Best fitters in New England?

[RhodyGolf]

I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for fitters in the New England area (RI)?

 

I heard that Tom Spargo of Spargo Golf in Cranston was good. He is listed in the Top 100 in Golf Digest. How about Joe and Leigh's at Pine Oaks?

 

Also, there are a couple of Performance centers nearby - Callaway in Mass and CT, Taylormade in Mass, and Titleist in Mass and nearby NY. Anyone have good experiences at one of these? Are they worth it?

[Doc Mcstuffins]

I've heard a bunch of guys in the past mention Frank Viola (not sure if he's the the ex pitcher) and I think he is in the NE somewhere.

[TomWishon]

[quote name='RhodyGolf' timestamp='1349890943' post='5776611']
I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for fitters in the New England area (RI)?

I heard that Tom Spargo of Spargo Golf in Cranston was good. He is listed in the Top 100 in Golf Digest. How about Joe and Leigh's at Pine Oaks?

Also, there are a couple of Performance centers nearby - Callaway in Mass and CT, Taylormade in Mass, and Titleist in Mass and nearby NY. Anyone have good experiences at one of these? Are they worth it?
[/quote]

I've had Tom Spargo in a number of seminars I have taught and from my interaction with him I can tell you that he is VERY good. He'll be FAR better than any of these OEM fitting places because he will be able to customize every one of the key fitting elements for every club - not just 3 or 4 for the driver and 1 or 2 for the other clubs like the OEMs do in what they call fitting.

TOM

[P.Lay]

[quote name='joeclothing' timestamp='1349892557' post='5776777']
I've heard a bunch of guys in the past mention Frank Viola (not sure if he's the the ex pitcher) and I think he is in the NE somewhere.
[/quote]

I have been fit by Frank and was very happy with the fitting results and the club builds that he has done for me. Frank is located in Saugus, MA, just about 12-13 miles north of Boston. Friends of mine who have been to Frank to go through a fitting have also reported very positive experiences.

[OrangeCrush]

The 2 big name guys in N.E. are Frank and Tom. No it's not the former pitcher. I live 15 mins from Frank's shop so I gravitate to him but the people down in Bristol Co. MA and RI speak well of Tom.

[JCAG]

To Tom and Frank, add Ken Collins at Kens Kustom Klubs, Manchester NH, 603-623-7876

[mryan0425]

Definitely give Joe Leahy a look at Capital Golf Studio down by Providence. I've worked with him a number of times in the past and cannot say enough good things about it! I live north of Boston and happily make the trip down to RI whenever I need any work done on my clubs.

http://capitalgolfri.uprolink.com/

[BrianL99]

[quote name='RhodyGolf' timestamp='1349890943' post='5776611']
I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for fitters in the New England area (RI)?

I heard that Tom Spargo of Spargo Golf in Cranston was good. He is listed in the Top 100 in Golf Digest. How about Joe and Leigh's at Pine Oaks?

Also, there are a couple of Performance centers nearby - Callaway in Mass and CT, Taylormade in Mass, and Titleist in Mass and nearby NY. Anyone have good experiences at one of these? Are they worth it?
[/quote]

I don't know who Tom Spargo is, so I can't comment on him.

Joe & Leigh's is the famous "3Balls" of eBay fame. I wouldn't use them for fitting, under any circumstances.

That's leaves Frank at Ace of Clubs. I've known him for 10 years, I wouldn't recommend him.

Contrary to Tom Wishon's opinion (we often disagree), I would recommend the TaylorMade Performance Center. Their technology is head & shoulders above what any garage or cellar-based "fitter" has available. (2) Flight Monitors & their high tech 3D modeling system, where they'll stick contacts all over your body & club and develop a 3D model of your swing. I gained 21 yards with my driver, after being fit at the TPC. It's one of only about 6 in the country and barring going to The Kingdom or the "Staff Only" fitting center for Titleist, Callaway or PING, I don't think there's anything that compares with the TPC. (I have nothing to do with them, other than it's located at the club I belong to & I know Steve Tolpa, the Pro who does the fitting). They are offering a discounted winter special, which started this week. As Tom said, they'll only fit you to TaylorMade equipment ... but in spite of what some would like you to believe, the basic club-lines of all the manufactures are fairly similar. The all have "blades, SGI, GI's" & some in between.

[Fore_Man]

[quote name='accufitgolf' timestamp='1349969570' post='5780899']
To Tom and Frank, add Ken Collins at Kens Kustom Klubs, Manchester NH, 603-623-7876
[/quote]

Haven't used Kustom Klubs, but he's a top 100 fitter and has been doing it a long time. Was even featured on NH Chronicle too.

[sodak77]

[quote name='mryan0425' timestamp='1349972016' post='5781097']
Definitely give Joe Leahy a look at Capital Golf Studio down by Providence. I've worked with him a number of times in the past and cannot say enough good things about it! I live north of Boston and happily make the trip down to RI whenever I need any work done on my clubs.

