Saturday, December 31, 2016
Friday, December 30, 2016
Nike to release Air Jordan 1 Retro Golf Shoe
Credit to the guys at SneakerNews for basically confirming what many of us hoped was coming. It appears Nike will release a retro golf version of the Air Jordan 1.
Retail date and price have yet to be confirmed, though the speculation is late spring.
According to SneakerNews, the golf version isn't absolutely identical to the original (Nike Wings logo, larger Jumpman, cleated outsole), but most of us will find it plenty close enough to stir up some nostalgia. A white/gray colorway will also be released.
For those of us of a certain generation, the original Nike Air Jordan is, and will always be, the most iconic sneaker ever created.
That alone makes the golf version an absolute must own. Who's with me?
from MyGolfSpy http://ift.tt/2il8FMk
Thursday, December 29, 2016
The Top 5 Most-Awesome Anti-inflammatory Foods (No 3 is great)
When we hear the word inflammation, we think “Oh, no!” But inflammation is not always bad news. It’s the way our body fights infections and speeds healing.
But when our body’s immune response gets out of hands, it attacks healthy tissues. This leads to chronic inflammation, and that’s bad. Moreover, there is an undeniable connection between chronic inflammation and serious conditions like cancer.
So, what do we do to prevent inflammation? Take medicine? Of course, drugs are helpful, but there are always undesired side effects.
We need to look elsewhere. Nature can offer us many anti-inflammatory foods that are tasty and full of vitamins.
Here, I’ve compiled a short list of the best anti-inflammatory foods for you. I’m sure that you’ll find it entertaining and informative. Read and enjoy!
The 5 Best Anti-inflammatory Foods Everyone Should Eat
# 1 Salmon reduces the risk of heart disease
I bet that you have heard about omega-3 acids and that they are good for your body. But you don’t know why. Let me explain it to you.
Omega-3s lower the level of the triglycerides. These are the unhealthy blood fats that no one wants. At the same time, they raise the level of the good (HDL) cholesterol and improve blood pressure.
Researchers have also proven that the omega-3s help the body fight inflammation. Moreover, they decrease the risk of developing heart conditions.
Sounds perfect, doesn’t it?
Unfortunately, the body can’t produce omega-3 acids on its own. That’s why it’s important to include them in your diet.
“Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon” – D. Larson
Click to tweetOily fishes are a vital source of fatty acids, including omega-3. But which fish to try?
Well, wild-caught salmon is one of your best choices. It contains two important omega-3s – eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). They stop inflammation right on the cellular level. They are also helpful for joint swelling and pain.
Salmon doesn’t contain only omega-3s. It’s also rich in Vitamin B12, D, B3, B6, selenium, protein, and phosphorus. All these have an anti-inflammatory effect.
As you can see, it’s an excellent idea to include fatty fish in your menu – at least once or twice a week. But be careful. Farm-grown salmon may not contain the same amount of nutrition as a wild-caught one. Moreover, it can have high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls. (Researchers linked them to cancer.)
Other fishes rich in omega-3s are anchovies, tuna, sardines and mackerel.
If you don’t like any of these fishes, don’t worry. Try fish-oil supplements. If you do that, be careful with your omega-6 intake. A diet too rich in these acids might cause inflammation.
#2 Kale helps you fight cancer
If you are not a veggie fan, it’s time to change that. Vegetables are full of important minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory flavonoids.
For example, bok choy (Chinese cabbage) has over 70 antioxidant substances. Celery lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It also contains known anti-inflammatory agents like Vitamin A, K, C, and potassium.
Particularly beneficial and healthy are dark leafy vegetables. In general, they have iron and calcium in larger quantities than light colored ones. They also contain a lot of Vitamin E which protects the body from cytokines. (Cytokines are pro-inflammatory molecules.)
But cruciferous vegetables like kale and broccoli must be on the top of your grocery list.
Let’s see what makes them so unique.
“Health is like money, we never have a true idea of its value until we lose it” – J. Billings
Click to tweetBroccoli is rich in sulforaphane. This is an antioxidant that reduces the levels of cytokines and NF-kB protein. Both cause inflammation.
Researchers also link sulforaphane with cancer prevention in animal testing. But human trials are still inconclusive.
Kale also has many health benefits. A single cup of kale has a higher concentration of vitamin C than most vegetables and fruits. Even more than a whole orange. Can you believe it?
