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Below is a description of my experience with the TaylorMade Performance Lab at the Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando, FL. Before I get into the details, I'll provide a little information about myself to add some perspective to my experience. I'm 30 years old and play 3-4 times a week (weather permitting in the Northeast). I would describe myself as pretty average size and build and I currently carry a 7.0 GHIN handicap. I have never been custom fit for equipment before and I am, for the most part, a self taught player. My current bag includes a TaylorMade R9 driver (11.5*, stiff flex Voodoo), TaylorMade R9 3 wood (stiff flex), TaylorMade 2009 Rescue TP (3 hybrid, 19*, stiff flex), TaylorMade Tour Burner irons (4-AW), TaylorMade Z TP wedges (56* and 60*) and a TaylorMade Rossa TP Kia Ma Daytona putter. As you can tell, I am a big fan of TaylorMade equipment so I will do my best to not let any bias influence my description of this experience.

The process began with me contacting the TMP Lab at the Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando, FL. The contact information was easily obtainable on the TMP Labs website (TMP LABS). I was immediately connected to Travis Kent who runs the TMP Lab in Orlando. Travis was extremely helpful in scheduling my fitting session and was thoughtful and thorough in answering all my questions. I was able to schedule my session a little over a month in advance with no down payment, credit card or any other type of commitment. Travis simply took my name, my desired time, and booked my session. Upon booking, I almost immediately received a confirmation email from the TMP Lab that included directions to the facility and some simple instructions regarding things to bring and what to wear to my appointment. Travis advised me that it is helpful (but not necessary) to bring your own clubs. You can use your clubs to warm up on the range prior to beginning your session and it is also helpful to have your equipment on hand so you can go through your set together and, if appropriate, make any necessary changes to your existing equipment (more on this later). I had not given any thought to what I was going to wear for the fitting. I knew going in that I would be suited up with a bunch of sensors, but I learned that it is also helpful if you wear dark colored clothing for the session as it improves the high speed cameras ability to pick up the sensors. Armed with this knowledge, I wore all black for my appointment.

I scheduled myself for the first session of the day. My confirmed appointment time was 8:00 am. Upon arrival I was welcomed at the Grand Cypress clubhouse and accompanied to the on-site golf school which also houses the TMP Lab. I made sure to arrive about 20 minutes early which, after checking in, allowed me about 15 minutes to warm-up. The range balls were provided. After finishing my warm-up, Travis called me into the TMP Lab vault. The vault is a secure (but not claustrophobic) room that is set up so you won't be disturbed during your session. The room includes a hitting mat with markings to ensure you repeatedly hit balls from the same location, six high speed cameras, a large flat-screen TV, a launch monitor, some other computer equipment and, of course, lots of TaylorMade gear. You hit balls into a net, but to give you something nicer to look at and also to provide you with aim points, the wall behind the net includes a large picture of one of the holes at the Grand Cypress Resort. The large flat-screen TV is really helpful as it used to display a virtual golfer representing you in large, clear images.

To get started, I got suited up in all the sensors. This included sensors on my feet, my knees, around my waist, on my elbows, on my wrists, on my back and on a hat on my head (I think that's all of them). All of the sensors were attached using Lycra straps so they were not restrictive and after the first few swings I forget they were even there. Travis also entered a few measurements into the computer to create my virtual golfer. He added my height and waist size and a virtual golfer was produced, which to my amazement, pretty accurately represented my body type.

After getting suited up I began hitting shots with a six iron. You do not actually use your own clubs for the computer assisted fitting portion of the session. You use clubs that include sensors (non-obtrusively) on the grip and on the club head. They are also a known length, loft and lie so the computer can accurately determine what your needs are. After hitting several shots with a six iron, we moved on to wedge shots (also with a TMP Labs provided club), and then the driver (again, TMP Lab provided). In addition to hitting shots with the TMP Lab provided driver, Travis suggested I hit multiple shots with my own driver to gather data using the launch monitor and confirm that it is correct for my swing and desired ball flight. Finally, we wrapped up the indoor portion of the session by hitting putts with my putter. This included rolling putts using a ball having marks that were detectable by the launch monitor to gather information regarding launch angle and spin rate off the putter to optimize the loft on my putter. Travis also closely inspected my setup and determined the correct lie angle for my putter.

Following the indoor and data gathering portion of the fitting, Travis put together a few clubs based on our findings and we headed outside to confirm the results. We tried several different combinations of length and lie for the irons and the wedges. We observed ball flight and Travis closely inspected my divots. Based on these additional data points, we decided on the best options for my set. We then returned to the vault where Travis placed an order for my new equipment. We determined that my driver, 3-wood, hybrid and putter were fine, but we did order a new set of R9 TP irons (stiff flex KBS Tour shafts, 2* upright, 3-PW) and three XFT wedges (50* (bent to 51*), 56* and 60*). All of these clubs will be shipped to me directly from TaylorMade and the prices were competitive with every major retailer (in fact, I think I actually saved a few dollars because I only ordered 4-PW in the R9s and did not have to pay for a 3 iron or a GW as I likely would have if ordering from a retailer). I was also able to choose custom grips and all my clubs will be shipped with my newly determined custom specifications. Travis also informed me the TMP Labs has its own specific assembly line at TaylorMade that includes top of the line club assemblers that choose the best pieces (heads, shafts, etc.) for the TMP Labs orders.

In addition to being a master club fitter, Travis is also an excellent instructor. While conducting my fitting, Travis was also kind enough to point out a few things in my swing that I should work on. This, to me, was a real added value that I was not expecting to receive. I also received a folder containing my custom fitting data, my sales receipt and a CD containing swings from my fitting in amazing 3D. The CD is Windows compatible only and includes software for viewing your swings from any angle and for viewing lots of different plane lines. All in all, pretty amazing stuff! Next steps for me are to try to contain my excitement while I await the arrival of my new equipment.

If you are looking at custom fitting options, I can not say enough about how amazing I found this experience. The technology and the professionalism were second to none. The one drawback I can see in this system is that it only gives you the option to purchase TaylorMade equipment from the fitting site, but this is only a drawback if you aren't interested in TaylorMade goods. Also, there is nothing stopping you from using your custom fitting data (which is provided to you) to order equipment from any other manufacturer. Give the TaylorMade Performance Labs a shot, you won't be disappointed. Also, mention that you're a THP forum member and you may get some extra special treatment. Thanks to TMP Labs and to Travis Kent for an amazing experience.

If you have any questions about my experience, please feel free to post comments and I'll do my best to respond or feel free to direct message me.