[url="http://capitalgolfri.uprolink.com/"]http://capitalgolfri.uprolink.com/[/url]
[/quote]

+1

[garcia51694]

Tom Spargo is the best in the area IMO. He has been a Top 100 Fitter in the US for almost a decade straight. He works with basically all of the local pros, current Tour pros, current LGPA Pros, and hundreds of local collegiate players in area and NE. Tom is a club guru. I've worked with him several times.

He is a super nice guy and knows his stuff. His shop is also pretty awesome. Not only will he build the clubs himself (driver through putter), he can also do custom furells, stamping, etc.

The best part is, all of his fittings are outdoors, and his putting studio is really nice.

[negolfking]

Joe & Leigh's is the famous "3Balls" of eBay fame.
Joe & Leigh's also has their own proformance center which is set up for fittings and they have a few guys who do a great job.
Golf digest did an artical in august 2011 with one of their writers gaining 44 yards during a fitting at joe&leighs

[BrianL99]

[quote name='negolfking' timestamp='1349988082' post='5782373']
Joe & Leigh's is the famous "3Balls" of eBay fame.
Joe & Leigh's also has their own proformance center which is set up for fittings and they have a few guys who do a great job.
Golf digest did an artical in august 2011 with one of their writers gaining 44 yards during a fitting at joe&leighs
[/quote]

Now that you mention, I think I read that article in Golf Digest. I was at Joe & Leigh's a couple of time last year, but I never saw the "fitting center" and quite honestly, I was far from impressed with their level of customer service. That said, they're great to buy from on eBay, I've bought a lot of stuff from them & it's always been better than described.

Didn't Furyk buy a putter there & then go out & win the Deutsche Bank with it?

[Sean2]

Joe Leahy and Frank Viola are both very, very good.

The fitting center at Joe and Leigh's is only one of 4 or 5 Ping nFlight fitting centers in the nation. The fitting center is in a separate facility from their store.

[BrianL99]

[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1349995948' post='5782911']
Joe Leahy and Frank Viola are both very, very good.

The fitting center at Joe and Leigh's is only one of 4 or 5 Ping nFlight fitting centers in the nation. The fitting center is in a separate facility from their store.
[/quote]

In which case, I apologize to Joe & Leigh's ... I didn't know about their PING fitting center.

As for Frank ... no comment.

[LBlack14]

[quote name='BrianL99' timestamp='1349997032' post='5782967']
[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1349995948' post='5782911']
Joe Leahy and Frank Viola are both very, very good.

The fitting center at Joe and Leigh's is only one of 4 or 5 Ping nFlight fitting centers in the nation. The fitting center is in a separate facility from their store.
[/quote]

As for Frank ... no comment.
[/quote]

That's the 1st bad word I've EVER heard about Frank.

[CGM]

Why is everyone beating up on Frank? He fit me with irons,hybrids, and woods. Quality products and a great deal of knowledge. Be prepared to spend some money but you certainly get what you pay for.

[Sean2]

Brian, Furyk bought a used Yes! putter from Joe and Leigh's for $39 and did win. I think it was in 2010?

[RIDuffer]

Tom is tops... Have been going to him for close to a decade... He has built or rebuilt every set I have used in that time frame... Some esoteric JDM some run of the mill stuff... You won't find a better man...

[RhodyGolf]

Thanks for all of the input. It's awesome to know that there are at least 3-4 good fitters nearby. Tom Spargo seems like the closest and best to look to first. I did not know about Joe Leahy. I will have to look him up also.

I was fitted for the first time a while ago for irons by a smaller local store in nearby CT, but I think the guy, although well-intentioned, wasn't as knowledgeable as some of the good clubfitters out there. I hit my irons well, but I'm still not 100% confident that they were right for me and who wants that feeling after spending $600+ ? Some shops and box stores get outfitted with all the fitting carts and launch monitors and such, but are the guys doing the stuff really that knowledgeable and qualified? I don't want to feel like I know more than the guy fitting me. I want an experience that shows me that I am making a well thought purchase or changes that will be best for my swing.

[pccasstpro]

I would go with Tom Spargo, he is the best in Rhode Island. I met Frank Viola when hes was at Golfers Warehouse, he was Maltby "trained" which is pretty much a sales meeting that you pay for on just using there equipment. If you are in the Hartford area check out Todd at Prove It Golf in Rocky Hill. He has a great setup , all custom , nothing stocked and extremely knowledgable.

@ BrianL66, I would disagree with your assumtion that the OEM studios are the best ! Sometimes the ":garage guys" are better than the factory guys, those guys need to know a ton about all oems equipment. Plus there hands are not tied by what they can offer. All the "motion tracking, high speed cameras, balistic launch monitors" would not equal anything if the person does a fit on only what they make. Personally , some of those "Studios" are just smoke and mirrors!

