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The return of Loomis Golf shafts

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In 1992, Davis Love III installed Loomis Golf graphite shafts in his irons. The subsequent four wins on tour had competitors and aficionados scratching their heads and asking what exactly happened to DL3’s game? It turned out that those shafts were the offspring of a high-priced line of fishing rods, invented by Gary Loomis and predicated on flexible, balanced and dense graphite. Given recent events and announcements, Davis might want to re-examine his irons shafts as he prepares for the Champions Tour.

What events? Which announcements? Jeffrey and Robert Meyer, experienced men in the golf industry and owners of Meyer Performance Composites, have opened the factory doors in Wonka-like fashion and are producing the Loomis graphite iron shaft again. Jeffrey Meyer began designing golf shafts at Aldila in 1987. He worked as director of golf shaft development at Acushnet from 1996-2002 and then as director of metal wood development from 2002-2007. His brother, Robert, was an All-American golfer at BYU and played professional golf for about 10 years. Robert Meyer enjoyed success on the Canadian PGA and Golden State Tours. He then served as the PGA tour rep at Graphite Design from 1999-2008.

If you search the name, “Gary Loomis” on major engines, you’re more likely to find references to his fishing rod exploits. His unique carbon fiber construction techniques were honed in his days working on Lamiglass and Talon rods. Until Loomis arrived at the caravan, the world’s finest golf touring pros were hesitant to use graphite in anything other than metals and woods (yes, those were still around). They complained that graphite-shafted irons were too stiff and were rarely balanced through the set. After the major golf success of the 1990s, Loomis sold his company to Aldila or Shimano … or someone else, depending on the report you read. What is certain is that he left the business he had owned since 1973, even though the legendary name, G. Loomis, lived on.

From time to time, Loomis resurfaced, like a more frequent and human version of Brigadoon. In 2008, he spoke at the International Professional Association of ClubFitters exposition, where he maintained that the impact of the golf shaft on effective and efficient clubfitting was never in doubt and that the properties of each shaft had direct impact on the success of the fitting and use of the clubs.

The company’s mission statement discusses “highest modulus materials” and “densest laminates” as attributes. Jeffrey Meyer broke down in layman’s terms precisely what separates Loomis shafts from the competition.

“The Loomis iron shafts are known for their low torque, stability, superior vibration dampening with excellent feel similar to the fishing rods Gary Loomis produces. This is accomplished by utilizing tools with very small diameters, using better materials and taking extra steps in the manufacturing process to ensure that maximum laminate density is obtained. Better materials, better designs and better manufacturing processes result in superior products.”

Today, the Meyer brothers count on the unique quality of the Loomis shaft to be its principal selling point.

“With the assistance of the Mitsubishi Rayon Company, the EFP Tour and EFP 95 iron shafts are made with superior high modulus fibers (40 ton/57 msi tensile modulus) and resin systems combined with their world class manufacturing to produce consistent, high quality shafts,” Meyer said. “These designs also incorporate a proprietary titanium-nickel fiber that help to optimize the balance and feel of these shafts.”

To celebrate the return of the product, the Meyers brothers are focusing the marketing energy on the crossover between golf and collegiate sports. Loomis graphite irons shafts are available in the team colors of 31 major universities.

Given that tomorrow’s pros are today’s collegians, if Loomis shafts catch their eye, the next generation of touring professionals might opt in a dominant way for Loomis shafts, just as the generation of 1990 did.

Visit Loomis’ website for more information.

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Ronald Montesano writes for GolfWRX.com from western New York. He dabbles in coaching golf and teaching Spanish, in addition to scribbling columns on all aspects of golf, from apparel to architecture, from equipment to travel. Follow Ronald on Twitter at @buffalogolfer.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Fred Ward

    Jun 17, 2016 at 11:57 am

    I am trying to get in contact with Jeffrey and Robert Meyer. Computer crash and lost their email and phone #. Tell them Fred Ward, former Demo/Tech Rep. TaylorMade and Adams golf.
    850-217-9903
    [email protected]
    Look forward to hearing from them.

  2. Hamish

    Aug 14, 2014 at 10:09 am

    I played Loomis shafts years ago…

    They were excellent…actually awesome!!!
    After 24years of club making and shafting at ProZoneGolf. I would regard Loomis quality still better than some newer steel graphite fibre designs

    Bring them back with a butt stiff design that flies like PX / Modus 3 130. Can you make a 120-125gram dart thrower for loaders…Please!

  3. Joe Golfer

    Jul 25, 2014 at 2:14 am

    I wonder what the price point will be for those shafts.
    I once found an old Gary Player Par Saver sandwedge (aluminum/bronze clubhead)in a used club bin.
    It had a G Loomis graphite shaft in it.
    I purchased it because the grooves were like new, still deep and sharp despite it being a club from years ago (the prior owner must have rarely used it).
    I must say that that club feels fantastic.
    A great combo of a soft bronze head with the G Loomis graphite shaft gives it a great feel, really smooth.
    If their new shafts are the same quality as that old shaft (back from when G Loomis actually owned the company), they should be good.

  4. Jedidiah

    Jul 20, 2014 at 2:22 pm

    Thanks Ronald McDonald. You’re so cute

  5. Pingback: The return of Loomis Golf shafts | Spacetimeandi.com

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Whats in the Bag

Kris Kim WITB 2024 (May)

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Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX

3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX

Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X

Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord

Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.

 

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Welcome to the family: TaylorMade launches PUDI and PDHY utility irons

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TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.

TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.

TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.

Can you see where this is going?

Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”

 

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TaylorMade PUDI

TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)

Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.

In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.

TaylorMade PDHY

TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).

Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.

Club Junkie’s take

Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.

For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.

PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?

TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:

  • PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
  • PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
  • Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
  • PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
  • PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family

Pricing, specs, and availability

Price: $249.99

At retail: Now

Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)

Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)

PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed

PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed

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Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter

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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter

From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter

This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules

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