Conference 7.286::golf

    Hi there,
    
    I've been building clubs for about five years - everything in my bag,
    except for my putter, I made myself, and I play to a 3 hcp. As far as a
    guarantee is concerned, all clubs I make are guaranteed to the extent
    that the heads won't fly off, etc.  but I don't guarantee to lower your
    handicap! :-)
    
    I work in the DC area and frerquently send clubs to other parts of the
    country.  Let me know if I cvan help (e-mail is preferable).
    
    Stan (HOBBLE::MCFARLAND)

                       <<< Note 1410.0 by JUPITR::TODD >>>
                       -< Custom Club Builder, WANTED. >-

    	I am in the market for a customized second set of clubs, I want 
    	a set that are customized to my swing specifications.
    
        Can anyone recommend custom club builders ?  
    
    			and/or
    	
    	Will some of the numerous experienced fitters and builders out there, 
    	who have the time get in touch with me.  
    
        I am looking for a guarantee ! and I am want to pick the club 
    	characteristics.
    
    						T. Clark	

I know a 
I know a great club maker by the name of John Wheatley.  He hHe
has made clubs for Seve Ballesteros and Chi Chi! and probably
others.  I worked 4 years as an Assistant Golf Pro and
bumped into both those guys at Johns.  His shop is in Hartford Ct.
but is definitely worth the trip.  If you need more info send me 
mail (FITTERMAN@PCAE) and I will fill you in.

     I can vouch for John Wheatley also. I think he's in Glastonbury, Ct.
    Not cheap, but - THE BEST ! There's a big difference between ral custom
    builders and assemblers - kind of like "stick-built" houses and modular
    homes.
    
    --Jack

    
    I've heard from several people that there's a guy in Arlington
    who does an outstanding job ..
    
    John
    

     The Arlington guy is Eddie Banks. He's a great repairman, albeit slow,
    expensive and at times a pain in the neck to deal with. I'm not aware
    that he has a "Rep" as a custom builder, don't even know if he does it.
    My advice is to beware - the real good guys are few and far between...
    
    --Jack

    re:               <<< Note 1410.5 by MRKTNG::VARLEY >>>

>>     The Arlington guy is Eddie Banks. He's a great repairman, albeit slow,
>>    expensive and at times a pain in the neck to deal with. I'm not aware
>>    that he has a "Rep" as a custom builder, don't even know if he does it.
>>>>  My advice is to beware - the real good guys are few and far between...
    
    I would like to think that my work is of the highest caliber.  I suppose
    it's possible that I fall into your "few and far between" category.
    Otherwise, you are doing a disservice to myself and my fellow independent
    clubmakers.  If you think the 'real' clubmakers are something
    other than club assemblers, you should visit Hitchener Manufacturing in
    Milford, NH sometime and see whose clubheads are rolling off the
    production line to be assembled onto True Temper shafts and sold
    'exclusively by your PGA Professional'.  I've done repairs on PRO line
    clubs and will match my workmanship against theirs any day of the week.

	PL

    BTW: I'm not slow, charge reasonable prices, and I'm easy to get
	along with.

    No offense, but there are an enormous number of folks out there working
    on clubs - and a lot of 'em ain't great. I just mentioned this as a
    sort of "Caveat emptor" for consumers. How do you find out wh'os good ?
    Personal recommendation, I guess. I'm sure the independents can refer
    people to satisfied customers. It's always good to find new talent -
    for example, the absolute best refinisher I've ever seen is a member at
    Crumpin-Fox who does it as a hobby. Better than Banks, Maltby,
    Wheatley, anybody (IMO), so there is talent out there. I'm just not
    ready to say that any independent is automatically o.k. Knowledge is
    one thing, results are another. Would anyone arbitrarily give a
    MacGregor 945 driver to someone he didn't know about just because the
    guy repaired/refinished clubs ? I doubt it. Word of mouth makes it
    happen...
    
    --Jack

    	Having started this note, its time for my 2 sense.
    
    	I have heard from 7 club makers mostly local, but some were
    	not-so-local.  I have talked with them via phone and network 
    	about clubs, making them, and what they could do and couldn't do.
    
    	I have found that almost all of the makers I conversed with were 
    	willing to stand behind their clubs.  I asked for waranties and 
    	got them, again most seemed unconcerned in making an agreement to 
    	fix or replace any problems related to workmanship.  I asked for 
    	specific items, and people were very honest and upfront with my 
    	requests and conditions.
    
    	I can't say that I have ordered a set from anyone. Simply, because 
    	of my own circumstances, nothing to do with them.  I have put this 
    	on a backburner for now.  However, I do expect to order at a later
    	date, and will be sure to reply to this note with the results.
    	
    	TC