February 2009 TW Standard E-Tech Report

In the February issue of the TW Standard eTECHreport:

NOTE: the complete February TW Standard eTECHreport pdf version is available by clicking here - 3MB (requires Adobe Acrobat 5 or newer )

 

---

New 2009 TWGT Catalog and New Model Updates

All clubmakers on the TWGT mailing list should have their new 2009 Catalog by now. If you have not received your new catalog, please contact us either by phone (800-470-0072;
970-375-0411) or by email (paula@wishongolf.com) to let us know. If you have not received the new 2009 catalog yet, we will get one out to you after you contact us, and we will try to file a claim for late delivery with the US Postal Service so that future mailings may arrive more promptly.

Once again, TWGT is very pleased to offer clubmakers the very best collection of custom clubmaking designs and supplies in the entire golf industry in our 2009 Catalog. We look forward to being your supplier in 2009 so that your golfers can experience the performance difference TWGT can deliver.

Please check out the new designs and products that will add to your ability to custom fit your golfers with the very best golf clubs they’ll ever play!

331H Hybrids – In stock and available NOW!

525GRT Fairway Woods – In stock and available NOW!

Future Pro Junior Components – In stock and available NOW!

O/S 752 Irons – Available March 10

870Ti Irons – Available March 10

ProFlight-EXP Shafts – In stock and available NOW!

TourFlight-85 Shafts – In stock and available NOW!

Tac-Wrap Grips – Available March 2

 

to top

 

TWGT Plays a Part in a New Guinness World Record

TWGT recently played a small role in what has to be one of the more unusual of the thousands of accomplishments which achieve distinction as an official Guinness World Record.

At the Copenhagen Golf Show in Denmark on January 24, clubmaker and “long driver” Karsten Maas established a new Guinness World Record for successfully hitting the longest ever golf club, a driver with a TWGT 915CFE titanium clubhead which measured a world record 4.13 meters in length. For those of you metrically challenged, that is a driver built to a length of (cough) 162.6 inches!

To qualify for the record, Guinness officials require the world’s longest golf club to be made from conventional golf club components and other than the length, all other parts of the club must conform to the R&A Rules of golf. Performance wise, the club must be hit a minimum carry distance of 100 meters (109.36 yards) to qualify for the record. Maas hit the record breaking shot with his 162.6 inch TWGT driver a carry distance of 138 meters (150.4 yards) as verified by a Trackman launch system unit.

OK, you have to be curious about the shaft in this 13 foot long driver, right? So were we when Karsten told us about his record breaking effort. The shaft in the 4.13 meter long driver was made from a number of steel shafts put together. An X flex shaft with a 0.335” tip diameter was inserted into the 915CFE driver head. From there up, the shaft is made from the butt ends of eight separate X flex iron shafts, inserted into each other. The last shaft used up to the grip end of the club is the butt section of a very stiff long putter shaft.

Following is a link to a video showing Karsten Maas setting the record. Talk about a follow through you can’t stop! Well done Karsten and thanks for allowing TWGT to be a small part of your world record!

http://ekstrabladet.tv/sport/article1115401.ece

 

 

 

to top

 

 

 

 

A Few of the “Toys” Supporting the Technology of TWGT

TWGT takes great pride in its ability to conceive, engineer, design and develop all of our original clubhead, shaft and grip products. Extremely few companies do their own design work, selling open model clubheads while leading clubmakers to believe they do their own designs. We believe our understanding of golf club design and performance is one of the factors that puts TWGT in a class by itself in the custom clubmaking supply industry.

This month, we thought we would show clubmakers a few of what we refer to as the “toys” that support our design and development work to allow TWGT to offer custom clubmakers the very best performing and most innovative original clubhead designs.

 

Device: Ultrasonic Material Thickness Gauge

Purpose: Measuring clubhead body wall and face thickness to 0.001mm accuracy

A critical element of TWGT’s high performance face designs is the face thickness. While thin face/variable thickness faces on ironheads such as the 870TI and 770CFE can be measured with normal “pinch calipers” gauges, the faces of woodheads and hybrid heads can only be measured with a sophisticated ultrasonic thickness gauge. TWGT’s Panametrics thickness gauge is the same unit used by all the top quality clubhead production factories, and will read face and body wall thickness for any type of face material to an accuracy of 0.001 mm (0.025”).

