Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the difference in the clubs you custom make and the clubs I can buy at the major Golf stores or even at K Mart or Walmart?
  2. Why should I consider having clubs custom made?
  3. What questions do you ask in order to custom fit a set of clubs?
  4. What are your qualifications to custom fit clubs?
  5. How soon will I receive my clubs?
  6. What are other clubmakers saying about McLain Golf?
  7. What clubs should I use?
  8. Why buy high handicap clubs when I start playing?  Why not just by low handicap clubs so when I get better I won't have to buy new ones? 

What is the difference in the clubs you custom make and the clubs I can buy at the major Golf stores or even at K Mart or Walmart?

The main difference in my clubs and the clubs you might buy from a retailer is that with mine you can have them made to fit you in flex, length and grip size.  I also think mine are a lot more cost effective for a quality club than what you might buy there.  I say that because the clubs I build are retailed at $400 per set, and I sell them for less than 1/2 that amount.  Even at $400 these are a great deal when you look at the prices of the  “ big name” models that are really no better quality or workmanship than these. There are also cheap clubs on the market at the big retailers.  These clubs are designed to be cheap, beginners clubs that you would grow out of as you get proficient.  You would not see an accomplished golfer buying such brands as Dunlop, Northern, Knight or even the beginner clubs made by Wilson, Spalding or Top Flight.  These clubs fill a need, but are not meant to be end-all purchases.  I sell my clubs to low handicappers all the time.  They are top end clubs that are inexpensive because they are purchased as components, assembled by people (me) who make a living by selling competitively over the Internet.  Also, my clubs do not have four or five profit making middlemen and advertising costs that contribute enormously to the cost of “name brand” clubs.

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Why should I consider having clubs custom made?

Retail clubs are built for the average height man, swinging at a slightly high speed, with average sized hands.  If you differ on any of those areas, retail clubs will not be an exact fit for you.  When I sell a set of clubs, they are not pre-built.  I ask my customer for information (not technical stuff) that helps me decide what would likely work best for that one person.  I then assemble the clubs based on that information.  In some cases, that ends up being a pretty standard club, but the knowledge that this is the right club is there and that takes away a worry.

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What questions do you ask in order to custom fit a set of clubs?

Here are the instructions for determining the fitting of your golf clubs.

1)  Have someone measure the distance from a hard floor (not carpet) to the crease in your right wrist.  

You should be wearing shoes with no more than a 1 inch heel, standing with your feet about 12 inches apart and your arms should be hanging normally at your sides.   This measurement helps me to know the finished club length.

2a)  Measure from your left wrist crease to the tip of your middle finger.  2b)Then measure the length of your middle finger.  These two measurements help me determine the grip size you will need on your clubs.

3)  If you know your swing speed with a driver or a 5 iron, tell me that.  If not, tell me how far you normally hit your driver and your 5 iron.  This will help me determine the shaft flex that you should use.  I normally recommend regular flex (ladies flex for

ladies) unless you really kill the ball.  The best rule of flex is to always use the most flexible shaft you can control.

4)  Please tell me your age and your handicap.

If you already know any of the fittings you want, just tell me that.  For instance, if you know that you want 2 wrap oversize grip, ignore question 2 and tell me you want the grips to be 2 wraps oversize.  Etc.

These questions will answer most of what I need to know to build your clubs.  If any of your responses leave me unsure of anything, I will contact you again for clarification

You can fill out the Club Fitting Form online.

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What qualifies you to help me with my club selections and fittings?

I attended formal training at the Golfsmith clubmaking school in Austin Texas for the Basic and Advanced Clubmaking courses.

I have built over two thousand golf clubs and have had my own licensed clubmaking business for ten years.  I repair clubs for golf courses and country clubs, and my clubs are stocked exclusively in my local country club.  My auctions on Ebay are very successful and my feedbacks have attested to customer satisfaction

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How soon will I receive my clubs?

Normally your custom fit clubs are shipped within 24 hours of receiving payment - money order or credit card through PayPal - and upon receipt of your custom fitting specifications.   If there is any delay in shipping, you will be notified.  Normally short delays would occur for special order shafts and/or grips.  

