Golf IQ Overlooked gear components that'll instantly improve your game
20 snips
Nov 12, 2025 Chris Marchini, Director of Golf Performance and Innovation at Dick's Sporting Goods, joins the hosts for a deep dive into essential gear components often overlooked by golfers. They explore how the loft sleeve, wedge grinds, and club sizes can instantly enhance performance. Chris also tackles common myths surrounding shafts and discusses the balance between data and player feel during fittings. Lastly, he reveals insights on when to replace irons and the concept of tipping a shaft, making this conversation a treasure trove for golf enthusiasts.
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Hot List Is A Massive Team Operation
- Hot List testing is a large logistical effort with staff bags and a container of clubs for player testing.
- Golf Digest relies on experienced fitters, including Chris's crew, to run the evaluation weeks.
Distance Trends Need A Long View
- The Royal & Ancient monitors long-term driving distance trends to project future game changes.
- Tour player increases are evident on multi-year scales even if short-term flattening appears.
Don't Be Afraid Of The Wrench
- Use the driver loft sleeve regularly to tune launch and direction for conditions and feel.
- Adjust settings on the course during warmups to gain free performance without a lesson.