Tom Bailey began crafting golf clubs as a pastime, aiming to create a superior set for personal use. His goal then shifted to selling 50 sets annually to support his golf passion and his venture, Avoda Golf. His business, showcased on the simple website www.avodagolf.com, offers Combo Length Clubs, Same Length Clubs, and Apparel. The turning point came when LIV Golf's Bryson DeChambeau commissioned Bailey to design a prototype set of single-length irons, a specialty of Bailey's, crafted via 3-D printing to precise specifications, including bulge and roll, and integrated into his equipment. The prototypes were finalized just before The Masters in April, with no immediate urgency. They were swiftly endorsed by golf authorities during The Masters week, and Bryson, taking a bold step, used them, finishing tied 6th. He then secured 2nd place at the US PGA and won the US Open at Pinehurst, solidifying their reputation. Bailey was introduced to Bryson by his long-time coach, Mike Schy, and initial Avoda clubs were constructed at Schy's Academy at Dragon Fly Golf Club, California. The journey began with single-length clubs featuring thicker grips, evolving to include bulge and roll in the iron face design, traditionally reserved for woods. These clubs align more with hybrids than traditional irons. Bulge refers to the curvature from heel to toe on a club face, while roll is the curvature from crown to sole. Bryson asserts that this innovative design minimizes the 'gear effect' on mis-hits, leading to shots that land closer to the intended line. This claim is hard to dispute. Initially perceived as a power player, Bryson's precision, strategic play, and success are now widely praised. Bailey remarked, 'Everything's been so nonstop that we haven't really had that chance yet to sit, pause and go right.' The future for Bailey and Bryson remains promising.
Text: Lara Palmer
18.06.2024
From Hobby to Pro Golf: How Tom Bailey's Custom Clubs Transformed Bryson DeChambeau's Game