Kale is also a source of the vitamin K, sulforaphane, beta-carotene, and antioxidants. It also contains indole-3-carbinol, which has anti-cancer effects.
Broccoli and kale are also an invaluable source of calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
Calcium is essential for bone growth and development. Magnesium may decrease the risk of developing heart condition and diabetes. And potassium reduces blood pressure.
So, my advice? Eat your vegetables. Even if you don’t like them.
#3 Eat blueberries to lose weight
I have good news for all berry lovers. It turns out berries are not only tasty but also healthy. Let’s see why.
Strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry – they all contain anthocyanins. This is the antioxidant responsible for their bright color. But it also has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. According to researchers, anthocyanins protect the cells against inflammation. Some studies even suggest that anthocyanins are beneficial for preventing heart disease.
Anthocyanins are usually concentrated on the skin. The only exception is strawberries. They have anthocyanins in the flesh. That’s one more reason to love strawberries.
Dark-colored berries contain another strong anti-inflammatory. It’s called quercetin, part of the flavonoid group. Flavonoids scavenge free radicals, which can damage cells or tamper DNA.
That’s why it’s powerful against inflammation.
Blueberries also contain gallic acid, a potent antifungal and antiviral agent. Some studies even suggest that gallic acid slows breast cancer.
Don’t be so surprised.
Researchers at The Ohio State University also claim that berries show remarkable anti-cancer properties. In their animal trials rats that ate berries showed a lower chance of developing cancer.
Eating berries is not only an excellent choice for fighting inflammation. Blueberries have a low glycemic index (53). This means that your body absorbs blueberries slower than other high-index foods. They are also rich in fiber and low in calories. This can help you control your appetite and manage your weight.
So, if you get hungry – grab a berry!
#4 Walnuts could prevent type 2 diabetes
If you love to eat potato chips, get rid of them and try walnuts.
Nuts are an excellent source of healthy fats. They also contain our good old friends – the omega-3 acids.
Walnuts are also rich in alpha-linolenic acid, a type of omega-3 acid. Studies have determined that it reduces the C-reactive protein. This is an inflammation marker linked to cardiovascular disease and arthritis.
Walnuts also contain phytonutrients. What’s that, you ask?
Phytonutrients are natural chemicals found in plants. They protect the plant from threats like germs and fungi. And they could prevent disease when we consume them. For example, metabolic syndrome, heart conditions and type 2 diabetes.
Besides that, walnuts contain some hard to find phytonutrients that are linked with lower risk of prostate and breast cancer.
Almonds are also a good choice if you don’t like walnuts. They are good for you blood sugar and weight management, and they are rich in fiber and vitamin E.
A review published in “Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry” also supports the anti-inflammation properties of almonds. You can read more about it here:
Other benefits of eating nuts include low cholesterol and improved blood pressure.
So, find a way to include them in your diet. Here’s a healthy recipe that you can try.
5# Add a little spice for health
You might find it strange, but spices also have anti-inflammatory properties. Let’s take a look at:
Turmeric:
Turmeric is what gives the curry its bright yellow color. People have used it both as an ingredient and medicine for centuries. Let’s see why you should add it to your diet.
The active compound in turmeric is curcumin. Researchers have found that it has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. It blocks the NF-kB protein that triggers the inflammation process.
It also has anti-pain properties. Studies suggest it’s even more potent than aspirin or ibuprofen.
Curcumin:
Curcumin also has an antioxidant and anti-anxiety effect. It can even slow the growth of tumor cells. That’s why some researchers believe turmeric can be the key to finding a cure for cancer. For better results, consume turmeric with black pepper. The black pepper has a compound called piperine. It helps your body to absorb curcumin better.
Ginger:
Ginger contains powerful anti-inflammatory called gingerols, shogaols, and paradols. These compounds are just as useful as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Ginger has an anti-blood-clotting ability. It’s also excellent for indigestion, nausea, stomach ulcers, and boosting immunity.
But make sure to consume it fresh or well dried.
Cayenne pepper:
Capsaicin is what makes the pepper spicy. But that’s what makes it such a good anti-inflammatory. It’s often used in creams and ointments to numb pain. It blocks the substance P, which transmits pain signals to our brain.
Cayenne is also rich in flavonoids and carotenoids, which protect the cells from damage.
