Ep. 73 Larry Bobka / Master Clubfitter

Where are all my equipment heads, sickos and junkies? This episode is for all of you who love the equipment side of the game and want to better understand how we arrived at the golf club designs that we play today. Today on The Inward Nine we are fortunate to have someone who has served on the frontlines of each evolution in golf club design over the last 40 years, from persimmon wood to metal drivers, steel to graphite shafts, perimeter weighted irons, titanium faced drivers, modern forged irons and working with the best Tour players in the world, this man has simply done it all and referring to him as an expert in his field might even be an understatement. Please buckle up and strap in as we get to spend significant time with one of the best in the golf equipment and clubfitting over the last 40 years, he is the very knowledgeable yet humble Larry Bobka. In our time together with the man everyone calls LB, we will discuss: How throwing clubs in frustration accidentally unlocked Larry's curiosity about club design. After all, if Larry broke it, he needed to understand how to fix it. More on curiosity. As Larry began to teach his students and wasn't seeing them getting the results he felt they should, it sent Larry down a road of seeking other solutions. Larry will share what he discovered and how it began to shape the earliest days of club fitting. When it comes to clubfitting, Larry will remind us of what our primary job is when it comes to helping players not only play their best, but also enjoy the game the most. Ego. We all have one. Listen to the wonderful advice Larry received right before he was set to interact with Tour players for the first time. Trial and error. It is a part of any development process. From working for Wilson to Titleist, Larry and his team were constantly evolving and looking for ways to improve. We get a behind the scenes look at how Titleist hit their stride in the mid 90s and how Larry played a starring role. More than anything you take from this conversation from a master craftsman, I hope you leave with a greater appreciation of the people who came well before us and helped shape the game we play today.   To connect with Chandler:  Follow and DM on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast Email: podcast@archive22.com Music Credits:  Opening: 'Check It Out' by John Mellencamp Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector