AUSTIN, Texas, March 29, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:GOLF), the nation's largest golf specialty retailer, has launched the industry's first national on-line custom fitting appointment scheduler. The online scheduler allows golfers the ability to book a new Advanced Club Fitting session at any of their 82 locations nationwide. Golfers can visit www.golfsmith.com/customfit or the company's new custom fitting education site, www.MakeEverySwingCount.com, to secure an appointment for an Advanced Custom Fitting session inside any of Golfsmith's stores coast to coast.

Having custom fit well over one million golfers in its 45-year history, Golfsmith now offers the ultimate in club fitting experience through its new Advanced Custom Fitting program. Performed by a Golfsmith Master Club Fitter, this service is designed for the golfer who wants the ultimate club fitting experience, both in expertise and technology. All Master Club Fitters have undergone a rigorous training program including all club and shaft performance variables, advanced launch monitor analysis and have been certified by Golfsmith and major club manufacturers.

"Our commitment to help golfers play better is exemplified in our new Advanced Fitting option. Our Master Club Fitters are thoroughly trained so golfers at every level are outfitted with the perfect equipment. And we're making it easier than ever for customers to schedule an Advanced Fitting session through our online appointment tool," said Marty Hanaka, Golfsmith Chairman and CEO. "We're focused on providing an unrivaled fitting experience so golfers can understand their shot performance and get the best clubs for their game. We want every golfer to get custom fit because we know golfers have more fun on the course and play better after being custom fit for clubs."

A recent study estimates 90% of all golfers in America are playing with clubs that don't properly fit. Ultimately, these ill-fitting clubs don't let golfers play to their full potential. Custom fitting—where clubs are built according to a golfer's specific swing characteristics and ability—is one of the fastest growing solutions to improving scores on the course. However, a majority of golfers are still purchasing clubs directly off the shelf, without being custom fit first.  

Nearly 6,000 avid golfers across the country took part in a study performed by Sports & Leisure Research Group, commissioned by The Sports Illustrated Golf Group, the No. 1 media brand in Golf, and Golfsmith. The highlights of the research findings include:

• 92% of those golfers who were custom fit for their new equipment on a launch monitor realized immediate benefits with their new equipment. 
• 80% of custom fit golfers hit the ball more accurately and consistently.

The study's findings show players who were custom fit using advanced technology such as launch monitors, saw scores improve, hit the ball more accurately and had more fun playing golf than golfers who were not custom fit. (Editor's note: The complete survey, methodology, video news release, high-resolution images and interviews along with materials for blogs and other news outlets can be found at: www.customfityourgame.com)

Page 2, Golfsmith Intros New Advanced Club Fitting with Certified Master Club Fitters

"Custom fitting has been at the core of the PING brand since the 1960s and is now an important focus for our entire industry," said John Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. "Based on our experience, we know you'll play better and enjoy the game more if your clubs are custom fit and custom built to match your game. It's especially beneficial for the beginning golfer to ensure improperly fit clubs don't lead to bad habits. That's why we encourage all golfers, regardless of ability, to get custom fit. They'll see immediate results."

Golfsmith offers several different custom fitting options through its 82 stores coast to coast. Options include:

• A free SmartFit Club Fitting which takes 15-30 minutes and uses state-of-art launch monitors to analyze your swing and identify the best clubs for your game. No appointments required.
   
• Advanced SmartFit Club Fitting which includes a 45 minute session and provides all the benefits of a standard free fitting with a more comprehensive equipment analysis from a Golfsmith Master Club Fitter. Advanced fittings require an appointment and can be scheduled online using Golfsmith's new fitting scheduler. Advance Fittings cost $49.99, however this fee is waived with a new club purchase of $199.99 or more.
   
• GolfTEC Personal Club Fitting is a one hour session that uses video, motion measurement and a proprietary database of over 150 Tour players under the guidance of a Certified Professional Coach. An advance appointment is required and the cost is $99 at select locations.

Golfsmith traces its roots to making custom-fit clubs beginning in 1967 and offers a Custom Fit Play Better Guarantee. When customers get fit for golf clubs, if they do not see immediate improvement in their game they can bring back their clubs within 30 days for an in-store credit. Golfsmith also guarantees product pricing will be the lowest around and offers a 115% price guarantee.

About Golfsmith - Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:GOLF), is a 45-year-old specialty retailer of golf and tennis equipment, apparel and accessories. The company operates as an integrated multi-channel retailer, offering its customers the convenience of shopping in its 82 stores across the United States, through its web site at golfsmith.com and from its assortment of catalogs. Golfsmith offers an extensive product selection that features premier branded merchandise, as well as its proprietary products, clubmaking components and pre-owned clubs. Visit www.Golfsmith.com.

The Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=9492

Cautionary Language -Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking in nature and, accordingly, are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. Important factors could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Golfsmith ® is a registered trademark of Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc.