November/December 2009 TW Standard E-Tech Report

In the November/December issue of the TW Standard eTECHreport:

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

 

---

In the previous edition of the ETECHreport, TWGT informed clubmakers of our all new S2S Shaft Fitting System and the hallmark of the system, our all new line up of original S2S designed shafts. TWGT’s line of proprietary graphite shafts for the S2S Fitting System represents the first time that actual bend profile measurements were employed to create each unique different S2S shaft model and flex.

After many hours of analysis, TWGT was able to identify the specific ranges of bend profile measurements that are best matched to the different combinations of swing speed, golfer strength, downswing transition force, downswing tempo and point of the wrist cock release. Each of these combinations of different bend profile measurements were then incorporated into each of the new S2S Fitting System shaft models and flexes.

In response to questions from clubmakers, in this edition of the ETECHreport, we want to tell you a little more about how some of the new S2S Fitting System shafts differ from the previous TWGT graphite shafts. With the number of different new shafts we’ve designed for the new S2S Shaft Fitting System, it would make this article too long to extensively describe each and every new S2S design shaft. So in this edition of the ETECHreport, we will explain in detail the designs of the S2S White and S2S Gold – the new TWGT shaft designs that fit the largest segment of golfers. Later we will include the balance of the new S2S shaft designs.

First, let’s start by explaining the change from the previous TWGT graphite shaft models to the new S2S designs.

 

Next, we would like to explain how the new S2S graphite shaft designs compare to the former TWGT shaft models. We’ll do this by illustrating the key specifications of a number of the former TWGT shaft models with the new S2S designs. As we mentioned previously, we’ll start this comparison with a handful of the new S2S shaft designs and continue the presentations in succeeding editions of the ETECHreport.

 

 

1. S2S White Graphite Woods and Irons (replaces the former ZT Series shafts)

 

Comparing the new S2S White graphite shafts to the former ZT Series, we have slightly lowered the butt stiffness of the S2S White wood shafts while keeping the center section stiffness around the same, and designing the tip sections to be more evenly spaced in their graduation of stiffness per flex increase. But section stiffness for each of the S2S White iron shafts have been reduced substantially to become a much better match for the 1.5 to 2 rating of many average golfers for Transition, Tempo and Release for which the S2S White shafts are designed.

The target golfer for the S2S White shaft:

 

Based on our shaft design and fitting research, we feel the new S2S White graphite woods and irons will be a little better match for the above target golfer:

• The slightly softer butt section design with same center section stiffness of the S2S White will better match to the target Transition and Tempo ratings of 1.5 to 2
• The more consistent tip section design of the S2S White will also provide a better match for the golfer with a 1.5 to 2 Release rating and will offer a more consistent difference in tip section stiffness for players with different swing speeds who are rated for a match to the S2S White woods and irons.
• The softer butt section with more progressive medium soft tip section of the S2S White irons is a perfect match for the average golfer with a swing characteristic rating of 1.5 to 2 for the Transition, Tempo and Release.

 

 

2. S2S Gold Plus High Flight Woods and Irons (replaces the former InterFlexx High)

 

Comparing the new S2S Gold Plus High Flight shafts to the Former InterFlexx High Flight shafts, the changes in the bend profile are fairly slight, and done more to establish a more evenly spaced transition in stiffness between flexes. In other words, the InterFlexx High has always been a very good shaft design for its target golfer type, but just needed to be created to have a little more specific personality between flexes for its new S2S Gold Plus High design.

The target golfer for the S2S Gold Plus High Flight shafts:

 

Based on our shaft design and fitting research, we feel the new S2S Gold Plus High Flight shafts will be a little better match for the above target golfer:

• Because the butt stiffness of the S2S Gold Plus High is a little stiffer than for the S2S White per flex, this allows the S2S Gold Plus High to match better to the golfer with a 2 to even 2+ rating of their Transition and Downswing Tempo.
• The tip section design of the S2S Gold Plus High is a little stiffer than for the S2S white per flex, which allows the S2S Gold Plus High to match better to the golfer with a 2 rating for a midway Release on the downswing – yet when you see the tip section specs for the new S2S Gold Tour Flight shafts, you will see it still will allow the S2S Gold Plus High to be the high trajectory launch design in comparison to the mid/low trajectory design of the S2S Gold Tour Flight.