But you should be aware that cayenne peppers are part of the nightshade family. Some doctors believe that they can aggravate conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
Cinnamon:
Cinnamon improves insulin sensitivity, lowers blood sugar levels, and reduces risks of heart disease.
Cinnamaldehyde, one of the active compounds in cinnamon, is useful for fighting infections. It can slow the growth of bacteria like Listeria and Salmonella. It also suppresses the NF-kB proteins and prevents platelets from clumping.
Animal trials also suggest that cinnamon has potential anti-cancer properties.
Sage and rosemary:
Sage improves memory, concentration and lessens anxiety. It also has anti-viral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and even anti-cancer properties.
Rosemary also has the same anti-inflammatory effects like sage.
The uncooked rosemary contains apigenin and diosmin. Apigenin slows the growth of pancreatic cancer cells, while diosmin is good for hemorrhoids.
Be sure to also check out this article…
Now, what are your next steps?
As you can see, many foods can help you in your fight with inflammation. But remember that everyone is different. What works for you, may not work for someone else. The important thing is –
Don’t give up! Try new anti-inflammatory foods until you find the one that makes you feel better.
Do you agree or disagree with the list? Which food changed your life? Please, share your experience. I hope that I’ve been useful to you. Like and share the article if you have enjoyed reading it.
Author Bio: Clare Kendry
Clare Kendry is the Founder/Editor of eHomeRemedies.com. Her passion is sharing her experiences in taking care of her family, pets, and her lovely garden.
from Dai Manuel: The Moose is Loose http://ift.tt/2hvLuQE
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
MyGolfSpy’s 2016 Editors’ Choice Awards
Our goal with Editors' Choice is to recognize the products, innovations, and companies that we believe were difference makers in 2016. This year we've added a few new categories.
Our annual Most Wanted tests allow us to take a purely objective data-driven look at product performance, but as the year comes to an end, we'd like to offer you a more subjective look at the best of 2016.
For our Editors' Choice Awards we consider not only performance but also the opinions of staff, golfers we speak with, while also considering immediate market impact or a product's long-term potential to advance the industry.
New Club Technology - NONE
2016 wasn't exactly a breakthrough year for club technology. While there was plenty of evolution, as there always is, we couldn't come up with anything we felt created any distance from the pack.
Will 2017 offer any epic innovation? We'll have to wait and see.
Driver - TaylorMade M1
In late 2015 TaylorMade declared that one letter would define distance. It was a bold, and surprisingly accurate prediction. While M2 was the talk of the tour at the end of the season, with several former Nike staffers (including Tiger and Rory) putting it in the bag, we're giving the nod to the M1, which took top honors in this year's Most Wanted Driver test.
Runner Up: TaylorMade M2
Fairway Wood - Cobra KING LTD
It's rare that a fairway wood stands out from the pack, but the KING LTD does. It's versatile, launches high, and doesn't spin excessively. More significantly perhaps, its ultra-low CG location is unique to the market right now. The LTD gets bonus points for being a trendsetter, as our suspicion is that you'll see the market designing after it in seasons to come.
Runner Up: TaylorMade M2
Hybrid: None
We've continuously maintained that the hybrid is the hardest club to innovate, and frankly, we don't think anybody did this year. As usual, manufacturers gave us plenty of excellent offerings to choose from, but it would be a stretch to say anything stood out from the crowd.
Super Game-Improvement Iron - TaylorMade M2
Arguably on the leading edge of the Super Game-Improvement space, TaylorMade's M2 was a success with consumers - and for good reason. While some readers are often dismissive of so-called shovels, golfers serious about shooting lower scores were more than happy to embrace the greater consistency and forgiveness offered by M2.
Game-Improvement Iron - Callaway Apex CF 16
No single iron has generated more positive buzz among the golfers I talk to day in and day out than Callaway's Apex CF16. A strong seller in general, and an absolute darling among custom fitters, the Apex proves that selling above $1000 is not an issue when you have the product to back it up.
Player's Iron - Srixon Z 765
It's time to give the iron with a cult following the mainstream attention it deserves. The Srixon Z 745 was hugely popular with MyGolfSpy testers (and with readers). The Z 765 is even better. It's the kind of iron that should elevate Srixon into elite company.
Runner-Up: Mizuno MP-25
Blade Iron - PING iBlade
Perhaps not as refined as a classic muscleback, I'll admit it took us some time to warm up to the iBlade. The more time we spend with it, however, the less we want to put it down. PING has managed to mitigate the inverse relationship between workability and forgiveness, which means you can still shape the ball while retaining some protection from mis-hits.