 

 

Device: Rockwell Hardness Testing Machine

Purpose: To measure material hardness under the Rockwell scale as a means to monitor clubhead material heat treatment processes and results

The performance of a well engineered and designed clubface depends heavily on the heat treatment procedure employed by the production foundry to ensure the face material’s proper mechanical properties. Because the final hardness of a metal is a product of the heat treatment procedure, TWGT uses a Rockwell Hardness testing machine to check the hardness of its high performance face designs. From the hardness reading, it is then possible to back-check the heat treatment procedure to know if the Yield Strength and Young’s Modulus of the face material are at the desired levels to ensure the proper performance of the face design.

 

 

 

 

 

Device: Digital Clubhead Center of Gravity Gauge

Purpose: To accurately measure the location of the X, Y and Z axis planes of the center of gravity within any clubhead

Precisely locating the Center of Gravity inside a clubhead design is a key element in the performance of the model. The only way to accurately pinpoint the CG location is through a sophisticated CG measurement device
such as the one TWGT employs to check CG on any clubhead model.

 

 

 

Device: Clubhead Moment of Inertia Gauge

Purpose: To accurately measure the MOIs and Ellipsoid of Inertia of a clubhead

TWGT’s Inertia Chronograph is a very sophisticated machine that is not simply used to measure the MOI Izz that has been a recent principle of driver head design and marketing. The machine is also used to measure the other MOI’s of a clubhead as well as to be able to calculate a very little known parameter related to clubhead design performance called the Ellipsoid of Inertia – in other words a means to visualize the geometric motion of a clubhead under the influence several different concurrent moments of inertia.

 

 

 

Device: Production Clubhead Specifications Machine (“The Green Machine”)

Purpose: To accurately measure all specifications of clubheads

While there are several different types of clubhead specifications machines available, TWGT uses only the same model of heavy duty specs machine used by all of the top quality clubhead production foundries in the golf industry. In addition, to ensure the accuracy of our units, we also have a special calibration “club” (see in photo) CNC machined to a perfect 55° lie, 10° loft and 0° face angle. We employ the calibration device on a regular basis to check the calibration of the machine to ensure accuracy in the measurement of all TWGT clubhead designs.

 

 

 

Device: TrackMan Ball Flight Monitoring Machine

Purpose: To measure and record 17 different launch and ball flight parameters for golf shots with the highest level of accuracy and repeatability

Recognized in the industry as the most accurate and most investigative launch monitor in the world, TWGT has employed its TrackMan unit since 2005 to support our clubhead design work and assist our ongoing R&D work in clubfitting. No other launch monitor can offer the accuracy and consistency of repeatability for obtaining the precision in data gathering necessary for uncovering the truths about golf club performance. For those in the industry who point to a competing and lower priced Doppler Radar launch monitor currently on the market, the proof of TrackMan’s superior precision can be verified by the fact that it is the only launch monitor used by golf ball designers and manufacturers, where absolute precision in the recording of the ball’s full downrange performance is of paramount importance.

 

 

Device: Golf Ball Hitting Robot

Purpose: To swing test clubs with consistency to conduct comparative ball hitting tests for clubhead performance and comparison

TWGT uses its swing robot in combination with the TrackMan launch monitor for testing our clubhead designs. For purposes of consistency to isolate the test results to the clubheads’ performance only, we use the same exact wood shaft model and stiffness in each woodhead and likewise with the same exact iron shaft model and stiffness in each iron or wedge head for testing. In this manner we believe the head performance and ball flight data we obtain in our testing is as reliable as can be because robots do not cause shafts to bend and perform in the same manner as do human golfers, which can skew results.

In addition to our in-house testing and data gathering equipment, TWGT also employs outside groups or companies to perform tasks as assigned to support our original product development and overall research in clubfitting and in the science of golf club performance. Among the tasks we assign to support our work include finite element analysis event simulation computer modeling, CAD modeling work and laboratory material testing.

In total, no other company from which you can buy custom clubmaking designs is as knowledgeable or as experienced in the development of their products or in the dispensing of quality technical information as is TWGT. In short, if you’re using other companies for your clubmaking supplies and products, you are not using the best quality designs possible for your clubfitting projects and business.

 

 

to top

 

 

 

The New “Flight Families” of TWGT Original Shaft Designs

TWGT is the only company creating original shaft models which are designed specifically for golfer swing characteristics using specific bend profile measurements to correspond to the intended swing characteristics.