 

3. S2S Gold Tour Flight Woods and Irons (replaces the former InterFlexx Mid/Low)

 

Comparing the new S2S Gold Tour Flight shafts to the Former InterFlexx Mid/Low Flight shafts, the changes in the bend profile are fairly slight, and done to establish a more evenly spaced transition in stiffness between flexes – as well to establish the high to mid/low flight difference between the S2S Gold Tour and S2S Gold Plus High. As before, the butt section stiffness of the S2S Gold Tour and S2S Gold Plus High are identical, which allows the differences in the lower center to tip section between the two models to create the definite high to mid/low launch angle and trajectory distinction between the S2S Gold Tour and S2S Gold Plus High.

 

The target golfer for the S2S Gold Tour Flight shafts:

 

Based on our shaft design and fitting research, we feel the new S2S Gold Tour Flight shafts will be a little better match for the above target golfer:

• Because of the stiffer tip section design for each flex, in contrast to the S2S Gold Plus High, the S2S Gold Tour can function either as a solid match for the golfer with a late #3 Release or can act to lower trajectory for the golfer with more of a midway to semi-late Release.
• With butt section stiffnesses +5 cpm on average higher than the S2S White, the S2S Gold Plus and S2S Gold Tour both are a better fit for the golfer with a 2 to sometimes, 2+ rating for Transition and Tempo.
• Again, the more symmetrical progression of tip section stiffness between flexes offers a more distinctive difference for tip performance for golfers of different swing speeds who match the target swing types for the S2S Golds.

 

As we said, in subsequent editions of the TWGT ETECHreport we will continue the detailed explanation of the new S2S Shaft Fitting System designs. For now, we want to leave you with the understanding that we are very proud to be the only company that takes as detailed of an approach to designing its custom clubmaking models to very specifically fit golfers by swing characteristics – and to explaining the design differences to enable clubmakers to make the very best performance based fitting decisions for your golfers.

 

 

 

to top

 

The How-To of Custom Clubfitting – The BIG Picture

 

As TWGT continues its ongoing series of articles to educate clubmakers in the actual “how-to” procedures of custom clubfitting, in this edition of the ETECHreport we decided to briefly depart from the “how-to” of specific fitting specifications to offer clubmakers more of the BIG picture for the full fitting process. In fielding comments and questions from clubmakers, TWGT received a number of requests to more clearly illustrate how we recommend the full fitting process to be conducted.

In this issue of the ETECHreport, we decided to do just that – to identify all the key fitting specifications and explain the inputs, measurements and swing analysis points which at the least should be evaluated to offer the specification for each of the 13 key fitting specs. We realize that some clubmakers may choose to include more than the 13 basic fitting specs in their own fitting sessions. That’s fine. What we’re offering here is an explanation of what we at TWGT consider to be the minimum number of fitting specs to include in each fitting session along with the minimum amount of input parameters from which to make the decision for what each specification of the 13 key fitting elements is to be for each golfer.

First, let's look at what we call the BIG picture of a full specifications professional clubfitting session. For better understanding, we suggest you open the chart below and print a copy to have at hand while you read the rest of this article.

 

The TWGT chart ‘Full Specification Fitting Inputs and Factors is set up with three main areas to note. On the left side are listed the 13 key fitting specifications of golf clubs. This list represents what we believe to be the fitting parameters for which each golfer needs to be custom fit for the custom built clubs to be able to offer the most game improvement to the golfer.

On the right side of the chart will be found the inputs that are required from which the specification for each of the 13 key fitting factors is to be determined. In other words, at the minimum, clubmakers need to know these measurements and swing analysis points about each golfer to be able to make the decision for each of the 13 fitting specifications. In addition, it is important to also have the data points for the various ratings for shafts – their swing speed ratings, transition/tempo/release and strength ratings.

In the center area of the chart can be found the primary processes for the fitting session. Each of the 13 key fitting specs is listed along with each one’s minimum golfer measurements and golfer swing analysis points that have to be known and considered to be able to make the decision for each fitting spec.

 

1. Length

To determine the length of the clubs for any golfer, we need to begin with a measurement of the golfer’s wrist-to-floor dimension from which a starting length for the driver and 5-iron/hybrid is determined. (wrist-to-floor length chart in Common Sense Clubfitting, page 43) The Clubmaker then must consult the analysis of the golfer’s swing characteristics of the downswing transition force, downswing tempo, swing path and swing plane to then be able to increase/decrease/maintain the club lengths offered from the initial wrist-to-floor measurement.

