| ProPlay
Glove and Grip Fitting System Review: June 2008
GolfTest
USA was retained by ProPlay North America to develop the
testing protocol and methodology and then conduct a test
using the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System. We indentified
20 golfers of varied skill levels who we felt had flaws
in their grip. During April and May, 2008, GolfTest USA
performed testing on the ProPlay Fitting System. The 20
golfers who participated in the test were each fitted with
the correct size ProPlay glove and then their set of golf
clubs were regripped using the corresponding ProPlay grips.
They were then instructed to watch the ProPlay Glove &
Grip Fitting System DVD so they understood how to use the
glove and grips to obtain the most benefit from the product.
We knew that when golfers make a change to their swing,
it can take time to get acclimated and comfortable with
the change. We asked each tester to spend about a week practicing
using the correct grip and then play a round of golf without
being concerned with their score. Once that was done, we
had each tester play a minimum of 5 rounds of golf, keeping
close track of their scores over the next few weeks. Once
they had completed the rounds of golf, we asked each tester
to be fair and unbiased when completing the evaluation form.
The
group of testers included 15 men and 5 women. Their handicaps
ranged from 8 to 29.
It was very easy for our club fitter to fit each tester
with the right size glove and than regrip each set of clubs
with the correct size corresponding grips. The grips were
very high quality, thus they were very easy to install.
GolfTest USA
also retained 4 top PGA golf instructors and asked them
to evaluate the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System
as it relates to their teaching methodology. We wanted to
get their feedback on how they thought the ProPlay System
would help their students improve their grip. We put the
ProPlay grips on their clubs and asked them to tell us what
they liked about it. We also asked them to consider how
they thought the use of the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting
System could be incorporated into their teaching format
and how it would benefit their students. Their feedback
has been included at the end of this report.
Following
are the results that we compiled from the evaluation forms
that were completed by the testers of the ProPlay Glove
& Grip Fitting System.
The following
rating scale was used to determine how well the average
score for each question was achieved.
Poor:
0 to 4.4
Below Average: 4.5 to 4.9
Average: 5.0 to 5.4
Above Average: 5.5 to 5.9
Good: 6.0 to 6.4
Excellent: 6.5 to 6.9
Exceptional: 7.0 and above
Questionnaire:
Please answer the following questions on a scale of 1 to
10 with 10 being best by circling the appropriate number.
After
watching the DVD how easy was it to grip the club properly
with the ProPlay Fitting System?
Results:
Average score was 8.75. This high rating indicates that
the DVD provided the testers with all the necessary instructions
and information needed to correctly grip the club.
Did the DVD provide you with the information you
needed to get the most benefit from the ProPlay Glove &
Grip Fitting System?
Results: Average score was 8.9. This exceptional
rating confirms that the DVD provides the information necessary
to get the best benefit from the ProPlay Glove & Grip
Fitting System.
How
“easy” was it to “adapt” your grip
to the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System?
Results:
Average score was 7.85. This very high rating indicates
that the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System allows
a golfer to quickly transition from their old flawed grip
into the correct grip. We did not expect that this rating
would be so high because many golfers have a poor grip that
they have been using for years and that it would take a
quite a bit of practicing and playing to make the transition.
Please answer
the following questions based on the 5 rounds of golf recorded
since you started using the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting
System on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being best by circling
the appropriate number.
Did
the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System help you to
improve the distance of your shots?
Results:
Average score was 5.7. This rating is an indication
than more half the testers improved the distance and several
testers said that they are hitting their driver longer and
straighter.
Did
the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System help you to
improve the accuracy of your shots?
Results:
Average score was 6.85. This rating is a dramatic improvement
and probably the best result a golfer would like to have
because of how important it is to be able to hit your shots
straight and at the target.
Did
the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System help you to
improve the control of your shots?
Results:
Average
score was 6.5. This rating confirms that the control of
the tester’s shots improved greatly as the result
of using the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System
Did
the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System help you to
improve the tempo of your swing?
Results:
Average score was 5.3. This rating, while just average,
falls within our expectations that a golfer’s tempo
would probably not be impacted very much as the result of
having the correct grip.
Did
your confidence striking the ball improve as the result
of using the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System?
Results:
Average
score was 6.3. This rating was good especially when one
takes into account the learning curve necessary to make
a radical change such as using the correct grip.
Did
your consistency striking the ball improve as the result
of using the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System?
Results:
Average score was 6.05. Consistency in a golfers swing is
very important and will lead directly to improved scores
so this rating shows that the testers made improvement in
this area and the feedback indicated that most of the testers
felt it will continue to improve as they become more comfortable
with their new correct grip.
How
“strongly” would you recommend the ProPlay Glove
& Grip Fitting System to other golfers?
Results:
Average score was 7.05. This rating is a strong indication
that the testers feel that the ProPlay Glove & Grip
Fitting System would be of benefit to the majority of golfers
and they would not hesitate to tell their friends and other
golfers about how much the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting
System helped improve their game.
