Club Fitting Q&A with Larry Bobka + The Algorithm of Winning

Club Fitting Q&A with Larry Bobka + The Algorithm of Winning

Author: 2nd Swing Golf May 5, 2026 Duration: 54:37
This episode of the 2nd Swing Thoughts Podcast brings you expert insights from the tour van at Hazeltine. Join Drew Mahowald and Harrison Arnold as they welcome fitting legend Larry Bobka for a deep-dive Fitting Q&A session. The guys recap a dominant performance by Cameron Young at the Cadillac Championship and a historic, "Tiger-esque" run by Nelly Korda. From the impact of a simple golf ball switch to the rare "Tour-only" equipment adjustments made by players like Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose, this episode is packed with technical analysis for the dedicated golfer. 🎙️ Episode Highlights:The "Larry Legend" Q&A: Larry Bobka discusses the success of the PING i540 irons and why even the longest hitters on Tour are leaning into more loft and shorter driver shafts. Cameron Young’s Breakthrough: A look at the Titleist GT3 specs and the Pro V1x prototype that helped Young finally conquer Doral. Nelly Korda’s Dominance: Breaking down the stats of her incredible winning streak and her specific TaylorMade/Ping combo set. Fitting for the "Mid-Game": Larry and the team explain why combo sets and specific wedge shaft weights (heavier and softer) are essential for consistent scoring. 00:00:19 – Introduction 00:00:31 – Welcome from the Tour Van at Hazeltine 00:01:10 – Recapping the Cadillac Championship: Cameron Young’s Dominance at Doral 00:02:45 – The Science of the Switch: How a Ball Change Transformed Cam Young's Game 00:04:36 – LPGA Update: Nelly Korda’s Historic Statistical Run 00:06:55 – Equipment Headlines: Justin Rose & McLaren Golf, Jordan Spieth’s Driver Testing 00:09:53 – Tactical Gear: Tommy Fleetwood’s Unique Setup 00:11:54 – Winner’s Circle Specs: Diving into Cam Young’s WITB 00:17:45 – Nelly Korda’s WITB: Blended Irons and High-Loft Woods 00:19:09 – Larry Bobka Q&A: Surprising Success of the Ping i540 00:21:23 – Why PGA Pros Use Shorter/Heavier Driver Shafts 00:24:33 – Graphite vs. Steel in Wedges: Finding the Right Weight and Feel 00:30:24 – When to Switch to Graphite Iron Shafts 00:35:10 – Fitting Advice: The Danger of Full-Set Experiments 00:37:56 – What’s in Larry’s Bag? High-Loft Woods and Custom Forged Blades 00:41:59 – Don’t Fear the Loft: Why Low-Loft Ego is Killing Your Distance 00:47:38 – Live Q&A: 00:53:22 – Final Thoughts The 2nd Swing Thoughts podcast is now LIVE every Monday at 9am on the 2nd Swing Golf YouTube channel.  The 2nd Swing Thoughts podcast, presented by 2nd Swing Golf, covers anything and everything in golf equipment and club fitting. The 2nd Swing Thoughts will feature experts in the golf industry sharing insights and latest trends in golf clubs and club fittings. 2nd Swing Thoughts will also cover the latest in professional golf. LISTEN ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bJFzfhoUmpHZF6fyFsjmX  LISTEN ON AMAZON: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f5e3b825-bae2-40d0-9ec4-722e96b99de6/2nd-swing-thoughts  LISTEN ON APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2nd-swing-thoughts/id1683899359 Schedule an award-winning 2nd Swing fitting: https://www.2ndswing.com/golf-club-fittings SUBSCRIBE to the 2nd Swing YouTube channel today for more in-depth golf equipment reviews and club fitting insights. FOLLOW 2ND SWING GOLF ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2ndSwingGolf X: https://X.com/2ndSwingGolf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2ndswinggolf/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@2ndswinggolf  

