A golfer in Cincinnati was on the Wishon forum inquiring to Tom Wishon if he knew me and my abilities.
Here was Tom's response offering reviews of my work/knowledge ...
Mark, yes for sure I have known Bill Weitzel for a very long time on this side of the golf equipment industry. No BS, he is without a doubt one of the top 10 club fitters in the world and I am not embellishing you one bit. You'll come away with the very best fit possible, bar none.
Tom Wishon
From the father of a junior golfer in Louisville, KY, that I have worked with for almost 4 yrs now. One of the top ranked juniors in KY!
Macie is tearing it up with your clubs! She has won all of her last 50 tournaments, it's hard to keep track anymore. She just won an invitational that basically puts her number one on this whole half of the United States, 13 and under girls and she just turned 12 a month ago, Be up to see you like usual this winter.
Roger B.
Hey Bill , it’s Roger down here in Louisville, just wanted to let you know last month around Thanksgiving or a little after Macie excepted a golf scholarship to go to Vanderbilt! It’s a huge blessing and I just wanna make sure that you know whenever people ask me how she’s been so successful and won so many tournaments at such a young age. I tell them the part you played in it and in my mind it was a significant part when you set up her clubs and took care of her and how much I appreciate that. By the way I think her total is like 108 tournaments won now, which is big, can’t thank you enough Bill!
Roger B.
Seriously is there anything you don’t know about golf clubs? No need to talk Friday your suggestion did the trick, high draw, long, long, long! Thanks so much you are "The Man"!
John G.
Bill
I have played about 6 rounds since I picked up my new driver and it is awesome! I'm hitting about 85% of the fairways and have never felt better about my game.
Thank You
George I.
Hi Bill!
You Sir are a Genius!
Just finished my third round with the beautiful Wishon 919 driver you made me....awestruck! Longer and straighter drives than my previous driver. Even strikes toward heel straight and longer than before. No more trying to guide the ball--just take it back and swing. Center strikes almost guaranteed. Amazing! You have a customer for life! Next on my agenda is a fairway wood fitting for a 7 wood (Wishon of course). Later this year, or early next year. New set of irons after that.
Don K.
PS You can't imagine how happy you have made me! Only wish I had sought your help earlier.
Hi Bill,
My name is Justin N, a recent customer of yours. On May 3rd, I drove down from Indianapolis just to have you fit me for a set of Mizuno MP-25s with Dynamic Gold Superlite shafts. About a month later, I was working into my new set. Since then, my biggest claim about the clubs is that they have drastically minimized my miss - and this is a game of misses. It seems as though my misses are still acceptable these days. Thanks to an additional 6-8 yards with each iron I'm hitting about one less club into every green, without any extra effort on my end. I walked into your shop with the goals to minimize the miss, add a couple yards, and lower the ball flight. I've already talked about the first two, but the last was also accomplished. The more penetrating ball flight has allowed me to manage windy conditions like I never have before. To say the least, I'm more than happy that I drove a couple hours to come see you. You're method of club fitting is refreshing and effective in a world where the norm is far less.
Yesterday, on July 17th, I played a round of golf at a course I've never played with my significant other and another couple we are friends with. One the par-3 third hole I choose my 9-iron from 147 yards. Spinning it back into the cup I made my first hole-in-one. This feat I had been struggling to overcome in the 20 years I've been golfing was finally conquered less than 2 months after the custom iron set you built came in the mail. That is no coincidence.
Thank you for helping me reach this new height. Your skill and passion for clubfitting played a huge part in my first hole-in-on!
Hi Bill,
I took the new Wishon 771 irons out for my post league play last night, and I have never swung clubs that felt so right before. I did not expect such a big difference between these and my old Mizuno 925s. It was night and day. Thanks again for your great work.
Mike B.
Hey Bill!
You're 'da man! Played 27 holes yesterday with my new driver and hit 21 out of 23 fairways! The 2 that I missed weren't by much! Love all my clubs including the irons from you! You're 'da man!