How
“likely” will you be to continue to use the
ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System?
Results: Average score was 6.65. This rating confirms
that most testers (75%) will continue to use the ProPlay
Glove & Grip Fitting System. Five of the testers had
problems making the change from their poor grip to the correct
one.
Do
you feel the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System helped
you lower your scores during the 5 rounds of golf you recorded?
Results:
Average
score was 5.4. This rating falls in line with the fact that
the perception of about half of the testers was that they
didn’t feel they lowered their scores. Changing from
a poor grip to the correct grip is a major change for most
golfers. For most golfers this change could take a long
time before they start to gain the benefit from using the
proper grip. In fact half the testers based on their actual
reported scores and perception lowered their scores and
improved by an average of 2 strokes per round.
Please
rate the quality of the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting
System glove and grips.
Results:
Average score was 7.2. This rating shows that the quality
of the grips and gloves are exceptional and compare favorably
with the quality and performance of other top grips and
gloves on the market. Our observations confirmed that the
durability and quality of both the glove and grip were excellent.
Please
answer the following questions based on the 5 rounds of
golf you recorded since using the ProPlay Fitting System
checking the “Yes”, “No” or “The
Same” box.
Based
on the rounds of golf you recorded since you started using
the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System were you able
to lower your score per round?
Yes___ No___ The Same___ If you answered “Yes”
how may strokes per round? ______
Results:
30% of the testers indicated they lowered their score an
average of 2 strokes per round. The rest of the testers
felt their scores stayed the same. Feedback from several
of the testers showed that they felt they would continue
to improve as they became more comfortable using the correct
grip.
Since
you started using the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System
did the distance of your shots improve?
Yes___ No___ The Same__
Results:
40% of the testers said their distance improved and coupled
with their improved accuracy they were able to hit more
greens in regulation.
Since
you started using the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System
did the accuracy of your shots improve?
Yes___ No___ The Same___
Results:
65% of the testers said their accuracy improved. This is
a very high rate of improvement and shows how important
having the correct grip is to hitting the ball at your target.
Since
you started using the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System
did the control of your shots improve?
Yes___ No___ The Same___
Results:
Again 65% of the testers said their control improved.
By using the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System golfers
can have a consistent reference point on the glove and grip
in which to slightly change their grip when they want to
hit a cut shot, draw or fade.
Please
answer the following questions:
What
did you like best about the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting
System?
Comments:
“Using the ProPlay system I was able to release through
the ball and finish my swing much better”
“The glove fit the grip for line up”
“Sets my hands properly on the club”
“The grips”
“Got me away from such a strong grip to a much better
one”
“Easy hand alignment”
“I can now hit my wedge and sand wedge”
“Ease of use”
“Consistency”
“I had a very strong grip prior to starting to use
the system, since then I have been able to come back some
towards a more neutral position”
“Placement of the right hand”
“It was a good check on my grip”
“Lining up glove with grip”
“I seem to set up my swing with more confidence”
“Easy reminder of grip position”
“More confidence in my grip”
“The concept, but it didn’t work for me (or
I couldn’t work it)”
“Felt like I was hitting the sweet spot more often”
“Everything”
Taking in to account all factors that are important
to you on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being best how would
you rate the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System “overall”?
Results:
Average score was 6.95. This rating is very high when taking
into account we initially projected that about 25% of the
testers would have difficulty changing from their old grip
to the correct one by using the ProPlay Glove & Grip
Fitting System. In fact 5 of the 20 testers had difficulty
adapting their poor grip to the correct one.
Is
there anything else you would like to comment on regarding
the ProPlay Fitting System?
Comments:
“Easy to
use”
“Achieved very good results”
“Combined with the correct set up and alignment this
system will eventually help my overall game”
“This is an outstanding aid for new golfers or golfer
attempting to “refind” their swing”
“It didn’t really lower my score but was very
consistent. It gave me confidence”
Golf
Instructors Evaluation Report
Following is
the feedback we received from the golf instructors we had
review the ProPlay Fitting System.
Review
from Marvol Barnard
LPGA/PGA Class A Teaching Professional
Thoughts on the
ProPlay Fitting System.
1. I love it. I have had several female students wear the
glove and take their grip with my clubs, and have noted
that they are easily able to demonstrate the correct grip
immediately and easily. They were then able to take a correct
grip on their own club after using the ProPlay glove/grip.
2. My students love it. I have had several students ask
if this system is available for purchase at this time.
3. It helped my own grip. I have had a long-time tendency
toward too weak a grip with the right hand, and the ProPlay
grips helped me to quickly become comfortable with the grip
in the correct position. (I'm embarrassed to admit this
one, being a "golf pro!")
4. I would purchase the system for use with a demo set of
clubs for use in lessons. I believe this is the easiest,
fastest way to get students used to the grip, either as
new students, or as a student with grip issues that need
addressed.
5. ONLY ONE COMPLAINT: I find the grips to be very dirty!
I have washed them, but still end up with very grubby hands
at the end of a day’s lessons or the end of a round
of golf.
