpson — highlight how crucial the short game skill set is around Harbour Town.

SG: SG Over Past 24 Rounds

Jordan Spieth (+1.11)
Taylor Moore (+1.02)
Wyndham Clark (+0.98)
Mackenzie Hughes (+0.86)
Andrew Putnam (+0.83)

5. Greens in Regulation %

The recipe for success at Harbour Town Golf Links is hitting fairways and greens. Missing either will prove to be consequential — golfers must be in total control of the ball to win.

Greens in Regulation % over past 24 rounds:

Brice Garnett (+75.0%)
Scottie Scheffler (+69.9%)
Corey Conners (+69.0%)
Shane Lowry (+68.3%)
Patrick Rodgers (+67.6%)

6. Course History

Harbour Town is a course where players who have strong past results at the course always tend to pop up.

Course History over past 24 rounds:

Patrick Cantlay (+2.34)
Cam Davis (+2.05)
J.T. Poston (+1.69)
Justin Rose (+1.68)
Tommy Fleetwood (+1.59)

The RBC Heritage Model Rankings

Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (24%), Good Drives (20%), SG: SG (14%), SG: Pete Dye (14%), GIR (14%), and Course History (14%)

Shane Lowry
Russell Henley
Scottie Scheffler
Xander Schauffele
Corey Conners
Wyndham Clark
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Matt Fitzpatrick
Cameron Young
Ludvig Aberg

2024 RBC Heritage Picks

Patrick Cantlay +2000 (FanDuel)

With the exception of Scottie Scheffler, the PGA Tour has yet to have any of their star players show peak form during the 2024 season. Last week, Patrick Cantlay, who I believe is a top-5 players on the PGA Tour, took one step closer to regaining the form that’s helped him win eight events on Tour since 2017.

Cantlay limped into the Masters in poor form, but figured it out at Augusta National, finishing in a tie for 20th and ranking 17th for the week in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. The former FedEx Cup champion will now head to one of his favorite golf courses in Harbour Town, where he’s had immaculate results over the years. In his six trips to the course, he’s only finished worse than 7th one time. The other finishes include three third places (2017, 2019, 2023) and one runner-up finish (2022). In his past 36 rounds at Harbour Town, Cantlay ranks 1st in Strokes Gained: Total per round at the course by a wide margin (+2.36).

Cantlay is winless since the 2022 BMW Championship, which is far too long for a player of his caliber. With signs pointing to the 32-year-old returning to form, a “signature event” at Harbour Town is just what he needs to get back on the winning track.

Tommy Fleetwood +3000 (FanDuel)

I truly believe Tommy Fleetwood will figure out a way to win on American soil in 2024. It’s certainly been a bugaboo for him throughout his career, but he is simply too talented to go another season without winning a PGA Tour event.

At last week’s Masters Tournament, Fleetwood made a Sunday charge and ended up finishing T3 in the event, which was his best ever finish at The Masters. For the week, the Englishman ranked 8th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 10th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking and 16th in Strokes Gained: Putting.

Harbour Town is a perfect layout for Fleetwood, and he’s had relative success at this Pete Dye design in the past. In his four trips to the course, he’s finished inside of the top 25 three times, with his best finish, T10, coming in 2022. The course is pretty short and can’t be overpowered, which gives an advantage to more accurate players such as Fleetwood. Tommy ranks 8th in the field in Good Drive % and should be able to plot his way along this golf course.

The win is coming for Tommy lad. I believe there’s a chance this treasure of a golf course may be the perfect one for him to finally break through on Tour.

Cameron Young +3300 (FanDuel)

Cameron Young had a solid Masters Tournament last week, which is exactly what I’m looking for in players who I anticipate playing well this week at the RBC Heritage. He finished in a tie for 9th, but never felt the pressure of contending in the event. For the week, Young ranked 6th in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 6th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking.

