This individual wanted to know about shaft spine alignment and flo-ing
(pure-ing). This is something the we do with every club that we build as we
do think there is a distinct advantage to this practice.
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED SHAFT OPTIMIZATION?
The fact is, no shaft is perfectly round, straight, or stiff throughout its length despite modern manufacturing techniques.
WHAT ARE SPINES?
Spines exist in all golf shafts regardless of material (steel, titanium, graphite, etc.) and regardless of manufacturing process (extruded, welded, sheet wrapped, filament wound, etc.). A spine can be visualized as a longitudinal line or plane on a golf shaft that is more resistant to bending than any other line or plane. In the extreme case, the shaft can be considered as unsymmetrical as a yardstick with the narrow width representing the spine and the wide width representing a more flexible plane. In one direction the yardstick bends easily; in the other it is difficult to bend and may break.
HOW DO YOU FIND A SPINE?
The butt of the golf shaft is placed in a “holder” of some type (spine finder) which allows the golf shaft to be “loaded” or bent, and at the same time allows the shaft to rotate freely. When the shaft is rotated, the resistance to the force bending the shaft varies throughout 360* rotation. When a “strong point” or “spine” is approached, the shaft becomes unstable and wants to rotate ” away” from the spine. Where does it go? It rotates to the nearest “valley” which is a position of stability (also called the “Neutral Bending Position” or NBP).
BENEFITS OF SHAFT ALIGNMENT/ORIENTATION
By properly orienting the shaft in a club head, the maximum performance of the golf club can be obtained. To the golfer this means more accuracy and consistency and an overall increase in distance.
While I realize that this service may not be one that most golfers have ever considered, I do believe that it can make a positive difference in the overall performance of your golf clubs. It will have the greatest advantage when done to lower quality shafts. The concept of shaft optimization is also taking root on tour with a good number routinely having their shafts done. The current number of tour players using this technology has grown to over 200. If this wasn't a viable technology I doubt you'd see them using it.
As always, if you have a question about club fitting or technologies of club building, please feel free to ask and who knows, you may just see it answered here. You continued support is greatly appreciated and thanks to all those who help make this great system work.
Until next time, keep it vertical and remember, BETTER GOLF IS JUST A FIT
AWAY!
J. Lynn Griffin, Master Fitter/Builder
PPGS Director of Club Fitting Operations