Bernie, Royce, Dr. Voo, Thanks for the backgrounds. It answered a question I have regarding how do you start into clubmaking and leave the nasty cut and clue stigma behind.
After hearing some of the over the top criticisms of the beginning clubmaker, I was wondering what is the appropriate way to go about becoming a legitimate clubmaker. The obvious answer is to go to the schools, leave your wife, family, and employment behind in search of knowledge. Sounds like some sort of cult. Actually, I was interested in something a little more practical. Your stories helped a ton, and I think maybe it is O.K. to be a hobbyist enjoying the opportunity to gain a little knowledge and have some fun. Thanks, Brian -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Royce Engler Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2002 7:11 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: ShopTalk: Long Drive swing...was Selling it The autobiography was worth the read. I played golf when I was in high school, never good enough to make the team, but played every day during the summers trying to get better. Had a set of PowerBilt woods and irons, off the rack, and tough to play. Couldn't afford many lessons, and was too shy to ask the pros at the muni for help. Went off to the Naval Academy, left my clubs behind, my dad sold them, and found other interests, scuba diving, then hunting and fishing and woodworking. Over the next 30 years I played golf occasionally at company outings, with rented clubs, but never got into it. Also spent weekends at soccer fields and also later at high school football fields spending "quality time" with my son. As he approached high school graduation, we were looking for other things to do together, and at a party I met a guy who said we ought to try golf. Told me that with the new "game improvement" clubs, and better teaching techniques, you could be playing enjoyable golf in a short period of time. Then I played with a couple of friends from work who were golf nuts, and promptly got hooked. Being a little more financially able to afford both lessons and clubs, I vowed that I was going to do it right. Of course, my athletic son picked up the first club he saw and hit it a mile. Next thing you know, I'm getting fitted for clubs by the pro and he says those Titleist irons can be custom fit for oh, say, $1200. A friend of mine suggested going to Golfsmith and building my own clubs, and I have a shop full of woodworking gear, so I turned into a cut'n'gluer. Then my engineering background kicked in, and I started asking questions about how golf clubs worked and how I could make mine work better for me. Started reading and studying about club design, then Amoco's management sold out to BP and I had a severance package to work with. Signed up with Golfsmith for all the courses in Austin, got certified by GCA, found out about PCS, joined PCS, met Dave Haude and promptly apprenticed myself to him to learn how to fit and build quality clubs, and have been running a part time business ever since. I set up a web page and do some sales over the internet, but mostly use it as a referral tool. I still have a "day job", but it is consulting and representing software companies, so I can schedule things pretty much when I want to. I have a fairly small clientele, mostly by word of mouth, I charge premium, but not outrageous prices, and I tell people up front that I use only the top component brands and charge accordingly. I get a lot of satisfaction out of helping people play better golf through improvements in their equipment. I get a WHOLE LOT OF SATISFACTION if the person I help is me. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. <GRIN> Royce -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Bernie Baymiller Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2002 10:21 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: ShopTalk: Long Drive swing...was Selling it Royce, Got involved in that autobiography thing and didn't get to answer your post. Will try again in the morning when I can write another epistle, as Dr. Voo calls it, on the subject. Bet you can't wait. :-) Bernie Writeto: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Royce Engler" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2002 3:03 PM Subject: RE: ShopTalk: Long Drive swing...was Selling it > Bernie...could you summarize your advice for swing modifications for folks > switching to long drivers? I saw you mention that once before, but forgot > to ask you about it. > > Thanks!!! > Royce > > > >
