Equipment

Shaft Select: An app that fits golfers for every shaft in their bag

Published

8 years ago

May 13, 2016

Too busy. Too expensive. Too far away. Those are the most common reasons golfers cite when they tell us why they haven’t been fit for golf clubs. The good news for them is that the growth of the custom-club industry has led to options that are faster, more affordable and in this case, only as far as way as a golfer’s smartphone.

Online custom club fitter fairwayjockey.com has released an app called Shaft Select (available for Apple and Android devices) that can fit golfers for every shaft in their bag, sans the putter. Downloading the app is free, as is a wood-shaft fitting. If golfers want to learn what hybrid, iron or wedge shafts are for for them, however, an annual fee of $2.99 unlocks those tools. And those ready to take the plunge can then make their way to fairwayjockey.com to build their completely custom club or clubs.

Can an app really fit golfers accurately for shafts? To answer that question, we spoke to Mike Robinson, Founder of Fairway Jockey.

WRX: The Shaft Select app asks golfers to answer a few simple questions depending on the type of shaft that’s being fit. How did you come up with those questions and criteria?

MR: The series of questions ask the player the most important concepts that should be covered during a custom shaft fitting. Shaft Select uses a player’s tempo, transition, and shaft release to compute a high-level recommendation. It goes a step further and gets the player’s input on ball flight needs, directional miss information, and feel to narrow the recommendation down to specific models that will work for their swing.

WRX: How many shafts are in the Shaft Select database? And how does the app sort through the different shaft options to offer a recommendation?

MR: The Shaft Select database has every model, weight, and flex from 15 of the top shaft manufacturers. Through shaft testing and fitting knowledge, we programmed the fitting tool to sort through the data for each shaft to compute non-biased, data-driven recommendations for our clients.

WRX: As a fitter, what do you recommend for golfers who aren’t quite certain of their swing tempo, transition or release? How can they get that information so they can use the app effectively?

MR: The ideal solution would be to get the information from a PGA professional or a club fitter. However, there is not always access, so there are some general ways to diagnose your own swing tendencies. For example, a golfer can time their swing from start to finish. Closer to 1 second would be a fast tempo, and closer to 2 seconds would be a slow tempo. For transition, a golfer can determine if they are aggressive or smooth at the top when they start their downswing. The swing release is when the wrists typically unhinge during the downswing. Most mid-to-high handicap golfers have an early-to-mid release, and most low-handicap golfers have a late release. If there is any doubt, we are always a phone call or email away for assistance.

WRX: When golfers call you for assistance, what are the most common misconceptions about shafts and the fitting process?

MR: There are a couple misconceptions that come to mind. Specifically, many golfers will focus primarily on swing speed as the only determinant for the proper shaft. We like to get the golfer thinking about other factors such as directional miss (to ensure proper weighting) and feel preferences (to select proper torque). The second misconception that comes to mind is in the selection of the proper playing length when having the shaft built by Fairway Jockey. Many golfers will request a playing length without considering the effect it has on the swing weight of the club. A swing weight that is too light or too heavy can have a negative impact on the golfer’s ball flight. We always recommend that our clients consult with us to ensure a proper setup.

WRX: The last question golfers get when choosing a shaft on the app is about price. What advice do you have for golfers buying shafts on a budget?

MR: I would say the higher your swing speed, the more critical it is that you lean toward purchasing a more premium shaft. If you have a slower-to-average swing speed, I would recommend that you purchase a shaft that fits comfortably within their budget.

To download the Shaft Select app, click here.

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11 Comments

Sal

May 20, 2016 at 8:45 am

immediately asking for $2.99. no free wood fitting!! BULLS***!

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Justin Wells

May 16, 2016 at 7:01 pm

It won’t let me do anything without first giving them $2.99…immediate fail

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cgasucks

May 15, 2016 at 10:16 pm

Waste of money…each of the major shaft manufacturers can tell you that on their websites for free…

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You idiot

May 15, 2016 at 9:15 pm

Take this post down you fool!

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Sboss1

May 15, 2016 at 9:23 am

Why would anyone pay $3 ANNUALLY for this app? This is a blatant ripoff and a recurring revenue money grab. Assuming this app does what it claims, shouldn’t I be able to get all my shafts perfect to my personal specs…..ONCE? Why would I pay annually? Other than allowing the owners the opportunity to collect recurring revenue?
This is very lame.

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tlmck

May 15, 2016 at 2:14 am

What a joke. It recommended expensive lightweight shafts when in fact I do better with heavier inexpensive shafts. I am also surprised they charge. For the shafts they recommend, the shaft makers could kick in and make the app free. Still would not be useful.

Reply Report comment
Tom

May 13, 2016 at 8:36 pm

I’ll be interested to see how this app plays out over the remainder of the year. Please do a follow up article.

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Someone

May 13, 2016 at 7:00 pm

So you say that shafts shouldn’t be fit solely on speed, but also weight and torque. Then at the end, you say to pick shaft budget based on speed…seems contradictory to me. You’re basically saying that high swing speed means you need a more expensive shaft. So now you’re back to picking a shaft based on swing speed…to disprove your basis, I have two friends who hit the ball relatively the same distance on drives…one has an expensive tour shaft the other has a more affordable shaft. To add more control to this comparison, they both play the same driver head (same loft) and are physically the same height.

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davemac

May 13, 2016 at 10:55 am

Downloaded to test, very unimpressed, a few simple multiple choice questions and up pops a driver shaft recommendation. I also managed to upset the questions by asking for a regular feeling shaft, it only wanted to offer soft feeling shafts given my modest swing speed.

I don’t know if there is more detail behind the paid subscription, I certainly hope so.

To the developers, we now have access to high speed cameras and swing analyser like SkyPro / ZEP so we can provide much better detail with regard to swing tempo and swing aggression.

Reply Report comment
Todd

May 13, 2016 at 9:09 am

$2.99 to use. No thanks.

Reply Report comment
Nath

May 13, 2016 at 8:22 am

Not an industry first sorry.
MyGolfShafts has been around on ios 03/10/13

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

5 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.

Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.

We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.

Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).

See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here

Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge

Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.

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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.

See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here

Turning Back the clock

Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.

But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.

For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.

Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.

The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.

The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.

Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter

Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.

Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.

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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.

If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.

Brilliant.

See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here

Stricker’s unrecognizable putter

Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.

Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.

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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates

Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.

Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.

It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.

Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines

Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.

Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.

FitzMagic teams back up

Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.

See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here

And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.

We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!

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