Guests: Mike Taylor & John Hatfield – Co-Owners of Artisan Golf TX, Master Clubmakers, Direct Lineage from the Ben Hogan Company

”No shortcuts. Bad tools make bad golf swings.” – Mike Taylor
”The ball has never lied a day in its life.” – John Hatfield

Episode Overview
Host Christopher Smith sits down with Mike Taylor and John Hatfield of Artisan Golf TX, two master craftsmen carrying a direct torch from the Ben Hogan Company. Both learned under Gene Shealy (Mr. Hogan's personal clubmaker) and have built clubs for Tiger Woods, Brooks Koepka, and countless tour pros. Now they run a small hand-crafted shop in Fort Worth where every club is built to fit one person: you. The conversation exposes how big manufacturers have lowered tolerances, how off-the-shelf lie angles destroy swings, and why no amount of coaching can fix a club that doesn't fit.

Who Are Mike Taylor & John Hatfield?

Mike Taylor – Co-Owner
Started at Ben Hogan Co. under master model maker Gene Shealy (WWII Marine, Purple Heart recipient, Mr. Hogan's personal clubmaker). Shealy's ethos: ”No shortcuts in the pursuit of perfection.” Taylor later spent 15-16 years at Nike Golf, delivering prototype drivers to Tiger Woods. He now builds irons, wedges, and putters by hand.

John Hatfield – Co-Owner & Lead Fitter
Started at Ben Hogan Co., then Head Golf, then Nike. He performs 3-5 hour fittings, has refused to sell putters to five customers who weren't ready, and says: ”I want this to be the last putter you ever put in your bag.”

Key Topics Discussed

Bad Tools Create Bad Swings
A club that's 3° upright when you need 2° flat makes it impossible to swing properly. You cannot coach your way out of a misfit club. The teaching and the tools must work together.

Lie Angle: The Most Neglected Variable
Most off-the-rack sets have inconsistent lie angles – some upright, some flat. That forces you to swing differently with each iron. A bending bar fixes that instantly.

The Fitting Process
John spends hours learning how you think and move. They fit first, then manufacture. If you're not ready, they'll give you drills and a loaner and tell you to come back. They will refuse a sale.

The Mallet vs. Blade Truth
Tour players use mallets largely because endorsement dollars dictate it. Many mallets actually behave like blades. ”What do you hit the ball with? The face. It's about the face being square to a good start line.”

The Putter as a Basketball
Once properly fit for head weight, grip weight, length, and balance, don't change it. Changing grips changes balance and speed control. ”The best putters in the world didn't change putters.”

Elite Player Stories
Tiger Woods tested 40 prototype drivers, gave clear feedback, expected immediate fixes. Brooks Koepka ”dunked them right and left.” Michelle Wie picked up a putter leaning against a wall and started making everything – she was told it was ”the wrong length.” John's response: ”If they go in the hole, you've got to acknowledge that.”

What Gets Them Started
People watch launch monitors instead of the ball. ”You haven't even looked at the ball yet. Is it where you want it to be?” Manufacturers have lowered standards. 

Practical Advice for Golfers

• Test, don't guess. Hit two different 7-irons. Which one makes the ball do what you want?
• One wedge is enough. Learn one mid-range wedge well.
• Your putter is your basketball. Once fit, don't change it.
• You are good enough to get fit. Higher-handicap players need it more than tour pros.
• Add consequence to practice. On-course shots have consequences. Practice with them.