Despite being one of the longest players off the tee on the PGA Tour, Young has actually played some really good golf on shorter tracks. He finished T3 at Harbour Town in 2023 and ranks 20th in the field in Good Drive% and 16th in Greens in Regulation in his past 24 rounds. He also has strong finishes at other shorter courses that can take driver out of a players hand such as Copperhead and PGA National.

Young is simply one of the best players on the PGA Tour in 2024, and I strongly believe has what it takes to win a PGA Tour event in the very near future.

Corey Conners +5500 (FanDuel)

Corey Conners has had a disappointing year thus far on the PGA Tour, but absolutely loves Harbour Town.

At last week’s Masters Tournament, the Canadian finished T30 but ranked 20th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach. In his past 24 rounds, Conners ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 3rd in Greens in Regulation % and 24th in Good Drive %.

In Conners’ last four trips to Harbour Town, his worst finish was T31, last season. He finished T4 in 2021, T12 in 2022 and ranks 8th in Strokes Gained: Total at the course over his past 36 rounds.

Conners hasn’t been contending, but his recent finishes have been encouraging as he has finished in the top-25 in each of his past three starts prior to The Masters, including an impressive T13 at The PLAYERS. His recent improvement in ball striking as well as his suitability for Harbour Town makes Conners a high upside bet this week.

Shane Lowry (+7500) (FanDuel)

When these odds were posted after Lowry was announced in the field, I have to admit I was pretty stunned. Despite not offering much win equity on the PGA Tour over the last handful of years, Shane Lowry is still a top caliber player who has the ability to rise to the top of a signature event.

Lowry struggled to score at The Masters last week, but he actually hit the ball really well. The Irishman ranked 1st for Strokes Gained: Approach on the week and 7th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. As usual, it was the putter that let him down, as he ranked 60th in the field in Strokes Gained: Putting.

Harbour Town is most definitely one of Lowry’s favorite courses on the PGA Tour. In his six starts there, he’s finished in the top 10 three times, including third twice. Lowry is sensational at Pete Dye designs and ranks 7th in Strokes Gained: Total in his past 36 rounds on Dye tracks.

Lowry is perfect for Harbour Town. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 5th in Strokes Gained: Approach, 2nd in Good Drive% and 5th in Green in Regulation %. If he figures it out on the greens, Shane could have his first win in America since 2015.

Lucas Glover +12000 (FanDuel)

This is one of my weekly “bet the number” plays as I strongly believe the odds are just too long for a player of Glover’s caliber. The odds have been too long on Glover for a few weeks now, but this is the first event that I can get behind the veteran being able to actually contend at.

Glover is quietly playing good golf and returning to the form he had after the understandable regression after his two massive victories at the end of 2023. He finished T20 at The Masters, which was his best ever finish at Augusta National. For the week, Lucas ranked 18th for Strokes Gained: Approach and 20th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking.

Over his past 24 rounds, Glover ranks 9th in Strokes Gained: Approach and 13th in Good Drive %. Harbour Town is a short course that the 44-year-old will be able to keep up with the top players on Tour off the tee. He’s played the course more than 20 times, with mixed results. His best finishes at Harbour Town include a T7 in 2008, but recently has a finish of T21 in 2020.

Glover has proven he can contend with the stars of the Tour on any given week, and this number is flat out disrespectful.

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19th Hole

Vincenzi: The 6 biggest takeaways from the 2024 Masters

Published

1 day ago

Apr 15, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

The 2024 Masters offered up plenty of excitement throughout the week with Scottie Scheffler delivering when it mattered to live up to his pre-tournament favorite tag. With the year’s opening major now in the books, here are my six biggest takeaways from the 2024 Masters.

Scheffler In a League of His Own

In the most impressive way possible, Scottie Scheffler won the Masters without having his absolute best stuff. For the week, Scottie ranked 19th in Strokes Gained: Approach, which is a category the number player in the world typically dusts the rest of the field in. After a strong approach day on Thursday, the 27-year-old lost strokes to the field on approach on Friday and Saturday, before gaining on Sunday. The iron performance was more than solid, but it was an all-around game that helped Scheffler get it done around Augusta National.