To learn more about the proper way to fit shafts to the golfer’s swing characteristics, please refer to pages 62-63 in the 2009 TWGT Catalog. We know our shaft fitting system takes a huge part of the guesswork and judgment from shaft selection and results in a more accurate shaft fitting for different types of golfers.

New for this year to add to your custom shaft fitting options are the new ProFlight-EXP 65g and 85g shafts for woods, and the new Tour Flight 85 graphite shafts for irons. As with all of our original shaft designs, each of the new ProFlight and TourFlight shafts are designed to fit specific golfer swing types as identified by our TWGT shaft fitting guidelines.

 

ProFlight-EXP 65g and 85g Graphite Shafts for Woods

• Designed for better golfers with more advanced swing characteristics
• Intended for golfers with Transition, Tempo and Release rated at 2 to 3 levels as per TWGT’s shaft fitting parameters (see pgs 62-63 of the 2009 TWGT catalog)
• 65g and 85g weight options allow fitting for golfers who need lighter or slightly more heavy Total Weight in their woods.

Tour Flight 85 Graphite Shafts for Irons

• R Flex version designed for average to less skilled golfers

  i. R Flex version intended for golfers with Transition, Tempo and Release rated at 1 to 2 levels

  ii. Standard 3/8” increment tip trim is designed for softer final play. Tip trim can be increased to ½” when the 65-75mph golfer has a little stronger Transition, Tempo and Release

• S Flex version designed for average to more skilled golfers

  i. S Flex version intended for golfers with Transition, Tempo and Release rated at 2 to 3 levels

• 85 gram weight is for golfers for whom a steel shaft is too heavy and a typical 65-75 gram graphite iron shaft may be too light

 

 

 

 

 

to top

 

TWGT Tapped to Educate UK Golf Professionals

The PGA of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has asked TWGT to play a key role in providing technical information about clubfitting for its golf professional members and apprentice pros in 2009.

Since early 2007, the UK PGA has used TWGT book, The Search for the Perfect Golf Club, in its training program for apprentice professionals to become full members of the PGA. All third year apprentice professionals are required to read the Search book as part of their training.

This year, the UK PGA has asked TWGT to assist in the re-write of its 2nd and 3rd year professional training manuals, as well as to write an ongoing series of articles on clubfitting for its monthly magazine, The PGA Professional, sent to all 7,000 UK PGA members and apprentices.

TWGT began its series on clubfitting education for
The PGA Professional magazine in January, and work on the re-writes and edits of the PGA Training Manuals is slated to be done in the spring. TWGT’s Tom Wishon was asked for assistance in these areas by UK PGA Education Director Simon Hubbard and the PGA’s editor Adrian Milledge during discussions last fall when Wishon was in Europe to deliver a number of seminar presentations.

“I’m thrilled the PGA of Great Britain asked for our help,” said Wishon. “I’m extremely impressed the UK PGA recognize the importance of upgrading the quality of information about golf equipment and clubfitting technology for their member professionals. I’m most pleased the UK PGA recognize that TWGT is the best source for that assistance.”

The UK PGA is the host organization for the 2009 European PGA Teaching and Coaching Conference, where Wishon has been asked to offer a presentation on professional clubfitting. The conference, scheduled for October 22-24 in Birmingham, England, is expected to host more than 1,000 golf professionals from 36 different countries.

 

 

 

to top

 

 

Future Pro – TWGT Makes a Serious Commitment to Junior Fitting

For 2009, TWGT is proud to introduce Future Pro, a very high quality and affordable line of original clubheads, shafts and grips for fitting junior golfers with the right equipment to properly begin and learn the game.

Now in stock and available for immediate delivery, TWGT’s Future Pro junior components offer the following quality features:

• All stainless steel woodheads, ironheads and putter head. Each Future Pro wood and iron head is designed with a hosel weight bore for custom weight fitting, and each Future Pro clubhead is able to be bent for junior lie fitting purposes.
• Choice of either Future Pro Graphite or Steel shafts, each designed in weight and flex expressly for junior fitting needs
• High quality all rubber composition regular and putter grips

Few companies create junior fitting components using pure 17-4 and 431 stainless steel for the clubhead designs. Most opt to use cheap, soft, low quality aluminum and zinc alloys which cannot be bent for lie fitting and which look terrible within days or weeks of normal use
by juniors.