Runner-Up: Yonex N1-MB
Wedge - Vokey SM6
Going with Vokey here is practically cliché, and frankly, we're fine with that. Progressive CG location, three finish options, five distinct grinds, and lofts from 46° to 62°. Toss in SM6's refined styling that makes an off the rack Vokey nearly as pretty as a Wedge Works custom, and frankly, we can't find anything here we don't love.
Putter - EVNRoll
Offering the latest in groove technology from Guerin Rife, the EVNRoll series blew our minds when it outperformed the winners of this year's Most Wanted putter tests. With new models on the way, we're anxious to see what 2017 has to offer.
Sleeper Club - Cobra F6 Baffler
We wanted to create a category to recognize (when warranted) an outstanding club that perhaps flew a bit under the consumer radar. We think the Cobra F6 Baffler is exactly that kind of club. A compact 5-wood, the Baffler plays like a cross between a fairway wood and a hybrid. The shorter shaft offers tremendous control benefits with a negligible (if any) distance penalty. It's the kind of common sense club that more of us should have in our bags.
Golf Ball - Costco Kirkland Signature
The $15/dozen (2/$30) Costco ball has set the ball market off kilter while challenging everything you thought you knew about golf balls. A tour ball for 30 cents on the dollar? That can't be real.
Oh, it's real.
In our tests, the Kirkland Signature Ball (K-Sig for short) outperformed the #1 Ball in Golf, but you don't have to take our word for it. The feedback from consumers has been overwhelmingly positive - and that's made the K-Sig so popular, Costco is struggling to keep up with the demand.
Runner-Up: Bridgestone B330 Series
Shaft - Project X HZRDUS
Without fail, each and every year there's one shaft...or more appropriately one shaft line, that seemingly catches absolute fire. This year it was Project X's HZRDUS. To recap, it started with Black, then Yellow, then Red, and now the T1100 prototype. Fitters are embracing the line, and as it finds its way into OEM catalogs, the buzz around the HZRDUS line only continues to grow.
Consumer Tech - Arccos Driver
By simplifying the technology for those who just want driver stats, Arccos Driver makes round tracking more accessible, super easy, and plenty of fun - even if it's just for one club. We're further intrigued by the partnership with Cobra Golf (Cobra Connect), which should help bring round tracking to the mainstream and has the potential to accelerate innovation in the digital club space.
Golf Shoe (spiked) - adidas Tour360 Boost
Ten years worth of adidas Golf innovations rolled up in a single model; the Tour360 Boost is a modern take on adidas' iconic Tour360. Comfortable, stable, and stylish, the Tour360 Boost is everything we demand from a flagship shoe.
Runner-Up: FootJoy Freestyle
Golf Shoe (Spikeless) - FootJoy Pro/SL
As we discussed in our review, the thing about the FootJoy Pro/SL is that it isn't what you expect from a spikeless shoe, and that's what makes it so brilliant. Like many spikeless designs, it's extremely comfortable, but more impressively; it's clear that FootJoy never lost sight of the fact that a premium spikeless golf shoe should still perform like a premium golf shoe.
Runner-Up: PUMA IGNITE Spikeless Sport
Equipment Story - Nike Exits the Club Business
After more than a decade of trying to establish itself as a force in golf equipment, Nike, with its market share perpetually well below 5%, walked away. The news has been heralded as an opportunity for some and a warning for others.
Right-sizing, or a sign of an industry in a tailspin? Time will tell.
As we consider Nike's equipment legacy, it's important to note that Nike Golf isn't gone entirely. Tiger, Rory, and reportedly Jason Day will wear Nike apparel and footwear for years to come, but what will that mean for the company's impact on the sport?
As for Nike's former equipment staffers; only Tiger has announced any new deal (Bridgestone, ball only), so it remains to be seen which companies will benefit most from Nike's exit.
Runner-Up: Costco Can't Keep Kirkland Signature Golf Ball in Stock
Comeback Company - Bridgestone
This time last year, Bridgestone had just announced that it was pulling out of the UK. Rumors of a big USA hard goods push fizzled, and there was even some chatter that the company might leave the US market.
The outlook took a positive turn when Bridgestone inked Bryson DeChambeau to an endorsement deal, and when Bridgestone announced it had signed Tiger Woods to a 5-year ball deal, it became abundantly clear the company has plans to reassert itself is a big time player in the ball market. It's on, people.
