Good Neighbor Podcast Northport
Bringing Together Local Businesses and Neighbors of Tuscaloosa and Northport!
Good Neighbor Podcast Northport
Ron Smith: Revolutionizing Golf Performance with Custom Putters at Pebblehurst Golf and Putter Lab in Birmingham
Discover the intricate world of custom golf fittings with our guest, Ron Smith, the dedicated owner of Pebblehurst Golf and Putter Lab in Birmingham. Listen as Ron passionately discusses the transformative power of tailored putter fittings. By leveraging cutting-edge technology like the Foresight Sports GC Quad, Ron and his team bring a new level of precision to the game, offering golfers personalized experiences and bespoke putters that have elevated their performance on the course. Hear inspiring success stories of golfers who, through carefully crafted fittings, have unlocked potential they never knew they had, proving the putter truly is the most critical club in the bag.
Join us on a journey that extends beyond the greens as we reflect on the wider landscape of golf equipment fitting and the evolving accessibility of quality gear for all players, including left-handed golfers. We also share a glimpse into balancing life's passions, from Ron's entrepreneurial insights and the ethos behind Pebblehurst Golf to personal tales of balancing golf, family, and other pursuits. With a strong community-driven approach and a commitment to honesty and service, Pebblehurst Golf stands as a beacon for integrity and customer care in the world of golf. Whether you're a seasoned player or a novice, this episode offers valuable insights into the joy of personalized service and the game-changing world of custom golf fittings.
#GNPBirmingham #GolfFitting #CustomGolf #PutterFitting #PebblehurstGolf #GolfTechnology #GolfPrecision #BespokePutters #GolfLife #GolfCommunity #ForesightSports #GCQuad #GolfSuccessStories #LeftHandedGolfers #GolfEquipment #GolfPodcast #GolfInspiration #BirminghamGolf #GolfingTips #GolfEntrepreneur #GolfPerformance #PersonalizedGolf #GolfGear #GolfService
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Patricia Blondheim.
Speaker 2:Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast. I'm your host, patricia Blondheim, and today we have good neighbor Ron Smith, and Ron is the owner of Pebblehurst Golf and Putter Lab here in Birmingham. Ron, how are you today?
Speaker 3:I'm doing great. How are you?
Speaker 2:I'm doing fine. Hey, this is perfect golf weather. We're just starting to see a little break in the heat and I know that there are a lot of really avid golfers in Birmingham. Can you share with them the story behind your golf shop and how you got into custom fittings?
Speaker 3:Sure, yeah, so I mean lifelong dream to have my own golf shop, and and uh, came to fruition about three and a half years ago. Uh, we opened up a brick and mortar here in in Homewood, and and uh, and yeah, you know one of those things, uh, I really wanted to and, yeah, one of those things I really wanted to kind of set ourselves apart from other shops in town and around the country and some of the things that we offer. I just try to offer a lot of stuff that no one else in the area carries, but a very important thing that we do is we offer putter fittings. It's something that I mean we do full swing fittings as well, but putter fittings is something that is greatly neglected in the game and is something that we saw, you know, a huge need for, and so we have some high quality equipment and fitters and instructors that we really focus a lot on.
Speaker 3:On putters and putting, and and um, yeah, it's, uh, it's just something that kind of sets us apart. And and um, I think we do a very good job of it, but you know, uh, putting is 40 plus percent of your score. And and um, and everybody wants to get fit for a driver and irons, but but people don't really think about that putter, and it's the single most important club in your bag, so that's something that we really try to focus on.
Speaker 2:Well, I mean I've got lots of questions, but I'm going to kind of summarize it a little bit. Can you walk us through the process of how you fit a customer for a putter and how you use the technology and the data that you're able to gather to um during that fitting process to ensure a perfect fit?
