Equipment
Why True Spec Golf’s acquisition of Club-Conex is so important
Custom club fitter True Spec Golf has purchased what is arguably one of the most important companies in golf club fitting, Club-Conex.
Club-Conex, based in Rockford, Ill., produces universal adapter systems that allow for the interchangeability of club heads and shafts regardless of manufacturer. Founded in 2004, Club-Conex’s products have helped consumers, instructors and custom fitters compare the performance of different golf club heads and shafts without the need to purchase multiple models of the same shaft.
Here’s how the testing/fitting process works without Club-Conex. Say a golfer is using an adjustable club head and shaft from Brand A, but wants to try that shaft in Brand B’s adjustable club head. Since each brand’s adjustability systems are incompatible with each other, the golfer has two options:
- Remove the shaft adapter from Brand A’s shaft, and install Brand B’s shaft adapter.
- Purchase an additional shaft and install Brand B’s shaft adapter in order to compare the performance of the two club heads at the same time.
Option 1 eliminates the ability to simultaneously test the clubs, while option 2 is expensive, forcing golfers to purchase an additional shaft and shaft adapter.
While only a small percentage of golfers will go to such lengths to compare products on their own, the ability of custom fitters to compare different models of club heads and shafts is essential to their businesses. Custom fitting companies can stock anywhere from a few to a few dozen different brands of golf clubs, each with their own unique adjustability systems. Many premium club fitters have taken the costly route of stocking multiple shafts for each type of club head in order to please consumers who are increasingly interested in trying a variety of expensive, aftermarket shafts, while others have turned to Club-Conex.
Forty of the top 100 club fitters in the U.S., as well as more than 1,000 club fitters worldwide are currently using Club-Conex, according to Hoyt McGarity, co-CEO of True Spec Golf, which has plans to expand on the five custom-fitting centers it has located in the U.S., Bahamas and Switzerland. McGarity and co-CEO Kyle Monfort were the leading forces behind the acquisition, which was rooted in concern that another custom fitting company would purchase Club-Conex.
“Imagine if I had to have designated shafts for each company?,” McGarity said. “I’d have 800 shafts on the wall. It wouldn’t be cost effective, and I’d be bankrupt.”
Club-Conex’ management and production will remain in Illinois and it will be “business as usual” for the company, according to a True Spec press release.
“We’re looking forward to assisting them in product evolution and marketing,” said Jeff Sparling, Director of Business Development for True Spec.
In 2014, Club-Conex’ UNIT-FIT driver assembly, which consists of a universal tip adapter and specific hosel sleeve that is paired to each manufacturer’s driver head, was approved by the USGA and R&A for tournament use.
McGarity said that he and Monfort plan to improve Club-Conex’s products as they examine current market trends, and will develop new options for teaching professionals at the PGA Merchandise Show in January.
Club-Conex’s products will continue to be sold through its website.
“The determination to sell the company was not only driven by financial reward, but one where the new ownership and I share a common vision for the growth of the company,” said Eric Burch, Club-Conex Founder. “I look forward to continuing to design products that help the club fitting business run more efficiently and I am eternally grateful for the past and continuing support.”
- LIKE126
- LEGIT15
- WOW11
- LOL2
- IDHT2
- FLOP0
- OB3
- SHANK19
Whats in the Bag
Steve Stricker WITB 2024 (April)
- Steve Stricker WITB accurate as of the Zurich Classic. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, C4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 7.2 X
3-wood: Titleist 915F (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist 816 H1 (17 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 9.2 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (3, 4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 (46-10F @55), Titleist Vokey SM10 (54-10S @53), Titleist Vokey SM4 (60 @59)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 w/Sensicore
Putter: Odyssey White Hot No. 2
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grip Rite
Check out more in-hand photos of Steve Stricker’s clubs here.
- LIKE3
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT1
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Whats in the Bag
Alex Fitzpatrick WITB 2024 (April)
- Alex Fitzpatrick what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7 X
Hybrid: Ping G430 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10 TX
Irons: Ping iCrossover (2), Titleist T100 (4-PW)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 9 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50-12F, 56-12D, 60-08M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X
Putter: Bettinardi SS16 Dass
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Alex Fitzpatrick’s clubs here.