In general, inputs such as more forceful transition, more aggressive downswing tempo, more outside/in the swing path, more upright the swing plane, and less the golfer athletic ability, the tendency is to slightly decrease the lengths or leave them as indicated by the wrist-to-floor measurement. And conversely, a smoother transition and tempo, a square to slightly inside/out path, a flatter swing plane and better athletic ability offer inputs which can allow the lengths to be a little longer than indicated by the wrist-to-floor measurement.

2. Loft

When advising the best lofts for each golfer, we’re challenged to determine the best driver loft for best overall distance of carry + roll. We also have to decide what lofts on all of the other clubs in the set are best for each golfer. Driver loft decisions require the golfer’s swing speed + angle of attack + launch angle as the key inputs. Fairway wood, hybrid and iron loft determination requires knowing the golfer’s current lofts as well as what are the lowest wood and iron lofts the golfer can successfully hit.

Club to club loft spacing is a key element of loft fitting as well and is chiefly determined by the golfer’s clubhead speed. And as always, the higher the clubhead speed, the closer to 3-4° the club to club loft spacing can be – the lower the head speed, the more the loft spacing has to increase to ensure a proper distance difference between clubs.

3. Face Angle

To advise the best face angle specs on the golfer’s woods, we need to know the golfer’s predominant mis-direction trend with their woods. To know what face angle spec is going to bring about the most improvement, we also need to know the current face angles of the golfer’s driver and woods. To nail down a specific face angle spec, we then need to remember that on average, at a carry distance of 200 yds, a 1° change in face angle reduces a mis-direction tendency by about 4 yards.

4. Lie Angle

Plain and simple, lie has to be determined through a dynamic lie test done with the golfer’s newly fit clubs. This way, every element on the golfer’s clubs which can affect the dynamic lie test result is allowed for.

5. Clubhead Design

Several input factors combine to allow the Clubmaker to advise the golfer on the best clubhead design. Top of the list has to be the golfer’s own personal preferences for what they have confidence in looking at in the address position behind the ball. Regardless of the technical features of a head model, if the golfer doesn’t like the look of the clubhead models, he/she is not going to play to the best of their ability.

Behind the golfer’s preference for determining the best head designs in the custom set come the elements of swing angle of attack and path, the golfer’s misdirection tendencies and their general tendency for hitting the ball on vs off center. Of course there are other individual elements that can come into play such as turf conditions, but in general, these factors are the minimum for making a good decision for each golfer’s clubhead design recommendation.

6. Set Make-Up

Similar to the decision for the lofts of the clubs, set makeup also is chiefly determined by the input of what are the lowest lofts the golfer can hit well up to fly from a fairway lie with the woods and irons. Loft increments between clubs has a large influence on the set makeup, and as with the loft fitting, the golfer’s clubhead speed is the chief determinant of the club to club loft spacing.

7 & 8. Grip Size & Style

While charts are available to clubmakers which can convert measurements of the golfer’s hand and middle finger into a viable grip size, it is the golfer’s own personal preference for the feel and size of the grip that ultimately is the chief factor of input for making the best grip size and style determination for the golfer.

9 & 11. Total Weight (Shaft Weight)

We lump the decisions for the total weight of the clubs and the weight of the shafts into one inputted category simply because it is the shaft weight that chiefly controls the total weight of the clubs. The golfer’s strength plus the force and aggressiveness of their downswing transition and tempo which are the main input points for choosing the weight of the shafts. From that automatically comes the total weight of the clubs.

10. Swingweight/Club MOI

The goal of proper swingweight or club MOI fitting is to find the best ratio of headweight to club length and club total weight that allows the golfer to, 1) comfortably control the repeatability of their swing timing/rhythm/tempo, 2) from this to be able to achieve the highest percentage of on center hits with all the full swing clubs in the bag. Because swingweight/club MOI is such a swing related fitting factor, the chief inputs for deciding on this fitting factor are the golfer’s strength + their downswing transition force and downswing tempo. One final word – clubmakers who are not yet using MOI matching as a replacement for swingweight matching are ignoring a very strong fitting parameter for achieving both of the above mentioned goals for swing tempo repeatability and on center hit success throughout the set.

12 & 13. Shaft Flex/Shaft Bend Profile

TWGT has written extensively about the flex and bend profile fitting process for shafts. As such the key inputs are the golfer’s clubhead speed with the swing elements of the downswing transition, tempo and point of wrist cock release. To find the best shaft for flex and bend profile requires a complete data base of shaft information such as TWGT’s Shaft Bend Profile Software, which contains the swing speed ratings, weight and bend profile measurements of well more than a thousand shaft models and flexes.