For a year or more, the narrative around Scheffler has been, “With his ball striking, if he can just putt to field average, he’ll be unbeatable.” At Augusta, his ball striking came back down to earth, but his touch around the greens and ability to manage the golf course demonstrated why he is the best player on the planet right now. For the week, Scheffler ranked 1st in the field in Strokes Gained: Around the Green and 24th in Strokes Gained: Putting.

For the time being, there is a major gap between Scottie Scheffler and the second-best player in the world, whoever that may be.

The Future is Now

Ludvig Aberg went into his first back-nine at the Masters with a legitimate shot to win the tournament. When he teed it up on the treacherous 11th hole, he was one behind Scottie Scheffler, who had just stuck one to a few feet on the 9th. By the time he approached his tee shot, which was perfectly striped down the left side of the fairway, he was two behind. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old got too aggressive with his approach at the 11th and found the water, making double bogey. Ludvig rebounded nicely and finished the event in solo second place.

With the Masters now in the rearview, it’s never been more evident that Ludvig Aberg is no longer an “up-and-comer” — he has arrived. The Swede has been an integral part of a winning European Ryder Cup team and has now contended at Augusta National. With a calm demeanor, a picture-perfect swing, and a build and stature that appears as if it was built in a lab, Ludvig Aberg is already amongst the world’s best. I’d be extremely surprised if he wasn’t in the mix at next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.

Nostalgia Wins

I try to avoid as many cliches as possible, but there’s something about the Masters that brings out the sentimentality in me. Tiger Woods strategically making his way around Augusta National without all of the physical tools that made him arguably the most dominant athlete in the history of sports will always be riveting, regardless of what score he shoots. Woods made it interesting until a tough stretch of holes on Saturday, but he ultimately wore down, shooting 16 over for the week in difficult conditions. It’s remarkable that the 15-time major champion was able to put together a few solid rounds of golf despite barely playing any competitive golf in 2024. As long as Woods tees it up at Augusta, we will all continue to be mesmerized by it.

Verne Lundquist’s 40th and final Masters Tournament was also a must-watch aspect of the event. The iconic voice of Lundquist and his calls throughout the years still give me chills each time I hear them. Verne is an icon of the game and will be missed in future renditions of the Masters.

The Masters also brings another element that is unique to the tournament. Former champions turn back the clock to battle with the golf course again which creates some amazing stories. There are a few that stick out this year and were an absolute pleasure to witness. 61-year-old Vijay Singh made the cut for the first time since 2018 and shot a pretty incredible even-par, 72 on Sunday. 58-year-old José María Olazábal made the cut as well, reminding us why fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm sought his valuable advice prior to his Masters victory in 2022.

Regardless of who wins, the Masters always delivers.

Bryson Moves the Needle

Plenty will disagree with me on this point, but outside of Tiger Woods, and potentially Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, no one moves the needle in golf as much as Bryson DeChambeau. The uniqueness in which Bryson approaches the game has always been fascinating, and if he gets near the top of the leaderboard at any major championship, whether it’s to root for him or against him, people are interested.

It began on Monday with a pretty bizarre story of DeChambeau using 3D-printed irons that got just got cleared for use by the USGA when the week began. It once again felt like a storyline that would only be possible with a character as eccentric as Bryson. He then raced off to a first-round lead in tough conditions, reminding the world of what made him such a great golfer to begin with. He made some mistakes on the weekend, but still finished a career best T6 at The Masters.

Bryson is more than just quirky; he is a former U.S. Amateur Champion and U.S. Open who I believe will contend for more majors in the future. I will continue to root for DeChambeau, but I’m perfectly content with the fact that plenty will root against him, and I encourage those people to do so. That’s what makes it fun.

