Fit for a swing

Hunter Ranch professional is home on the range with high-tech gear for serious and casual golfers too

Most golfers would be comfortable buying a sports coat off the rack. But first they would try it on to confirm the fit.
Many golfers also are comfortable buying a set of clubs or a driver off the rack at retail stores.
But PGA professional Perry Hallmeyer believes they may be missing a crucial step if that's the case -- making sure the clubs are a solid fit.
That's where Hallmeyer, a Cuyucos resident and former head professional at La Purisima Golf Course comes in.
Now operating with the backdrop of Hunter Ranch Golf Course, east of Paso Robles, Hallmeyer uses equipment developed by the Mitchell Golf Institute in Florida that measure different element of a golfer's swing -- for irons and woods, as well as putters.
Using the analysis with Mitchell software that incorporates Doppler radar and a chart on the driving range, Hallmeyer can assist golfers in finding the right clubs and loft angles that should shave strokes from scorecards.
"The majority of golfers have clubs that are too stiff and not enough loft -- youngsters and older folks alike," said Hallmeyer, under an awning on the Hunter Ranch range where he works as an independent contractor.
"I'm not here selling anybody clubs. I'm here to show people what they need," said Hallmeyer, who is also is the program director for The First Tee program for youngsters at River Oaks Golf Course and The Links at Vista del Hombre.
During this summer, there have been 93 kids in the program at the two courses. Hallmeyer also writes the lesson plans for the First Tee players at those courses.
His formal business, Golf Club Solutions Inc., includes fitting, some club repair and even making golf clubs.
But his current passion, clearly, is educating golfers on the merits of a good fit.

Perry Hallmeyer

He is a disciple of author Tom Wishon, whose writings include seven books including "Common Sense Club Fitting."
His affiliation with Mitchell dates back to last fall, when he purchased the equipment and travelled back to Florida for training sessions.
Hallmeyer has been at Hunter Ranch since the late spring and recently went through a driver fitting session with Hunter Ranch assistant pro Steve Hahn.
Hahn set up to hit and Hallmeyer sat down to operate the Mitchell gear. Measurements coming up on the computer swing showed clubhead speed, distance, both curving and total, launch angle, ball velocity, ball spin and power transfer ratio -- or what Hallmeyer called the "centerness of hit."
"It's not a sales pitch, it's a fitting," explained Hallmeyer. The purpose is to help not only the outstanding golfer but also the average player understand "why clubs behave as they do."
Hallmeyer's range of Mitchell equipment includes a device to measure putter angles and he has the equipment on site to bend a putter a degree or two to make it work best for the user.
"To my knowledge, I don't know anybody in the area who does putter fittings," he said.
Most of Hallmeyer's business since May has been members at Hunter Ranch. He charges $60 and hour for Hunter Ranch members, and $75 an hour for others. Working to find the correct driver specifications will take about an hour, he said. A putter fitting will cost $20 or $25 depending if the length of the shaft needs to be lengthened.
Hallmeyer operates primarily by appointment. He can be reached at hallmeyer@pga.com or 674-0611.

--Larry Mauter