In short, once all these four major flex/bend profile inputs are known, the Clubmaker then goes through a process of elimination to pick the shafts within the golfer’s swing speed that correspond to the golfer’s transition force, tempo and point of wrist cock release. (See 2009 TWGT catalog, pages 62-63)

Of course we’ve covered the highlights for what inputs and information from each golfer are required to be able to make the decisions for what the actual specifications need to be for each of the 13 key fitting factors. As our series on the “How-To” of fitting continues through 2010, we will present more specific instructions and procedures for actually making each fitting decision.

 

So far this series has covered the “How-To” for length and loft fitting. In the next edition of the TWGT ETECHreport, we will continue with the “How-To” procedures for fitting Face Angle and we will continue all through 2010 with each of the other remaining fitting factors.

 

 

 

to top

 

 

 

 

MOI Matching Procedures

 

The input and feedback from hundreds of custom clubmakers who have converted from swingweight matching to building their custom fit sets to a matched Moment of Inertia has unquestionably verified the validity of MOI Matching. The experience of the many clubmakers who have jumped into MOI Matching as a replacement for swingweight matching of clubs has gone a long way toward establishing the point that MOI matched clubs are superior to swingweight matched clubs, for the goal of offering every golfer the chance to, 1) comfortably control the repeatability of their swing timing/rhythm/tempo, 2) from this to be able to achieve the highest percentage of on center hits with all the full swing clubs
in the bag.

For clubmakers who are not familiar with MOI matching of clubs, or who are not comfortable with how to actually determine the best MOI for each golfer, TWGT would like to present this information in a little different format. Our hope is that by using a little different presentation format for establishing the points about what MOI matching is and how it is done in the fitting process, we offer clubmakers this pdf file link to a series of slides with easy to follow information.

The other value of presenting this information about MOI Matching is for clubmakers to use the first part of the presentation to help convince doubting golfers of the validity of MOI matching. The more things like this you can show to your golfers which present the importance of custom fitting, the more chance clubmakers have to close the sale with
the golfers.

 

Click here for the MOI MATCHING PDF

 

 

 

 

to top

 

 

2010 Catalog Update

As the saying goes, if it is winter, then new catalog time is just around the corner! TWGT is right in the midst of creating our new 2010 full line custom clubmaking and clubfitting catalog. Our plan is to complete the catalog to execute the mailing to all TWGT clubmakers in January, with the goal of having all copies arrive in the clubmakers’ mailboxes as close to the end of January as possible.

As always, the size and weight of our annual full line catalog has to be mailed by US Postal Service bulk mail delivery. And as always, the speed of the delivery is directly proportional to the efficiency of each post office location along the line from Colorado to where each of you live. Typically we have found that 98% of the catalogs are delivered between 1 and 2 weeks from the date of mailing.

To help everything move along as smoothly as possible to ensure the timely delivery of your new 2010 TWGT catalog, if you have had a recent address change, please contact us to let us know your new mailing details. (cs@wishongolf.com)

It also seems anytime we mention the new catalog being in the works, clubmakers also expect us to reveal what we are planning to introduce in the way of new original TWGT designs! As per usual, we don’t like to spill the beans too early. On the other hand, we have already been telling you about the single largest new shaft design project we’ve ever done, the all new S2S Shaft to Swing Shaft Fitting System. Because this is such an extensive re-design of all of our graphite shafts to specific golfer swing types, and because the transition from our former shaft models to the new S2S shaft designs has to take place through the fall and winter, it is important for us to let you know as much as possible about this all new and very exciting change in our original design offerings.

TWGT also has a number of new clubhead models, but in this area, our lips are zipped for a little while longer. However, we can tell you that while the new clubhead models for 2010 may be smaller in quantity, there is no question the quality of what we are introducing for new 2010 clubhead designs is unsurpassed in the entire golf equipment industry.

As always, there are also a handful of changes in our design line in the form of discontinued models. Clubhead models being dropped from the design line include the 585HF hybrid long irons, the 705W2 investment cast irons, the 550C & 550M forged carbon steel irons, the 969W investment cast irons, the CX Micro wedges, and of course as we have said, all of the current graphite shaft models which are being replaced with all new S2S Shaft to Swing Fitting System graphite shaft designs.

All in all, thanks to the superb design skills of our graphic artist Cherie Zorilla, we’re certain that when the new catalog shows up in your mailbox in late January, you’ll like what you see and you’ll realize once again that TWGT is the unchallenged leader in custom clubmaking design and clubfitting technology.

 

 

 

to top