Interview with Club Fitter Kevin Kraft
All Things Club Fitting, Golf and Some Rapid Fire Questions
Introduction: Kevin Kraft
Today’s interview is with Kevin Kraft, Master Club Fitter at 2nd Swing Golf in Columbia, MD. Kevin has played on the Korn Ferry Tour and recently won the 2023 Maryland Senior Open and the 2023 Pennsylvania Open.
I’ve had multiple fittings with Kevin over the years and highly recommend him.
Fitting Questions
T2C: Kevin, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything I missed in the intro? Can you touch a little bit on your experience as a master fitter?
KK: I've been fitting now for 15 years. Man, the time flies. That's crazy to say. 15 years... I transitioned to fitting because I got sick and tired of the students I was working with as an instructor in my previous job not doing any work and not getting any better. It was like beating my head against a wall. I could help people swing better and play better, but they'd never achieve anything because they would never practice or do drills. They just thought they could pay some dollars and be good. It just doesn't work that way.
Now as a fitter, if (when) I find equipment that performs better than what they came in with, I'll sleep well at night. And it doesn't matter if that person is a 30 handicap or a +3. I'm a testament to the power of new technology. I'm 15 yards longer at age 52 than I was when I was on the Korn Ferry Tour at age 35. And I'm not in better physical condition, that's for sure!
Fitting is fun and it can be life changing for some. Not everyone gets huge huge gains, but some do and it's like the fountain of youth for someone who has lost a lot of distance. I see all kinds of things and all kinds of swings, so it isn't some boring static job. There are challenges that I have to work with (both the customers themselves and their swings!), but I like that. Keeps me sharp. And 2nd Swing couldn't be a better place to work.
T2C: Can you talk about 2nd Swing and the business model? It’s pretty unique.
KK: Yeah, we're very customer-centric. None of us are on commission, so unlike some of our competitors, we aren't focused on how a fitting helps us. We get to focus on who the golfer is that we are working with and what will truly benefit them. We have pretty much all the options and some of those options can be very expensive. When we try something that is an upgrade, the customer gets to make the determination of whether that upgrade has the value for them. We want all our customers to feel that they got the best thing for them at the price they are comfortable with.
It's about playing better golf and having more fun. I think 2nd Swing is the fun golf store. We care about the customers, we care about their games and we work to make sure that their experience is top notch to go along with top notch equipment.
T2C: As a fitter, what is your pitch to a double-digit handicapper who hasn’t had a fitting yet? What benefits can they expect? What are some of the biggest misconceptions?
KK: The first thing most people ask for in a fitting is consistency. It isn't going to happen without practice, but getting into a club that is the right weight, the right flex, the right type of club, in other words something that isn't working directly against them is going to at least take away the question of whether the clubs are correct or not.
Depending on how old someone's clubs are we should see changes of 10, 20, 30 even 50 yards in some of the categories. I use 10 yards as a base line for what I want to see change in carry with irons and total with drivers. We want good gapping as well. A lot of golfers have clubs that do the exact same thing as other clubs in their bag. That just adds weight. All clubs should have a use. They're tools. No need to have two of the same wrench in the tool belt.
The biggest misconceptions are that new clubs aren't going to make a difference and that new clubs will automatically make someone play better. They're set to make someone play better! But it all takes practice. Gotta grind it out.
T2C: What are the most common issues you see from amateurs when doing a fitting?
KK: Over the top and casting are the two primary issues with golfers everywhere. Seeing a 10*, 11*, 12*, 15* outside to in swing...that's an issue. Seeing a 30* launch angle on a 7-iron...that's an issue. Both are just killer moves. Killer the bad way.
T2C: What happens if the player's swing is off during a fitting? What if we hit it like crap or do something different than we normally do?
KK: This is something I deal with a lot. If you didn't notice, golf is hard. Very hard. So when things go off the rails, we just push pause. There's no real problem there. We aren't going to get good numbers off bad swings, so we simply reschedule.
I usually suggest 2-3 weeks before coming back in. Give yourself time to work through issues. But...we can fit new golfers who don't have developed swings. We can rely on the static measurements to make sure they are put into clubs that won't be working against them or biasing their swings one way or another. I believe I can fit anyone.
T2C: For someone about to get a fitting, what would you suggest they do to make it the best experience possible?
KK: Look up the business that you're going to. See what the reviews are. What are their business practices? Then practice a bit in the days leading up to the fitting. Do some research on brands and models and come in with 3-4 that they want to try out. It's not realistic in a fitting to try everything.