Rest assured Bridgestone Golf isn't going anywhere anytime soon. There's even some fresh news that Bridgestone balls will be back on UK shelves soon.
Golf Company of the Year - Callaway Golf
If you thought the Five Year War was over, you're mistaken. The Callaway machine continues to plow ahead, and directly through many of its competitors. As Nike was shutting down and others were trimming fat, Callaway continued to redefine the modern golf company. It expanded its Media Productions arm; adding Amanda Balionis to its talent roster. It acquired Toulon Design (and with it Sean Toulon), and hired former Nike guy, Rock Ishii, to help drive innovation in the ball category.
And speaking of the ball (that changed the ball)...
In 2016, the company cemented its position as a strong overall #2 in the ball category, led by Chrome Soft, which is now the top-selling ball at off-course locations.
Sales of Odyssey putters and Callaway wedges remain strong, but it's the iron category where Callaway made the most noise this season.
Released in October, the Steelhead is the market's current best-seller, and that's helped propel the company to a dominant leadership position in the iron category. The most recent report shows Callaway's dollar share of the iron category is better than twice that of its closest competitor.
The numbers say Callaway is the #1 club company in golf right now.
More bad news for those of you who've had your fill of Callaway; the company believes the Jailbreak Technology found in its upcoming Epic lineup is the next legitimate breakthrough in club design. So confident is Callaway, it's predicting that sometime in 2017, it will overtake TaylorMade to become the #1 metalwoods company in golf.
from MyGolfSpy http://ift.tt/2iqCSsW
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Monday, December 26, 2016
Tested: Low Spin Driver Shafts
What’s the lowest spinning shaft in golf?
That’s the question we set out to answer when we asked 12 different shaft manufacturers to provide us with what each believes is the lowest spinning shaft in its lineup.
11 agreed to participate. Veylix was the only holdout.
Trust me when I tell you that trying to find the answer was one hell of an endeavor.
Here's what we tested:
- Accra TourZx
- Aldila NV 2KXV White
- Fujikura Pro TS
- Graphite Design Tour M9003 & Tour AD TP
- Matrix M4 Black Tie
- Mitsubishi Rayon Composites Tensei CK White
- Oban Kiyoshi Black
- Paderson KINETIXX
- Project X HZRDUS T1100
- UST-Mamiya Elements Platinum
- XPHLEXXX Agera
With the testing now complete, wouldn’t it be something if I could tell you that we were able to isolate the one shaft that can significantly reduce, we’re talking 1000 RPM, spin for every last one of you?
Sorry folks, it doesn’t work like that. While we’re never 100% positive what we’ll find, we had a hunch that in this case, we’d find something other than an absolute and incontrovertible truth.
The reality of the situation can be best summed in a Facebook comment from reader Rob Hampton in response to our test announcement:
Truer words not spoken… at least not today.
So if we weren’t expecting to find any concrete answers, why test at all?
We test because you never know, because every test is an opportunity to learn (and to an extent an opportunity to learn how to learn), and because it’s a test I’ve always wanted to do.
Bottom line, we’re curious, and we know some of you are curious to, so what the hell, we went for it.
How we tested
- Manufacturers provided MyGolfSpy with stiff flex shafts within the ±65g range.
- Club Conex UNI-FIT adapters were installed on all shafts.
- Shafts were cut to identical playing lengths and outfitted with Golf Pride MCC Plus 4 grips.
- Eight golfers with single digit handicaps who generally play stiff flex shafts hit 12 good shots with each shaft (frequently rotating between shafts).
- Gross mishits were eliminated and are not included in the shot counts.
- Remaining outliers (determined based on launch angle and spin rates) were identified using Media Absolute Deviation, and dropped before calculation of the final averages.
- All testers hit the same head in its neutral setting.
- All testers hit Bridgestone B300 RX Golf Balls.
- Ball Data and Club Data was recorded using a Foresight GC2 Launch Monitor with HMT.
The Data: Group Averages
What's the lowest spinning shaft? That was the original question, so let's take a peek.
When we look at the data across all of our testers, here's what we find:
Observations:
- The Fujikura Pro Tour Spec produced the lowest average spin rate.
- The Pro Tour Spec’s average spin rate was marginally lower than several others including Aldila NV 2KXV White, Project X HZRDUS T1100, Graphite Design Tour AD TP, and Accra TourZx.
