Podcasts

The Gear Dive: Jay Turner of RedBird/Avian on his 12-year experiment to find the ultimate fitting system

Published

7 years ago

Dec 20, 2018

In this episode of The Gear Dive, Host Johnny Wunder chats with fellow Seattle native Jay Turner on growing up with Freddy Couples, the things the big companies aren’t paying attention to, Johnny Wunder’s first set of clubs, creating a fitting system that is hard to argue with and sticking to his guns for over 30 years.

Check out the full podcast on SoundCloud below, or click here to listen on iTunes or here to listen on Spotify.

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13 Comments

Frank

Dec 30, 2018 at 10:13 am

Listened and was intrigued by the unique approach to fitting. Next step was checking out the web site and decided to fill the fitting form out thinking this is holiday time no chance of getting an analysis back , within hours it was returned with real info. OK now I’m impressed given the specs were way different from all other fittings ( ie Cool Clubs, Club Champion etc), but no way am I going forward with a set given I am on the east coast. Lucky for me I found the demo club option but wasn’t sure if it would be in my unique recommended specs so sent off an email asking that – not only got a response but a request to give them a call. Did that , great conversation with Jay Turner and he promised a 7 iron demo coming my way.
Coming my way heck it was here in two days! Lucky me we had a 40′ + day and gave it a good workout yesterday. Very impressed and trust me the specs were such I said I’ll be lucky to make contact – a few swings and WOW ! More testing to come before I commit ( learned that lesson the hard way) but feeling good about the potential for a new set that makes sense for completely different reasons. For what its worth I’m on the back nine 70+ ,been playing forever with a real interest in feel and “attempted” shot making, 9 handicap – hope is on the way ! Thanks Golfwrx for reaching out to a real boutique and thanks Jay for great service and good thoughts on what might work .

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Carsen

Dec 28, 2018 at 8:52 pm

In the beginning I went with the usual route of fancy expensive clubs to get fitted to my lanky body, but it wasn’t until I met Jay and experienced the RedBird/Avian clubs that I actually felt a difference in clubs and contact. I’m not a single digit golfer but I can hit a ball pretty far or pretty high (depending on my inconsistent swing path that day), but using these fitted clubs it forced me to adjust my posture a little because of the incorrect measurements by other stores on my other clubs. It took a while to get used to but my ball flight has been way more consistent and it added about 10-15 yards on my clubs (because the measurement of the club made me adjust my Launch angle at ball impact). Also it doesn’t break the bank and it’s a beauty to show off! Jay has always been helpful along with his entire team.

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benseattle

Dec 25, 2018 at 10:50 pm

As a resident of Seattle, I took great interest in learning more about a local “boutique” company creating good-looking, high-end clubs. (I just wish their website featured photos of the clubs “at address” rather than just from behind.)

For 50 minutes I was thinking “this was Johnny Wunder’s best effort yet,” until we got to the final ten where he and Jay began talking over each other and the audio turned to crap. What is it about podcasters that they too often throw quality to the wind? Sound goes bad (or starts out that way) and the broadcaster says “Aw, sure, it sounds like hell but just go with it. It’s only a podcast anyway.” Throwing up dreadful audio shows a complete lack of respect for the audience.

Finally, while Johnny let loose with only a few of his usual verbal crutches, (“right…”) I just don’t get opening a show the lame and sounds-like-I-hate-doing-this “Okay.” Have you EVER heard Lester Holt open his broadcast by saying, “Okay, it’s the NBC Nightly News?” Come on, man… write out a real introduction… it won’t kill you to sound like a guy who’s glad to be there.

Otherwise: getting better… mainly because you allowed the subject to TALK.

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- JW
  
  Dec 29, 2018 at 1:41 am
  
  Appreciate this Ben. In regards to the last 10 min, you’re right it does sound like we are obliviously talking over eachother but that was a compression issue when the file was converted to post. In regards to my overall style…I take all of the feedback to heart and trust that the kinks are being ironed out. Thanks for speaking up, it helps.
  
  Reply Report comment
benseattle

Dec 25, 2018 at 7:11 pm

One more thing: why not identify the two men in the photo above? Is one of them Jay Turner and the other Johnny Wunder or one of Jay’s sons?

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- Bob
  
  Dec 26, 2018 at 6:48 am
  
  Jays son Brandon
  
  Reply Report comment
Stephen

Dec 23, 2018 at 11:29 pm

After speaking with Jay I believe he is extremely knowledgeable about fittings. I’ve ordered a demo club and will report back on how it goes. I’m 6’7″ tall and have been fit several times, no two the same. Anywhere from +.5″ to +1.5″. Jay’s fittings are alittle different but for me it works out to around +2.5″

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Lance

Dec 23, 2018 at 7:35 pm

Ok…… LOL! Go to minute 48:55 in the Podcast to hear Johnny belch like he’s just downed a beer bong!

Dude, I enjoy your podcast but it always sounds like you’re shooting pool, maybe walking around your house, or drinking in between questions. Just curious if that’s actually what’s going on?

Keep going with the podcast but improve the sound quality and actually sit down during the podcast instead of walking around your house drinking beer. Ha ha.

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- Johnny
  
  Dec 25, 2018 at 6:01 pm
  
  No. When the file compressed to upload into the system sometimes I get some strange feedback. Lol!! I wish I could eat/drink/podcast all at once…I can barely chew gum and walk. Thanks for listening!!
  
  Reply Report comment
Joro

Dec 22, 2018 at 9:09 am

Everyone has the answer. But, what they miss is the player. If a person cannot play the game what good is their so called perfectly fitter set of clubs. I know, proper clubs do help a bit, but lessons are the key and some, or a lot of natural talent, which many don’t have.

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- Brandon
  
  Dec 22, 2018 at 10:11 pm
  
  Fitting finally done correctly! Fitting a clubs length and lie angle to a players body dimensions. This puts the player in an optimal setup position for the way they’re built. Making it possible to learn the correct swing motion through impact.
  
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Nick

Dec 21, 2018 at 1:50 am

Awesome! Jay is the only guy I trust with my clubs

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Ninja Guiden

Dec 20, 2018 at 12:37 pm

I kinda love all of these smaller mom and pop companies having their day in the sun!! Great Podcast and some fun nuggets on Freddy:)

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