Robert and Tedd (real people) played a lot of golf together for many years. Evenly matched in the strengths and weaknesses of their games, nothing pleased them more than getting into the other’s wallet, regardless of the numbers on the scorecard. Then, Tedd went on a streak - not just winning, but winning by increasingly wider margins. Finally, Robert could take it no more, asking Tedd what he had done. Had he been sneaking lessons? Reading books? Changed his diet? Start to work out? Tedd wouldn’t divulge any information; he just kept on winning.
Just off Gordon Highway in between the On-Point Barbershop and the Country Hearth and Inn, a tall stand of trees and several knee-high shrubs hid from plain sight a well-guarded, but not purposely kept, secret, Augusta Custom Clubs. In a structure indistinguishable from an ordinary house, there is a laboratory of a not-so-mad scientist and engineer. Having moved from weapons of mass destruction to weapons of turf destruction: Golf Clubs. The owner, sole occupant and keeper of formulas; the master of odd-looking devices that measure, weigh, balance and “tune” instruments is Dan Burnfield. Watch and learn; listen and know. Ask Dan a question and he not only answers but anticipates your follow-up questions but addresses them as well.
Dan Burnfield was a member of a team of scientists and engineers that provided nuclear safety oversight to facilities like the Savannah River site all across the country. For over 35 years, Dan has learned the intricacies of welding, non-destructive testing, materials science, radiological protection, and nuclear engineering. He also has learned how to build golf clubs.
Dan works with the precision of an engineer and the curiosity of Bryson DeChambeau. But he is not a tinkerer, a later in life introduction to playing the game of golf morphed into an interest in clubmaking around 2014. He knew almost immediately that he had to learn more about the intricacies of the game and the instruments players use. He credits the book “Tom’s Search for the Perfect Club” as the catalyst for his pursuit of perfection.
He soon attended a five-day class on clubmaking at Golfsmith’s headquarters in Austin Texas. He was hooked. Soon after he attended Golfworks school on fitting, clubmaking, and repair and then Golfsmith’s Advanced Clubmakers Fitting and Repair course. He would, naturally, become a member of the Association of Golf Clubfitting Professionals and the International Clubmakers Guild. Dan has also received certificates from the United States Golf Teachers Federation, and the International Golf Psychology Association.
And, THAT’s what happened to Tedd, who finally decided Robert had suffered enough anguish. No lessons, no diet, and exercise. Just Dan! Dan analyzed, examined and evaluated the way that Tedd swung the golf club; then, he built the perfect set of clubs for that swing.
Now that you know the name Dan Burnfield, stay tuned to this column in the coming weeks to learn more about what he does and how he does it. Or, look for a full feature on Dan and his business, Augusta Custom Clubs, some entertainment to while away your spare time.
When the PGA merchandise show ended in Florida, to no one’s surprise, there were brand new clubs guaranteed to make us all hit the ball farther, higher, with more spin and with greater accuracy. The big-name clubmakers have been promising the same things for the last 40 years. So now let's see, if this were all true the average golfer would be hitting the ball 350 yards, down the middle, and sinking every putt. But in reality, we have the same handicaps that we had in 1980. So how do we change that?
We do five things, we take lessons, we practice what we were taught, we play the game, we get our heads right, and we buy equipment to improve our game. Here is the kicker, we have to buy equipment that fits our swing. Otherwise, we might as well be walking down the fairway in a pair of alligator shoes that do not fit. They both hurt your game and your wallet.
To learn more about how custom clubs can help improve your golf game, visit augustacustomclubs.com or call 706-910-2614.