Speaker 3:Yeah, so I mean it's, it's very similar to a full swing fitting. We, uh, we have a, um, what's called a foresight sports GC quad and and uh, it's, it's the single most accurate um, uh fitting tool, uh, tool indoors, and we have a PGA Class A professional that's here on staff and he helps us with all that. But, yeah, so we've got this really nice piece of equipment that it looks at you know, your stroke, your angle of attack, your lie angle, the loft, the roll of the ball. It looks at so many different things and then we look at stuff like your height and your arm length and different stuff like that as well, to just make sure that we get everything fit perfectly for you. I mean, you know, the standard putter is 35, is, is is 35 inches with uh, 70 degrees of lie and three degrees of loft, but that doesn't work for everybody and so, um, so you know, we, we just custom fit those to you and and uh, and.
Speaker 3:Again, it's just, it's amazing to me how many people just go into a shop and and just buy a putter off the rack just cause they like the look or the feel of it and and it may not fit them at all and and um, and they're. You know, just because they got a new putter doesn't mean they're helping their game and and again, it is the single most important club in your bag. And so we, we look at all those numbers and and we truly custom fit that putter to you. We can also. We, we also work closely with manufacturers to. We can even custom design putters from scratch for that particular golfer.
Speaker 3:So it's pretty amazing what we can do with this technology. And you know, it's something you come in for an hour and a half and we, you know, we look at every aspect of that and whether we have it in stock or build it for you, um, it's something that you can keep for a long time and and uh, and that is something where you know where drivers and irons and all that stuff, they, they kind of they get old after a few years, but a putter you could use literally forever. So, um, why not? Why not invest in um, in something like that um, for the betterment of your game?
Speaker 2:right, you get a, get a. I mean what? What more could you want in your bag than a bespoke putter right?
Speaker 3:For sure.
Speaker 2:But and I could ask all kinds of questions, but I think really what would sum it up is if you could share any success stories where a custom fitted putter significantly improved a golfer's game.
Speaker 3:Yeah it's, we've, we've got several of thosefer's game. Yeah, it's, we've, uh, we've got several of those, but um, but yeah it's, it's amazing, I mean we've, we've got some guys that uh, one in particular, um, he's, he's a funny guy but he, um, he did one of our early on putter fittings and and um and came back in the next day and was just raving about. He went through his whole round of you know how well he putted and he's taken all his buddy's money on the golf course and they all since have come in and started and have had putter fittings and lessons and all that stuff, just because they couldn't stand to be left out because he was now out putting everybody and they wanted to know the secret. But it really is amazing, um, just just the, the amount of people have um that have come in for for that particular um service and uh, and yeah and and just you know it's, it's one of those things where, like you can, you can be a good golfer and and um and and you know, and and shoot good scores.
Speaker 3:But but putting really is just so important to you know, to like if there's, if you just got to get over that little hump or whatever to try to get, you know you kind of reach a plateau and and and with the rest of your game and and that putting is kind of you know it puts you over the hump to to make you that that scratch golfer or or better, but, um, but yeah, it's, it's uh, it's amazing how many success stories we've had and and how many people that are customers for life just because of of this putter, these putter fittings. It's just uh, it really has been cool to see um, uh again, just because I don't know why more people don't offer it, because it is just so important.
Speaker 2:But that's not all you do. That would be enough, but that's not all you do. Putter's your specialty, but do you have the same approach to the rest of the clubs? And what else do you offer at Golf and Putter Labs? Yeah, so.
Speaker 3:We, so we have all the, all the OEMs, the TaylorMade, titleist, mizuno, all that stuff. But but we, we offer a lot of like smaller bespoke brands, some that there's one in particular that we're the only, we're the only dealer in North America that that brand is Fujimoto it's. It's an old, very small Japanese brand, very high quality. Uh, we, we offer Mura and we're the only Peretti dealer in the state where there's a lot of, there's a lot of boutique e-brands that we offer, that, um, that other shops in the area don't, and and um, something that we really pride ourselves on, and and you know, we kind of have some something for everybody. I mean, like I said, we still have all the, you know, the regular stuff, but we do have some of that unique stuff as well, and growing up it was one of those things.
