You probably know the expression, "Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern." And a Club Champion fitting is an absolute pattern of excellence. You've heard me tell you about how thorough, extensive, and beneficial a CC fitting is. Hundreds of thousands of golfers every year get fit at Club Champion and learn firsthand it's an extraordinary fitting unlike anything else they've ever experienced.
And you can now add the winner of my 12 Days of Christmas Club Champion iron fitting giveaway to this growing list of players who are entirely fulfilled by their triumphant fitting results and ultimate custom equipment build. Bubba (@BuhBuhBakes) on X/Twitter was fit at Club Champion - Cary, NC, and calls his fitting "A game-changing experience," saying he now has irons that he's "truly confident in and excited about."
In his own words, here's what Bubba thought about his Club Champion iron fitting experience, and ultimately what irons wound up being best:
Club Champion Iron Fitting Review: A Christmas Miracle and a Game-Changing Experience
Golf is a game of precision, consistency, and feel, and few things impact performance more than a properly fitted set of irons. My recent experience at Club Champion reaffirmed this truth, as I embarked on a journey to find the perfect set of irons tailored to my game courtesy of Pete's 12 Days of Christmas contest. I was the lucky winner in a contest with thousands of entries. What a treat! I had the opportunity to test the Callaway Apex AI 200, Titleist T200, Mizuno 245 irons, and a few other sets of irons from brands such as Ping, Cobra, and Srixon. What followed was an experience defined by professionalism, friendliness, and an unwavering commitment to getting everything just right by their fitter Jared Robinson in Cary, NC.
First Impressions
Upon walking into Club Champion, I was immediately struck by the professionalism and inviting atmosphere. Jared greeted me warmly and ensured I felt comfortable before diving into the fitting process. The facility itself was fantastic, equipped with top-of-the-line Trackman launch monitors, an extensive selection of shafts, and an array of iron heads from virtually every major brand. It was clear from the outset that Club Champion takes the fitting process seriously and is committed to providing great golfers and mediocre golfers like me, with the best possible experience.
My fitter Jared, a seasoned professional with an impressive knowledge of equipment, took the time to learn about my game, strengths, and weaknesses. He asked detailed questions about my current clubs, ball flight tendencies, and what I hoped to achieve with a new set of irons. His approach was not only technical but also personal, ensuring that my new clubs would be dialed in to my specific needs rather than simply choosing the most hyped set on the market.
Testing the Irons
The #1 club on my list was the first club I tested... the Callaway Apex AI 200. Known for its combination of power and playability, this iron intrigued me from the start. My first few swings immediately showcased the club's strong forgiveness and distance. The AI-designed face provided a solid feel at impact, and I was consistently seeing higher ball speeds compared to my current irons. While I enjoyed the power the Apex AI 200 provided, I was unsure if that was the club for me.
Next up was the Titleist T200, a players-distance iron with a sleek profile and a reputation for precision. Titleist is a brand I had dreamed about owning for some time. I wanted this one bad. Unfortunately, from the first strike I could tell that the love affair I was having in my mind with this iron prior to the fitting, just wasn't going to come to fruition in real life. Titleist had other plans for me.
After testing a few other clubs from Srixon, Ping, and Cobra, I tested the Mizuno 245, an iron that carried the legendary Mizuno reputation for feel and craftsmanship. True to expectations, the sensation at impact was buttery smooth. The club rewarded well-struck shots with an unmatched level of feedback, and despite being a players’ iron, it offered a surprising amount of forgiveness. The Mizuno 245 felt the most natural in my hands, and I was sold. While I was having a love affair in my head with the Titleist, this one really stole my heart.
Data-Driven Decisions
With all of the irons tested, we analyzed the data using the Trackman data. The numbers confirmed what I had felt: the Mizuno 245s offered the best combination of distance, accuracy, and consistency. The dispersion circumference I saw was something I thought only happened to guys like Calvin Peete.
The Mizuno 245 felt fantastic, and my launch angles and spin rates were optimal. The Callaway Apex AI 200 delivered the longest shots, but my dispersion patterns weren’t as tight as with the 245. After discussing the numbers and weighing my preferences, we decided to proceed with the Mizuno 245s, loaded with Nippon 950gh shafts, and my all-time favorite grip… the Lamkin UTX Cord in blue.
The Follow-Up Session
A week or two after my initial fitting, I received my new irons. I noticed during my first few rounds that my ball flight was slightly lower than I had anticipated, and my misses weren’t as forgiving as I had hoped. Something seemed off. Knowing Club Champion’s commitment to excellence, I scheduled a follow-up appointment with Jared to dial everything in further.
During my second visit, Jared was more than accommodating, analyzing my swings and making minor tweaks to optimize my performance, and fine-tuning the shaft and specifications to maximize performance. We experimented with a slight lie angle adjustment and tested a different length shaft that provided a touch more launch and stability. The difference was noticeable immediately. The new setup gave me the added height I was looking for without sacrificing control.
I was beyond impressed with Club Champion’s dedication to getting everything perfect. They didn’t rush me out the door after my first session but instead ensured that I left with a set of irons that truly complemented my swing. The customer service was exceptional, and their willingness to go the extra mile reaffirmed why professional fittings are so crucial.
The End Result
With my irons fully dialed in, I finally had a set that inspired confidence on the course. The Mizuno 245 irons provided the perfect balance of distance, feel, and forgiveness for me. Every shot felt predictable, and my ability to control trajectory and shape shots had improved significantly. More importantly, I had the peace of mind that my equipment was working for me, not against me.
Thinking back on the entire experience, I couldn’t be more pleased with Club Champion. In a year span that I consider to be the best year of golf and golf related things in my life, their expertise, patience, and customer-first approach made this one of the best experiences from the past year. From the warm welcome to the follow-up session, every step of the process was seamless and professional. Jared's genuine passion for helping me improve was evident, and his knowledge of club fitting was second to none.
Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about golf and looking to maximize your potential, a fitting is an absolute must. The difference between an off-the-rack set and a fully customized set tailored to your swing is night and day. The process is not just about finding the right brand but optimizing every element—shaft, lie angle, loft, grip, and even weight distribution—to ensure maximum performance.
My journey to find the perfect irons took two fitting sessions, but the extra time was well worth it. The result? A set of clubs that fits me perfectly, providing confidence, consistency, and performance every time I step on the course.
For anyone considering a fitting at Club Champion, I can’t recommend them enough. Especially the Cary, North Carolina location. Whether you’re a beginner looking to get started on the right foot or an experienced golfer striving for improvement, their team will work with you to find the best possible fit. The combination of top-tier technology, expert fitters, and outstanding customer service makes the experience not just worthwhile but essential if you're serious about your game. Thanks to Pete and Club Champion, I now have a set of irons that I am truly confident in and excited about—and that alone makes the entire experience invaluable.
I was smiling ear to ear reading your review Bubba. Thanks for bringing us all along on what sounds like a phenomenal experience. And when you dropped that Calvin Peete reference I could envision you stripping those irons!
No matter what your goals are or what your game is like a Club Champion fitting will put you on the road to playing the best golf of your life. Club Champion goes above and beyond to completely dial you in. And you're going to be impressed and altogether thrilled with the experience from beginning to end.
Anytime any of you win something from me and want to write a review just let me know. It's always great to read about your unique experiences. Cheers to better golf and having more fun for us all in 2025!
Great review Bubba!
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