The Golf Lab
May 2007 
 The Golf Lab Members Only
 A Midseason Driver Performance Checkup
In This Issue


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Greetings!

Ever since the early days of the Golf Lab, we have conducted our "Search for the Magic Driver". Sometimes, it seems like the search for the Holy Grail. Once in a while, a true "Magic Driver" appears. But it's much more common is to improve driver performance by making small, incremental changes - guided by launch monitor testing. A couple of yards here, another couple there and you will be surprised by the distance and control that you might be leaving in your bag.

The Golf Lab performs the most comprehensive driver fittings available anywhere - and that includes the fancy "fitting studios" run by the major club companies. Unlike companies that sell only their brand of clubs, we are completely brand agnostic. Our only desire is to find the driver that performs the best for you, and prove it, regardless of brand name. Here are some ideas about a mid season checkup for your driver.

 Club Length
 

The most crucial driver specification is club length. A "one size fits all" strategy is wrong. In Golf Lab driver fittings, we start by testing your own driver. We then trim the length and test again. Most players find that they hit the ball farther and straighter with a driver that is shorter than they are currently playing. Why should that be a surprise? On the PGA Tour, most professionals use drivers that are 44.5".

If you're looking for more distance from a longer driver, make it count. We have high performance test drivers up to 48" long. Launch monitor testing will pick up increases in ball speed if you have the right swing to take advantage of more length. There is no need for unreliable, random testing.

 


 Shaft Flex and Bend Profile
 

Our sophisticated electronics include the Max Out Shaft Max. The Shaft Max is an instrumented set of clubs that measure shaft deflection and plot deflection against a timeline. The result is a graph of your acceleration that pictures the "DNA of your swing". You will know exactly how you apply your power. The Shaft Max also measures tip deflection so we can choose exactly the right shaft bend profile to match your swing. Relying on swing speed alone for shaft fitting is unreliable.

 


 Head Weight
 

If you buy "off the rack" - the head of your driver will weigh 200 grams, plus or minus a gram or two. Tour players know that drivers played at shorter lengths require heavy heads. Most Tour drivers have heads that weigh 206 grams and up. At the Golf Lab, we are experts in balancing head weight with shaft length and flex. Whether we utilize internal weighting or lead tape, we can make your driver feel right and produce the highest possible ball speed.

Sometimes lighter heads are necessary. That is especially true when you're going to a longer driver. We have found adjustable, light weight heads that weigh as little as 190 grams. They are a perfect fit for drivers that measure 47" and up.

 


 Optimizing Launch Angle and Spin Rate
 

Given your talent and technique, you will achieve a certain, maximum ball speed. For every ball speed, there is a "perfect" launch angle and spin rate. Our Max Out Launch Max takes two pictures of your ball milliseconds after it leaves the club face. We can measure the exact launch angle and spin rate that you impart and compare that against "theoretically perfect". You know exactly how many yards you might be leaving in your bag.

We will also compare the performance of your driver with some of our proven, high performance models. If a new driver produces higher ball speed and better launch and spin characteristics, you will know exactly how many yards you will gain on the course.

 


 Don't Forget Your Grip
 

Here's an eye-opener: The Company that manufacturers the sophisticated, radar-based Trackman launch monitor has been out on the PGA Tour checking statistics with the Shotlink program. They have found that a firmer grip can increase ball speed by up to two miles an hour. Soft grips could be costing you distance.

At the Golf Lab, we are set up to provide the ultimate grip fitting. We can size and contour your grips during your fitting. We utilize air pressure to install grips so you can test multiple options without waiting. You never have to be satisfied with "one size fits all".

 


 Counter Balancing Your Driver
 

Balance-Certified is one of the most innovative little companies in the golf industry. For almost five years, they have pioneered changing the balance in your golf clubs, first in putters, later in wedges, irons and drivers. They have been relentless in promoting their ideas on the world professional golf tours. And, after five years, Balance-Certified is being touted as an "overnight success". Their technology is widely utilized by custom clubmakers who use B-C counter-weighting technology to help players increase driving distance, improve ball-striking consistency with irons and smooth out putting strokes.

For 95% of all players, installing the right counter- weight in the grip of their driver increases ball speed by 2 to 3 MPH. That turns into six to ten yards of additional distance. But counter-balancing is not only about distance. For most players, there is a distinct and measurable improvement in consistency. Indicators include more consistent swing speed, more consistent launch angles and a higher percentage of center strikes. Our Achiever launch monitor is a sensitive instrument that can detect these improvements. Our process squeezes the best performance out of your current driver.

 


 SST PUREing
 

SST PURE has been around for eight years. Despite a lot of negative PR, engineered by the shaft and club companies that don't want you to think it's possible to improve their products, PUREing is established on the PGA Tour. The Pros know.

Independent testing has proven that SST PUREd shafts allow you to strike the ball a little closer to the center of the club face, some of the time.

The Golf Lab was the first SST PURE licensee in California. We have PUREd tens of thousands of shafts. We are "true believers" ourselves. We never play clubs that are not SST PUREd. If you're looking for the last tweak to improve your current driver, worth perhaps another fairway or two in a round, give PUREing a try.

 


 Fees and Options
 

Our comprehensive driver fitting takes an hour to an hour and a half and costs $125. SST PUREing is $50 per club - with some drivers slightly more. Balance- Certified counter-weights are $40 each, installed. The fitting fee includes unlimited testing at the driving range with our high performance drivers - effective to confirm our indoor fitting results.

 


 And if you have lost faith in your current driver . . .
 High Moment of Inertia (MOI) Drivers are Here to Stay

We're a few months into the season of "HIGH MOI". It opened with Nike releasing the SUMO2 "Sonic Toaster". Then, others got into the game. Adams with the BUL "Portobello Mushroom". Callaway with the FT- I "Chicklet". Titleist with the 907 "Conehead". All of the companies that didn't have a high MOI driver piled on to complain that the new generation did not look or sound the same. Traditionalists threatened to cancel their Golf Magazine subscriptions - claiming the High MOI driver photos were obscene.

The next bubble to pop will be price. The new Nickent "square" is shipping at $199 retail. The bad news for the doubters? High MOI drivers work. They are more reliable to get the ball in play. We've have enough customer experience to report a very high level of satisfaction from the "early adopters". That goes for both low-index, Tour-bound pros and high index amateurs.

For the month of June, all players who book a driver fitting can check out a high MOI driver that matches their fitting specifications for a round on their own course for no charge. The best way to tell if a driver works for you is to play a round on your own course.

Do yourself a favor. Demo a high MOI driver.

 


The Golf Lab is just one minute off of 101 at Embarcadero in Palo Alto. Leith Anderson and Bob Huff welcome you to take advantage of their state-of- the-art fitting services. For an appointment call the Golf Lab - 650-493-1770.

Email us at:
Leith Anderson or Bob Huff.

Best regards,


Leith Anderson and Bob Huff
The Golf Lab

phone: 650-493-1770

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This email was sent to leith@calgolftech.com, by leith@calgolftech.com

The Golf Lab | 2103 St. Francis St. | Palo Alto | CA | 94303