Reynolds Kingdom Presented by TaylorMade – A look at the TaylorMade Motion Analysis Technology
Back in October of 2015 I was introduced to the TaylorMade Kingdom at Reynolds Plantation. A lot has changed since that first visit to the Kingdom. For starters, Reynolds Plantation is now Reynolds Lake Oconee and the TaylorMade Kingdom is now the Reynolds Kingdom in partnership with TaylorMade. What that means from a golf fitting experience is that the TaylorMade Kingdom which was once managed and operated by TaylorMade is now managed and operated by Reynolds Lake Oconee in partnership with TaylorMade. The vast majority of the former TaylorMade employees have made the transition to Reynolds. We all know that TaylorMade is currently up for sale by Adidas and negotiations with several different equity firms have been ongoing for several months. With the pending sale, TaylorMade has reduced operations across the country and the TaylorMade Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee was impacted.
A retired TaylorMade tour trailer is the centerpiece of club building at Reynolds Kingdom
However, instead of closing the doors on the Kingdom, the team at Reynolds Lake Oconee has doubled down and created a new partnership with TaylorMade that not only allows Reynolds Lake Oconee to continue using the TaylorMade fitting technology but also build TaylorMade golf clubs. Permanently stationed at the Reynolds Kingdom is a retired TaylorMade tour trailer that’s fully equipped to build any club, so after your fitting the staff at the King can actually start building. Reynolds Kingdom is the Holy Grail for golfers, not only can you show up and get fitted for TaylorMade equipment but the Reynolds Golf Academy features some of the best instructors on the east coast. You can now get fitted at the Reynolds Kingdom and learn how to hit the ball better as well. Even better, after your new clubs have been built and the academy staff has improved your swing, you have five world class golf courses to choose from for your next round.
So, imagine your visit to Reynolds Lake Oconee. First you’ll check-in at either Ritz Carlton Lodge or one of the many cottages available through Reynolds Lake Oconee. Once you’ve settled into your accommodations you’ll head over to your appointment at the Reynolds Kingdom for an extensive 3- hour club fitting utilizing the TaylorMade Motion Analysis Technology (MAT-T). Club fitting at the Reynolds Kingdom is by appointment only, and they conduct a maximum of six fittings a day, this guarantees you will have an intimate experience. By the end of the day you’ll have spent several hours one-on-one with a master fitter and hit more golf balls than you ever thought you could. At the conclusion of the fitting you’ll know which TaylorMade clubs best fit your game. Based on all the information collected during the fitting process the staff at Reynolds Kingdom can then build your clubs on site within the TaylorMade tour trailer.
Charlie King working with a student – King’s honors include being a two-time winner of the prestigious Horton Smith Award for the PGA North Florida Section and 2011 Georgia PGA Teacher of the Year
This next part’s optional but if you’re a high handicapper like me you’ll want to take advantage of having access to the Reynolds Academy and Charlie King. Charlie is a Top 100 instructor and author of Golf’s Red Zone Challenge. After spending time with Charlie you’ll walk away with a better understanding of how to attack from within 100 yards leading to lower scores on the course.
The cherry on top, no trip to Reynolds Lake Oconee would be complete without playing a round of golf. Reynold Lake Oconee features 99 holes of championship golf designed by the game’s best known architects; Rees Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio and Bob Cupp. No matter which course you play, you’ll never be disappointed.
As I said, a lot has changed in the past year and not only at Reynolds Lake Oconee but with my own golf game. Since getting fitted for a new set of clubs in October 2015, my game has drastically improved. I had never been fit for clubs before and always owned hand-me-down clubs or something right off the shelf at the local sporting goods store. After my session at Reynolds, my fitter recommended a TaylorMade M1 driver and a set of TaylorMade Psi irons (4iron-PW). I decided to take the plunge and boy am I glad I did. My new clubs arrived on October 28th of 2015, at that point in time my GHIN handicap index was 22.8. Once my new clubs arrived, after a few months I began to get comfortable with them and noticed that my scores keep improving. I’m a golf writer so I play a lot of golf, I love the game but unfortunately never been close to being a great golfer. However, a year later on November 1st of 2016 my GHIN handicap index was 15.8.
A year after getting fit for new clubs at the Reynolds Kingdom my handicap is down 7 full strokes! It’s hard to explain but having a set of clubs that I knew actually fit me did provide a boost of confidence. In my mind, I knew I couldn’t blame my bad shots on the equipment anymore. Compared to my previous set which was an off-the-shelf set of TaylorMade RS11 irons. The Psi irons feature a ton of technology all designed to provide more distance and consistency, especially on poorly struck shots. What I have noticed with my new irons is that I am much more consistent, and when I do skull a shot it doesn’t hurt my score nearly as bad as it used to. Let’s face it, I’m an average to below average amateur golfer and I need all the forgiveness I can get, and that’s what the Psi irons have provided.
One thing is for sure, I’ll never buy another set of golf clubs without being professionally fit. I highly recommend that anyone in the market for a new set of golf clubs pay a visit to the Reynolds Kingdom and get fitted. The Reynolds Kingdom offers a great stay and play package that features a full 3 hour-plus fitting experience as well as accommodations, round of golf, and breakfast. If you’re in the market for new clubs or want to get a great gift for the golfer in your life you’re not going to find a better option. Imagine going to the Reynolds Kingdom and having a triple crown experience; a fitting with the same guys who fit some of the world’s best, having your clubs built in a TaylorMade tour trailer, and playing a round of golf with your new clubs all on the same trip. You’re not going to find this level of service anywhere else.