There are a few, simple checks that can be made:
Loft & Lie
These are most easily measured using a loft and lie machine, which most shops now have, but if one isn’t available there are inexpensive head measuring gauges on the market starting at around £40. Baked summer fairways, hard frozen winter fairways and driving range mats can all contribute to knocking lofts and lies out, especially with forged carbon-steel irons. Yardage discrepancies can quickly be rectified at a charge of around £5 per club.
Grips
Grips wear gradually, resulting in a subconsciously, increasingly tight hold on the club. A golfer playing twice a week on average should be looking to change gips every other season at least, with the more regularly used clubs such as driver and wedges at least once a season. Grips should also be checked for uniformity of size, material and design. Grip size should be checked 2” and 6” down from the grip cap using a cheap grip gauge or digital callipers. Re-gripping is a good source of revenue for the pro, while good quality grips are vital for good golf.
Shafts
Shafts can vary in flex quite dramatically and can be measured by using a frequency analyser or a less expensive deflection board. Remember, one manufacturer’s ‘stiff’ flex can be another’s ‘regular’. Shafts should also be checked for straightness, dents and in the case of graphite, cracks, splintering and wear marks from bag dividers.
This simple ‘M.O.T.’ should take around half an hour and the golfer should be presented with an individual spec sheet, at a charge of between £50-75, depending on how work needs to be carried out.
