Doc Griffin: Shaft Myths (Part 6)

Leednc,

Thanks for the info on the Aurthue Extreme. The Xcaliber is available at Golfworks. They are very affordable and have a varity of bend/flex points I like. It is hard to find an A-Flex with a mid bend point, but they have one at around $40.00 for woods and $19.00 for irons. Everything bought pre-assembled in A-Flex always seems to come in low bend points too. I've always disliked the way I hit everything too high and get little to no roll out. I will want to try these in an iron or two I'm working on.Maybe some hybrids and driver if the irons work out. Thanks again!

This is true in the golf industry as well.  In fact, most of the products that I carry have a higher "turn down" rate than the OEMs.  Also, shaft specs will vary greatly in quality of graphite, steel, and what have you.

 I have bought heads from Diamond tour in the past which seemed just
fine. Also Golfsmith and Golfworks as well. Another you might consider
is Hireko.

http://www.hirekogolf.com/

I was lucky and signed up with an alternate energy company for this year and my monthly rate and budget was reduced significantly. Also was able to do the same with the natural gas. I'm back to prices from a few years ago. I don't know if it will last for next year, but I've got it this year.

Edit: I like to keep my place cool, around 68* all year. It saves winter gas, but costs about a buck a day extra in the summer. To me, one dollar a day is a small price for my personal comfort.

Interesting thoughts, so I did some reading. These articles may surprise you. Maybe not.
For example what is the quality difference between clone/conterfiet and name brand clubs?
Where are most components made? Any or which ones in America and does that matter?
Seems it is currently a big issue for the Olympics and the U.S. uniforms. Makes you wonder what we we all do with 90% of our clothing if we were anti Asian/foriegn  made clothes. I personally don't care iether way. It is an 'ism', it just is regardless of how I feel.

http://www.mygolfspy.com/clone...

http://thesandtrap.com/t/38654...

A little sceptical Jim? Apprehensive? A 'good' personal clubfitter lives on reputation and word of mouth, no they would not talk you into a $500.00 shaft just to make profit. They would have your best interests at heart or not be in business very long. If you seriously want to consider being fit you would also want your clubs built by the same person.
Don't know who's avialable in Hawaii. You'd need to do your own research.
To know what qualities to look for, read, "The Search for the Perfect Golf Club" by Tom Wishon

Additionally I would highly recomend reading through and looking at the videos on Doc's site for a quick education on clubfitting. He also has a long distance clubfitting program that has had great reviews and may be best for someone in your location.

http://www.docgriffingolf.com/

Not true.  They only give prices to accounts.  Anybody, and I mean anybody can set up an account.  I know of plenty of home shop fitters that use Wishon products.

 For club heads try Golf Supply in Decatur, Alabama.

Hmmmnnn....   true, that's why I'm seriously looking at solar panels. The power co. has us over the 'barrel' here.

I've been looking into that as well. I have a neighbor who has them on his house and his daughters. One interesting thing I found out is that you have to have the power company swap out their fancy new "smart" meters because they're too stupid to deal with bidirectional power (when your panels generate more than you can store and you sell it back to the power company). If you want, I have a name I can send you in email for a good local company.

Thanks Terry. I have considered Hireko and will look at them again. Of course I have purchased multiple items from both Golfsmith and Golfworks. Why do I feel that real fitters likely have a ton of more options out there that I haven't discovered? Guess cause they buy in such volume.

Great video, Doc. Sure changed my attitude about "cheap" shafts. 

As for it's effect on the American worker of course it matters. Taxes, our noncompetitive situation now and all that is a lengthy subject. Believe me I wish things were different in many ways economically ect.
As for golf components, like most businesses it seems that demand and price are king regardless of the origin of the products in most cases.

I would like to buy from Wishon, but they won't even give the prices to other than a certified PGA Fitter.

Thanks Leed, I'll have a look at theses too.

RM:  My brother-in-law works the oil fields in Wyoming and lives in a nice house that is 100% off the grid.  He uses wind and solar power, and uses a coal/wood-fired boiler for heating.  Most of their cooking is done in one of the new microwave ovens that can also bake, etc.  Pretty cool stuff.  r2

Good to know Doc thanks. Either the lady I spoke with was wrong or I misunderstood her. Sure wouldn't be the first time I misunderstood someone. I'll check into setting up an account.

Doc, would you say that a good analogy is brand name drugs versus generic? Same stuff in them, 1/3 the price, with the brand name manufacturers saying that the extra money is going to pay for all of the R&D work to create the product.

"Clones" and counterfeit are two very distinctive groups.  Counterfeit clubs are without a doubt of significant lesser quality.  I also don't think any club heads are made in the good ole' USofA any longer.

Thanks Doc. Good to know we can set something up with Wishon if desired.

Alternate energy company? Don't think we have that choice here. By alternate you don't mean solar do you? What I'm refering to is setting up an entire system that will pay for itself in a few years. Still researching and looking at it but there is one guy out there that says we can build our own (even just a few panels at a time). One says you'll eventually be "off the grid" and another says when you have too much it is shared with your neighbors and you get a credit as you go. Still looking but I guess we get 30% re-inburst by Gov.
................ just looked at another hour or so of you tube stuff on solar and wind turbines, et. Crazy cool. Has my wheels turning anyhow.

This shows how shaft manufacturers are no different from other businesses whose goal is to make as much profit off the consumer for the shareholders as possible. No regard for what is best for those in the masses. Sad ethics.

Yes, I think it is there way of ensuring quality control measures and protecting their name.

virtually all heads and shafts are made in the same handful of places. a $5 steel shaft comes off the same assembly line as a $30 steel shaft. a forged head from golfsmith or golfworks or hireko come from the same factories as mizuno....

Thanks Lynn. Enjoyed the the re-affirmation that costs do not particularly equate to quality. As an amature fitter (or as Terry humbly says, 'assembler') I am not in a financial position to buy expensive components to build clubs. I have been looking carefully to find affordable shafts and clubheads. Shafts over-all are really easy to find on the net. Heads however are not. If anyone has any reliable sites or suggestions for buying heads alone I would love some suggestions. Anyhow I found the following site for affordable shafts. they have other components too but it was the shafts that drew me. The shafts I bought there allowed me to completely re-shaft the entire set for my wife with a low bend ladies shaft. She has improved dramatically since the switch. It has really helped her get the ball higher and further in the air. Something ladies and those with slower swings struggle with.

http://www.diamondtour.com/gol...

Also switched out a more expensive shaft from my adams hybrid and adams 3 wood with great results

For my 3 wood;
http://www.diamondtour.com/rev...

and my hybrid;
http://www.diamondtour.com/gol...

Yes two of my choices were only $9.99 each but turns out they were as good as they're reviews. So yes, price has very little to do with shafts that are after market quality.

No, I have never heard of them, but will look them up.