If you pay by personal check, your clubs are shipped 10 days after I deposit the check.  This allows for the check to clear.  I do not have tracking for checks that may clear in less than 10 days, so please be patient and realize that your clubs will be shipped after the 10 day wait. 

I ship most sets through FedEx ground.  Some single clubs are shipped priority mail.  

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What are other clubmakers saying about McLain Golf?

 

On the “Clubmaker Forum” hosted by Golfsmith, a recent heated debate arose about the Clubmakers who sell “custom made clubs” on Ebay.  The problem is that many of the stores that sell to golfers who are willing to pay the price to get tested on launch monitors, have their swing analyzed with video systems and other time consuming services requested by the “cost is no object” golfers resent the lower prices the same type clubs will sell for on Ebay or on websites.

The bottom line is, as always, you get what you pay for.  Buying clubs off the internet is a cost effective way to get quality merchandise without getting the hands-on service – or paying for it.  Of course you have to be careful that you are buying from someone who is conscientious, and will modify your clubs for fit, flex, grip size and lie angle.  Trying to save another $10 or $15 off an already fair price by choosing the “Clubmaker” with the better price – but no history or credentials – will seldom be a good risk. 

Two comments on the “Forum” specifically addressed McLain Golf:

“I'd be interested in learning what other component companies prevent the sale of their products on e-bay, and how they do it. It seems extremely arrogant to me to expect Golfsmith to protect my right to do business at the expense of someone else's. And it is not only the cut and glue guys who sell on e-bay. Several distinguished clubfitters, including Jim McLain, list Golfsmith products on their web sites. Why not do both? Sell components on e-bay to those who want them, and do your custom clubfitting for those who want that service. Seems like a win-win for everyone.”

“On the Ebay question: Remember, Ebay is an auction process. I'll occasionally put some products on Ebay with a starting price near my cost, and hope the bidding goes higher. Sometime a bidding war will ensue between bidders, and I'll make a pretty good profit. Other times the product will go for the starting price, or not sell at all. I will also use Ebay to clear out enventory of discontinued products and demo clubs. I warn my customers against buying clubs on Ebay without knowing something about the seller. There are alot of "stick and glue" guys selling on Ebay, but also some reputable club builders like McLain Golf. Not many club builders with better credintials than Jim McLain, and if you do the math, you'll see McLain is listing his Ebay products at a starting price including a profit margin.”

We are honored by these comments by fellow Clubmakers and we are using them here to make a point.  We are dedicated to a profession and to helping golfers and have spent time and money to learn to do that well.  If other Clubmakers trust our name, you can to.

What Clubs Should I Use?

There is, of course, no pat answer to that question, except to say that you should use clubs that are designed for your skill level.  Too often the exciting claims made by big companies are being used to lure players into buying clubs that were never designed for their level of play at all.  For a mid to high handicapper to want to use clubs designed to “work” the ball is to ignore the fact that it is not just the club, but the skill of the user as well that makes that possible.  Buying clubs that can work the ball when you can’t is to pass up an opportunity to buy clubs that will actually help you at your own skill level.

Conversely, for a mid to low handicap golfer to buy clubs designed to be easy to hit is to ignore the skills they have gained over the years and accept staying at their current game, bypassing the clubs to take them to the next level. Click Here for More Information on Club Selection

Why buy high handicap clubs when I start playing?  Why not just by low handicap clubs so when I get better I won't have to buy new ones? 

You see two types of people playing golf.   Happy and sad (or mad).  Most of the sad (or mad) players are not hitting the ball well.  More often than not, they are not hitting clubs that help them hit the ball well.  Until you are good enough to hit the center of the face on most golf shots, low handicap clubs will frustrate you with their unforgiving  nature.  Unless you don't need help from the club design, mid to high handicap clubs will help you with distance and control.  Most golfers will change clubs every three or four years to take advantage of technology.  Keep that in mind and buy clubs now that will help you enjoy the game now.  Reward yourself when you get good enough to need different clubs by getting a new set then.  Make the golfing F word Fun, not Frustration.

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