- LIKE2
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Equipment
What’s the perfect mini-driver/shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been discussing Mini-Drivers and accompanying shafts. WRXer ‘JamesFisher1990’ is about to purchase a BRNR Mini and is torn on what shaft weight to use, and our members have been sharing their thoughts and set ups in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- PARETO: “New BRNR at 13.5. Took it over to TXG (Club Champ but TXG will always rule) in Calgary for a fit. Took the head down to 12, stuck in a Graphite Design AD at 3 wood length and 60g. Presto- numbers that rivaled my G430Max but with waaaaay tighter dispersion. Win.”
- driveandputtmachine: “Still playing a MIni 300. The head was only 208, so I ordered a heavier weight and play it at 3 wood length. I am playing a Ventus Red 70. I play 70 grams in my fairways. I use it mainly to hit draws off the tee. When I combine me, a driver, and trying to hit a draw it does not work out well most of the time. So the MIni is for that. As an aside, I have not hit the newest BRNR, but the previous model wasn’t great off the deck. The 300 Mini is very good off the deck.”
- JAM01: “Ok, just put the BRNR in the bag along side a QI10 max and a QI10 3 wood. A load of top end redundancy. But, I have several holes at my two home courses where the flight and accuracy of the mini driver helps immensely. Mine is stock Proforce 65 at 13.5, I could see a heavier shaft, but to normal flex, as a nice alternative.”
Entire Thread: “What’s the perfect Mini-Driver/Shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
- LIKE3
- LEGIT1
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK4
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole4 days ago
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
-
19th Hole4 days ago
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Brandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
Pingback: TSG / Club-Conex feature on GOLFWRX.com - True Spec Golf
lew
Nov 12, 2015 at 2:50 pm
Im lost on why people think this is not great for golf. If you have shafts and adapters for a few different heads and brands you can use these to test between without the issues of pulling and re-glueing eventual killing the shafts.
From the fitters point the saving over having many shafts for each adapter passes is amazing.
From a customers view they should see some savings as it costs the fitter less too.
Win win win if u ask me.
Styles
Nov 10, 2015 at 6:33 pm
The article claims conex is important but doesn’t backup the headline assertion that the acquisition by true spec is important. It also doesn’t explain why conex is important. Are independent club fitters relevant to the 99% of golfers?
Steve
Nov 12, 2015 at 9:32 am
Definately makes no sense. Is it “so important” when it effects only 40/100 U.S top clubfitters and return effects less then 1/1000 golfers? This is a infomercial more or less, most likely paid by the company to write it.
Mat
Nov 10, 2015 at 4:12 pm
It sure would be nice if they sold to consumers…
Apprenti23
Nov 10, 2015 at 9:40 pm
They’ve been available for purchase by Joe Schmoe for the past ten years. You can buy them online through golfworks or either golfsmith, i can’t remember who sorry
Mat
Nov 11, 2015 at 1:27 am
Let me rephrase; it would be nice if they offered “off the shelf kits” or a simple online store that would let me just buy the parts I need, and take them to a club shop.
JD
Nov 11, 2015 at 11:11 am
http://www.clubconex.com/#!shop-all/cav5
Mike
Nov 10, 2015 at 2:40 pm
I wish this would be put out of business by an industry standard adapter…
Charlie
Nov 10, 2015 at 1:34 pm
Seriously, why? Did I miss part of the article?
George
Nov 10, 2015 at 1:01 pm
Nice advertising for True Spec, important not really
cho
Nov 10, 2015 at 2:36 pm
George.. they arnt sponsors but nice try.
Two clubfitters in the area I live has this setup and it is awesome. I can test any shaft I want and not just the ones the manufacturer has in their fitting cart. It also allows the small guy to only buy one shaft to cover all heads.
Steve
Nov 12, 2015 at 9:35 am
You would go to a fitter with only one shaft to try?
SKip
Nov 10, 2015 at 12:48 pm
Soooo, this acquisition is important because…..?
Joshuaplaysgolf
Nov 10, 2015 at 2:28 pm
Because the name on the building/products will be changing. ITS ASTRONOMICAL!!!!!
Actually, it’s huge because the dudes that started the company can move out of Rockford. I grew up about 30 miles west of there down route 20 and it’s gone steeply downhill in the past few years from quiet, mid-size Midwestern city to major drug hub riddled with daily violence. Not awesome. Good for those guys.
Tom
Nov 10, 2015 at 12:09 pm
This is great for the industry.