A class apart

THERE are irons and then there are irons. And there is custom-fitting and then there is custom-fitting. In both cases, the ultimate can be found at True Fit Golf on the outskirts of Warrington.

The irons in question are made by Miura, who may be relatively little-known in this country, but not when it comes to those who appreciate the best. While top players are invariably contracted to equipment giants, it remains the case that the Japanese company often have something to do with the forged irons in their bags.

The reason for that is Miura blades are special. The forging process is done in such a way that the grain structure in the steel has unparalleled levels of consistency.

In other words, the ball leaves the face in the same way every time hot spots are eliminated. The grooves on the face are then stamped on rather than grounded out, again for extra consistency from one club to the next. As for the aesthetics, the pictures do the talking.

Having devoted so much care to the heads, Miura are similarly passionate about the other components. And that is where True Fit Golf, one of only a handful of Miura stockists in Britian, come in. Their staff possess lifetimes of expertise in clubmaking, and have the facilities, in the shape of a state-of-the-art studio and full workshop, to put their knowledge to
maximum benefit. And because the Miura heads arrive in composite form, they are perfect for their club-building programme. Note that they prefer to be regarded as custom builders rather than custom fitters.

They start with a set in composite form then build it together to suit the needs of the individual. It must be said that their passion, attention to detail and sheer know-how put many of their rivals to shame.

For those serious about their game, a full fitting for a set of Miura clubs is the ultimate opportunity to customise your equipment to your total satisfaction. What is more, you even watch your clubs being built after the specifications have been decided.

So just how many variables are there to a set of clubs? Well, pretty much as many as you want there to be.

Head professional Stewart Clare, pictured below left, says they start with the shaft, using the ShaftMax computer system. This ingenious device traces the load put on a shaft throughout the downswing. You swing a special club which is wired up to a computer and a graph results. Not only does this indicate the optimum weight and flex to match your swing, it can also be
used to explore issues of technique.

Presuming by this stage you have chosen your preferred Miura head, the workshop immediately assemble, there and then, a couple of six irons with recommnded shafts in them.

As an independent outlet, True Fit stock a bewildering array of shafts and you can choose literally anything on the market.
The performance can then be compared by hitting shots and analysing the computer-generated results in terms of spin rate, launch angle, ball speed, carry distance and dispersion. The latter is particularly interesting a lighter, more flexible shaft often increases distance, but what is the price paid in terms of accuracy?

At this stage, attention is turned to whether your shafts need lengthening and to the lies. These are routine but highly significant details. Similarly, you can choose your preferred make and type of grips from a massive choice.

This is where your average customistion would end, but not at True Fit. One optional extra is to have your shafts PUREd. This involves a machine testing the strongest point of each shaft in your set and then rotating the shaft to its most stable position. A standard procedure on tour, it is hard to quantify the benefits but the experts say it will make each club feel more solid and ensure a set performs with greater consistency from one club to the next.

Because of the incredibly tight tolerances during Miuras manufacturing process, this theme of consistency is a recurring one. To ensure all is at is should be, the True Fit team can then take you through the set making sure that distance gaps between one club and the next are exactly even.

The resulting set is a work of both beauty and of science.

Miura clubs are by no means cheap Stewart estimates the average customer will spend in the region of 1,200, depending on choice of shaft and how many clubs are purchased. Many golfers will conclude that is too much money to spend on a set of clubs, let alone just some irons.

But for those who play the game to a high level True Fit welcome many pros and amateurs with plus handicaps through their doors or just those who want the very best, a journey to Warrington, even from far afield, is worth every last mile for the service they receive when they get there.