For golfers who believe the right equipment is more than just a purchase-it's a pivotal part of their game, 2nd Swing Thoughts offers a clear advantage. This isn't about superficial reviews or fleeting opinions. Instead, the team at 2nd Swing Golf connects you directly with the engineers, fitters, and designers who shape the gear you use. Each conversation digs into the nuanced world of modern club technology, breaking down how subtle changes in loft, lie, shaft composition, and head design translate to tangible differences on the course. You'll gain a practical understanding of current equipment trends, moving beyond marketing buzzwords to grasp the actual physics and fitting principles that can lower your scores. The focus here is on actionable insight: learning not just what you might want to play, but precisely why a certain driver, iron, or wedge could be the key to unlocking your potential. It’s a deep, ongoing education in the tools of the sport, hosted by people who live and breathe golf tech every single day. Tune in to make your next equipment decision an informed one, armed with knowledge that turns speculation into confidence.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

2nd Swing Thoughts
Podcast Episodes
EPISODE 54: TOP 5 DRIVERS of 2024 via GolfWRX Members Choice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This episode of 2nd Swing Thoughts highlights the Top 5 drivers of 2024 as decided by GolfWRX Members Choice voting results. Brian Knudson from GolfWRX joins to give his thoughts on the top 5 drivers of 2024, including a…
EPISODE 53: Recapping The Open Championship [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This episode of 2nd Swing Thoughts is a recap of The Open Championship with 2nd Swing's Drew Mahowald and Pierce LaNou. During the conversation, Drew and Pierce discuss The Open Championship's hectic weather, Xander Scha…
EPISODE 52: Best Golf Clubs of 2024 So Far [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This episode of 2nd Swing Thoughts highlights the best golf clubs of 2024 so far with insight from 2nd Swing master club fitter Kevin Kraft. Which golf clubs do you think are the best golf clubs of 2024 so far? In this e…
EPISODE 51: US SENIOR OPEN RECAP w/ Kevin Kraft [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This episode of 2nd Swing Thoughts features a US Senior Open recap with 2nd Swing master fitter Kevin Kraft, who qualified for and competed in the US Senior Open. Kevin discusses his performance, the experience playing N…
EPISODE 50: Master Fitter Kevin Kraft Qualifies for US Senior Open! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:02
This episode of the 2nd Swing Thoughts podcast features 2nd Swing master fitter Kevin Kraft sharing his insight into qualifying for the US Senior Open and his preparation for another senior major championship. Kevin shot…
EPISODE 49: Reacting to Bryson's US Open win with INSANE clubs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:30
This episode of 2nd Swing Thoughts focuses on Bryson DeChambeau's win at the US Open and his unique set of clubs. Pierce LaNou, writer of the weekly segment, Sunday Swing, on 2ndswing.com, joins to give his take on Bryso…
EPISODE 48: STAR Club Fittings at 2nd Swing! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:37
This episode of the 2nd Swing Thoughts podcast features Larry Bobka, a master club fitter at 2nd Swing Golf, sharing some insight on a few of his recent club fittings that feature some of the biggest names in golf. Larry…
Master Fitter Kevin Kraft's PA Senior Open Win, Updated WITB, & More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:28
This episode of the 2nd Swing Thoughts podcast features Kevin Kraft, a 2nd Swing master club fitter, who just won the Pennsylvania Senior Open. During the episode, Kevin discusses his big win, what's ahead on his playing…
EPISODE 46: Bella McCauley's Historic College Golf Season [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:25
This episode of the 2nd Swing Thoughts podcast features Bella McCauley, golfer for the University of Minnesota, discussing her historic 2024 golf season. Specifically, Bella's college golf season included two lights-out…
EPISODE 45: PGA Recap, Xander's Winning Clubs, 2024 Phantom Putters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:33
This episode of the 2nd Swing Thoughts podcast features a recap of the PGA Championship, including a breakdown of the golf clubs Xander Schauffele used to win the PGA Championship at Valhalla. Plus, this episode features…