[TightenUpROOKIE]

Tom Spargo is the ONLY clubmaker anywhere in RI/MA, he works on tons of tour pro's & top amateur golfers clubs. He's one of the few guys I know that can actually shave strokes off your game with a fitting. The work is clean, professional, but most important it's done right. They've got any shaft you want from NV's to Tour SPX shafts. He knows his stuff, he's good at his craft & won't blow smoke up your rear. First class shop!

[TightenUpROOKIE]

Just to add a little more on the topic, Tom at Spargo Golf is top on all OEM equipment & the #1 Callaway fitter in RI but also carries top components like Miura & Wishon. He doesn't push any particular equipment or push to buy new, he'll talk you out of a Fabuki K if a NV actually works best for you, he'll also go out of his way to order & build iron head for you to demo if he doesn't have the particular iron your looking for ready for your fitting. Usually he's booked up pretty good all season so getting an appointment I would make at least 2 weeks a head. Even after being fit at the Kingdom I went straight to him to double check everything, he's so good with iron fittings that I won't hit a set until he's tweaked them. He won't sit there with a lie board, he'll watch you hit balls to see where the miss is & keep adjusting until you miss is straight & ball striking is solid, no hitting into a net so he can get a feel for your miss to make your dispersion tighter on that miss & picture perfect when it's flush. One example that comes to mind was my first iron shaft switch in 4 years, loved the shafts but kept hitting it in the same spot a little towards the toe. Normally that would be a lie issue in 99% of clubmakers minds, not Tom. He figured that the lies we're the same as my old sticks (once your fit once, your specs are on file & printed for you) but the weighting was off. After adding a little weight I was back to hitting it crispy, the guy is that good & the amount of pro's he works with are on the PGA, LPGA, Champions, Nationwide, Futures, developmental tour pros & top amateurs from not just the area but all over the US. He's really close with Tom Wishon who is pretty much the guy who wrote the book on club fitting/building & taught by him. Joe Lahey does good as well, he's got a nice shop & does his fittings at a driving range in Swansea/Warren, he's done some work for me & it's always clean & professional. For me Tom will always fit me in ASAP if I need something & we've been working for so long together he knows what I want & I don't need to say anything, his clientele speaks for itself, his work is the reason why he's a GD Top-100 guy, plus he & his staff are super friendly to work with. If you've never been fit by him by the time you leave you'll feel like you've know him for years. There's a reason everyone in the SE Mass/RI area knows Tom at Spargo Golf, no matter if your a pro, top am, or weekend hack you'll get the same treatment he gives every golfer should.

[floycota]

Todd at Prove It Golf in Wethersfield, CT is great. He is a Miura dealer and knows just about everything you could ever want to know about shafts and fitting. Tons of exotic shafts and some buttery soft Miuras, what more could you want. I highly recommend seeing Todd if you have the chance.

[UnderPar18]

[quote name='floycota' timestamp='1351216807' post='5847551']
Todd at Prove It Golf in Wethersfield, CT is great. He is a Miura dealer and knows just about everything you could ever want to know about shafts and fitting. Tons of exotic shafts and some buttery soft Miuras, what more could you want. I highly recommend seeing Todd if you have the chance.
[/quote]

I would highly recommend Todd at Prove It Golf as well. He just recently has opened his own shop after working in club building for many years. He works with mainly Miura and Scratch, but does club building/repair. I have Todd build all my clubs and do my repairs because he isn't in a rush just to push you out of the door. You can tell him passion for building clubs and helping golfers be properly fit compliment each other very well! He has launch monitors and some demo clubs. Todd is an expert when it comes to equipment and is not looking to push you into a certain brand, but rather to find clubs you like and make them fit your swing properly. I can't recommend Todd enough

[antiskell]

+1 for todd at prove it golf in wethersfield, he is the only person i let touch my clubs. Ever since i had him fit me properly my game has improved. Do yourself a favor....have him fit you......just do a fitting, even if you dont buy a set your eyes will be open to what your game needs vs. what your brain wants.....i guarantee you will be back and be buying at least a driver or hybrid......hell you start swinging the miura clubs he has for demo and may leave with a set!

[MyShortGameSucks]

[quote name='LBlack14' timestamp='1350001095' post='5783229']
[quote name='BrianL99' timestamp='1349997032' post='5782967']
[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1349995948' post='5782911']
Joe Leahy and Frank Viola are both very, very good.

The fitting center at Joe and Leigh's is only one of 4 or 5 Ping nFlight fitting centers in the nation. The fitting center is in a separate facility from their store.
[/quote]

As for Frank ... no comment.
[/quote]

That's the 1st bad word I've EVER heard about Frank.
[/quote]

Me too. I cannot personally speak to his fittings but for quality of work, customer service and availability of product he is, IMO, as good as it gets. I just bought some Miuras from him and am very happy. I know many others that use him and all echo my opinions.