Speaker 3:I just always liked stuff that no one else had, and I thought I couldn't be the only crazy person out there that felt that way, and when opening the shop, it was just I just wanted to see if there were, you know, if there were other people like me, and so, even from like a clothing aspect and stuff we try to have. You know, we love Peter Millar, but everybody has Peter Millar, so we don't carry Peter Millar. We carry smaller brands that you won't find elsewhere, and that's from accessories to clothing, to shoes, to hats, what you know. Whatever we have, we have a a really cool selection of of clothing and accessories that to go along with these uh clubs, that, um, yeah, that you just won't find elsewhere.
Speaker 3:It's um, um, and that's. That's been a really cool thing. Um, for for us just to just kind of, I'm always kind of searching for the newest, latest, greatest, and we try to bring it in, and I love when someone comes in the shop and says what's this brand? I've never even heard of it, and that's kind of what we're going for. So that way we're not competing with big box stores and we're really just kind of doing our own little boutique thing, I guess. So it's, it's been really cool.
Speaker 2:Well, it sounds like golf is evolving and I think everything does. You evolve or die, right Right, how do you think the future of golf equipment fitting will will evolve with new technology and innovations in the marketplace right now?
Speaker 3:Yeah, it's really amazing. And one thing you know, I think golf retail will never go away because of you know, really, the fitting process, because it's just the technology is so good these days I mean, like, really, I mean it's almost where someone can come in and fit themselves just based off the data that you receive from these, from this equipment that we have. It's, it's pretty amazing. It's I mean we can, we can let you hit, you know, 20 different drivers and and then and directly compare the numbers and see, you know, see which one fits you best in terms of distance and dispersion and all that stuff, and and it's, it really is. It's truly amazing, cause when, when, when I was growing up, I mean, we didn't have any of this stuff. We just went out to the driving range and and tried to figure out if it worked or not. But but here, you know, these, these numbers really don't lie, and and and. So, yeah, I mean from from that perspective, I think, I think you know the it's only, it's only getting better. Um, uh, I mean, everybody makes a good product these days and and um, the the equipment is just so good these days. They're actually, um, I know you're not a golfer.
Speaker 3:But uh, you, you may have heard that you know they're talking about kind of rolling back the equipment just because it's getting too good. It's it's kind of it's making some older courses obsolete because because of the equipment, that ball's going so far these days. And so that is a discussion of like hey, like these, these, these clubs are getting too good, and but it's, it's really. It's it's really it's it's fun to, it's fun to see.
Speaker 3:Um, you know, I I really love, I love all the fitting process and stuff. But what what I really love is, um, you know guys that come in that have played for a long time and never really been fit or something, and they come in and and we get them fit for some new clubs and come back in talking about they're playing the best golf of their life and that's so much fun for us just to hear the success stories and without exception, I mean I really truly we've been doing this three and a half years and I don't think we've had an unsatisfied customer. I mean it's been a lot of fun to see and we just have got a great staff here and and we just do a really good job. But but yeah, the success stories are so much fun to hear, and we hear a lot of them. It's just really cool.
Speaker 2:Do you think part of that is because and I've I've known a lot of golfers I don't myself golf, but I know them as as collectors and they're always striving for more perfection in their set. But what? What I think I hear you saying and correct me if I'm wrong is that you can ensure consistency across a player's entire set of clubs, from driver all the way to putter, you know, through wedge all the way to putter, and that in itself would be such an advantage, don't you think?
Speaker 3:Absolutely. I mean they, they, they claim and this is this has been a claim for years but they claim that getting custom fit for a set of clubs so even if you know, even if it's not digging into all the details that we do just just to just just getting fit for a bag of clubs saves you six strokes per round. So that's pretty amazing if you think about that. I mean that takes a lot.
Speaker 2:It's a lot in golf.
Speaker 3:Absolutely. It takes you from low 80s to mid 70s and just from a routine fitting, and I would argue that's at a big box store type deal and that the fittings that we provide would even provide more of an advantage than that. So I mean it, it really is. It's if you, if you play golf, you, you should, you should be fit for your clubs. I mean no matter how little or much you play it's. I think it's a necessity these days, especially. I mean the, the, you know you come in and spend a couple hours. I mean it's a. Why not take advantage of, of the modern equipment, you know? I mean it's, just it's again, we didn't have this growing up and and and nowadays to, to have this at our fingertips, just it, it. It makes no sense not to take advantage of it.
