November 13, 2023

How to get better at golf

Photos by Justin Boyd, PXG store manager [enlarge]

PXG store assistant manager and master club fitter Zack Conner (right) gets clients in clubs that maximize their potential.

Golf is hard. That's a common saying you hear on the course. And it couldn't be more true.

Everyone from beginners to tour players is trying to get better. Otherwise why even bother playing?

Practicing, playing and taking lessons can all help. But it all starts with having a properly fitted set of clubs.

PXG is a newer option in the club-fitting business. Founded in 2013 by Bob Parsons, PXG's ambitious goal is to make the best clubs in the world. Previously Parsons founded Parsons Technology, which was sold to Intuit in 1994 for $64 million, and GoDaddy, which sold in 2011 for $2.3 billion. Parsons' passion for golf was the motivation for creating PXG.

Putters can also be specifically built to improve what many consider the most important part of the game.

Specialized technology is used to get the best fit.

The company has successfully positioned itself as a top club maker along with brands such as Ping, Titleist and TaylorMade. A distinguishing factor for PXG is its operation of club-fitting studios around the country, including one in Bellevue.

Typically, the fittings at PXG last about 90 minutes and cost between $50-$125 depending on the service being performed (irons, woods, full bag). Currently, the Bellevue facility is doing fittings for $25.

The fitting starts with a talk about your golf game and your goals. Master club fitter Zack Conner had me hit clubs from my current set and the computer analyzed the shots. He then selected PXG clubs and I hit those with a variety of shafts, heads, weights. Zack and the technology do the important work, the client just has to hit the balls.

Zack was able to dial me in and hit higher iron shots that were landing in a tighter circle. Honestly, the clubs felt great. We did the same thing with wedges, driver, fairway woods and hybrids. There are a lot of numbers. Did I understand them all? No, but sometimes I like to just leave it to the experts to figure out the details. The proof is in the shot characteristics (distance, disbursement, height, spin), all displayed in easy to understand color graphics.

The process can get a bit tiring, but I'd take some breaks while Zack changed out the heads and shafts.

Next we moved to the putting green. Even before the computer analysis, Zack noticed an alignment issue that I think will be very helpful. The computer showed that I was striking the ball at a negative angle, so Zack adjusted the putter and added some weight. And I was cured. At least that's what the computer said.

Overall, the whole fitting process at PXG was fun, informative and productive. I may well buy irons that were suggested.

The people, facility and golf clubs are all first rate. Compared to other fitting studios I've been to, the main difference is that there is just one brand of club. That said, there are several options that suit different types of players. There are also various shaft, weight and length choices.

PXG clubs have a reputation as being a high-quality and expensive product and I think that is true. Although, the pricing seems to be roughly similar to other top-of-the-line clubs.

In addition to fittings, PXG also offers free clinics featuring local pros and a Heroes program that helps active or retired military and first responders receive some of the best deals in golf on equipment, apparel and accessories.

For more information on fittings or clinics, go to https://www.pxg.com/en-us/locations/seattle.html