LIV Walks Away Empty-Handed

Last year, there were a multitude of questions about LIV players coming into the year’s first major. They had played very limited tournament golf, and critics of LIV questioned whether the 54-hole events were enough to sharpen the players enough to compete against the best in the world on the biggest stage.

The results were fascinating, with LIV players all over the leaderboard. Brooks Koepka held the 36- and 54-hole lead, with Phil Mickelson and Patrick Reed finishing T2 and T4, giving LIV three golfers in the top-4 of the leaderboard.

This season, with even more time removed and with some more massive additions to the roster, the intrigue surrounding LIV players at Augusta was once again palpable. While some players, including Bryson DeChambeau, exceeded expectations, I can’t help but walk away from the Masters feeling underwhelmed by the performance of the LIV players.

Brooks Koepka finished runner-up last season and is a certified major championship killer. The 5-time major champ was never involved and simply didn’t have it at Augusta. Dustin Johnson put together a putrid performance, shooting 13 over for his two rounds, making it fair to wonder if his days of contending at major championships are over as he rapidly approaches his 40th birthday.

Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann were both players who were amongst the favorites this week, but Rahm was faced with the daunting duties of defending champion and Niemann proved he was still not quite ready to master the quirks of Augusta National, bleeding strokes both around and on the greens.

To be fair, when all was said and done, LIV had four players in the top twelve at The Masters. Tyrrell Hatton stormed the leaderboard early on Sunday, finishing T9 and earning himself an invite back to Augusta next season. Cam Smith and Patrick Reed put together gritty performances, which isn’t too surprising considering the fact that they both absolutely love Augusta National, but neither ever felt a real threat to win. There’s no doubt the players on LIV are good, and that’s why some encouraging leaderboard positions aren’t enough. They needed to contend.

With no players part of the storyline on Sunday, I view the first major of the year as a disappointment for LIV. The players will head into next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla with a lot to prove.

Rory’s Struggles Continues

Rory struggling at Augusta National is no surprise at this point. The four-time major champion has now had 10 attempts to complete the career grand slam and has never had a chance to win. His T2 in 2022 was deceiving, the Northern Irishman stormed the leaderboard on Sunday, but was never in contention, and never got within three shots of the winner, Scottie Scheffler.

I didn’t expect Rory to win, but I have to admit that this year felt a bit different. McIlroy played the week prior to the Masters, which he typically doesn’t do, and finished third at the Valero Texas Open. He gained 7.56 strokes on approach and 2.0 strokes off the tee, which told me that his visit with world-renowned swing coach, Butch Harmon, after the Players Championship paid dividends.

McIlroy also approached the media quite differently. He cut his pre-tournament press conference short after only 10 minutes and seemed to be laser-focused on just playing golf.

Despite the different approach to the Masters, the results were the same. McIlroy struggled over the course of the week, finishing T22 (+4) and never sniffed a decent weekend position on the leaderboard. It’s back to the drawing board for McIlroy, and I have doubts that he will ever figure it out at Augusta.

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19th Hole

Vincenzi: The 8 best prop bets for the 2024 Masters

Published

1 week ago

Apr 9, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

We’ve finally reached The Masters and excitement is at an all-time high. The world of golf has been fractured for the better part of two years, but for a week at Augusta National, all of the outside noise will disappear. All of the best players in the world will be together seeking to make history.

RELATED: Vincenzi’s 2024 Masters betting preview: Niemann to play star role at Augusta National

In addition to betting on The Masters champion. This is one of the few weeks of the year where there are so many more markets to explore, with value to be had in plenty of different categories.

Throughout this article, I’ll discuss all of my favorite props and players for the 2024 Masters.

Placement Bets:

Tony Finau Top 5 +750 (DraftKings):

I badly wanted to include Tony Finau in my outright betting selections, but I simply ran out of room on my card. Additionally, it’s slightly difficult to see him hitting the putts necessary to win the Masters on back nine on Sunday. However, I do strongly believe he will play great golf this week at Augusta National.

