0800SPORTS Opens New Custom Fit Golf Studio

In Golf there is no such thing as standard!!!!

Basingstoke based 0800SPORTS have opened their new state of the art custom fit golf studio, complete with Trackman swing analysis system as used by all the leading club manufacturers.

Suprisingly 92% of Golfers buy clubs that "just work"....... Only 8% buy clubs that will actually help improve their game, fitted to their own swing style or "signature"!

Why You Need Fitting?

Every golfer has a unique individual swing style creating a set of dynamics we call your signature.

What we do is then use that signature to fit a club in tune so it complements you and feels part of you. Everybody who’s played the game has picked up a club and said that feels good or this club is my favourite. Why? – because it fitted their signature.

What are my numbers?

Golfers all know there shoe, shirt and trouser size but how many know their launch numbers?

By understanding these numbers a player can optimise his or her game to the get the most potential out of their golf swing.

This benefits golfers of all standards not just proficient players. Just think how much better you could be with a 10% improvement!

Tour Experience

Every major manufacturer uses Trackman to get the most accurate data for their athletes and you too can now benefit from the best tool in golf.

You can use multiple clubs and shafts to find your optimum launch conditions.

We can even tell you what golf ball either helps you or even worse hurts you.

How The Custom Fit Process Works

Important Questions

• Do you hit the ball high or low?
• Do you get run on the ball when it lands?
• Do you prefer a heavier or lighter shaft weight?
• What is the best club in your bag?
• What is your bad shot?
• What is your handicap?
• What are you looking to try?

Our Custom Fit Technician

You’re only as good as the fitter who helps you understand why something is better and not just “try that” and hope by painting a picture of what actually happens to you under pressure on the course.

Our fitter has over 15 years experience in fitting some of the best and the worst players in golf, his knowledge is recognized as industry leading and will give you an informative look at what best suits your game.

The Journey Begins

There are certain types of swing that will create an angle of attack that is not applicable to the golfer's body shape and size.

THERE IS NO STANDARD - every player is a blank page at the outset.

The smash factor is a sum of ball speed multiplied by club speed, this is displayed in numbers with 1.50 being the optimum smash factor. If you get a player hitting 1.50 consistently then they have the best club for them. This is only available on some of the better fitting systems.

We look for the best ball flight/shape and this comes from the best launch and spin combination, we are looking for the combination to give us the best distance. For example your average player would be looking to get the ball launching at about 12 degrees and spinning about 3000 rpms. This does depend on ability and style of player.

We are looking for the flex that keeps the player hitting the ball the straightest, if the flex is wrong then the dispersion becomes wider and the shot becomes more inconsistent.

We are looking for the best combination to get the player hitting the ball more consitently, the correct length and lie will get the contact closer to the sweet spot of the club.

At the start of the fit we will measure what you have for:

• Ball speed and smash factor
• Launch and spin
• Flex and dispersion
• Length and lie

Are you ready to begin? Before you buy your next set of clubs call 0800SPORTS on 0844 800 5552 book yourself in for a fitting and take shots off your game.

SOLE Custom Footbeds Improve Your Golf Swing

Using SOLE Custom Footbeds in your golf shoes not only improves the comfort of your shoes, they also improve your balance and weight transfer during your golf swing. This increases club head velocity, which can add more than 10 yards to your golf shot over a 6 week period, as proven in an official university study.

Past research has shown that custom moldable insoles allow a golfer's body to establish a better point of contact with the ground when executing a golf swing. These insoles were also shown to help stabilize the foot, evenly redistribute weight and correct your entire body posture during the golf swing. In a study conducted by Stude & Gullickson (2000), 71% of participants felt their balance was improved while using custom insoles and playing golf. As well, 50% of participants felt that they were hitting the ball harder and 38% of participants reported a lower golf score. This research suggests custom moldable insoles helped golfers hit the ball harder. In order to further explore these results, we at SOLE Custom Footbeds decided to conduct a study, to explore the effects of wearing custom moldable insoles on club head velocity (CHV) and yardage after playing simulated golf.
Golf

PARTICIPANTS
The individuals who participated in the study were all employees at a local golf store located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Participants were asked to answer a short questionnaire, which included questions pertaining to their experience in playing golf and if they had sustained any major injuries in the last 5 years. Seven participants (6 men, 1 woman) responded to the questionnaire. Participants ranged in age from 19 to 32 years (M = 25.8, SD = 4.56). Participants had an average golf handicap of 14.4 and have been playing golf for an average of 10 years. It should be noted that none of the participants had sustained a major physical injury in the past 5 years.

PROCEDURE AND DESIGN
The study was conducted at the store, which contained an advanced indoor golf simulator. This simulator was set up to record both number of yards driven and CHV (swing speed in miles per hour). This study was conducted in two phases. The participants were first instructed to take an average of six swings with their own golf shoes. In the second phase, the participants were fitted with a pair of SOLE Custom Footbeds in their golf shoes. After each participant was properly fitted, they were instructed to hit the ball six more times. CHV and yards hit was measured in all subjects before and after wearing custom moldable insoles.

RESULTS
The results of the study can be represented in the following graphs:
Drive Distance (Yards)
Yardage increased by 10.8 yards when the subject was wearing SOLE Custom Footbeds.

Clubhead Velocity (mph)
Club Head Velocity (CHV) increased by 1.8 mph with SOLE

In the first phase of the study (without SOLE), the participants drove the ball an average of 212.6 yrds and their CHV was 94.8 miles per hour. In the second phase of the experiment (while wearing SOLE Custom Footbeds), both the participant’s yards and CHV increased. The participants drove the ball an average of 223.4 yrds and their CHV was 96.6 miles per hour.

CONCLUSION
In this study, the use of SOLE Custom Footbeds has a positive influence on Club Head Velocity and Yardage. While wearing SOLE Custom Footbeds, club head velocity (CHV) increased, and yardage increased by 10.8 yards. In addition, participants reported that SOLE Custom Footbeds reduced the effects of fatigue and thus may improve the likelihood of a more consistent golf performance.

Sole Custom Footbeds are available from 0800sports.co.uk