Inside the Tour Van: Fitting Q&A with Jim Donatelli

By Michael Geiger -- 2nd Swing Staff Writer

One of 2nd Swing’s biggest strengths is its deep roster of knowledgeable and experienced club fitters, and Jim Donatelli is certainly no exception. 

Donatelli played golf competitively throughout high school and college and has spent more than 25 years in the golf business. The first fitting job he took was located only three blocks from the White House. But over the course of his career, whether his client was a head of state or a beginner walking in off the street, Donatelli’s only goal has been to help people play better golf.

Donatelli joined 2nd Swing this past year with the opening of the company’s new Columbia, Maryland location. Luckily, he was able to take some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions about his experience at 2nd Swing so far, the importance of a proper driver shaft, and much more.

2nd Swing: How would you describe your experience as a 2nd Swing fitter thus far?

Donatelli: 2nd Swing fills a huge void in today's market. Golf has always been a service business and anyone working within the industry has an obligation to do their best to grow the game. The company understands that not everyone has $5,000 to put down on a set of custom clubs, but every customer still deserves a high level of service. We want everyone to get fit because the game is tough enough as it is and the better we can make a player with custom fit equipment the more enjoyment and improvement they will see. To do this, 2nd Swing has gone out of its way to provide us with the best technology available to assure that the customer will walk out of the store with properly fit equipment that will benefit their game, no matter their budget. The value adds 2nd Swing offers are unmatched in the industry, and at the end of the day, it’s a company that just wants to do the best job for the customer and its employees.

2nd Swing: What specific 2019 products/brands have stood out to you thus far?

Donatelli: If I had to pick two specific products that are substantially better than the products that were out before, I would choose the new Taylormade M5 fairway woods and the new Cobra F9 driver. But that is a tough question, as companies have really invested heavily in creating better products rather than cranking out new ones just for the sake of having something new to sell. If you went back 20 years ago, companies were known for producing specific products. Back then, everyone had to have a Cleveland wedge but nobody wanted Cleveland’s irons or drivers. Companies have sat down and taken an honest look at where they can do better, and they have. The work that the club manufacturers’ engineers and R&D teams have done in recent years is amazing. The ability to adjust a driver in terms of center of gravity, lie, loft, and directional bias allows a fitter to really dial in that club. I see that as the biggest difference. Different products perform differently based upon what a player brings to the table, which is why it’s so important to be fit and see what works best for the individual. Properly fit equipment, including the ball, will maximize a player’s performance.

2nd Swing: What is the most common problem you see in the wedges of the players you fit?

Donatelli: When it comes to wedges, proper gapping remains the biggest issue that I see. In a perfect world, wedges should be gapped at four degrees, yet many people will walk into a golf store not knowing the loft of their pitching wedge. They end up purchasing clubs that either produce the same yardage or have a 25-yard gap in distance. To do a proper gap session, you need to know the loft of the player’s pitching wedge and how many wedges a player can fit into their bag. We are fortunate that our store has eight digital Mitchell lie and loft machines that are accurate to the quarter degree. Another common problem I see in a player’s wedges is improper lie angle. The general public hears a great deal about bounce but an improper lie angle will negatively affect club contact and make a huge difference in how close they hit it to the flag.

2nd Swing: Many players buy a driver without paying much attention to its shaft. How big of a difference can it make in terms of performance when a player gets fit for a driver shaft tailored to their swing?

Donatelli: As the saying goes, the shaft is the engine that drives the car. Today’s shafts are being produced in smaller batches with more attention to detail as to how they can benefit a player’s swing characteristics. Finding a properly fit shaft will help the player produce optimal spin, launch, and directional bias. A fitter will look at proper weight, flex, and bend profile to maximize a player’s performance. These changes to a player’s driver can give them up to 20 additional yards and improved accuracy off the tee. 

2nd Swing: Trackman technology gives us access to a lot of information about every single shot. What numbers should a player look at when they are getting fit?

Donatelli: The general public seems to be obsessed with club speed but I’ve seen many players with a 90 MPH club speed who hit the ball much further than their buddies with 100 MPH club speeds because they hit the ball in the center of the face more consistently. Club speed in golf is basically a constant. The median age of people that play the game is 48 years old. It is next to impossible to see a 48-year-old pick up 10 MPH of club speed. But with a properly fit club and shaft it is not uncommon to see that kind of increase in ball speed. Ball speed is an indicator of how much energy is being transferred from the club into the ball. Once that is optimized we want to look at the launch and spin numbers to maximize performance. When we find the best combination the fitter will then adjust the club to produce the proper directional bias and grip size. I would highly encourage everyone to get on Trackman and see where they can make improvements in their swing and equipment. If it's good enough to help the best players in the world, it’s good enough to help anyone.