Speaker 2:The reason why I don't golf Ron honestly is because I'm left-handed.
Speaker 3:I'm left-handed as well. Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:I've never been in the time I'm 61, never been able to access a set of clubs that made it in any way productive for me to golf.
Speaker 3:Yep, well, I'll tell you. I mean, I'm only 38 and I used to have to drive to Georgia just to get clubs as a kid. It was difficult, and nowadays lefty golfers are a lot better off. I had a friend the other day come to me asking said my son keeps wanting to hit the ball left-handed. I was like, let him be left-handed, it's not as big of an issue anymore, but back in the day it was no fun trying to find left-handed clubs. I feel your pain on that for sure. And there's still, there's still some brands that um, discriminate against us lefties, but it's, it's um, not not nearly as many these days. So it's uh, uh, yeah, we'll have to, we'll have to get you, uh, swinging some golf clubs soon.
Speaker 2:I would love to be able to successfully do that. It's been very frustrating the whole attempt. I abandoned it a long time ago, hey, but Ron, what do you? I feel silly asking because I feel like I know the answer to this question what do you do for fun?
Speaker 3:Yeah, so um, uh like outside of golf or or uh. So I mean.
Speaker 2:I think your golf has to have something to do with it. Right? This is your passion.
Speaker 3:Um, I mean I, I love, I love to play golf any chance I get. I've, I've got um, I've got two young kids that they're big into sports, other sports. I'm uh, you know I want them to play golf, of course, but I'm not going to push it on them. So you know I'm I'm constantly at football and baseball games and cheerleading and all that. But uh, um, but no, for fun, I love, I love to go play golf. It's, it's I like to, I like to hunt and fish as well, but um, but golf is is just my thing.
Speaker 3:I actually just got back from uh Bandon Dunes resort out in Oregon. It was on the coast of Oregon. Uh, I was out there for about a week with uh, with 12 guys. It was just, it was so much fun. It's uh, um, really kind of um.
Speaker 3:You know people refer to it as a, as a spiritual experience. It's really special, but it's uh, um, it's the closest. They say it's the closest thing you can get to golf in Scotland, in the U? S. But uh, and, and I would, I would definitely second that. I went to Scotland last year on a golf trip with some buddies and and um, and Bandon was, bandon was really unique, it was really cool, it was there's there's like six or seven courses out there and it's just it was. It was really special. So but yeah, that's. You know, like I said, I like to, I do a lot of hanging out with the family and golf when I can, but that golf is is definitely a huge, huge part of my life and and, like I said said, I try to play every chance I get.
Speaker 2:So well, it sounds like an enchanted lifestyle it is um, but I know, because I'm an entrepreneur too, that you and I we, um, we encounter obstacles and logs that we have to vault over all the time. Has there ever been a challenge that just sort of laid in your path and and caused a significant redirection that maybe made you better?
Speaker 3:Yeah, I mean there's, there's, there's been a handful of things that you know, the, the, the good thing I feel like I've hired very well. That's that has helped me tremendously. Like I mean talking about this trip to Bannon resort, I mean, if it weren't for my employees, there's no way I could have. I could have done that, and so just to be able to trust these guys that things are getting done and it's almost, it's a little scary, it's almost like they don't need me that much. So it's, but but no, it was, it was. Yeah, you know, I think hiring well has has helped me tremendously.
Speaker 3:But I have made some mistakes in the past and and uh, um and that. But everything's kind of worked out um for the for the best, and and um, but yeah, it's been. It's actually been a lot smoother than I would have expected for the past. You know, three and a half years since we opened Um, I started with a website in 2016,. Um and uh kind of built it to support the brick and mortar. So it gave us kind of a good foundation for the brand to kind of see, you know, what was working and what wasn't. And I made some mistakes on there, but really kind of worked out some kinks before opening the shop and and um, and it's really been relatively smooth.