- The Paderson KINETIXX produced the highest spin (2970 RPM), and while 100 RPM doesn’t sound like much, the gap between it and the Graphite Design M9003 (2866 RPM) is the single largest spin gap in the test.
Looking beyond the Spin column, we find more similarities than differences.
- Average differences in most measurements including ball speed, carry, and total yards are marginal.
- The Matrix M4 Black Tie is noteworthy for producing the lowest launch (13.8°), which is nearly ½° lower than the next lowest launching shaft(s).
- The Oban Kiyoshi White and Paderson KINETTIXX produced the highest launch by a marginal amount.
- When looking at the average yards from the center line only 4 yards separate the most accurate (Aldila NV 2KXV White) from the least accurate (XPHLEXXX Agera).
Individual Differences
On the suggestion of one of our readers, we wanted to try something a little bit different and provide a better look into performance differences on a more individualized basis.
Please let us know if you find this information interesting and/or valuable. Your feedback will go a long way towards helping us decide if we’ll do it again.
The following series of charts looks at our performance data on an individual basis. Specifically, we look at the differences between the shafts that produced the results at the tails for each tester.
Since the original reason for this test was about spin, let’s again start there.
Individual Spin (Lowest vs. Highest)
Observations:
- The Fujikura Pro TS and the Graphite Design M9003 combined to produce the lowest spin for 4 (2 each) of the testers.
- The MRC Tensei CK White and Paderson KINETIXX produced the highest spin for 4 (2 each) of the testers.
- The average spin difference between the highest spinning and lowest spinning shaft on an individual basis was 687 RPM.
- The range across all testers was 333 RPM to 1076 RPM on an individual basis; the latter is what we’d expect from a loft increase of roughly 3°.
- While it doesn’t show up in the group averages, it’s clear that the shaft, even within the confines of a specific design category, can have a dramatic impact on spin rates.
Individual Ball Speed (Highest vs. Lowest)
Observations:
- The Graphite Design M9003 again ranks near the top. It’s joined by the Aldila NV 2KXV White, which, like the M9003, produced the highest average ball speeds for 2 of 8 testers.
- The XPHLEXXX Agera produced the lowest ball speeds for 2 of our testers.
- On average, testers saw an average ball speed difference of 4.35 MPH between their fastest and slowest, with a range of 1.4 MPH to 6.28 MPH on an individual basis.
Individual Carry Distance (Highest vs. Lowest)
Observations:
It shouldn’t come as any real surprise that significant differences in ball speed can translate to significant carry differences.
- The Graphite Design Tour AD TP and Accra TourZx each produced the greatest carry distance for 3 of our testers.
- The MRC Tensei CK White and Paderson KINETIXX produced the shortest carry distance for 4 (2 each) of the testers.
- On average, testers saw a difference of 13.51 yards in carry distance between their individual longest and shortest shafts.
- The shortest individual difference was 8.74 yards while the most significant difference was 18.33 yards.
Accuracy
More than once, fitters have told us that that accuracy differences between shafts can be much more significant than the other metrics we sometimes focus on. As illustrated by the charts below, that certainly was the case during our test.
Individual Average Dispersion (Most Left vs. Most Right)
Do shafts show any predisposition for one side of the course or the other? Looking through the numbers, we certainly can make a case that some shafts exhibit a left side bias, while others tend to favor the right. Note: in the chart below, negative numbers are used for averages left of center.
Observations:
- The Fujikura Pro TS (3) and Graphite Design’s M9003 (2) and AD TP (2) combined to account for the greatest left side bias for 7 of 8 testers. MRC’s Tensei accounted for the other.
- The Paderson KINETIXX and XPHLEXXX Agera showed the greatest right-side bias for 4 (2 each) of the testers.
- This is likely a contributing factor to comparatively higher spin and slightly reduced ball speeds for these two shafts.
- Testers saw, on average, 26.17 yards of left/right dispersion differences between their most left favoring and most right-favoring shafts.
- The individual spread ranged from 13.86 on the narrow end to a whopping 31.93 yards on the wide end.
- This suggests that the shaft can have a significant influence on accuracy.
Individual Shot Area (Smallest vs. Largest)
Shot area (meters squared) is the area of 90% confidence ellipse centered on the average point for total yards and yards offline. It’s a reasonable measurement of consistency, and again we see significant individual differences.