Roger B.
Bill Weitzel of Conquest Custom Golf has earned my highest recommendation. If you are thinking about getting the right clubs for your game, then Bill is the guy you need to see. Please take the time to read my rather lengthy testimonial to describe my experience with him.
I started playing golf again last year after only playing a handful of rounds in the previous nine years. I was a single digit handicapper when I stopped playing and I wanted to get back to my previous skill level as quickly as possible. Obviously, golf technology has changed a lot over the past decade, so I felt that I would benefit from a fitting.
Unbeknownst to Bill, I actually had a fitting at one of the “big box” golf stores about nine months before I visited him. After hitting a few irons, the guy put a 46 inch driver in my hands that I had difficulty swinging. Keep in mind that I am a fairly athletic guy and I am 6’1” and 230 lbs. The length of the shaft made it difficult for me to “get through the hitting zone” in my golf swing without casting or coming over the top to start the downswing. Whatever the case, it just didn’t seem right to me because it felt too long. When I asked the young employee if they had a driver less than 45 inches, he replied, “No, we don’t. I think you just need to swing harder.”
Needless to say, I thought, “This guy doesn’t know what he is talking about and he’s just trying to sell me something,” so I ended the session shortly afterward.
I have never been an advocate that “longer is better” when it comes to driver shaft length because center face contact is far, far more important. Most, if not all, golfers will benefit from a club that engenders confidence; which is to say the club should look and feel right to them and it should fit their individual swing.
When I scheduled a driver fitting with Bill in late May of last year, I’ll have to admit that I had healthy skepticism because of my previous fitting experience. I was impressed that shaft length was the first thing we talked about after he gather some information about my objectives and my knowledge of my overall game.
Here’s another thing that really impressed me about the driver fitting with Bill because it’s the kind of thing that only comes with experience. My swing speed is typically 95 MPH. Conventional wisdom says that I should play a driver with a stiff shaft. However, the data suggested something in the hitting zone of my swing that was very unique. Without getting into too much detail, Bill’s experience allowed him to suggest a couple of other shafts until we found “the one”. In my opinion, only a very experience club fitter would have suggested that kind of shaft. Also, my ball flight is higher than most players so Bill suggested the Wishon 919 head with 9 degrees loft and 1 degree closed.
We settled on a 44 inch shaft length, even though I grip down on the club almost one inch. Like most golfers, I have good days and bad days. On my bad days, I hit this driver 255-270 yards. On my good days, I hit this driver 275-290 yards with about a two yard draw. The lower ball flight does quite well in the wind. I had my first bona fide 300 yard drive with this club (my playing partner and I estimated 307 yards). Additionally, I played in only one scramble with this club in my bag and I won the longest drive (of all things, my prize was a new 45.5 inch driver!) against a lot of younger players (I am 47) with longer shafted drivers. Toward the end of the year, my game was really coming around and I shot several rounds in the 70’s, including a one over par 72 at a local course.
I asked Bill to build some more clubs for me during the winter but I have not yet played them. I will keep you posted but, in the meantime, I think the best thing I can say is that I trust him with my game.
-Matt
Bill,
After playing for over half a season now with the Wishon irons you built for me, I feel I can report honestly about the incredible improvement in my game. These clubs are by far, the best golf purchase I have made. The irons are just a perfect match for my game. Your fitting is just what I needed to gain the consistency that I was looking for in my swing. The MOI is not just a gimmick but truly does enable an amateur to groove a swing. I approach all my shots now with a confidence I never had before. My handicap has gone from a 22 to 14 in just half a season. Unbelievable!
Thanks again for your professionalism in club building. You are indeed one of the best club builders going.
Tom Harris
Bill, as a follow up, I played in a scramble today and my drives with the new driver that you fitted to me continue to be stellar. I did have a couple of bad shots, but only three out of the entire round. And, bad swings equal bad shots, but when I put even close to the right swing on the ball, I was dead down the middle or in the right or left side of the fairway with more distance, too. A huge improvement over my non-fitted club and a definite improvement over one fitted by another fitter that I sliced perpetually and put on the shelf.