Speaker 3:I'm I'm very proud of um, like I said, my guys and and my wife is a huge supporter. She does a ton behind the scenes that um, getting things done around here. I truly could not do it without her and and uh, um, so that, uh, that has helped tremendously as well. But, but, yeah, just a very good supporting cast I guess. So, yeah, it's that's been a, that's been a huge benefit and blessing for me.
Speaker 2:Well, you are a lucky man and live in the life, absolutely. What would you like our listeners to take away about Pebblehurst Golf and Putter Labs?
Speaker 3:Yeah, I guess what I would say there is is, um, one thing that we really pride ourselves on is is honesty and um, and so, uh, we're not going to sell you something just to sell you something. It's we. We truly want to want to make you better, want to, um, help you enjoy the game more and and um, you know if, if, um, you know if we sell you something, great, but if not, we just we want you to leave. We want you to leave happy, and you know customer service is a huge thing for us. So, yeah, I mean, I think if you want good, honest, fair, you know pricing and advice and everything, we're just a. We're just a really we're just a cool little mom and pop shop where we, we make friends with, with all our customers.
Speaker 3:I love when customers come back in multiple times and we get to know each other and and and get to hear you know about your game getting better or or even what you think about. You know the clothing and accessories you buy from here. I mean, it's just a. It's a really unique shop. It's it's it's something that I guess you know I've gotten to hear from other reps reps from stuff that we sell and talk about how special this shop is, and it's really, it's a, it's a cool, it's a cool thing for for me because, you know, I just I feel like we're doing things the way they should be done, um, but but that's not necessarily the way everybody does it.
Speaker 3:And and, uh, um, I just think, if you want, like I said, just fair, honest advice and and, um, uh, you know, whatever, I think you know, come to pebble, hearse, we, we, we love, we love, like I said, we love taking care of you and getting to know our, our customers, and I can't tell you how many friendships we've developed with. You know, guys, that we didn't even know when we opened the doors that now we we play golf with regularly, or or, or whatever. It's just, it's been, it's been a lot of fun. And and um, it's truly a mom and pop shop. And and, uh, and I'm just, I'm just so proud of of what we create, we've created.
Speaker 3:Well for our listeners who want to um improve their golf score and and possibly make a little money on the course. There you go.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's uh how can they get ahold of Pebblehurst?
Speaker 3:Yeah, so, uh, pebblehurstcom, there's an appointments tab. If you wanted to book a fitting or a lesson, you can call us. It's area code 205-490-1122. We're open every day, but Sunday we, like I said, have an, an excellent staff and and um and just just ready to help it. Uh, we, we do book up pretty pretty regularly. So it was uh, but as long as we know a few days ahead of time, we can get you on the schedule and and um, uh, or just pop in and and and shop around and meet the guys. But um, but yeah, it's uh, it's, it's pretty easy.
Speaker 3:We're on 2915 Linden Avenue in Homewood, alabama. It's kind of one street over from the main drag in Homewood. It's a great location. We've got a little I know the thing that we have so we've got a little indoor country club across the street. It's a private club with simulators and all the street. It's a. It's a private club, that uh, with simulators and um, all that stuff. It's a. It's a cool little place. But um, but it was. It was one of those things where we kept we kept filling up um over here, getting too busy over here, and so we opened this little club that um, that's been pretty cool. So Homewood doesn't have a golf course and so this is our kind of little Homewood country club I guess that we've created. So it's been, it's been cool, but but yeah, right in the heart of Homewood and and open every day but Sunday and and the website is just pebblehurstcom. So Awesome.
Speaker 2:Ron. Thank you so much for coming by and sharing Pebblehurst Golf and Putter Labs with us. I know we're going to have a lot of listeners that are just going to be really eager to have that whole Pebblehurst experience. Thank you so much for coming by.
Speaker 3:Thank you.
Speaker 1:Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnpbirminghamcom. That's gnpBirminghamcom, or call 205-952-0148.