Joe and Leigh's or Club Champion for full bag fitting in MA?

[dejanomics]

I am getting a full bag fitting as a gift from my girlfriend for my 30th birthday. I was wondering if anyone has had a fitting experience at Joe and Leigh's in Easton or one of the Club Champion locations recently? J & L seems like the better value, but I recently saw CC is offering 50% off fittings with the opening of their new location. However, I have read in the forums that CC prices can quickly add up. I appreciate your input.

[dejanomics]

I am getting a full bag fitting as a gift from my girlfriend for my 30th birthday. I was wondering if anyone has had a fitting experience at Joe and Leigh's in Easton or one of the Club Champion locations recently? J & L seems like the better value, but I recently saw CC is offering 50% off fittings with the opening of their new location. However, I have read in the forums that CC prices can quickly add up. I appreciate your input.

[dejanomics]

I am getting a full bag fitting as a gift from my girlfriend for my 30th birthday. I was wondering if anyone has had a fitting experience at Joe and Leigh's in Easton or one of the Club Champion locations recently? J & L seems like the better value, but I recently saw CC is offering 50% off fittings with the opening of their new location. However, I have read in the forums that CC prices can quickly add up. I appreciate your input.

[JFitz357]

I've know both Joe and Leigh since they bought Pine Oaks and developed the pro shop in the early 1980"s. They are honest and up front in all their business dealings. I have used them for fitting for my past 2-3 sets of clubs. Their staff is well trained and they use state of the art launch monitors. There is the added advantage of seeing the ball flight. Instead of hitting into a net, you actually hit out to a range. For fittings I'd ask for either Jeff or Darren. Jeff is a bit stronger on the launch monitor data, while Darren is also a teacher and will help your analyse your swing. FYI my set configuration is Ping 400 driver, Ping G fairway, NEW...Tour Edge Exotics EXS 3,4,5 hybrids, and Titleist AP3 irons. Fitted for a Scotty Cameron Futura 5s putter. very happy with the configuration in my Bag!!

 

Jim, the retired GC Super

[dejanomics]

I've know both Joe and Leigh since they bought Pine Oaks and developed the pro shop in the early 1980"s. They are honest and up front in all their business dealings. I have used them for fitting for my past 2-3 sets of clubs. Their staff is well trained and they use state of the art launch monitors. There is the added advantage of seeing the ball flight. Instead of hitting into a net, you actually hit out to a range. For fittings I'd ask for either Jeff or Darren. Jeff is a bit stronger on the launch monitor data, while Darren is also a teacher and will help your analyse your swing. FYI my set configuration is Ping 400 driver, Ping G fairway, NEW...Tour Edge Exotics EXS 3,4,5 hybrids, and Titleist AP3 irons. Fitted for a Scotty Cameron Futura 5s putter. very happy with the configuration in my Bag!!

 

Jim, the retired GC Super

Thank you Jim! Very helpful information.

[BostonWRX]

J&L is probably the best value fitting you can get. As above poster said your actually hitting the ball outside

 

Club Champion in Needham hitting into a Net. Not a fan of that. Not sure if they opened another location where you hit outside here

 

Cool Clubs in Needham is really cool. Roll up the garage door and hit the ball outside. I wouldn't recommend buying clubs from them tho crazy $$

[TPG1971]

I do not see any ads for 50% off Club Champion, so 350 for a full bag will not be as good of a value as Joe and Leigh. Good Luck!

[Augustok]

I’ve been to Joe & Leigh’s for a fairway fitting once after a demo day a while ago. They have been there a long time and have a large used club section and take your clubs in trade which is convenient. But I suppose most places do that. No experience with the other you mentioned. However i like Sandbaggers better in Pembroke. But they don’t have indoor/outdoor bays like a Joe and Leigh’s, but are open all year too, but it’s snowing today. It’s a father and son long time business and many women go there for lessons and purchasing clubs even the ones who belong to private clubs in the area and play competitive golf.

[mjf34g]

I know you didn't ask so I'll add my two cents. LOL.

Since your in Boston and close enough to Saugus I would head to Frank Viola at Ace of Clubs. IMHO he is. if not the best, one of the best in the country. I've dealt with Frank numerous times and he does absolutly fabulous work. He's knowlegable, offers every major OEM products and is a blast to work with. He's not cheap but IMHO you get what you pay for.

http://www.aceofclubstp.com/

[cbbaron]

I’ve been to Joe & Leigh’s for a fairway fitting once after a demo day a while ago. They have been there a long time and have a large used club section and take your clubs in trade which is convenient. But I suppose most places do that. No experience with the other you mentioned. However i like Sandbaggers better in Pembroke. But they don’t have indoor/outdoor bays like a Joe and Leigh’s, but are open all year too, but it’s snowing today. It’s a father and son long time business and many women go there for lessons and purchasing clubs even the ones who belong to private clubs in the area and play competitive golf.

Norman has an indoor launch monitor at Sandbaggers he fit me for my new Mizunos

[msh645]

I've had really good success with Bruce Drew at Club Champion in Needham. I actually use to work with him at the new defunct Golfer's Warehouse. He really knows his stuff. I was fitted for my Epic by him and love that club, and I just scheduled an iron fitting with him. Not cheap to order clubs through them but you always have the option of taking the specs and ordering them elsewhere if you'd like (although they won't be pured etc). I get the argument of not being able to hit outside, but trackman does not lie and someone that knows how to read the numbers will be able to get you dialed in.