Not only do you do good work, you are very nice in your approach and take great care to ensure that all questions are answered. Add to that fair prices and it's all win-win.
You have really helped my game and can't wait to see what the new irons and wedges do for me. I'm sitting at the window looking for the delivery truck on Friday.
Thank you!
H. I. Stroth, Jr.
Bill,
Just wanted to let you know that my new Wishon irons arrived on Wed. (had to go thru University receiving.) The clubs are beautiful! Took them out to the driving range on Thurs. and started to get used to them. At first I was fading every shot and then realized that I was setting up with the club face wide open. After I figured that out, WOW. I haven't had a chance to play on a regulation course with them yet but did go to an executive (par 3) course yesterday. Shot 4 over par! I love the feel of these clubs, the MOI matching makes a huge noticeable difference. Can hardly wait to get to use them on a regulation course. Like them so well I am thinking about having you build a 3 and 4 iron to match the rest of the set. Could you send me a quotation for the cost of those?
Thanks again,
Tom H.
Two months later ............
Bill,
Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know just how pleased I am with the clubs you built for me. I did receive the 3 and 4 iron just about 4 weeks ago. I have gone out to my local driving range with them and they hit just like the other clubs. I love the MOI factor...one club feels just like the rest, just as you promised. I brought the clubs to our sons' home in Tulsa, OK and have had the opportunity to play a couple of rounds here. It is nice to be able to play golf on the last few days of December! The more I have played with these clubs the better they feel. Today I shot an 85 on a course that I had played last spring with a much worse round. The problem was 4 three putt greens on the front nine! All I can say is wow! I am sure that I will cut an average of 5 to 7 strokes off my scores with these clubs. The feel is great and they hit so easily. Thanks again.
Merry Christmas!
Tom H.
From a Scratch Golfer ..........
Hi Bill,
The clubs are fantastic! I have just played two rounds, but already notice how miss hits are much closer to the target. The trajectory with the short irons seems lower, which I really like. Early in our first discussion, I mentioned that I would like to be able to close my eyes and not know which club I had in my hand... I think you did it! They are very difficult, if not impossible to tell apart which makes keeping a steady rhythm/tempo with each club much easier. It will take a few more rounds to really get comfy with them, as you said... but I have a huge smile every time I pull them out. They look and feel great!
Ryan T.
Good morning Bill!
I can’t say enough about my new Miura Irons. I took your advise and waited after playing some 8-9 rounds with them before making a judgment. I can only say fantastic!! I am truly amazed at what a difference this fitting has made in my game. I have come close to shooting under par a couple of times now in league and I haven’t had that opportunity in over 15 years. Last Thursday night I hit my approach shots to the first 5 greens and the longest putt I had was 7 feet. I shot a 36 so that tells you how well I putted…LOL! I guess I need a putter fitting next! These irons combined with my new Wishon driver and three wood and I know I will break par before too long. I now have that kind of confidence in my game once again. Thanks so much.
John M.
Bill,
We just returned from Myrtle Beach. I had a chance to play golf, and needed to rent a set of brand new TaylorMade's, including driver. I will take the set you made for me over those any day. It just really confirmed for me the valuable combination of your fitting with the quality of the Wishon clubs. I actually was looking forward to playing with the TaylorMade clubs and was disappointed at first, but then felt relieved because I could go back to my set when I returned home. Hope your summer is going well..God Bless..
Denny
Hi Bill,
Just a quick note this morning after a few range session during the last week with the new toys. Great recommendation and build on the 929! Didn’t believe what I saw the first time with it, but had to the 3rd time on the range. And what great feel. The marketing hype of matching shafts from driver to fairway is remarkable, I was a doubting Thomas. Love that both the driver and FW swing and feel the same, talk about a confidence boost.
The wedge fits in great as expected. Closed that gap between the pw and 53* nicely. Hopefully it helps in that scoring position this season.