Observations:
- Suggesting plenty of it either works for you or it doesn’t, with not much in-between, the XPHLEXXX Agera provided the smallest shot area for two testers and the largest for three others.
- The UST-Mamiya Elements Platinum also accounted for the largest shot area for three testers.
- The Graphite Design AD TP produced the tightest dispersion for 2 of the testers.
- Testers saw significant differences between their most consistent and their least consistent shafts, an average of 3345 meters² difference.
- The individual differences ranged from 2038 (significant) to 5027 (massive).
- Once again, this suggests that individual consistency can vary significantly based on the shaft.
What to make of all of This
As we expected, our results don’t suggest any absolutes. Finding the right shaft is a highly individualized endeavor. A number of variables influence how a shaft will perform for a given individual, and some of those variables aren’t easily quantifiable. That task becomes even more difficult within a narrow category like low spin shafts.
We suspect that we’d see greater variation if we tested one of these shafts against a shaft regarded as higher launching and higher spinning.
More relevant perhaps, while I think we inherently know as much... it’s not as if there’s a secret knob or any other mechanism that allows shaft manufacturers to add or subtract spin. The magic of the shaft is how it influences the way each of us delivers the head to the ball.
If something in a shaft’s design causes you to deliver it with the face open then it’s going to start right, and if your path (also influenced by the shaft) is open relative to the face, then we know the ball is going to start right, fade, and the resulting spin numbers are going to be high.
If the shaft’s influence causes the opposite to be true, we’ve got a recipe for lower launch and lower spin.
The Shaft’s Influence on Starting Direction and Curvature
I wanted to come up with a simple and intuitive method to illustrate that the notion of low spin, or low launch, or any other way we classify the manifestation of shaft design ultimately boils down to how it influences the delivery of the clubhead, and by extension the resulting ball flight.
To that end, I bundled our data along with a downrange splatter chart and some simple filters to show how isolating shots by where they start, how they curve, and ultimately where they land, can dramatically shift the relative performance data.
To give you a sense of what I’m talking about and give you some ideas for how you can manipulate the data, consider these examples:
- The XPHLEXXX Agera was on average one of the highest spinning shafts, however, when we isolate shots with draw spin (technically, a left tilted axis), it presents as the lowest spinning shaft in the test. If you have no trouble turning the club over and are looking to take the left side out of play, the Agera looks really good.
- We barely discussed the Project X HZRDUS T1100, but the data suggests that if you’re looking to take a bit of spin out of an otherwise reliable fade it, along with the Matrix Black Tie, might work.
- You can isolate the results by individual testers as well, which in addition to providing all of their data, can give you a solid idea if the same shafts consistently rank near the top for a given metric.
- A quick note about Yards from Center vs. Yards Offline: Yards from Center is the average of the absolute value of Yards offline. Using a simple two shot scenario to explain; if you hit two shots, one 10 yards left of center (-10), the other 10 yards right of center (+10), our Average Yards from Center value would is 10, while our Average Offline Yards value is 0. Yards from center gives us some insight into accuracy, while Yards Offline gives us a better indication of distribution bias.
The Final Word… For now
The one thing that is abundantly clear is that between these low spin options there are vast differences, and those differences will almost certainly manifest in a big way on the golf course. While a few hundred RPMs isn’t massive, other factors contribute to nearly 20 yards of distance in individual cases, along with significant differences in accuracy.
As a gearhead myself, I’m wholly supportive of anyone who compulsively tries everything and anything with the hope of cutting a couple hundred RPMs and gaining a few extra yards. Our data, however, suggests that if you’re constantly hitting up eBay for the latest spin killer, the odds of finding a shaft that works well for you aren’t great.
In fact, the biggest takeaway from this test is that if you’re focusing most of your attention on spin numbers, you’re almost certainly missing the bigger picture.
If you’re serious about finding the best performing shaft for you, the answer, as it often does, almost certainly lies exclusively in a proper fitting.
Let’s Have a Discussion
There are probably a couple hundred other points I could make… additional data I could include, but I’m certain my boss doesn’t want me crawling any deeper in the weeds than we already are - unless the demand exists. So for those of you who found this interesting, and I suppose those of you who didn’t, please give us your feedback (please clap).
What did you like? What didn’t you like? Would you like to see more shaft testing in the future?
Those are my questions. We’d love to take a shot at answering some of yours. If you’ve got ‘em, fire away.
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