[jgallant415]

So I got fit at Club Champion 2 years ago and thought it was a good overall experience. While it can be pricey, I will also say they aren’t there just to sell you the most expensive stuff possible - my fitter told me, point blank, that nothing I tested for irons was enough of an improvement vs. my existing setup to justify getting a new set, then spent a good chunk of time dialing in lie and loft to get better gapping through my existing set. I did a full bag fitting but only ended up actually buying a new driver shaft and a new 3w.

 

I’ve heard nothing but good things about Ace of Clubs or Joe and Leigh’s. The only real drawback is neither carries every brand, so if certain brands are important to you, one or the other might not be the right option. I chose CC mainly based on offering a broader selection of brands vs. some of the other well regarded fitters.

[pearls24]

I know you didn't ask so I'll add my two cents. LOL.

Since your in Boston and close enough to Saugus I would head to Frank Viola at Ace of Clubs. IMHO he is. if not the best, one of the best in the country. I've dealt with Frank numerous times and he does absolutly fabulous work. He's knowlegable, offers every major OEM products and is a blast to work with. He's not cheap but IMHO you get what you pay for.

http://www.aceofclubstp.com/

 

I second Frank as well. But he doesn't offer every OEM. He only offers certain brands so he fits you into what works best based on what he carries. He is without a doubt an amazing club builder/fitter. Great guy as well. The beauty with Frank is that he personally builds all of the clubs so you know they will match your specs. J&L's will send the specs to the specific OEM and then it will be a crap shoot if they build it right. In terms of woods, most of the OEM's won't hot melt or properly swing weight the club if you get a shorter length then stock. For me this is worth extra money knowing someone like Frank is building it for you.

[cbbaron]

Norman White at Sandbaggers Pembroke he was a Ping fitter of the year and does a lot of Mizuno. As well as Titleist, Callaway, and Taylormade

[gvogel]

I think that it is important to be fitted outside.

[mjf34g]

I know you didn't ask so I'll add my two cents. LOL.

Since your in Boston and close enough to Saugus I would head to Frank Viola at Ace of Clubs. IMHO he is. if not the best, one of the best in the country. I've dealt with Frank numerous times and he does absolutly fabulous work. He's knowlegable, offers every major OEM products and is a blast to work with. He's not cheap but IMHO you get what you pay for.

http://www.aceofclubstp.com/

 

I second Frank as well. But he doesn't offer every OEM. He only offers certain brands so he fits you into what works best based on what he carries. He is without a doubt an amazing club builder/fitter. Great guy as well. The beauty with Frank is that he personally builds all of the clubs so you know they will match your specs. J&L's will send the specs to the specific OEM and then it will be a crap shoot if they build it right. In terms of woods, most of the OEM's won't hot melt or properly swing weight the club if you get a shorter length then stock. For me this is worth extra money knowing someone like Frank is building it for you.

 

Well that's true. He does carry Callaway, TM, Mizuno and PXG so theres that. LOL.

The more important part as you stated I KNOW Franks ability and how he builds clubs. I KNOW what steps he takes. And if something is wrong he is the person you'll deal with. One issue I have with Club Champion is when the tout their "Master Club Builders". Who are they? What are their qualifications? CC says they are the ones sprinkling magic pixie dust on their custom builds. Who the hell are they? As for OEM custom builds? That's a crap shoot by itself.

[KMo23]

You can order stock custom clubs from CC the same way you would anywhere else

[pearls24]

I know you didn't ask so I'll add my two cents. LOL.

Since your in Boston and close enough to Saugus I would head to Frank Viola at Ace of Clubs. IMHO he is. if not the best, one of the best in the country. I've dealt with Frank numerous times and he does absolutly fabulous work. He's knowlegable, offers every major OEM products and is a blast to work with. He's not cheap but IMHO you get what you pay for.

http://www.aceofclubstp.com/

 

I second Frank as well. But he doesn't offer every OEM. He only offers certain brands so he fits you into what works best based on what he carries. He is without a doubt an amazing club builder/fitter. Great guy as well. The beauty with Frank is that he personally builds all of the clubs so you know they will match your specs. J&L's will send the specs to the specific OEM and then it will be a crap shoot if they build it right. In terms of woods, most of the OEM's won't hot melt or properly swing weight the club if you get a shorter length then stock. For me this is worth extra money knowing someone like Frank is building it for you.

 

Well that's true. He does carry Callaway, TM, Mizuno and PXG so theres that. LOL.

The more important part as you stated I KNOW Franks ability and how he builds clubs. I KNOW what steps he takes. And if something is wrong he is the person you'll deal with. One issue I have with Club Champion is when the tout their "Master Club Builders". Who are they? What are their qualifications? CC says they are the ones sprinkling magic pixie dust on their custom builds. Who the hell are they? As for OEM custom builds? That's a crap shoot by itself.

 

100% agree. Most of the Club Champion stuff is built in Chicago and not in the actual local stores.