Relax. Have fun. It's golf. We're supposed to be having fun.
T2C: I know you are in the business of fitting clubs, but how often should we be replacing our drivers, irons, and wedges?
KK: Depending on how much someone plays and practices, most drivers should last about 5-10 years. That doesn't mean that technology might not pass that driver by in that time, but drivers aren't disposable. Use for a season and trash. For an average golfer, they should easily get at least 5 years out of a driver.
When I fit a set of irons, I expect the golfer to be able to use those irons for a decade if they want to.
Wedges...I fall in line with what Bob Vokey says...after 75 rounds, you start to lose bite. Someone who plays 100+ rounds a year would do themselves a service by getting new wedges yearly. At least sand wedge and lob wedge. Those are the scoring clubs and we want the most control possible at all times!
T2C: How important is shaft selection?
KK: Very. Flex doesn't necessarily matter as much as the way a shaft feels and performs. I'm plenty fast enough for X-flex. But I prefer the feel of how a stiff flex loads and unloads. It's just easier. But I want a low launch/low spin shaft as well.
There's lots to look at. What produces the right spin/height/landing angle conditions and what feels best in terms of weight, flex and how it loads and unloads.
T2C: I’ve read more and more about the benefits of going with a shorter driver shaft. The theory is more center strikes. Any thoughts on driver length? What do you typically recommend?
KK: For me, it's about efficiency. If I have someone who is producing 1.48, 1.49, 1.50 Smash Factor numbers with a standard length (typically 45.75") driver, then they can go that way. Most people tend to get heel-side on driver swings and shortening a driver can be very helpful in creating better centeredness of contact.
My driver is 45.75". My BRNR Mini-Driver is 42.75". I'm way more accurate with the BRNR. It is not a coincidence. Shorter is easier. Sometimes it can be longer, sometimes not. It really depends on what the individual wants and how consistent they can be with the club.
T2C: Should amateurs adjust their own drivers if we have the ability to do so?
KK: If they know exactly what they are doing and what they mean to accomplish. Some of the modern driver can be a tinkerer's nightmare. But if you know what you're doing, sure.
T2C: Most people don’t think of their putter when getting fit, but you adjusted mine recently, and it was a game changer. Can you elaborate on putter fittings?
KK: Putter fitting is quick, easy and painless (mostly...everything is expensive these days!) What people need to know about putters are the following: toe hang: what amount is good for your individual stroke, loft: what is giving you the right launch conditions and therefore the right roll conditions, lie angle: which can affect launch direction & length: the eyes need to be at least nearly over the ball.
Little tweaks to putters can pay big dividends. Using Ping's putting app and Quintic Ball Roll can confirm or deny how good a putter is and help identify what changes need to be make to make putting less of a struggle.
T2C: I’ve seen many people sold on new clubs because their 7-iron went 25 yards further, but upon further inspection, it was mainly due to a stronger loft. Or maybe they are being pushed into a club they don’t really need.
Any advice for amateurs on what to look for, both good and bad in a fitter?
KK: The most important thing you need to know when working with a fitter is that they are looking out for the best interest of the customer. That's what makes 2nd Swing so special. I'm judged on how my customers feel about me and the experience I provide. None of our fitters are on commission.
We work to find the right look, feel, sound and performance for the customer. Many people focus on things like the carry number. That's great, but is it providing you usable distance. If it comes screaming into the green with 3800 rpm and at 35* landing angle, the fact that it just flew 25 yards farther is pretty useless.
A good fitter will work to find the best clubs with the best feel that get the golfer good, usable, reliable numbers.
T2C: I don’t know if you want to answer this, but are there certain brands you would recommend over others? If so, what are some of your favorites?
KK: I've been fitting for 15 years, so trends definitely emerge. In terms of forgiveness, Ping is very hard to beat. In terms of trajectory (creating it), Ping is very very hard to beat. But it is all individual results, so you have to try some things out.
It's not possible to test out every brand in a fitting, so folks should come in with 3-4 brands they want to try out. The good news is there are no bad decisions. Equipment right now is just phenomenal.
T2C: Any advice for golfers who are taking their newly fitted clubs out to the course for the first time?
KK: Patience. Nothing in golf happens overnight. It takes me a couple weeks to integrate a new driver (or new shaft) and a month to figure out the irons.
Understand, too that there might need to be some tweaking to the specs. Every iron, every wedge and most every wood has been adjusted to get exactly what I'm looking for out of it.
