Portland Area Fitter

[ZacA215]

Okay, I looked at most of the other threads, but the newest was from 10/2018, so I wanted to see if there were any recent changes to local fitters.

Who does everyone go to for fittings? I am not a member of a private club, so I would rely on public options, or options open to the public. This would mainly be for my driver, but eventually other clubs as well. Is there anyone you would recommend to see? I would prefer to stay towards the East side if at all possible, but I know golf out on this side is slim-to-none compared to SE or West side.

Cost is a factor, but since it is only my driver right now, I'm not overly concerned with it.

[SouthLand]

I take lessons at Red Tail, really like my guy there, and have talked to some of the fitters. The ones I've talked to are younger, but seem like good enough guys. They know the gear, at least. I haven't been fitted out there yet, but will likely do so for my driver at least in the next month.

Given how extensive the practice facility is and how much they lean on retail, I think it would be a good option for fitting. They have at lesat two bays (covered and heated, of course) dedicated to it. Good luck and report back! I will if I beat you to it.

On an aside, I've always wondered what the delta is between just paying for the fitting and buying elsewhere vs. buying where you take lessons or are member, etc...

[ZacA215]

I know that most places will offer the whole, "If you buy your club through us, the cost of fitting will go towards said purchase.." but I still feel like it may be worth the $50 or whatever it might be to get fit, find what you need and the check BST or other places like that for a deal, or possibly buying the shaft and head separately, etc..

[oregongolf]

I would suggest Redtail (just for quantity of options).

Fittings there can be hit or miss depending on who is doing the fitting. Redtail is a good option if you have fitting experience or you can bring someone who does.

Not sure if it fits your timeline, but I'd just wait for Ben Giunta to get back in town. Probably the best, most complete fitting you'll get here.

[Thornbrugh]

Add another recommendation for Redtail. I have worked w/Rick Westrbook on two occasions in the last decade and thought he was excellent. First person i would try for my next fitting.

[mallrat]

Rick at Redtail is very good but IMO, as is Jason (the one with a thick beard) but they have products and will push you towards certain things. They lean very heavy on distance. I have been fit there a hand full of times and have been disappointed at the end that I let them push me into something. Also, they have never fit me into an after market shaft and generally don’t work much with them

The guys at Club Champion are good and have a wider variety of product. They were much more focused on dispersion and numbers, not just distance. The problem here is their prices are just silly. They charge you for putting a club together instead of having the manufacturer do it.

From my understanding, but I have not used him yet, Ben Giunta or online at The Tour Van, is supposedly awesome. He used to be the main guy in Nike’s tour van. Not sure of his schedule as I believe he spends the winter in Phoenix.

[ZacA215]

@mallrat I've heard the same sort of thing about Redtail. I have been told they are great to test out drivers, but not so much with different shafts. I would prefer not to use a place like Club Champion, just because of pricing, as you said.
I will look into Giunta/The Tour Van. That's out of Pumpkin Ridge now, isn't it? Wouldn't mind going out there to get fitted, even though it's a world away.
On a side note, I have only heard amazing things about what you are doing at Langdon, and I am pumped to finally get to play it this year when VGA Oregon has one of their events there in April. Any idea on a sneaky good time to head out and play it before then? With all this rain, I am hesitant to go out anywhere soon..

[Cgmorri]

Birdie Finish Golf, in Oregon City, check out the website. A few years back I was looking to try the Steel Fiber shafts, found this place via the Steel Fiber website, was the only dealer close that feature the SF shafts. Went there, ended up getting a SF shaft in my 7 iron to test for a week, decided against it, so he reshafted with my old shaft, while he as doing this, he let me play 18 holes on his simulator. Cool simulator, the tee box areas are on hydraulics and adjust to replicate the slope on the course you are playing. Anyway, I would recommend this place, it had personal service and very knowledgable.

[ZacA215]

I've heard about it before, but haven't looked into it. I will check it out!

[mallrat]

So here’s the thing about Club Champion, if you buy almost anything they will discount the fitting price. Over 3 trips I have been fit for irons, driver and woods. I only paid for 1 of the fittings and have purchased a hybrid and driver shaft from them.

For the driver head and irons I went online and found exactly what I wanted for a fraction of the price. As much as it stinks they know it goes on.

