Last week, on behalf of Golf Monthly, I had the opportunity to be custom fit with Ping’s new G Le3 clubs. I’ve played with Ping clubs for many years now, it’s like sticking with the same bank!
Myself, an experienced but not particularly great golfer, a game improver and a newbie headed to Ping’s HQ in Gainsborough and the idea is to show that whatever your level of golf, it’s such a worthwhile experience to be fitted with clubs that will actually work for you. If nothing else, they will fill you with confidence, similar to when you buy a new outfit or get your hair done!
I get it, when your name isn’t Charley Hull, it’s only natural to feel slightly nervous and intimidated when you walk into a fitting centre, but once you get over those nerves, which by the way I still experience, it’s such an informative and relaxed process. I appreciate that not everyone is in a financial position to splash out on new clubs, but some brands do offer this service with no obligation to buy.
What did strike me, and this is what I really want to chat about, is the importance of the colourway. What I mean by this is that I immediately fell in love with the G Le3 clubs before I’d even hit a ball because I think the navy/gold/silver colour scheme of the clubs and the bag is Ping’s best yet. I know I’m stating the obvious, as this is no different to when you walk into a shop and you automatically hone in on the colours and styles you like, but it’s surprising how much a colourway can sway your choice of golf clubs, even if they might be the best clubs you’ve ever hit.
Interestingly, after posting about the day on Instagram, I received a message from a lady asking me what I thought of the new G Le3 range as she was thinking of upgrading her original G Le clubs. I replied with my comments and pointed out how excited I was about the new colourway, to which she replied that the previous magenta colour (a shade of burgundy) of the G Le2 was the reason she hasn’t upgraded her Ping clubs sooner. I’m sure many women like magenta, personally I wasn’t that keen, but this shows that despite thousands of pounds spent on research and development, sales can be lost, not through lack of performance benefits, but a choice of colour.
Of course, there is the whole psychology of colour with different colours having a marked impact on your mind and body. There are symbolic meanings associated with certain colours - red for passion, yellow for hope and joy and orange for warmth and kindness. Blue is for calmness, hope and relaxation so let's hope my new blue clubs have this desired result!
Of course, the same applies to golf fashion, if you don’t like the colour, you’re not going to buy it. I feel sorry for brands that can only produce a limited collection of styles and colours, but with a shameless plug, that’s where Surprizeshop scores – with an extensive collection of clothing, you’ll be hard-pushed not to find a colour you like!
If you get the chance I would highly recommend going for a club fitting - it was such an enjoyable experience and I look forward to starting to see and feel the results.