Equipment

Why True Spec Golf’s acquisition of Club-Conex is so important

Published

11 years ago

Nov 10, 2015

Custom club fitter True Spec Golf has purchased what is arguably one of the most important companies in golf club fitting, Club-Conex.

Club-Conex, based in Rockford, Ill., produces universal adapter systems that allow for the interchangeability of club heads and shafts regardless of manufacturer. Founded in 2004, Club-Conex’s products have helped consumers, instructors and custom fitters compare the performance of different golf club heads and shafts without the need to purchase multiple models of the same shaft.

Here’s how the testing/fitting process works without Club-Conex. Say a golfer is using an adjustable club head and shaft from Brand A, but wants to try that shaft in Brand B’s adjustable club head. Since each brand’s adjustability systems are incompatible with each other, the golfer has two options:

Remove the shaft adapter from Brand A’s shaft, and install Brand B’s shaft adapter.
Purchase an additional shaft and install Brand B’s shaft adapter in order to compare the performance of the two club heads at the same time.

Option 1 eliminates the ability to simultaneously test the clubs, while option 2 is expensive, forcing golfers to purchase an additional shaft and shaft adapter.

While only a small percentage of golfers will go to such lengths to compare products on their own, the ability of custom fitters to compare different models of club heads and shafts is essential to their businesses. Custom fitting companies can stock anywhere from a few to a few dozen different brands of golf clubs, each with their own unique adjustability systems. Many premium club fitters have taken the costly route of stocking multiple shafts for each type of club head in order to please consumers who are increasingly interested in trying a variety of expensive, aftermarket shafts, while others have turned to Club-Conex.

Club-Conex offers universal adpater systems for metal woods, as well as irons and wedges.

Forty of the top 100 club fitters in the U.S., as well as more than 1,000 club fitters worldwide are currently using Club-Conex, according to Hoyt McGarity, co-CEO of True Spec Golf, which has plans to expand on the five custom-fitting centers it has located in the U.S., Bahamas and Switzerland. McGarity and co-CEO Kyle Monfort were the leading forces behind the acquisition, which was rooted in concern that another custom fitting company would purchase Club-Conex.

“Imagine if I had to have designated shafts for each company?,” McGarity said. “I’d have 800 shafts on the wall. It wouldn’t be cost effective, and I’d be bankrupt.”

Club-Conex’ management and production will remain in Illinois and it will be “business as usual” for the company, according to a True Spec press release.

“We’re looking forward to assisting them in product evolution and marketing,” said Jeff Sparling, Director of Business Development for True Spec.

In 2014, Club-Conex’ UNIT-FIT driver assembly, which consists of a universal tip adapter and specific hosel sleeve that is paired to each manufacturer’s driver head, was approved by the USGA and R&A for tournament use.

McGarity said that he and Monfort plan to improve Club-Conex’s products as they examine current market trends, and will develop new options for teaching professionals at the PGA Merchandise Show in January.

Club-Conex’s products will continue to be sold through its website.

“The determination to sell the company was not only driven by financial reward, but one where the new ownership and I share a common vision for the growth of the company,” said Eric Burch, Club-Conex Founder. “I look forward to continuing to design products that help the club fitting business run more efficiently and I am eternally grateful for the past and continuing support.”

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16 Comments

Pingback: TSG / Club-Conex feature on GOLFWRX.com - True Spec Golf
lew

Nov 12, 2015 at 2:50 pm

Im lost on why people think this is not great for golf. If you have shafts and adapters for a few different heads and brands you can use these to test between without the issues of pulling and re-glueing eventual killing the shafts.

From the fitters point the saving over having many shafts for each adapter passes is amazing.

From a customers view they should see some savings as it costs the fitter less too.

Win win win if u ask me.

Reply Report comment
Styles

Nov 10, 2015 at 6:33 pm

The article claims conex is important but doesn’t backup the headline assertion that the acquisition by true spec is important. It also doesn’t explain why conex is important. Are independent club fitters relevant to the 99% of golfers?

Reply Report comment
- Steve
  
  Nov 12, 2015 at 9:32 am
  
  Definately makes no sense. Is it “so important” when it effects only 40/100 U.S top clubfitters and return effects less then 1/1000 golfers? This is a infomercial more or less, most likely paid by the company to write it.
  
  Reply Report comment
Mat

Nov 10, 2015 at 4:12 pm

It sure would be nice if they sold to consumers…

Reply Report comment
- Apprenti23
  
  Nov 10, 2015 at 9:40 pm
  
  They’ve been available for purchase by Joe Schmoe for the past ten years. You can buy them online through golfworks or either golfsmith, i can’t remember who sorry
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Mat
    
    Nov 11, 2015 at 1:27 am
    
    Let me rephrase; it would be nice if they offered “off the shelf kits” or a simple online store that would let me just buy the parts I need, and take them to a club shop.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - JD
      
      Nov 11, 2015 at 11:11 am
      
      http://www.clubconex.com/#!shop-all/cav5
      
      Reply Report comment
Mike

Nov 10, 2015 at 2:40 pm

I wish this would be put out of business by an industry standard adapter…

Reply Report comment
Charlie

Nov 10, 2015 at 1:34 pm

Seriously, why? Did I miss part of the article?

Reply Report comment
George

Nov 10, 2015 at 1:01 pm

Nice advertising for True Spec, important not really

Reply Report comment
- cho
  
  Nov 10, 2015 at 2:36 pm
  
  George.. they arnt sponsors but nice try.
  
  Two clubfitters in the area I live has this setup and it is awesome. I can test any shaft I want and not just the ones the manufacturer has in their fitting cart. It also allows the small guy to only buy one shaft to cover all heads.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Steve
    
    Nov 12, 2015 at 9:35 am
    
    You would go to a fitter with only one shaft to try?
    
    Reply Report comment
SKip

Nov 10, 2015 at 12:48 pm

Soooo, this acquisition is important because…..?

Reply Report comment
- Joshuaplaysgolf
  
  Nov 10, 2015 at 2:28 pm
  
  Because the name on the building/products will be changing. ITS ASTRONOMICAL!!!!!
  
  Actually, it’s huge because the dudes that started the company can move out of Rockford. I grew up about 30 miles west of there down route 20 and it’s gone steeply downhill in the past few years from quiet, mid-size Midwestern city to major drug hub riddled with daily violence. Not awesome. Good for those guys.
  
  Reply Report comment
Tom

Nov 10, 2015 at 12:09 pm

This is great for the industry.

Reply Report comment

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Equipment

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: Titleist Vokey Proto Wedges 54M, 60T

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2 hours ago

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Will Schube

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(1) Titleist Vokey Proto Wedge 54M with a Tour Issue DGS400 shaft and Golf Pride Tour Velvet (logo down). Standard length, lie, and loft. BB&F ferrule. Raw wedge in good condition. No initials. Price is $200 shipped. Buy both wedges for $380 shipped.

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Will Schube

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Equipment

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