Importance of graphite shaft spining

[Maverick]

Some fitters tell me is important while some tell me is not. I personally believe that it is. Would like to hear some opinions on this. Thanks.

[drcabral]

If you mean aligning the spine of your shaft, then I believe it should be done for all woods and hybrids. It's due to how graphite shafts oscillate and it is theorized that you want front back oscillation as opposed to side to side to prevent hitting ball off center. Does it work? Superstition? Who knows? I know the Pros align their spine, not to mention pay thousands on their shaft and only have them made in Asia. And if u r investing in clubs you may feel you need to do it. I'm one who needs to believe that my equipment is optimized so I can then just pay attention to my focus and swing.

[fhann]

Spining a shaft only determines the residual bend in the shaft and does not position the shaft in its most stable position. Flat line oscillation (FLO) does position the shaft in its most stable position. I am a proponent of FLOing. I am going through my files and will add some more information showing dramatic evidence of the benefit of FLOing.

Here is a discussion of Spining vs FLOing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3-x6YjhrTo

Best regards,

Frank Hann
Engineered Golf

[fhann]

Here are some impact stickers showing before and after results from FLOing. These were presented at the AGCP Roundtable Session 7 in 2012 by Jerry Hoefling Sr.

I think it is pretty conclusive that FLOing a shaft is very beneficial.

[mthunt]

Doesn't make enough of a difference to matter IMO.

[fhann]

Doesn't make enough of a difference to matter IMO.

I am surprised that you say that. In the 10 cases, there is a dramatic difference in 8 scenarios where the impact zone has been tightened up nicely along with bringing that impact zone more in line with the center of the clubface. That will pay huge dividends with consistency/accuracy not to mention increased distance. That is a win-win situation.

The greatest factor a player can reasonably and quickly achieve to increase their distance is to consistently obtain center face contact at impact. That is even before increasing club head speed. A shot that is 1 inch off center line on a driver loses 15 percent in distance. The closer to center strike for the 8 players is a real nice bonus in increased distance not to mention that they will be getting consistently more accurate.

Frank Hann
Engineered Golf

[Maverick]

Thanks Frank. Now, how much do one of these shaft FLO finders cost?

[fhann]

Hi Zmax:

You do need to make sure that you have a good clamp that has zero dampening, i.e. no rubber jaws like one would use to secure a shaft when changing grips. That clamp must be very securely fastened to a fixture that does not wobble. I use a spin indexer and have purchased few different sizes of 5C collets to accept different sizes of butt diameter that you will encounter. This really speeds up the process of finding the FLO plane rather than having to go through 15 to 20 iterations of clamping and rotating, then reclamping the shaft for each test.

You can build your own FLO device by getting a drill chuck and attaching a pen laser that many pet stores or novelty shops sell.

Here are some ready made solutions:

http://www.golfmechanix.com/Items.asp?Pdts=05

http://www.csfa.com/accessories.php

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...r&_sacat=11804

Frank Hann
Engineered Golf

[Maverick]

Great info. Prices aren't bad at all. Thank you.

[Eagle]

Spining-floing could be beneficial when working with low quality shafts, that's an opinion many clubfitters have.
if you can find a noticeable spine in a modern shaft it should be send back and changed for a good one.
In talking with a recently retired tour player I learned he did, and all the players he talked to did not want anything like floing spining.