Foreward Golf Steps on Stage at the Minnesota Golf Show
Foreward Golf provides an innovative new way to fit for irons, offering a new iron product based on seven key areas: bounce, lie/loft, length, flex, flex profile, total weight, swing weight and grip.
During the Minnesota Golf Show, Chad Dietz, owner of Foreward Golf, came onto the podcast stage to sit down with the Break80 Podcast to discuss his innovative approach to fitting players with the proper clubs.
Each stage of the Foreward Golf fitting process changes one variable at a time, allowing for scientific control to find the optimal setting for each player. For example, the bounce test controls for all other variables, ensuring that the lie/loft, shaft, grip, etc., remain the same across the three different bounce clubs. This process continues with the other variables, allowing Foreward Golf to optimize the setup for each player.
Chad shared one example involving shaft weight and flex profile. A client had previously been fitted with top-of-the-line, new shafts. However, after going through the Foreward Golf fitting, it was found that the original shafts were a great fit, but two older, less expensive alternatives also matched the same profile.
“Assume nothing test everything”. “Foreward, where good golf lives.”
Mike, from the Break80 Podcast, underwent the full fitting process, taking 72 swings to find his optimal irons. Using an agnostic approach, Foreward Golf put Mike into a higher bounce option and a more flexible shaft than his current set. There was an exact match with the Foreward Golf irons, but Chad also recommended PING with an S300 shaft as an alternative.
The seven fitting categories can affect a club’s performance in different ways:
Bounce affects turf interaction.
Lie/loft at impact can cause the heel or toe to lead, which can result in the face opening or closing.
Length can alter the bottom of the swing arc and the distance between the golfer and the ball.
Flex affects the bowing of the shaft.
Flex profile changes where on the shaft that bowing occurs.
Swing Weight and its location help load the shaft and influence swing paths, either inside or outside.
Grip can either enhance or reduce the use of the hands through the swing.
Total Weight can increase and decreases mass and speed
By the end of his 72-swing session, Mike was exhausted but had accomplished the “Tiger Strike”—a well-hit golf ball coming off the bottom few grooves of the iron, right in the center of the face. According to Foreward Golf, this is the most optimal place to strike the ball, which is the goal of their fitting process.
Fittings with the Foreward Golf technology can be done at home or with a trained and registered fitter. Locally, Hunter Hoaglund at GoLowGolf is Minneapolis' certified Foreward Golf fitter. Those who prefer to do it at home or at their local simulator can contact Foreward Golf, who will send the necessary clubs. After taking 72 swings and submitting a spreadsheet of the results, the Foreward Golf team will return with the most optimal irons for the player.
Foreward Golf: https://test.foreward.golf/club-fitting