So the bag is all you now and really appreciate the work you do. I am a believer of your fitting talents!!! So much so when the wife gets her last changes (swing) in and gets comfortable with them, I think she might be due a true driver fitting.
It is a bit strange to carry 14 clubs, as I use to only carry clubs I could count on to score and often leave gaps in play. Now the options are greater. The hybrids also need an honorable mention as well, the most accurate hybrids I have ever owned (have seen it on the course this winter).
Take care, have a wonderful year. Anyone that asks and cares for the ultimate set will surely get you a mention.
Cheers,
Steve-
Bill,
Thanks again for everything today. It was a great experience and can't wait to see the results.
I was talking with my brother, who lives in N. San Diego, about it. He's currently looking to get fitted and get some new irons and wanted me to ask if you knew of anyone in that area that you would recommend? I told him (to the best of my ability) all the things you went over, how thorough you were and how great you were and I know that is what he is looking for. He takes lessons at a place called Stadium Golf in San Diego (they're were in Golf Digest as well). I don't know if they are as thorough as you though. I know you mentioned you have the online forum with other fitters and didn't know if there was someone out there you could recommend for him.
Thanks again for everything. I can tell you truly love what you do and will recommend to anyone I can. Except for the guys I play against, haha!
Kyle
Hi Bill,
Just thought I would send you a note about the clubs you built for me. I have to say that the club fitting was very interesting and educational. Now that I have been using the clubs for 6 months (some simulator) I have to admit they have improved my game. I'm a 16 handicap that now sees improvement from time to time. I have twice shot even par, which has never happened before, on courses that have a 131 slope 6404yds. I've also had a 79 on a similar course. Even though those days were great I also had some issues with the 5" between my ears that didn't give such good results. But now I don't blame the clubs just an old 64yr old body and mind. But that being said the clubs have been great and the experience of have my clubs fitted and seeing a difference a fitting can make is just outstanding.
Thanks
Roger French
(A very satisfied customer)
The following is an email from a satisfied customer where we performed an "online" fitting. Much tougher than a "hands on" fitting, but definitely better than buying a "pre-made one size fit's all" set of clubs.
Dear Bill,
It has been a while since my last communication with you. While in New York we were very busy with our business affairs and many personal issues to be resolved. Then of course our visits to our children and grandchildren. When I got to open your box it wasn't till the second week of my arrival. I was very much surprised to the quality of the material and workmanship you gave to my set. I congratulate you for your detailed and meticulous work.
Finding time the second week Nestor and I played. The first few holes was my period of adjustment. I never played with a set that were very consistent with its weight and the ease of swinging the club. At the end of my game my notation as follows; distance wise on my woods and hybrid were the same as my old ones except my shots dispersion is + or - 10 to 12 yds which placed me right near the center of the fairway. This to me is a great plus. My mid irons are longer by 5-8 yds and tight. My short irons bites except on higher greens were runs are expected. I am very happy and pleased with it. Thanks again. By the way I played four times while in Long Island and my scores were 86-82-78-78. With new clubs these scores doesn't happened to me.
I am in Manila now and I never had the chance to play. I am busy mentoring the youth and citing the importance of being educated to their line of interest. We give lectures to the value of speaking the world language English, as a vehicle for communication. As Americans I think we owe the World or we are obligated to partake this humble task with no remuneration at hand.
Take care and regards,
Ross
Hi Bill,
As promised after a bunch of balls and some course time, it was time to let you know how it’s going with the new sticks.
Before I get into the gory details, some of my challenge is all the changes made this winter. Worked hard with my coach at GolfTec to the get the swing ready. Have been working with the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) to get my body in better swing shape. And then of course you know, had clubs built for me Smile
So with all these things going on and coming together at the same time, that’s a lot of game improvement all at once, almost overload. Well let me start with just the clubs and all the voodoo you may have put in them. They are just awesome from a couple of aspects.
1) Feel is just outstanding.
2) Every club feels and swings identical with ease and (here’s the voodoo) all setup the same.