 

send me a PM about coming out. It has been pretty wet but still playable. By playable I mean balls weren’t plugging in the fairway. I’ll gladly play a round with you and give you some tips about getting around the course

[OSKARJONES]

Jason at Redtail is a no brainer. He won’t push you to a brand, he’ll push you to the best performance. First time I met him I wanted a new driver. After 1.5 hours with him he sent me home with my old driver. The new drivers weren’t giving me better numbers. Jason will only put you in equipment that is going to perform better for you. And there is no fitting charge.

[DustlnTheWind]

I think you'd be crazy not to go to RedTail. Like others have said, they don't push you into new clubs and will work with you to find what fits you best, not what makes them the most money. I've had my entire bag fitted outside my putter there. 10/10.

[edryer3]

Check out thetourvan.com he was a fitter at The Oven and has a ton of selections and shafts to choose from. He’s out of pumpkin ridge!

[elpollosuperloco]

Did you ever end up settling on something? I've gotten feedback that Club Champion is the way to go. I've also heard of Red Tail giving everyone the same adjustment (+1, 2 degrees up I believe).

[motts]

I did a fitting at CC, and think they did a great job. Didnt feel pressured to buy from them that day, I ended up buying the driver direct from TM then they just put the shaft on, bought the irons through them but it wasnt anything special so he just ordered it from TGW then put on my grips. Super simple, super easy, didn't feel rushed in my time slot either (I think i went about 20-30min over, too), and was able to come back and re-compare two driver shafts free of charge

[elpollosuperloco]

That's pretty cool. As a side note, do you not usually get to walk out with your clubs? What a bummer! It makes sense though since they have to build them. Still, you get all jacked hitting something well and you drop the cash and then you have to wait. What's the lead time like?

[motts]

It only took a week or two to get mine in, but they were mostly built already since the shaft I was fit to was an option. It could take longer if they (CC) are putting the shafts on for you and need to source them separately.

I really enjoyed it though. I know people are against CC due to the cost, but for me it was worth it. I'll most likely be going back to be fit for either a utility iron or a fairway wood

[Wardonation]

Ben Gunta tourvan hands down

[elpollosuperloco]

Thanks Motts, I appreciate that feedback. I'm also going to talk to Ben at the tour van too. See who I vibe with.

[motts]

Does anyone know a place I could get a shaft trimmed down to a 3w length this week? Would like to use it on Friday, but have no idea where I can take it

[mallrat]

the Tour Van would be my 1st option then Club Champion or Birdie Finish if not there most courses will have someone who can do it

[motts]

cool, thanks! ill try to reach out to Tour Van or Birdie Finish, CC is slammed

[bobby.uchida]

Loose cannon Golf studio is a good place for this.

[edryer3]

Brian at Loose Cannon Golf is great if you are downtown. And Par West Golf on Halsey is great. Support local and not big box stores ?

[Btpdx]

I will add another vote for Birdie Finish. Jari fit me for a new driver and refit (shafts and lie adjustments) my existing irons. I have also done a handful of lessons. Great guy.

[ernotte]

Connor at Club Champion has been solid and has been great with the 90 day fit guarantee. I went in with my budget and he easily stayed under it. 

[PorkChopExpress]

Ben at The Tour Van if you can make it out west

But a fitting imo is more than a single session 

See Ben early

play 9 holes on ghost

back to Ben and for any tweaks

then play the back nine 

Then play your normal home course 

 

nosler in the Pearl is great, he used to be out at Langdon, but he’s inside 
Jason at redtail outdoor

 

but nothing beats a fitting on grass and then being able to take it to the course 

 

[motts]

On 8/24/2020 at 10:40 PM, ernotte said:

Connor at Club Champion has been solid and has been great with the 90 day fit guarantee. I went in with my budget and he easily stayed under it. 

Connor is who I worked with also, he's great

[Thornbrugh]

Bump. I am looking to get a driver fitting for the season ahead. I don't think I would feel good about doing a fitting indoors...I really need the confidence of seeing the actual flight of the shots. Consensus above seems to be Redtail and The Tour Van for outdoor fittings. I commented above about my positive experiences from Redtail from a few years back and I am inclined to go that route again, but my questions are... any other outdoor facilities/fitters I should consider? I see a lot of positive feedback above about Ben at The Tour Van, but not any details about what makes his fitting superior so would love to hear some examples? Also, looks like The Tour Van isn't back until ~May.  

[Baskee]

Depending on your club, you can also do a fitting with PXG, as they have a mobile van.  My experience there was a great one.

 

Jari at Birdie Finish is hands down the best, but he is indoors.