Email received 7/8/02 - (entire content)

Dear Andy

I thought it might be helpful to briefly describe my experiences in dealing with you and Designer Golf for your web-site. Use whatever sections you think appropriate.

I have played golf for about 10 years and after an initial success in lowering my handicap, I have been stuck at around 12 for 4 years. I have had about 4 different sets of irons during my golfing career but have only ever really enjoyed the ball strike from bladed clubs. Sadly we all know that only the best players can play consistently well with blades and the rest of us have to compromise with cavity backed clubs for their help & forgiving nature. I was playing with Orlimar Trimetal irons and matching metal woods. The ball flight was long and high but never as accurate as I needed and the feedback from each shot was minimal. I had become able to score well but not improve. Rather than practise more, I thought it more convenient to blame the equipment and decided that a change of golf clubs would solve all my problems. Tailor made clubs was the only avenue left to me to find the nirvana of golf heaven.

I found Designer Golf through the website and fortunately discovered that the premises were within an hour and a half drive from my home.

After an initial brief discussion over the phone, I arranged to visit Andrew Ash at his premises for a club fitting. This involved a discussion of what I wanted from my clubs together with a variety of simple measurements of height, finger-tip to floor distance and hand size. This was followed by a trip to a driving range for swing analysis including swing speed.

His recommendations regarding reducing my swing speed produced a dramatic improvement in consistency of ball strike and gave him the final parameters for club manufacture.

After a decision about club-head style, aesthetics and offset, you made my custom clubs. You also recommended a change of shaft for my set of metal woods, which would complement a more consistent swing speed. The custom fit clubs were ready in 48 hours together with the re-shafted woods. Andy suggested that I try to get used to the larger grips and longer length shafts and then call him for any adjustments that might be required.

I returned home and tried the clubs but did not achieve the feel and ball strike that I was looking for. I played golf and practised but still found no benefit and felt disappointed. After 3 weeks I rang Andy and voiced my concern. He was surprised and also disappointed and we arranged to meet his assessment 2 days later.

Andy watched my swing, the ball flight and listened to the ball strike. We agreed that whilst I was striking the ball more consistently, the strike and flight were not as we both had hoped. He planned a full club rebuild with a different club-head (forged rather than cast) and a lighter but firmer shaft. He made up a 7 iron to the new specification which I took home. The next day I played the front 9 holes at my club with this iron, a wedge and putter. I took 2 shots to get out of a greenside bunker on the 7th hole and still shot only 2 over par for the 9 holes!

Despite being extremely busy, Andy delivered full set of clubs within 4 days, the day before my golf holiday in Spain.

I had no opportunity to try the clubs before arriving at La Cala in Spain but was confident that Andy had got the specifications right. I played each championship course 3 times and my worst score for the week was 7 over par!

I am delighted with everything about my new clubs. They feel balanced throughout the swing and the ball strike is pure with lovely feedback. The grips are immediately comfortable and the longer shaft length has improved my posture.

I am delighted with Andrew Ash, Designer Golf and the service he has provided. My biggest problem now is having nothing left to blame but of course there is always the putter!

Regards, Steve Gillam