Club Champion Putter Fitting Review (Warrensville Heights, OH): PGAPappas Winner Guest Review

Golf equipment custom fittings are surging in popularity as more and more players are learning that a quality fitting is crucial to game improvement and lowering scores.  And a Club Champion fitting is the gold standard of quality.

At Club Champion there are more than 65,000 hittable combinations of manufacturer equipment.  At Club Champion their knowledge and expertise in club fitting and modern technology is unrivaled.  And at Club Champion your fitter asks questions and listens to your answers to ensure your answers to ensure your fitting satisfaction on every possible level.  A fitting at Club Champion is equal parts science and art.

The winner of my recent Club Champion putter fitting (Josh @josh.gargiulo on Instagram) had never been fit for a putter before.  And when his fitting was all over Josh said he "walked away from this fitting with a renewed sense of confidence in my putting game," and he "can tell already it's going to make a big difference in my consistency and performance on the greens."  Josh was so impressed he even set up a Club Champion wedge fitting after his putter fitting.

So here's Josh in his own words on what he thought about his Club Champion putter fitting experience (at Warrensville Heights, Ohio) and ultimately what putter wound up being best for him.

Finding the Perfect Fit: My Putter Fitting Experience at Club Champion

As a golfer, I’ve recently came around to understanding the power of a proper club fitting. Over the years, I’ve been through a few fittings, including one at Club Champion where I worked with Mike to dial in my driver, 3-wood, and hybrid. That fitting was five years ago, and to this day, those clubs remain in my bag. That's a testament to the quality of the fitting and the expertise of the fitter. So, when I won a putter fitting from Pete at  Club Champion, I knew I was in for a great experience.

Putting has always been (one of) the Achilles’ heel of my game, particularly those short, nerve-wracking putts from three to eight feet. I’ve struggled with consistency, often feeling unsure about hand placement and alignment, which only made matters worse. I went into this fitting with an open mind, knowing that I’m brand, style, and even aesthetically agnostic when it comes to clubs. My philosophy is simple: does it work or not?

The Fitting Process

The fitting started with an analysis of my putting stroke using the SAM PuttLab, a high-tech system that measures everything from stroke path to face angle. It quickly became clear that my straight-back-and-through stroke wasn’t well-suited for a traditional blade putter. While I’ve always been drawn to the classic look of blade putters, I knew I needed to prioritize performance over aesthetics. My current putter, a Spider OS, was probably the right shape but there was a lot else that probably wasn't the best fit. 

Mike then guided me through a range of mallet putters they had for fittings. If you’ve ever explored the world of mallet putters, you’ll know how wild some of the designs can get. From spaceship-like shapes to bold (ugly) color schemes, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. I wanted something that struck a balance between functionality and simplicity.

Narrowing Down the Options

We worked through several options, testing different weights, shaft alignments, and grip styles. I’ve always gravitated toward heavier putters, as I feel they help counteract my inconsistencies. After trying a variety of models, we narrowed it down to two contenders.

One of the things I appreciated most about this fitting was that I went in with zero preconceived notions. I hadn’t done any research on brands or models beforehand, so I wasn’t influenced by marketing or reputation. In fact, I often didn’t even know what brand I was testing unless it was plastered all over the club. This allowed me to focus purely on how each putter felt in my hands and how it performed.

Ultimately, I was fitted into the LAB Golf Oz.1i HS. What stood out to me about this putter was the grip and the weight. The LAB putters use a unique pistol grip that naturally positions your hands in the optimal spot, which was a game-changer for me. I’ve always struggled with hand placement, often moving my hands around too much during my round. This grip immediately gave me a sense of stability and consistency.

The weight of the putter also felt perfect. It was heavy enough to give me the control I needed without feeling cumbersome. I tested several center-shafted models from LAB and other brands, but none of them felt quite as dialed-in as the heal-shafted version. 

Finally, one of the key considerations during my fitting was the choice between a putter with an insert and one without. The insert option really did what it was supposed to do - resist twisting on off-center hits. For someone like me who struggles with short putts and is prone to inconsistency, the added forgiveness from the insert option was a significant advantage. 

The Final Touches

Just when I thought the fitting was over, Mike walked me over to the computer to customize my putter. This was both exciting and a bit overwhelming. LAB offers a cornucopia of customization options, from alignment aids to color schemes. The putter I had been testing during the fitting was a sleek, all-black model, which I thought was a bit limited. I even considered adding my own alignment once it arrived. Ultimately, I was able to add a subtle alignment aid that would help me focus without creating too much visual noise.

Mike was incredibly helpful throughout this process, offering advice on what would enhance my game versus what might be distracting on the course. 

Final Thoughts

This putter fitting was an eye-opening experience. For anyone who has ever felt lost over those short putts for par or birdie, I can’t recommend a putter fitting enough. It’s easy to overlook the importance of a properly fitted putter, but it’s arguably the most  important club in your bag.

I walked away from this fitting with a renewed sense of confidence in my putting game. The LAB Golf Oz.1i HS feels like an extension of my hands, and I can already tell it’s going to make a big difference in my consistency and performance on the greens when it arrives in December.

If you’re considering a putter fitting, I wholeheartedly recommend Club Champion. Their expertise, technology, and personalized approach make the experience both enjoyable and incredibly valuable. Whether you’re a golf degenerate like me or a weekend warrior, investing in the right putter can elevate your game to a new level. 

Here’s to driving for show AND THEN putting for dough! 

~ Josh Gargiulo

Thanks for a great review Josh.  It sounds like it was a perfect fitting and I could tell the rapport you developed with Mike was real and he was locked in to your goals and best interests.  And it seems like the only real question left isn't if you'll be making more putts now.  But what part of the hole are your putts going to be falling into!

I've been fit for different clubs in my bag by Club Champion over the years and shared my opinions with you on why a Club Champion fitting is simply a step above the rest.  You're going to get absolutely everything out of your clubs after a Club Champion fitting.

And reading reviews like this from Josh (as well as other guest reviews from those of you who've won Club Champion fittings from me in the past) make me even more impressed with Club Champion.  I've come to learn that what elevates one fitting over the next often comes down to the fitter.  And Club Champion is a company clearly dedicated to you, dedicated to finding the best fitters all over the country, and dedicated to delivering for you with every single fit.