3) Trajectory is as expected, the surprise is how well a lower trajectory (wind cheater) holds the green (wasn’t expecting this).
4) I would like to say something about distance control, I’ve got none right now, not because of the clubs, it’s a trust item.
5) Dispersion is as tight as anyone should ever expect from their clubs, almost scary at times.
6) Do these clubs even understand what rough is? They cut through thick lies, like it doesn’t exist (wasn’t expecting this either)
So you might be saying what is wrong with distance control. Remember those 3 items factoring into my game for this year (swing, performance training, custom clubs). I’m hitting on average 20+ yards longer then last year and still don’t trust myself when I should. I’ve clubbed up to hit shots from the rough, only to clear the green by 25 yards. Each round is getting better, so I am more encouraged of what these clubs are capable of when I go out and what I can do with them.
If you can’t tell the hidden message in here, you rock in building clubs. I may have to take pause mid-season to really look at my bag and it’s make up (gaps) to see where it stands, it’s just too early to make that call right now.
Thank you for all the TLC you poured into these!
Steve L. - Columbus, Ohio
Dear Bill,
The new clubs arrived safe and sound on Friday afternoon and I immediately went to a nearby range here in Alexandria, and then played a round with friends on Saturday. I hit the ball just great, and in particular drove the ball incredible distances with the new driver. Must be the yellow Enzo shaft, which by the way drew lots of attention. The irons will take some getting used to as I over clubbed a few shots. BUT, the dampening effect of the inserts was noticeable, and with the Winn grips that are after all these years the right size, every single shot was a pleasure. Now all I need is to get a proper grip on my putter and I'm ready for really low scoring. I took the liberty of handing out your business cards so my friends who do come to Cincinnati can contact you one day. In short, I'm very, very pleased.
It's nice to have the fitted clubs and to see the difference in my play.
Thanks again for everything,
George Staples
US Ambassador, (retired)
Bill:
Hope this finds you well. Loving the clubs you did for me. Qualified for the US Mid-Am last year using them, best clubs I've ever played. Was wondering if you could make a 3 & 4 iron of the new Wishon hybrid (I'm pretty sure they are 585HI)...
Best regards,
Garry S.
Bill,
For the past year I have had the pleasure of many online conversations about golf in general, but with the intent of building golf clubs. During the winter months I like to evaluate my clubs and how they performed for me(or me for them) during the last season. In many of my talks with Bill I could hear the passion for club building Bill Weitzel possesses. It's always fun for me to meet people that have this particular trait because it instills confidence that you're going to to get their best effort. The first thing I had Bill do for me was a set of Infiniti AW-3 irons with SK Fiber shafts. The methods that Bill employs to make each club is remarkable. I have owned so many sets of clubs I hate to admit the number, but I like so many other golfers in the world are after the holy grail in golf clubs. I'm hear to tell you it doesn't exist, but what you can do is have clubs PROFESSIONALLY FIT for your personal specs and with a little work start to really improve your game. I played high school golf and lettered 4 years in college golf and have played as much competitive golf as my career allowed but won one club championship and finished in the top five many other times at several clubs. My handicap after college has always been between 2.5 to 4.5 index depending on how much I was playing. After my 2007 season with the AW-3's Bill built for me, my index finished at 1.5 and a 3rd place finish in my club championship. Nothing else changed, just my irons, I did every thing else the same. It took about 2 months for me to adjust to the irons, but once I did I felt so much more confident and as a result more aggressive over the ball when I was under the heat. I have gone on to have Bill build 2 more clubs(woods) for me and I can't get over the quality of build Bill produces each and every time. I would highly recommend for anyone to have Bill Weitzel build any type of club through out your bag, you won't be sorry.
Brooks Whitworth
Centennial, Co
This is a copy of a letter sent from a previous customer, to Tom Wishon....
