Michigan Pro Shop Named Ping Golf Fitter of the Year

Ann Arbor pro shop Miles of Golf has been named Ping Clubfitter of the Year.  That’s the store I shop most frequently and I can attest that the staff is both knowledgeable and friendly.

The press release follows:

Club-fitting pioneer and leader PING announced today that Miles of Golf in Ypsilanti, Michigan has been named 2008 PING National Fitter of the Year.

The national award, first given in 1997, recognizes the authorized PING Fitter who has demonstrated the highest commitment to custom fitting and the promotion of its benefits to golfers of all abilities.

“Under the guidance of Chris Mile and Casey Baker, the staff at Miles of Golf has earned a national reputation for its approach to custom fitting,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “They’ve invested in the training and technology required to bring golfers the most comprehensive fittings available. Their team embraces the value of custom fitting and its effect on lowering scores and leading to more enjoyment of the game. They are leaders in every respect as they provide the expertise and service that makes us proud to honor them as PING’s National Fitter of the Year.”

In the Miles of Golf “Cluboratory,” which is equipped with a Trackman launch monitor and an extensive selection of fitting clubs, golfers experience the highest level of fitting available. They can choose from two custom-fitting packages, including a session using PING’s nFlight™ software and its Advanced Fitting System™ (AFS™). At each level, golfers of all abilities are educated on the benefits of custom fitting while undergoing a thorough session to determine the club specifications best suited to their game.

Along with the expertise of the 10 club fitting specialists on staff, led by Director of Fitting Brent Norton, Baker credits PING’s commitment to innovation and quality for making the relationship so successful.

“PING provides us the tools to fit every club in the bag, from driver through the putter,” said Baker, the facility’s general manager. “We know every PING® club we fit is going to perform for the golfer. That helps further validate the custom-fitting process in the golfer’s mind and leads to loyal customers for our shop and PING.”

The 10,000 square foot facility, which includes two dedicated indoor/outdoor fitting bays, recently installed a high-tech putter fitting area to analyze golfers’ putting strokes with the goal of ensuring a properly fit putter.

“We want to be the best at what we do,” added Baker, who is a member of the Golf Digest “Hot List” Advisory staff. “We do that by providing the highest level of service and expertise. PING helps us facilitate that through collaboration and its own commitment to customer service. Their promise of custom-built clubs shipped within 48 hours is very compelling to us and our customers.

Nearly 2,000 authorized PING Club Fitters were eligible for the award.  Among the criteria considered by the selection committee are length of time in the program, commitment to on-going training, sustained sales growth and support of the entire PING product line.

Nominating Miles of Golf for the honor was Ken Moore, PING Field Representative for Michigan.