News
Golf Datatech Survey Reveals Growing Interest
10/12/2001
Nearly 1400 serious golfers were surveyed regarding their knowledge of custom club fitting, whether they had ever been custom fit for clubs, whether they thought the process helped their golf game, their purchase intent of custom clubs and whether they would get custom fitted clubs the future. The proprietary study was conducted exclusively for Golf Datatech clients. Golf club companies are spending millions of dollars per year developing products and programs for the custom fitting of golf clubs, however up until now there was never a major study of serious golfers attitudes about custom fitting, explained John Krzynowek one of Golf Datatech's co-founders. "This study attempts to create a framework of understanding on how many have been fit, how many plan to be fit, opinions on past fitting experiences, and attitudes about the process of being fit." The survey polled 1396 golfers who had played an average of 61 rounds of golf per year. Of that base 700 had been custom fit for clubs at least once in the past. Some other significant results discovered in the survey: * While in total only 51% of respondents that are aware of custom fitting have been fit some time during their golfing history, a very different picture emerges when the data is broken down even further into segments. Sixty-nine percent of respondents with handicaps of 10 or less have been custom fit, compared to 49% of the 11-20 handicaps and only 34% of those with handicaps of over 20. * Based upon the findings of the study, it appears that serious golfers believe custom fitting of golf clubs can improve the overall play of a wide range of golfers. However, the data infers that golfers perceive the greatest benefit comes from being fit for irons, followed by being fit for a driver, being fit for a fairway wood, and last of all, being custom fit for a putter. * Static fitting (42%) is the most frequently used method of being fit (among respondents that have been custom fit), followed closely by dynamic fit outside (41%) and demo outside (39%). * Responding to statements about the actual custom club fitting process, most respondents believe it is necessary to hit golf balls with the exact brand and model of golf club they are considering purchasing. Demographics The sample was 96% male, with a mean age of 46.3 years of age, a mean handicap of 15.7, play an average of 61 rounds of golf per year, and have played golf for 17 years. These demographic results are consistent with past Golf Product Attitude and Usage studies conducted by Golf Datatech, and represent a profile of the serious golfer. Have you even been custom fit for golf clubs? Percent of Total Yes 51% No 49% BASE 1377 When was the last time you were custom fit? Percent of Total Within the last 1-3 years 39% Within the past year 31% More than 3 years ago 29% BASE 700 Among the respondents that had been custom fit for golf clubs, 70% have been custom fit within the past 3 years (39% within the past 1-3 years and 31% within the past year).