Tom Wishon Golf Technology
695 County Road 233
Durango, CO 81301
USA
October 7th 2006
Dear Tom,
I’m writing this to offer my acknowledgement and thanks for the quality of clubs that I have recently received from one your authorized list of dealers – Bill Weitzel of Conquest Custom Golf in Cincinnati, Ohio.
I have known about your equipment for some time and have read your book “The Search for the Perfect Club”. Due to our small population here we have a real shortage of people who have the right skills, ability, launch monitors or equipment to custom make clubs properly and do so at a price that is advantageous as compared to paying the inflated prices that the major OEM’s retail for.
Being some 8,000 miles away and having never met Bill before I went about informing him exactly what I required as I already had a reasonable idea of measurements, swing speed, lie angle, grip size required, flex requirements flex etc. We communicated and fine tuned these details through several “question and answer” sessions via email. Bill was very detailed and helpful in his assisting me with the right clubs, there were a few minor changes away from what you would call “standard” measurements in what I required. Bill went about building me a set of clubs, to the specific detail that we had agreed.
I ordered 550C Irons 4-SW, 321 Li Irons number 2 and 3 Irons, a 949MC Driver 400cc and the 515 3 wood, all in a variety if different shafts. A week or so later I ordered a CLF putter which turned up within 5 days of leaving Bill"s workshop in Cincinnati.
Depending on time of year and my form my handicap varies from about 5-8, so I class myself as a reasonable golfer who has a reasonable understanding of what I require, the difficulty has been finding someone who can cater for it with good quality equipment and not “cheap imitation knock offs”
I’m please to report that the 550C Irons in particular are by far and away the best irons I have ever played and certainly the most accurate and comfortable to use. The 949 driver and 515 3 wood after some early adjustment (particularly to how high I tee the ball up) are fantastic!
I would like to personally thank you for the time and effort that you have put into developing this great equipment, so that golfers like me do actually have a choice when it comes to equipment.
I would also like to endorse the work of Bill in Cincinnati/Maineville, Ohio. It is certainly a nerve racking experience spending so much money via email, and wondering when your goods were going to turn up and whether they would arrive in good condition considering how far they must travel. Bill was very thorough in his work, and products were received in first class order. I would have no hesitation in purchasing more equipment from him again or recommending Bill to others.
Bill and I had never met or spoken previously, my first contact with him was via an inquiry through his website. Subsequently Bill and I have had a brief chat on the telephone since the initial order placed and as I previously stated I would feel very comfortable using Bill’s services again.
I’m quite happy for your company to use this letter as reference in any correspondence if you so choose. I’m highly satisfied with my equipment.
Thank you and best regards.
Tim J.
Hey Bill,
Just wanted to let you know that the clubs you put together for me are wonderful. It took a good couple of months to get used to my new irons, but now I am seeing the benefits. I have increased my distance, I am sure partly due to the stronger lofts than my old blades, but also due to weight and shaft. I love the feeling that I can hit each iron the same swing and get the same results due to the MOI Matching. My old clubs had some nuances which made the change over to new irons difficult. I had different swings for different clubs.
I am controlling my trajectory much better, which is fantastic because it has been very windy this year. I am also playing much more "punch" shots.(Three-quarter, low shots that take one bounce and stop) I used to only do those shots with my 9i on to sand wedge-- now I can go to my 4i on down. Hope to hear from you. Thanks for a job well done.
Hi Bill.
I thought I would update you on the clubs. I don't think I could be happier. I have been to the range three times and things keep getting better and better. Right now I would say that may favorite club in the bag is the Driver. I will keep you updated as I go along. I love the Mark It. I have used it every time I have been at the range. I purchased some low compression balls. The one that was listed second on both of the tables from my ball fitting for the two different swing speeds was the Precept iQ180.
They are no longer made so I purchased some on a used ball site. I sacrificed one while at the driving range because I wanted to see how much of a difference it made. It was unbelievable. The feel was great, and I gained a minimum of 10 yards with the driver. I know that was only one shot, but it impressed me.
James Brinker
Testimonials and reviews from golfers who were able to get the golf ball closer, and in the hole!