 

Future Pro 17-4 Stainless Steel Woodheads

• Driver (15° loft); 3-wood (20° loft); 5-wood (25° loft)
• 260cc Driver with 47mm face height; 3 and 5-woods with 33mm face height
• All Future Pro woodheads designed lighter and each with hosel weight bore for custom weighting

 

Future Pro 431 Stainless Steel Ironheads

• 5-iron (32° loft); 7-iron (40° loft); 9-iron (48° loft) DW Dual Wedge (54° loft, suitable for grass or
  sand play)
• Able to be bent +/- 3 to 4 degrees for lie fitting, as skill of clubmaker allows
• All Future Pro ironheads designed lighter and each with hosel weight bore for custom weighting

 

 

No kidding, but the Future Pro woodheads can be a very easy to hit design for ADULT GOLFERS as well. Golfers looking for a “Thriver”, aka, deeper faced, higher loft wood that they can hit off the tee on tight par-4 and par-5 holes are going to be amazed at the playability of the Future Pro Driver with its 15° loft. And with its 194g headweight, the Future Pro Driver as an adult “Thriver” can be built to 44, 45” lengths! In addition, the 20° loft Future Pro #3 wood head can be built to a 42.5 to 43.5” “weak 5-wood” or “strong 7-wood” that will fly high and be very easy to hit from a variety of lie conditions.

TWGT thinks “versatile” when it comes to designing innovative models for all fitting requirements!

 

 

 

to top

 

 

2009 – It’s All About Golfers Spending Wisely

In tough economic times, everyone wants to be sure they’re going to get the absolute most for every dollar spent.

Clubmakers, when it comes to 2009, you must make every effort to talk to golfers using this completely truthful and logical approach:

There is no worse way for golfers to spend money on golf clubs than to buy mass produced, standard made clubs off the rack in a pro shop, retail golf store or over the internet. Golfers who are different from each other in size, strength, athletic ability and swing characteristics cannot and will not ever play to the best of their ability when buying standard made clubs off the rack.

The ONLY way golfers can play to the best of their ability is to be custom fit so each of the important fitting specifications of the golf clubs – the lengths, lofts, lies, face angles, shaft weight, shaft flex, total weight, swingweight (MOI) and grip size matches accurately to each different golfer’s size, strength, athletic ability and swing characteristics.

To spend money on standard made clubs bought right off the rack is throwing good money after bad.

To be custom fit is the path to tangible game improvement and a perfect example of spending wisely.

There is no better time to convince golfers of the pure common sense message of custom fitting vs standard clubs off the rack than this year, when spending wisely is of utmost importance.

Use TWGT’s 12 Myths That Could Wreck Your Golf Game booklets to educate your golfers and drive home the points in the booklet by expressing how custom fitting IS a perfect example of spending wisely.

Clubmakers really need to make the effort this season to pass out as many copies of the 12 Myths booklets with your business contact information attached to as many golfers as possible. TWGT just heard from clubmaker Tom Spargo that during an indoor public golf show in the northeast, from passing out a few hundred copies of 12 Myths, Tom garnered 44 solid clubfitting prospects for his business. That would be a strong response even in great economic times! It is simply more proof that the message in 12 Myths is compelling enough to avid golfers to make them think about spending wisely to be custom fit.

TWGT has the tools to grow your clubmaking business even in a tough economy. No other company in the clubmaking industry is doing what TWGT is doing to help clubmakers increase their business. If you use our books to educate golfers, you will increase your clubfitting business.

 

 

to top

 

 

NEW Design Profile - The 331H Hybrid

Taking over where the 321Li hybrid clubheads left off is a tall task – but one that TWGT’s new 331H hybrid clubheads can more than handle with their superior design features!

• More symmetrical and balanced profile and shape
• Variable thickness face design
• More rounded leading edge and lower drag sole design
• Lower Center of Gravity
• Longer hosel design to facilitate Lie bending
• Second weight bore for a wider range of fitting options
• More attractive cosmetics

Now in stock and available for shipment, the new 331H hybrid clubheads are designed in RH in #2, 3, 4, 5 and in LH in the #3 and 4.

When custom fit with our selection of GI-335 Lightweight, TourWeight and Series 5 335 shafts, TWGT’s new 331H hybrid design will prove to your golfers that the design and engineering skills of our company combined with the custom fitting skills of you, the clubmakers, will deliver the best performing golf clubs for all golfers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

to top