Buying shaft from fitter vs online

r_squared · March 21, 2023

Hey there!

I was fitted for a va composite shaft, but what I've found is that its 100 dollars more to go through the fitter vs a site like the peoples club. When I asked what the discrepancy was, I was told the shaft isn't built to the weight nor pured. I've read mixed reviews on puring and seems like it won't really help someone at my handicap (20), so i'm curious what the difference is between just ordering the exact shaft online vs getting it through the fitter for the extra cash, if anything.

Thanks!

taylorx300 · March 21, 2023

Save your money and source it uncut.

AmateurAmateur · March 21, 2023

In my opinion unless the fitter went above and beyond with the entire fit/ communication/ treatment when you were there, giving them an extra $100 doesn't do much for you. If you plan on being a regular customer there with club builds/future fits it might be best to develop a positive relationship early, but at the end of the day the only thing you owe them is for services they delivered. Puring a VA Composite is likely not worth it for your handicap level. I'd save the money and buy online (From a reputable dealer). However if you feel like you got more out of the fit then you were charged, you buying from the fitter is a nice gesture.

phizzy30 · March 22, 2023

I highly recommend Will. He's done tons of builds for me in the past and he is without a doubt one of the best in the business when it comes to building clubs and customer service.

Edited March 22, 2023 by phizzy30

r_squared · March 22, 2023

20 hours ago, taylorx300 said:

Save your money and source it uncut.

I'm not sure I understand that. just a raw shaft? where do you source something like that and then how do you get it cut and attached to your driver head?

20 hours ago, AmateurAmateur said:

In my opinion unless the fitter went above and beyond with the entire fit/ communication/ treatment when you were there, giving them an extra $100 doesn't do much for you. If you plan on being a regular customer there with club builds/future fits it might be best to develop a positive relationship early, but at the end of the day the only thing you owe them is for services they delivered. Puring a VA Composite is likely not worth it for your handicap level. I'd save the money and buy online (From a reputable dealer). However if you feel like you got more out of the fit then you were charged, you buying from the fitter is a nice gesture.

I may do this, they actually offered to re-fit for free since it was a couple years ago and i never pulled the trigger.

I'm still confused on whether they do something special to the shaft with weight, length, etc that an online dealer can't do if i buy the shaft from them though.

AmateurAmateur · March 22, 2023

1 minute ago, r_squared said:

I'm not sure I understand that. just a raw shaft? where do you source something like that and then how do you get it cut and attached to your driver head?

I may do this, they actually offered to re-fit for free since it was a couple years ago and i never pulled the trigger.

I'm still confused on whether they do something special to the shaft with weight, length, etc that an online dealer can't do if i buy the shaft from them though.

They would likely just make sure its a tighter tolerance. Shafts might say 60 gram stiff but they'll be heavier than that and the flex might vary within half a flex or so. It's just their way of confirming the shaft you hit in the fitting is as close as possible to the one you get built up to play.

D0ch0l1d4y · March 22, 2023

23 minutes ago, r_squared said:

I'm not sure I understand that. just a raw shaft? where do you source something like that and then how do you get it cut and attached to your driver head?

I may do this, they actually offered to re-fit for free since it was a couple years ago and i never pulled the trigger.

I'm still confused on whether they do something special to the shaft with weight, length, etc that an online dealer can't do if i buy the shaft from them though.

Sounds like you went to Club Champion. They fit me into a Diamana TB - then wanted $500+ to build it. Bought the exact same shaft for $180 on BST. Club Champion claims the build quality they produce is best, and that the puring process and built to your specs is worth the premium $$. It's not. Any capable club tech would be able to do the exact same thing.

Which VA Composites shaft? If you have patience it may pop up here. Or look on Ebay. Or buy from Will.

There are 3 on BST in one ad:

WristySwing · March 23, 2023

On 3/21/2023 at 11:03 AM, r_squared said:

Hey there!

I was fitted for a va composite shaft, but what I've found is that its 100 dollars more to go through the fitter vs a site like the peoples club. When I asked what the discrepancy was, I was told the shaft isn't built to the weight nor pured. I've read mixed reviews on puring and seems like it won't really help someone at my handicap (20), so i'm curious what the difference is between just ordering the exact shaft online vs getting it through the fitter for the extra cash, if anything.

Thanks!

The difference could be built vs. not. I don't know Will's policies, so maybe this isn't the case, but some places have a "shaft" charge and then they add a "build" charge. When I worked at a big box store, you could buy shafts direct from us, but if you wanted it built, it was an extra I think $40 on top to have it installed, swing weighted, etc. I know a lot of fitting studios have the build charge rolled into it. So this could be at least part of the discrepancy.

st1800e · March 23, 2023

19 hours ago, phizzy30 said:

highly recommend Will

Who is Will?

phizzy30 · March 23, 2023

Just now, st1800e said:

Who is Will?

Will Peoples.

phizzy30 · March 23, 2023

2 hours ago, WristySwing said:

The difference could be built vs. not. I don't know Will's policies, so maybe this isn't the case, but some places have a "shaft" charge and then they add a "build" charge. When I worked at a big box store, you could buy shafts direct from us, but if you wanted it built, it was an extra I think $40 on top to have it installed, swing weighted, etc. I know a lot of fitting studios have the build charge rolled into it. So this could be at least part of the discrepancy.

Will and I have an understanding/agreement because I've done a lot of business with him in the past and I will leave it at that. Normally, he charges for shaft, grip and tip but there is no "build" charge.

Shushwap · March 23, 2023

Let's think about this for a min.. you mentioned u are a 20ish cap

Do you honestly think purring or making sure the weight is close to what u swung in your fitting is going to make any difference in your swing

Save the 100 bucks and put it towards a lesson.. I would bet my fav 7 wood you will get more from the lesson

Good on you for getting fit.. take some lessons and work on that swing

Welcome to the world of golf 🍻

NewToGolf19 · April 1, 2023

@r_squared I bought a pured and built to custom specs VA Composites Vylyn 65 four shaft from CC 1.5 years. I was convinced after the fitting my driver woes were finally cured. They’re not, and I am about to post the shaft (and many others) on the BST.

save your money, buy it used or through one of the many online dealers (Will Peoples, Dallas Golf, Fairway Jockey, etc). Puring seems unnecessary for a premium shaft.

good luck.

Hoyoymac · April 19, 2023

If you are on the Golf WRX forum there is a better than average chance that you are someone with a passion for golf and golf equipment. You may also be a DIY kind of person.

For those golfers that don’t really care too much about their equipment or their individual specs, having a fitter make the recommendations and then source the components and build the clubs might be confidence inspiring and well worth it in exchange for the savings of time and effort to do it all themselves.

On the other hand, if you are constrained by budget, have DIY skills and have extra free time and ready access to the tools required to tinker with your own equipment than you will save money in exchange for that time and effort. You may also gain personal satisfaction in putting everything together yourself.

I know some guys, myself included, that really enjoy learning about how golf clubs are put together and the club tinkering becomes a part of their overall love for the game.