SGBGolf_July08_p18_19 12/6/08 09:45 Page 18
FlightScope
Why hi-tech club-fitting should
be on your radar
Craig Jacoby (pictured) heads up the custom-fitting department at Silvermere GC, Surrey.
Here he explains why he decided to introduce the FlightScope ball flight monitoring system to
his set-up… and reveals the role it plays in generating business for the shop.
T
he FlightScope Kudu ball monitor we have
What is FlightScope?
takes us past the pinnacle of the ball’s flight. That
here at Silvermere cost us £4,500 plus VAT; was the key reason for us to change from our previous
but after three months of use, we had system, which took a picture at impact and used that
FlightScope is not a launch monitor but a ball tracking
recouped the outlay. Of course many clubs to calculate ball speed and spin rates. It was pretty
device. Its so-called phased array tracking radar locks on to
and retailers do not see the volume of business we accurate, but not to FlightScope standards. This gives
the ball and monitors its journey in 3D for around 4.5
experience at this busy club – in the height of the customer extra confidence, and helps us feel
seconds after impact, reading its position at around
summer we’ll use it for around 150 fittings a month,
400,000 different points during its flight (Kudu model).
we’re on top of giving the best service possible.
charging £40 for a fitting with a 50% refund half if
This allows it to predict an accurate 3-D model of the ball’s
Fittings generally take 45 minutes to an hour. The
the customer purchases. Yet to me, employing a
journey – even including its interaction with the atmosphere.
system can be used indoors or outdoors, but we tend
system like this is a no-brainer.
It is used by several Tour pros, including Bradley Dredge.
to use it on the range to give the customer the
We’ve found FlightScope gives our customers the animated ball flight, the real ball flight and the
confidence to buy. Golfers are cottoning on to the fact there is no such thing as numbers to back it all up. Again, this set-up breeds confidence.
‘standard’ in golf equipment fitting; and if someone’s looking to spend the sort of We’ll start by getting the player to hit the club he wants changed; let’s say it’s a
money clubs cost these days, he wants to know he’s getting value and something that is driver. This offers a neutral start point. He’ll hit six or seven shots. From there we look
good for him. This system backs up the fitting advice we’re giving to them, which at the numbers, the most important being ball speed off the face.
makes it an easier sale. The ball speed tells us where we are going to go next. We’ll either look at spin rate, or
FlightScope Kudu’s technology tracks the ball for up to 200 yards, which generally launch angle, or both. Generally, lower ball speed players don’t generate enough speed
Compact and lightweight, FlightScope is a versatile system that can be used outdoors Clear and effective graphics make light of a potentially complicated conversation with
as well as in a fitting studio. the customer.
18 JULY 2008 - SGB GOLF
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