Titleist Performance Institute

I cannot recommend the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) highly enough.

Some background: I first took up golf in the mid 1980s when my dad was stationed at Ft. Ord, CA. Both my neighborhood and middle school were set adjacent to the Bayonet Blackhorse golf complex. I began with a Northwestern starter set. I saved up to buy the first release of Hogan Edges (the forged cavity back) while in high school. Eventually, I picked up a set of Maxfli VHLs in college (don't ask me why). Finally, in 1997, I purchased a set of Titleist Oversize+ Black irons.

Each and every set was purchased off the rack, no adjustments. I stand 5-feet, 11 inches and weigh 200 pounds. By college, I regularly played to a 8-10 handicap. In short, I should have known enough to save for a custom fit set a decade ago.

A good friend of mine and I decided to attend TPI last year; this was before the article came out in Golf Magazine. We booked our reservations only a couple months in advance. I'll admit that I didn't pay for the trip or the clubs, so my opinion is too spoiled to be completely valid.

The experience was first class from beginning to end. Even without the resort features and servicing, the day spent at TPI was incredible. This is Titleist's old research facility. To say it was like being a kid in a candy store is akin to remarking that Pebble has a couple of water holes.

Prior to the visit, you fill out an extensive survey of your physical and mental golf game. This information does come into play during the visit. My fitting and analysis was scheduled for a single day, although I hear the program is now spread over 2 days. A good move because I was exhausted by 5 pm --- yes, it begins in earnest at 8 am.

There are several stations to analyze each facet of your game. There is dedicated acerage for the drivers and woods, another for the wedge and sand shots, another for overall short game analysis , a third range for irons, before moving indoors for putting, more video-computer swing analysis, and then the fitness tests.

The club fitting is pretty standard, but extensive. An individual fitter follows you through the process, leading through choices subtly so that I was focused only on smooth swings. I never felt rushed and was given a lot of latitude for providing opinion and asking questions. For the first 75% of swings, I did not look at models. I just swung and provided feel feedback. To my astonishment (to say the least), they recommended the 690 MB. I had never used a blade iron... EVER. The confidence I had was amazing. That initial feeling has only been reinforced repeatedly since.

Another outstanding feature was the putting analysis. Their room mirror's Cameron's studio (which is "down the canyon and around the corner" from TPI). The six-camera set up clearly shows your path and natural tendencies. I made all 3 of my camera putts, but the super-slow motion replay cleared identified my faults. My ball position and swing path are vastly different now. As a right handed putter, the left to right putt is the true measure. My confidence with that putt is growing with each round this year. Again, a complete credit to TPI. (NOTE: 2 different models were recommended, and I admit that I have them both. As much as I love my customized Newport Beach, the RedX is better suited to me).

The other outstanding feature was their short game test. Your resulting score is measured in inches left to the hole, so a lower score is better. The green, rough, bunker, and shaved chipping complex is incredible. Every possible sand, chip, putt, pitch, and lob is a tested factor. Stan Utley and Tom Kite are among the top ten participants --- very cool that you get to keep score against the pros. They even have replica of the Road Hole pot bunker. Elephants definitely buried under that @#)$(@# green.

Recommendations are made throughout -- swing, technique, preparation, etc. The final meeting is a summary of your full swing analysis. Again the latest technology and computer analysis is applied to your swing. I was hooked up with reflective balls that measure my swing in motion. The mathematical and graphical analysis was incredible. In short, their research database is compromised of swings from Woods to Els to Furyk to Alex Spanos (the SD Chargers owner), to each TPI participant --- literally thousands of different swings. The common thread is a particular series of motions in a certain pattern referred to as the "fingerprint". Furyk's swing event fingerprint is almost identical to Els which is why their scoring games are competitive to one another. The fact is that swings don't have to appear pretty or mechanical, but the goal is to sync the events. Pretty simple, but still amazing to see on the flat screen.

Apologies for taking up so much space, but when I discovered golfwrx.com I realized that I found the one place that would appreciate my experience retold. Who else but you guys would find any value in a truly fanatical golf experience like TPI?

Thanks for taking the time to read this. At worst, if anyone reads this who hasn't been fitted for clubs, I hope you won't make the same mistake I did for so long. It doesn't require an investment like TPI, but go to your local pro, Golf Galaxy, or other and get fitted today.

For me? I have shaved several strokes off my handicap and posted 76, 75, and 72 over the Memorial Day weekend. Again, I'll admit I was 3-under with 4 holes to play only to finish with even par, but I guarantee it was the swing and not the clubs!

See the link below for an article on TPI at GOLF Magazine:
Golf Magazine - "I Was a Titleist Lab Rat" (Jan 2005)

Also, the TPI website:
Titleist Performance Institute

Incredible story. What a cool experience. Really good qualilty post. Any pics??? :busted_cop:

awesome detailed report, thanks

sorry the pics aren't very good. this was my first ever attempt at posting photos to the web.

 

Not seen --- they added my initials to the putter toe on the face (N.C.).

 

Again, sorry for the resolution. Hope this works.

 

 

 

 

 

What does a fitting session like this cost?

Titleist Performance Institute

 

Follow this link for the details.

 

I went on the "basic" option (around $4K). We tried to get the Ultimate Experience (Vokey and Cameron do personal fittings), but that requires a group of 6 signing up together.

 

As I stated, though, a good, reputable fitter will probably do just as good of a job. I have read a lot about the trend for fitting academies starting to pop around the country.

 

Good luck.

Dumb question here, did the 4K include the clubs?

 

Great post

You can get their workout video for free, just call the number on the website and they will send it to you

Great post. I've always wished I could find the time to go and have a whole "experience" done. I love those blades! What were you playing prior to the fitting?

Pitbull808 --- have you played Leilehua lately? Sadly, I heard that Kalakaua was closed --- I played there nearly every day in high school. I was playing the Titleist DCI Oversize+ Blacks for 7 years prior to the 690MBs.

 

Bartolomeo --- The 4k includes (2) clubs of your choosing --- most everyone picks driver and putter. A few will take a wedge or hybrid. I bought the remainder of my set from the fitting. Took about 6 weeks for delivery (in December).

Great work and well worth the read.you should give yourself a pat on the back.It 's great to see an insite into your experience at the titleist centre.

keep up the good work.

best wishes

Addam Smith

awesome story, I wish I could go to one of those to actually get fitted once. Well, i'd rather just spend my money buying new stuff

Awesome experience!

 

4k is a lot of bucks to walk away with just two clubs, though. I'd want to be fitted for a whole set if I ever saved up the scratch to afford it. I'm just sour-graping so pay me no mind.

That is a great storey, i would love to go to a fitting like that but 4k is a little to steep for me.

 

Brent:)

I will admit that the price is steep. I was very fortunate.

 

Just to be sure --- you are fitted for an entire set. You can simply order the set later with your specs and results on file.

Thanks for the report, I have this on my golf trips for this year, I really want to go and I am glad to hear it was a great experience, I want to go to the Stan Utley short game school as well, know of anyone that has attended??

Stan Utley school -- yes, I want to attend as well. I wish Golf Digest would feature him more.

 

(This especially after losing 3 and 2 in the opening round of our Match Play event at my club -- @#@#*^*).

 

Let me know if you hear anything.