Golf Questions
T2C: Does playing high-level golf help with being a fitter and vice versa?
KK: Yeah, I think so. From a how has fitting helped my game perspective, I'm so dialed in. My equipment couldn't be better. I'm getting exactly what I want from every club in my bag and I'm longer now than when I was on the Korn Ferry Tour at age 35.
Vice versa...I think understanding how to make the ball do what I want it to do and the mechanics of that does help with fitting people. I'm better suited to see what they want and can achieve and then help them down that path.
T2C: As a high-level golfer, what would you recommend to a high handicapper to break 100?
KK: Short game. Plain and simple. If you're playing the proper tees and not hitting a ton of greens, you're going to have wedge in your hand A LOT. Practice 120 yards and in incessantly. And putt putt putt. I know it's painful. Your back can only take so much, but the importance cannot be overstated.
T2C: You’ve played in high-level tournaments against the likes of Ernie Els and others. What tips do you have in dealing with pressure or nerves on the golf course?
KK: Breathe. And just realize that: 1. This is just golf. 2. You can only control what YOU do. 3. Guys like Ernie are humans too. And I can say 100% that Ernie is a super great guy, kind, genuine and funny. 4. Just be yourself.
T2C: This newsletter focuses on course management and making smart decisions to stack the odds in our favor. Are there any course management rules you use to increase the odds in your favor?
KK: The biggest one for me is playing the odds. If you're in the trees and you've got 3 alleyways...one back into the fairway at 5 yards wide, one that gets you down the fairway at 3 yards wide and one that gets you right up near the green that is 1 yard wide...be honest with yourself.
And realize that punching out keeps a par chance still in play, though bogey is the likely outcome. If you get heroic and fail...that's probably double or worse. Those shots add up fast and they are hard to recover from. Stop. Think. And ask yourself what are you legitimately most likely to pull off.
But I will say you should practice recovery shots. Practice punching out. Know what your ball is going to do. I know I can flight down a 6 iron quite low and carry it 130 yards. I know my knock downs typically turn over, so I have to keep that in mind. I'm happier missing left side for recovery purposes because that plays to my draw. I can hit cuts, but I'm not great at it and can't dial it in like I can a draw (or hook).
T2C: If you could only recommend three things for a 90’s level golfer to practice, what would you recommend?
KK: Putting, Pitching, and Driving. Driver sets it all up. You don't necessarily have to keep it in the fairway, but you can't have things in your way or be punching out.
And the likelihood is you aren't going to be hitting a ton of greens, so working the short game, chipping, pitching and putting will be the biggest and fastest key to getting those scores down.
T2C: I’m currently a 3.3 HI. How hard is it to get to scratch from a 3? What would you recommend for me to get there?
KK: It's hard. The level of near perfection you have to achieve on the course is really tough. You just can't make mistakes. You don't need to make a lot more birdies, though it would help, but you have to cut down the bogeys.
To get there you have to have a well buttoned up short game. Got to make the saves. Bunker saves. Flop saves. Short saves. Long saves. And then identify whatever else in your game is loose and tighten it up. It's a grind.
You're in an enviable position and an unenviable one. Working toward perfection is tough!
Rapid Fire Questions
Favorite golfer?
Rory. I just really like the kid. Maybe he's not a kid anymore, but he's got a good youthful exuberance and I think he's got a good head on his shoulders. I like it when he's in the field. He represents the game very well.
Favorite swing on the PGA Tour?
Think I have to go Rory there, too. That power....
Most important: Driver, Wedge, Putter?
Putter. We use it the most.
What is your favorite Major?
The U.S. Open. I've tried to qualify so many times and never got in. But I have played two U.S. Senior Opens, so...it's kinda the same. But not. I like how hard they set things up. It's awesome.
Best club ever made (not from the last ten years)?
Oooh...not from the last 10 years... Driver: Cleveland Launcher 400. So good! Irons: Personally...I loved the Cleveland TA7's. Played my very best with them.
Favorite go-to club in the bag?
My Cobra King Tec 4 hybrid. I'm almost as accurate with it as I am with a 7-iron. And I had an ace with it. Can't see it ever leaving my bag.
Kevin, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. This has been great. I think the readers will find your answers incredibly helpful.
If you’re in the Maryland area and want to schedule a fitting with Kevin click here. Tell Kevin The 2nd Cut sent you!
Check out the video below for Kevin’s What’s In The Bag segment.