You can put me down as "two thumbs up" (correctly
placed, of course). I give over 900 lessons in a season,
and I would not hesitate to use or recommend this system.
Thanks for inviting me to help with the test!
Marvol Barnard
LPGA/PGA Class A Teaching Professional
Green Valley, Arizona 85614
520-591-1475
Review
from Maria Przymierski, PGA
My feedback is
that it promotes a solid grip and love the custom fit of
the actual grip.
My students feed back is that the beginners love it and
it takes a lot of the guesswork out of putting their hands
on the club.
My higher handicap students that have technically unsound
grips and swings dislike it because they can't make their
usual corrective moves during their swing.
Overall a great product and I would support its use in teaching.
Thanks!
Maria Przymierski,
PGA
Green Valley Golf Instruction
(520) 400-9457
www.gvazgolf.com
Email: mariap@pga.com or mariap@gvazgolf.com
Review
from Joe Jaress, PGA
My name
is Joel Jaress and I am the head golf pro at the Country
Club of Green Valley. I recently was asked to sample a new
golf product that is designed to help improve and maintain
consistency regarding a golfer’s grip. The product
I am referring to is called ProPlay. The concept of the
product is to match certain lines and marks from your golf
glove to the lines and marks on the grip. This concept seems
to be a good idea regarding consistence but I personally
feel that there are too many variables regarding a golfers
grip for the product to be consistently effective for the
majority of golfers. For example, many top players will
adjust their grip to produce a certain shape to their gall
flight, despite that, the product would seem to be more
beneficial to the beginner or novice, providing that the
measurements are made correctly and the grips are installed
properly.
From my experience, no grip or hand position is an absolute
for every golfer, therefore the grips would need to be installed
someone very familiar with a particular golfer swing and
potential.
Good Luck!
Joel Jaress.
Review
from Marcel Laliberte, Golf Instructor
As requested, here is my review of the ProPlay Fitting System.
I think it is a good system for beginners and high handicap
golfers. The reminder lines on both the grips and the gloves
are helpful to get these golfers to place their hands in
the proper grip position. As a teaching aid, the system
is an eight. As a playing aid it is a nine.
Regards,
Marcel Laliberte
GolfTest
USA Final Evaluation:
 Based
on the results of this test GolfTest USA has determined
that the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System will help
most golfers improve their game by insuring that they begin
each shot with the correct grip. The ProPlay Glove &
Grip Fitting System helps golfers improve their consistency
and reduces their frustration because of poorly struck shots.
The ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System can be a key
factor in golfers getting more enjoyment from the game.
The ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System is not a gimmick
or fad and should be an integral part of most golfers’
equipment. The feedback we received from the golf instructors
who evaluated the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System
strongly suggests that it would be in the best interest
of any new golfer who was taking up the game to start off
by using the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System. A
golfer new to the game would benefit immediately by having
the correct grip which is the foundation needed prior to
developing the correct swing. GolfTest USA has determined
that the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System is a golf
product of superior value, performance and quality. Because
of the excellent ratings the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting
System achieved in the test GolfTest USA is awarding it
the GolfTest USA Seal of Excellence.
Please
feel free to contact us at anytime for clarification on
any of the information contained within this report.
Special Note:
GolfTest USA has not in the past endorsed any golf product
we have tested for various reasons. First we do not want
to give the appearance that we have any conflict of interest
by recommending one product over another. We have been satisfied
in the past to let the actual results from each test that
we post speak for its self. We do award our GolfTest USA
Seal of Excellence to certain golf products that meet our
minimum standards however we do not specifically endorse
any products nor have we ever received any revenue or compensation
from the sale of any golf products we have tested. Because
of the unique attributes of the ProPlay Glove & Grip
Fitting System and our belief that it will help such a high
percentage of golfers play better golf and enjoy the game
more we have decided to provide a link on our home page
so that golfers can find out more about the ProPlay Glove
& Grip Fitting System and make a decision on whether
to purchase it. Should there come a time in the future where
we test a golf product similar to the ProPlay Glove &
Grip Fitting System we would at that time cease our endorsement
of it.
Most golfers
need new grips and gloves from time to time so buying the
ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System is not really an
added expense but actually a necessary one. There are many
golf products that golfers buy in an effort to improve their
games that end up being stored away after a few uses never
to be seen again. The ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System
is NOT one of these. The benefits golfers realize from the
ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System will be ongoing
and will help those who use it to play better and more consistent
golf. 100% of the compensation GolfTest USA receives from
the sales of the ProPlay Glove & Grip Fitting System
will go directly to pay for shipping costs we incur when
we send sets of golf clubs to junior golf programs thru
the Integra*T Youth Golf Foundation. During the last 8 years
the Integra*T Youth Golf Foundation has provided over 600
sets of golf clubs to junior golfers who can’t afford
their own golf equipment.
If you are serious
about improving your game and enjoying the game of golf
more click on this banner.
- The
GolfTest USA Testing Staff
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