In his past 24 rounds, Finau ranks 4th in Strokes Gained: Approach is always amongst the best drivers of the golf ball in the game. Back in 2019, Finau had a great chance to win The Masters. I expect him to be hanging around over the weekend once again in 2024.

Gary Woodland Top 20 +550 (DraftKings), Gary Woodland to make the cut -110 (DraftKings):

Last season, Gary Woodland had his best ever finish at The Masters in his eleven tries. The 39-year-old finished T14 and played incredibly steady across all four rounds.

In Woodland’s most recent start at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, he struck the ball incredibly well. He led the field in Strokes Gained: Approach (+8.8) and Strokes Gained: Ball Striking (+10.0).

Gary has been working with Butch Harmon and absolutely flushing the ball both in tournaments and during practice.

Woodland appears to be healthy once again and in a great place physically and mentally. If he can build off his impressive performance at Augusta last year, he can place inside the top ten in 2024.

Additionally, the make the cut number on Woodland seems generous considering the number of players who miss the cut will be relatively small this week. Woodland is striking it well enough to make the cut even if he’s hindered by a balky putter once again.

Thorbjorn Olesen Top 20 +400 (FanDuel):

The Thunder Bear, Thorbjorn Olesen, made his Masters debut in 2013 and finished an incredibly impressive T6 for the week. In the two additional starts he’s made at Augusta National since then, the Dane has continued to be incredibly solid, finishing T44 and T21.

This week, Olesen heads into the week playing some good golf. He gained 3.8 strokes on approach and 5.52 strokes around the green at last week’s Valero Texas Open on his way to a strong T14 finish. Back in January, he won the Ras Al Khaimah Championship on the DP World Tour.

Olesen has the skill set to be successful at Augusta and seems primed for a good performance this week.

Top Nationalities:

Sergio Garcia Top Spanish Player +280 (DraftKings):

I believe Sergio Garcia can get into contention this week with the way he’s striking the ball in addition to his good vibes with a refurbished version of the Scotty Cameron that he used at the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah.

I am slightly concerned about the emotional letdown he may face after losing in a playoff at LIV Miami, but I believe a veteran and former Masters champion should be able to regroup and focus on an event far more meaningful.

This is essentially a tournament head-to-head with Jon Rahm at +280. While Rahm deserves to be respected this week, the history of the lack of success of defending champions at The Masters is difficult to ignore.

Joaquin Niemann Top South American Player -230 (FanDuel):

While I hate paying this much juice, I don’t see a world in which Joaquin Niemann isn’t the top South American this week at The Masters. Joaco comes in playing better golf than anyone in the world not named Scottie Scheffler and has a serious chance to win the green jacket.

He only needs to beat two players: Emiliano Grillo and Camilo Villegas.

Tournament Head-to-Heads:

Justin Thomas -110 over Collin Morikawa

JT isn’t having his best season but is playing a lot better than he is getting credit for at the moment. In the past three months, there are only six players on the PGA Tour who have averaged 1.7 Strokes Gained: Tee to Green or better. Justin Thomas (+1.7) is one of the six and is currently tied with Rory McIlroy (+1.7).

Morikawa, on the other hand, has been extremely poor with his irons, which is incredibly uncharacteristic for him. I can’t help but feel like something is completely off with the two-time major champion.

Tony Finau -110 over Wyndham Clark

I explained in the placement section why I’m so high on Tony Finau this week. With how well he’s striking the ball, it seems as if his floor is extremely high. I’m not sure if he can make the putts to win a green jacket but I believe he will be in the mix similarly to 2019 when Tiger Woods emerged from a crowded pack of contenders.

Clark is a debutant, and while some debutants have had success at The Masters, it certainly poses a challenge. I also don’t believe Augusta National suits Clark as well as some of the other major championship venues.

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