To Mike Cheng
This is a very interesting debate and I'm very keen
to understand the issues.
In an earlier offering on this topic I was trying to
say that the common wisdom is that there is little difference between moderately
low torque and low torque shafts except in terms of feel. I'm defining this
to mean somewhere between 2.5 and 3.9 degress of torque where most good shafts
seem to be. I'm certainly prepared to agree that on off-centre contacts there
will be differences in twist between a 2.5 degree and a 5 (or more) degree
shaft.
My questions are:
- do you believe that there is a difference between
a 2.5 shaft and a 3.9 shaft for an average heavy hitter? I note that you make
these shafts in very stiff flexes. If so, what are the fitting parameters you
would use to choose between these two shafts?
- if it makes a diference why don't you make more
graphite shafts with less torque than 2.5. I note that you have a 1.4 shaft in
your stable of shafts?
- your marketing strategy is geared (excuse the pun)
around this issue of torque and also lag, but the latter is another story.
You've referred to the Maltby presentation but clearly you will have evidence
of your own to back up your marketing. Care to share it with us?
To Others:
I'd
love to get hold of the Maltby slides and his presentation. We see precious
little evidence of these matters and if there is some out there we should try to
get hold of it. Does anyone know Ralph Maltby well enough to ask him for it? If
we can get hold of it we could put it up in the files section. If not, I'm happy
to write to him but he doesn't know me. Perhaps the PCS has it or could get hold
of it?
Cheers
Graham
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2003 6:13
AM
Subject: RE: ShopTalk: How to pick
torque?
In
the recent PCS show, Ralph Maltby of Golfwork fame, did a presentation showing
a steel-shafted putter on center hit occasional produces shaft twisting
of up to one degree. This presentation featured high speed camera shots
to support his assertion.
Many
of Shoptalk members like Don Johnson and Al Taylor were there.
Ralph Maltby is quite available. Any one who does not believe torque
does anything can easily reach him at
Golfwork.
There were many presentations made at the PCS show. If any reference
was made to torque, the reference was to affirm low torque and
its beneficial effect on bigger heads. In fact, in the past
decade I had never heard anyone made any presentation in PCS that said
anything about torque being useless. I believe PCS members here can back me up
on that.
My
position on this issue is quite clear. The reason that I cited other people's
work is for the singular purpose of impartiality.
Reliance on decade old research is not wise, to say at
least.
Mike Cheng Harrison Sports, Inc. tel:
800-347-4646 x101 fax: 818-834-7601
e mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit our new interactive web site http:\\www.harrison.com
Hi
Mike,
One
of the problems with a scientific approach to golf is it doesn't take into
account that it is a human being playing the game and not a robot. Torque is
one of the major components of how a club feels when it strikes a ball.
Regardless of what the equations say torque should do to ball flight if the
club doesn't feel good to the player none of it really matters. I'm sure that
Lloyd is close to being right and DaveT is probably closer. If you build clubs
for enough people your going to run across a player who uses all the wrong
specifications and plays great. For these people (and I believe there are more
than many will admit) no amount of science is going to get them to play
something that doesn't feel good and those clients will put a
clubmaker/fitter's talent to the test.
Take
care,
Greg
When choosing shafts for a customer is their a rule of
thumb to look at for shaft torque? There are many shafts that have similar
swing speed ratings but very different torque. Rather than simply trial and
error there must be something to work from. It seems easy to say that a
low torque shaft is better but there must be something that falls under the
"no free lunch" rule or a time when a higher torque shaft is the correct
choice.
Thanks,
Mike Licht
